Privacy Policy

Last updated: 27 November 2025

Short version: we use your data to run PlacePins, send you the things you’ve asked for (like magic links and alerts), and to understand how the product is used so we can improve it. We do not sell your personal data.

This Privacy Policy explains how PlacePins (“we”, “us”) collects, uses and shares personal data when you use the PlacePins website and service (the “Service”).

This document is written to be clear and human, but it is still a legal document. It is based on UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

PlacePins is a web service that lets people post and discover time-limited “pins” on a map. The legal entity operating PlacePins will be identified on this page once incorporated. Until then, references to “we” and “us” mean the operator of the PlacePins website available at https://placepins.com.

2. What data we collect

2.1 Data you give us

• Email address – when you:
  • create a pin,
  • save a search,
  • ask for a magic link or OTP,
  • sign up for alerts or digests.
• Pin content – text, links, images, audio, live-video links and event details you post.
• Chat content – messages you post on pin chat feeds and any “Thanks” you give to other users.
• Payment details – we do not store your card number. Card details are handled by our payment provider (for example, Stripe). We receive limited information such as transaction IDs, last 4 digits of the card and status of the payment.
• Support messages – emails or messages you send to us.

2.2 Data collected automatically

• Usage data – e.g. pages visited, pins viewed, clicks on links, dates and times of actions, approximate location derived from IP address.
• Device and browser data – e.g. browser type and version, operating system, screen size.
• Logs – standard server logs (IP address, URL, referrer, time of request, error messages).
• Cookies and similar technologies – small text files stored on your device to:
  • keep you in the same session so we remember things like your map position and email,
  • remember preferences (e.g. view mode),
  • measure usage and performance via analytics and ads tools.

2.3 Location data

When you allow it in your browser, we use your device’s geolocation to centre the map around you and power features like “pins near me” or proximity alerts. You can revoke this permission at any time via your browser or device settings.

3. How we use your data

We use your personal data for the following purposes and legal bases:

3.1 To provide the Service

• Create and display pins, events and chat messages.
• Send magic links and OTPs so you can manage your pins and likes without a password.
• Store and respect your saved searches, alerts and preferences.

Legal basis: performance of a contract (providing the Service you use).

3.2 To process payments

• Process payments for paid pins, extensions and promotions.
• Handle refunds and transaction history.

Legal basis: performance of a contract; compliance with legal obligations around accounting and tax.

3.3 To send you emails and notifications

• Service emails (magic links, OTP codes, confirmation of pins and payments).
• Alerts you ask for (saved search alerts, proximity alerts, chat messages on your pins, followers’ new pins, expiry reminders).
• Optional digests and updates, if you opt in.

Legal basis: performance of a contract and/or your consent (depending on the communication). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time.

3.4 To keep PlacePins safe and fair

• Detect abuse, spam and fraud.
• Investigate and act on reports of abusive or illegal content.
• Protect our legal rights and those of other users.

Legal basis: legitimate interests (keeping the Service safe and usable) and legal obligations.

3.5 To understand and improve the Service

• Analyse which features are used and which areas of the map are busiest.
• Measure the effectiveness of paid pins, features, notifications and marketing campaigns.
• Debug issues and improve performance.

Legal basis: legitimate interests in running and improving the Service.

4. Analytics and advertising

We plan to use analytics and advertising tools such as Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, Meta (Facebook) Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag and TikTok Ads tools. These may set cookies or similar technologies to measure how people use PlacePins and how ad campaigns perform.

When required by law, we will ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies (for example via a cookie banner). You can change your mind at any time using your browser settings or any preference tools we provide.

5. When we share your data

We share personal data with:

• Service providers who help us run PlacePins, for example:
  • cloud hosting providers,
  • email delivery services,
  • payment processors (e.g. Stripe),
  • analytics and error-tracking providers.
• Law enforcement and regulators where we are legally required to, or where it is necessary to protect someone’s vital interests or our legal rights.
• Other users to the extent you choose to share content (for example, pins, chat messages, your public username and reputation metrics).

We do not sell your personal data.

6. International transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside the UK or the European Economic Area. Where this happens, we will make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the UK or EU, or that the destination country has been recognised as providing an adequate level of protection.

7. How long we keep your data

• Pin content and chat messages – for as long as they are live on the Service and for a reasonable period afterwards for back-ups, audits and dispute resolution.
• Account-like identifiers (email, magic link tokens, OTP records) – for as long as needed to provide the Service and comply with legal obligations.
• Transaction records – typically 6 years or as required by tax and accounting rules.
• Analytics data – for as long as needed for analysis, usually in aggregated or pseudonymised form.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights over your personal data, including to:

• access a copy of your personal data,
• correct inaccurate data,
• delete your data in some circumstances,
• restrict or object to certain processing,
• withdraw consent where we rely on consent,
• port your data to another service, where technically feasible.

To exercise these rights, contact us at placepins@placepins.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request.

You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority. In the UK, that is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): https://ico.org.uk.

9. Children

PlacePins is not designed for children under 13. If you are under 13, please do not use PlacePins or send us your personal data. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a child under 13, we will delete it.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the new version on this page with a new “Last updated” date. If the changes are significant, we may also notify you by email or within the Service.

11. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, email placepins@placepins.com.