You are in control of when we receive your data.

• When: We collect data only when you actively provide it, such as when you register for an account, sign up for our newsletter, or fill out a contact form.
• What: We only collect the essential basics: your name, email address, and sometimes a phone number. We also automatically collect technical data (like your IP address) to make the website work correctly, using cookies.
• Why: We collect this because we have a lawful reason (a “Legal Basis”) to do so, like fulfilling a request you made (a contract) or because you gave us consent (like for a newsletter).

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Processing: How We Use Your Data

Once we have your data, we use it only for the specific purposes we told you about.

• Service Delivery: We use your name and account details to give you access to the site’s features.
• Communication: We use your email address to send you service updates or, if you agreed, our newsletter.
• Security: We use technical data to monitor the site and ensure everything is running safely and securely.

We only allow carefully chosen third-party partners (like our website host or email service) to process this data, and only under strict contracts that ensure they protect it just as much as we do.

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Protection: Keeping Your Data Safe

Protecting your data is a priority.

• We use security measures (like encryption and secure access controls) to prevent your personal information from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorised way.
• We limit access to your personal data to employees, agents, or contractors who have a legitimate business need to know it. They are subject to strict confidentiality duties.

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Retention & Deletion: Saying Goodbye to Your Data

We don’t keep your information forever.

• We hold onto your data only for as long as necessary to provide you with the service or meet our legal obligations.
• If you close your account, we will securely delete or anonymise your personal data after a short period, unless the law requires us to keep certain records for longer (like tax records).
• If you unsubscribe from our newsletter, we immediately stop using your email for marketing.

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Your Rights: You Are in Charge

The UK GDPR gives you powerful rights over your personal information.

• The Right to See: You can ask us for a copy of the data we hold about you.
• The Right to Correct: You can ask us to fix any data that is wrong or incomplete.
• The Right to Delete: You can ask us to delete your data (the ‘Right to be Forgotten’) when we no longer have a lawful reason to keep it.
• The Right to Say No: You can object to us processing your data, especially for marketing.
• The Right to Change Your Mind: If you gave us consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

If you want to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@birdinginedinburgh.com.