Privacy Policy
This policy explains what personal data Cowacks collects, why, and what your rights are. It applies to visitors of cowacks.com and anyone who contacts Cowacks by email.
1. Who we are
Cowacks is a sole trader web design and digital marketing service operated by Jack, based in Thame, Oxfordshire. For the purposes of UK data protection law, Jack is the data controller for personal data collected through this website.
You can reach me at hello@cowacks.com with any questions about this policy.
2. What data we collect
Data you give us directly
When you contact Cowacks by email (via the mailto links on this site), you may provide:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Any information you choose to include in your message
Data collected automatically
This website uses Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how visitors use the site. Analytics only loads if you accept cookies. It may collect:
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Approximate location (country or region level)
- Device type and browser
- How you arrived at the site (e.g. search engine, direct link)
This data is anonymised and aggregated. It does not identify you personally.
3. Why we collect it
| Data | Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Email enquiries | To respond to your message and discuss potential work | Legitimate interests |
| Client project data | To deliver the agreed service and fulfil contractual obligations | Contract performance |
| Analytics data | To understand how the site is used and improve it | Consent |
4. How long we keep your data
- Email enquiries: kept for up to 12 months, then deleted unless a project has started.
- Client project data: kept for 6 years after project completion to comply with HMRC requirements for sole trader records.
- Analytics data: retained by Google for 14 months, as configured in GA4.
5. Who we share data with
Cowacks does not sell or rent personal data to anyone. Data may be shared with:
- Google Analytics: anonymised usage data only, and only with your consent. Google's privacy policy.
- Zoho Mail: email is processed via Zoho's EU data centre servers. Zoho's privacy policy.
- HMRC: if required by law for tax purposes.
6. Your rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Access the personal data held about you
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data (where no legal obligation requires it to be kept)
- Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Withdraw consent for analytics at any time (via your browser or cookie settings)
- Lodge a complaint with the ICO at ico.org.uk
To exercise any of these rights, email hello@cowacks.com. I'll respond within 30 days.
7. Cookies
This site uses cookies for analytics purposes, but only with your consent. See the Cookie Policy for full details.
8. Changes to this policy
This policy will be updated if the way data is collected or used changes. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any revisions.