Privacy Policy

Your privacy matters to us. This policy sets out, in plain English, exactly what personal data Compare My Cleaning Quote ("we", "us", "our") collects when you use Compare My Cleaning Quotes (https://comparemycleaningquotes.com), why we collect it, how we protect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over it. We are the data controller under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Our registered address is United Kingdom and you can reach us at CHANGE_ME@comparemycleaningquotes.com.

1. The data we collect

We aim to collect only what we genuinely need to run the service. Depending on how you use the platform, that includes:

• Account data: your name, email address, mobile number and a securely hashed version of your password. We never store your password in readable form.
• Verification data: one-time codes we send to your email and mobile, and flags recording whether each has been verified. Codes are stored hashed and expire after a few minutes.
• Professional profile data (if you offer services): your business name, tagline, description, the services you offer, the areas you cover, years of experience, insurance status, website and phone.
• Marketplace activity: the requests you post, the quotes and messages you send or receive, reviews you write or receive, and your credit balance and transaction history.
• Consent records: what you agreed to (Terms and Privacy Policy), the version, and the date and time — so we can demonstrate lawful consent.
• Technical data: your IP address, browser type and timestamps, used strictly for security, rate-limiting, fraud prevention and keeping the service reliable.

2. How and why we use your data — and our lawful bases

Under UK GDPR we must have a lawful basis for each use of your data. Ours are:

• To provide the service (performance of a contract): creating and managing your account, matching customers with professionals, delivering requests and quotes, and sharing a customer's details with a professional once that professional has sent a quote.
• To verify your identity and prevent fraud (legitimate interests, and legal obligation where relevant): sending and checking email and mobile one-time codes so that only genuine, contactable people can post or respond. This protects both customers and professionals from fake and fraudulent activity.
• To keep the platform secure (legitimate interests): logging, rate-limiting, spam and bot protection, and monitoring for misuse.
• To send essential service messages (contract): verification codes, quote notifications, password resets and account notices. These are not marketing and cannot be opted out of while you hold an account.
• To send marketing (consent): occasional tips and offers by email, only if you opt in. You can withdraw this consent at any time in your account settings or via the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

3. Who we share your data with

We do not sell your personal data — ever. We share it only in these limited circumstances:

• With professionals you're matched with: when a professional sends a quote on your request, we reveal your name, email and mobile to that professional so they can carry out the job. Until that point, your contact details remain private.
• With our trusted processors, who act only on our instructions under contract:
  • Hostinger — secure website hosting and database storage.
  • Brevo (Sendinblue) — sending transactional emails (verification, quotes, resets) and any marketing you've opted into.
  • Twilio (or our configured SMS provider) — sending mobile verification codes.
  • Google reCAPTCHA — protecting forms from bots and spam, subject to Google's own privacy policy.
• Where legally required: to comply with the law, a court order, or to protect our rights, users or the public.

4. International transfers

Some of our processors may process data outside the UK or European Economic Area. Where that happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place — such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, or an adequacy decision — so your data receives essentially equivalent protection wherever it is processed.

5. How long we keep your data

We keep your account data for as long as your account is active, and for a reasonable period afterwards to meet legal, accounting, tax and fraud-prevention obligations. Verification codes are deleted or expire within minutes. Marketing consent records are kept for as long as needed to evidence your consent. When you delete your account, we erase your personal data promptly, retaining only the minimum we are legally required to keep. You can delete your account and data yourself at any time from your account settings.

6. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to: be informed about how your data is used; access the data we hold about you; have inaccurate data corrected; have your data erased; restrict or object to certain processing; data portability; and to withdraw consent at any time. We make several of these available directly in the product:

• Access & portability: Account settings → "Download my data" gives you a complete machine-readable (JSON) export.
• Erasure: Account settings → "Delete my account" permanently removes your account and personal data.
• Rectification: update your details any time in Account settings.
• Withdraw marketing consent: Account settings → "Email preferences", or the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

You can also exercise any right by emailing CHANGE_ME@comparemycleaningquotes.com; we'll respond within one month. If you're unhappy with how we've handled your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk, though we'd appreciate the chance to put things right first.

7. How we protect your data

Security is built into the platform, not bolted on. We use encrypted (HTTPS) connections, store passwords using strong one-way hashing, and protect every form against cross-site request forgery. We harden user sessions against hijacking, throttle repeated login attempts, and apply spam protection, honeypots and rate-limiting across the site. Access to sensitive configuration is restricted, and we send strict security headers (including a content security policy) to reduce the risk of attacks. While no system can be guaranteed completely secure, we continually review and improve our safeguards.

8. Cookies

We use a small number of essential cookies to keep you logged in and to remember your cookie choice, plus optional cookies only if you accept them. Full details are in our Cookie Policy.

9. Children

Our service is intended for people aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with data, please contact us and we will delete it.

10. Changes to this policy & contact

We may update this policy from time to time; the version number and date at the top will always reflect the latest version, and significant changes affecting your rights will be brought to your attention. For any privacy question or request, contact us at CHANGE_ME@comparemycleaningquotes.com or write to us at United Kingdom.