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
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 →How other platforms handle this
We store your personal information for a period of time that is consistent with the business purposes set forth in Section 3 of this policy or as long as needed to fulfill and comply with legal obligations.
Oura also has legal obligations to retain certain personal data for a specific period of time, such as for tax purposes. These required retention periods may include, for example, accounting and tax requirements, legal claims...
We may need to keep your data for longer than our specified retention periods to honor your requests, including to continue keeping you opted out of marketing emails, or to comply with legal, regulatory, accounting...
"We will also retain and use your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our policies.Excerpt from Shopify's Privacy Policy
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The clause states: “We will also retain and use your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our policies.”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 275 platforms. See the full comparison.
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