Privacy policy

Preamble

The following privacy policy applies to the use of our entire online offering (websites and web stores) and to the processing of orders placed, including in stores.

As we attach great importance to data protection, the collection, storage and processing of your personal data is carried out in strict compliance with the applicable data protection regulations, in particular the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of May 25, 2018.

The controller for the collection, processing and use of your personal data pursuant to Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR is

Caroline Rome
HOMESTORYS Ltd.
Industriestrasse 38
4700 Eupen, Belgium

Tel.: +32(0)87/59 59 15
Tel.: +32(0)87/84 06 75
E-mail: info@homestorys.com

Homestorys.com
store.homestorys.com

If you wish to object to the collection, storage, processing or use of your data by us in accordance with these data protection provisions in whole or in part, you can send your objection directly to the controller (see also point 3.6)

You can save and/or print out this privacy policy at any time.

 

1. general purposes of the processing

1.1 Definition of the data that we collect and process

In the data that we collect and process, we distinguish between “personal” and “non-personal” data:

  • For us, “personal data” is information that identifies you – for example your name, your address, your telephone number, your e-mail address, your IP address, etc.
  • For us, “non-personal data” is all information with which you cannot be identified (e.g. how or via which website you came to our website, which keywords you searched for, how long you spent on our websites, what you viewed, whether and which products you purchased, etc.).

If we store your personal data together with non-personal data, we consider this combination as a whole to be personal data.

If we remove the personal data from a data record, the remaining data is considered non-personal data.

 

1.2 What we use your data for

We do NOT collect and process data for the purpose of collecting it or selling it to third parties, but solely for the following reasons:

In general, we only use your data to operate our website(s) and to provide you with our products and services and to improve them. If you have transmitted or transmit personal data to us, we will only use it to the extent that you have authorized us to do so.

For making contact, preparing quotations, processing orders, fulfilling a contract/order, invoicing and for inclusion in our merchandise management system with the creation of a customer number. Inclusion as a customer with a code in our merchandise management system serves only to process orders and provide price lists.

The storage of contact data is for tax purposes only. Your personal data may be passed on to third parties (e.g. banks for payment transactions, tax consultants for payroll/accounting purposes) in accordance with GDPR Art. 6 (1) (b), (c) and (f). Data protection agreements are in place here.

1.3 Improving the functionality of certain products and services

We want to communicate with you to operate, maintain and improve our Internet presence: We want to adapt, align and expand our product range more and more to your wishes and needs.

 

1.4 Data security

We make every effort to ensure the security of your data within the framework of the applicable data protection laws and technical possibilities.

Your personal data is transmitted to us in encrypted form. This applies to your orders and also to the customer login. We use the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) coding system, but would like to point out that data transmission on the Internet (e.g. when communicating by e-mail) can have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

In order to protect your personal data in the best possible way against unauthorized access, misuse or unauthorized disclosure, we use various security technologies and procedures in accordance with Art. 32 GDPR, which we constantly adapt to the state of the art.

Although the servers we use are regularly maintained and carefully secured, it is possible that Malfunctions, interruptions or failures are notcan be completely ruled out.

 

1.5 How we store and protect your personal data

We are committed to protecting your personal data as soon as we have it. We have put in place physical, corporate and technical security measures. If, despite our efforts, a breach of data security occurs, we will inform you so that you can take appropriate protective measures.

We do not want to keep your personal data for longer than we need it, so we will only keep it for as long as is necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. As soon as we no longer need it, we will take steps to destroy it, unless we are legally obliged to retain it for longer.

 

1.6 Transfer of data to third parties, no data transfer to non-EU countries

In principle, we only use your personal data within our group of companies and only for the purposes stated under point 1.2.

If and insofar as we involve third parties such as logistics service providers in the fulfillment of contracts (delivery, shipping, service), they will only receive personal data to the extent that the transfer is necessary for the corresponding service.

In the event that we outsource certain parts of data processing (“order processing”), we contractually oblige processors to use personal data only in accordance with the requirements of data protection laws and to ensure the protection of the rights of the data subject.

Data transfer to bodies or persons outside the EU outside the case mentioned in this declaration in section 4 does not take place and is not planned.

 

Under what circumstances we will share your data with third parties if we have your permission to do so.

For the purpose of order data processing and in order to be able to offer you products and services, but only on condition that the body receiving your data has contractually undertaken to process or use the data only as authorized by your browser (Mozilla, Google Chrome, etc.).

If this is required by law. We will act in accordance with the law and will disclose your data as soon as we receive a corresponding official or (in connection with a lawsuit) court request. As soon as we are requested to disclose your personal data, we will inform you unless we are legally prohibited from doing so. If we receive such a request, we will only disclose your personal data if we believe in good faith that we are legally required to do so. However, nothing in this statement is intended to limit any legal remedies or objections you may have to such a request from a third party to disclose your data.

