This analysis describes what Shopify's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Merchants cannot expect their store data to be promptly deleted upon closure or termination; a two-year retention period precedes any deletion process.
The updated policy changes the legal mechanism used to protect personal data when it crosses borders, but does not change where data is transferred or fundamentally alter protection levels. For EEA and Swiss users, data transfers between Shopify entities now rely on Shopify's Binding Corporate Rules (which have been approved by European data protection authorities), rather than adequacy decisions. For UK users, transfers use Standard Contractual Clauses and may rely on the adequacy decision for Canada. For transfers to third-party subprocessors, contractual commitments in the form of Standard Contractual Clauses now replace prior language referencing comparable protections. The policy states these mechanisms reflect Shopify's commitment to adequate protection, but the shift in legal instruments may have implications for how disputes or compliance issues would be evaluated under GDPR or UK data protection law.
View change record →As a merchant, your store information will be retained by Shopify for two years following store closure, payment lapse, or account termination before the deletion process begins.
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Affirm will retain your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation.
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We may retain your Personal Data for a period of time consistent with the original purpose of collection...or as long as required to fulfill our legal and/or regulatory obligations.
"If you are a merchant operating a Shopify-powered store, and you close the store, stop paying your subscription fees, or we terminate your account, we retain store information for two years before we begin the deletion process.Excerpt from Shopify's Privacy Policy
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Merchants cannot expect their store data to be promptly deleted upon closure or termination; a two-year retention period precedes any deletion process.
As a merchant, your store information will be retained by Shopify for two years following store closure, payment lapse, or account termination before the deletion process begins.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 275 platforms. See the full comparison.
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