Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

PlanScope ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Chrome extension and website.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We may collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Contact us via email at hello@planscope.co.uk
  • Subscribe to our newsletter or updates
  • Purchase a paid subscription

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our extension, we automatically collect:

  • Property coordinates: Latitude and longitude of properties you view on Rightmove and Zoopla, used solely to fetch relevant planning data
  • Usage statistics: Number of property lookups (for free tier limits)
  • Technical data: Browser type, extension version, error logs for debugging

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be clear about what we don't do:

  • We do not track your general browsing history
  • We do not collect personal identification information unless you provide it
  • We do not sell or share your data with third parties for marketing
  • We do not store the specific properties you view beyond the session

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide planning permission data for properties you're viewing
  • Enforce usage limits on free tier
  • Improve our extension's functionality and user experience
  • Respond to your enquiries and provide customer support
  • Send important updates about our service (if you've opted in)
  • Detect and prevent fraud or abuse

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under the UK GDPR and EU GDPR, we process your data based on:

  • Contractual necessity: To provide the service you've requested
  • Legitimate interests: To improve our service and prevent abuse
  • Consent: For optional communications like newsletters
  • Legal obligation: To comply with applicable laws

4. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely using industry-standard measures:

  • Data is encrypted in transit using TLS 1.3
  • We use secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits
  • Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel only
  • We retain data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined

4.1 Data Retention

  • Usage data: Retained for 12 months, then anonymised or deleted
  • Licence key data: Retained for the duration of your subscription plus 12 months
  • Support correspondence: Retained for 24 months

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

  • PlanIt (planit.org.uk): Planning application data provider
  • Planning Data (planning.data.gov.uk): Government planning data
  • Postcodes.io: Postcode to coordinate conversion
  • Vercel: Website hosting
  • Stripe: Payment processing (for paid subscriptions)

Each third party has their own privacy policy governing their use of data.

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of access: Request a copy of your personal data
  • Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to restrict processing: Request limitation of how we use your data
  • Right to data portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
  • Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@planscope.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

7. International Data Transfers

Your data may be processed in countries outside the UK/EEA. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
  • Adequacy decisions where applicable

8. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, contact us:

11. Supervisory Authority

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):