When we believe it is necessary to prevent harm to you or others. We will only share your information if we have a good faith belief that it is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of you, our other users, Mozilla or the public.

If you live in a country other than Belgium, we may need to transfer your data to a service provider in your country (e.g. logistics provider). This means that your data may be processed on one of these computers in another country, which may have a different level of data protection than your country. By submitting your data to us, you consent to this type of transfer of your data. Regardless of the country in which your data is located, we will comply with applicable law and will also comply with the obligations imposed on us by this Privacy Policy.

If our organizational structure or legal status changes (if we undergo restructuring, are acquired, or become insolvent), we may transfer your data to a legal successor or an affiliated company.

 

2. how we receive your data, what data we collect and why

2.1 Contact by e-mail, telephone or post
2.1.1 E-mail contact

When you contact us (e.g. via contact form or email), we process your data to process the request and in the event that follow-up questions arise.

If the data processing is carried out for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, which are carried out at your request, or, if you are already our customer, for the execution of the contract, the legal basis for this data processing is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 b) GDPR.

We only process other personal data if you consent to this (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 a) GDPR) or if we have a legitimate interest in processing your data (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR). A legitimate interest lies, for example, in responding to your email.

If you send us e-mails (e.g. for inquiries or appointments), your details, including the contact details you provide there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. We will retain the data you provide until you request its deletion, revoke your consent for its storage, or the purpose for its storage no longer pertains. Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular retention periods stipulated by law – remain unaffected.

Note, if you send us e-mails or we send them to you

When you send us e-mails or we send e-mails, they are automatically archived in Outlook. Archiving takes place in accordance with the statutory retention period.

 

2.2 Hosting

The hosting services we use serve to provide the following services: Infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, security services and technical maintenance services that we use for the purpose of operating the website.

We or our hosting provider process inventory data, contact data, content data, contract data, usage data, meta and communication data of customers, interested parties and visitors to this website on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure provision of our website in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR in conjunction with. Art. 28 GDPR.

 

2.3 Access data

We collect information about you when you use one of our websites. We automatically collect information about your usage behavior and your interaction with us and register data about your computer or mobile device. We collect, store and use data about every access to our websites (so-called server log files). The access data includes

  • Name and URL of the retrieved file
  • Date and time of retrieval
  • Amount of data transferred
  • Message about successful retrieval (HTTP response code)
  • Browser type and browser version
  • Operating system
  • Referer URL (i.e. the previously visited page)
  • Websites that are accessed by the user’s system via our website
  • Internet service provider of the user
  • IP address and the requesting provider

We use this log data without allocation to your person or other profiling for statistical evaluations for the purpose of operation, security and optimization of our website, but also for anonymous recording of the number of visitors to our website (traffic) and the extent and type of use of our website and services, as well as for billing purposes to measure the number of clicks received from cooperation partners. Based on this information, we can provide personalized and location-based content and analyze traffic, troubleshoot and fix errors, and improve our services.

This is also our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR.

We reserve the right to check the log data retrospectively if there is a justified suspicion of unlawful use based on concrete evidence. We store IP addresses in the log files for a limited period of time if this is necessary for security purposes or for the provision or billing of a service, e.g. if you use one of our offers. After canceling the order process or after receipt of payment, we delete the IP address if it is no longer required for security purposes. We also store IP addresses if we have a concrete suspicion of a criminal offense in connection with the use of our website. We also store the date of your last visit as part of your account (e.g. when registering, logging in, clicking on links, etc.).

 

2.4 Cookies

We use so-called session cookies to optimize our website. A session cookie is a small text file that is sent by the respective servers when you visit a website and is temporarily stored on your hard disk. This file as such contains a so-called session ID, with which various requests from your browser can be assigned to the joint session. This allows your computer to be recognized when you return to our website. These cookies are deleted after you close your browser. They are used, for example, to enable you to use the shopping cart function across several pages.

We also use a small number of persistent cookies (also small text files that are stored on your end device), which remain on your end device and enable us to recognize your browser the next time you visit. These cookies are stored on your hard disk and delete themselves after the specified time. Their lifespan is 1 month to 10 years. This enables us to present our website to you in a more user-friendly, effective and secure manner and, for example, to display information on the site that is specifically tailored to your interests.

Our legitimate interest in the use of cookies in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR is to make our website more user-friendly, effective and secure.

The following data and information are stored in the cookies:

  • Log-in information
  • Language settings
  • search terms entered
  • Information about the number of visits to our website and the use of individual functions of our website.

