Privacy Policy

At BOC, we handcraft comfortable footwear for women who value both style and ease. We’re equally committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and transparency.

This Privacy Policy explains how BOC collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you visit our website or interact with our brand. We comply with applicable privacy laws including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), and Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA).

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with BOC, we collect information you voluntarily provide:

• Contact Information: Name and email address when you complete contact forms or subscribe to our newsletter
• Communication Content: Messages, questions, or feedback you send through our contact forms
• Newsletter Preferences: Your subscription choices and communication preferences

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
• Usage Information: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, navigation paths, click patterns
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address (city and state level)
• IP Address: Internet Protocol address used to access our website
• Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Cookies section below)

Information from Third Parties

We receive information from third-party services we use:

• Amazon Associates: Purchase data and referral information when you click our product links
• Analytics Providers: Website traffic and user behavior data from Google Analytics

2. How We Use Your Information

BOC uses your personal information for the following purposes:

Website Operation and Improvement

• Operate, maintain, and improve our website functionality
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior to enhance user experience
• Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize website performance
• Ensure website security and prevent fraudulent activity

Communication and Customer Service

• Respond to your inquiries, questions, and customer service requests
• Send newsletter updates about BOC products, collections, and news (with your consent)
• Communicate important website updates or policy changes
• Provide information about BOC footwear and accessories

Analytics and Research

• Understand how visitors use our website and which products interest them
• Identify trends in footwear preferences and shopping behavior
• Measure the effectiveness of our marketing and content
• Develop new features and improve our product information

Marketing and Personalization

• Display relevant BOC product information based on your interests
• Customize content and product recommendations
• Manage our affiliate marketing relationships with Amazon

Legal and Compliance

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Protect our legal rights and prevent misuse of our website
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions
• Fulfill our obligations under affiliate program agreements

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

BOC uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and understand how you interact with our website.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core features like page navigation and access to secure areas. You cannot opt out of essential cookies.

Analytics Cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic, user behavior, and content performance. These cookies help us improve the BOC website experience by showing us which pages are popular, how long visitors stay, and how they navigate our site.

Advertising and Affiliate Cookies: As an Amazon Associates participant, cookies track when you click our product links and make purchases. This helps us earn commissions on qualifying purchases and measure the effectiveness of our product recommendations. These cookies also enable personalized product suggestions based on your interests.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Block Cookies: Set your browser to refuse all cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent
• Delete Cookies: Remove cookies that have already been placed on your device
• Third-Party Cookies: Specifically block third-party cookies while allowing first-party cookies

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect website functionality and your ability to access certain features. Essential cookies cannot be disabled if you wish to use our website.

Browser Cookie Settings

Most browsers provide cookie management in their settings or preferences menu. Visit your browser’s help section for specific instructions on managing cookies.

4. How We Share Your Information

BOC does not sell your personal information. We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website:

• Web Hosting: Companies that host and maintain our website servers
• Email Services: Providers that help us send newsletters and respond to inquiries
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics and similar services that analyze website traffic
• Security Services: Companies that help protect our website from security threats

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only to provide services to BOC and to protect your data appropriately.

Affiliate Partners

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. When you click product links on our website, Amazon receives information about your visit and potential purchases. This relationship enables BOC to earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Amazon’s use of your information is governed by their own privacy policy, available on Amazon.com.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions or other agreements
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of BOC, our users, or others
• Prevent fraud, security issues, or technical problems
• Respond to claims of intellectual property infringement

Business Transfers

If BOC is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent website notice of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

5. Data Security

BOC implements reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Security Measures We Implement

• SSL Encryption: Our website uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect data transmitted between your browser and our servers
• Secure Servers: We store data on secure servers with restricted access controls
• Access Limitations: Only authorized personnel have access to personal information
• Regular Updates: We maintain current security software and monitor for vulnerabilities
• Data Minimization: We collect only the information necessary for stated purposes

6. Your Privacy Rights

BOC respects your privacy rights under applicable laws. Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Rights Available to All Users

• Access: Request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or withdraw consent for certain data processing
• Restrict Processing: Request limitation on how we use your information

GDPR Rights (European Union Residents)

If you are located in the European Union, you have additional rights under GDPR:

• Right to Access: Obtain confirmation of whether we process your personal data and access to that data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we process your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to Object: Object to processing of your personal data for certain purposes
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing based on consent at any time
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

CCPA/CPRA Rights (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act:

