Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Tradesman Network Ltd ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

We are the data controller responsible for your personal data and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Name, email address, and contact details
• Account credentials (username and password)
• Profile information (professional qualifications, skills, experience)
• Payment information (processed securely through our payment providers)
• Communications with us and other users
• Feedback, reviews, and ratings

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our platform, we automatically collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referral source and exit pages
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contract Performance: To provide our services and fulfill our contractual obligations
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, prevent fraud, and ensure platform security
• Legal Obligation: To comply with UK laws and regulations
• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent for specific processing activities

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

• Create and manage your account
• Connect tradesmen with clients
• Process payments and transactions
• Send service-related communications
• Provide customer support
• Improve and personalize our services
• Detect and prevent fraud and abuse
• Comply with legal obligations
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)

Automated document checks

When you upload an ID, card, certificate or insurance document, we use an AI tool to read the name, document type and expiry date and compare the name with your profile. This only helps our team: a member of staff always makes the final verification decision, and no decision is made about you by automated means alone. We store only the check result (for example "name matches" and the expiry date), not the text of your document. The AI provider does not keep your document or use it for training. You can ask for a manual review or object to this check by contacting us.

5. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information with:

• Other Users: Profile information is visible to facilitate connections
• Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us operate our platform (payment processors, hosting providers, analytics services)
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect our legal rights
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale, or acquisition of our company

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data 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 data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided at the end of this policy.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use our platform
• Improve our services

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our platform.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. International Data Transfers

Your personal data is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom. If we transfer data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the ICO
• Adequacy decisions by the UK government
• Other legally approved transfer mechanisms

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on our platform and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

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

• Email: privacy@tradesman.network
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@tradesman.network

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: www.ico.org.uk
• Phone: 0303 123 1113