When the cookie is activated, it is assigned an identification number and your personal data is not assigned to this identification number. Your name, IP address or similar data that would enable the cookie to be assigned to you are not stored in the cookie. Based on the cookie technology, we only receive pseudonymized information, for example about which pages of our store were visited, which products were viewed, etc.

You can set your browser so that you are informed in advance about the setting of cookies and can decide in individual cases whether you want to exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, or that cookies are completely prevented. This may limit the functionality of the website.

 

2.5 Data for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations

We process personal data that we require to fulfill our contractual obligations, such as name, address, email address, ordered products, invoice and payment data. The collection of this data is necessary for the conclusion of the contract.

The data will be deleted after the warranty periods and statutory retention periods have expired. Data linked to a user account (see below) will in any case be retained for the duration of the management of this account.

The legal basis for the processing of this data is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 b) GDPR, because this data is required so that we can fulfill our contractual obligations to you.

 

2.6 User account

You can create a user account on our website. If you wish to do so, we need the personal data requested when you log in. When you log in later, only your e-mail or user name and the password you have chosen will be required.

For new registrations, we collect master data (e.g. name, address), communication data (e.g. e-mail address) and payment data (bank details) as well as access data (user name and password).

To ensure your proper registration and prevent unauthorized logins by third parties, you will receive an activation link by e-mail after your registration to activate your account. Only after successful registration will we permanently store the data you have transmitted in our system.

Once you have created a user account, you can have it deleted by us at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic rates. A message in text form to the contact data mentioned under point 1 (e.g. e-mail, fax, letter) is sufficient for this. We will then delete your stored personal data, unless we still need to store it to process orders or due to statutory retention obligations.

The legal basis for the processing of this data is your consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 a) GDPR.

 

2.7 Newsletter

To register for the newsletter, the data requested in the registration process is required. Registration for the newsletter is logged.

You can revoke your consent to receive the newsletter at any time and thus unsubscribe from the newsletter.

We store the registration data for as long as it is required for sending the newsletter. We store the logging of the registration and the dispatch address as long as there is an interest in proving the consent originally given; as a rule, these are the limitation periods for civil law claims, i.e. a maximum of three years.

The legal basis for sending the newsletter is your consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 a) in conjunction with Art. 7 GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 para. 2 no. 3 UWG. The legal basis for logging the registration is our legitimate interest in proving that the newsletter was sent with your consent.

You can cancel the registration at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic rates. A notification in text form to the contact details stated under point 1 (e.g. e-mail, fax, letter) is sufficient for this. Of course you will also find an unsubscribe link in every newsletter.

 

2.8 Product recommendations

We will send you regular product recommendations by e-mail independently of the newsletter. In this way, we send you information about products from our range that you may be interested in based on your recent purchases of goods or services from us. We do this strictly in accordance with legal requirements. You can object to this at any time without incurring any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic rates. A message in text form to the contact details mentioned under point 1 (e.g. e-mail, fax, letter) is sufficient for this. Of course, you will also find an unsubscribe link in every e-mail.

The legal basis for this is the legal permission pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 para. 3 UWG.

 

2.9 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about the use of this website by site visitors is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

This is also our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR.

Google has submitted to the Privacy Shield agreement concluded between the European Union and the USA and is certified. This means that Google undertakes to comply with the standards and regulations of European data protection law. Further information can be found in the following linked entry: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active.

We have activated IP anonymization on this website (anonymizeIp). Thereby your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. Google will use this information on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity and to provide us with other services relating to website activity and internet usage.

The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.

You can also prevent the transmission of the data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address) to Google and the processing of this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link:http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

As an alternative to the browser plugin or within browsers on mobile devices, you can click on the following link to set an opt-out cookie that will prevent Google Analytics from collecting data within this website in the future (this opt-out cookie only works in this browser and only for this domain. If you delete the cookies in your browser, you must click this link again): [Deactivate Google Analytics]

2.10. Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

On our website, we use technologies from Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland (“Meta”).

By integrating the so-called meta pixel and comparable technologies, we can track the behavior of users after they have been redirected to our website by clicking on a Facebook or Instagram ad. This serves to analyze and optimize our advertising measures and for economic evaluation.

In particular, the following data may be processed:

  • Visited pages
  • Products considered
  • Purchase transactions
  • Device information
  • Browser information
  • IP address
  • Referrer URL
  • Usage behavior

The processing takes place exclusively on the basis of your express consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR via our consent management tool.

The data collected can be linked by Meta to your Facebook or Instagram account and used for personalized advertising. Homestorys only receives statistical and anonymized evaluations.

We also use functions such as:

  • Remarketing
  • Custom Audiences
  • Conversion Tracking

A transfer of personal data to the USA cannot be ruled out. Meta Platforms Inc. is certified in accordance with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

Further information on data processing by Meta can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/

You can also find information on the cookies and tracking technologies used in our cookie settings. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future.

