Privacy Policy

Effective date: September 2026

LN Watches creates African-inspired timepieces and handcrafted Apple Watch straps that celebrate South African culture, craftsmanship, and identity. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you visit lnwatches.co.za or shop with us online via our WooCommerce store.

We follow the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and are committed to handling your information respectfully, transparently, and securely.

1. Who We Are and What This Policy Covers

LN Watches is a South African watch and lifestyle brand focused on African-inspired design and proudly local craftsmanship. Our website, lnwatches.co.za, is our online home where you can discover and purchase our watches and handbeaded Apple Watch straps, and learn more about the stories behind our designs.

This Privacy Policy applies when you:

• Browse our website
• Create an account or log in
• Place an order via our WooCommerce store
• Sign up for our newsletter or marketing updates
• Contact us through our contact form or email

By using our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the site or provide personal information.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information we need to run our store, honour your orders, and improve your experience. The types of personal information we may collect include:

• Contact details: Your name, email address, and phone number.
• Delivery information: Your shipping and billing addresses so we can deliver your order to the right place.
• Account information: Your login details (such as username and password) if you create an account on our site.
• Order information: Products you buy, order dates, order amounts, and related order history.
• Payment information: Payments are processed securely by trusted third-party payment providers such as PayFast and PayPal. We do not store your full card details on our systems. We may receive limited information from these providers to confirm that a payment was successful (for example, payment reference and status).
• Communication information: Messages and enquiries you send us through our contact form, email, or other channels.
• Newsletter and marketing preferences: Your preferences if you subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications.
• Browsing data: Information about how you use our website, such as pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, and your approximate location (based on IP address). This may be collected using cookies and similar technologies.
• Device and technical data: Information like your browser type, device type, operating system, and other technical details that help us ensure the site works properly.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for clear, limited purposes that support your experience with LN Watches and help us run our business responsibly. We may use your information to:

• Process and fulfil your orders: To confirm your order, take payment via our payment providers, prepare your items, and arrange delivery.
• Communicate about your order: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and any important notices about your purchase.
• Respond to your enquiries: To answer questions, provide support, handle returns or exchanges, and resolve any issues.
• Send newsletters and marketing (only with your consent): If you choose to subscribe, we may send you emails about new releases, restocks, stories behind our designs, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• Improve our website and products: To analyse how our site is used, understand which designs resonate, and refine both our collections and your online experience.
• Maintain security and prevent fraud: To protect our site, our customers, and our business from misuse or unauthorised access.
• Meet legal and regulatory requirements: To keep records and comply with South African law, tax, and accounting obligations.

4. How We Share Your Information

We respect your personal information and do not sell your data.

We may share your information only with trusted service providers who help us run our business and deliver your order. They may only use your information for the services they provide to us and must protect it appropriately. These service providers may include:

• Payment processors: Such as PayFast and PayPal, to process your online payments securely.
• Shipping and courier partners: To deliver your order to your chosen address.
• Technical and hosting providers: To host our website, maintain security, and ensure performance.
• Email and communication tools: To send order updates, service messages, and newsletters (where you have consented).
• Analytics and marketing tools: To understand site performance and, where applicable, run campaigns responsibly.

We may also share information when required by law, for example if requested by a court, regulator, or other lawful authority, or to protect our rights, our customers, or others.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. We use cookies and similar technologies for several reasons:

• Essential cookies: To make the site work properly, for example to keep items in your cart and allow you to log in to your account.
• Analytics cookies: To understand how visitors use our site so we can improve navigation, content, and the overall experience.
• Marketing cookies: To help us share relevant stories, launches, and offers, and to measure the effectiveness of our campaigns.

You can control cookies through your browser settings and, where available, through cookie preference tools on our website. If you block certain cookies, some features of the site may not function as intended.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject under POPIA, you have important rights in relation to your personal information. You may:

• Access your information: Ask us what personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
• Correct your information: Ask us to update or correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated.
• Delete your information: Ask us to delete personal information where we no longer need it, or where we are not required by law to keep it.
• Object to certain processing: Object to our use of your information in specific situations, for example for direct marketing.
• Withdraw consent: Where we rely on your consent (for example, for newsletters), you can withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing before you withdrew consent.
• Lodge a complaint: If you are unhappy with how we handle your personal information, you can contact us directly or lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

You can exercise your rights by contacting us through the contact form on our website. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request.

The contact details for the Information Regulator are (at the time of this Policy):

• Website: https://inforegulator.org.za
• Email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za

7. How We Protect Your Information

We take the security of your personal information seriously and use industry-standard measures to protect it. These may include secure servers, encryption where appropriate, access controls, and regular monitoring of our systems.

However, no method of transmitting information over the internet or storing it electronically is completely secure. While we do our best to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. How Long We Keep Your Information

We keep your personal information only for as long as we need it for the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by law.

• Order and account information: We keep order records and related information for as long as necessary to provide customer service, manage returns or warranties, and meet legal, tax, and accounting requirements.
• Newsletter and marketing information: We keep your contact details for marketing purposes for as long as you remain subscribed. If you unsubscribe, we will stop sending marketing messages. We may keep a limited record that you asked not to receive marketing so we can respect your preference.
• Communication records: We may keep records of enquiries and correspondence for a reasonable period to manage our relationship with you and improve our service.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to third-party websites or platforms, such as retail partners or collaborators (for example, iStore and others). These websites have their own privacy policies and practices, which may differ from ours.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before sharing any personal information with them.

10. Contact Us

Questions about how we handle your personal information are welcome. If you would like to exercise your rights, update your details, or ask anything about this Policy, please contact us using the contact form on our website at lnwatches.co.za.

We honour the stories, craftsmanship, and communities behind every piece we create. Your trust in how we handle your personal information is an important part of that relationship.