PRIVACY POLICY

SME Powers is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you interact with us through our website, services, and social media platforms. By using our services or website, you agree to this policy.

Please take the time to read this policy alongside any specific privacy notices we provide when we collect personal information from you. This will help you fully understand how we use your data.

Key Sections:

1. Who We Are
2. The Personal Data We Collect
3. How We Collect Your Personal Data
4. How We Use Your Personal Data
5. Who We May Share Your Personal Data With
6. How We Protect Your Data
7. Your Legal Rights
8. Use of Cookies
9. Links to Other Websites
10. Retention of Your Personal Data
11. Changes to This Policy

1. Who We Are

We are SME Powers, a business utility broker working with UK energy suppliers to help you find the most competitive utility prices for your business.

2. The Personal Data We Collect

The personal data we may collect from you includes:

• Basic Details: Your name, email address, phone number, and business address.
• Business-Specific Data: Your energy usage, meter numbers, current energy supplier, etc.
• Technical Data: Information about how you use our website, like your IP address and device type.
• Banking Data (if applicable) for processing payments.

Where appropriate, we will inform you why we are collecting your data and how it will be used.

3. How We Collect Your Personal Data

We collect your data in the following ways:

• Directly from You: When you use our website, contact us, or provide personal information.
• Automatically: Through the use of cookies to understand how you navigate our site and improve your user experience. See the section on cookies below for more details.
• From Third Parties: Such as partners and service providers that help us provide our services.

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data for several purposes, including:

• Providing Services: To deliver the products, services, or information you've requested.
• Processing Orders: To complete any orders or transactions you've made.
• Fulfillment of Contracts: To carry out obligations under any contracts we’ve entered into with you.
• Customer Relationship: To maintain a record of your relationship with us and improve your experience.
• Research & Feedback: To conduct market research and improve our services based on customer feedback.
• Communications: To inform you of any changes to our services or send you updates and promotional information (only if you’ve agreed to receive them).

We will always make clear why we’re collecting your data and what we intend to do with it at the time we ask for it.

5. Who We May Share Your Personal Data With

We take your privacy seriously and will only share your information when absolutely necessary. These are the main circumstances under which we may disclose your data:

• Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who help us deliver services to you (such as payment processors or data storage companies). These third parties are required to protect your data and cannot use it for their own marketing purposes.
• Third-Party Product Providers: If you inquire about products or services from one of our trusted partners, we may share your data with them to fulfill your request. These partners are also required to handle your data in accordance with their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to read.
• Legal Obligations: We may share your data when required by law or if necessary to protect the safety or rights of our staff, users, or the public, or in case of a legal dispute or business sale.

We will not share your personal data with any other third parties for marketing purposes unless you have specifically agreed to it.

6. How We Protect Your Data

We are committed to ensuring your personal data is kept secure. We take a variety of technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption and Secure Systems: We use secure servers and encryption technologies to protect your data when it is transmitted.
• Access Control: Only authorized staff or third parties can access your personal data, and we ensure they follow strict confidentiality agreements.

Please note that while we strive to protect your data, no method of data transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information, but we will take all reasonable precautions to minimize risks.

7. Your Legal Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: If your data is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask us to correct it.
• Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal requirements.
• Objection: You can object to the processing of your data if it is being used for certain purposes (e.g., direct marketing).
• Withdrawal of Consent: If we rely on your consent to process your data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
• Complaints: If you believe your data has been mishandled, you can lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

8. Use of Cookies

Like most websites, SME Powers uses cookies to improve your experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us track your preferences and how you interact with our site.

We use cookies to:

• Improve your website navigation and personalization.
• Analyze how visitors use our website and optimize our content.

You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but please note that doing so may affect your experience on our website.

9. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Please note that this Privacy Policy applies only to SME Powers and our website. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any other sites you visit. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

10. Retention of Your Personal Data

We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. This includes any legal, accounting, or reporting obligations. Once your data is no longer needed, we will securely dispose of it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we recommend checking it periodically to stay informed. If we make significant changes, we will notify you directly via email or other means.

This policy was last updated in November 2024.