Privacy policy
Privacy Policy — HABIBI SOUQ
HABIBI SOUQ operates this Shopify-powered store to provide you with a premium shopping experience in the United Arab Emirates — including Cash on Delivery (COD), free shipping, and a 30-day hassle-free return guarantee.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information. It has been prepared in accordance with the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL), enforced by the UAE Data Office.
By using our store or completing any order, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to this Privacy Policy.
In the event of any conflict between the Terms of Service and this Privacy Policy, this Privacy Policy shall prevail with respect to the collection and use of your personal information.
1. Personal Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with our store, we may collect the following personal information:
a) Information You Provide Directly:
- Full name, phone number, and email address
- Delivery address (Emirate, area, street, building number, P.O. Box — UAE)
- Billing address and payment details (for non-cash orders)
- Account data (username, password, security questions)
- Messages or inquiries submitted to our customer service team
- Bank IBAN number — only when processing a refund under our 30-day hassle-free return guarantee
b) Information Collected Automatically:
- IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system
- Pages visited, products viewed, shopping cart activity, and purchase history
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
- Referring URLs and session data
c) Information from Third Parties:
- Delivery and shipping status updates from shipping partners
- COD payment confirmation data from logistics service providers
- Data from the Shopify platform and its partner services
We do not collect sensitive personal information such as national ID numbers, biometric data, or health information unless legally required or for high-value shipments.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information only for the following purposes:
- Order Fulfillment: To confirm, process, pack, and ship your orders
- Cash on Delivery (COD): To coordinate delivery appointments and collect payment with our shipping partners
- Free Shipping: To ship and track your orders free of charge across the UAE
- 30-Day Hassle-Free Return Guarantee: To process return requests, arrange reverse pickup, and issue refunds
- Customer Notifications: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery alerts via SMS, WhatsApp, or email
- Account Management: To create and maintain your store account and preferences
- Customer Service: To respond to your inquiries and resolve any issues
- Personalization: To suggest products based on your purchase and browsing history
- Marketing (with your consent only): To send promotions, discounts, and new products — you may unsubscribe at any time
- Fraud Prevention & Security: To detect and prevent unauthorized access or fraudulent orders
- Legal Compliance: To fulfill obligations under UAE law including UAE PDPL and tax regulations
Note: We will not use your personal information for any purpose not listed above without your explicit consent.
2a. Cash on Delivery (COD) — Special Notice
We offer Cash on Delivery across the United Arab Emirates.
When you choose COD as your payment method:
- Your name, phone number, and delivery address are shared only with our approved shipping partner to deliver your order and collect payment on our behalf
- The courier will contact you before arrival to confirm the delivery appointment
- We do not collect credit card or online banking details for COD orders
- COD collection records are stored securely for accounting and legal compliance
- Your data will never be sold to any external marketing party
Please ensure someone is present at the delivery address to receive the package and complete the COD payment. Repeated failed delivery attempts may result in order cancellation.
2b. Free Shipping — Data Usage
We offer free shipping across the United Arab Emirates.
To provide this service, we share only the minimum required information with our logistics partners:
- Full name of the recipient
- Mobile number
- Full delivery address (Emirate, area, street, P.O. Box)
- Order reference number
Delivery partners are contractually obligated to use this data for delivery purposes only and to process it in accordance with UAE data protection regulations.
2c. 30-Day Hassle-Free Return Guarantee — Data Policy
We stand behind every product with a 30-day hassle-free return guarantee.
To process your return or refund:
- We collect your order number, reason for return, and product condition details
- For bank refunds, we may request your UAE IBAN number — it is used only for that transaction and is not retained after processing
- Return shipment tracking details are recorded for quality assurance
- All refund records are kept for 5 years in accordance with UAE tax and commercial regulations
To initiate a return, contact us within 30 days of your delivery date with your order number.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal data. We share it only when necessary with the following parties:
Shipping Companies (Aramex, DHL, Fetchr) → Order delivery and COD collection → Name, phone, address, order number SMS / WhatsApp Gateway → Order confirmations and shipping notifications → Phone number, order status Bank / Payment Processor → Refund processing → IBAN, refund amount Shopify Inc. → Store platform and order management → Order and customer data Marketing Partners (Meta, Google) → Targeted advertising (with your consent) → Anonymized identifiers UAE Authorities (Federal Tax Authority, UAE Data Office) → Tax compliance and legal obligations → Transaction records
All third-party service providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and are required to process your data in accordance with applicable UAE laws.
4. Our Relationship with Shopify
HABIBI SOUQ runs on the Shopify platform. Shopify collects and processes certain personal information about your access and use of our store in order to provide and improve its services. Information you provide through our store may be transferred to and processed by Shopify in countries other than the UAE.
For more information about Shopify's data practices and your rights, please visit the Shopify Privacy Policy and Shopify Privacy Portal.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our store uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your shopping experience:
- Essential Cookies: Required for core store functions (shopping cart, checkout, account sessions)
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand visitor behavior
- Marketing Cookies: Used to display personalized ads — active only with your consent
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or the store's cookie consent tool. Disabling essential cookies may affect your ability to complete purchases.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for the following periods based on legal and operational requirements:
Order and delivery records → 5 years → UAE Commercial Transactions Law COD transaction records → 5 years → Federal Tax Authority compliance Return and refund records → 5 years → Financial regulations Marketing data (with consent) → Until consent is withdrawn → UAE PDPL compliance Website analytics and cookies → Up to 12 months → Performance improvement Customer service communications → 3 years → Dispute resolution
After the applicable retention period, your data is securely deleted or anonymized.
7. Your Rights Under UAE PDPL
Under the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data, you have the following rights:
- Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or outdated personal data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to Object: Object to the processing of your data for marketing purposes
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to marketing at any time — without affecting other services
- Right to Unsubscribe from Marketing: Use the unsubscribe link in any email we send or contact us directly
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 14.
8. Children's Data
Our store is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately and we will delete that information promptly.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted through our store
- Secure, encrypted storage of customer records
- Restricted access — only authorized staff can access personal data
- Regular security reviews and vulnerability assessments
- Staff training on data protection and privacy best practices
Important: No security system is completely impenetrable. We advise you not to share your account password with anyone and to avoid using unsecured channels when communicating sensitive information.
In the event of a data breach that may affect your rights, we will notify you and the UAE Data Office within the timeframes required by UAE PDPL.
10. Third-Party Websites
Our store may contain links to third-party websites or social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
11. International Data Transfers
Your personal information may be stored and processed outside the United Arab Emirates — for example on Shopify's servers or those of third-party service providers. When such transfers occur, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UAE PDPL and applicable international data protection standards.
12. Complaints
If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us first using the details below. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a complaint with the UAE Data Office.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or applicable law. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will notify you via email or SMS. Your continued use of our store after any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
14. Contact Us
For any privacy questions, data requests, or to exercise your rights, please contact us:
Store Name: HABIBI SOUQ Email: info@habibisoouq.store Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Working Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (UAE Time)
This policy is governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates · HABIBI SOUQ © 2026 · All Rights Reserved
