Privacy Notice – Upokar

Welcome to upokar.org ("Upokar", "we", "our", "the Website"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about how it is handled. If you do not agree with this Privacy Notice, please stop using the Website.

1. Scope of This Privacy Notice

This Notice describes how we collect, use, store, and safeguard information when you visit or interact with upokar.org, an informational website that presents reviews of services regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. It does not apply to any third-party websites we reference or link to.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in two main ways:

a) Information you choose to provide

This may include details you submit when:

• signing up for optional updates,
• sending a message through a contact form,
• responding to surveys,
• leaving comments or feedback.

Information may include your name, email address, and any content you choose to share.

b) Information collected automatically

When you browse the Website, we may receive standard technical information such as:

• IP address and regional location (approximate),
• browser and device type,
• operating system,
• pages visited and time spent on them,
• referral source (how you reached the site).

This information is anonymised or pseudonymised where possible and used for performance and security purposes.

3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

The Website uses cookies to function correctly and to help us understand how visitors use it.

Types of cookies we may use

Essential cookies — required for the Website to operate.

Analytics cookies — help us understand visitor behaviour and improve performance.

Preference cookies — remember your settings or display choices.

Optimisation cookies — help us identify which content is helpful or relevant.

You can delete or block cookies through your browser settings. Some parts of the Website may not function properly if essential cookies are disabled.

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect to:

• maintain and operate the Website,
• improve content, structure, and user experience,
• analyse site activity and performance,
• develop new features or update existing ones,
• respond to enquiries or messages,
• send optional updates (only when you have subscribed),
• detect, prevent, or investigate security issues or technical misuse.

We do not use personal data for automated decision-making or profiling.

5. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Depending on the situation, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent — for example, when you subscribe to updates.
• Legitimate interests — such as ensuring Website security or improving content.
• Legal obligations — when we are required to keep or disclose data under UK law.

6. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited data with: service providers who support the Website (e.g., analytics, email systems). These providers must follow confidentiality and security standards. We may also share information: ● if required by law or regulatory request, ● to protect our legal rights or enforce Website policies, ● in aggregated or anonymised format for reporting or analysis.

7. International Transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the United Kingdom. When this happens, we use appropriate safeguards—including Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent protections—to ensure your data remains secure.

8. How We Protect Your Information

We use industry-standard technical and organisational measures to help secure the information we collect. Despite these measures, no system connected to the internet can guarantee complete protection.

9. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Notice. Once no longer required, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

10. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to: ● request access to the personal data we hold about you, ● ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information, ● request deletion of your data in certain cases, ● restrict how your data is used, ● object to specific types of processing, ● request a copy of your data in a portable format. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details on our Website. We may ask to verify your identity before responding.

11. Children's Information

The Website is intended for adults aged 18+. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18.

12. Third-Party Websites

We may link to external websites for informational purposes. Their privacy practices are outside our control. We encourage you to read their Privacy Notices before submitting any personal information.

13. Updates to This Privacy Notice

We may revise this Notice from time to time. When updates occur, the "Last updated" date will change accordingly. Your continued use of the Website means you accept the updated version.

14. Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your data is handled, please contact us using the details provided on upokar.org.