Privacy Policy | British Curry Network

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This Privacy Policy explains how British Curry Network ("BCN", "we", "our" or "us") collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information when individuals access or use our website, mobile applications, member services, business directory, jobs portal, marketplace, events, newsletters and any other services provided by British Curry Network.

This Privacy Policy has been prepared in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Purpose

This Privacy Policy explains:

What personal information we collect.
Why we collect it.
How we use it.
Who we share it with.
How we protect it.
Your legal rights.
How to contact us.
Our aim is to be open, transparent and responsible in the way we process personal information.

Who We Are

British Curry Network is a professional network created to connect and support the British curry industry.

Our services may include:

Website
Mobile App
Business Directory
Restaurant Listings
Supplier Listings
Jobs Portal
Marketplace
Events
Training
Networking
News
Advertising
Membership Services
Whenever you use any BCN service this Privacy Policy applies unless a separate privacy notice is provided.

Information We Collect

Depending upon how you use British Curry Network, we may collect different categories of information.

Identity Information

Examples include:

Full name
Date of birth (where required)
Gender (optional)
Membership ID
Username
Profile photograph

Contact Information

We may collect:

Email address
Telephone number
Business telephone
Postal address
Business address

Business Information

Where applicable:

Restaurant name
Business type
Company number
VAT number
Food Hygiene Rating
Website
Social media
Business logo
Business description

Account Information

Including:

Login history
Password (encrypted)
Account settings
Notification preferences
Membership status

Payment Information

Where applicable we may collect:

Membership payments
Event payments
Advertising payments
Invoice history
BCN does not normally store full payment card details.
Payments may be processed securely by approved third-party payment providers.

Event Information

If you attend BCN events we may collect:

Registration details
Attendance records
Dietary requirements (where provided)
Accessibility requirements (where provided)
Photographs
Video recordings

Communications

We may retain:

Emails
Contact forms
Customer support enquiries
Marketplace messages
Business enquiries

Technical Information

Including:

IP Address
Browser
Device type
Operating system
Time zone
Device identifiers

Website Usage

We may collect:

Pages visited
Time spent
Search terms
Click behaviour
Referring websites

Cookies

BCN uses cookies and similar technologies.

Further information is available within our Cookie Policy.

How We Collect Information

We collect personal information in different ways.

Directly From You

For example when you:

Register
Become a member
Submit a business
Apply for a job
Contact BCN
Purchase advertising
Attend an event
Join training

Automatically

Certain information is collected automatically when using our website.

For example:

Cookies
Analytics
Device information
IP address
Browser settings

Third Parties

Where appropriate we may receive information from:

Payment providers
Event partners
Authentication providers
Public business registers
Social media integrations
Other lawful sources

Why We Use Your Information

British Curry Network only processes personal information where there is a lawful basis to do so.

To Provide Services

Including:

Creating accounts
Managing memberships
Publishing business listings
Operating the Jobs Portal
Running the Marketplace
Managing events

Customer Support

To:

Answer enquiries
Resolve complaints
Investigate issues
Improve services

Security

To:

Prevent fraud
Detect abuse
Protect members
Secure the platform

Communications

To send:

Membership updates
Event invitations
Newsletters
Service announcements
Security alerts
Marketing communications will only be sent where permitted by law or where you have given consent, and you can opt out at any time.

Legal Compliance

We may process information where necessary to:

Comply with UK law.
Respond to legal requests.
Protect our legal rights.
Prevent fraud.
Meet regulatory obligations.

Platform Improvement

We may analyse anonymised or aggregated information to:

Improve the website.
Develop new services.
Understand member needs.
Enhance user experience.
Improve security.
Where possible, this analysis is carried out using information that does not identify individual users.

Lawful Basis for Processing Personal Data

Our Legal Basis

British Curry Network ("BCN") only processes personal information where there is a lawful basis under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

Depending on the circumstances, we may rely on one or more of the following lawful bases.

Contract

We process personal information where it is necessary to perform a contract or to take steps before entering into a contract.

Examples include:

Creating and managing your BCN account.
Processing membership applications.
Managing business listings.
Providing access to member services.
Registering users for events.
Processing advertising and sponsorship services.
Managing marketplace transactions where applicable.
Providing customer support.

Legitimate Interests

We may process personal information where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided those interests do not override your rights and freedoms.

Examples include:

Improving our website and services.
Preventing fraud and abuse.
Protecting platform security.
Responding to enquiries.
Managing member relationships.
Developing new services.
Monitoring website performance.
Investigating complaints.
Maintaining accurate business records.
Whenever we rely on legitimate interests, we carefully balance our interests against your privacy rights.

