At our e-commerce store, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This comprehensive Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you visit our website, make purchases, or interact with our services. As a Pakistan-based online retailer, we adhere to local regulations, including the Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002 and emerging data protection laws like the Personal Data Protection Bill. Our goal is to provide transparency and build trust with our customers across Pakistan and beyond.
This policy is designed to help you understand your privacy rights, the types of information we gather, and how we ensure data security in compliance with Pakistani privacy laws. Whether you’re shopping for products, signing up for newsletters, or contacting customer support, we handle your data responsibly. If you’re searching for “data protection in Pakistan e-commerce” or “privacy policy for online shopping in Pakistan,” this document provides detailed insights.
🔒 How We Collect Your Information
We collect various types of information from our users to deliver personalized and efficient services. This includes data provided directly by you and information gathered automatically through our website. Understanding “how e-commerce sites collect data in Pakistan” is crucial for informed online shopping.
- 👤 Personal Information: Such as your full name, email address, phone number, and date of birth. We collect this when you create an account, place an order, or subscribe to our newsletter. This helps us verify your identity and provide tailored recommendations.
- 🏠 Address Information: Including your postal address, billing address, and shipping details. This is essential for processing orders, calculating shipping costs, and ensuring timely delivery across cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
- 💳 Financial Information: Details like credit card numbers, bank account information, or payment method preferences. We use secure payment gateways compliant with PCI DSS standards to handle transactions safely, minimizing risks in online payments in Pakistan.
- 📱 Technical Information: Device data, IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing history. This is collected via cookies and analytics tools to improve site performance and detect potential security threats.
- 📝 Other Data: Feedback, reviews, survey responses, or communication history with our support team. We may also collect demographic information to better understand our customer base and enhance marketing strategies.
We only collect information that is necessary for providing our services, and we always seek your consent where required under Pakistani data protection guidelines.
📊 How We Use Your Information
Your data enables us to offer a seamless shopping experience. We use it for operational, marketing, and analytical purposes while ensuring compliance with privacy laws in Pakistan. If you’re wondering “how online stores use customer data in Pakistan,” here’s a breakdown:
- 🛒 Order Processing and Delivery: To fulfill your purchases, manage inventory, and coordinate with logistics partners for doorstep delivery throughout Pakistan.
- 📧 Communication and Updates: Sending order confirmations, shipping notifications, promotional offers, and service-related emails. You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time.
- 🛡️ Fraud Prevention and Security: Monitoring transactions for suspicious activity to protect against cyber threats, in line with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
- 📊 Analytics and Improvement: Analyzing user behavior to optimize our website, personalize product recommendations, and conduct market research. Tools like Google Analytics help us track trends without compromising your privacy.
- 🔍 Legal Compliance: Responding to legal requests or regulatory requirements from Pakistani authorities.
- 📈 Marketing and Advertising: Creating targeted ads based on your interests, such as retargeting campaigns on social media platforms, to enhance your shopping experience.
We never use your data for purposes beyond what’s stated here without your explicit consent, prioritizing ethical data usage in the Pakistani e-commerce landscape.
🚨 Privacy Laws Specific to Pakistan
As an e-commerce platform operating in Pakistan, we strictly comply with local laws to protect user privacy. This includes the Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002, which governs electronic records and signatures, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 for cybersecurity. While Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 is pending enactment as of 2025, we proactively align our practices with its proposed standards, such as data minimization and user consent. We do not share your personal information with third parties without your permission, except where legally mandated by Pakistani courts or government agencies.
Our commitment extends to ensuring that all data handling respects cultural and legal nuances in Pakistan, providing robust protection against data breaches and unauthorized access.
🗂️ Your Customer Rights in Pakistan
Under emerging Pakistani data protection frameworks and international best practices, our users in Pakistan enjoy several rights regarding their personal information:
- Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you, including how it’s processed.
- Right to Rectification: If your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it promptly.
- Right to Erasure: Also known as the “right to be forgotten,” you can request deletion of your data when it’s no longer needed or if you withdraw consent.
- Right to Restriction: You can limit how we process your data in certain circumstances, such as during a dispute.
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format to transfer to another service.
- Right to Object: Oppose processing for direct marketing or other purposes based on legitimate interests.
To exercise these rights, contact our data protection officer via the details provided below. We respond to requests within 30 days, free of charge in most cases.
🗂️ Sharing Your Information
We share your data only when necessary and with trusted partners, always with safeguards in place. Transparency in “data sharing practices in Pakistani e-commerce” is key to our policy.
- 💼 Service Providers: Sharing with shipping companies (e.g., TCS or Leopard Courier), payment processors (e.g., JazzCash or EasyPaisa), and customer support tools to facilitate services.
- 🔍 Legal Requirements: Disclosing information if required by law, such as in response to subpoenas or regulatory audits from Pakistani authorities.
- 🤝 Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale, your data may be transferred to the new entity with continued privacy protections.
- 📢 Affiliates and Partners: Limited sharing with marketing partners for joint promotions, but only with your consent.
We require all third parties to respect your privacy and comply with applicable laws, using data only for specified purposes.
📅 Data Retention Period
We retain your information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. For example, transaction records are kept for 7 years to comply with tax regulations in Pakistan. Once no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize data. If you close your account, we may retain certain information for legal or archival purposes, but cease active processing.
This approach minimizes risks and aligns with best practices for data retention in e-commerce platforms operating in Pakistan.
🔒 Information Security
Protecting your data is our top priority. We employ industry-standard security measures, including encryption (SSL/TLS), firewalls, access controls, and regular security audits. Our servers are hosted in secure data centers with 24/7 monitoring to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or breaches. In case of a data incident, we follow notification protocols as per PECA guidelines.
While no system is infallible, we continuously update our defenses to counter evolving threats in the digital landscape of Pakistan.
⚙️ Your Rights
As detailed earlier, you have control over your data. Access, update, or delete your information through your account settings or by contacting us. We respect your choices regarding data processing and provide easy opt-out options for communications.
📝 Changes to Our Privacy Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technology. Revised versions will be posted on our website with the effective date, and we’ll notify you via email for significant changes. Continued use of our services after updates constitutes acceptance.
Stay informed about “updates to privacy policies in Pakistan” by checking this page regularly.
🏢 International Data Transfers
Our services may involve transferring data outside Pakistan, such as to cloud servers in the US or EU. We ensure these transfers comply with international standards like GDPR equivalents, using mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses to maintain data protection levels. For users concerned about “cross-border data transfers from Pakistan,” rest assured we prioritize security.
📄 Use of Cookies
Cookies are small files that enhance your browsing experience by remembering preferences and tracking usage. We use essential cookies for site functionality, performance cookies for analytics, and targeting cookies for ads. You can manage cookie settings via your browser. Learn more about “cookies in Pakistani websites” in our dedicated cookie policy section.
We comply with consent requirements and provide a cookie banner for user choices.
👨👩👧 Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from minors without parental consent. If we discover such data, we delete it immediately. Parents can contact us for any concerns regarding children’s privacy in online shopping.
🔗 Third-Party Links
Our site may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing information.
📞 Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your data, or privacy practices, please reach out to our customer service team at contact@aosouq.com or call +92-334-332-4444. We welcome your feedback and are dedicated to resolving concerns promptly.
Last Updated: October 10, 2025