2.11. Storage period

Unless specifically stated, we only store personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes pursued.

In some cases, the legislator provides for the retention of personal data, for example under tax or commercial law. In these cases, the data will only be stored by us for these legal purposes, but will not be processed in any other way and will be deleted after the statutory retention period has expired.

2.12. SSL encryption

Our website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect confidential content.

3. your rights under the GDPR

Under the applicable laws, you have various rights to your personal data. If you wish to assert these rights, please write to our data protection officer named in the preamble by e-mail or by post, identifying yourself.

Below is an overview of the rights that you can assert:

 

3.1 Right to confirmation and information

You have the right to clear information about the processing of your personal data. In detail:

You have the right to obtain confirmation from us at any time as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed. If this is the case, you have the right to request information from us free of charge about the personal data stored about you, together with a copy of this data. You also have the right to the following information:

  1. the purposes of processing;
  2. the categories of personal data that are processed;
  3. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations;
  4. where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
  5. the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you or to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
  6. the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority;
  7. if the personal data is not collected from you, all available information about the origin of the data;
  8. the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, in accordance with Art. 22 (1) and (4) GDPR and – at least in these cases – meaningful information about the logic involved and the scope and intended effects of such processing for you.

If personal data is transferred to a third country or to an international organization, you have the right to be informed about suitable guarantees in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer.

 

3.2 Right to rectification

You have the right to demand that we correct and, if necessary, complete personal data concerning you. You also have the right to obtain from us without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, you also have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

 

3.3 Right to erasure of your data

In a number of cases, we are obliged to delete personal data concerning you.

For example, pursuant to Art. 17 (1) GDPR, you have the right to obtain from us the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay and we are obliged to erase such personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

  1. The personal data are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
  2. You withdraw your consent on which the processing is based according toArt. 6 para. 1 GDPR or Art. 9(2) a) GDPR and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
  3. In accordance withArt. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing in accordance withArt. 21(2) GDPR to object to the processing.
  4. The personal data was collected unlawfully and/or
  5. The deletion of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which we are subject.
  6. The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to inArt. 8 para. 1 GDPR collected.

If we have made the personal data public and we are obliged to delete it in accordance with Art. 17 para. 1 GDPR, we will take appropriate measures, including technical measures, taking into account the available technology and the implementation costs, to inform the data controllers who process the personal data that you have also requested the deletion of all links to this personal data or copies or replications of this personal data.

3.4 Right to restriction of processing

In a number of cases, you are entitled to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data.

For example, you have the right to demand that we restrict processing if one of the following conditions applies:

  1. the accuracy of the personal data is contested by you, for a period enabling us to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
  2. the processing is unlawful, but you refused the erasure of the personal data and instead requested the restriction of the use of the personal data;
  3. we no longer need the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but you require the data for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, or
  4. you object to the processing in accordance withArt. 21 (1) GDPR, as long as it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate reasons of our company outweigh yours.

 

3.5 Right to data portability

You have the right to receive, transmit or have us transmit personal data concerning you in machine-readable form.

In detail:

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and you have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from us, where

  1. the processing is based on consent in accordance withArt. 6 Para. 1 1 a) GDPR orArt. 9para. 2 a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant toArt. 6para. 1 sentence 1 b) GDPR and
  2. the processing is carried out using automated procedures.

In exercising your right to data portability pursuant to paragraph 1, you have the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from us to another controller, where technically feasible.

 

3.6 Right of objection

You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data by us if this is based on your particular situation and our interests in the processing do not outweigh yours.

In detail:

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on your particular situation.Art. 6(1) sentence 1 e) or f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. We will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

Where personal data are processed by us for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 78 GDPR.Art. 89(1) GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

If you wish to exercise your right of objection or revocation, simply send an e-mail to info@homestorys.comfrom. You can also contact our data protection officer, Mr. Theodor von Keudell, directly at the following e-mail address: tvk@homestorys.com

 

3.7 Automated decisions including profiling

You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you.

Automated decision-making based on the personal data collected does not take place.

 

3.8 Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

You have the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

 

3.9 Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you is unlawful.

 

3.10. Data protection officer

If you have any questions or concerns about data protection, please contact our data protection officer:

4. changes to this privacy policy

It may be necessary to amend this privacy policy. The updates will be published on the Internet. For material changes, we will announce the updates through Mozilla’s usual channels for such announcements, such as blog posts and forums. If you continue to use the product or service after the effective date of such changes, it means that you agree to the changes. To give you a better overview, we indicate the effective date at the top of the page.

Status: May 2026

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