Effective Date: November 1, 2024
Last Updated: August 2, 2025
1. Introduction
Planetary Books, LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the Planetary Book Company website (the “Site”). Planetary Books, LLC is the data controller responsible for your personal information.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal information when you visit our website or use our services. By using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with our Site, you may choose to provide us with:
- Account Information: Name, email address, password
- Contact Information: Address, phone number
- Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely through our payment processors)
- Communication Data: Messages you send us, newsletter subscriptions
- Profile Information: Reading preferences, reviews, wish lists
2.2 Automatically Collected Information (“Device Information”)
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect:
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click-through rates, referral sources, search terms used to find our Site
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: See Section 6 for detailed information
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
3.1 Essential Services
- Processing and fulfilling orders
- Creating and managing your account
- Providing customer support
- Processing payments and preventing fraud
3.2 Communication
- Sending order confirmations and shipping notifications
- Responding to your inquiries
- Sending newsletters (with your consent)
- Notifying you of important changes to our services
3.3 Website Improvement
- Analyzing website usage and performance
- Identifying and preventing abuse or security issues
- Conducting research and analytics to improve our services
- Personalizing your experience (with appropriate consent)
3.4 Legal Compliance
- Complying with applicable laws and regulations
- Responding to legal requests and preventing illegal activities
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For European residents, we process your personal data based on:
- Contract Performance: When necessary to fulfill our services to you
- Legitimate Interests: For business operations, fraud prevention, and website security
- Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies
- Legal Obligation: When required by law
5. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We DO NOT sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
5.1 Service Providers
We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with:
- Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Shipping and fulfillment (e.g., the USPS, UPS, FedEx etc.)
- Email marketing services
- Website hosting and analytics
- Customer support tools
These providers are contractually and/or legally bound to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.
5.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law, including:
- Responding to court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
- Protecting our rights, property, or safety
- Preventing fraud or illegal activities
- Complying with government requests
5.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
6.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (shopping cart, login status)
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our Site
- Marketing Cookies: Used for advertising and personalization (with your consent)
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
6.2 Cookie Consent
We obtain explicit consent before placing non-essential cookies and provide clear information about cookie purposes.
6.3 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings or our cookie preference center. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy. Generally, we strive to retain:
- Account Information: Until you delete your account or request deletion
- Order History: 7 years or more for tax and legal compliance
- Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
- Website Analytics: 24 months
- Customer Support Records: 3 years from last interaction
We may not maintain your data for as long as these statements indicate. We are under no obligation to you to maintain the data for any particular length of time. If you wish to maintain records of your interactions with us, you must not rely on us, but must keep your own records.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Restricted access to personal information
- Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers
However, no internet transmission is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your information.
9. Your Privacy Rights
9.1 Rights for All Users
- Access: Request information about what personal data we hold
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
9.2 Additional Rights for European Residents (GDPR)
- Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format if we still maintain it
- Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your information
- Object to Processing: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing
- Automated Decision-Making: Right not to be subject to automated decisions
9.3 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
California residents have additional rights including:
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt-out of sale/sharing of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: At this time, we do not sell personal information. We are sure this will not change, but if it does, we will provide an opt-out mechanism.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred outside of Europe, including to Canada and the United States. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:
- Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
- Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms
11. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in Europe). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child, we will delete it promptly.
12. Third-Party Links
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on our website
- Sending email notifications for material changes
- Updating the “Last Updated” date
14. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
Email: info@planetarybooks.com
For European residents, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
This policy was last updated on August 2, 2025 and is effective immediately.