This Policy explains when and why we collect personal information, how we use it, the conditions under which we may disclose it to others and what choices you have. It relates to all our business activities, not just this website.
We may change this Policy from time to time so please check this page occasionally to ensure that you’re happy with any changes. By using our services, you’re agreeing to be bound by this Policy.
Any questions regarding this Policy and our privacy practices should be sent by email to samuel@distinctiveuk.com, or via the other methods on our contact page.
Summary
Here is a summary of our Privacy Information Notice.
- Who are we?
We are Distinctive UK, a company providing website design and development services. - How do we collect information from you?
We obtain information about you when you contact us to enquire about our services and when you use our website - What information do we collect & how is it used?
We collect information to allow us to fulfil our obligations to our clients, and to respond to business enquiries. - Controlling your information
You have certain rights concerning the information we hold about you, as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation. If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us. - Use of ‘cookies’
This website uses cookies; by using and browsing the Distinctive UK website, you consent to cookies being used in accordance with this Policy. If you do not consent, you must turn off cookies or refrain from using the site. - Security
Distinctive UK takes security seriously. Our internal Data Security Policy details the steps we take to safeguard and secure the information we collect. - Data Breaches
Our Data Security Policy includes a clear process for handling a personal data breach, should one occur. Where appropriate, Distinctive UK will promptly notify you of any unauthorized access to your personal information. - Complaints
If you wish to raise a complaint on how we have handled your personal information, you can contact us directly and we will investigate the matter. If you are not satisfied with our response you can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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Who are we?
We are Distinctive UK, a company providing website design and development services to clients in the UK and very occasionally further afield.
Full contact details can be found here: https://www.distinctiveuk.com/contact/.
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How do we collect information from you?
We obtain information about you when you contact us to enquire about our services.
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What information do we collect & how is it used?
We collect information to allow us to fulfil our obligations to our clients, and to respond to business enquiries. The table in section 3.3 below outlines exactly what information we collect, and for what purpose.
3.0. Sensitive Data
We do not gather sensitive personal data (e.g. health, genetic, biometric data; racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, sexual orientation, and criminal convictions). We expressly request that you do not provide any such sensitive data to us.
3.1. Children’s information
Our services are not directed to children under 13. If you learn that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information without consent, please contact us.
3.2. Third Parties
We will not sell or rent your information to third parties.
We will not share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.
We may pass your information to third party service providers who we have engaged for the purpose of completing tasks and providing services to you on our behalf (for example, we may provide your contact details to the Search Engine Optimisation company we work alongside). We disclose only the personal information that is necessary to deliver the service.
We also use a number of 3rd party services to help us fulfil our contractual obligations – for example, our computers are backed up using a 3rd party automated service called Backblaze. These 3rd party services are listed in full below; we have verified that these 3rd party services are GDPR compliant (or are working towards GDPR compliance), and are certified under the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework (or are working towards certification) where these organisations are based outside of the EU.
3.3. Details
The following table outlines the personal data we collect and for what purpose. The table also outlines the 3rd parties the data is processed by or shared with, and how long the data is stored for:
| Name | What | Legal Ground | Purpose | 3rd Parties | Data Retention |
| Prospect, client & supplier contact information | Contract | To allow initial and ongoing contact with prospects, clients, suppliers, etc. | Microsoft Office365 We have signed EU model contract clauses. |
Until request for deletion. | |
| Invoicing | Client & supplier purchase history & contact info. | Legal obligation | For invoicing | Xero | Indefinitely, for on-going invoicing and accounting records |
| Password Store | Client log-in details for various services, including hosting and domain registration. | Contract | To allow us to log in and administer services on our clients’ behalf | Google Password | Until cessation of contract/business activities |
| Hosting Accounts | Client contact information | Contract | Required to set up a user account for each hosting client – so they can access support | 20i / Cloudways / Properhost | Until request for account deletion/cessation of hosting contract |
| Backup | Backup of documents on local drives – proposals, schedules, etc | Contract | Cloud backup to ensure business continuity in the event of hardware failure. | Backblaze | Until request for deletion |
| Analytics | Website visitor behaviour (anonymised – full IP address is NOT stored) | Legitimate interests | To analyse popular content, website performance, etc – so we can further improve. | Google Analytics We have signed DPA & anonymise IP addresses |
14 months |
| Server Logs | IP address | Legal obligation | To help prevent DoS (Denial of Service) attacks; for website security and diagnostics. | 20i / Cloudways / Properhost | Server logs are stored unencrypted for 7 days, and then moved to an encrypted backup which is stored indefinitely and only accessible by WP Engine. |
| DNS Log Data | IP address, system configuration information, etc | Legitimate interests | Cloudflare provides DNS, web optimization and security services for our website | Cloudflare | Stored indefinitely |
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Controlling your information
You have certain rights concerning the information we hold about you, as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation. If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us, including your email address in the first instance (this is the unique identifier we use to identify and collate personal information).
4.0. Requesting a copy of your information
You may request a copy of any data we hold about you. Upon request, we will provide a CSV file (which you may open in a program such as Microsoft Excel) containing the personal data we hold on record about you.
4.1. Updating or correcting your information
The accuracy of your information is important to us. If you change email address, or any of the other information we hold is inaccurate or out of date, please contact us so we may correct our records.
4.2. Deleting your information
You have the right to request erasure of your personal information. Unless there is a compelling reason for the data not to be erased (for example, if we need to use that data to fulfil our contractual or legal obligations), your personal data will be deleted on request.
4.3. Automated decision making
We do not use any personal information for automated decision making or profiling; your data is not subject to automated decision making or profiling.
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Use of ‘cookies’
Like many other websites, the Distinctive UK website uses cookies. Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website.
The cookies we use are ‘1st party’ cookies. We don’t use any ’3rd party’ cookies (these are often used to track behaviour across a range of websites, so targeted advertising can then be applied. We don’t do this!!) The following list outlines what we use cookies for:
- Google Analytics: Google Analytics sets cookies to help us accurately estimate the number of visitors to the website and what content is most popular. This helps to ensure that our website is responding to your needs in the best way possible.
- Facebook: Facebook sets cookies to allow us to communicate using the Facebook Messenger service for live chat and assistance via our website.
By using and browsing the Distinctive UK website, you consent to cookies being used in accordance with this Policy.
If you do not consent, you must turn off cookies or refrain from using the site. Most browsers allow you to turn off cookies. To do this, look at the ‘help’ menu on your browser. Switching off cookies should not noticeably restrict your use of this website.
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Security
Distinctive UK takes security seriously. In order to protect your information from loss, misuse or unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect. These steps include the following:
- Data minimisation
- Password best practice
- Security best practice concerning devices (PCs, laptops, mobile devices), online accounts, website hosting, physical access and storage
- Staff training and accountability on data protection
A copy of our internal Data Security Policy is available on request.
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Data Breaches
Our Data Security Policy includes a clear process for handling a personal data breach, should one occur. Where appropriate, Distinctive UK will promptly notify you of any unauthorized access to your personal information.
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Complaints
If you wish to raise a complaint on how we have handled your personal information, you can contact us directly and we will investigate the matter.
If you are not satisfied with our response or believe we are processing your personal information not in accordance with the law you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
