Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

LOST CIRCLE LTD ("we", "us", or "our") is a UK-based company specialising in managed software delivery and managed engineering teams. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or engage with our services.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. As the data controller, we are responsible for how your personal data is processed.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

When you contact us through our website contact form, we collect the following information to respond to your enquiry:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number (if provided)
• Company name
• Message content and any other details you choose to share

2.2 Information Collected Through Scheduling Tools

If you use our consultation booking or scheduling tools, we collect information necessary to arrange and manage meetings, including:

• Preferred meeting times and dates
• Timezone information
• Calendar availability
• Any additional context or requirements you provide

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages you visit and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of your visit

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to your enquiries about our managed software delivery and engineering team services
• To schedule and manage consultations, discovery calls, and client meetings
• To provide information about our services and capabilities (with your consent or where we have a legitimate business interest)
• To deliver and manage our services when you engage us as a client
• To improve our website, services, and client experience
• To analyse website usage patterns and understand how visitors interact with our content
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• To protect our business interests and prevent misuse

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following lawful bases:

• Consent: When you explicitly opt in to receive marketing communications, newsletters, or updates about our services
• Legitimate Interest: For B2B communications with potential clients, website analytics to improve our services, and business development activities where we have a genuine business interest that does not override your rights
• Contract Performance: To deliver our managed software delivery and engineering team services, manage client relationships, and fulfil contractual obligations
• Legal Obligation: To comply with UK laws, tax requirements, and regulatory obligations

5. Analytics

We use analytics tools, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors interact with our website. These tools collect anonymised information such as page views, time spent on pages, user interactions, and traffic sources. This data helps us improve our website content, user experience, and understand which services generate the most interest.

Google Analytics uses cookies and similar tracking technologies. You can opt-out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by adjusting your browser settings to reject cookies. For more information, please see our Cookies Policy.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party vendors and processors who assist us in operating our website and providing our services (e.g., hosting providers, email service providers, analytics providers)
• Sub-processors: Our service providers may use sub-processors to assist in delivering services to us
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale of assets, or acquisition

All third-party processors are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

7. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside the UK and European Economic Area (EEA). When we transfer your personal data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
• Adequacy decisions by the UK government
• Other appropriate safeguards as required by UK GDPR

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Our retention periods are:

• Contact Form Submissions: Retained for 3 years from the date of submission, unless you become a client
• Client Data: Retained for the duration of our business relationship plus 7 years for legal and accounting purposes
• Marketing Communications: Retained until you opt-out or withdraw consent
• Analytics Data: Retained in aggregated and anonymised form

9. Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and software updates
• Access controls, authentication procedures, and principle of least privilege
• Staff training on data protection and security best practices
• Secure hosting infrastructure and trusted service providers

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to certain conditions)
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of how we process your data
• Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@lostcircle.uk. We will respond to your request within one month, though we may extend this period by a further two months if your request is complex. We will inform you if this extension is necessary.

11. Marketing Preferences

If you have opted in to receive marketing communications from us, you can opt out at any time by:

• Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email we send
• Contacting us directly at info@lostcircle.uk

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still contact you regarding your account, our services, or to respond to your enquiries.

12. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies. For detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookies Policy.

13. Children's Privacy

Our services are directed to businesses and professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete such information.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

15. How to Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights under UK GDPR, or have concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us:

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your personal data in accordance with UK GDPR. You can contact the ICO at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.