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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Darkside Developments is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of customers, website visitors and anyone who communicates with us.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how and why we use it, who we may share it with, how long we keep it, and the rights you have in relation to your personal information.

This Privacy Policy should be read alongside our Terms and Conditions and, where applicable, our Cookie Policy.

1. Who We Are

For the purposes of UK data protection law, Darkside Developments is the controller of the personal information described in this Privacy Policy.

Contact details:

Darkside Developments
Unit 1 Carbon Court
Springvale Road
Park Springs
Barnsley
S72 7FF
United Kingdom

Telephone: 01226 827999
Email: sales@darksidedevelopments.co.uk

2. Data Protection Laws

We process personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection and privacy legislation, including:

  • the UK General Data Protection Regulation ("UK GDPR");
  • the Data Protection Act 2018;
  • the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which amends parts of UK data protection and electronic communications law; and
  • the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 ("PECR"), as amended.

Where another country's data protection law applies to a particular transaction or regional website, we will also process personal information in accordance with those applicable requirements.

3. Personal Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect and process the following categories of personal information.

Identity and contact information

This may include:

  • your name;
  • billing and delivery address;
  • email address;
  • telephone or mobile number; and
  • account information.

Order and transaction information

This may include:

  • products purchased or considered;
  • order numbers;
  • delivery information;
  • transaction values;
  • invoices;
  • refunds and returns;
  • applicable VAT, sales tax, duties or similar charges; and
  • payment status.

We do not retain full payment-card numbers, security codes or other complete card credentials. Payment information is processed by our payment service providers.

Information you provide to us

We may collect information that you provide when:

  • creating an account;
  • placing an order;
  • requesting a quotation;
  • completing a website form;
  • contacting customer services;
  • making an enquiry;
  • communicating with us by telephone or email;
  • submitting a return, warranty or technical enquiry; or
  • entering your details during the checkout process.

Website and technical information

When you use our website we may automatically receive information including:

  • your Internet Protocol ("IP") address;
  • approximate country or region derived from your IP address;
  • browser and device type;
  • operating system;
  • referral information;
  • pages viewed;
  • date and time of access;
  • website interaction and diagnostic data;
  • cookie or similar technology identifiers, where applicable; and
  • security and fraud-prevention information.

An IP address and certain other online identifiers may constitute personal information under data protection law.

4. IP Location, Tax Calculation and Regional Website Selection

When you visit our website, we may use your IP address to estimate the country or general region from which you are accessing the website.

This is approximate IP-based geolocation. We do not use this feature to obtain your precise GPS location.

We may use this information to:

  • display prices and taxes appropriate to your apparent country or region;
  • provide an initial estimate of VAT, sales tax or other transaction taxes that may apply;
  • determine whether a different regional version of our website may be more appropriate;
  • display relevant delivery or availability information;
  • reduce obvious errors in regional pricing or taxation; and
  • help us comply with applicable tax and accounting requirements.

Regional website prompt

Where we operate a website intended specifically for your apparent region, we may display a message such as:

"It looks like you're visiting from [country/region]. Would you like to visit the website for your region?"

You can normally choose whether to follow the suggested regional website or remain on the website you are currently visiting, unless access to a particular website or service must be restricted for legal, regulatory or technical reasons.

We do not treat IP-based geolocation as definitive evidence of your residence or delivery location. VPNs, corporate networks, mobile networks and other technologies can make an IP-derived location inaccurate.

Any final VAT, sales tax, customs charge or similar amount payable in connection with an order may therefore also be determined using information such as:

  • delivery country and address;
  • billing country and address;
  • customer or business status;
  • VAT or tax registration information, where applicable;
  • the nature and value of the goods;
  • the location from which goods are supplied; and
  • other information required by applicable tax legislation.

Our principal lawful basis for using approximate IP location to provide an appropriate regional website experience and initial tax calculation is our legitimate interests in operating an international e-commerce service accurately and efficiently.

