GDPR Compliance Statement

Effective Date: 24 July 2025
Applies to: All customers and visitors of www.barkat.uk

At Barkat Food Store, we are fully committed to protecting your personal data and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This statement explains how we handle your data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

🔍 What is the UK GDPR?

The UK GDPR governs how businesses collect, use, store, and protect personal data of individuals based in the United Kingdom. It ensures your data rights are upheld, including access, correction, and deletion.

🔐 Our GDPR Commitments

We pledge to:

✅ Collect only the data we need
✅ Be clear and transparent about how your data is used
✅ Use your data lawfully, with a valid legal basis
✅ Keep your data safe, encrypted, and secure
✅ Allow you full control over your data, including access, correction, and deletion
✅ Never sell your data to third parties

🧾 What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following information from you:

  • Name, address, email, phone number

  • Order and transaction details

  • Payment data (handled securely via Shopify/Stripe)

  • Technical data such as IP address and browser info

  • Marketing preferences

We collect data through:

  • Checkout and registration forms

  • Newsletter signup

  • Contact forms

  • Cookies and analytics tools

⚙️ Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process your data based on the following legal grounds:

Lawful Basis Example
Contract Fulfilling your orders or processing returns
Consent Sending marketing emails (you can opt out anytime)
Legal obligation Recordkeeping for HMRC or regulatory requirements
Legitimate interest Preventing fraud, securing the site, improving customer service

🔄 Your Data Rights

As a UK resident, you have the right to:

  • Access the data we hold about you

  • Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data

  • Erase your data (“right to be forgotten”), where applicable

  • Restrict or object to certain types of processing

  • Withdraw consent at any time

  • Data portability – request a copy in a transferable format

To exercise any of these rights, please contact privacy@barkat.uk. We aim to respond within 30 days.

📤 Sharing Your Data

We only share data with GDPR-compliant third parties for essential services, such as:

  • Payment providers (Shopify Payments, Stripe)

  • Courier & logistics firms (e.g. DPD, Royal Mail)

  • Hosting & email services

  • IT/security partners

  • HMRC or regulators (if legally required)

We ensure all partners agree to uphold GDPR standards.

📦 Data Storage & Security

  • Your data is stored securely on encrypted servers hosted by Shopify and other trusted providers.

  • We use SSL certificates, firewalls, access control, and regular audits to protect your information.

  • Data is only retained for as long as necessary (typically up to 7 years for financial transactions).

🍪 Cookies & Tracking Tools

We use cookies to:

  • Save your shopping basket and preferences

  • Improve website performance

  • Analyse traffic for usability insights

You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings or through our website cookie banner.

📍 ICO Registration

Barkat Food Store is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a data controller.
ICO Registration Number: [Insert your number if registered]
To learn more, visit https://ico.org.uk

📝 Contact Us

If you have any questions about your privacy rights or our GDPR compliance:

Data Protection Officer
📧 Email: privacy@barkat.uk
📍 Address: [Insert Store HQ Address]
📞 Phone: [Insert Store Phone Number]

⚖️ Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we’ve handled your data, you have the right to file a complaint with the ICO:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
www.ico.org.uk

🛒 At Barkat, we’re committed to treating your data with the respect and care it deserves—because privacy isn’t just a policy. It’s a promise.