The short version
- This site sets no cookies and uses no analytics or tracking.
- We only store information you choose to give us, for example when you save a comparison.
- Saved comparisons are deleted automatically after 3 months.
- We don't sell your information or use it for marketing lists.
- You can ask to see, correct or delete your information at any time.
Who we are
This policy covers compare.actrand.com, run by Actrand. We are the "controller" of the personal information described here, which means we decide how it's used and are responsible for looking after it. Our contact details are at the top of this page. We haven't appointed a data protection officer, as we aren't required to. Please contact us directly with any questions.
Cookies and similar technologies
The pages the public can see on this site set no cookies and store nothing on your device. There is no analytics, advertising or tracking of any kind, and no content is loaded from other companies. Our fonts and images are served from our own server.
The only cookie on the site is used by our own staff when they sign in to manage comparisons. It is strictly necessary for signing in, is never set for visitors, and is deleted when the browser closes.
When you visit the site
Like almost every website, our web server keeps a short log of requests: your IP address, the date and time, the page asked for, the page you came from, and your browser type. We use it to keep the site secure and working, and to spot and fix problems. Our lawful basis is legitimate interests: running a secure website. These access logs are deleted automatically after 8 days. Separate error logs, which record problems with the server and can include the IP address of the request that caused them, are deleted after 14 days.
When you save or search for a comparison, we keep a scrambled (hashed) version of your IP address for up to 24 hours, so we can stop people misusing those features. It can't be turned back into your IP address.
When you save a comparison
If you click Save, we store:
- your school's name
- your name and email address, if you give them (both optional)
- the figures and answers you entered, such as your current provider, costs and device numbers
We use this to let you come back to your comparison with your link or reference. If you give us your email address, we may also contact you about your comparison and our IT support. We won't add you to a mailing list, and you can tell us to stop at any time. Our lawful basis is legitimate interests: responding to an enquiry you started.
We keep saved comparisons for up to 3 months from when you first save them, then delete them automatically. You can ask us to delete yours sooner.
Anyone who has your link or reference can open your comparison, so please keep them safe. We don't show your email address on the comparison page.
You don't have to give us any of this. You can use the comparison without saving it, and nothing you type is stored unless you click Save.
Comparisons we prepare for you
If we prepare a comparison for your school, it contains details you've given us while we talk to you, such as your school's name, a contact name and your current IT arrangements and costs. We use it to show you how our plans compare. Our lawful basis is legitimate interests, and taking steps at your request before entering into a contract. We keep it while we're discussing IT support with you, and delete it on request.
If you've saved a comparison yourself and we're discussing IT support with you, we may copy it into a comparison we manage for you, on the same basis.
Who we share it with
We don't sell or rent your information, and we only share it where we need to:
- DigitalOcean, which hosts the website and its database in its London data centre, acting on our instructions
- if we're required to by law
If we start using an email service to send you your link, we'll add it to this list.
Where your information is kept
Your information is stored in the UK, in DigitalOcean's London data centre. DigitalOcean is a US company. Where it may access data from outside the UK, it does so under the safeguards in its data processing agreement, including the UK's approved international data transfer terms.
How we keep it safe
The site only works over an encrypted connection (HTTPS). The database isn't reachable from the internet, and only our staff can sign in to manage comparisons, using individual accounts.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- ask for a copy of your information
- ask us to correct it
- ask us to delete it
- ask us to restrict how we use it
- object to us using it, including for contacting you
- ask for it in a format you can take elsewhere
To use any of these rights, contact us using the details at the top of this page. It's free, and we'll reply within one month. We don't make any automated decisions about you.
Complaints
If you're unhappy with how we've handled your information, please tell us first so we can put it right. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this policy
If we change how we use your information, we'll update this page and the date at the top.