Custom-Artist.com (the “Site”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure the proper functioning of the Site, to understand how the Site is used, and to improve our services. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and your rights in relation to them. We comply with applicable laws, including the EU ePrivacy Directive (often called the “cookie law”) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Notably, the ePrivacy Directive requires us to obtain your consent before storing non-essential cookies on your device, and GDPR considers cookie identifiers that can identify users as personal data. By continuing to use our Site, you agree to the placement of cookies in accordance with this policy. You may withdraw or manage your consent at any time as described below.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website you visit. They help that website remember information about your visit – for example, your preferences or whether you are logged in. Cookies can be “session” cookies (which expire when you close your browser) or “persistent” cookies (which remain until they expire or you delete them). They can also be first-party (set by our Site) or third-party (set by a service we use). Our Site uses several types of cookies, each with different purposes.

Types of Cookies Used

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the operation of our Site and to enable core functionalities (such as security, network management, and accessibility). For example, strictly necessary cookies allow you to log in, place items in a shopping cart, and use protected services. By law, we may set these cookies without needing your prior consent, but we still inform you about them. They do not track your browsing activity outside the Site.

• Preference (Functional) Cookies: These cookies remember your choices and preferences (such as language or region) and provide enhanced, personalized features. They help the Site remember information that changes the way the site behaves or looks (for example, remembering your preferred language or font size). Preference cookies are not strictly necessary, but they improve your experience.

• Analytics/Performance Cookies: We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use the Site and to improve its performance and content. In particular, we use Google Analytics (provided by Google LLC) for this purpose. Google Analytics uses first-party cookies (e.g. _ga, _gid) to distinguish unique users and collect usage data such as pageviews, session duration, and interactions. For example, the default _ga cookie persists for up to 2 years. By default, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) does not store your full IP address or allow collection of other personally identifiable information. Analytics cookies help us compile statistical information about Site usage (for instance, which pages are most visited) without identifying you personally. The use of analytics cookies is subject to your explicit consent under the GDPR. We will not enable analytics cookies without your permission.

• Marketing/Advertising Cookies: These cookies are used to track your online activity and show you relevant advertisements on third-party sites. They can include cookies used by Google Ads or social media platforms. We do not currently deploy any marketing or advertising cookies on our Site. (If we were to do so in the future, we would disclose them here and obtain your consent beforehand.)

Third-Party Cookies

Our Site may include content from third parties, which can set their own cookies on your device. In particular:

• Google Analytics: As noted, Google Analytics cookies are set by Google LLC. The information collected by Google Analytics is governed by Google’s policies. You can review Google’s privacy information for Analytics on Google’s site.

• Google Tag Manager: We use Google Tag Manager to manage and deploy website tags. Google Tag Manager itself does not set cookies or track personal data, but it may trigger other services that do. All tags deployed through Google Tag Manager comply with the consent choices you make. Google Tag Manager operates under Google’s privacy policy.

We do not sell your personal information to any third party. We may share aggregated or anonymized information with service providers (such as Google for analytics) solely for the purposes described above.

Legal Basis for Processing

Under the GDPR, processing of personal data (including cookie identifiers that can uniquely identify you) must have a lawful basis. The legal bases we rely on are:

• Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR): For any cookies or processing that are not strictly necessary (in particular analytics cookies), we rely on your explicit consent. You must provide clear affirmative consent before these cookies are set on your device. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

• Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR): For strictly necessary cookies (and certain preference cookies) that enable the basic operation of the Site, we rely on our legitimate interest in providing the service and improving its security. These cookies do not require prior consent, but we still inform you about their use.

If you wish to refuse or withdraw consent for analytics (and any other non-essential) cookies, please see the “Managing Cookies” section below. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing before you withdrew it.

Duration of Cookies

Cookies have different lifespans:

• Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. For example, a session cookie may keep you logged in as you navigate between pages and expire at the end of the session.

• Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. For example, Google Analytics’ _ga cookie is set to expire after 2 years by default. Similarly, other cookies may last from a few days to several years.

You can view the cookies stored by our Site and their expiry times in your browser’s cookie or privacy settings. Clearing your browser’s cookies at any time will remove session cookies and persistent cookies from your device.

Managing and Withdrawing Cookie Consent

You can manage, accept, or refuse cookies through the following methods:

• Cookie Banner/Settings: When you first visit our Site, a cookie banner (or notice) may appear allowing you to accept or reject categories of cookies. You can change these settings at any time by revisiting the banner (often via a link labeled “Cookie Settings” or similar) or by using the controls in your browser or device.

• Browser Controls: You can usually control cookies through your web browser’s preferences. Most browsers allow you to block third-party cookies, clear existing cookies, and specify whether to accept cookies in general. For example, in Chrome you can go to Settings Privacy and security Cookies and other site data; similar settings exist in Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc. Blocking or deleting cookies may impact the Site’s functionality or prevent certain features (like login persistence).

• Google Analytics Opt-Out: You can use Google’s Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on (for most major browsers) to disable Google Analytics for this site and others. More information is available from Google.

If you withdraw consent for analytics or functional cookies, our Site will respect that choice, and those cookies will be disabled. Please note that strictly necessary cookies (required for the Site to work) cannot be disabled via consent, but you can still block them through your browser (which may limit Site functionality). According to GDPR, it must be as easy to withdraw consent as it was to give it. You may withdraw consent at any time using any of the mechanisms above.

Your Rights Under GDPR

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, or Switzerland, the GDPR provides you with certain rights regarding your personal data, including data collected via cookies. These rights include:

1. Right of Access: You can request confirmation of whether we are processing your personal data, and if so, access to that data.

2. Right to Rectification: You can request correction of any inaccurate personal data we hold about you.

3. Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain conditions (for example, if it is no longer needed for the purposes collected).

4. Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain cases.

5. Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format, or ask us to transmit it to another controller.

6. Right to Object: You can object to our processing of your personal data, including processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.

7. Right to Withdraw Consent: If processing is based on your consent (e.g. analytics cookies), you can withdraw that consent at any time without affecting past processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below. We may ask you to verify your identity before responding. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority (e.g. a European Member State’s supervisory authority, or the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office) if you believe our processing of your data infringes applicable law.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its amendment, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), grant additional rights to California residents. CCPA rights include the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. Under the CCPA, businesses that “sell” personal information must provide a “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link.

Do we sell personal information? No. We do not sell your personal information as defined under the CCPA. Therefore, the “Do Not Sell” rights are not applicable to us.

Does CCPA apply to us? The CCPA applies to certain for-profit businesses that meet revenue or data processing thresholds. As of this policy, Custom-Artist.com does not meet those thresholds and does not specifically target California consumers. However, if you are a California resident, your rights to access and delete personal information may overlap with the rights listed above under GDPR (we have explained them in general terms here). We have designed our practices to extend similar protections to all users.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the law, our use of cookies, or Site functionality. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are made indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or your privacy rights, please contact us at:

Custom-Artist.com
Privacy Officer
Email: query@custom-artist.com 

We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

Last updated: January 1, 2025.

Sources: Our policy is based on GDPR and ePrivacy requirements, as well as guidance from regulatory authorities. (For details on cookie regulation, see the cited regulations and resources above.)