Last Updated: October 1, 2024
This Privacy Policy describes how Hot Topic, Inc. and its affiliates, BoxLunch and Her Universe, (collectively, “Hot Topic Brands”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) process personal information about you. This Privacy Policy applies when you:
The Sites, Apps, Online Interactions, and Offline Events are collectively referred to as the “Services.”
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully as it explains how Hot Topic Brands may use and disclose such information, as well as your ability to control certain uses of it. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY PART OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, THEN PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SERVICES.
By using the Services, you are agreeing to (i) the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy, and (ii) to our Terms of Use, which are incorporated by reference. If you do not agree to these terms, stop accessing or using the Services and see information below about your rights.
HOT TOPIC BRANDS AND ALL ASSOCIATED SERVICES AND SYSTEMS ARE DIRECTED TO RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND HOUSED ON SERVERS IN THE UNITED STATES. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, INFORMATION WE COLLECT (INCLUDING COOKIES) IS PROCESSED AND STORED IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH MAY NOT OFFER THE SAME LEVEL OF PRIVACY PROTECTION AS THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU RESIDE OR ARE A CITIZEN. BY USING THE SERVICES AND PROVIDING INFORMATION TO US, YOU CONSENT TO THE TRANSFER TO AND PROCESSING OF YOUR INFORMATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
I. WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?
II. WHERE DO WE COLLECT INFORMATION FROM?
III. HOW DO WE USE THE INFORMATION WE COLLECT?
IV. WHEN DO WE SHARE INFORMATION?
V. COOKIES
VI. YOUR CHOICES AND OPT-OUTS
VII. YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS/NOTICE AT COLLECTION
VIII. NEVADA PRIVACY RIGHTS
IX. COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, MONTANA, OREGON, TEXAS, AND VIRGINIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
X. UTAH PRIVACY RIGHTS
XI. THIRD-PARTY CONTENT, LINKS, AND PLUG-INS
XII. PUBLIC FORUMS
XIII. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
XIV. DATA STORAGE, RETENTION, AND SECURITY
XV. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
XVI. HOW TO CONTACT US
We collect:
The information described above shall be collectively referred to as “Personal Information.”
We collect your Personal Information from the following sources:
We use your Personal Information for the below purposes:
If you are invited to join the ambassador program, you will be required to create a profile on our third-party influencer management platform, CreatorIQ. We do not control and are not responsible CreatorIQ’s collection or use of your information. You may find out more about how CreatorIQ collects, stores, and uses your information by accessing its privacy policy. CreatorIQ’s privacy policy is available at https://www.creatoriq.com/legal/privacy-policy.
Your participation in Hot Topic’s brand ambassador program is subject to the program Terms and Conditions. If you have not done so already, please review the program terms and conditions located at https://www.hottopic.com/customer-service/partnerships/ht-fanatics/.
To accomplish the purposes listed above, we share the information we collect:
Our Sites and Apps use cookies, tags, pixels, software development kits, and similar technologies (“Cookies”) to provide, customize, evaluate, improve, and protect our Services. When you access the Sites and Apps, we (including companies we work with) may place cookies on your website browser, device, or hard drive. Cookies collect online identifiers such as your IP address, device identifier, advertising identifier, or similar unique digital identifier, and use them to track your online activity. We use that information to allow us to understand how users navigate to and around our website, view different pages, access content and request Services. This information may be used by Hot Topic Brands or our service providers to draw inferences and create a profile about your consumer preferences or trends. If you want to remove or block cookies, you may be able to update your browser settings. You can also find instructions on how to manage cookies on different types of web browsers at https://allaboutcookies.org/
We provide our customers with the opportunity to opt-out of having their information used for purposes not directly related to placement, processing, fulfillment, or delivery of a product or service under certain circumstances.
To opt-out of marketing communications, please use one of these convenient methods:
1. California Rights
California residents may have additional rights over their Personal Information. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, California residents have the right to:
2. How to Exercise These Rights.
To submit a request to exercise these rights you may contact us at:
If you make a request, we will acknowledge we have received it within ten days. If you do not receive a response, please ensure your request was submitted properly or call us at 800-892-8674.
Verification. For all requests, you must provide us with your first and last name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. We will use this information to verify your identity by matching the information we have collected against the information you have provided. Failure to provide the foregoing information may prevent us from processing your request.
