Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

HedgeHog Gardens ("we", "our", "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password
• Profile Information: Business name, services offered, service areas, portfolio photos
• Verification Data: Identity documents for gardener verification
• Usage Data: How you interact with our platform, device information, IP addresses
• Communications: Messages sent through our platform
• Payment Information: Transaction details (processed securely by Stripe)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve our marketplace services
• Connect gardeners with customers in their service area
• Process payments and transactions
• Verify gardener identities and qualifications
• Send service updates and notifications
• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform security
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under UK GDPR, we process your data based on:

• Contract: To fulfil our services to you
• Legitimate Interest: To improve our platform and prevent fraud
• Consent: For marketing communications (where given)
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws

5. Data Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Other Users: Gardener profiles are visible to customers; customer details are shared with booked gardeners
• Service Providers: Payment processors (Stripe), SMS services (Twilio), email services
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect rights

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfil legal obligations. Account data is retained until you request deletion. Financial records are kept for 7 years as required by UK law.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction: Limit how we process your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a transferable format
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hedgehogardens.com

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls. However, no internet transmission is completely secure.

9. Cookies

We use essential cookies for platform functionality and optional analytics cookies to understand usage patterns. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings.

10. International Transfers

Your data is primarily stored in the UK/EU. Where we use service providers outside this area, we ensure adequate protection through standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or platform notification.

12. Contact Us

For privacy inquiries or to exercise your rights:

Email: privacy@hedgehogardens.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk