Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy ("Policy") governs the use of cookies, tracking pixels, beacons, and other related technologies (collectively, "Cookies") by Maertin LLC ("Maertin," "Mäertin," "we," "our," or "us") across all digital interfaces and platforms, including but not limited to our website (maertinhair.com), mobile applications, subdomains, embedded third-party components, and digital communications (collectively, the "Site"). This Policy is legally binding and designed to provide detailed transparency regarding the collection, storage, sharing, and usage of information derived through Cookies. It applies to every visitor, user, and customer regardless of their location, access method, or device type.

We developed this Policy to ensure comprehensive compliance with data protection regulations, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), United Kingdom GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), ePrivacy Directive (PECR), Brazil's Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and other applicable international and domestic privacy laws. Maertin LLC operates under the principle of privacy by design and strives to uphold the highest legal standards for data protection.

By accessing and using the Site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by this Policy. If you do not agree with any provision contained herein, your sole remedy is to immediately cease access to and use of our Site. Continued use after updates to this Policy will constitute your acceptance of the revised version. Maertin LLC expressly disclaims liability for any use outside the bounds of this Policy and reserves the right to pursue legal remedies for unauthorized or unlawful interference with our Cookie infrastructure.

2. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small, standardized data files that are downloaded to your device when you access a website or digital service. These files allow a site to recognize your device, store user preferences, enable specific site functions, and track usage behavior. Cookies are critical to ensuring secure, efficient, and personalized user experiences. There are different classifications of Cookies based on origin, duration, and purpose:

By origin, Cookies may be (1) first-party, set directly by Mäertin, or (2) third-party, set by vendors or partners authorized by Mäertin for specific services such as analytics or advertising. By duration, Cookies may be (1) session-based, which expire when your browser is closed, or (2) persistent, which remain on your device for a defined period. By purpose, Cookies may be categorized as strictly necessary, performance, functionality, targeting/advertising, or social media Cookies.

Mäertin also deploys technologies that are functionally equivalent to Cookies and are governed by this Policy. These include web beacons, tracking pixels, LocalStorage, SessionStorage, IndexedDB, fingerprinting technologies, browser cache signals, HTTP ETags, and unique device or session identifiers. All such technologies are subject to the same legal, operational, and user protection requirements outlined herein.

3. What Cookies and Technologies We Use

Mäertin uses various categories of Cookies and related technologies that serve specific business, security, and user experience functions. Strictly necessary Cookies are essential to the functioning of the Site and enable services such as user authentication, fraud prevention, secure checkout, and compliance with legal mandates. Performance and analytics Cookies help us understand usage metrics like page load times, visitor behavior, navigation patterns, and bounce rates; these Cookies often rely on platforms like Google Analytics, which are configured for data minimization and, where feasible, anonymization.

Functionality Cookies enable enhanced personalization, allowing users to retain language settings, region-specific content preferences, accessibility configurations, and saved sessions across visits. Targeting and advertising Cookies enable Mäertin and its contracted partners to deliver behaviorally tailored advertisements, retargeting campaigns, and interest-based promotions. These Cookies may involve audience segmentation and require consent under GDPR. Social media Cookies are embedded by platforms like Meta (Facebook/Instagram), TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. These Cookies allow for social sharing, embedded media, and may contribute to profile enrichment by the respective platforms.

Experimental Cookies, which include those deployed for A/B testing, feature flagging, or pilot studies, are only implemented with prior consent where applicable. All Cookies are reviewed periodically for compliance, accuracy, and scope alignment. Cookie duration varies: session Cookies expire once you leave the site, while persistent Cookies may remain for periods ranging from 30 days to 13 months depending on category and jurisdictional requirements.

4. Consent & Automatic Agreement

In jurisdictions where explicit consent is mandated (e.g., EU, UK), Maertin LLC ensures that no non-essential Cookies are set until affirmative, granular, and freely given consent is obtained through a compliant consent management interface. Users can manage these choices at any time through the provided cookie settings panel. In jurisdictions that operate on implied consent or opt-out frameworks (e.g., certain U.S. states), your continued use of the Site constitutes a valid legal agreement to the terms of this Policy and the use of all Cookies described herein.

