Privacy Policy

Last updated: [2025/5/26]

Welcome to CougarHookup.co.uk. Your privacy is important to us, and we’re committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from you, how we use it, and your rights under UK privacy laws.

By using our website or app, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our services.

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of CougarHookup.co.uk, including visitors, registered members, and anyone who accesses our platform. It covers the personal information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and other applicable laws.

Our services are intended for users aged 18 and over only.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to help you connect with other users, customize your experience, and keep the platform secure. This includes:

• Profile Information – Name, age, gender, photos, location, bio, and preferences you provide when creating your account.
• Contact Details – Email address, phone number (if provided), and communication preferences.
• Usage Data – Logins, clicks, page views, messages sent, matches made, and other interactions with our site or app.
• Device Information – Browser type, IP address, device ID, and operating system.
• Payment Information – Billing details (handled by third-party payment processors; we do not store full payment data).
• Cookies & Tracking – Information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 7 for more).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to provide a safe, engaging, and tailored dating experience. Specifically, we may use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Display your profile to compatible matches
• Deliver personalized content and match suggestions
• Send service notifications and promotional messages (you can opt out anytime)
• Respond to customer support requests
• Monitor platform activity for safety and compliance
• Improve our website, services, and user experience

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases to process your data:

• Consent – When you voluntarily provide personal information (e.g. signing up, uploading photos)
• Contract – When processing is necessary to provide our services to you
• Legitimate Interests – To improve our platform, prevent fraud, and maintain security
• Legal Obligation – When required to comply with applicable laws or law enforcement requests

5. Who We Share Information With

We treat your data with care. We only share it when necessary and in line with this policy. We may share your information with:

• Service Providers – Companies that help us run our site (hosting, analytics, email delivery, payment processing)
• Other Users – Information you choose to share on your profile may be visible to other members
• Legal Authorities – If required to comply with legal obligations or enforce our terms

We never sell your data to advertisers or third parties.

6. Data Storage & Retention

We keep your personal data only as long as necessary to provide our services or comply with legal obligations. Specifically:

• Your profile data is stored as long as your account is active
• If you delete your account, we remove your profile and personal information from public view
• Some data (e.g. support logs or transaction records) may be retained for legal or fraud prevention purposes

All data is stored securely using encryption and other protective measures.

7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience on CougarHookup.co.uk. These small files help us:

• Remember your login and preferences
• Analyze site traffic and user behavior
• Personalize content and match suggestions
• Deliver relevant promotional content (with your consent)

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings at any time. However, disabling essential cookies may impact how the site functions. For more detail, please see our separate [Cookie Policy] (link if applicable).

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

As a UK user, you have specific rights regarding your personal data:

• Access – Request a copy of the data we hold about you
• Correction – Ask us to fix incorrect or outdated information
• Deletion – Request that your data be permanently deleted
• Restriction – Limit how we use your data in certain situations
• Objection – Opt out of data processing for direct marketing
• Data Portability – Request to transfer your data to another service

To exercise any of these rights, email us at [[email protected]]. We may require ID verification before processing your request.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.

9. Age Restrictions

CougarHookup.co.uk is intended for adults 18 years or older. We do not knowingly collect or store personal data from anyone under the age of 18. If we become aware that a user is underage, their account and data will be deleted promptly.

If you suspect someone under 18 is using the platform, please contact us immediately.

10. How We Protect Your Data

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, misuse, or loss. This includes:

• Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS)
• Secure servers and databases
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular monitoring and security updates

While no system is 100% secure, we work hard to keep your data safe and maintain your trust.

11. Contacting Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests about your privacy or this policy, you can contact us at:

Email: [[email protected]]

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 30 days.

12. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or user feedback.

When we make changes, we’ll update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Significant changes may also be communicated via email or platform notifications.

We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we’re protecting your data.