Privacy & Compliance Policy

How we collect, use, and protect your information, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Last Updated: December 12, 2025

This Privacy & Compliance Policy explains how GundogsMarket ("we", "us", "our") processes personal data, ensures regulatory compliance, enforces seller requirements, maintains animal welfare standards, and manages payments and refunds.

By using our website and services, you agree to this Policy and our Terms of Service.

1. Privacy Policy (UK GDPR + ICO Compliance) 1.1 Data We Collect

a. Information You Provide

We collect personal information such as:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Address (if added to a listing)
  • Account details
  • Listing details (photos, descriptions, documents, licence numbers)
  • Messages sent via the platform

b. Automatically Collected Data

We collect:

  • IP address and device identifiers
  • Browser details
  • Usage logs
  • Cookie and tracking data

c. Third-Party Data

We may receive data from:

  • Payment processors
  • Identity verification partners
  • Analytics and advertising services
1.2 How We Use Your Data

We process data to:

  • Operate and maintain the GundogsMarket platform
  • Create and manage user accounts
  • Publish and manage listings
  • Process payments
  • Verify identity, location, and legal compliance
  • Detect and prevent fraud or unlawful activity
  • Comply with UK advertising and animal welfare regulations
  • Provide customer support
  • Improve the platform

Lawful bases for processing include: Consent, Contract, Legal Obligation, Legitimate Interests.

1.3 Sharing Your Data

We may share your data with:

  • Payment processors
  • Hosting and IT service providers
  • Fraud detection tools
  • Law enforcement or local authorities (when required)
  • Breeder licensing authorities (for welfare concerns)

We do not sell personal data.

1.4 Data Retention

We retain data as required for:

  • Legal and regulatory compliance
  • Payment and tax obligations
  • Fraud prevention
  • Dispute resolution

Inactive accounts may be archived or deleted after a suitable period.

1.5 Cookies

We use essential, analytics, and security cookies.

You may manage cookie preferences through your browser.

1.6 Your Rights (Under UK GDPR)

You may request:

  • Access to your data
  • Correction of inaccurate data
  • Deletion ("right to be forgotten")
  • Restriction of processing
  • Objection to processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdrawal of consent

Contact: [email protected]

1.7 Data Security

We implement:

  • Encryption
  • Access controls
  • Firewalls
  • Threat monitoring

While no system is fully secure, we take reasonable measures to protect your data.

1.8 International Transfers

Where data is transferred outside the UK, we use safeguards such as:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses
  • ICO-approved mechanisms
1.9 Children

The platform is for users 18+ only.

We do not knowingly collect children's data.

2. Seller Requirements & Legal Compliance

This section outlines the legal obligations for all users who create listings on GundogsMarket.

We allow both licensed breeders and private sellers on the platform.

2.1 Licensing Requirements (UPDATED – CLEAR & CORRECT)

GundogsMarket allows licensed breeders, hobby breeders, and private sellers who are selling or rehoming a dog.

A dog-breeding licence is only required by law if the seller:

  • Breeds dogs as a business,
  • Breeds with a view to selling, or
  • Breeds three or more litters per year, or
  • Meets local authority licensing criteria.

Private sellers rehoming a dog they own do NOT need a licence.

Where a licence IS legally required, the seller must include:

  • Breeder licence number
  • Issuing local authority
  • Microchip number (if applicable)
  • Relevant health tests/certificates
  • Country of origin and residence

We may request documentation and verify licence details with authorities.

Listings may be removed if they appear to breach UK licensing rules.

2.2 Listing Requirements

Sellers must:

  • Provide accurate and truthful information
  • Upload genuine, recent photos of the advertised animal
  • Disclose known health conditions
  • Clearly state age, breed, sex, and temperament
  • Provide required documents at sale
  • Not list prohibited or illegally bred animals

Non-compliant listings may be removed without notice.

2.3 Animal Welfare Requirements

All sellers must comply with:

  • The Animal Welfare Act 2006
  • Breeding and Sale Regulations
  • Microchipping Regulations
  • Transport and welfare laws

Animals listed must be:

  • Healthy
  • Properly socialised
  • Not sold before 8 weeks of age
  • Housed and bred in lawful, humane conditions

Violations may result in suspension or reporting to authorities.

2.4 Prohibited Activities

Sellers may not:

  • Sell banned breeds
  • Misrepresent health, pedigree, or testing
  • Operate or advertise puppy farms
  • Sell animals for unlawful purposes
  • Sell animals younger than legally allowed
2.5 Verification & Enforcement

We may require:

  • Identity verification
  • Address proof
  • Licence documentation (where applicable)
  • Health certificates

Failure to comply may lead to:

  • Listing removal
  • Account suspension
  • Reporting to authorities
3. Advertising Standards & Welfare Compliance

This section ensures compliance with UK advertising rules and welfare laws including ASA, CAP Code, and the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

3.1 Mandatory Advertising Standards

Listings must:

  • Be truthful and not misleading
  • Include legally required information
  • Use accurate breed identification
  • Avoid exaggerated claims
  • Include clear, recent, real photographs
3.2 Welfare Standards for Listings

Listings must confirm:

  • Animals are healthy and socialised
  • Animals are not sold before 8 weeks
  • Mothers are not overbred
  • No unlawful transport is involved

Sick or unfit animals must not be advertised.

3.3 Prohibited Listings

You may not advertise:

  • Banned breeds
  • Wild or illegal animals
  • Animals for fighting
  • Animals raised in illegal or inhumane conditions
3.4 Enforcement

We may:

  • Remove listings
  • Suspend or terminate accounts
  • Report illegal activity
4. Payment, Refund & Chargeback Policy 4.1 Payment Terms

By purchasing paid services, you agree to:

  • Pay applicable fees
  • Provide accurate billing information
  • Allow third-party processors to complete the transaction
4.2 Refund Policy

Non-Refundable Services

  • Boosts
  • Featured listings
  • Promotional upgrades
  • Activated subscriptions

Refunds may be issued only if:

  • A payment was duplicated
  • A system error occurred
  • You were charged for a service you did not receive
  • A legal obligation requires it

Refunds are not given for:

  • Low engagement
  • Poor buyer response
  • Incorrect listing details

All decisions are at our discretion.

4.3 Chargebacks

Unjustified chargebacks may result in:

  • Account suspension
  • Listing removal
  • Recovery of associated costs
4.4 Payment Providers

All payments are processed by third-party providers.

Their terms apply.

5. Contact Information

For questions or GDPR requests:

Email: [email protected]