Where information must be processed or retained in order to meet tax, accounting, customs or other statutory requirements, we may also process it because it is necessary to comply with a legal obligation.

We do not use IP-based regional selection alone to make a decision about you that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

5. How We Use Your Personal Information

We may use personal information for the following purposes.

Processing and fulfilling orders

We use your information to:

  • process orders;
  • take or arrange payment;
  • deliver products;
  • provide order confirmations;
  • provide updates about your order;
  • handle returns and refunds; and
  • provide customer support.

The principal lawful basis for this processing is that it is necessary to perform a contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract.

Tax, accounting and legal requirements

We may process information to:

  • calculate and account for VAT and other taxes;
  • maintain invoices and accounting records;
  • comply with customs requirements;
  • respond to lawful requests from HM Revenue & Customs or other competent authorities; and
  • comply with other legal and regulatory obligations.

The lawful basis for this processing is normally compliance with a legal obligation.

Customer service and communications

We may use contact, order and communication information to respond to enquiries, provide technical or customer support and resolve complaints.

Depending on the circumstances, our lawful basis is the performance of our contract with you or our legitimate interests in providing customer support and managing our business.

Security and fraud prevention

We may process technical, transaction and account information to:

  • protect our website;
  • identify suspicious transactions;
  • prevent fraud;
  • investigate misuse;
  • maintain network and information security; and
  • protect our legal rights and those of our customers.

We normally rely on our legitimate interests in preventing fraud and maintaining the security of our business and customers. In some cases we may also process information to comply with a legal obligation.

Improving our website and services

We may analyse information about how our website is used to identify technical problems, measure performance and improve our services.

Our lawful basis will depend on the technology involved and may include consent or our legitimate interests, subject to the requirements of PECR described below.

6. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls to or from Darkside Developments may be recorded for purposes including:

  • protecting customers and staff;
  • establishing what was discussed or agreed;
  • resolving disputes;
  • quality assurance;
  • training; and
  • preventing or investigating fraud.

Where call recording is used, callers will be informed.

We rely on our legitimate interests in maintaining accurate records, resolving disputes, improving service quality and protecting our business and customers.

Where payment-card details or other information that should not be included in a recording is provided, we will take appropriate measures to prevent that information from being recorded wherever technically possible.

Darkside Developments does not retain full payment-card information. Payment details are processed using our payment service provider.

Call recordings may be stored on our behalf by a specialist communications provider and are subject to appropriate contractual and security requirements.

Call recordings are kept only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which they were recorded, in accordance with our call-recording retention schedule.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website may use cookies and other storage or access technologies, including scripts, tags, pixels or local storage.

The rules applying to these technologies are contained primarily in PECR and, where personal information is involved, the UK GDPR.

Strictly necessary technologies

Some technologies are required for functions such as:

  • maintaining a shopping basket;
  • processing checkout;
  • remembering security information;
  • authenticating users;
  • preventing fraud; and
  • delivering a service specifically requested by you.

Where the applicable PECR exemption applies, we do not need your consent to use these technologies.

Website statistics and analytics

We may use technologies solely to collect statistical information about how our website is used so that we can improve it.

Where we rely on the applicable PECR statistical-purpose exception rather than consent, we will provide clear information about the processing and provide a simple and free way for users to object. Information will be aggregated appropriately and identifiable information will not be retained for longer than necessary for that process.

Where an analytics technology falls outside an applicable PECR exemption, we will obtain consent before using it.

Website preferences

Certain technologies may be used to adapt the appearance or functionality of our website according to preferences that you choose.

Where the applicable PECR exception applies, we will provide clear information and an easy means of objecting. Otherwise, we will request consent where required.

Advertising and remarketing

Where we use advertising, remarketing or cross-site tracking technologies, including Google Ads remarketing, we will obtain any consent required by PECR before activating those technologies.