Consent

Some processing activities rely on your consent.

For example:

Marketing emails.
Promotional newsletters.
Optional surveys.
Optional photographs or interviews.
Certain cookies and tracking technologies.
Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that took place before consent was withdrawn.

Legal Obligation

We may process personal information where necessary to comply with legal obligations, including:

Tax legislation.
Accounting requirements.
Court orders.
Regulatory investigations.
Law enforcement requests.
Anti-fraud obligations.

Vital Interests

In exceptional circumstances, we may process personal information where necessary to protect someone's vital interests, such as responding to a serious emergency where permitted by law.

Sharing Your Information

Our Approach

British Curry Network respects your privacy.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

We only share information where it is necessary to operate our services, comply with legal obligations or where you have authorised us to do so.

Service Providers

We may share personal information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate BCN.

These may include:

Website hosting providers.
Cloud storage providers.
Email service providers.
Payment processors.
Event management platforms.
Analytics providers.
Customer support platforms.
IT security providers.
These providers are only permitted to process personal information on our behalf and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Your Rights

Your Privacy Rights

British Curry Network ("BCN") respects your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Subject to applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information.

Right of Access

You have the right to request confirmation of whether BCN holds personal information about you.

You may also request:

A copy of your personal information.
Information about how your data is processed.
The purposes of processing.
Categories of information held.
Who your information has been shared with.
How long your information will be retained.
Your legal rights.
Where permitted by law, BCN will provide this information within the applicable legal timeframe.

Right to Rectification

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

You may also update much of your account information directly through your BCN member profile where this functionality is available.

Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

You may request that BCN deletes your personal information where:

The information is no longer necessary.
You withdraw consent where consent is the legal basis.
You successfully object to processing.
The information has been processed unlawfully.
Deletion is required by law.
This right is not absolute. BCN may retain information where required for legal, regulatory, accounting or legitimate business purposes.

Right to Restrict Processing

You may ask BCN to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances, including where:

You dispute its accuracy.
Processing is unlawful.
The information is no longer needed but you require it for legal claims.
You have objected to processing while the objection is being considered.

Right to Data Portability

Where processing is based on consent or a contract and carried out by automated means, you may request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

Where technically feasible, you may also request that the information be transferred directly to another organisation.

Right to Object

You may object to the processing of your personal information where processing is based on BCN's legitimate interests.

You may also object at any time to direct marketing communications.

Where you opt out of marketing, BCN will continue to send essential service-related communications where necessary.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Where BCN relies on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact British Curry Network using the contact details provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.

BCN may request reasonable evidence of identity before responding to certain requests.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, smartphone or other device when you visit a website.

Cookies help websites function correctly, improve performance and remember user preferences.

Types of Cookies Used

BCN may use several categories of cookies, including:

Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the operation of our website.

Examples include:

Login sessions.
Security features.
User authentication.
Website functionality.
These cookies cannot normally be disabled without affecting website performance.
Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website.

Examples include:

Pages visited.
Time spent on pages.
Navigation paths.
Device information.
Website performance.
This information helps improve BCN services.
Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your preferences, such as:

Language settings.
Accessibility preferences.
Display options.
Saved settings.
Marketing Cookies

Where applicable and with your consent, marketing cookies may be used to:

Measure advertising performance.
Deliver relevant promotional content.
Improve marketing campaigns.

Managing Cookies

You may control cookies through:

Browser settings.
Cookie consent preferences.
Device settings.
Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of BCN services.

Cookie Policy

Further details are available in the separate British Curry Network Cookie Policy.

Children's Privacy

Age Requirement

British Curry Network is intended primarily for individuals aged 18 years or over.

Where services are made available to younger individuals, additional safeguards may apply.

Information About Children

BCN does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

If we become aware that personal information relating to a child has been collected unlawfully, we will take reasonable steps to delete that information promptly.

Parents and Guardians

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to BCN without appropriate authorisation, please contact us immediately.

Third-Party Websites & Services

External Links

The British Curry Network website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties.

These may include:

Restaurant websites.
Supplier websites.
Social media platforms.
Government websites.
Industry organisations.
Payment providers.
Event partners.

Independent Privacy Policies

Third-party websites operate independently from BCN.

When visiting external websites, you should review their own:

Privacy Policies.
Terms & Conditions.
Cookie Policies.
BCN is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

Third-Party Integrations

BCN may integrate services provided by third parties to improve functionality.

