Privacy Policy

Introduction

Brightara Hub is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you interact with our services.

We are the data controller for the personal information we process, unless otherwise stated. Our registered office is located at 15 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS, United Kingdom.

Information We Collect

We collect and process several types of information depending on how you interact with our services.

Information You Provide Directly

When you use our consultation services, we collect information you share during conversations, including your interests, lifestyle details, time availability, budget considerations, and hobby preferences. This information is essential for providing personalized recommendations.

When you contact us via email, we collect your email address, name, and any information included in your message. When you book appointments, we collect scheduling preferences and contact details necessary for arranging consultations.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may collect technical information including your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on our site. This information helps us improve website functionality and user experience.

Information From Third Parties

When we facilitate connections between you and hobby groups or communities, we may receive confirmation of your participation or feedback from these organizations, but only with your explicit consent.

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for specific, legitimate purposes related to delivering our services effectively.

Service Delivery

Your personal information enables us to provide tailored hobby recommendations, facilitate introductions to relevant communities, arrange trial experiences, conduct follow-up consultations, and maintain records of your preferences and progress.

Communication

We use contact information to respond to inquiries, schedule appointments, provide service updates, send follow-up check-ins, and share relevant information about our services when you've expressed interest.

Improvement and Analysis

Aggregated, anonymized data helps us understand which hobbies people commonly seek, improve our recommendation processes, identify gaps in our partner network, and enhance our overall service quality.

Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process personal data based on several legal grounds. When you engage our services, we process information necessary to fulfill our contract with you. We have legitimate interests in improving our services and growing our network of hobby communities. Where required, we obtain your explicit consent, particularly for sharing information with third-party organizations. We also process data when necessary to comply with legal obligations.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We treat your information with confidentiality and only share it in specific circumstances with your knowledge.

Hobby Groups and Communities

With your explicit permission, we share relevant contact information and interests with hobby groups, clubs, or instructors to facilitate your introduction. We only share what's necessary for the introduction and always inform you before doing so.

Service Providers

We may use trusted third parties for email services, appointment scheduling systems, payment processing, and website hosting. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights or property, to prevent fraud or security issues, or in connection with legal proceedings.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections outlined here.

Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy. Consultation records and recommendations are kept for three years after your last interaction with us, enabling continuity if you return for additional services. Email correspondence is retained for two years. Payment records are kept for seven years to comply with financial regulations. Website analytics data is retained in anonymized form indefinitely.

You may request earlier deletion of your information at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have several important rights regarding your personal information.

You may access copies of personal information we hold about you. You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information. You may request deletion of your data in certain circumstances. You can object to processing based on legitimate interests. You may request restriction of processing in specific situations. You have the right to data portability for information you provided. You may withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent for processing.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one month of receiving your request.

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission, secure storage systems, access controls limiting who can view your information, regular security assessments, and staff training on data protection.

While we take security seriously, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but continuously work to protect your information.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality and user experience. Essential cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our site. You can control cookie preferences through our cookie banner or your browser settings. For more detailed information, please see our Cookies Policy.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites operated by hobby groups, communities, or other organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before sharing personal information.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18 years of age. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

International Data Transfers

Your information is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom. If we transfer data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with UK data protection law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service offerings. We will post the updated policy on our website with a revised date. For material changes, we will notify active clients via email. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact and Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at [email protected] or write to us at Brightara Hub, 15 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS, United Kingdom.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office, the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues. Visit ico.org.uk for more information.

Specific Situations

Email Marketing

We only send marketing emails to individuals who have expressed interest in our services or are current clients. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe option. You can opt out at any time without affecting other aspects of our service relationship.

Testimonials and Case Studies

Before using any client feedback, testimonials, or case studies in our marketing materials, we obtain explicit written consent. You may withdraw this consent at any time, and we will remove the content promptly.

Group Workshops

When you participate in group workshops, other participants may learn your name and general interests through the session format. We make this clear before registration and obtain your consent to participate in a group setting.

Data Accuracy

We rely on you to provide accurate information and to inform us of any changes. If your circumstances, interests, or contact details change, please let us know so we can update our records and ensure our recommendations remain relevant.