Last updated: 03‑01‑2025
At The Crafty Exchange, your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website (www.thecraftyexchange.co.uk) or contact us.
The data controller responsible for any personal data submitted via this site is The Crafty Exchange, based in the UK.
Who We Are
We are The Crafty Exchange – a UK‑based platform supporting crafters, sewists, and creative businesses.
You can contact us at: [email protected].
What Information We Collect
When you fill in a form:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Any information you include in your message (e.g. business name, website, suggestions)
When you browse our website:
- Anonymous usage data via cookies and analytics (e.g. browser type, pages viewed, time spent on site)
We do not collect any financial or sensitive personal data.
We use Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled to collect aggregated browsing data. This helps us understand how our site is used. You can opt‑out by adjusting your cookie settings.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Respond to your enquiries or submissions
- Review suggestions for our directory or content
- Improve the website experience through anonymous analytics
- Send updates (only if you’ve actively signed up to receive them)
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)
We collect and process your data under one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Consent – when you submit a form or opt in to communications
- Legitimate interests – to operate and improve the website and respond to enquiries
Our site is not aimed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them.
Cookies and Analytics
We use cookies to:
- Track how visitors use the site
- Help us understand which content or pages are most useful
You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you prefer not to be tracked.
On your first visit, you may see a notice explaining our cookie use and offering choices for non‑essential cookies.
Data Retention
- Form submissions are stored securely and kept only as long as needed to respond or take appropriate action.
- Outdated messages and submissions are reviewed and deleted periodically.
- Analytics data is retained for up to 26 months for performance monitoring.
Third‑Party Services
We may use trusted third‑party services to help operate our site (e.g. analytics providers, email platforms). These providers only access data necessary to perform their role and must comply with data protection regulations.
Our website is hosted by Hostinger, which may process basic technical data (such as your IP address) as part of providing secure and reliable hosting services.
Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request corrections or deletion
- Withdraw consent (where applicable)
- Object to certain types of processing
To exercise your rights, contact us at [email protected].
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.
We restrict access to authorised personnel only and use secure systems to store information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the revised date.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us at: [email protected] or via our Contact Form.