Privacy Policy

 

1.Overview

OUAR ("we," "us," or "our") operates the ouar.ca website and related services (the "Services"), a curated resale and consignment platform for South Asian occasionwear serving the South Asian diaspora in North America, with current operations in the Greater Toronto Area.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and disclose it, and what rights you have in relation to it. It applies to all users of our Services, including buyers, sellers, and website visitors.

By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our Services.

 

2. Information We Collect

 

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you interact with us,
including:

• Contact details: name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Seller submission information: garment descriptions, photographs, purchase history,
sizing, condition details, and any other information provided through our intake form
• Payment information: bank account or e-transfer details provided for seller payouts (we
do not store full payment card numbers)
• Communications: any messages, inquiries, feedback, or correspondence you send to us
• Marketing preferences: your consent to receive marketing communications from us

 

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we and our third-party service providers automatically collect:

• Device and technical data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage data: pages visited, time spent on site, links clicked, referring URLs
• Cookie and tracking data: information collected via cookies, pixels, and similar
technologies (see Section 6)

 

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from our service providers (such as Shopify) or from
social media platforms if you interact with our content or contact us through those channels.

 

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To process seller submissions, evaluate items, and manage consignment listings
• To facilitate purchases, process transactions, and communicate order status
• To issue seller payouts following confirmed sales
• To respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• To send transactional communications related to your account, submissions, or orders
• To send marketing communications, including email newsletters and promotional offers,
where you have provided explicit consent in accordance with Canada's Anti-Spam
Legislation (CASL)
• To display targeted advertising through third-party platforms (such as Meta and
Google), where you have not opted out
• To improve our website, platform, and Services through analytics
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
• To comply with applicable legal obligations

 

4. Email Marketing and CASL Compliance

OUAR complies with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). We will only send commercial
electronic messages (including promotional emails and newsletters) to you if you have provided
express consent, or where implied consent applies as permitted under CASL.

You may withdraw your consent to receive marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email, or by contacting us at support@ouar.net. Withdrawal of consent will not affect your ability to receive transactional messages related to active orders or consignment arrangements.

We maintain records of consent as required by CASL, including the date, method, and scope of
consent provided.

 

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

 

5.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform and delivering our Services. These include:

• Shopify Inc. – storefront and transaction infrastructure
• Airtable – seller submission and inventory management
• Email and communication platforms
• Analytics and advertising platforms (see Section 6)
All service providers are required to handle your information in accordance with applicable privacy law and are not permitted to use it for their own purposes.

 

5.2 Advertising Partners

We use third-party advertising tools, including Meta Pixel and Google Ads, which may collect information about your activity on our website in order to show you relevant advertisements on other platforms. This involves the use of cookies and tracking technologies. You can manage your preferences for this type of tracking through your browser settings or through the opt-out tools provided by those platforms.

 

5.3 Legal and Business Transfers

We may disclose your information where required by law, in response to valid legal process, or to protect our rights and the safety of others. In the event that OUAR is acquired, merged, or wound down, your personal information may be transferred to a successor entity, subject to the same or equivalent privacy protections. We will notify you of any such transfer as required by applicable law.

 

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses the following types of cookies and tracking technologies:
• Essential cookies: required for the website to function, including session management
and security
• Analytics cookies: used to understand how visitors interact with our site (e.g. Google
Analytics)
• Advertising and retargeting pixels: used to measure ad performance and serve relevant
ads on third-party platforms (e.g. Meta Pixel, Google Ads)

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. For advertising opt-outs, you may also use the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada's opt-out tool at youradchoices.ca.

 

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy or as required by law. Specific retention periods include:

• Seller submission data (including garment photos and intake form information):
retained for the duration of the consignment relationship and for a minimum of two
years following the final transaction, for record-keeping and dispute resolution purposes
• Transaction records: retained for a minimum of seven years as required under applicable
tax and financial record-keeping obligations
• Marketing consent records: retained for three years following the last commercial
message sent, or until consent is withdrawn, in accordance with CASL
• General account and communication data: retained for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide ongoing Services

When your information is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

 

8. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, disclosure, or misuse. These include access controls, secure data storage, and encrypted transmission where applicable.

However, no security system is completely impenetrable and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any account credentials. If you believe your information has been compromised, please contact us immediately at support@ouar.net.

 

9. Your Rights

Under applicable Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA and, where applicable, provincial legislation), you have the following rights in relation to your personal information:

• Right to access: you may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Right to correction: you may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete
information
• Right to withdrawal of consent: you may withdraw consent for non-essential processing
at any time, subject to legal or contractual limitations
• Right to deletion: you may request deletion of your personal information, subject to our
legal retention obligations
• Right to file a complaint: you may file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy
Commissioner of Canada (OPC) at priv.gc.ca if you believe your privacy rights have been
violated

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@ouar.net. We will respond within 30 days as required under PIPEDA.

 

10. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted personal information to us, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it promptly.

 

11. International Data Transfers

Our service providers, including Shopify and Airtable, may store or process your personal information on servers located outside of Canada, including in the United States. By using our Services, you acknowledge that your information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions, which may differ from Canadian privacy law.

Where we transfer personal information outside of Canada, we take steps to ensure that
appropriate safeguards are in place, including contractual protections with our service
providers.

 

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices,
technology, or legal obligations. We will post the revised version on our website with an updated date. Where changes are material, we will provide notice by email or through a prominent notice on our website prior to the changes taking effect. Continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

 

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us at:

 

OUAR

Email: support@ouar.net

Website: www.ouar.net

Location: Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada