Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Basic Computing collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our website, contact us, or book our services.
We are committed to handling personal information fairly, lawfully, and transparently.
1. Who we are
Basic Computing provides beginner-friendly computer tutoring and support, including in-person sessions, online sessions, group sessions, and help choosing suitable technology.
For the purposes of UK data protection law, Basic Computing is the data controller for the personal information covered by this Privacy Policy.
If you have any questions about this policy or about how your information is used, you can contact us at:
Email: hello@basiccomputing.co.uk
Telephone: (+44) 07450967824
2. The personal information we collect
We may collect and use the following personal information, depending on how you interact with us:
- your name
- your email address
- your telephone number
- the contents of your message or enquiry
- the type of service you are interested in
- details you provide about your support needs, learning needs, or device requirements
- booking details and session history
- payment-related information where relevant, although we do not store full card details unless this is clearly stated separately
- technical information generated when you use the website, such as basic server logs, IP address, browser type, and similar website security or diagnostic information
We only collect information that is relevant to providing our services, responding to enquiries, running the website, or meeting our legal and business responsibilities.
3. Special category data
In some cases, you may choose to tell us information that is more sensitive, for example information about a disability, additional support needs, or health-related matters that are relevant to how we tailor a session.
We only ask for this type of information where it is genuinely relevant to the service being provided, and we aim to keep it to the minimum necessary.
Where we process this kind of sensitive information, we do so only where we have a valid legal basis and, where required, an additional lawful condition under data protection law.
4. How we collect your information
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
- fill in the contact form on our website
- email us
- call or message us
- book a session
- ask for information about our services
- provide information during or before a session
We may also receive limited information indirectly through the systems we use to run the website, host the site, receive enquiries, manage emails, process payments, or protect the site from spam or abuse.
5. How we use your information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
- to respond to your enquiry
- to discuss, arrange, confirm, deliver, or follow up on bookings
- to decide whether our services are suitable for your needs
- to tailor sessions where appropriate
- to manage customer service and communication
- to keep business and booking records
- to take payments or manage payment-related administration
- to maintain the security and operation of the website
- to prevent misuse of the website or our services
- to comply with legal, regulatory, tax, insurance, or accounting obligations
- to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims where necessary
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
6. Our lawful bases for using personal information
Under UK data protection law, we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal information. Depending on the situation, we may rely on one or more of the following:
Contract
Where processing is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract, or to provide the services you have booked.
Legitimate interests
Where processing is reasonably necessary for the running of our business, handling enquiries, keeping records, improving our services, securing the website, or protecting against misuse, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms.
Legal obligation
Where we need to process information to comply with a legal duty, for example in relation to tax, accounting, or legal claims.
Consent
Where consent is the appropriate basis, for example if you choose to provide certain sensitive information and consent is required for that use.
Where we process special category data, such as information about health or disability, we will only do so where an appropriate additional condition also applies under data protection law.
7. Who we may share your information with
We may share personal information, where necessary, with trusted service providers who help us run the business. This may include providers of:
- website hosting
- website forms or spam protection
- email services
- payment processing services
- IT and technical support
- accounting, legal, or professional advice
We only share information where there is a genuine need to do so and where appropriate safeguards are in place.
We may also disclose information:
- where required by law
- where necessary for legal proceedings or legal advice
- where needed to establish, exercise, or defend legal rights
- where necessary to prevent fraud or serious misuse of our services
8. International transfers
Some of the third-party services we use may store or process personal information outside the UK.
Where this happens, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is protected appropriately and transferred in line with applicable data protection law.
9. How long we keep your information
We do not keep personal information for longer than necessary.
As a general guide:
- general enquiries that do not lead to a booking are usually kept for up to 12 months after the last meaningful contact
- booking, session, and customer service records are usually kept for up to 6 years after the end of the customer relationship, where needed for business records, complaints, or legal reasons
- financial and accounting records may be kept for up to 6 years or longer where required by law
- technical website logs are usually kept only for as long as reasonably necessary for security, troubleshooting, and operational purposes
If we need to keep information for longer, for example because of a complaint, dispute, insurance issue, safeguarding concern, or legal obligation, we may do so for that purpose.
When information is no longer needed, we will delete it or securely dispose of it.
10. Your data protection rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:
- ask for access to your personal information
- ask for incorrect information to be corrected
- ask for your information to be erased
- ask for processing to be restricted
- object to certain kinds of processing
- ask for your information to be transferred to you or another provider in a portable format, where applicable
- withdraw consent at any time, where consent is the basis for processing
These rights are not absolute and may not apply in every case, but you are entitled to ask.
If you want to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in this policy.
11. Complaints
If you have concerns about how we use your personal information, we would appreciate the chance to try to resolve this first.
You also have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which is the UK regulator for data protection matters.
12. Cookies and similar technologies
Our website may use essential cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for the site to work properly, for security, or for basic functionality.
If we introduce non-essential cookies, analytics, or similar tracking technologies in future, we will update our privacy and cookie information and, where required, request consent before using them.
13. Website security
We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to help protect personal information against unauthorised access, misuse, loss, or disclosure.
However, no internet transmission or storage system can ever be guaranteed to be completely secure, so you provide information at your own risk.
14. Children's information
Our services may sometimes be arranged by or for parents, guardians, carers, organisations, or support providers. Where information relates to a child or young person, we expect the person providing the information to have the authority to do so.
We aim to collect only the information genuinely needed to provide the service safely and appropriately.
15. Third-party websites
Our website may include links to third-party websites or services, such as social media or video platforms. If you follow those links, those sites will have their own privacy policies and practices.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.
16. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or business changes.
The latest version will always be published on this page, with the revised date shown at the top.
17. Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or about the way your personal information is handled, please contact:
Basic Computing
Email: hello@basiccomputing.co.uk
Telephone: (+44) 07450967824