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information we collected, used, shared, or sold in the past 12 months
• Right to Know Categories: Request categories of personal information collected and sources
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (note: BOC does not sell personal information)
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information we collected from you
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Information: Request limitation on use of sensitive personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise privacy rights without discriminatory treatment

State Privacy Law Rights (Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah)

Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have similar privacy rights:

• Access Rights: Confirm whether we process your personal data and access that data
• Correction Rights: Correct inaccuracies in your personal data
• Deletion Rights: Delete personal data you provided to us
• Portability Rights: Obtain a copy of your personal data in a portable format
• Opt-Out Rights: Opt out of targeted advertising, sale of personal data, and profiling

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these privacy rights, please contact us using one of these methods:

• Email: Send your request to hello@thebocshoes.com with “Privacy Rights Request” in the subject line
• Contact Form: Submit a request through our website contact form
• Mail: Write to us at the address provided in the Contact Us section below

When you submit a privacy rights request, we will:

• Verify your identity to protect your information from unauthorized access
• Respond within 30-45 days (timeframe varies by applicable law)
• Provide requested information or explanation if we cannot fulfill the request
• Not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

7. Children’s Privacy

The BOC website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided personal information to us, please contact us immediately at hello@thebocshoes.com. We will promptly delete such information from our systems.

BOC complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and takes the protection of children’s privacy seriously.

8. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website contains links to third-party websites, including Amazon.com and other external sites. When you click these links, you leave the BOC website and are subject to the privacy policies of those third-party sites.

Amazon Product Links

As an Amazon Associates participant, we provide links to BOC footwear and accessories available on Amazon. When you click these links:

• You are redirected to Amazon.com
• Amazon’s privacy policy governs your interaction with their site
• Amazon may collect information about your browsing and purchase activity
• BOC may receive commission information if you make a qualifying purchase

Third-Party Privacy Practices

BOC is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or policies of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Third-party services we link to or use on our website (such as Google Analytics or Amazon) have their own privacy policies and may collect information independently of BOC.

9. Data Retention

BOC retains your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention Criteria

We determine retention periods based on:

• Purpose Duration: How long the information is needed for the stated purpose
• Legal Requirements: Retention obligations under applicable laws
• Business Needs: Legitimate business interests in retaining the information
• User Requests: Your exercise of privacy rights (such as deletion requests)

Typical Retention Periods

• Contact Form Data: Retained while actively communicating with you, then archived for up to 3 years
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe, then deleted within 30 days
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual user data subject to analytics provider retention policies
• Cookie Data: Retention periods vary by cookie type (see our Cookies section)

Data Deletion

When we no longer need your information or you request deletion, we securely delete or anonymize your personal data so it cannot be associated with you. Aggregated or anonymized data may be retained for analytics purposes.

10. International Data Transfers

BOC operates in the United States. If you access our website from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

Data Protection Standards

When we transfer personal information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• Compliance with applicable data protection laws
• Use of standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Implementation of technical and organizational security measures
• Verification that third-party recipients provide adequate data protection

By using our website, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and acknowledge that data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country of residence.

11. Email Communications and Newsletter

BOC may send you email communications about our products, collections, and updates if you subscribe to our newsletter or contact us through our website.

Types of Emails You May Receive

• Newsletter Updates: Information about new BOC collections, product launches, and brand news (requires opt-in)
• Response Emails: Replies to your inquiries or questions submitted through our contact form
• Service Messages: Important updates about our website, privacy policy changes, or service notifications

How to Unsubscribe

You can opt out of marketing emails at any time:

• Click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any marketing email
• Email hello@thebocshoes.com with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line
• Submit an unsubscribe request through our contact form

Please note that even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we may still send you service-related messages necessary for your use of our website or to respond to your specific inquiries.

12. Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal that requests websites not track your browsing behavior. Currently, there is no industry-wide standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At this time, the BOC website does not respond to Do Not Track browser settings. We continue to monitor developments in DNT standards and may update our practices accordingly.

You can still control cookies and tracking through your browser settings, as described in the Cookies and Tracking Technologies section of this Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

BOC reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. We are committed to keeping you informed about how we protect your privacy.

How We Notify You of Changes

When we make changes to this Privacy Policy, we will:

• Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
• Post the revised policy on this page
• For material changes, provide prominent notice on our homepage or send email notification to newsletter subscribers

Your Continued Use

Your continued use of the BOC website after privacy policy changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. If you do not agree with changes, please discontinue use of our website.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on January 15, 2025. BOC handcrafts comfortable footwear for women who refuse to choose between style and ease. Your privacy is important to us, and we’re committed to protecting your personal information with the same care we put into every pair of shoes we create.