Privacy notice

Who we are

Bedford Tech is run by a small group of volunteer organisers, who together act as the data controller for this site. Until our dedicated email address goes live, the fastest way to reach us is to message an organiser in the community chat. A public contact email is on the way.

What we collect

When you join, we collect your name and email address. You can sign in with Google, in which case Google gives us your name and email to create your account. As the site grows, your profile may include more information you choose to share, such as what you do, your skills, and links to your work. If you send a direct message to another member, we store that message on the site so the conversation stays there for both of you. We only ever hold what you give us. To keep you signed in, the site sets one essential cookie; there is no advertising and no third-party tracking.

Why we use it, and our legal basis

• Running your membership (your account, login, and taking part in the member directory): we do this to perform our contract with you, the membership you signed up for.
• Community administration and security (keeping the site safe, dealing with conduct issues, preventing abuse): we do this under our legitimate interests in running a safe, working community.

How long we keep it

We keep your account data for as long as you have an account. If you delete your account, it deactivates immediately and is permanently wiped after a 14-day grace period (logging back in during those 14 days cancels the deletion). After that, anything you posted stays but is anonymised and shown as "Deleted member", with your personal details removed.

Who else touches your data

We use Google Firebase (Google Cloud) to host the site and store data, and Brevo to send emails such as account confirmations. Both act as processors on our instructions. We do not sell your data or share it with anyone else.

Your rights

You have the right to see the data we hold about you, correct it, object to how we use it, and have it erased (deleting your account does exactly that). To exercise any of these, message an organiser in the community chat; a dedicated email address for these requests is on the way. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.