Privacy Policy

DEFINITIONS

"Company" means Neve Jewels CA Limited, a Canadian corporation with business number [1000906644], trading as Austen & Blake, registered at 9 Yorkville Ave, Suite Office 212B, Toronto, ON M5R 3K5, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neve Jewels Limited (UK, Company Number 06453160).

"Group Companies" means Neve Jewels Canada Ltd, its parent company Neve Jewels Limited (UK, Company Number 06453160), its fellow subsidiaries and related entities of Neve Jewels Limited as defined under section 2 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, RSC 1985, c C-44."

"Website" means www.austenblake.ca and its associated pages and content.

"Website Content" means any information, text, images, photos, design, files, software, music, sound, and video available on the Website.

1. Who We Are (Data Controller)

Neve Jewels CA Limited, a Canadian corporation with business number [1000906644], trading as Austen & Blake, registered at 9 Yorkville Ave, Suite Office 212B, Toronto, ON M5R 3K5. We are the controller of your data.

We have appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee compliance with this policy, as per PIPEDA. In case of queries, you can contact our DPO at [email protected]. The policy is available in English and French upon request.

2. What We Collect

Personal information is required only at the point of purchasing an item or when ordering a ring sizer or when you sign up for the newsletter. Personal Information includes, but is not limited to: First Name, Last Name, Home, Billing or Physical address; E-mail Address; Phone Number & other Contact Information.

We may also collect the following information:

• Demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
• IP Addresses
• Other information relevant to customer preferences, surveys and/or offers

We do not collect sensitive personal data (e.g., health, ethnicity) unless directly relevant and with your explicit consent under PIPEDA Schedule 1, Section-3, Alberta PIPA Section-7.

We minimize collection to what's necessary as defined under PIPEDA Principle 4.3.3.

We state that we do not collect children's data (under 16) without parental consent PIPEDA Principle 4.3.3.

3. Why we collect this information

We are 100% committed to protecting your privacy and security and we totally appreciate and respect how important privacy is. We will strive to ensure that your data is not used for any other than aforementioned by us or by the third parties engaged by us.

This personal data will only be used for the specific purpose it was collected for.

We require this information after you've shared your legitimate consent as per provision under Principle 4.3 (Consent) of PIPEDA to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and for the following reasons:

• To process the order and deliver products in a timely manner
• To send confirmation and updates on your order
• Internal record keeping (e.g., order history; retained for up to 7 years as required by tax laws, or until no longer needed)
• We may use the information to improve our products and services
• We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information, which we think you may find interesting using the email address, which you have provided

Note: At any point in time, if you do not wish to receive further communications from Us, you may select to opt out of receiving such information or contact us. Opt-outs are processed within 10 days as per CASL, with unsubscribe mechanisms in every message (valid for 60 days). We separate promotional from transactional messages. We also maintain consent records for our processing and in compliance with PIPEDA.

• When you visit our Website, Austen & Blake collects your IP address to, among other things, help diagnose problems with its server, administer and tune the operation of its Website, analyze trends, track traffic patterns, gather demographic information for aggregate use, and track the date and duration of each session within our Website. Your IP address may also be used in combination with your personal information for credit fraud protection and risk reduction. (retained only as long as necessary for these purposes, typically up to 2 years).
• Before using or disclosing information, we ensure its accuracy (Principle 6). We limit retention to what's needed (e.g., financial data for 7 years per tax laws). You can withdraw consent for non-essential uses without affecting core services.
• We comply with the Competition Act and Consumer Protection laws to ensure marketing is not misleading.

4. Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have implemented suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online and in stores, in accordance with PIPEDA Schedule1, Principle 7 (Safeguards).

In the event of a breach posing a real risk of significant harm (RROSH), we will notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) and affected individuals promptly (aiming for 72 hours), and keep records for 24 months, as required by PIPEDA.

5. Compliance With Law And Fraud Protection

We may collect and disclose any information, including personal information, we deem necessary, in our sole discretion, to comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request, in line with Principle 5. We may collect and possibly share personally identifiable information and any other information available to us in order to investigate, prevent or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any personal or as otherwise required by law. We may also exchange information, including personally identifiable information, with other companies and organizations for credit fraud protection and risk reduction.

All disclosures are limited to what is required, with consent where applicable.

6. Information Shared With Third Parties

Third parties may use your personal information. For instance, when we ship the product out to you, we need to share your Full Name, Shipping Address with our delivery agent. Examples of other third parties that we may share your personal information will include: webhosting companies, fulfilment companies (e.g., companies that fulfil product orders), our group companies, its fellow subsidiaries) (within and outside Canada with appropriate safeguards) jewelers, assemblers, data analysis firms, affiliates, third party consulting or marketing firms and e-mail service providers.

Additionally, if you use a credit card or other financing alternative to place an order with Austen & Blake, to confirm and process your order, we will share your personal information with such financing company.

These third parties only receive personal information if such information is needed to perform their function(s), and they are not authorized to use any personal information for any other purpose(s) other than the purpose(s) set forth by Austen & Blake.

