Privacy Policy

Welcome to thelinuxshop.org. We're committed to open-source values, and that includes transparency and protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you can manage it.

1. The Information We Collect

To provide our services, we collect information in a few different ways.

A. Information You Provide Directly

• Order Information: When you purchase a Linux distribution or any product from us, we collect your name, email address, billing information, and shipping address (if applicable). This is essential for processing your order and for tax compliance.
• Account Information: If you create an account, we store your username, email address, and password (securely hashed, of course) so you can manage your orders and profile.
• Communications: When you contact us via our "Contact Us" page or email, we keep a record of that conversation to help resolve your query.

B. Information We Collect Automatically

• Cookies & Session Data: Our WooCommerce shopping cart uses essential cookies to keep track of the items you've added. Without these, the cart wouldn't work. You can disable cookies in your browser, but this may limit website functionality.
• Analytics Data: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our site. This helps us improve our store and product offerings. All data collected is anonymized and aggregated. We do not track your personal identity, nor do we allow Google to do so through our site.

2. How We Use Your Data

We use your information for specific, legitimate purposes:

• To Fulfill Your Order: The primary reason we collect your data is to process your transaction, deliver your Linux product, and provide customer support.
• To Improve Our Service: Anonymized analytics helps us understand which parts of our site are working well and which need improvement.
• For Security: We monitor for fraudulent activity and secure our website against threats.
• For Legal & Tax Compliance: We are required to retain order data for a specific period to comply with financial and tax regulations.
• To Communicate With You: If you opt-in, we'll send you our newsletter. You can opt-out at any time.

3. Data Security: Our Commitment to You

Your security is paramount. All financial transactions and data transfers on our website are protected by robust SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption.

You can verify this secure connection in two ways:

• Look for a closed padlock icon in your browser's address bar.
• Ensure the URL begins with https:// and not http://.

Note: Some older browsers or restrictive firewalls might interfere with secure connections. For your own security, please do not proceed with a transaction if the connection is not secure.

4. Third-Party Services & Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We only share it with trusted third parties who are essential for providing our services:

• Payment Gateways: When you pay, you are redirected to a secure payment processor like PayPal or Mollie. We do not store your full credit card number. Your payment information is handled by them and is subject to their own privacy policies. You can review them here:
  • PayPal Privacy Policy
  • Mollie Paymnets Privacy Policy
• Analytics: As mentioned, we share anonymized data with Google Analytics.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Under GDPR and other privacy laws, you have full control over your personal data. Here are your rights:

A. Accessing and Correcting Your Data

You can instantly view and edit most of your personal information (name, address, email) by logging into your My Account page.

B. Newsletter & Marketing Preferences

You are in complete control of our newsletter. You can opt-in during checkout or account creation. To unsubscribe, simply click the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter email you receive. It's that easy.

C. Your Data Rights (GDPR)

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of any inaccurate data.
• Request deletion of your data (the "Right to be Forgotten"), subject to our legal and tax obligations.
• Object to or restrict our processing of your data.
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please email us via our Contact Us page. We are committed to responding to all requests within 72 hours.

6. Data Retention

We only keep your data for as long as necessary.

• Order Data: We retain order information for a minimum of 3 years to comply with our legal and tax obligations.
• Newsletter Data: If you unsubscribe from our newsletter, your email address is immediately and permanently removed from our marketing list.
• Account Data: We retain your account data as long as your account is active. You can request account deletion at any time.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.

8. How to Contact Us