Who we are
IN SG1 is an independent local directory and events guide operated from Stevenage, Hertfordshire. For data-protection purposes, IN SG1 is responsible for the personal information described in this notice.
Email privacy@insg1.com or use our contact form with any privacy question.
Information we collect
We may collect information you provide when you contact us, join a newsletter, submit or correct a listing, claim a business, add social links or offers, submit an event, leave a review or buy a service. This can include your name, email address, business relationship, message and transaction references.
Newsletter signup uses email confirmation before marketing consent becomes active. We record the selected audience and weekly or monthly frequency. A private preferences link lets you reduce the frequency or unsubscribe. We also set a small preference cookie after signup so the website does not repeatedly advertise the newsletter to you.
When you leave a review, we use your email address to send a one-time verification link. The review is not published until that link is clicked. Your email address is kept private, is not displayed with the review and is not treated as permission to send marketing.
Business accounts use an email address, a securely hashed password and an essential login cookie. If you choose document verification for a business claim, accepted evidence is sent privately to the IN SG1 verifier at verify@ajpk.uk. The website records the document name, type, size and a cryptographic checksum, but does not add the evidence to the public website or listing media library.
We also process limited technical information needed to run and protect the service, such as request times, browser details and a security hash derived from an IP address. If you choose “Near me”, approximate coordinates are sent to the directory solely to sort results by distance. When you open the places map, your browser requests map tiles from OpenStreetMap and sends the technical information normally included in a web request, including your IP address.
Directory search phrases may be sent to Amazon Bedrock so that IN SG1 can recognise related local services and categories. The interpretation is used only to improve the search results. The short-lived search cache uses a one-way hash of the phrase rather than storing the original phrase.
The Google tag loads with analytics and advertising storage denied so that it can respect your cookie choice; before consent it may send limited cookieless consent-status signals. If you allow optional cookies, Google Analytics measures visits and interactions with IN SG1. This may include pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser information, referral source and interaction timings. We use the resulting reports to understand and improve the directory. Analytics cookies and identifiable measurement remain disabled unless you choose “Allow optional”, and you can change that choice through Cookie settings.
Business and event information may come from owners, public bodies, first-party websites and open-data sources. This can include a business contact address published for customers. We retain its source and verification date so proposed automated changes can be reviewed. A public business address is not treated as consent to join our newsletter.
How and why we use it
- To answer enquiries and provide requested services.
- To manage listings, ownership claims, events and corrections.
- To operate paid listings or sponsorships under a contract.
- To protect the site, prevent spam and keep an audit trail.
- To send marketing only where you have asked for it and confirmed your address; every marketing email will provide a way to unsubscribe.
Our legal bases are contract, consent, legal obligation and our legitimate interests in operating a useful, accurate and secure local service. Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.
Who we share information with
We use trusted service providers where necessary to host and operate IN SG1. Amazon Web Services provides hosting, database, security and email-delivery services. HubSpot stores confirmed newsletter preferences and business relationship records as our customer-relationship platform. Google provides optional website analytics when you consent. Stripe will process paid-plan checkout and payment information when online upgrades are enabled; IN SG1 retains transaction and subscription references rather than full card details. OpenStreetMap provides map tiles under its own privacy policy. We do not sell personal information.
We may disclose information where required by law, to protect people or the service, or as part of a properly managed business transfer. Providers may process information outside the UK under appropriate safeguards.
How long we keep it
Contact enquiries are normally retained for up to 24 months. Account, claim and transaction records are kept while active and for the period reasonably needed for legal, tax, security and dispute purposes. Verified review records, including the private verification email, are retained while the review is published and for a reasonable period afterwards to handle abuse or disputes. Unverified review requests may be removed after their verification link expires. Security logs are kept only as long as operationally necessary. Newsletter details are kept while you are subscribed. If you unsubscribe, we retain the minimum email and suppression record needed to make sure you are not accidentally contacted again.
Business-claim evidence is retained in the private verification mailbox only for as long as reasonably needed to assess the claim and handle any dispute. Please provide only the pages and information needed to demonstrate control of the business.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may ask us to access, correct, erase or restrict your personal information, object to its use, or provide it in a portable format. You may also withdraw consent.
Contact privacy@insg1.com. We may need to confirm your identity. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Changes and contact
We will update this notice when the service or our use of information materially changes. Questions can be sent to privacy@insg1.com or IN SG1, Stevenage, Hertfordshire.