Privacy Policy – Your Data Protection at BooksZest

At BooksZest, your privacy is not just a policy – it’s a fundamental right that we are committed to protecting. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website, make purchases, or engage with our services.

We believe in complete transparency about our data practices. This policy is written in plain language to help you understand exactly what information we collect, why we need it, and how we protect it. Your trust is the foundation of our business, and we work every day to earn and maintain it.

Your Privacy Rights

Last Updated: September 2025 | GDPR Compliant | Indian Privacy Laws Compliant

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with BooksZest, you may provide us with the following information:

Account Information

  • Full name and contact details
  • Email address and phone number
  • Password (encrypted and secure)
  • Date of birth (optional)
  • Profile preferences and settings

Shipping & Billing Details

  • Shipping and billing addresses
  • Payment information (processed securely)
  • Order history and preferences
  • Delivery instructions
  • Gift recipient information

Communication Data

  • Customer service interactions
  • Reviews and ratings you submit
  • Survey responses and feedback
  • Newsletter subscriptions
  • Social media interactions

Business Information

  • Company name and details (for bulk orders)
  • Business requirements and preferences
  • Purchase order information
  • Authorized user details
  • Corporate communication preferences

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information:

Technical Information

  • IP address and geographic location
  • Device type and operating system
  • Browser type and version
  • Screen resolution and device settings

Usage Analytics

  • Pages visited and time spent
  • Books viewed and searched
  • Click patterns and navigation flow
  • Shopping cart and checkout behavior

Cookie Information

  • Session cookies for functionality
  • Preference cookies for customization
  • Analytics cookies for website improvement
  • Marketing cookies (with consent)

How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses of Your Data

️ Order Processing & Fulfillment

  • Process and fulfill your book orders
  • Send order confirmations and updates
  • Coordinate shipping and delivery
  • Handle returns and exchanges
  • Provide customer support

Personalization & Recommendations

  • Recommend books based on your interests
  • Customize website experience
  • Create personalized book lists
  • Send relevant content and offers
  • Improve search results

Communication & Support

  • Respond to your inquiries and requests
  • Send important account notifications
  • Provide technical and customer support
  • Conduct satisfaction surveys
  • Send promotional emails (with consent)

Security & Legal Compliance

  • Prevent fraud and unauthorized access
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Maintain account security
  • Resolve disputes and enforce terms
  • Protect intellectual property rights

Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

⚖️ Why We’re Legally Allowed to Process Your Information

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under Indian privacy laws and GDPR:

  • Contract Performance: To fulfill our obligations when you purchase books from us
  • Legitimate Interest: To improve our services, prevent fraud, and provide customer support
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with tax laws, consumer protection laws, and other regulations
  • Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies (you can withdraw anytime)
  • Vital Interests: In rare cases, to protect someone’s life or prevent serious harm

Information Sharing & Disclosure

We Never Sell Your Personal Data

BooksZest does not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

However, we may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

Who: Shipping companies, payment processors, IT service providers

What: Only information necessary to provide services

Why: To fulfill orders and provide customer support

Protection: Bound by strict confidentiality agreements

⚖️ Legal Requirements

When: Required by law, court order, or government request

What: Minimum information necessary

Why: Legal compliance and law enforcement

Notice: We’ll notify you unless legally prohibited

Business Transfers

When: If BooksZest is sold or merged

What: Customer data as part of business assets

Why: Business continuity

Protection: New owner bound by this privacy policy

️ Protection & Safety

When: To protect rights, safety, or property

What: Relevant information only

Why: Prevent fraud, abuse, or harm

Scope: BooksZest, customers, or public safety

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies and Why We Use Them

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide a better browsing experience.

Essential Cookies

Purpose: Website functionality

  • Shopping cart management
  • User authentication
  • Security features
  • Load balancing

These cannot be disabled as they’re required for the website to work.

Analytics Cookies

Purpose: Website improvement

  • Page views and traffic patterns
  • Popular books and categories
  • User experience optimization
  • Performance monitoring

Help us understand how visitors use our website.

Marketing Cookies

Purpose: Personalized advertising

  • Personalized book recommendations
  • Targeted advertisements
  • Social media integration
  • Email marketing optimization

Used only with your consent and can be disabled.

⚙️ Preference Cookies

Purpose: Remember your choices

  • Language preferences
  • Display settings
  • Location settings
  • Previously viewed books

Remember your preferences for a better experience.

