Privacy policy

Privacy Policy — The Paws Studio

Last updated: 22 October 2026

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how HILLECOM LLC (“The Paws Studio”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, shares and protects your personal data when you visit https://thepawsstudio.com (the “Site”) or make a purchase.

This policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR).

2. Who we are

The data controller is HILLECOM LLC, a company registered in the United States, 8206 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113.

. 📧 contact@thepawsstudio.com

UK representative (Article 27 UK GDPR): [name, UK address, email]

3. The data we collect

3.1 Device information
When you visit the Site, we automatically collect:

• your IP address;
• your browser type and version, and your operating system;
• your time zone and language settings;
• cookies stored on your device;
• the pages and products you view, and the website that referred you;
• how you interact with the Site (clicks, time spent, browsing path).

3.2 Order information
When you place or attempt to place an order, we collect:

• your name, billing and delivery address, email address and phone number;
• your payment information. This is processed securely by our payment providers, and we never store full card numbers;
• your order history.

3.3 Communications
When you contact us by email, contact form or customer service, we keep a record of our exchanges.

4. Our lawful bases for processing

Under Article 6 of the UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:

5. How we use your data

We use your data to:

• process, deliver and track your orders;
• manage your customer account and our relationship with you;
• answer your questions and requests;
• prevent and detect fraud;
• comply with our legal and accounting obligations;
• improve our Site, products and services;
• send you marketing emails, only if you have agreed to receive them;
• measure audience and personalise your experience, only if you have accepted the relevant cookies.

6. Who we share your data with

We share your data only with people and providers who need it to carry out their tasks:

• E-commerce platform and hosting: Shopify
• Payment providers: Shopify Payments, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay
• Fulfilment and delivery: our warehouse and logistics partners, carriers and our order tracking tool ParcelPane
• Analytics tools: [e.g. Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity], only if you consent
• Advertising platforms: Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, Google Ads, only if you consent
• Email marketing: Klaviyo
• Public authorities: where required by law

We do not sell your personal data.

7. International transfers

Some of our providers, and HILLECOM LLC itself, are located outside the UK, particularly in the United States. Our orders are also fulfilled from our warehouse in China, so your name, delivery address and phone number are shared with our fulfilment partner there.

We protect these transfers by:

• UK adequacy regulations, including the UK-US Data Bridge for certified US companies;
• the ICO’s International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses;
• where necessary, the transfer being necessary to perform our contract with you, such as shipping your order.

Email us at contact@thepawsstudio.com for a copy of the safeguards we use.

8. How long we keep your data

After these periods, your data is deleted or anonymised.

9. Your rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• access your data and receive a copy;
• rectify inaccurate or incomplete data;
• erase your data, subject to our legal retention obligations;
• restrict processing;
• object to processing, including direct marketing at any time;
• data portability, meaning you receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format;
• withdraw your consent at any time. This does not affect processing carried out before you withdrew it.

To exercise your rights, email contact@thepawsstudio.com. We may ask you to confirm your identity. We will reply within one month, which can be extended by two months for complex requests.

10. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, please contact us first at contact@thepawsstudio.com so we can try to resolve it.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

🌐 ico.org.uk 📍 Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF 📞 0303 123 1113

11. Cookies

The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• make the Site work (basket, session). These are strictly necessary cookies and do not require consent;
• measure audience and analyse traffic, with your consent;
• personalise your experience and show targeted advertising, with your consent.

On your first visit, a cookie banner lets you accept, reject or customise your preferences. You can change your choices at any time using the “Cookie settings” link at the bottom of every page, or through your browser settings.

12. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, loss, alteration or disclosure, including SSL/TLS encryption, restricted access, secure hosting and strong passwords.

Payment information is encrypted and processed only by PCI-DSS certified payment providers.

13. Children

The Site is intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal, technical or business changes. The date of the latest update appears at the top of this page.

15. Contact

HILLECOM LLC, 8206 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113, United States.📧 contact@thepawsstudio.com