Privacy Policy

How your personal data is collected, used, and protected on this site.

Effective date: 3 October 2026

Steve Hine (“I”, “me”) operates this website. I am the data controller for any personal data described here. This policy explains what I collect, why, and what your rights are.

Cookies and tracking

This site does not use cookies, analytics, advertising or tracking tools, and it doesn’t load content from third parties. Because of that there is no cookie banner. If that changes, I will update this policy first.

What I collect

When you contact me. The site has no contact form. If you email me or message me on WhatsApp, I receive whatever you send: typically your name, email address or phone number, and the content of your message.

When you visit. Like any website, the infrastructure it runs on records technical data automatically, such as your IP address, browser type and version, the pages requested, and the date and time. I do not use this to identify individual visitors.

How I use it, and why

  • To reply to your enquiry and, if we work together, to discuss and deliver the work. Legal basis: legitimate interests, and taking steps at your request before a contract.
  • To keep records of enquiries and work. Legal basis: legitimate interests, and legal obligations such as accounting.
  • To keep the site secure and working. Legal basis: legitimate interests.

I do not sell personal data, send marketing to people who haven’t asked for it, or make automated decisions about you.

How long I keep it

Enquiries that don’t lead to work are kept for 12 months, then deleted. Records of work done are kept for as long as needed for contract and tax purposes, usually up to 6 years. Technical logs held by the hosting provider are kept for short periods set by that provider.

Who else handles your data

I use a small number of service providers, who only process personal data to provide their service:

  • Cloudflare hosts the site and handles web traffic and security. It processes visitors’ IP addresses and technical data.
  • WhatsApp (Meta), if you choose to message me there. Meta processes your messages under its own privacy policy, and nothing is sent to it unless you click the link and message me.

I may also disclose personal data where the law requires it, to protect my rights or property, or to prevent or investigate wrongdoing.

Transfers outside the UK

Cloudflare and some other providers operate internationally, so your data may be processed outside the UK. Where that happens, I rely on appropriate safeguards, such as the UK’s approved transfer mechanisms, so that your data is treated securely and in line with this policy.

Security

No method of transmission over the internet, or electronic storage, is completely secure. I use commercially reasonable measures to protect your data, but I can’t guarantee absolute security.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data I hold about you and receive a copy
  • Have inaccurate data corrected
  • Ask for your data to be deleted
  • Ask me to restrict how I use your data
  • Object to my use of your data where I rely on legitimate interests
  • Receive your data in a portable electronic format

I may ask you to verify your identity before acting on a request. To use any of these rights, email me at steve@stevehine.co.uk.

If you’re unhappy with how I’ve handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk. I’d appreciate the chance to put things right first.

Links to other sites

The site may link to third-party sites, such as WhatsApp. I have no control over, and accept no responsibility for, their content, privacy policies or practices, so please read theirs.

Children’s privacy

This site isn’t directed at anyone under 13, and I don’t knowingly collect personal data from children. If you’re a parent or guardian and believe your child has sent me data, get in touch and I’ll delete it.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted here with the effective date updated.

Contact

For any questions about this policy, email steve@stevehine.co.uk or use the contact page.