Privacy Policy
Introduction
We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how Sand Social collects, uses, discloses and protects personal information when you use our website, applications and services. It also explains your rights and choices regarding your personal data.
Controller
Sand Social is the controller responsible for your personal data processed in connection with the Services. Contact details for data-protection enquiries, including requests to exercise your rights, are provided in the "Contact Us" section below.
Information
We collect We may collect the following categories of personal information:
Identity information: name, username, date of birth.
Contact information: email address, postal address, telephone number.
Account information: account IDs, passwords (securely stored), preferences and profile information.
Transaction and billing information: payment card details (where required), billing address, transaction history.
Content you provide: posts, messages, photos, videos and other materials you upload or submit.
Usage and technical information: IP address, device identifiers, browser type and version, operating system, pages visited, referring/exit pages, time and date stamps, search queries, and performance data.
Location information: approximate location inferred from IP address or device settings, and precise location where you permit location services.
Communications: correspondence and support requests you submit, and communications between you and other users where retained by the Service.
Marketing and preferences: subscriptions, interests and marketing consents.
Sensitive personal data: we do not intentionally collect special category data (such as race, health or religious beliefs) unless you explicitly provide it in content you submit. If you do so, it will be treated with heightened care.
How we collect information
We collect information in the following ways:
Directly from you: when you register, fill in forms, upload content, communicate with us, make purchases, subscribe to newsletters, or otherwise interact with the Services.
Automatically: via cookies, tracking technologies and server logs when you use the Services.
From third parties: social networks, advertising partners, analytics providers, payment processors and publicly available sources.
From other users: information about you that other users provide (for example, when they tag you in content).
Legal bases for processing (EEA/UK)
Where applicable, we rely on one or more lawful bases to process your personal data:
Performance of a contract: to provide Services, manage your account and fulfil orders.
Legitimate interests: for security, fraud prevention, improving Services, analytics, direct marketing (where balanced against your rights), and ensuring the integrity and safety of our platform.
Consent: where we require your explicit permission (for example, marketing communications, cookies that are not strictly necessary, or processing special category data).
Legal compliance: to comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests by public authorities.
How we use your information
We use your personal data for the following purposes:
To provide, operate and maintain the Services.
To create and manage your account.
To process payments and fulfil orders.
To personalise and improve user experience, content and recommendations.
To communicate with you, including sending service updates, security alerts and marketing communications (subject to your preferences and applicable law).
To provide customer support and respond to enquiries.
To detect, prevent and mitigate fraud, abuse and security incidents.
To comply with legal obligations, disputes and requests from public authorities.
For analytics and business insights, including aggregated and anonymised reporting.
Cookies and tracking technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies (such as web beacons, local storage and SDKs) to collect usage and technical data, to remember your preferences and to deliver personalised content and advertising. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings and, where provided, our cookie consent tool. Disabling certain cookies may affect functionality.
Disclosure and sharing of information
We may share personal information with:
Service providers and vendors who perform services on our behalf (hosting, payment processing, analytics, email delivery, customer support).
Business partners and affiliates for joint services, co-marketing or integrated functionality.
Other users: content you post or make available to others will be visible to those recipients according to your chosen privacy settings.
Advertisers and ad networks to deliver targeted advertising, subject to your consent where required.
Professional advisers, auditors and insurers to the extent necessary for our legitimate business interests.
Law enforcement, regulators or other public authorities when required by law, to respond to lawful requests, to protect legal rights, or to prevent harm.
In connection with corporate transactions: if we merge with, are acquired by, or engage in a sale or reorganisation of all or part of our business, personal data may be transferred as an asset of the transaction.