Privacy Policy

Extremely Important Disclaimer: This is a template outline only and NOT legal advice. Privacy laws are strict and complex. You MUST have this policy reviewed, completed, and validated by a qualified legal professional specializing in data privacy (familiar with GDPR, UK GDPR, etc.) before publishing. Replace all bracketed text and placeholder content.

Last Updated: [Date]

1. Introduction

Welcome to [Your Website Name] ("we," "us," "our"). We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Service") to connect with third-party locksmith professionals ("Locksmiths").

Please read this policy carefully. By using the Service, you acknowledge the practices described in this policy. [**Legal Note:** Simple acknowledgement might not be sufficient consent for all activities, especially marketing. Consult your lawyer.] This policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions [Link to Terms and Conditions].

For the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK data protection laws, the data controller is [Your Company Name and Registered Address, if applicable - Get legal advice on identifying the controller].

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following data about you:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number.
• Vehicle Information: Vehicle registration number, potentially make, model, and year if derived or provided.
• Location Data: Your current geographic location (if you grant permission via browser geolocation) or a location you manually provide (e.g., address).
• Service Request Details: Information about the locksmith service you require.
• Communications: Records of correspondence if you contact us or provide feedback.
• Usage Data: [Placeholder: Specify if you collect technical data like IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent on pages. Requires legal input and clear disclosure.]
• Cookies and Tracking Data: [Placeholder: Briefly mention use of cookies. Refer to a separate Cookie Policy for details. Requires legal input.]

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Manage the Service: To receive your service request, identify potentially suitable Locksmiths based on location and service type, and facilitate communication between you and your chosen Locksmith.
• To Share with Locksmiths: To transmit necessary details (location, vehicle type, service required) to participating Locksmiths to enable them to provide quotes/ETAs, and to share your contact details (name, phone, email) with the specific Locksmith you select.
• To Communicate with You: To respond to your inquiries, send service-related notifications (e.g., confirmation of request), and request feedback on our Service and the Locksmith's service.
• For Marketing and Promotions: [**Legal Note:** Requires clear legal basis, usually explicit opt-in consent] Subject to your consent where required by law, we may occasionally contact you via [Specify methods, e.g., email] about other products, services, or offers from us or our affiliates that we believe may interest you. You will have the option to opt-out of these communications at any time.
• To Improve Our Service: To analyze usage patterns (often using anonymized or aggregated data) to understand how our Service is used and make improvements.
• For Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable legal obligations, regulations, or court orders.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR/GDPR)

Legal Review Essential: You must determine and state the valid legal basis for each processing activity. Consult your lawyer.

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contract Necessity: Processing necessary information (like location, vehicle details, contact info) is required to fulfill our contract with you, which is to provide the platform service connecting you with Locksmiths upon your request.
• Consent: [Specify where consent is relied upon, e.g., non-essential cookies, sending direct marketing emails about other services]. Where we rely on consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.
• Legitimate Interests: [Specify where legitimate interests are relied upon, e.g., requesting service feedback, improving the platform, fraud prevention]. We rely on legitimate interests only where these are not overridden by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms.
• Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information as follows:

• With Third-Party Locksmiths: As described in Sections 2 and 3, necessary information is shared with Locksmiths to facilitate your service request and connection.
• With Service Providers: [Placeholder: List types of third-party service providers you use, e.g., hosting providers, analytics providers, communication platforms, payment processors (if applicable). Explain data is shared only as necessary for them to perform services for us under contract. Requires legal input.]
• For Legal Reasons: If required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.
• Business Transfers: [Placeholder: Explain if data might be transferred in case of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. Requires legal input.]

We do not sell your personal information.

6. Data Retention

Legal Review Essential: Define specific retention periods based on data type, purpose, and legal requirements.

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

[Placeholder: Specify retention periods or the criteria used to determine them, e.g., "Contact form submissions are retained for X months," "User account data is retained for as long as the account is active plus Y years," etc. Requires legal input.]

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, and disclosure. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

[Placeholder: Briefly mention specific measures if appropriate and cleared by lawyer, e.g., encryption, access controls, but avoid over-promising.]

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR and GDPR, you have certain rights regarding your personal data. Subject to legal limitations, these may include the right to:

• Access: Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
• Erasure ('Right to be Forgotten'): Request deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent at any time where we rely on consent to process your data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 11.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority. In the UK, this is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) ([Link to ICO website]).

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

[Placeholder: Provide a brief statement about cookie usage. E.g., "We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Service and hold certain information. For more details about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please see our Cookie Policy [Link to Cookie Policy - Recommended]." Requires legal input and likely a separate Cookie Policy and consent mechanism.]

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for use by children under the age of [Specify age, e.g., 16 or 13 depending on regulations]. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under [Age]. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal data without parental consent, please contact us.

11. 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. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• By email: [Your Privacy Contact Email Address]
• [Add other methods if applicable, e.g., postal address, link to contact form]
• [Include Data Protection Officer details if required by law - Requires legal input]

Final Reminder: This is a template outline only. It requires significant legal review and customization.