Cookie Control

You have full control over cookies:

  • Manage cookie preferences in your browser settings
  • Use our cookie consent banner to customize settings
  • Disable non-essential cookies without affecting core functionality
  • Clear cookies anytime through your browser

Data Security & Protection

️ How We Protect Your Information

We implement multiple layers of security to protect your personal data:

Technical Safeguards

  • 256-bit SSL encryption for all data transmission
  • Secure servers with regular security updates
  • Encrypted password storage
  • Regular security vulnerability assessments
  • Firewall protection and intrusion detection

Administrative Controls

  • Limited access on need-to-know basis
  • Employee training on data protection
  • Background checks for staff with data access
  • Regular privacy and security policy updates
  • Incident response procedures

Physical Security

  • Secure data centers with access controls
  • 24/7 monitoring and surveillance
  • Backup systems in multiple locations
  • Environmental controls and power protection
  • Secure disposal of hardware

⚠️ Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

  • Notify affected customers within 72 hours
  • Report to relevant authorities as required by law
  • Provide clear information about what happened and what we’re doing
  • Offer free credit monitoring if financial data is involved

Data Retention & Deletion

How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for legitimate business purposes or as required by law:

Data Type Retention Period Reason
Account Information Until account deletion + 30 days Service provision and legal requirements
Order History 7 years Tax compliance and warranty support
Payment Data Not stored (processed by payment gateway) Security best practice
Marketing Communications Until unsubscribe + 30 days Compliance and suppression list
Website Analytics 26 months Business insights and improvement
Customer Support 3 years Service quality and training

Your Privacy Rights

You Have Control Over Your Data

Under Indian privacy laws and GDPR, you have the following rights:

Access Rights

  • View all data we have about you
  • Understand how we use your information
  • Get copies of your personal data
  • Know who we share data with

✏️ Correction Rights

  • Update incorrect information
  • Complete incomplete data
  • Modify outdated details
  • Correct any inaccuracies

️ Deletion Rights

  • Delete your account and data
  • Remove specific information
  • “Right to be forgotten”
  • Stop processing your data

Control Rights

  • Opt out of marketing emails
  • Restrict certain data processing
  • Object to automated decision-making
  • Withdraw consent anytime

How to Exercise Your Rights

Contact us through any of these channels:

  • Email: privacy@bookszest.com
  • Phone: +91-9990115559 (ask for privacy team)
  • Mail: Privacy Officer, BooksZest, 156-D, Sarai Julaina, New Delhi – 110025
  • Online: Use the privacy request form on our website

We’ll respond to your request within 30 days.

Children’s Privacy

Protecting Children Online

BooksZest is committed to protecting children’s privacy online:

  • Age Requirement: Our services are intended for users 18 years and older
  • No Intentional Collection: We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18
  • Parental Rights: Parents can contact us to review, delete, or stop collection of their child’s information
  • Immediate Action: If we discover we’ve collected a child’s information, we’ll delete it immediately
  • Parental Consent: Any collection from children under 18 requires verifiable parental consent

If you believe we’ve collected your child’s information, contact us immediately at privacy@bookszest.com

International Data Transfers

Cross-Border Data Protection

Your personal data is primarily stored and processed in India. However, some of our service providers may be located outside India:

  • Adequate Protection: We only transfer data to countries with adequate data protection laws
  • Contractual Safeguards: Standard contractual clauses with international service providers
  • Security Measures: Same level of protection regardless of location
  • Your Rights: Your privacy rights remain the same regardless of where data is processed
  • Notification: We’ll inform you of any significant changes to international transfers

Third-Party Services & Links

External Services We Use

BooksZest integrates with several third-party services to provide you with the best experience:

Payment Processors

Services: Razorpay, PayU, Stripe

Data Shared: Transaction details, billing information

Purpose: Secure payment processing

Protection: PCI DSS compliant, encrypted transactions

Analytics Services

Services: Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel

Data Shared: Anonymized usage data

Purpose: Website optimization, advertising

Control: Can be disabled via cookie preferences

Shipping Partners

Services: BlueDart, DTDC, India Post

Data Shared: Name, address, phone number

Purpose: Package delivery

Protection: Confidentiality agreements, limited use

Communication Tools

Services: Email marketing platforms, SMS services

Data Shared: Contact information, preferences

Purpose: Customer communication

Control: Unsubscribe anytime

⚠️ External Links: Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We’re not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before sharing personal information.

Marketing Communications

✉️ How We Communicate with You

We send different types of communications based on your relationship with us:

Essential Communications

(Cannot be opted out as they’re required for service)

  • Order confirmations and updates
  • Shipping notifications
  • Account security alerts
  • Legal notices and policy updates

Marketing Communications

(Require your consent – opt-in basis)

  • Book recommendations and new arrivals
  • Special offers and discounts
  • Educational content and tips
  • Event invitations and announcements

Preference Management

(You have full control)

  • Choose communication frequency
  • Select content preferences
  • Update contact information
  • Unsubscribe from any category

Easy Unsubscribe

You can stop marketing communications anytime:

  • Click “Unsubscribe” in any marketing email
  • Update preferences in your account settings
  • Email us at unsubscribe@bookszest.com
  • Call +91-9990115559 and ask to be removed

Note: You’ll still receive essential service-related communications.

Policy Updates & Changes

Keeping You Informed of Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Here’s how we handle changes:

Notification Process

  • Minor Changes: Updated policy posted on website with revision date
  • Significant Changes: Email notification to all registered users
  • Major Changes: Prominent website notice + email + 30-day advance notice
  • Continued Use: Using our services after changes indicates acceptance

What Constitutes Significant Changes

  • New ways of collecting or using personal data
  • Changes to data sharing practices