1. Who We Are & Overview`
At jakecharlton.design, I respect your privacy and am committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit my website, fill out an inquiry form, or work with me as a client.
2. The Data I Collect About You
Depending on how you interact with my studio, I may collect the following types of personal data:
Identity Data: Your full name or preferred name.
Contact Data: Your email address, telephone number, and business name/social media handles.
Project & Financial Data: Information regarding your project requirements, goals, and billing details necessary for invoicing and contract execution (processed securely via business banking and accounting tools like Mettle and FreeAgent).
Technical Data: Standard internet log information and details about visitor behavior patterns collected through analytics (such as Google Analytics 4) when you browse the site.
3. How Your Data Is Collected
I collect data through:
Direct Interactions: When you fill out an inquiry form, book an intro call, email me directly, or complete a client onboarding document/workbook.
Automated Technologies: As you navigate the website, technical data regarding your equipment, browsing actions, and usage patterns may be collected automatically via cookies and analytics tools.
4. Why I Collect Your Data & The Legal Basis
Under UK data protection laws (UK GDPR), I must have a valid legal basis to collect and use your personal information. I rely on the following bases:
Performance of a Contract: To process your inquiries, draft scope documents, issue contracts, and deliver the design or consultancy services you’ve hired me for.
Legitimate Interests: To run and grow my business efficiently, respond to inquiries, analyze how my website is used so I can improve user experience, and maintain secure records.
Legal Obligation: To comply with UK tax laws, accounting standards, and HMRC record-keeping requirements.
5. Data Sharing & Third-Party Service Providers
I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. I only share your data with trusted third-party service providers who help me run my business operations securely:
Website & Hosting Platforms: (e.g., Wix / Framer) for site hosting and form management.
Administrative & Financial Software: (e.g., FreeAgent and Mettle banking) for secure invoicing and accounting.
Cloud Storage & Workspace: (e.g., Google Workspace / Google Drive) for storing client project workbooks and assets securely.
All third-party partners are bound by strict confidentiality and data protection obligations.
6. Data Security & Retention
I have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, accessed, altered, or disclosed.
I retain your personal and project data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes I collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements (typically retaining tax and financial records for 6 years as required by HMRC).
7. Your Legal Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have rights including:
Your right of access: You have the right to ask for copies of your personal information.
Your right to rectification: You have the right to ask me to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate.
Your right to erasure: You have the right to ask for the erasure of your personal information in certain circumstances.
Your right to restriction of processing: You have the right to ask me to restrict the processing of your information in certain circumstances.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact me at hello@jakecharlton.design.