Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Loftmate ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our service.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you provide directly when you:

• Create an account (name, email address, password)
• Add loft records and pigeon pedigrees
• List pigeons for sale
• Contact other users or our support team
• Subscribe to updates or newsletters

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use Loftmate, we automatically collect:

• Device information (browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, time spent)
• Aggregate analytics data (no personal identifiers or cookies)

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Payment processors (Stripe Connect) for marketplace transactions
• Authentication providers if you use social login
• Public sources for educational content and product listings

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve the Loftmate service
• Create and manage your account
• Process marketplace transactions and facilitate buyer-seller connections
• Send service-related communications and updates
• Provide customer support
• Ensure security and prevent fraud
• Analyze usage patterns and optimize features
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)
• Comply with legal obligations

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contract performance: To provide the services you've requested
• Legitimate interests: To improve our service, ensure security, and analyze usage
• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies
• Legal obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

5.1 With Other Users

When you list pigeons for sale, certain information becomes publicly visible:

• Your loft name and public profile
• Pigeon listings and pedigree information you choose to share
• Contact information you provide in listings

5.2 With Service Providers

We share data with trusted third parties who help us operate the service:

• Hosting providers: To store and serve data
• Payment processors (Stripe): To process marketplace payments
• Email service providers (SendGrid): To send transactional and marketing emails
• Analytics provider (Umami): Privacy-respecting, cookie-free analytics

5.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes
• Protect our rights and property
• Prevent fraud or security threats
• Protect user safety

5.4 Business Transfers

If Loftmate is acquired or merged, your information may be transferred to the new owner.

We retain your personal data for as long as:

• Your account is active
• Needed to provide services
• Required by law or for legitimate business purposes

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 90 days, except where we must retain it for legal compliance.

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data
• Restriction: Limit how we process your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent: Opt out of marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us through our contact form.

We use essential cookies only for:

• Keeping you logged in
• Remembering your preferences
• Ensuring core service functionality

We use Umami Analytics for usage insights — a privacy-respecting service that does not use cookies, does not track individuals, and does not collect personal data.

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments
• Employee training on data protection

No system is completely secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK. When we do, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• Standard contractual clauses
• Adequacy decisions by the UK government
• Other lawful transfer mechanisms

Loftmate is not intended for users under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

Our service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

With your consent, we may send you:

• Product updates and new features
• Educational content about pigeon keeping
• Marketplace promotions

You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link or adjusting your account settings.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our service
• Sending an email notification
• Displaying a prominent notice

Your continued use of Loftmate after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

For data protection inquiries, you can contact us through our contact form.

If you believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: ico.org.uk
• Phone: 0303 123 1113

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through our contact form.