Privacy Policy for Antiques United

1. Overview and Data Controller

Antiques United (accessible at antiquesunited.co.uk) is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, store, process, and protect your personal information when you use our website, register an account, or interact with our showcase platform. For the purposes of data protection legislation, the Data Controller responsible for your personal information is Antiques United.

2. Information We Collect and Why We Collect It

We collect personal information through several interactions across the platform. When visitors register an account or complete profile information, we store the details provided, including names and email addresses, to manage member access and showcase listings. If you submit inquiries through contact forms, your details and message contents are processed to respond directly to your request. When visitors leave comments or listings on the site, we collect the data provided in the form along with the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to assist with automated spam detection. If you upload images to the website, you should avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as public visitors can download and extract location details from published media.

3. Cookies and Display Preferences

Our website utilizes standard cookies to maintain session functionality and enhance user experience. If you visit our login page, a temporary cookie is set to determine if your browser accepts cookies; this cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser. When you log into an account, cookies are saved to preserve your credentials and screen display preferences. Login cookies persist for two days, screen options cookies remain active for one year, and selecting the “Remember Me” option maintains your session for two weeks. Logging out immediately removes these authentication cookies. Commenters may also opt into saving their details in long-term cookies for convenience on future visits. You can manage or disable cookie settings directly within your web browser preferences at any time.

4. Data Retention and Security Safeguards

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the operational purposes outlined in this policy or to satisfy legal and accounting requirements. Registered account profiles and their associated metadata are retained for as long as the account remains active, granting users full control to view, edit, or delete their profile information at any time. Public comments and associated metadata are retained indefinitely to automatically recognize and approve follow-up entries. All personal data is stored on secure servers located within the United Kingdom, protected by administrative and technical security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure. In the event of a personal data breach, we maintain strict internal procedures to notify relevant regulatory bodies and affected individuals within seventy-two hours where legally required.

5. Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law

Under UK data protection law, you possess explicit rights regarding your personal information. If you maintain an account on this site or have submitted content, you hold the right to request an exported file of the personal data we hold about you. You also maintain the right to request that we rectify inaccurate information or erase your personal data entirely. This right to erasure does not apply to data we are legally, administratively, or securely obligated to retain. Requests regarding data access, corrections, or deletion can be made directly to the site administration.

6. Third-Party Services and Embedded Content

Pages on this site may feature embedded content, such as videos, maps, or external tools provided by third parties. Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same manner as if the visitor had navigated directly to the external domain, meaning those third parties may collect data, deploy cookies, or monitor your interaction. Furthermore, automated security and spam verification tools may scan visitor inputs to maintain platform safety. Antiques United does not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Policy Updates and Contact Information

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect updates in legal requirements or platform features. Revisions will be published directly to this page, and continued use of the site following updates constitutes acceptance of the modified terms. For any questions regarding this policy or to exercise your statutory data rights, please contact the site administration through the contact channels on Antiques United.