Barnes and Noble Customer Service: Your Guide to Privacy and Support

Effective Date: January 10, 2025

At Barnes & Noble, we understand that navigating privacy policies and seeking customer support can sometimes be challenging. This guide is designed to provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of our privacy practices and how Barnes & Noble customer service is here to assist you. Protecting your personal information is paramount to us, and we aim to make our policies transparent and accessible. This document is based on the official Barnes & Noble Privacy Policy to ensure accuracy and provide you with reliable information.

Understanding Your Privacy with Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble encompasses a wide range of brands and services, including Barnes & Noble retail stores, B. Dalton Bookseller, Bookstar, NOOK, Paper Source, Sparknotes, and Tattered Cover. Our privacy policy applies across this entire enterprise, including our websites, devices, apps, and physical stores. We believe in a single, straightforward policy that is easy for our customers to understand, ensuring your privacy and security are always protected.

To see the previous version of our Privacy Policy, you can click here.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes that reduce the protection of your personal information, we will notify you before these changes take effect. Notifications may be sent via email, posted on our website, or through other appropriate channels. These changes will only apply to information collected on or after the modification date.

This Privacy Policy explains our privacy practices and your rights. For information regarding your transactions, website usage, and store visits, please refer to our Terms and Conditions of Use.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about how we collect, use, and share your personal information, and how Barnes & Noble customer service can assist you with any concerns.

WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

The type of personal information we collect depends on how you interact with Barnes & Noble. This information can include:

Contact Information: Your name, email address, billing and shipping addresses, and phone number.
Financial Information: Credit card or bank account details for purchases.
Demographic Information: Day and month of birth.
Identifiers: Persistent identifiers that can be used to personally identify you.
Usage Data: Information about your interactions with Barnes & Noble Websites, Devices, and Apps, including browsing history, purchases, downloads, reading and viewing habits.
Location Data: Your geographic location.
Communications: Your communications with Barnes & Noble customer service and other interactions.

This data collection helps us personalize your experience and provide efficient customer service.

WHY DO WE COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We collect personal information to enhance your customer experience and effectively manage our business operations. Specifically, this information allows us to:

Improve Customer Experience: Provide you with easy access to our products and services, focusing on items and programs that are most relevant to your interests.
Personalize Recommendations: Offer tailored product and service recommendations.
Communicate Offers and Promotions: Inform you about special offers, promotions, marketing programs, and news that may interest you. You can always unsubscribe from promotional emails through the link in each email or by managing your account preferences. Similarly, you can manage mobile notifications through your app or device settings.
Administer Our Business: Effectively manage our operations and services.

HOW DO WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We collect your personal information through various methods, categorized as information you provide directly and information collected automatically.

Information You Provide To Us

While you can browse our stores and websites without directly submitting personal information, there are situations where providing information is necessary. These situations include:

Purchases and Orders: When you buy products in-store or online, or download digital content.
Account Creation and Membership Programs: To use certain website features, apps, devices, or to join membership programs like Barnes & Noble Premium Membership or Paper Source Marketing Program.
Barnes & Noble MasterCard Application: Applying for a Barnes & Noble MasterCard requires submitting personal information directly to the card issuer. Note that this information is governed by the issuer’s privacy policies, not Barnes & Noble’s.
Using Barnes & Noble Websites, Devices, and Apps: You may enter information directly or authorize us to access information from third parties like social media sites.
Contacting Customer Service: When you reach out to customer service for assistance, we may ask for personal information to help us serve you better. This is to ensure we can effectively address your inquiries and provide the best possible support.
Sweepstakes and Contests: Entering promotions may require providing personal information for entry processing and prize redemption.
Social Media Interactions: Interacting with us on social media platforms or through social media logins on our devices and apps.
B&N Press Publishing: If you publish content through B&N Press, we may collect bank account details for payments.
Promotional Communications Sign-ups: Registering to receive promotional communications.

