1. Who We Are

PowerGuardian (powerguardian.co.uk) is an independent energy price comparison and information service. We are the data controller for the personal information we collect through this website. If you have questions about how we use your data, contact us at info@powerguardian.co.uk.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal data:

Account information: email address and display name when you create an account.
Contact form submissions: name, email address, and message content.
Newsletter subscriptions: email address.
Usage data: pages visited, browser type, device information, and IP address collected automatically via cookies and similar technologies.
Searches with no results: if you allow analytics cookies, when a search on our site or tips library returns nothing we record the search words and any tip filters you chose, so we can decide what to write next. This is anonymous: we do not store your name, email, IP address, browser details or the page address with it, and we discard searches that look like an email address or phone number. Only our admins can see these records.
Returning-visit measurement: if you allow analytics cookies, your browser keeps a random identifier (not linked to your name, email or account, and not a device fingerprint) for up to 13 months. With it we count which public pages bring people in, which tips are viewed or saved, and whether a browser comes back after a gap of 30 minutes or more. We store only the page address without any query string, the referring website's domain and standard campaign tags — never your IP address, browser details or email. Counts are approximate: they only include visitors who opted in, and a new browser, device or cleared storage looks like a new visitor. If you withdraw consent, the identifier is deleted from your browser straight away and we erase the records linked to it. Records are deleted automatically after 13 months without a visit.
Saved tips: if you are signed in and choose "Save tip", we store that bookmark against your account so you can find it again. You can remove saved tips at any time from your Saved tips page. Saving works whether or not you accept analytics cookies.
Provider reviews: name and review content you choose to submit publicly.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

To provide and maintain our comparison service.
To manage your account and authenticate your identity.
To respond to your enquiries submitted via the contact form.
To send you our newsletter if you have opted in.
To improve our website, content, and user experience.
To comply with legal obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

Consent: when you subscribe to our newsletter or submit a contact form.
Legitimate interests: to operate and improve our service, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights.
Legal obligation: where we are required to process your data by law.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We may share your data with:

Service providers: hosting, email delivery, and analytics providers who process data on our behalf under contract.
Legal authorities: if required by law, regulation, or legal process.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy. Account data is retained until you delete your account. Contact form submissions are retained for up to 12 months. Newsletter subscription data is retained until you unsubscribe.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erase your data (the "right to be forgotten").
Restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances.
Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
Data portability: receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@powerguardian.co.uk or submit a data deletion request.

8. Cookies

We use essential cookies to enable core website functionality such as authentication and session management. We may also use analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

9. Advertising & Affiliate Partners

We display product recommendations and advertisements through Amazon Associates and other approved affiliate partners. If you click an affiliate link or ad and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial independence or the products we choose to feature.

Affiliate partners may place cookies and tracking pixels to measure ad performance and attribute sales. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings or the cookie banner shown on your first visit.

10. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside the UK. Where personal data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the ICO.

11. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Privacy Policy