Privacy Policy

Effective date: 4 July 2026 · Last updated: 12 July 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information BuilderSwap (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects when you use the BuilderSwap website and installable web app at builderswap.co.uk (the “Service”), why we collect it, who we share it with, how long we keep it, and your rights under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

BuilderSwap is the data controller for personal information processed through the Service. You can contact us at help@builderswap.co.uk.

2. Personal information we collect

• Account information: email address, display name, password hash, optional phone number, optional profile photo.
• Listing content: titles, descriptions, photos, category, condition, price and postcode (only the outward part of the postcode is shown publicly).
• Messages: content of messages you send to other users through the in-app messenger.
• Approximate location: derived from the postcode you enter on listings — used to show items near you. We do not collect precise GPS location.
• Device & technical data: IP address, browser type, operating system, crash logs and basic usage events required to run and secure the Service.
• Cookies: strictly necessary cookies used to keep you signed in. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.

3. How we use your information

• To create your account and provide the marketplace and messaging features.
• To send transactional emails (sign-in, new-message notifications, account changes).
• To detect, prevent and respond to fraud, abuse and violations of our Terms.
• To comply with legal obligations.

Our lawful bases are: performance of a contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and securing the Service, your consent (where required), and compliance with legal obligations.

4. Sharing your details with other users

Your email address and phone number are never displayed on your profile or listings. They are only shared with another user when you explicitly approve a contact-sharing request inside the chat.

5. Who we share data with

We share personal data only with trusted service providers who process it on our instructions, including:

• Cloud hosting and database providers (to host the site and store your account, listings and messages).
• Object storage providers (to host uploaded images).
• Transactional email providers (to deliver notification and sign-in emails).
• AI providers (to power optional features that help you draft listings — content you submit to these features may be processed by the model provider).

We do not sell your personal data and we do not share it with advertisers. We may disclose data where required by law or to protect the rights, property or safety of BuilderSwap, our users, or others.

6. International transfers

Some of our service providers are located outside the UK. Where that is the case, transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.

7. Retention

We keep account and listing data for as long as your account is active. Messages are kept while the related conversation exists. You can delete individual listings at any time from your account. When you delete your account, we remove or anonymise your personal data within 30 days, except where we are legally required to retain it (for example, to respond to fraud or abuse investigations).

8. Account & data deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated personal data at any time by emailing help@builderswap.co.uk from the email address on your account. We will confirm and complete the deletion within 30 days.

9. Security

Data is transmitted over HTTPS. Passwords are stored using industry standard one-way hashing. Access to production data is restricted and logged. No online service can be guaranteed 100% secure, but we work to protect your information using appropriate technical and organisational measures.

10. Children

The Service is not directed to children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of your personal data, and to data portability. To exercise these rights, contact help@builderswap.co.uk. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

12. Changes to this policy

We will post any updates to this policy on this page and update the “Last updated” date above. Material changes will be notified by email or in-app notice where appropriate.

13. Contact

Privacy questions or requests: help@builderswap.co.uk.