Information Automatically Collected

We also automatically collect certain information when you interact with our services:

Web Server Logs: Our servers automatically log information like your domain name, IP address, access date and time, and referring website addresses when you visit Barnes & Noble Websites.
Cookies: We use cookies to recognize your browser, personalize your experience, track shopping cart items, remember your preferences, evaluate marketing effectiveness, and monitor website traffic. You can manage cookie settings through our Cookie Policy.

Alt Text: Illustration of browser cookies, small text files used by websites to track user activity and preferences for personalized online experiences and website functionality.

Pixel Tags and Clear GIFs: These technologies help us assess the effectiveness of our marketing emails and campaigns.
Third-Party Web Analytics: We use services like Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics to understand website usage. These services use cookies but do not collect credit card, email, or password information. You can learn more about Adobe’s privacy practices here and Google’s here.
Targeted Advertising: We partner with advertising networks that collect information to provide customized ads based on your preferences. You can learn more and manage your choices at the National Advertising Initiative website or the Digital Advertising Alliance (www.aboutads.info/choices).
Device and App Information: When you use our devices or apps, we collect data like device registration, operating system, usage, and network interaction.
Geolocation: We may collect real-time location information to provide location-based services and improve your store experience.
Wireless Networks in Stores: Connecting to our in-store Wi-Fi allows us to collect location data and device identifiers to enhance your shopping experience.
Social Media: If you log in via social media or interact with our social media pages, we may receive information from those platforms.
Business Partners and Third Parties: We may collect information from partners and third parties, including when you authorize them to share your information with us.

HOW DO WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Barnes & Noble uses your personal information across our enterprise to enhance your customer experience and manage our operations. This includes:

Providing Products and Services: Delivering products, services, and information, including personalized recommendations in stores, emails, websites, devices, and apps.
Program Administration: Managing our membership and rewards programs.
Fraud Prevention: Protecting against deceptive and fraudulent activities.
Customer Service: Providing support in stores, via phone, and online to address your queries and concerns effectively. Barnes & Noble customer service is dedicated to resolving your issues promptly and efficiently.
Research and Analysis: Analyzing data to improve our products and services.
Sweepstakes and Promotions: Administering contests, promotions, and surveys.
Marketing Communications: Sending you information about offers, events, and new products or services.
Website and Advertising Customization: Enhancing and personalizing our websites and advertising.
Security and Privacy Notifications: Communicating important information about security, privacy, and administrative matters.
Business Management: Overseeing the general operation of our business.

WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Barnes & Noble prioritizes the privacy and security of your personal information. We only share your information in specific circumstances, as detailed below:

Barnes & Noble Entities: We may share your information within our enterprise, including subsidiaries and brands.
Service Providers: We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as facilitating website communications (which may be recorded for service improvement). These providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only as instructed by Barnes & Noble.
Product and Service Providers: We share information with providers of products and services you purchase through us, under strict confidentiality agreements.
Credit Card Companies: Financial institutions and their vendors process credit card transactions. While we protect your information, their use is subject to their own privacy policies.
Legal and Law Enforcement: We may disclose information to law enforcement or as legally required to comply with laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests; enforce our policies; protect our rights, safety, or property; or in response to your request for product shipment or service provision through a third-party intermediary.
Co-branded Offerings: If you use co-branded services with third parties, your information may be shared with those partners, and their privacy policies will apply.
Websites Operated for Third Parties: Information provided on Barnes & Noble websites operated for third parties may be shared with those third parties, subject to their privacy policies.
Digital Content Providers: For certain digital content purchases, we may share necessary information (name, email, IP address, billing/shipping address) with content providers, who may then share it with publishers and auditors. Their privacy policies will apply.
Business Transfers: In case of mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales, personal information may be transferred to involved parties under confidentiality agreements. You will be notified of such transfers.
With Your Consent: We may ask for your permission to share your information with unaffiliated third parties in other situations.

HOW DO WE PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION?

While we implement commercially reasonable security measures to protect your personal information, no online transmission or electronic storage method is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. If a data breach occurs and we are legally required to inform you, we will do so electronically, in writing, or by phone, if permitted by law.

