Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2024
This privacy policy explains what personal data we collect when you use [mortgagemadeclear.co.uk] ("the Site"), how we use it, and your rights under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The data controller for the Site is [Company Legal Name] ("we", "us", "our"), registered at [registered address], company number [number] (if applicable).
If you have any questions about this policy or want to exercise your rights, contact us at privacy@mortgagemadeclear.co.uk.
1. What data we collect
Data you give us
- Email address and first name — when you subscribe to our newsletter or download a free guide
- Email address and message body — when you email us
- Comments (currently disabled site-wide; this section is here in case we re-enable)
Data collected automatically
- Analytics data (page views, country, device type, browser, referring source) via Google Analytics 4 — only with your cookie consent
- Server logs (IP address, request URL, timestamp, response code) retained for 28 days for security purposes
- Affiliate click data (which Pretty Link you clicked, when, anonymised) for commercial reporting
Data we do NOT collect
- Bank details
- Mortgage application details (we do not run mortgage applications — you apply with the broker / lender directly)
- Income, salary, or financial details (the calculator runs entirely in your browser; no inputs leave your device)
- Demographics beyond country-level analytics aggregates
2. How we use your data
| Purpose | Lawful basis |
|---|---|
| Send the newsletter you subscribed to | Consent (Article 6(1)(a)) |
| Reply to your email | Legitimate interest (responding to direct enquiries) |
| Improve the Site through analytics | Consent (cookie banner) |
| Track affiliate referrals for commercial reporting | Legitimate interest |
| Site security and fraud prevention | Legitimate interest |
| Comply with legal obligations | Legal obligation |
We do not use your data for:
- Profiling or automated decision-making
- Sale or transfer to third parties for marketing
- Tracking across other websites
3. Who we share your data with
A small number of carefully chosen processors help us run the Site:
- ConvertKit (newsletter delivery) — data: email, name, signup source. Privacy policy: convertkit.com/privacy
- Google Analytics 4 (anonymised analytics) — data: IP-truncated visit data, only with consent
- SiteGround (web hosting) — data: server logs, retained 28 days
- Awin (affiliate network) — data: anonymised click data with referrer code
We do not sell or rent your data. We do not share data with advertisers, data brokers, or for marketing purposes.
When you click an affiliate link to a broker, lender or credit reference agency, you leave our Site and their privacy policy applies. We don't share data with them — they only see your visit if you click through and choose to interact.
4. International transfers
Some of our processors are based outside the UK:
- ConvertKit (USA) — covered by Standard Contractual Clauses
- Google (USA / multiple) — covered by EU-US Data Privacy Framework
- Awin (UK / EU) — within UK / EU adequacy
5. How long we keep your data
| Data | Retention |
|---|---|
| Newsletter email + name | Until you unsubscribe + 30 days for log purposes |
| Direct email correspondence | 24 months |
| Analytics data (GA4) | 14 months |
| Server logs | 28 days |
| Affiliate click data | 24 months for commercial reconciliation |
6. Your rights under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Rectify inaccurate data
- Erase your data (right to be forgotten)
- Restrict how we process your data
- Port your data to another service
- Object to processing based on legitimate interest
- Withdraw consent to anything we do based on consent
To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@mortgagemadeclear.co.uk. We respond within 30 days.
If you're unhappy with our response, you can complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): ico.org.uk / 0303 123 1113.
7. Cookies
We use cookies for:
- Essential: site functionality (logged-in admin sessions only — not relevant to readers)
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4 — only with your consent
- Affiliate tracking: 30-day attribution for commercial reporting
Our cookie banner gives you the choice to accept or decline. Decline is as easy as accept. See our full Cookie Policy for the per-cookie detail.
8. Children
The Site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has shared data with us, please email privacy@mortgagemadeclear.co.uk and we will delete it.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as our practices evolve or laws change. The "Last updated" date at the top tells you when it was last revised. Material changes (like a new processor or new data category) will be flagged in our next newsletter.
Contact
- Data protection enquiries: privacy@mortgagemadeclear.co.uk
- General contact: hello@mortgagemadeclear.co.uk
- ICO complaints: ico.org.uk
This policy is provided as a template for a UK-based mortgage education website. Replace bracketed placeholders with your real details. Take legal advice before publishing if your data practices differ from those described above.