Privacy Policy

Information we collect

We collect personal data that you voluntarily submit via our website's contact form or newsletter signup (such as your name, email address, and any other information you provide). We also automatically collect technical and usage data when you visit our site. This includes your IP address, device type, browser and operating system, referrer URL, page views, and other interactions (e.g. button clicks, downloads).

We collect this data using Google Analytics via Google Tag Manager, as well as using Google Search Console for site monitoring. Google Analytics uses cookies (such as _ga) to distinguish visitors and sessions. It does not collect personally identifying details (unless you explicitly send personal info). We never collect sensitive personal data through our website.

Use of data

We use the data you provide to respond to your inquiries, send newsletters (if you opted in), and for other administrative purposes. Usage data is used to analyse how visitors use the site — for example, which pages are visited or which forms are submitted — so that we can improve site performance and user experience.

In particular, when you submit a form on our site, we may track that submission as an event in Google Analytics (via Google Tag Manager) for our internal analysis. Google is a data processor; we have contractually required it to handle analytics data in accordance with UK GDPR. We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

Legal basis

For data we collect directly (such as from forms), our lawful basis is your consent. By submitting information, you consent to this processing. For website analytics and improvements, our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in running and securing the website; we balance this interest with your privacy. If you have any questions about lawful bases, please contact us.

Cookies and tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies on our site. By continuing to use our site and clicking "Accept" on the cookie banner, you consent to our use of non-essential cookies. We obtain prior consent for analytics cookies as required by the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Our Cookie Policy explains how to manage or withdraw consent and provides details of the cookies we use. In brief, we use Google Analytics cookies such as _ga and _gid. You can disable cookies by adjusting your browser settings or by using Google's opt-out add-on for Analytics; however this may affect site functionality.

Data sharing and transfers

We do not sell or share your personal data with any advertisers. The only third-party recipients of data are Google (for Analytics and Search Console) and possibly our web hosting provider. Google operates data centres globally, including outside the UK/EU.

We rely on Google's EU/UK Standard Contractual Clauses and adequacy decisions to legitimise any transfers of analytics data to the USA. In all cases, your data is treated under strict confidentiality obligations by these processors.

Data retention

We retain personal data (such as form submissions or email lists) only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described (e.g. responding to your inquiry or sending newsletters). Generally, analytics data is retained for up to 26 months and then deleted or aggregated, in line with Google's settings. Where no specific retention period is required by law, we retain data no longer than 2 years, then securely delete it.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have rights including:

• The right to be informed about our processing
• The right of access to your personal data
• The right to rectification of inaccurate data
• The right to erasure (the "right to be forgotten")
• The right to restrict or object to processing
• The right to data portability
• Where processing is based on consent, the right to withdraw consent at any time

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have infringed your privacy rights. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address below. We will respond within one month, as required by law.

Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date will be revised accordingly. When we make significant changes, we will post a prominent notice on our site. Continued use of thegeosphere.com after changes implies acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

If you have questions about this policy or our data practices, contact us by email. Please also see our Cookie Policy for information on cookies and tracking technologies.