We only provide third parties with the minimum amount of personal information necessary to complete the requested service, product and or transactions. All disclosures are limited to what is necessary, with appropriate safeguards.

We conduct vendor due diligence and audits. Non-essential sharing requires your explicit consent.

7. YOUR RIGHTS

Under PIPEDA, you can:

• Right of Access (Principle 4.9) - You can request confirmation on how your data is being processed, get access to the data, and also request details like purposes, recipients, retention periods, and automated decisions. We will provide a copy (e.g., in electronic format when requested).
• Right of Rectification (Principle 4.9.5) - You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data without undue delay. We will notify recipients (e.g., third parties) of changes.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten") (Principle 4.5 & 4.9) - You can request deletion of data if it's no longer needed, or you withdraw your consent, or if we are unlawfully processing your personal data, or If you have any other objection. We will notify recipients (e.g., third parties) of changes.
• Right to Restriction of Processing (Principle 4.5 & 4.9) - You can request temporary "freezing" of processing of your data (e.g., marking data as restricted) while accuracy is verified or your complaint is resolved. Your data can only be stored or used for legal claims.
• Notification Obligation Regarding Rectification or Erasure (Principle 4.9.5) - We will communicate rectifications, erasures, or restrictions to recipients (e.g., third parties) unless impossible or disproportionate.
• Right to Data Portability (Principle 4.9) - You can receive their data in a structured, machine-readable format (e.g., CSV/JSON) and transfer it to another controller. Such transfers apply only to automated processing based on consent or contract.
• Right to Object (Principle 4.3.3 & 4.9) - You can object to processing based on legitimate interests, public tasks, or direct marketing at any time. We will stop these marketing or promotional campaigns, unless compelling reasons override (e.g., legal claims).
• Right Not to be Subject to Automated Individual Decision-Making (Principle 4.9 and OPC guidelines) - You can object to decisions based solely on automated processing (e.g., AI scoring) with legal effects (e.g., credit denial). We must allow human intervention if objected.

You can send a request via email at [email protected] We will verify the identity.

You can also send an appeal to the OPC (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada) in case of no response from us for a month.

8. Email This Product To A Friend

When you e-mail a product to a friend, you and your friend's names and e-mail addresses are requested. This ensures that your friend will know that you have requested that Austen & Blake send them an email. You and your friend's e-mail addresses will only be used for this purpose unless permission is otherwise granted.

9. Privacy Policy Mobile Messaging service

• We value your privacy and the information you consent to share in relation to our SMS marketing service. We use this information to send you text notifications (for your order, including abandoned checkout reminders), text marketing offers, and transactional texts, including requests for reviews from us. Opt-in data and consent for text messaging will not be shared with any third parties except with messaging partners hired by us or the parent company, for the purpose of enabling and operating our text messaging program.
• Opt-in data and consent for text messaging will not be shared with any third-parties except with messaging partners, for the purpose of enabling and operating our text messaging program.
• Our website uses cookies to keep track of items you put into your shopping cart, including when you have abandoned your checkout. This information is used to determine when to send cart reminder messages via SMS.
• Express consent is required under CASL, with sender info and subscribe in every message. Opt-out by replying "STOP" or via link (valid 60 days). We maintain consent records.

10. Business Transfer

Your personally identifiable information may be disclosed as part of any merger, sale of company assets or acquisition, as well as in the event of an insolvency, bankruptcy or receivership, in which personally identifiable information would be transferred as one of the business assets of the Company. In such cases, we ensure continued protection or notify you of material changes for new consent.

11. International Transfers

Information collected on this Website may be stored and processed in the United Kingdom or any other country in which Austen & Blake or its affiliates, its fellow subsidiaries or agents maintain facilities and by using this Website, you consent to any such transfer of information outside of your country.

We ensure comparable protection via contracts or other mechanisms under PIPEDA Principle 1, and inform you of risks. Your consent is obtained (e.g., via checkbox), with details of destinations and safeguards (e.g., model clauses for non-adequate countries like the UK).

12. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies for functionality (essential), analytics (Google Analytics—consent via banner), and marketing (retargeting). Manage via browser or our tools. See Cookie Policy which is part of our Privacy Policy.

14. Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information, which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. Links comply with Canadian Consumer Protection Laws (non-misleading).

15. Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

• Whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes.
• If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at contacting us.

16. Complaints

We are always at your service, for any issue or complaint your may have with our website and our privacy policy. You may contact our DPO for issues. In case of non-addressal of your issues, you may escalate the matter to OPC (www.priv.gc.ca).

Access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, portability (generally free unless unfounded; response within 1 month).

You can restrict via forms (e.g. marketing opt out checkboxes) or by emailing us.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties, which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information, which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to Austen & Blake (CA) Toronto, Ontario M5B 2L7 Canada.

(Neve Jewels Ltd) Registered Address:

9, Yorkville Ave, Suite Office 212B,
Suite - 2000 Toronto - ONTARIO M5R 3K5,
Canada

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

We Appreciate Your Valuable Feedback

If you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact the Austen & Blake customer service department. You may also send us your comments about the Austen & Blake website or the shopping experience in general, as we always appreciate feedback.