Mäertin logs consent receipts with time-stamps, IP information, jurisdictional context, and browser identifiers for audit and regulatory inspection purposes. If a user disables our banner, accesses the site via a cookie-blocking browser extension, or circumvents our consent mechanism, their continued use is still considered acceptance of this Policy. Consent withdrawal does not retroactively affect the legality of processing conducted prior to such withdrawal. This Policy applies to all users, including children under age 16, although we do not knowingly collect cookie-based personal data from children under age 13 and actively work to block such collection in accordance with COPPA and GDPR Article 8.

5. Cookie Control & Management

Users can control or restrict Cookie usage through multiple means. Mäertin provides a Consent Management Platform (CMP) on the Site where applicable by law, which allows users to accept or decline specific categories of Cookies. Additionally, major browsers provide native tools to clear cookies, set cookie expiration preferences, or block tracking scripts. Mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android offer device-level tracking controls and advertising identifier resets.

Mäertin also honors valid signals from recognized opt-out mechanisms such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC), Do Not Track (where applicable), and third-party advertising opt-out platforms like the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) and the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA). However, disabling essential Cookies may impair your ability to log in, complete purchases, or otherwise use the Site as intended.

6. Third-Party Cookies

Third-party Cookies are placed by service providers with whom Mäertin contracts for advertising, analytics, hosting, security, CRM, customer support, or media integration. All such third parties are required to execute legally binding Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with Mäertin that impose data protection standards in line with applicable laws and include warranties of technical and organizational safeguards.

Third-party Cookies may originate from, but are not limited to, Google Ads, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, Klaviyo, Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity, Zendesk, and embedded media platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo. These providers may independently collect data that Mäertin does not access or control. We disclaim liability for independent data processing carried out by such entities unless they act as our processors. In the event a third-party vendor violates its cookie-related obligations, Mäertin reserves the right to immediately revoke access, terminate contracts, and pursue all available legal and regulatory remedies.

7. Data Collection Scope

Cookies and tracking technologies on the Site may collect a wide array of data points including, but not limited to, IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device information, language preference, screen resolution, referring URL, time of visit, pages viewed, session duration, interaction patterns, scroll depth, clickstream data, transaction history, cart contents, purchase behaviors, and UTM tracking parameters. In some cases, these data points may be linked to identifiers within our CRM or order management systems, thus becoming personal data under applicable law.

Wherever personal data is collected through Cookies, Mäertin applies strict access controls, pseudonymization techniques, and end-to-end encryption. We ensure that our data processing is purpose-limited, retention-minimized, and conducted in line with our lawful basis of processing. No biometric, health, or sensitive personal data is knowingly collected via Cookies.

8. Policy Updates

This Policy may be amended at any time to reflect changes in technology, law, service offerings, vendor relationships, or corporate policy. Revisions will be effective immediately upon posting, unless otherwise stated. In jurisdictions requiring notification of material policy changes, Mäertin will notify users through banners, modals, or account communication. Each revision will be date-stamped and archived for historical reference.

Users are responsible for reviewing this Policy periodically to remain informed. Continued use of the Site following any change will constitute acceptance of the modified Policy.

9. Contact Us

For any questions, complaints, or data rights requests pertaining to this Cookie Policy, you may contact our legal and privacy compliance division:

Maertin LLC – Legal & Privacy Division Email: maertinhair@gmail.com Subject Line: Cookie Policy Compliance Inquiry

We will respond to all verifiable consumer and data subject requests in accordance with the applicable legal timeframe based on your jurisdiction. Unverified or abusive requests may be lawfully declined or delayed until compliance is assured. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection authority in your jurisdiction, such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), or the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA).

10. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under Article 6 of the EU GDPR and the UK GDPR, Maertin LLC processes personal data obtained through Cookies under the following lawful bases: (1) Consent, for non-essential and profiling Cookies such as those used for advertising and analytics; (2) Contractual necessity, for strictly necessary Cookies required to fulfill requested transactions, maintain session integrity, or secure payment functions; (3) Legitimate interest, where the user's interests do not override the company's need for fraud prevention, internal diagnostics, and UX improvement; and (4) Legal obligation, where Cookies are necessary for compliance with financial recordkeeping, taxation, or law enforcement subpoenas.

All Cookie usage is documented in a comprehensive cookie registry and subject to data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and legitimate interest assessments (LIAs) as required. Our practices are designed to withstand regulatory audits and eliminate ambiguity. We reserve the right to audit or suspend any internal or third-party tool that violates the scope or purpose of this Policy.