Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 27, 2026  ·  Effective immediately

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Information We Collect
  3. How We Collect Information
  4. How We Use Your Information
  5. Your Device & Personal Data
  6. Information Sharing & Disclosure
  7. Website & Cookies
  8. Data Retention
  9. Data Security
  10. Your Rights
  11. Children's Privacy
  12. Third-Party Links
  13. Changes to This Policy
  14. Contact Us

1. Introduction

Tech Stop ("we," "us," "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and transparency. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information.

This policy applies to all information collected through our repair services, product sales, website at techstop.ca, and any other interactions you have with Tech Stop — in-store, online, or by phone.

We operate in compliance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Alberta provincial privacy legislation.

✅ We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes — ever.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide our services and improve your experience with Tech Stop.

📋 Information You Provide

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Device make, model, and IMEI (where required)
  • Description of the issue with your device
  • Payment information (processed securely — we do not store card numbers)
  • Communication records (emails, messages, call logs)

🌐 Information Collected Automatically

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Pages visited on techstop.ca
  • Time and date of visit
  • Referring website
  • Device type (mobile, desktop)
  • General geographic location (city/region level)

Information We Do NOT Collect

  • We do not access, copy, or store any personal data from your device (photos, contacts, messages, apps, accounts, etc.)
  • We do not collect credit card numbers or full banking information
  • We do not collect sensitive personal information such as government ID numbers, SIN, or health information
  • We do not collect information from children under 13 knowingly

3. How We Collect Information

We collect your information through the following means:

  • In-store: When you bring a device in for repair or purchase a product, we collect your name, contact information, and device details verbally or via our intake form
  • Contact form: When you submit a message through the contact form on techstop.ca
  • Phone and email: When you contact us directly by phone or email
  • Website: Automatically through standard web server logs and analytics tools when you visit techstop.ca
  • Live chat: When you use our Tawk.to live chat widget on our website
  • Google Business Profile: When you leave a review or send a message through our Google Business listing

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service Delivery

  • To process and complete your repair or product order
  • To contact you regarding the status of your repair
  • To notify you when your device is ready for pickup
  • To provide estimates, receipts, and invoices
  • To process payments

Customer Support

  • To respond to your questions, concerns, or complaints
  • To handle warranty claims and return requests
  • To follow up after a repair if necessary

Business Operations

  • To maintain internal service records for warranty purposes
  • To improve the quality of our services
  • To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

Marketing (Optional)

  • With your consent, to send you occasional promotions, offers, or updates about Tech Stop services
  • You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us at info@techstop.ca

⚠️ We will never use your information for purposes beyond those listed above without your explicit consent.

5. Your Device & Personal Data

This is one of our most important commitments. When you leave your device with us for repair:

  • We do not access your personal data. We do not open, view, copy, transfer, or store any files, photos, messages, contacts, accounts, or any other personal content on your device
  • We only access what is necessary. In some cases, we may need to test device functionality (e.g., test a screen after replacement). This is done functionally, not to access personal content
  • We strongly recommend backing up your device before bringing it in for any repair. Certain repairs may require a factory reset or may result in data loss, and we will always inform you before proceeding
  • We are not responsible for data loss during the repair process, regardless of cause. This includes data lost due to hardware failure, software issues, or necessary repair procedures
  • Passwords and PINs: We may ask for your device PIN or password to test functionality after a repair. This is used solely for testing and is not recorded or stored

✅ Your photos, messages, and personal files are your own. We have no interest in accessing them and take active steps to ensure we don't.

6. Information Sharing & Disclosure

Tech Stop does not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for commercial purposes. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share limited information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, such as:

  • Tawk.to — live chat platform (chat transcripts may be stored on their servers)
  • Google — website analytics (Google Analytics, if enabled) and Google Business Profile communications
  • Payment processors — for processing card payments securely (we do not store your card details)
  • Parts suppliers — limited device information (make/model) may be shared when ordering parts

All service providers are required to handle your information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and are not permitted to use it for their own purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or government authority, or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

  • Comply with a legal obligation
  • Protect the rights, property, or safety of Tech Stop, our customers, or the public
  • Prevent fraud or illegal activity

Business Transfer

In the event that Tech Stop is sold, merged, or transferred to another entity, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified of any such change and any new privacy terms that apply.

7. Website & Cookies

Website Analytics

Our website techstop.ca may use basic analytics tools to understand how visitors use our site. This may include information such as pages visited, time spent on the site, and general geographic location. This data is aggregated and anonymized — it is not linked to any individual.

Cookies

Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your browsing experience. These may include:

  • Functional cookies: Essential for the website to function correctly
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
  • Third-party cookies: Set by services like Google Maps, Tawk.to live chat, and Google reCAPTCHA embedded in our site

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of our website.

Google reCAPTCHA

Our contact form uses Google reCAPTCHA to prevent spam. Google's privacy policy applies to the data collected by reCAPTCHA. By using our contact form, you agree to Google's privacy policy available at google.com/policies/privacy.

Tawk.to Live Chat

Our website uses Tawk.to for live chat. When you use our chat widget, Tawk.to may collect your IP address and chat transcript. Please review Tawk.to's privacy policy at tawk.to/privacy-policy for more information.

Google Maps

Our contact page uses an embedded Google Maps iframe. Google may collect data when you interact with the map. Please review Google's privacy policy for details.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.

  • Repair and service records: Retained for a minimum of 1 year for warranty and customer service purposes
  • Transaction and payment records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years as required by Canadian tax and accounting laws
  • Contact form submissions: Retained for up to 1 year unless ongoing communication requires longer retention
  • Marketing communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Website analytics data: Typically retained for up to 26 months in aggregated form

When your information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

9. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it against unauthorized access, loss, theft, or misuse.

  • Our website uses HTTPS encryption (SSL/TLS) for all data transmitted between your browser and our server
  • Customer records are stored securely and access is limited to authorized staff only
  • Payment card information is processed through secure payment processors and is never stored by Tech Stop
  • Physical records containing personal information are stored securely at our premises

While we take every reasonable precaution, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

In the unlikely event of a data breach that may affect your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate authorities as required by Canadian privacy law.

10. Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

  • Right to access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Right to correction: You have the right to request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Right to withdrawal of consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your information, you may withdraw that consent at any time
  • Right to deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations
  • Right to complain: You have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) if you believe we have mishandled your personal information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@techstop.ca or visit us in store. We will respond to all requests within 30 days.

For complaints to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, visit priv.gc.ca or call 1-800-282-1376.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at info@techstop.ca and we will delete that information promptly.

If a minor brings a device in for repair, we require that a parent or legal guardian be present or provide authorization for the service.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, parts suppliers, or other service providers. This Privacy Policy applies only to Tech Stop and our website. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of any third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. If we make significant changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you directly.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

Tech Stop — Privacy Inquiries

📍 Unit A35a, South Entrance, New Horizon Mall, Balzac, Alberta, Canada
📞 +1 368-550-2520
📧 info@techstop.ca
🌐 techstop.ca

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Also see our Terms & Conditions and Return & Refund Policy.