At crcle, your privacy is our priority. We are dedicated to protecting your personal data and ensuring it is handled securely, transparently, and in full compliance with the UK GDPR and other applicable data protection laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information, and outlines your rights regarding your personal data.

1. Information We Collect

We collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Account Information: Name, phone number and other profile details provided at registration.

• Messaging Data: Messages, images, and files you share within crcle. Messages are end-to-end encrypted.

• Interactions & Preferences: Data on your activity within the platform, such as events attended, connections made, and collaborations started.

• Device & Usage Data: Information such as device type, IP address, operating system, and app usage statistics.

• Metadata: Non-content data generated when you use crcle, including:

  • Sender and recipient identifiers (e.g., user IDs, hashed email addresses)

  • Message timestamps (sent and received)

  • Message size and delivery status

  • Device and app data (IP address, OS, browser version)

  • General location data (only if you consent and enable location services)

2. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: Where you have explicitly agreed to processing.

• Contractual necessity: To provide you with our services.

• Legitimate interest: To improve user experience, ensure security, and prevent fraud.

• Legal obligation: To comply with applicable laws or regulations.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

• Provide and maintain a secure, verified community.

• Facilitate messaging, networking, and relevant recommendations.

• Personalise content and enhance user experience.

• Communicate with you about updates, security, and support.

• Detect and prevent fraud, spam, and abuse.

• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.

Metadata is processed to:

• Deliver messages and maintain service integrity.

• Support fraud detection and security.

• Monitor and improve platform performance.

• Fulfil legal or regulatory requirements.

4. Data Retention

• Personal data is kept only as long as necessary for the purposes described above, or as required by law.

• When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

• Metadata: Retained for up to 3 years for security, fraud prevention, and compliance. Metadata is not shared with third parties for advertising or profiling.

5. Data Sharing & Security

• Messages remain private and are protected with end-to-end encryption.

• We do not sell or share your data with third parties for marketing.

• Mobile opt-in data (including phone numbers submitted for verification, waitlists, or notifications) will not be shared with third parties.

• Limited, anonymised data may be shared with trusted service providers to support platform functionality.

• We implement strong technical and organisational measures to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

• If data is transferred outside the UK/EU, we apply safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

• Access and receive a copy of your data.

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Request deletion of your data under certain conditions (“right to be forgotten”).

• Restrict processing if you contest accuracy or object to use.

• Object to processing based on legitimate interests.

• Request data portability in a structured, machine-readable format.

• Withdraw consent at any time where processing relies on consent.

7. Data Breach Notification

If a breach affects your personal data, we will notify you and the relevant authorities within the legally required timeframe.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions or wish to exercise your data rights, contact us at:

Email: connect@crcle.me
Company: Crcle Ltd
Company Number: 15052802 (UK registered)

By using crcle, you acknowledge and accept the practices described in this Privacy Policy.