Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

This policy describes how Business Pathfinder ("we", "us", "our") collects and uses personal data when you visit the Site. We are the data controller for the limited personal data processed through Business Pathfinder. For the purposes of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you can reach us via our contact page.

2. What data we collect

Business Pathfinder is a mostly read-only publication. We deliberately collect very little personal data. The categories of data we may process are:

• Information you give us via the contact form — your name, email address and the contents of any message you send.
• Quiz inputs — answers you provide to the AI-powered Idea Quiz (e.g. time available, budget, skills, risk appetite). These are processed to generate your idea recommendations.
• Technical data — IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL and pages visited. Collected automatically via our hosting platform and any analytics tool we use.
• Local storage data — small flags stored in your browser (not on our servers) to remember preferences such as having dismissed the offer banner.
• Affiliate click data — when you click an outbound link to a partner such as Tide or Capital on Tap, the partner may set its own cookies / tracking parameters so it can attribute the referral to us. This is handled by the partner, not by us.

We do not ask for or store financial information, identity documents, payment card data or account credentials.

3. How we use your data & legal bases

• To respond to enquiries sent via the contact form — legal basis: legitimate interest in operating a responsive publication, and where applicable, taking steps at your request prior to a possible agreement.
• To generate quiz recommendations — legal basis: performance of a service you requested by submitting the quiz.
• To monitor and improve the Site (analytics, debugging, security) — legal basis: legitimate interest in running a safe, performant website.
• To earn affiliate commissions when you click an outbound link and sign up with a partner — legal basis: legitimate interest in funding the Site, balanced against your interest in transparent disclosure (see our Terms).
• To comply with legal obligations we are subject to.

4. Cookies & similar technologies

Business Pathfinder uses a small number of strictly necessary cookies and browser storage items, plus (where applicable) privacy-respecting analytics. Affiliate partners may set their own cookies when you click out to them. Full detail is in our Cookie Policy.

5. Sharing your data

We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with:

• our hosting and infrastructure providers, who process data on our behalf strictly to deliver the Site;
• analytics providers, where used, configured to minimise personal data;
• affiliate networks and partners, but only to the extent that you click an outbound link and they receive a referral attribution;
• law enforcement or regulators where we are legally required to do so.

6. International transfers

Some of our suppliers (for example hosting and email infrastructure) may process data outside the UK. Where this is the case, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses, or transfers to countries the UK government considers adequate.

7. How long we keep data

• Contact form messages: up to 24 months after the last related correspondence.
• Quiz answers: processed in-session; if stored at all, retained no longer than 12 months in aggregated/de-identified form.
• Analytics / server logs: typically up to 14 months.

8. Your rights under UK GDPR

You have the right to: access the personal data we hold about you; request correction; request deletion; restrict or object to processing; data portability; and to withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent. To exercise any of these rights, contact us via the contact page. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).

9. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures — including HTTPS, access controls and reputable providers — to protect your data. No internet service can be 100% secure, but we work to keep risks low.

10. Children

Business Pathfinder is intended for adults aged 18+ who are exploring starting a business. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the Site evolves. The "Last updated" date at the top of the page will always reflect the latest version.