Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

TradeLink Hub ("TradeLink-Hub", "we", "us", "our") is a marketplace platform connecting homeowners and customers ("Customers") with independent tradespeople and service providers ("Tradespeople"). Together, Customers and Tradespeople are referred to as "Users" or "you".

We are the data controller of the personal information you provide through the platform. For data protection enquiries, contact us at the email address listed on our Contact page.

2. What personal data we collect

2.1 Information you provide directly

• Account data: full name, email address, and password (stored as a one-way hash).
• Tradesperson profile data: business name, trade category, city, coverage postcodes, hourly rate, years of experience, biography, profile image, and certificate/qualification files.
• Job request data: job title, category, description, city, postcode, budget, and the name, email and phone number you choose to provide.
• Contract & payment data: job address, agreed price, deposit and balance amounts, and payment confirmations processed via Stripe.
• Enquiry & message data: the content of messages exchanged through the platform between Customers and Tradespeople.
• Dispute data: the reason, description and any evidence files you submit when raising a dispute.
• Review data: ratings, comments and photos you upload relating to completed jobs.
• Affiliate data: referral code, name, email, payout account details, and campaign source.

2.2 Information collected automatically

• Device & usage data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and pages visited.
• Local storage data: referral codes and dismissed-prompt flags stored in your browser to improve your experience.

2.3 Information from payment processors

We do not store full card details. Card information is handled exclusively by our payment provider, Stripe, which is certified as a PCI Level 1 service provider. We receive only confirmation of payment status and, where relevant, the last four digits of the card.

3. How we use your personal data

• To create and manage your account and verify your identity.
• To match Customers with suitable Tradespeople and facilitate job quotes, contracts, and payments.
• To hold customer funds securely and release them to Tradespeople upon job completion.
• To provide in-platform messaging, notifications, and customer support.
• To investigate and resolve disputes, including processing refunds where appropriate.
• To administer our Affiliate Programme, track referrals, and calculate bounty payments.
• To prevent fraud, abuse, and breaches of our Terms of Service.
• To comply with legal, regulatory, and tax obligations.

4. Legal basis for processing (UK GDPR)

• Performance of a contract: processing necessary to deliver the marketplace services you requested.
• Legal obligation: processing to meet tax, accounting, and anti-fraud requirements.
• Legitimate interests: platform security, dispute resolution, and service improvement.
• Consent: for optional activities such as marketing communications and optional profile photos.

5. How we share your data

We share personal data only as described below and never sell your data:

• Between Users: a Customer's contact details (phone and email) are shared with the assigned Tradesperson only once a contract has been created and a deposit invoice has been paid. Until then, contact details are masked.
• Payment processors: Stripe processes card payments and tradesperson payouts.
• Email provider: Resend delivers transactional notifications to registered and, where necessary for the service, unregistered users.
• Legal & regulatory bodies: where required by law, court order, or to protect rights, property, or safety.
• Service providers: hosting and analytics providers who process data on our behalf under written agreements.

6. International data transfers

Your data may be processed by service providers located outside the UK/EEA. Where this occurs, we rely on recognised transfer mechanisms (such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements or Standard Contractual Clauses) and ensure an equivalent level of data protection.

7. Data retention

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary to provide the service and meet legal obligations. Account data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter for record-keeping and dispute resolution. Transaction records are retained for the period required by tax and accounting law (typically six years).

8. Your data protection rights

Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure of your data ("right to be forgotten"), subject to legal exceptions.
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Data portability.
• Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting processing already carried out).
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us through the Contact page.

9. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures — including encryption in transit, hashed passwords, restricted access controls, and secure payments — to safeguard your data. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, but we work to protect your information using industry-standard practices.

10. Children's privacy

TradeLink Hub is not directed to, and is not intended for use by, anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Cookies and local storage

We use local browser storage to remember referral codes, session details, and your preferences (such as dismissing the app install prompt). We do not use cookies for third-party advertising tracking. You can clear local storage at any time through your browser settings.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us via the Contact page on our website.