Where the resulting information constitutes personal information, consent will also normally be our UK GDPR lawful basis for that processing.

You can manage optional cookies and similar technologies through our cookie preference controls.

Rejecting optional technologies will not prevent you from using essential features of our website.

8. Marketing Communications

We may send marketing communications about Darkside Developments products and services where permitted by law.

For electronic marketing to individual subscribers, we will only send unsolicited marketing where:

  • you have provided valid consent; or
  • the applicable PECR "soft opt-in" requirements are satisfied.

The soft opt-in may apply where we obtained your contact details directly from you during a sale or genuine negotiations for a sale, the marketing concerns our own similar products or services, and you were given a clear opportunity to opt out when your details were collected.

An unsubscribe or other simple opt-out method will also be provided in subsequent marketing communications.

You may withdraw consent or object to marketing at any time.

If you opt out, we may retain limited information on a suppression list so that we can ensure that your marketing preference continues to be respected.

9. Abandoned Cart Emails

If you begin the purchasing or checkout process but do not complete an order, we may in some circumstances send you a reminder about products remaining in your shopping basket.

An abandoned-cart reminder that encourages completion of a purchase may constitute direct marketing.

We will therefore only send these messages where we have a lawful basis under the UK GDPR and the requirements of PECR have been satisfied.

This may include circumstances where:

  • you have consented to receiving the message; or
  • you directly provided your email address during genuine negotiations for a sale or during checkout, we offered you an opportunity to refuse relevant marketing when your details were collected, the reminder concerns our own relevant products or services, and every message provides an easy way to opt out.

If these requirements are not satisfied, we will not rely solely on "legitimate interests" as permission to send unsolicited marketing emails.

Information used for abandoned-cart reminders will be retained only for an appropriate limited period unless it also forms part of another record we are entitled or required to retain.

10. Who We Share Personal Information With

Where necessary, we may share personal information with organisations including:

  • payment processors and payment service providers;
  • banks and financial service providers;
  • delivery, logistics and courier companies;
  • website hosting, IT and cloud-service providers;
  • communications and call-recording service providers;
  • IP geolocation and website localisation service providers;
  • fraud-prevention and cybersecurity providers;
  • analytics providers;
  • advertising providers where you have given the required consent;
  • professional advisers, including accountants, insurers and lawyers;
  • HM Revenue & Customs, customs authorities, regulators, courts, law-enforcement bodies or other public authorities where required or permitted by law;
  • companies within our corporate group, where applicable; and
  • a buyer, seller or adviser involved in a proposed sale, restructuring or transfer of all or part of our business.

Service providers processing personal information on our behalf are required to process it only in accordance with our instructions and appropriate contractual and security requirements.

We do not sell personal information to advertisers.

11. Klarna Payments

Where Klarna payment options are available and you choose to use them, we may provide Klarna with personal information such as your contact and order details.

Klarna uses this information to assess whether you qualify for its payment options and to provide or tailor those payment services.

Klarna will process personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and its own privacy information.

Please review Klarna's privacy notice before choosing a Klarna payment product.

12. International Transfers

Some of our service providers or their systems may be located outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred outside the UK in a way that constitutes a restricted transfer under UK data protection law, we will ensure that an appropriate legal transfer mechanism is in place.

Depending on the destination and circumstances, this may include:

  • UK adequacy regulations;
  • the UK International Data Transfer Agreement ("IDTA");
  • the UK Addendum to approved EU Standard Contractual Clauses; or
  • another safeguard or exception permitted by applicable data protection law.

Where required, we will also consider whether additional technical, contractual or organisational safeguards are necessary.

We do not rely simply on your use of our website or submission of personal information as consent to international transfers.

Where EU or EEA data protection law independently applies to a particular processing activity, we will also apply any transfer requirements that apply under that legal regime.

13. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against:

  • unauthorised access;
  • accidental loss;
  • destruction;
  • alteration;
  • disclosure; and
  • misuse.