If you create an account on our websites, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account access. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account use. Refer to our Terms and Conditions of Use for more details.

CHILDREN’S DATA: OUR APPROACH

Barnes & Noble is committed to complying with all relevant laws and regulations concerning children’s personal information, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Our products and services are generally marketed to adults or with adult consent.
Minors under 18 should use our websites and apps only with parental or guardian supervision.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent.
If we discover that we have collected personal information from a child under 16 without consent, we will remove it promptly.

We do not knowingly sell or share personal information of consumers under 16.

For specific device features or apps directed toward minors under 16, we require verifiable parental consent. Parents can contact [email protected] to review, request deletion, or manage their child’s information.

Minors under 18 can request removal of certain posted content by emailing [email protected] with “Privacy Rights for Minors” in the subject line, although complete removal cannot be guaranteed.

YOUR CHOICES REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

You have control over your personal information and communication preferences:

Marketing Communications Opt-Out: You can opt out of promotional communications at any time by:
- Clicking the opt-out link in marketing emails.
- Contacting Barnes & Noble customer service via this link.
- Managing preferences in your Barnes & Noble account under “Communication Preferences.”
- For Paper Source Member programs, managing preferences in your Barnes & Noble account.
- For Barnes & Noble Gift Card website, using the opt-out link in emails or contacting [email protected].

Even if you opt out of marketing emails, you will still receive transactional emails like order confirmations and account updates.

BARNES & NOBLE’S COMMITMENT: NO SELLING OR SHARING OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR MONETARY GAIN

Barnes & Noble does not sell your personal information for money. We do not exchange your name, phone number, address, email, or other identifiable information for monetary compensation.

However, some state privacy laws define “selling” or “sharing” broadly, potentially including data sharing for advertising purposes. You have the right to opt out of such “sales” or “sharing.”

You can opt out of data transfers that might be considered a “sale” or “sharing” by clicking: Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

Analytics and Targeted Advertising Opt-Out

Analytics: You can opt out of automatic data collection by cookies and analytics services like Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics by following the instructions in the Information Automatically Collected section or by disabling cookies in your browser.
Targeted Advertising: Opt out of targeted advertising by following instructions in the Information Automatically Collected section, disabling browser cookies, or using this link: Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You can also use legally recognized opt-out preference signals like Global Privacy Control.

Opting out of advertising does not stop all advertising, but it will make ads more generic and less personalized.

Online Community Profile Management

For Barnes & Noble online community users, you can access, correct, change, or request deletion of your profile information at any time here. While you cannot change your profile name currently, you can re-register with a new name. By participating in our online communities, you agree to receive communications from Barnes & Noble and other users related to these services.

HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS AND CHOICES

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Direct Marketing Opt-Out: Request that we not use your data for direct marketing.
Access and Rectification: Request a copy of your personal information and correction of inaccuracies.
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information. Note that legal obligations, dispute resolution, and agreement enforcement may require us to retain certain information.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected] or call 1-800-THE-BOOK [1-800-843-2665]. You can also submit requests through our online portal.

We will verify your identity before processing requests, which may involve phone or email verification and asking for details like your name, last purchase, or purchase date. We may also require a signed declaration confirming your identity.

If we deny your request, you can appeal by contacting [email protected], including all prior communications. If you are unsatisfied with the appeal outcome, you can contact your state attorney general.

Authorized Agent

You can designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. To do so, you must:

Provide us with written, signed permission for your agent.
Verify your own identity directly with us.

U.S. STATE PRIVACY NOTICE & CALIFORNIA NOTICE AT COLLECTION

U.S. state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), grant residents specific rights and require disclosures. If you are a resident of a state with such laws, this section applies to you.

Information Categories Collected and Shared

We are required to disclose categories of personal information collected and “shared” or “sold” under state laws like the CCPA. You can find a list of these categories here. This comprehensive list may include information types shared about individuals other than yourself. For details about information shared with third parties for direct marketing, contact us using the “Contact Information” section. We do not discriminate against consumers exercising their privacy rights.

