Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Apex Forged (“Apex Forged”, “we”, “us”) operates apexforged.app and sells 3D-printed protective cases, organizers and storage accessories. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, how long we keep it, and the choices available to you.

This policy applies to the website, our checkout process, and customer communications. By using the site or placing an order, you agree to the practices described here.

2. Information we collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Identity and contact information: your name, email address and telephone number where provided.
• Order and delivery information: shipping address, billing address, order contents, order history and delivery preferences.
• Payment information: payments are processed by Stripe. Stripe collects and processes your card details directly. We receive only a payment confirmation, the payment method type, the last four digits of the card and the billing postal code. We never receive or store full card numbers, CVC codes or full bank credentials.
• Communications: the content of emails, contact form submissions and support requests you send us.
• Marketing preferences: whether you have subscribed to our dispatch list and your consent status.
• Technical and usage information: IP address, browser type, device type, referring page, pages viewed and timestamps, collected through cookies and similar technologies.

3. How we use your information

We rely on the performance of our contract with you for order processing, your consent for marketing communications and non-essential cookies, our legitimate interests for site security and improvement, and legal obligation for records we are required to keep.

• To process, fulfil, ship and confirm your orders, and to handle returns, exchanges and warranty claims.
• To provide customer support and respond to your enquiries.
• To take payment and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized transactions.
• To send transactional messages, including order confirmations, dispatch notices and delivery updates. These are not marketing messages and cannot be opted out of while an order is active.
• To send marketing communications about new products, restocks and limited runs, only where you have given consent. You can withdraw consent at any time using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us.
• To operate, secure, measure and improve the website.
• To comply with legal, tax, accounting and regulatory obligations.

4. Payment processing

All card payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. Card details are transmitted directly to Stripe over an encrypted connection and are never stored on Apex Forged systems. Stripe processes this information as an independent controller for fraud prevention and regulatory purposes and as our processor for completing the transaction. Stripe's own privacy policy governs its handling of that data.

Because we do not store full payment card data, we cannot retrieve or resend card numbers, and any card-related dispute must be raised through your card issuer or through us for resolution with Stripe.

5. Cookies and analytics

We use strictly necessary cookies and local browser storage to maintain your shopping cart, keep the checkout session working and secure the site. These cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.

We may also use analytics cookies to understand aggregate traffic patterns, popular products and site performance. Analytics data is used in aggregate and is not used to build advertising profiles.

You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Doing so may prevent the cart and checkout from working correctly.

6. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the service providers necessary to run the business:

• Stripe, for payment processing and fraud prevention.
• Shipping carriers and fulfilment partners, to deliver your order.
• Email and communications providers, to send transactional and consented marketing messages.
• Hosting, analytics and security providers that operate the website infrastructure.
• Professional advisers, auditors and authorities, where required by law, court order, or to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

7. Data retention

Order, invoice and tax records are retained for the period required by applicable accounting and tax law, typically seven years from the date of the transaction.

Support correspondence is retained for up to three years from the last contact.

Marketing subscription records are retained until you unsubscribe, plus a short suppression record so we do not contact you again.

Analytics data is retained in aggregated or de-identified form.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion, object to or restrict certain processing, withdraw consent for marketing, and request a portable copy of information you provided to us.

To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@apexforged.app. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request, and we will respond within the period required by applicable law. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Some information cannot be deleted where we are legally required to retain it, such as completed transaction records.

9. Security

The site is served over TLS, payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe, and access to customer records is limited to personnel who need it to fulfil orders and provide support. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. International users

We ship internationally, and your information may be transferred to, stored in and processed in countries other than your own, including countries whose data protection laws differ from those in your jurisdiction. Where such transfers occur, we use appropriate safeguards, including standard contractual clauses with our processors where required.

If you access the site from outside the country in which we operate, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local law.

11. Children's privacy

The site and products are intended for professional and research users and are not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, contact privacy@apexforged.app and we will delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology or legal requirements. The revised version will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Material changes will be communicated by email to subscribers where required. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact

For privacy questions, requests or complaints, contact privacy@apexforged.app. For general support, contact support@apexforged.app.