Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

To provide you with a seamless experience—from selecting the perfect Printed Paper Lantern to ensuring your order arrives safely—we collect the following types of information:

Personal Information You Provide

• Identity and Contact Data: Name, email address, shipping and billing address, phone number when you create an account, place an order, or contact our customer service team.
• Payment Information: Credit/debit card details (processed securely through our payment gateways), PayPal account information. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
• Transaction Data: Details about your purchases, including items ordered, order value, and shipping method selected.
• Communication Data: Correspondence with our Newark-based customer service team via email.
• Event Planning Information: For bulk orders of Vinyl Lanterns, Table Lanterns, or custom requests, we may collect additional details about your event needs.

Automatically Collected Information

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system, and other technology on the devices you use to access our website.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, products, and services, including pages viewed, products browsed, and navigation patterns.

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from payment processors (like PayPal) and shipping carriers to fulfill your order and provide customer support.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information with the same care we apply to crafting our lanterns—thoughtfully and purposefully:

• To Process and Fulfill Your Orders: To complete transactions for Cherry Blossom decorations, Chinese Lanterns, Parasols, Red Envelopes (Hong Bao), and all items in our collection, including shipping and delivery.
• To Communicate With You: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and respond to your inquiries via our customer service team in Newark.
• To Improve Our Services: To analyze website usage and optimize your shopping experience, ensuring it remains as serene and beautiful as we intend.
• To Protect Our Business and You: To prevent fraud, enhance security, and comply with legal obligations.
• For Event Planning Support: To assist event planners with bulk orders and custom arrangements, as discussed directly with our team.
• With Your Consent: To send you marketing communications about new products, promotions, or cultural insights, only if you have opted in to receive them.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

Like the intricate assembly of our handcrafted lanterns, we carefully select trusted partners to help us serve you:

• Service Providers: We share information with trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting business, and serving our global community, including payment processors (Visa, MasterCard, JCB, PayPal), shipping carriers, and IT service providers. These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Lantern Shop, our customers, or others.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, with notice provided to you.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4. International Data Transfers

As we serve a global community of light-bringers (with shipping available worldwide, excluding certain remote areas), your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that your data remains protected through appropriate safeguards.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your security is our paramount priority, just as it is in our payment process:

• Encryption: We use industry-standard encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect your data during transmission, similar to the security measures protecting your payment transactions.
• Access Controls: Access to your personal information is restricted to authorized personnel who need it to perform their duties.
• Data Retention: We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
• Security Measures: We implement robust technical and organizational measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal data.

While we strive to protect your information, no electronic transmission or storage method is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and protect your account information.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access and Correction: You may access and update your account information at any time by logging into your Lantern Shop account.
• Data Portability: You may request a copy of your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal obligations we may have.
• Marketing Preferences: You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or contacting us directly.
• Cookie Preferences: You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings (see Section 7).
• Objection and Restriction: You may object to or request restriction of certain processing activities.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Like the gentle glow of our lanterns, cookies help illuminate your browsing experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly, such as remembering items in your shopping cart.
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website, allowing us to improve its functionality.
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences (like language or region) to provide a more personalized experience.
• Targeting/Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements on other websites, based on your browsing history on our site (if you consent).

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to use some features of our website.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Us