Privacy Policy

1. Data Controller

Business Name: The Towbar Man
Contact Email: sales@thetowbarman.com
Contact Phone: 07508 135577
Service Area: Midlands, England

The Towbar Man is the data controller responsible for your personal data. We are committed to complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website www.thetowbarman.com or use our mobile towbar fitting services.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Request a quote: Name, email address, phone number, vehicle details
• Contact us: Name, email address, phone number, message content
• Book a service: Name, address, contact details, vehicle registration, preferred appointment time

3.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior:

• Log Data (personal data): Browser type, pages visited, time spent on pages
• IP Addresses: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) processes IP addresses for geolocation purposes but does not log or store them
• Cookies: See our Cookie Policy for details
• Analytics Data: Google Analytics 4 collects pseudonymised usage statistics (only with your consent)

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

4.1 To Provide Services

• Process and respond to quote requests
• Schedule and confirm appointments
• Provide customer support
• Send service-related communications

4.2 To Improve Our Website and Services

• Analyze website usage and performance (with consent)
• Understand customer needs and preferences
• Develop new features and services

4.3 For Marketing (With Consent)

• Send promotional offers and updates only if you explicitly opt in via our quote form or contact form
• Measure advertising effectiveness
• Track conversions from online advertising

Note: Marketing emails are entirely optional. We do not automatically subscribe you to marketing communications when you request a quote. You can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

4.4 Legal Obligations

• Comply with legal requirements
• Maintain business records
• Protect our rights and property

5. Legal Basis for Processing

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

6. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

6.1 Service Providers

• Email Service: To send quote confirmations and communications
• Analytics Providers: Google Analytics (only with your consent)
• Advertising Platforms: Google Ads (only with your consent)
• Payment Processors: If we process payments online

6.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.

6.3 Business Transfers

If we merge with or are acquired by another company, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

7. Third-Party Services

7.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) (only with your consent) to understand how visitors use our website. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit the site, what pages they visit, and what other sites they used prior to coming to our site. We use this information to improve our website and services.

Important: GA4 processes IP addresses for geolocation but does not log or store IP addresses. All data collected is pseudonymised and cannot directly identify individual users.

Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information. You can opt-out of Google Analytics by visiting Google's opt-out page or by managing your cookie preferences on our website.

Third-Party Provider: Google Ireland Limited
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Analytics Documentation: GA4 Data Collection

7.2 Google Ads

We use Google Ads conversion tracking (only with your consent) to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. This helps us understand which ads lead to quote requests or bookings.

Important: Conversion tracking records events (such as form submissions) but does not directly identify individual users. Data is pseudonymised and aggregated for campaign performance measurement.

Third-Party Provider: Google Ireland Limited
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Advertising Documentation: Google Ads Conversion Tracking

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary:

• Quote Requests: Deleted after 12 months if no booking is made
• Customer Records: Retained for 6 years for accounting and tax purposes
• Marketing Emails: Retained until you unsubscribe
• Analytics Data: Retained according to Google Analytics 4 settings (typically 14 months, configurable)

9. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

9.1 Right to Access

You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

9.2 Right to Rectification

You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

9.3 Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal obligations.

9.4 Right to Restrict Processing

You can request that we limit how we use your data.

9.5 Right to Data Portability

You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.

9.6 Right to Object

You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes.

9.7 Right to Withdraw Consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time. To withdraw cookie consent, click "Cookie Settings" in the website footer or contact us directly. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal.

9.8 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at sales@thetowbarman.com or call 07508 135577.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• Secure HTTPS encryption for our website
• TLS-encrypted email systems for communications (using industry-standard email providers)
• Access controls and password protection
• Regular security assessments

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

12. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily stored and processed in the United Kingdom. Some of our service providers (e.g., Google) may process data outside the UK. Where data is transferred outside the UK, we rely on the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and other approved safeguards in compliance with UK GDPR Article 46.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. If you have consented to cookies, changes to how we use cookies may require new consent.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: sales@thetowbarman.com
• Phone: 07508 135577
• Website: Contact Form

15. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: www.ico.org.uk
• Phone: 0303 123 1113
• Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF