Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01 January 2025

At Sightseer, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website (www.sightseer.io) and interact with our services.

By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of your personal data in accordance with this policy. If you have any concerns, please contact us using the details provided below.

1. Who We Are

Sightseer is a UK-based company providing travel content, guides, and resources to users globally.

  • Data Controller: Sightseer is the data controller for any personal data collected through this website.

  • Contact Information:

    • Email: hello[at]siightseer.io

2. What Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, and any details provided when contacting us or subscribing to newsletters.

  • Account Data: If you create an account, we collect login details, preferences, and related profile information.

  • Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on the site.

  • Payment Data: For transactions, we may collect billing details (processed securely by third-party payment providers).

  • Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies or similar technologies (see Section 7).

3. How We Use Your Data

Sightseer collects and uses personal data for the following purposes:

  1. To Provide Services: Deliver website content, respond to inquiries, and manage subscriptions.

  2. To Improve User Experience: Analyze website traffic and user behavior to enhance our services.

  3. Marketing and Communication: Send newsletters, promotional emails, or updates when you opt in. You can unsubscribe at any time.

  4. Transaction Processing: Process payments and provide support for paid services.

  5. Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with applicable laws, including data protection regulations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing Data

Under UK GDPR, we process your data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., subscribing to newsletters).

  • Contractual Obligations: To provide services you have requested, such as accessing paid content.

  • Legitimate Interests: To analyze website usage, improve content, or ensure website security.

  • Legal Requirements: To comply with applicable laws, such as tax or regulatory obligations.

5. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell your personal data. However, we may share it with trusted third parties under the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We use third-party providers for website hosting, analytics, email services, and payment processing.

  • Legal Obligations: If required by law or to enforce our terms and conditions, we may share data with regulators or legal authorities.

  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale, personal data may be transferred to the new entity under strict confidentiality.

All third-party processors are bound by data protection agreements to ensure your data is handled securely.

6. International Data Transfers

Sightseer is based in the UK, but some data may be processed outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA). When data is transferred internationally, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • Adequacy Decisions: Ensuring the destination country has equivalent data protection laws.

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): Binding agreements with third-party providers outside the EEA.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Sightseer uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies help us analyze website performance, personalize content, and track user preferences.

Types of Cookies We Use:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly.

  • Performance Cookies: Used to analyze how visitors interact with our site.

  • Marketing Cookies: Enable targeted advertising and promotional campaigns.

By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our Cookie Policy. See more about cookies here.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:

  1. Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

  2. Rectification: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.

  3. Erasure (Right to Be Forgotten): Request deletion of your personal data where applicable.

  4. Restriction: Request limitations on how your data is processed.

  5. Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.

  6. Objection: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.

  7. Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for specific data uses at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email address]. We will respond within one month of receiving your request.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. For example:

  • Account data is retained as long as your account is active.

  • Transaction records are retained for tax and audit purposes.

Once data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

10. Data Security

Sightseer implements robust security measures to protect your personal data, including:

  • Encryption: Secure data transmission using SSL technology.

  • Access Control: Restricting access to personal data to authorized personnel only.

  • Regular Audits: Conducting periodic reviews of data security practices.

While we strive to safeguard your data, no system is completely secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and notify us immediately of any suspected data breaches.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Significant updates will be posted on this page, and we may notify you by email if appropriate.

Last Updated: [Insert Date]

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

  • Email: hello[at]sightseer.io

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your data in accordance with the law. Visit www.ico.org.uk for more information.

This Privacy Policy is written to align with UK and EU data protection laws and provides transparency about how personal data is handled on the Sightseer website.