Privacy Policy

Fishing Enthusiasts Platform ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services. Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account on our platform
• Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
• Contact us through our contact form or email
• Participate in our mini-games or interactive features
• Leave comments or feedback on our articles

This information may include:

• Name and username
• Email address
• Phone number (if provided)
• Country of residence
• Any other information you choose to provide

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Game progress and FS points (stored locally in your browser)

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and store certain information. For detailed information about cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.

1.4 Payment Information

Currently, our Service is free to use. If we introduce paid features or services in the future, payment information will be processed securely by third-party payment processors. We do not store full credit card numbers or payment details on our servers.

1.5 Social Media Information

If you interact with us through social media platforms, we may collect information from your social media profile that you have made publicly available, such as your name, profile picture, and public posts.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services: Including account management, game progress tracking, and FS points management
• To improve our website: Analysing usage patterns to enhance user experience
• To communicate with you: Responding to inquiries, sending newsletters, and providing customer support
• To comply with legal obligations: Meeting UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 requirements
• To protect our rights: Preventing fraud and ensuring website security
• For marketing purposes: With your consent, sending promotional materials about our services
• To personalise your experience: Customising content and recommendations based on your preferences
• To conduct research: Analysing aggregated, anonymised data to improve our services
• To enforce our Terms of Service: Detecting and preventing violations of our terms
• To provide technical support: Troubleshooting issues and providing assistance

3. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you have given clear consent for us to process your data for specific purposes
• Contractual necessity: To perform our contract with you (e.g., providing account services)
• Legitimate interests: For website security, fraud prevention, and improving our services
• Legal obligation: To comply with applicable UK laws and regulations

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and conducting our business (e.g., hosting providers, analytics services)
• Google Services: We use Google Maps for location services. Your use of Google Maps is subject to Google's Privacy Policy
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale, or acquisition of our business

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal data, except where we are legally required to retain it.

6. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

As a data subject, you have the following rights:

• Right of Access: You can request copies of your personal data. We will provide this information free of charge, unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive.
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data. We will correct your data without undue delay.
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten"). This right applies in certain circumstances, such as when data is no longer necessary or consent is withdrawn.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request limitation of how we process your data. This may apply when you contest the accuracy of data or object to processing.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request transfer of your data to another service in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests, including direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have violated your data protection rights.

How to Exercise Your Rights: To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected] with:

• Your full name and contact details
• Description of the right you wish to exercise
• Any relevant account information or identifiers
• Proof of identity (to prevent unauthorised access to your data)

We will respond to your request within one month. If your request is complex or we receive multiple requests, we may extend this period by up to two additional months, and we will inform you of any delay.

Fees: We do not charge a fee for exercising your rights, except in cases of manifestly unfounded or excessive requests, where we may charge a reasonable fee or refuse the request.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Security Measures We Implement:

• Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and updates
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure servers with appropriate safeguards
• Employee Training: Staff are trained on data protection and security practices
• Incident Response Plan: We have procedures in place to respond to security incidents
• Backup Systems: Regular backups with secure storage
• Password Protection: Strong password requirements and secure password storage

If you suspect any unauthorised access to your account, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK and European Economic Area (EEA). When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

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. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing communications about our services, fishing industry news, game updates, and special offers. You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Updating your preferences in your account settings
• Contacting us directly at [email protected]

Even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you important service-related messages, such as account updates, security notifications, and changes to our terms or policies.

13. Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, and we will inform affected users without undue delay.

14. Third-Party Data Processors

We use the following categories of third-party service providers who process your data on our behalf:

• Hosting Providers: For website hosting and data storage
• Analytics Services: For website usage analysis and improvement
• Email Service Providers: For sending communications
• Payment Processors: If applicable, for processing payments
• Customer Support Tools: For managing customer inquiries

All third-party processors are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify. We conduct due diligence on all processors to ensure they meet UK GDPR requirements.

15. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects or significantly affects you. If this changes in the future, we will inform you and obtain your consent where required.

16. Special Categories of Personal Data

We do not intentionally collect special categories of personal data (such as information about your health, political opinions, or religious beliefs). If you provide such information voluntarily, we will process it only with your explicit consent and in accordance with UK GDPR.

17. Data Processing Records

As a data controller, we maintain records of our data processing activities as required by UK GDPR. These records include:

• Purposes of processing
• Categories of data subjects and personal data
• Categories of recipients
• Data retention periods
• Security measures implemented

18. Contact Information

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

Data Protection Officer
Fishing Enthusiasts Platform
123 Maritime Street
London, SW1A 1AA
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7872 6435

Response Times: We aim to respond to all data protection inquiries within one month. If your request is complex, we may extend this period by up to two additional months, and we will inform you of any delay.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your personal data in accordance with UK GDPR. Visit ico.org.uk for more information.

ICO Contact Details:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
United Kingdom
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk