Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 1, 2026
1. Introduction
Thrift-Stores.ca ("we", "our", or "us") operates a directory of second-hand stores in Canada. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you use the website.
We work with Mediavine to manage advertising on this site. Mediavine and its advertising partners may collect and use information as described in the Mediavine's advertising disclosure guidance. We also use Google Analytics to measure activity on this site. Google Analytics may use cookies and similar technologies for measurement.
Mediavine Programmatic Advertising (Ver 1.1)
The Website works with Mediavine to manage third-party interest-based advertising appearing on the Website. Mediavine serves content and advertisements when you visit the Website, which may use first and third-party cookies. A cookie is a small text file which is sent to your computer or mobile device (referred to in this policy as a “device”) by the web server so that a website can remember some information about your browsing activity on the Website.
First party cookies are created by the website that you are visiting. A third-party cookie is frequently used in behavioral advertising and analytics and is created by a domain other than the website you are visiting. Third-party cookies, tags, pixels, beacons and other similar technologies (collectively, “Tags”) may be placed on the Website to monitor interaction with advertising content and to target and optimize advertising.
Each internet browser has functionality so that you can block both first and third-party cookies and clear your browser’s cache. The "help" feature of the menu bar on most browsers will tell you how to stop accepting new cookies, how to receive notification of new cookies, how to disable existing cookies and how to clear your browser’s cache. For more information about cookies and how to disable them, you can consult the information at All About Cookies.
Without cookies you may not be able to take full advantage of the Website content and features. Please note that rejecting cookies does not mean that you will no longer see ads when you visit our Site. In the event you opt-out, you will still see non-personalized advertisements on the Website.
The Website collects the following data using a cookie when serving personalized ads:
- IP Address
- Operating System type
- Operating System version
- Device Type
- Language of the website
- Web browser type
- Email (in hashed form)
Mediavine Partners (companies listed below with whom Mediavine shares data) may also use this data to link to other end user information the partner has independently collected to deliver targeted advertisements. Mediavine Partners may also separately collect data about end users from other sources, such as advertising IDs or pixels, and link that data to data collected from Mediavine publishers in order to provide interest-based advertising across your online experience, including devices, browsers and apps. This data includes usage data, cookie information, device information, information about interactions between users and advertisements and websites, geolocation data, traffic data, and information about a visitor’s referral source to a particular website. Mediavine Partners may also create unique IDs to create audience segments, which are used to provide targeted advertising.
If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices to opt-in or opt-out of this data collection, please visit National Advertising Initiative opt out page. You may also visit Digital Advertising Alliance website and Network Advertising Initiative website to learn more information about interest-based advertising. You may download the AppChoices app at Digital Advertising Alliance’s AppChoices app to opt out in connection with mobile apps, or use the platform controls on your mobile device to opt out.
For specific information about Mediavine Partners, the data each collects and their data collection and privacy policies, please visit Mediavine Partners.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
We collect information that you provide when you:
- Contact us through our contact form
- Submit a store listing request
This information may include your name, email address, and any other information you choose to provide.
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we and our service providers may collect information about your device, browser, and activity, including:
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- IP address
- Approximate location derived from your IP address or device information
- Cookie identifiers and advertising identifiers
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
- Interactions with advertisements, including impressions and clicks
Location Information
When you request nearby-store recommendations, your browser may provide precise location information after you grant permission. We use that information for the nearby-store feature. Your browser stores the coordinates on your device so the feature can use them on later visits. We do not send those precise coordinates to our servers for this feature. Advertising services may infer approximate location from your IP address or device information.
- Only collected when you actively request location-based features
- Stored in your browser's local storage. We remove saved coordinates when a page or location feature next checks them after one hour. You can clear them sooner in your browser.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use information collected through the website and our service providers to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain our website
- Improve and personalize your experience
- Respond to your comments, questions, and requests
- Process store listing submissions and updates
- Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
- Serve, measure, personalize, and optimize advertising where permitted by law
- Measure ad viewability, prevent invalid activity, and manage ad frequency
- Support analytics, benchmarking, service improvement, and product development
- Detect and prevent technical issues
- Comply with legal obligations
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies. These technologies store or access information on your device and help us operate the website, understand traffic, and support advertising.
Essential technologies support site functions. Rules for analytics and advertising differ by location. The cookie notice on this site only dismisses the notice; it does not change analytics or advertising tags. Browser settings can block cookies, though some site features may then work differently.
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website
- Advertising Technologies: Help Mediavine, Google, and their advertising partners serve, measure, and personalize ads where permitted
5. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We share information with service providers and advertising partners that help us operate the website, understand traffic, and deliver or measure advertising. Depending on the law that applies to you, some advertising-related sharing may count as a sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell your name or contact information as a standalone mailing list.
- Advertising partners: Our ad services and their partners may process identifiers, device information, approximate location, browsing activity, and ad interactions.
- Other service providers: Hosting, analytics, security, form, email, and infrastructure providers that help us operate the website and respond to requests.
- Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
Our providers may process information outside Canada. Mediavine states that it transfers personal information to the United States for advertising services. Privacy laws in those locations may differ from Canadian law.
6. Data Security
We use HTTPS for the website and use service providers to operate forms and email. No internet transmission or storage system can guarantee complete security.
7. Data Retention
We retain information for as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, to operate the website, resolve disputes, meet legal obligations, and enforce our agreements. Advertising and analytics providers may retain information under their own policies and agreements. We do not control their retention periods.
8. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request access to your personal information
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
- Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
- Portability: Request transfer of your information to another service
- Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for location tracking or other optional features
- Advertising Choices: Opt out of targeted advertising or the sale or sharing of personal information where applicable
To make a privacy request, contact us through our contact page. On the contact form, choose "General Feedback" and start your message with "Privacy request." Tell us what you would like us to do, but do not send identity documents with your first message.
We may ask for information needed to verify and locate your data. We will review information we hold and, for requests concerning Mediavine advertising data, notify Mediavine so it can handle its portion of the request. We will explain our response and any applicable limits.
9. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including individual thrift store websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of every website you visit.
10. Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes are effective immediately upon posting.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us through our contact page.