Designating an Authorized Agent. You may designate an agent to submit requests and act on your behalf. To do so, you must provide us with written permission to allow your agent to act on your behalf. Such permission should be sent via email to privacy@hottopic.com. If you are a parent or legal guardian, you may exercise these rights on behalf of your child.
Do Not Track Requests. Some web browsers or smartphones have the ability to set “Do Not Track” requests to block user activity from being tracked across web pages or devices. Our Sites and Apps do not recognize “Do Not Track” signals. However, Hot Topic Brands recognize and honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) requests received from qualifying California residents.
3. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
We may also disclose your Personal Information by selling it to third parties or sharing it for cross-context behavioral advertising purposes, subject to your right to opt-out of this use of your Personal Information. This selling or sharing does not include information about individuals we know are under age 16. In the preceding twelve (12) months, Hot Topic Brands has disclosed, sold or shared the following categories of personal information to the categories of third parties indicated in the chart below. In the preceding 12 months, we have not used or disclosed sensitive personal information for purposes to which the right to limit use and disclosure applies under the CCPA or CPRA.
Personal Information Category |
Category of Third Parties to Whom It Was Disclosed |
Category of Third Parties to Whom It Was Sold |
Category of Third Parties to Whom It Was Shared |
---|---|---|---|
Personal identifiers |
Payment processors, marketing, analytics, and advertising partners, professional advisors, operating systems and platforms, customer relationship management service providers, security and fraud detection service providers, web hosting service providers, and data storage providers. |
None |
None |
Financial and commercial information |
Payment processors, marketing, analytics, and advertising partners, professional advisors, operating systems and platforms, customer relationship management service providers, security and fraud detection service providers, web hosting service providers, and data storage providers. |
None |
None |
Audio, electronic, and visual information |
Marketing, analytics, and advertising partners, professional advisors, operating systems and platforms, customer relationship management service providers, security and fraud detection service providers, web hosting service providers, and data storage providers. |
None |
None |
Communications |
Marketing, analytics, and advertising partners, professional advisors, operating systems and platforms, customer relationship management service providers, security and fraud detection service providers, web hosting service providers, and data storage providers. |
None |
None |
Internet network activity |
Marketing, analytics, and advertising partners, professional advisors, operating systems and platforms, customer relationship management service providers, security and fraud detection service providers, web hosting service providers, and data storage providers. |
Marketing, analytics, and advertisings partners. |
Marketing, analytics, and advertisings partners. |
Geolocation information |
Marketing, analytics, and advertising partners; operating systems and platforms, and data storage providers. |
Marketing, analytics, and advertisings partners. |
Marketing, analytics, and advertisings partners. |
Protected classification characteristics |
Hot Topic Brand Ambassador program partners, and operating systems and platforms. |
None |
None |
4. Selling or Sharing of Personal Information; Opt-Out and Opt-In Rights
If you are age 16 or older, you have the right to direct us to not sell or “share” (as that term is defined under the CPRA) your Personal Information at any time (the "right to opt-out"). We do not sell or share the personal information of consumers we actually know are less than 16 years old, unless we receive affirmative authorization (the "right to opt-in") from either the consumer who is between 13 and 15 years old, or the parent or guardian of a consumer less than 13 years old. Consumers who opt-in to personal information sales may opt-out of future sales at any time.
To exercise the right to opt-out, you (or your authorized representative) may submit a request to us by visiting the Hot Topic website (https://www.hottopic.com) and clicking the link with the title "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information."
Do Not Sell or Share My Information. We categorize each cookie on our website based on its type, for example, a targeting or marketing cookie. Then we put a “tag” on each category of cookie which allows us to deactivate all corresponding cookies with that tag if a user opts out, preventing the corresponding cookies from being used. You may opt-out of targeting and marketing cookies through the "Do Not Sell or Share My Information" link at the bottom of any Hot Topic webpage. While these cookies may still appear visible after opting-out, no data is collected or shared because the cookies are inactive and unused.
If you choose to use the Global Privacy Control (“GPC”) browser signal, you will only be opted out of online sales or sharing of Personal Information, and will need to turn it on for each browser you use. Disabling all cookies will also only opt you out of online selling or sharing relating to cookies. To submit a request to opt out of sales and sharing which would not otherwise be controlled by GPC or cookies, please use our webform or call us at (844) 325-9138.
