Privacy policy
Last updated 2026-09-07. This policy explains what See The Smoke collects, why, and what you can ask us to do about it. It is written for UK data protection law, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and to be readable by a person rather than a lawyer.
Who we are
See The Smoke is operated by Code X Elite Ltd, which is the data controller for the personal data described here. You can reach our privacy contact at privacy@seethesmoke.com.
What we collect
When you simply browse
Standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages requested, timestamps) kept for security and troubleshooting, and Google Analytics 4 measurement data. Google Analytics sets cookies and processes data about your visit. We turn on IP anonymisation by default. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on or by blocking cookies in your browser.
When you claim or add a business
Your name, email address, business name, trade and borough. If you create an account we also store a hashed password. We never store your password in readable form.
When you pay for featured placement
Payments are processed by PayPal. Your card or PayPal credentials go to PayPal, never to us. We receive and store a transaction identifier, the amount, the date and the status so we can honour what you bought and handle refunds.
Business listings
Listings marked Unclaimed contain business contact details published under the Open Database Licence by OpenStreetMap contributors. These are business contact details, not personal information about a private individual. If you are the owner and want a listing corrected or removed, email contact@seethesmoke.com and we will action it within seven days.
Our lawful basis
Under the UK GDPR we rely on your consent when you submit a form, create an account or agree to analytics cookies; on our legitimate interests for security logging and for measuring how the site is used, kept in balance with your rights; and on a legal obligation for keeping payment records. You can withdraw consent at any time by closing your account, changing your cookie choice, or emailing us.
Who we share it with
Only the suppliers who make the service work: our host (DreamHost), Google Analytics, PayPal, and our email provider. We do not sell personal data, and we do not share it for anyone else's advertising. Some of these suppliers are based outside the UK, so your data may be transferred abroad. Where it is, that transfer is covered by UK adequacy regulations or by standard contractual clauses and the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, so your data keeps an equivalent level of protection.
How long we keep it
Account data for as long as your account is open, then twelve months. Payment records for six years, because UK tax law requires it. Server logs for ninety days. Analytics data for fourteen months.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you can ask for a copy of what we hold, ask us to correct it, ask us to delete it, ask us to restrict or stop using it, and ask for it in a portable form. Email privacy@seethesmoke.com and we will reply within one month. If you are not happy with how we handle your data you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, though we would rather you came to us first so we can put it right.
Cookies
We use one set of cookies for Google Analytics measurement, set with your consent, and a session cookie once you sign in. There is no advertising or cross-site tracking on this site.
Children
This site is not aimed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their information.
Changes
If we change this policy we will update the date at the top and, for anything significant, email account holders.