Last Updated: 15th August 2025
This Privacy Policy explains how CheckTheBooks, operated by Elevate Alpha Limited (Company No. 15195059, registered in England & Wales), collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information lawfully, fairly, and transparently in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect and process the following types of information:
a) Information You Provide to Us
- Account registration details (name, email, password, business details, etc.)
- Profile information (services offered, qualifications, description, images)
- Messages sent through the platform
- Payment and billing information when you purchase services on the platform
- Identity verification documents (if applicable)
b) Information We Collect Automatically
- Device and browser information
- IP address and log data
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
c) Information from Third Parties
- Verification data from third-party identity check providers
- Payment information from our payment processors
2. How We Use Your Information
We process your data for the following purposes:
- To operate and maintain your account on the platform
- To connect Customers with Experts
- To process bookings and payments
- To verify the identity of Experts (where applicable)
- To respond to enquiries and provide customer support
- To improve and personalise the Platform
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
3. Legal Bases for Processing
We process your personal data based on one or more of the following:
- Contract – to provide you with our services
- Legal obligation – to comply with tax, accounting, and other legal requirements
- Legitimate interests – to operate and improve our platform
- Consent – where you have given specific permission (e.g., for marketing emails)
4. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information with:
- Other users on the platform where necessary to facilitate services (e.g., messages, booking details)
- Payment processors for processing transactions
- Third-party verification providers for identity checks
- Regulatory bodies, law enforcement, or courts where required by law
- Service providers who assist us in operating the platform
5. Data Retention & Account Deletion
If you request your account to be deleted:
- Your public profile and login access will be removed.
- Certain information will be retained where required by law (e.g., payment records for tax purposes, typically for 6 years).
- We may keep minimal records necessary to defend against legal claims, prevent fraud, or comply with regulatory obligations.
- Messages you have sent to other users cannot be retroactively deleted from their accounts, as they already hold a copy.
- Booking and transaction history may be retained in accordance with our legal and accounting obligations.
6. Cookies & Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, remember your preferences, and analyse usage. You can manage cookies in your browser settings.
7. Data Security
We use industry-standard measures to protect your personal data, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
8. International Data Transfers
Where your data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure it is protected with appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses.
9. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data (subject to retention obligations)
- Object to certain processing activities
- Request data portability
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with the “Last Updated” date.
Contact Us
Elevate Alpha Limited
Suite 625,
37 Westminster Buildings,
Theatre Square,
Nottingham,
NG1 6LG
hi@checkthebooks.com