Examples may include:

Payment gateways.
Maps.
Video hosting.
Social media sharing.
Analytics services.
Email delivery platforms.
These providers process information in accordance with their own privacy practices and any contractual obligations they have with BCN.

Automated Decision-Making & Profiling

Automated Processing

BCN may use limited automated processes to help operate and protect its services.

Examples may include:

Spam detection.
Fraud prevention.
Security monitoring.
Website analytics.
Content moderation tools.

No Significant Automated Decisions

BCN does not currently make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects on individuals solely through automated processing.

Important decisions affecting membership, complaints, suspensions or other significant matters will normally involve human review.

Future Technologies

As BCN develops new services, including artificial intelligence or advanced automation, this Privacy Policy will be updated where necessary.

Where legally required, users will be informed about significant changes affecting the processing of personal information.

Transparency

BCN is committed to ensuring that any future automated processing is carried out responsibly, fairly and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.

Marketing Communications

Our Approach

British Curry Network ("BCN") may send communications to keep members and users informed about our services, activities and developments.

We aim to ensure that all communications are relevant, appropriate and compliant with applicable UK laws, including the UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Types of Communications

BCN may send:

Membership updates
Industry news
Event invitations
Training opportunities
Business networking opportunities
Newsletters
Marketplace updates
Jobs Portal updates
Service announcements
Security notifications
Surveys and feedback requests
Promotional offers (where permitted)

Marketing Consent

Where required by law, BCN will obtain your consent before sending marketing communications.

You may choose whether to receive:

Email marketing
SMS notifications
Push notifications
Promotional newsletters
Event promotions
Business opportunities
Giving consent is entirely voluntary.

Withdrawing Consent

You may withdraw your consent to receive marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails.
Updating your communication preferences in your BCN account.
Contacting BCN directly.
Withdrawal of marketing consent does not affect essential service communications.

Service Communications

Even if you opt out of marketing, BCN may continue to send important service-related communications, including:

Account notifications
Password resets
Security alerts
Membership updates
Payment confirmations
Changes to our legal documents
Important platform announcements
These communications are necessary for the operation of BCN services.

Data Breaches

Our Commitment

British Curry Network takes data security seriously and maintains procedures designed to identify, investigate and respond to personal data breaches promptly.

What Is a Personal Data Breach?

A personal data breach may include:

Unauthorised access to personal information.
Accidental disclosure of personal information.
Loss of personal information.
Destruction of personal information.
Theft of personal information.
Cyber attacks.
Ransomware incidents.
Human error resulting in disclosure.

Our Response

If a personal data breach occurs, BCN will:

Investigate the incident.
Secure affected systems.
Assess the risks.
Take appropriate corrective action.
Record the incident.
Notify affected individuals where required.
Notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) where legally required.

User Responsibilities

Users should notify BCN immediately if they become aware of:

Suspicious account activity.
Lost devices containing BCN information.
Unauthorised access.
Suspected hacking.
Security vulnerabilities.
Fraudulent communications claiming to be from BCN.
Prompt reporting helps us minimise risks to users and the platform.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

Continuous Improvement

As British Curry Network develops new services, technology and features, this Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect those changes.

Updates may also be made to ensure continued compliance with changes in UK legislation or regulatory guidance.

Notification of Changes

Where appropriate, BCN may notify users of significant changes through:

Website notices.
Email notifications.
Member newsletters.
Mobile app notifications.
Other official communication channels.
Minor updates may be published without individual notification.

Latest Version

The latest version of this Privacy Policy will always be available on the official British Curry Network website.

Users are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy periodically.

Continued Use

By continuing to use BCN services after updates have been published, users acknowledge the revised Privacy Policy.

Where changes require fresh consent under applicable law, BCN will obtain that consent before applying the new processing activity.

Complaints

Our Commitment

British Curry Network is committed to handling privacy concerns fairly, transparently and promptly.

If you have concerns about how we process your personal information, we encourage you to contact us first so that we have an opportunity to resolve the matter.

Making a Complaint

To help us investigate your concern efficiently, please provide:

Your full name.
Contact details.
A description of your concern.
Relevant dates.
Supporting information where available.
We may contact you if further information is required.

Investigation Process

BCN will:

Acknowledge your complaint.
Review the information provided.
Investigate the matter fairly.
Respond within a reasonable period.
Explain any action taken where appropriate.
Complex matters may require additional time, and we will keep you informed of progress where possible.

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

If you remain dissatisfied after contacting BCN, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent authority for data protection.