No internet transmission or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. However, we take appropriate measures proportionate to the nature of the information and the risks involved.

You are responsible for keeping account passwords and other authentication information confidential.

14. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying legal, tax, accounting and reporting obligations and establishing, exercising or defending legal claims.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and why we hold it.

For example:

  • order, invoice and relevant VAT records will generally be retained for six years where required by applicable tax and accounting rules;
  • account information may be retained while an account remains active and for an appropriate period afterwards;
  • customer-service correspondence will be retained for an appropriate period based on the nature of the enquiry and any potential dispute or legal claim;
  • call recordings will be retained in accordance with our call-recording retention schedule;
  • marketing information will be retained until you unsubscribe or otherwise object, subject to retention of limited suppression information;
  • cookie and analytics information will be retained in accordance with the relevant cookie or analytics retention period; and
  • IP-based location data used for a website-region recommendation will not be retained for longer than necessary unless the relevant information is also required for security, transaction, tax or other legitimate record-keeping purposes.

A request for deletion does not necessarily require us to delete information that we must retain to comply with law or which we are otherwise lawfully entitled to retain.

15. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the following rights under UK data protection law:

Right of access

You may ask us whether we process your personal information and request a copy of relevant personal information.

Right to rectification

You may ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or complete information that is incomplete.

Right to erasure

You may ask us to delete your personal information in certain circumstances.

This right is not absolute, including where information must be retained to comply with legal obligations.

Right to restrict processing

You may ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

Right to object

You may object to processing based on legitimate interests in certain circumstances.

You have an absolute right to object to the use of your personal information for direct marketing.

Right to data portability

In certain circumstances, you may ask us to provide personal information you supplied to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to transfer it to another organisation.

Right to withdraw consent

Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Automated decision-making

You may have rights in relation to certain decisions made solely by automated means which produce legal or similarly significant effects.

Our IP-based website-region recommendation does not itself constitute such a decision. It is intended to provide a regional suggestion or preliminary tax information, and final transactional information is determined using the relevant order details.

16. Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your data protection rights, contact:

sales@darksidedevelopments.co.uk

We may need to request reasonable information to confirm your identity before responding to a request.

We will respond without undue delay and normally within one calendar month, subject to any extension, clarification period or other adjustment permitted by applicable data protection law.

In most cases there is no fee for exercising your rights.

17. Data Protection Complaints

You have the right to complain to us if you believe we have not handled your personal information correctly.

You can submit a data protection complaint by contacting:

sales@darksidedevelopments.co.uk

or by writing to:

Darkside Developments
Unit 1 Carbon Court
Springvale Road
Park Springs
Barnsley
S72 7FF
United Kingdom

We will:

  • provide a clear method for making a data protection complaint;
  • acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 30 days;
  • investigate the complaint appropriately and without undue delay;
  • keep you appropriately informed about the progress of the investigation; and
  • communicate the outcome without undue delay.

You also have the right to raise a concern with the UK's data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
United Kingdom

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Further information is available from the ICO website.

18. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to websites operated by third parties.

Those organisations are responsible for their own privacy practices. We recommend reviewing their privacy information before providing personal information to them.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites that we do not control.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • changes to our services;
  • changes to the technology we use;
  • changes to our service providers;
  • changes to applicable law or regulatory guidance; or
  • changes to how we process personal information.

Where a change materially affects how we use personal information, we will take appropriate steps to bring the change to the attention of affected individuals before beginning the new processing where required.

The date at the top of this Privacy Policy shows when it was last updated.

20. Contact Us

If you have a question about this Privacy Policy, how we use your personal information, your data protection rights or a data protection complaint, please contact:

Darkside Developments
Unit 1 Carbon Court
Springvale Road
Park Springs
Barnsley
S72 7FF
United Kingdom

Telephone: 01226 827999
Email: sales@darksidedevelopments.co.uk

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