You can find CCPA request statistics here.

Shine the Light (California Residents)

California law allows residents to request details about information shared with third parties for direct marketing. We offer an opt-out option instead of providing this information directly. To opt out of such sharing, visit: Do Not Sell My Personal Information.

Third-Party Websites, Devices, ISPs, and Applications

This Privacy Policy applies only to Barnes & Noble’s data collection practices. Third-party websites linked from our sites, and third-party software applications you install, are governed by their respective privacy policies. Similarly, device manufacturers and ISPs may collect your data, which is subject to their policies. Review the privacy policies of all third-party websites and services you use.

Notice of Financial Incentive and Bona Fide Loyalty Programs

We offer programs like Barnes & Noble Premium Membership, Barnes & Noble Rewards, Paper Source Marketing Program, and other customer programs that provide benefits like discounts and coupons. These are offered to enhance our customer relationships and provide added value. Participation is optional, and you can opt-out at any time. Details are in the terms and conditions of each program.

You can opt-in or opt-out of these programs at any time through program sign-up methods or by contacting Barnes & Noble customer service at 1-800-THE-BOOK [1-800-843-2665].

To see the categories of personal information we have collected or shared in the last 12 months, click here.

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Barnes & Noble is based in the United States. By interacting with us, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your personal information in the United States and other locations selected by Barnes & Noble. We ensure adequate protection for your data in all processing locations, complying with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws for international data transfers.

Disclosures for Individuals in the EU, UK, & Switzerland

If you are located in the EU, UK, or Switzerland, you have specific rights under data protection laws.

We process your personal data based on lawful grounds, including:

Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our contract with you (e.g., processing payments, providing services).
Legitimate Interests: For our business operations and protection of our interests (e.g., service improvement, communication).
Legal Obligations: To comply with legal requirements (e.g., consent records, marketing opt-outs).
Consent: When you consent to processing (e.g., marketing communications), which you can withdraw at any time.

You have the following rights, subject to certain limitations:

Access and Portability: Request access to your data and receive it in a portable format.
Correction: Request correction of your data.
Erasure: Request deletion of your data.
Objection and Restriction: Object to or restrict certain processing.

To exercise these rights, see the How Do I Exercise My Privacy Rights and Choices? section for contact details and verification procedures.

Supervisory Authorities for EU, UK, & Switzerland

If you have unresolved concerns about our data processing, you can lodge a complaint with your Data Protection Authority. Contact details can be found here:

Data Privacy Framework

Barnes & Noble participates in the EU-U.S., UK Extension, and Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). We comply with the DPF Principles for personal information received from the EU, UK, and Switzerland in reliance on the DPF.

For more about the DPF program, visit https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/. Our certification is viewable at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/list.

For DPF-related complaints, contact us at [email protected]. Unresolved complaints will be referred to JAMS, a U.S.-based alternative dispute resolution provider, at no cost to you. Visit https://www.jamsadr.com/DPF-Dispute-Resolution for more information or to file a complaint. Under certain conditions, binding arbitration may be available.

Disclosures for Other Visitors Outside the U.S.

If you are outside the U.S., you may have rights regarding your personal information under your local laws. To exercise these rights, see the How Do I Exercise My Privacy Rights and Choices? section.

By interacting with Barnes & Noble, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your data in the U.S. and other Barnes & Noble facilities. For concerns, email us at [email protected].

HOW LONG DO WE RETAIN YOUR PERSONAL DATA?

We retain your information as long as your account is active and to provide services. We also keep data to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Personal information linked to inactive accounts is deleted within two years of inactivity or deactivation.

CONTACTING BARNES & NOBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR PRIVACY QUESTIONS

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please do not hesitate to contact Barnes & Noble customer service. We are here to help.

You can reach us by:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-THE-BOOK [1-800-843-2665]
Mail: Chief Privacy Officer, Barnes & Noble Inc., 33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003.

We are committed to ensuring your privacy and providing excellent customer service.

Effective Date: January 10, 2025