Privacy Notice

Who this notice applies to

This notice applies to people who visit BritSquare, create an account, claim a square, upload content, apply for Verified Local Business status or otherwise interact with the service.

Information we may process

• Account details such as email address, display name and authentication identifiers.
• Claim information including square IDs, timestamps and account ownership.
• Photos, descriptions and other content you choose to upload.
• Business application and profile information, such as business name, category, description, website, telephone number, opening hours, business location pin, featured offers and verification status.
• Engagement information created when signed-in users favourite or watch squares, like photos, record that they have visited a verified business, or recommend one.
• Technical and security data such as IP address, browser/device information and service logs.
• Location information when you actively use a location-based feature and your device/browser permits it, as well as optional photo or business pins you deliberately place inside a BritSquare.

Why we use information

We use information to provide accounts and claims, display user and verified-business content, operate engagement features, verify local-business applications, secure the service, prevent fraud and abuse, moderate content, maintain records, understand service performance and comply with legal obligations.

Lawful bases

Depending on the activity, processing may be necessary to perform our agreement with you, comply with legal obligations, pursue legitimate interests such as platform security, verification and abuse prevention, or rely on consent where consent is the appropriate basis.

Sharing

Information may be processed by service providers that support hosting, authentication, database, moderation, analytics or security functions. We may also disclose information where required by law or reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety or the integrity of the service.

Public information

Square profiles and approved user content may be public by design. Approved Verified Local Business profiles can also display the business information supplied for publication, including the business name, category, description, website, telephone number, opening hours, location pin and active offer. Public engagement totals may show how many users have visited or recommended a verified business, but individual visitor/recommender identities are not intended to be displayed publicly.

Retention

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purposes described above, including account operation, business verification, dispute handling, security, backups and legal obligations. Different categories may have different retention periods.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, UK data protection law may give you rights including access, correction, erasure, restriction, objection and data portability, as well as rights relating to consent. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.

International processing

Some service providers may process data outside the UK. Where required, appropriate safeguards should be used for international transfers.

Security

We use technical and organisational measures intended to protect information, but no online service can guarantee absolute security.

Changes

We may update this notice as BritSquare develops or legal requirements change. The date at the top shows the latest revision.