Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

1. Introduction

Cedar Souq ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use cedarsouq.com.

2. Information We Collect

2.1. Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account or make a purchase:

• Personal Identification: Name, email address, phone number
• Delivery Information: Shipping address, delivery preferences
• Payment Information: Credit card details (processed securely), billing address
• Account Credentials: Username, password (encrypted)
• Communication: Messages, reviews, feedback

2.2. Information Collected Automatically

When you use our Website:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, search queries
• Cookies: Small files stored on your device (see Cookie Policy below)
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address

2.3. Information from Third Parties

• Payment Processors: Transaction confirmation and fraud prevention
• Delivery Services: Delivery status and tracking
• Social Media: If you connect social accounts (with your permission)

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1. To Provide Services

• Process and fulfill orders
• Manage your account
• Communicate about orders and deliveries
• Provide customer support
• Process payments and refunds

3.2. To Improve Our Services

• Analyze website usage and customer behavior
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Develop new features and services
• Conduct market research

3.3. To Communicate With You

• Send order confirmations and updates
• Respond to inquiries and support requests
• Send promotional emails (with your consent)
• Notify about account changes or important updates

3.4. For Security and Fraud Prevention

• Detect and prevent fraudulent transactions
• Protect against unauthorized access
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Maintain website security

3.5. For Marketing (With Your Consent)

• Send newsletters and promotional offers
• Personalize product recommendations
• Display relevant advertisements
• Conduct surveys and collect feedback

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

• Contract Performance: To fulfill your orders and provide services
• Legitimate Interest: To improve our services and prevent fraud
• Consent: For marketing communications (you can withdraw anytime)
• Legal Obligation: To comply with Lebanese and applicable international laws

5. How We Share Your Information

5.1. We Share Information With:

Service Providers:

• Payment processors (secure transaction processing)
• Delivery companies (for order fulfillment)
• Cloud hosting providers (data storage)
• Email service providers (communications)
• Analytics providers (website improvement)

Sellers on Our Platform:

• Product sellers receive order information necessary to fulfill your purchase
• Limited to: name, delivery address, phone number, ordered items

Legal Requirements:

• Government authorities when legally required
• Law enforcement in response to valid requests
• To protect our rights and property

5.2. We DO NOT:

• ❌ Sell your personal information to third parties
• ❌ Share information for third-party marketing without consent
• ❌ Disclose sensitive information publicly

6. Data Security

6.1. Security Measures

• SSL Encryption: All data transmission encrypted (HTTPS)
• Secure Payment Processing: PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways
• Password Protection: Passwords hashed and encrypted
• Access Controls: Limited employee access to personal data
• Regular Security Audits: Ongoing monitoring and updates
• Secure Servers: Data stored on protected servers

6.2. Your Responsibility

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Do not share account credentials
• Log out from shared devices
• Report suspicious activity immediately

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device to remember preferences and improve user experience.

7.2. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies:

• Required for website functionality
• Remember shopping cart items
• Keep you logged in

Performance Cookies:

• Analyze website traffic
• Understand user behavior
• Improve website performance

Functionality Cookies:

• Remember your preferences
• Personalize your experience
• Save language settings

Marketing Cookies:

• Display relevant advertisements
• Track campaign effectiveness
• Personalize marketing content

7.3. Managing Cookies

• Use browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Use the cookie preference center on our website
• Opt out of third-party cookies where available

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1. Access & Information

• Request a copy of your personal data
• Know what information we hold about you

8.2. Rectification

• Update incorrect or incomplete information
• Correct errors in your account

8.3. Deletion ("Right to be Forgotten")

• Request deletion of your personal data
• Account closure and data removal
• Note: Some data may be retained for legal/accounting purposes

8.4. Data Portability

• Receive your data in a structured format
• Transfer data to another service provider

8.5. Opt-Out of Marketing

• Unsubscribe from promotional emails
• Opt out of personalized ads
• Stop receiving SMS marketing

8.6. Withdraw Consent

• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Change marketing preferences anytime

8.7. Object to Processing

• Object to data use for certain purposes
• Restrict specific processing activities

9. How to Exercise Your Rights

1. Email Us: info@cedarsouq.com
2. Subject Line: "Privacy Rights Request"
3. Include: Your name, email, and specific request
4. Verification: We may verify your identity before processing

Response Time: Within 30 days of verified request

10. Data Retention

Data Type	Retention Period
Account Information	Until account deletion + 1 year
Order History	7 years (tax/accounting requirements)
Payment Information	Not stored (processor handles)
Marketing Consents	Until withdrawn
Website Analytics	2 years
Support Communications	3 years

11. Children's Privacy

11.1. Age Requirement

Cedar Souq is not intended for children under 18 years old.

11.2. Parental Consent

If you are under 18, you may use Cedar Souq only with parental/guardian consent.

11.3. Data Collection

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover such data has been collected, we will delete it immediately.

12. International Data Transfers

12.1. Data Location

Your data is primarily stored on servers located in Lebanon and may be transferred to secure servers in other countries for processing.

12.2. Protection Measures

• Adequate data protection standards
• Use of standard contractual clauses
• Compliance with applicable data protection laws

13. Third-Party Links

• Our Website may contain links to third-party websites
• We are not responsible for their privacy practices
• Please review their privacy policies
• Use third-party services at your own discretion

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

14.1. Updates

• We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or new features/services

14.2. Notification

• Email notification
• Website banner announcement
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top

14.3. Your Continued Use

Continued use of Cedar Souq after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Us About Privacy

Privacy Officer
Cedar Souq Marketplace
Email: privacy@cedarsouq.com
General Contact: info@cedarsouq.com
Website: https://cedarsouq.com
Response Time: Within 7 business days

16. Compliance & Regulations

• Lebanese data protection laws
• EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable
• International best practices for data privacy

17. Data Breach Notification

• We will investigate immediately
• Affected users will be notified within 72 hours
• Appropriate authorities will be informed
• Remedial actions will be taken promptly