The ICO can be contacted through its official website or other published contact methods.

Making a complaint to the ICO does not affect any other legal rights you may have.

Contact Information

Data Protection Enquiries

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how British Curry Network processes personal information, please contact us using the details below.

British Curry Network

Website: https://britishcurrynetwork.co.uk

Email: info@britishcurrynetwork.co.uk

Privacy Requests

Requests relating to:

Access to personal information.
Correction of personal information.
Deletion requests.
Restriction of processing.
Data portability.
Withdrawal of consent.
General privacy enquiries.
should be submitted using the official contact details published on the BCN website.
BCN may request proof of identity before responding to certain requests in order to protect personal information.

Response Times

BCN aims to respond to privacy enquiries and data protection requests within the timeframes required by applicable UK data protection law.

Where a request is particularly complex or involves a large amount of information, additional time may be permitted under UK GDPR. If this applies, BCN will inform you and explain the reason for the extension.

Future Contact Details

As British Curry Network grows, additional contact channels or a dedicated Data Protection Officer (DPO) or privacy contact may be appointed. The latest contact details will always be published on the official BCN website.

Record Keeping & Accountability

Our Commitment

British Curry Network ("BCN") is committed to demonstrating accountability in the way personal information is collected, processed, stored and protected.

We maintain appropriate records of our data processing activities where required by applicable data protection legislation.

Data Processing Records

BCN may maintain internal records relating to:

Categories of personal information processed.
Purposes of processing.
Lawful basis for processing.
Data retention periods.
Security measures.
Third-party service providers.
International data transfers.
Data protection impact assessments (where applicable).
Security incidents and responses.
These records help demonstrate compliance with UK GDPR and support good governance.

Staff Confidentiality

Any employees, contractors, consultants or authorised representatives who have access to personal information are required to:

Handle information confidentially.
Use information only for authorised purposes.
Follow BCN's internal data protection procedures.
Comply with applicable confidentiality obligations.
Access to personal information is limited to those who require it for legitimate business purposes.

Data Protection Reviews

BCN may periodically review its privacy practices, internal procedures and security arrangements to ensure they remain appropriate, effective and compliant with applicable legislation.

Reviews may result in updates to this Privacy Policy or related procedures.

Data Protection Principles

Our Principles

British Curry Network is committed to processing personal information in accordance with the core principles of UK GDPR.

We aim to ensure that personal information is:

Processed lawfully, fairly and transparently.
Collected for specified and legitimate purposes.
Limited to what is necessary.
Accurate and kept up to date.
Retained only for as long as necessary.
Protected through appropriate security measures.
Processed in a way that demonstrates accountability.

Data Minimisation

BCN seeks to collect only the personal information that is reasonably necessary to provide its services and fulfil its legal obligations.

We avoid collecting excessive or irrelevant information.

Accuracy

We encourage users to keep their personal information accurate and up to date.

Where inaccuracies are identified, BCN will take reasonable steps to correct or update the information promptly.

Security by Design

Where practical, BCN aims to consider privacy and security during the design and development of new services, systems and technologies.

This approach helps reduce risks and improve protection for users.

Policy Governance

Ownership of this Policy

This Privacy Policy is owned and maintained by British Curry Network.

Responsibility for reviewing and updating the Policy rests with BCN management or any individual authorised by BCN to oversee legal and compliance documentation.

Review Schedule

This Privacy Policy will normally be reviewed:

At least once every 12 months.
Following significant changes in UK legislation.
Following major platform developments.
After significant security incidents.
When introducing new services involving personal information.

Acceptance of this Privacy Policy

Acceptance

By accessing or using any British Curry Network website, mobile application or digital service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

Where your consent is required for particular processing activities, BCN will request your consent separately.

Continued Use

Your continued use of BCN services following publication of updates to this Privacy Policy constitutes acknowledgement of those changes, except where fresh consent is required under applicable law.

Questions

If anything within this Privacy Policy is unclear, we encourage you to contact British Curry Network before continuing to use our services.

We are committed to providing clear explanations regarding our privacy practices.

Final Privacy Statement

British Curry Network was established to connect, support and strengthen the British curry industry.

We recognise that trust is fundamental to achieving this goal.

Protecting your personal information is an important part of earning and maintaining that trust.

We are committed to:

Respecting your privacy.
Being transparent about how information is used.
Protecting personal information through appropriate security measures.
Processing information responsibly.
Continually improving our privacy practices.
Complying with applicable UK data protection legislation.
We appreciate the confidence you place in British Curry Network and thank you for being part of our growing community.