Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Discover Essex ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website discoveressex.co.uk (the "Website").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using the Website, you agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Website.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Register for an account
Create a business listing
Post a review
Post a "Find a Trade" service request
Submit a proposal to a service request
Subscribe to our newsletter
Contact us

This information may include:

Name and email address
Phone number (when voluntarily shared)
Business information (name, address, phone number)
Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
User-generated content (reviews, comments, service requests)
Location information (town/area for service requests)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

IP address
Browser type and version
Operating system
Referring website
Pages viewed and time spent
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide, operate, and maintain our Website
Process your listings and transactions
Communicate with you about your account
Send administrative information, updates, and security alerts
Respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
Send marketing communications (with your consent)
Monitor and analyse usage and trends
Detect, prevent, and address technical issues or fraudulent activity
Comply with legal obligations

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK, our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information depends on the data and context:

Contract Performance: Processing necessary to perform our contract with you
Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests
Consent: You have given consent for specific purposes
Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements

5. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Public Listings: Business listings and reviews are publicly visible
"Find a Trade" Requests: Service requests are publicly visible (excluding contact details until you choose to share them)
Contact Details Sharing: When you voluntarily share your phone number or email through a "Find a Trade" request, this information is shared with businesses who submit proposals to help you
Service Providers: Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (e.g., Stripe for payments, Resend for email delivery)
Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. "Find a Trade" Data Handling

6.1 Service Request Data

When you post a "Find a Trade" request, the following information is publicly visible:

Your request title and description
Your town/area location
Your budget information (if provided)
Your first name initial

Your email address and phone number are not publicly visible. They are only shared with businesses who submit proposals, if you choose to share them.

6.2 Contact Information Consent

By opting to share your contact details through a "Find a Trade" request, you consent to:

Your phone number and/or email being disclosed to businesses who submit proposals
Those businesses contacting you directly regarding the service request

You can choose not to share contact details and communicate solely through our platform messaging system.

6.3 Message Data

Messages exchanged between users through our platform are stored securely. We may review messages to:

Investigate reported abuse or violations
Ensure compliance with our Terms of Service
Improve our services

7. Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR & UK GDPR)

If you are a resident of the EEA or UK, you have the following rights:

Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data
Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data
Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of processing
Right to Object: Object to processing of your data
Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@discoveressex.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. When your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

For "Find a Trade" requests, completed or closed requests may be archived but retained for dispute resolution and record-keeping purposes.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser. Note that disabling cookies may affect Website functionality.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Website is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with GDPR and UK GDPR requirements.

13. 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. Your continued use of the Website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us at:

Email: contact@discoveressex.co.uk

Phone: 01376 773080

15. Supervisory Authority

If you are in the EEA or UK and believe we have not addressed your concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority:

UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) - ico.org.uk