Privacy Policy of Photo and Crochet

This Privacy Policy explains how Photo and Crochet ("Website"), operated and owned by Dieter Achtelstetter, collects, uses, stores, protects, and processes personal information. This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected through this Website.

By using this Website, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with the Website, we may collect personal information including:

• Name;
• Email address;
• Username and account information;
• Profile information voluntarily provided by users;
• Messages sent through contact forms or internal messaging systems;
• Digital product purchase information;
• Digital product subscription information;
• E-Card sender and recipient information;
• Comments, ratings and content submitted through the Website;
• IP addresses and browser information for security purposes;
• Download activity related to purchased digital products.

We only collect personal information that is necessary to provide Website services, fulfil contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, protect legitimate business interests, or where you have provided your consent.

How We Use Your Information

Information collected through the Website may be used to:

• Provide and maintain Website services;
• Create and manage user accounts;
• Process purchases and deliver digital products;
• Respond to enquiries and support requests;
• Operate mailing lists and product notifications;
• Provide E-Card services;
• Prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access;
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
• Improve Website functionality and user experience.

User Accounts

Where a user account is provided, we collect and store the information necessary to administer the account and provide Website services.

Optional profile information may be visible to other logged-in users where applicable. Users are responsible for ensuring that any information they voluntarily publish is appropriate for public or community viewing.

Users may update their account information at any time through the account management features provided by the Website.

Digital Products and Purchases

When purchasing digital products, we collect only the information necessary to process and support the purchase.

This may include your email address, the purchased product, transaction references provided by the payment processor, purchase dates, and download records associated with the purchase.

Photo and Crochet does not collect or store payment card information, bank account details, or similar financial information on its own servers.

Digital products are licensed to the purchaser and are intended solely for the purchaser's personal use unless otherwise stated.

Payment Processing

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers including PayPal and Stripe.

Payment information is processed directly by the selected payment provider and is subject to that provider's own privacy policy and security practices.

Photo and Crochet does not receive or store your payment card details, bank account details, or other sensitive payment credentials.

Subscriptions and Mailing Lists

Visitors may voluntarily subscribe to newsletters, product updates, promotional communications, and digital product mailing lists.

Subscriptions may require confirmation through a double opt-in process.

Subscribers may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in communications or by contacting Photo and Crochet directly.

Download Logs and Fraud Prevention

To protect digital products, prevent abuse, investigate unauthorized sharing, and provide customer support, Photo and Crochet may maintain download records.

Such records may include download dates, product identifiers, order references, IP addresses, and browser information.

These records are used solely for operational, security, fraud prevention, customer support, and legal compliance purposes.

E-Card Services

Photo and Crochet offers an electronic greeting card ("E-Card") service that allows users to send personalized greeting cards to recipients.

To provide this service, we may temporarily store information such as the sender's name, recipient's name, recipient's email address, and message content.

E-Card information is automatically deleted once the card has been collected by the recipient or after a maximum period of four (4) weeks from the date of creation, whichever occurs first.

Where necessary for abuse investigations, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, security purposes, or legal compliance, certain records may be retained for a longer period as required by applicable law.

Comments, Ratings and User Content

Where Website features permit comments, ratings, reviews, photographs, videos, or other user-generated content, information associated with such submissions may be stored and displayed as part of the Website service.

Users remain responsible for any information they voluntarily choose to publish through such features.

Security and Abuse Prevention

To protect users and Website services, Photo and Crochet may collect and process technical information including IP addresses, login attempts, security logs, CAPTCHA verification results, and related security data.

Such information is used solely for security monitoring, abuse prevention, fraud detection, troubleshooting, and system administration.

Data Security

Photo and Crochet takes the protection of personal information seriously.

Where technically and operationally feasible, personal information stored by Photo and Crochet is encrypted while stored within our systems.

Access to personal information is restricted to authorized administrative functions and legitimate operational requirements.

All data transmitted between your browser and the Website is protected using encrypted HTTPS connections.

While we implement reasonable security measures, no method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Data Retention

Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to provide services, fulfil contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, maintain accounting records, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, enforce agreements, or protect legitimate business interests.

Different categories of information may be retained for different periods depending on their purpose and applicable legal requirements.

Your Rights and Access to Information

Users may access and update information associated with their account at any time through available account management features.

Users may request the deletion of their account and personal information, subject to any legal, accounting, fraud prevention, security-related, or contractual retention requirements.

Where required by applicable law, users may request access to their personal information, correction of inaccurate information, restriction of processing, or deletion of personal information, subject to legal, accounting, security, fraud prevention, and contractual obligations.

Requests relating to personal information may require identity verification before information is disclosed, modified, or deleted.

Cookies

This Website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, maintain user sessions, remember preferences, and enhance the user experience.

Cookies may also be used for security purposes and to assist with the operation of Website features.

Users may configure their browser settings to refuse cookies; however, some Website functionality may not operate correctly if cookies are disabled.

Third-Party Links

This Website may contain links to third-party websites that are not controlled by Photo and Crochet.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of such external websites and encourage users to review the privacy policies of any website they visit.

Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in Website functionality, legal requirements, or operational practices.

Updated versions will be published on this page and may be announced through Website news updates where appropriate.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or requests relating to personal information may be submitted through the Contact page available on the Website.