Once you make an opt-out request, we will wait at least twelve (12) months before asking you to reauthorize personal information sales. However, you may change your mind and opt back in to personal information sales at any time by visiting the same “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link at the bottom of any Hot Topic webpage.
5. Other Consumer Rights Information
Complaints. Under California Civil Code Section 1789.3, we are required to provide California residents with the following information:
Removal of Content for Minors Under the Age of 18. If you are a California resident under the age of 18, and a registered user of any site where this policy is posted, California Business and Professions Code Section 22581 permits you to request and obtain removal of content or information you have publicly posted. To make such a request, please send an email with a detailed description of the specific content or information to privacy@hottopic.com. Please be aware that such a request does not ensure complete or comprehensive removal of the content or information you have posted and that there may be circumstances in which the law does not require or allow removal even if requested.
Third-Party Marketing Opt Out. If you are a California resident, you may request information about our disclosure of Personal Information to third parties or affiliated companies for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please contact us at privacy@hottopic.com. You must put the statement “Third-Party Marketing Opt-Out” in the subject field.
If you are a Nevada resident, you may request that we stop selling certain categories of personal information that we collect. To submit a request please email us at privacy@hottopic.com or call us at (844) 325-9138. For all requests, you must provide us with your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address so that we can verify your identity by matching the information we have collected against the information you have provided. Failure to provide all of the foregoing information may prevent us from processing your request.
This section applies to you if you are a resident of Colorado, Connecticut, Montana, Oregon, Texas, or Virginia.
We set forth above the categories of personal data we process, the purpose for processing personal data, the categories of personal data shared, and the categories of third parties with whom personal data is shared.
Your Rights. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Montana, Oregon, Texas, or Virginia have the following rights:
Exercising Your Rights. To exercise any of your rights, please use our webform or call us at (844) 325-9138. For all requests, you must provide us with your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. We will use this information to verify your identity by matching the information we have collected against the information you have provided. Failure to provide the foregoing information may prevent us from processing your request.
Designating an Authorized Agent. You may designate an agent to submit requests and act on your behalf. To do so, you must provide us with written permission to allow your agent to act on your behalf. Such permission should be sent via email to privacy@hottopic.com. If you are a parent or legal guardian, you may exercise these rights on behalf of your child.
Appealing Our Decision. If we refuse to take action on your request, you may appeal our decision within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 90 calendar days, from the date of your receipt of our response. You may exercise your appeal rights by sending an email to privacy@hottopic.com. You must insert the statement “Data Rights Decision Appeal” in the subject field of the email.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information. We categorize each cookie on our website based on its type, for example, a targeting or marketing cookie. Then we put a “tag” on each category of cookie which allows us to deactivate all corresponding cookies with that tag if a user opts out, preventing the corresponding cookies from being used. You may opt-out of targeting and marketing cookies through the "Do Not Sell or Share My Information" link at the bottom of any Hot Topic webpage. While these cookies may still appear visible after opting-out, no data is collected or shared because the cookies are inactive and unused.
Opt-Out Preference Signals. If you have enabled an opt-out preference signal on your browser or extension, we will treat such requests as a valid request to opt you out of the processing of personal information for purposes of targeted advertising, sale of personal information, or both, as indicated by the mechanism, for the associated browser or device. You will only be opted out of online targeted advertising or sales of personal information, and will need to turn it on for each browser you use. Disabling all cookies will also only opt you out of online selling or sharing relating to cookies. Please note that we may not be readily able to associate your personal information with your IP address or Device ID. To submit a request to opt-out of sales and sharing offline which would not otherwise be controlled by cookies, please use our webform or call us at (844) 325-9138.
This section applies to you if you are a resident of Utah.
We set forth above the categories of personal data we process, the purpose for processing personal data, the categories of personal data shared, and the categories of third parties with whom personal data is shared.
Your Rights. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, residents of Utah have the following rights:
Exercising Your Rights. To exercise any of your rights, please use our webform or call us at (844) 325-9138. For all requests, you must provide us with your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. We will use this information to verify your identity by matching the information we have collected against the information you have provided. Failure to provide the foregoing information may prevent us from processing your request.
