Information I collect
In order to deliver the services you want me to deliver as effectively as possible, beyond your name(s), I ask for two points of contact (email and phone number usually). For weddings I will normally also ask for your address as an extra layer of validation because I'm asking you to sign a really important contract. I will generally also ask for one or two emergency contact phone numbers for the day of the wedding only. Card payments are managed by stripe, I don't have anything to do with it, you pay them, they pay me.
What I do with it
I only need your information to perform the services you've asked to provide, and for the purposes of standard businessy record-keeping should the feds ever come a knockin', I may very occasionally share your information with other vendors with the sole intention of making the wedding of your dreams come true but no more than is necessary and only if I deem it to be in your interests. I don't do promotional emails, mail shots or cold calling, so unless you've explicitly told me you'd like me to keep you updated in the future, there's nothing to unsubscribe from. I hate spam as much as you do, so I also will never sell or pass your information to third parties.
How I store it
I keep my client data on my client relationship management system, though if you email me it will also end up on my computer, phone, tablet, server (I host my own emails) and Apple iCloud. Everything's fairly well locked away with passwords and encryption so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are worried about it you're probably switched on enough to not be sending personal information by email. Basically I'm as careful as you could reasonably expect bearing in mind I'm not a bank and you haven't given me scans of your birth certificate (I presume?).
Your rights
Your information belongs to you, so if you want me ditch it then of course I will, however certain information is non-negotiable in my delivery of services, so unless you're a past client looking to expunge yourself from civilisation (do you need a new dust filter for your Hoover Max Extract Pressure Pro model 60?) it's a take it or leave it kind of affair. Either way, I won't keep personal information longer than five years, and I'll only keep it this long because I ask my clients to sign contracts so I need the associated personal details tied to the documents in case I need to have a 'meeting without coffee' with a client's solicitor in a few year's time.
You can view or amend any info whenever you like at no cost.
If you're not happy
I'd rather you spoke to me in the first instance because I can probably just fix it, but lets assume you're not the chatty type you believe I might be secretly selling your data to the Russians here's the Information Commissioner Office's details:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane, Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk
