Privacy policy

What we collect

We collect only what we need to run The Pub Exchange:

• Account details. If you create an account, we store your email address and an encrypted password so you can log in, log your pints and track your passport.
• Newsletter sign-ups. If you subscribe, we store your email address and use it only to send you Pub Exchange emails. Every email has a one-click unsubscribe link.
• Submissions. If you submit a price update or suggest a pub, we store what you send (including your email if you leave one) so we can verify and follow up on the submission.
• Partner enquiries. If you contact us about listing your pub, we store your pub name, contact details and message.
• Analytics. We collect privacy-friendly, anonymised usage data (pages visited, device type, country) to understand how the site is used. We do not build advertising profiles.

What we never do

• We never sell or rent your personal data.
• We never share your email address with pubs, partners or third parties for their own marketing.
• We never use your data for anything other than running and improving The Pub Exchange.

Who processes your data (third parties)

To run the site we use a small number of trusted service providers, each acting as a data processor under UK/EU data protection standards:

• Hosting, database and authentication - our cloud backend provider stores account, submission and newsletter data in encrypted form.
• Email delivery - our email provider processes your email address to send newsletters and transactional messages you asked for.
• Maps and photos - map tiles, venue photos and related lookups are provided by third-party mapping and imagery services. When you view a map, your browser may share your IP address (and location, if you allow it) with those services.
• AI providers - see the section below.

We only share the minimum data each provider needs, and only to provide the service to you. We keep your data only for as long as needed to provide the service, or until you ask us to delete it. Passwords are stored in encrypted form; we can never see them.

How we use AI

Some features use artificial intelligence, for example our pub crawl planner, which generates suggested routes from the preferences you type in. When you use these features, the text you enter is sent to an AI provider to generate a response. We do not send your account details, email address or other personal data to AI providers, and AI-generated suggestions are for inspiration only - always check opening times and drink responsibly. AI responses may occasionally be inaccurate.

Deleting your data

You can permanently delete your account at any time from inside the app. This removes your profile, login, passport history and personal data. Content you submitted publicly (such as a verified price) may be kept in anonymised form, with anything identifying you removed.

Cookies

We use a small number of functional cookies and local storage items, for example to keep you signed in and remember your preferences. We do not use third-party advertising cookies.

Your rights (UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

• Access a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct any inaccurate data.
• Delete your account and personal data. You can do this yourself inside the app, or by emailing us.
• Unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link in every email, or by contacting us.
• Object to or restrict how we process your data.

To exercise any of these rights, email info@thepubexchange.com. We respond within 30 days. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Security

We use encryption in transit, access controls and row-level security on our database to keep your data safe. No system is perfectly secure, but we work hard to protect your information and will notify affected users promptly if a serious breach ever occurs.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy we will update the date at the top. Significant changes will be flagged on the site.

Questions? Contact us or email info@thepubexchange.com.