Designating an Authorized Agent. You may designate an agent to submit requests and act on your behalf. To do so, you must provide us with written permission to allow your agent to act on your behalf. Such permission should be sent via email to privacy@hottopic.com. If you are a parent or legal guardian, you may exercise these rights on behalf of your child.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information. We categorize each cookie on our website based on its type, for example, a targeting or marketing cookie. Then we put a “tag” on each category of cookie which allows us to deactivate all corresponding cookies with that tag if a user opts out, preventing the corresponding cookies from being used. You may opt-out of targeting and marketing cookies through the "Do Not Sell or Share My Information" link at the bottom of any Hot Topic webpage. While these cookies may still appear visible after opting-out, no data is collected or shared because the cookies are inactive and unused.
Opt-Out Preference Signals. If you have enabled an opt-out preference signal on your browser or extension, we will treat such requests as a valid request to opt you out of the processing of personal information for purposes of targeted advertising, sale of personal information, or both, as indicated by the mechanism, for the associated browser or device. You will only be opted out of online targeted advertising or sales of personal information, and will need to turn it on for each browser you use. Disabling all cookies will only opt you out of online selling or sharing relating to cookies. Please note that we may not be readily able to associate your personal information with your IP address or Device ID. To submit a request to opt-out of sales and sharing offline which would not otherwise be controlled by cookies, please use our webform or call us at (844) 325-9138.
The Sites and Apps may have links to third-party websites and mobile applications, which may have privacy policies that differ from our own. We are not responsible for the practices of such third-party websites and mobile applications. Our Sites and Apps may also offer you the ability to interact with social plugins from social media sites, which may allow us and/or the social media site to receive data from or about you. In some cases, we may know that you clicked on a social plugin, such as a Twitter Follow button, or receive other information from the social media sites. Similarly, if you have previously provided Personal Information to a third party operating a plug-in on the Sites or Apps, then such third party may recognize you on the Sites or Apps. Your use of social network plugins is subject to each social media site’s privacy policy, which may be different from ours, so please read those policies carefully to understand their policies and your options. As with linked sites, we have no control over the information that is collected, stored, or used by social network plugins, and are not responsible for the practices of such sites.
Any information you may disclose on our Sites or Apps, in blogs, on message boards, in chat rooms, or on other public areas on the Sites or Apps or other third-party websites that the Sites or Apps may link to, becomes public information. Please exercise caution when disclosing Personal Information in these public areas.
Protecting children’s privacy is important to us. We do not direct the Sites or Apps to, nor do we knowingly collect any Personal Information from, children under the age of 13. If we learn that a child under the age of 13 has provided Personal Information, we will use reasonable efforts to promptly remove such information.
Any Personal Information we collect will be stored on servers in the United States and subject to the laws of the United States, where the data protection and other laws may differ from those of other countries. Your Personal Information may be disclosed in response to inquiries or requests from government authorities or to respond to judicial process in the countries in which we operate.
We retain Personal Information in identifiable form only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which the Personal Information was provided to us or, if longer, to comply with legal obligations, to resolve disputes, to enforce agreements and similar essential purposes. To determine the appropriate retention period for Personal Information, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the Personal Information, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure of your Personal Information, the purposes for which we process your Personal Information and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.
We take precautions intended to help protect information that we process but no system or electronic data transmission is completely secure. Any transmission of your Personal Information is at your own risk and we expect that you will use appropriate security measures to protect your Personal Information.
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials for the Services. We will treat access to the Services through your account credentials as authorized by you. Unauthorized access to password-protected or secure areas is prohibited and may lead to criminal prosecution. We may suspend your use of all or part of the Services without notice if we suspect or detect any breach of security. If you believe that information you provided to us is no longer secure, please notify us immediately using the contact information provided below.
If we become aware of a breach that affects the security of your Personal Information, we will provide you with notice as required by applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, we will provide any such notice that we must provide to you under applicable law at your account’s email address. By using the Services, you agree to accept notice electronically.
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, remove, or otherwise revise portions of this Privacy Policy at any time. When we do, we will post the change(s) on the Sites and Apps. Your continued use of the Sites and Apps following the posting of changes to these terms means you accept these changes. If we change the Privacy Policy in a material way, we will take reasonable steps to notify you. The “Last Updated” legend above indicates when this Privacy Policy was last revised.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the practices described herein, you may contact us at privacy@hottopic.com, 18305 East San Jose Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91748, 800-892-8674.
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