At Matcha Tea Ireland, your privacy matters to us.
We respect and protect the personal information you share with us while visiting our website or making a purchase.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information in compliance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and applicable Irish and EU data protection laws.

By using our website, you agree to the practices described below.

🛡️ 1. Information We Collect

We collect information only when necessary to provide you with a seamless shopping experience.

We may collect the following types of information:

  • Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses.
  • Payment Information: Processed securely through trusted payment gateways (we never store your full credit/debit card details).
  • Account Information: Login credentials if you create an account.
  • Order History: Purchases, preferences, and transaction records.
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, and cookies (used for site analytics and functionality).
  • Communication Data: Messages or inquiries sent via our contact form, email, or social media.

💚 2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data responsibly and only for legitimate business purposes:

  • To process and deliver your orders efficiently.
  • To communicate updates about your order or account.
  • To improve our website, customer experience, and product offerings.
  • To send marketing emails or newsletters (only with your consent).
  • To comply with legal and tax obligations.
  • To detect and prevent fraud or security issues.

We never sell or share your personal data with unauthorised third parties.

🌍 3. Data Storage & Security

Your personal data is securely stored on encrypted servers located within the European Union.

We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

  • SSL encryption for all transactions
  • Secure payment processing (via Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
  • Limited access to personal data by authorised staff only

Although no online platform is 100% risk-free, we take every reasonable step to protect your data.

🍵 4. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and analyse site performance.

Types of cookies we use:

  • Essential Cookies: Enable core site features such as cart and checkout.
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand visitor behaviour via tools like Google Analytics.
  • Marketing Cookies: Deliver personalised ads or promotions (only if you consent).

You can manage or disable cookies anytime through your browser settings.

✉️ 5. Email Marketing & Communication

If you subscribe to our newsletter or create an account, we may send you updates on:

  • New product launches
  • Promotions and offers
  • Educational content about matcha and Japanese tea

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email.

🛒 6. Third-Party Services

We may share limited data with trusted partners that help us operate our business:

  • Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal
  • Shipping partners: An Post, DHL, UPS
  • Analytics tools: Google Analytics

These partners are GDPR-compliant and use data only to perform agreed services.

🔒 7. Your Rights Under GDPR

As a user within the EU, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you.
  • Request corrections if information is inaccurate.
  • Request deletion (“Right to be Forgotten”).
  • Withdraw consent for marketing communications.
  • Data portability – request a copy of your personal data.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at privacy@matchateaireland.com.
We will respond within 30 days as required by GDPR.

🔁 8. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for legal, accounting, or business purposes.
When no longer needed, your personal data is securely deleted or anonymised.

📦 9. International Orders & Data Transfers

As we offer worldwide delivery, your data may be processed by our trusted partners outside the EU.
All such transfers comply with GDPR standards using appropriate safeguards and contractual protections.

🧾 10. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
All updates will be posted on this page with the new “Effective Date.”
We encourage you to review it regularly to stay informed about how we protect your data.

📞 11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about your privacy or this policy, please contact:

Matcha Tea Ireland
📧 contact@matchateaireland.com
📍 Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪

We take every inquiry seriously and will respond promptly.

❓ FAQs About Our Privacy Policy

Q1: Do you store my payment details?
No, all payments are processed securely via third-party gateways; we never store full card details.

Q2: Are my details shared with anyone else?
Only with GDPR-compliant service providers necessary to fulfil your order.

Q3: Can I delete my account?
Yes, contact us anytime to request deletion of your personal data.

Q4: What if I subscribe to your newsletter by mistake?
Simply click “Unsubscribe” in any email to stop receiving updates.

Q5: Do cookies track my personal information?
No, cookies track general browsing data — not personal identifiers.

Q6: Is my data safe with your site?
Yes, our website uses SSL encryption and strict access controls.

Q7: How long do you keep my data?
Only as long as needed for business or legal reasons, then it’s deleted securely.

Q8: Can I request to see my personal data?
Yes — email contact@matchateaireland.com to request a data access report.

Q9: Do you share data with advertisers?
No, we do not sell or share data with third-party advertisers.

Q10: How often is this policy updated?
As needed — at least once a year or when laws or services change.