Privacy Policy

AfroFind ("we", "us", "our") operates the AfroFind directory and related services for discovering Afro-Caribbean businesses, service providers, and events in the United Kingdom.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have. We are committed to handling your information responsibly and in line with UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

AfroFind does not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for their marketing purposes. We do not sell data to advertisers, data brokers, or list providers. Your information is used to run and improve AfroFind — not as a product we monetise through resale.

We may share limited information only where necessary to deliver the service (for example, payment processing or email delivery), and always under appropriate safeguards — never as a sale of your data.

Depending on how you use AfroFind, we may collect:

• Account details — name, email address, password (stored securely), and profile information you choose to add.
• Business or provider listings — business name, description, category, location, contact details, images, and opening hours you submit.
• Usage data — pages visited, searches, favourites, and interactions with listings (to improve discovery and security).
• Location data — if you allow it, approximate location to show nearby results (you can deny or revoke this in your browser or device settings).
• Messages — content you send through AfroFind messaging features, where enabled.
• Payment-related data — processed by our payment partners when you purchase plans or tickets; we do not store full card numbers on our servers.
• Support enquiries — information you send via our contact form or email.

We use personal data to:

• Create and manage your account.
• Display and maintain business, provider, and event listings.
• Help users discover relevant results by location and category.
• Process claims, reviews, bookings, and messages where those features are available.
• Send service-related emails (e.g. account verification, password reset, booking confirmations).
• Respond to support requests and improve our platform.
• Keep AfroFind secure and prevent fraud, abuse, or misuse.
• Comply with legal obligations.

We send marketing communications only where you have agreed to receive them, and you can opt out at any time.

Under UK GDPR, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Contract — to provide the service you sign up for.
• Legitimate interests — to operate, secure, and improve AfroFind in ways that do not override your rights.
• Consent — where required, for example optional marketing or non-essential cookies.
• Legal obligation — where we must retain or disclose information by law.

We do not sell your data. We may share information only in these limited circumstances:

• Service providers — trusted partners who help us run AfroFind (hosting, email, payments, analytics). They process data on our instructions and under contractual confidentiality obligations.
• Other users — information you choose to make public on your profile or listing (e.g. business name, location, contact details).
• Legal requirements — if required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, and security.
• Business transfers — if AfroFind is involved in a merger or acquisition, data may transfer as part of that transaction, subject to this policy.

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, and understand how the site is used. Essential cookies are required for core functionality. Where we use non-essential analytics or preference cookies, we will ask for your consent where required by law.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how AfroFind works.

We retain personal data only for as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, including to provide the service, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and meet legal requirements. When data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it where possible.

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Data portability — receive your data in a structured, commonly used format where applicable.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@afrofind.co.uk or via our contact page. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. No online service can guarantee absolute security, but we work to maintain industry-standard safeguards for accounts, listings, and payments.

AfroFind is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised version on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Significant changes may be communicated by email or a notice on the site where appropriate.

For privacy questions or requests relating to your personal data, contact us at hello@afrofind.co.uk or through our contact form.