Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Vetted ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our website and services. We operate in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") and Malta's Data Protection Act (Chapter 586 of the Laws of Malta), as enforced by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC).

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:
Vetted
Malta
Email: vettedmalta@gmail.com
Phone: +356 7906 8558 / +356 9920 0026

3. What Data We Collect

We may collect the following personal data:

• Contact Form Submissions: Name, email address, phone number, breed of interest, and your message.
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address.
• Shop Orders: Name, phone number, and any details shared via WhatsApp for order fulfilment and delivery.
• Website Usage Data: We may collect non-personal data such as browser type, device information, and pages visited through standard web analytics.

4. How We Use Your Data

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

• To respond to your enquiries submitted through our contact form.
• To send you newsletters and updates about our services (only with your consent).
• To process and fulfil product orders placed through our shop.
• To communicate with you via WhatsApp regarding puppy enquiries, orders, and after-care support.
• To improve our website and services.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the GDPR, we process your data based on:

• Consent (Article 6(1)(a)): When you subscribe to our newsletter or submit a contact form.
• Contractual Necessity (Article 6(1)(b)): When processing is necessary to fulfil an order or respond to a service enquiry.
• Legitimate Interest (Article 6(1)(f)): For improving our services and website functionality.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties. Your data may be shared only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party providers who assist in operating our website and services (e.g., hosting providers, database services), bound by data processing agreements.
• Legal Obligations: Where required by Maltese or EU law, or to comply with a legal process.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy. Contact form submissions and order records are retained for up to 3 years. Newsletter subscriptions are retained until you unsubscribe. You may request deletion of your data at any time.

8. Your Rights

Under the GDPR and Maltese data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing.
• Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at vettedmalta@gmail.com.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), secure database storage, and restricted access controls.

10. Cookies

Our website may use essential cookies to ensure proper functionality. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party advertising cookies. By using our website, you consent to the use of essential cookies.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party services (e.g., WhatsApp, social media platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their respective privacy policies.

12. Complaints

If you believe your data protection rights have been violated, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC) of Malta:

Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner
Floor 2, Airways House
High Street, Sliema SLM 1549, Malta
Website: idpc.org.mt

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.