1. Introduction Marine Matrix Limited (“Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”), located at Suite 5329 Unit 3A, 34-35 Hatton Garden, Holborn, London, EC1N 8DX, operates the website marine-matrix.com (the “Website” or “Service”). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process, and disclose your information, including personal data, in conjunction with your access to and use of the Marine Matrix platform. We are committed to protecting your privacy in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.  

2. Information We Collect We collect information to provide and improve our Service. The types of information we collect include:

  • Information You Provide to Us:
    • Account Information: When you register for an account, we require certain information such as your first name, last name, email address, and password. Suppliers creating listings will provide business details (name, address, contact info, service descriptions, etc.).
    • Profile Information: You may choose to provide additional profile information.
    • Payment Information: To use Paid Services, we require you to provide certain financial information (like your payment card details), which is processed directly by our third-party payment processors. We typically only store minimal information, such as the last four digits of your card and expiry date, for identification purposes.
    • Communications: When you communicate with us (e.g., via email, contact forms), we collect information about your communication and any information you choose to provide.
    • User Content: We collect information you submit when you post listings, write reviews, comments, or participate in discussions on the platform.
  • Information We Automatically Collect:
    • Usage Data: Information about your interactions with the Service, such as the pages you view, searches for suppliers, bookings made (if applicable), and other actions.
    • Log Data and Device Information: We automatically collect log data (e.g., IP address, access times, hardware/software info, device identifiers) when you access and use the Service.
    • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and other similar technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixels) to operate and personalize the service. See our [Link to Cookie Policy or expand section] for more details.

3. How We Use Information We Collect We use, store, and process information, including personal data, about you to:

  • Provide, Improve, and Develop the Platform: Operate the directory, enable account creation/management, facilitate supplier listings and user reviews, process payments for Paid Services.
  • Maintain a Trusted and Safer Environment: Detect and prevent fraud, spam, abuse, security incidents; conduct security investigations; verify information provided by you; comply with legal obligations; resolve disputes; enforce our Terms and other policies.
  • Provide Customer Service: Respond to your inquiries and support requests.
  • Send Service and Administrative Messages: Provide updates, security alerts, and account notifications.
  • Personalize Content and Advertising: (Optional, add if relevant) Tailor content and potentially advertising based on your interactions.
  • Perform Analytics: Understand how users interact with the platform to improve functionality and user experience.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (UK GDPR) We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Consent: Where you have given consent (e.g., for non-essential cookies, marketing emails). You can withdraw consent at any time.
  • Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our contractual obligations to you (e.g., providing the directory service, managing your account, processing payments for Paid Services).
  • Legitimate Interests: Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests (e.g., operating and improving the platform, ensuring security, displaying public directory information and reviews, responding to inquiries).  
  • Legal Obligation: To comply with our legal obligations (e.g., tax laws, responding to lawful requests from authorities).

5. Sharing & Disclosure

  • Public Information: Information you share publicly on the platform, such as supplier listings details (name, address, contact, services) and user reviews/comments, is visible to others.
  • Service Providers: We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate the platform (e.g., hosting, payment processing, analytics, email delivery, customer support). These providers have access only to perform tasks on our behalf and are contractually bound to protect the data.
  • Payment Processors: When you pay for Services, your payment information is provided directly to our third-party payment processor.
  • Compliance with Law & Safety: We may disclose your information to courts, law enforcement, or governmental authorities if required or permitted by law, or if necessary to protect our rights, property, or the safety of our users or the public.
  • Business Transfers: If Marine Matrix Limited undergoes a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be sold or transferred as part of that transaction.  

6. Data Transfers Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than the UK, potentially including countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where we transfer data outside the UK/EEA, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by relevant authorities, to ensure your data receives adequate protection.

7. Your Rights (UK GDPR) Under UK data protection law, you have rights including:

  • Right of Access: To request copies of your personal data.
  • Right to Rectification: To request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to Erasure (‘Right to be Forgotten’): To request deletion of your personal data under certain conditions.  
  • Right to Restrict Processing: To request restriction of processing under certain conditions.
  • Right to Object to Processing: To object to processing based on legitimate interests under certain conditions.
  • Right to Data Portability: To request transfer of your data to another organization, or to you, under certain conditions.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).  

8. Data Retention We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, provide our Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Account information is generally kept as long as the account is active.

9. Security We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, destruction, or alteration. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.  

10. Cookies We use cookies and similar technologies. [Option 1: Please refer to our separate Cookie Policy here: [Link to Cookie Policy]]. [Option 2: Briefly explain cookie types used (essential, performance, functional) and how users can manage them via browser settings].

11. Third-Party Links Our Service may link to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies.

12. Children’s Privacy The Service is not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 18.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on the Website and updating the “Effective Date”.  14. Contact Us If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: Marine Matrix Limited Suite 5329 Unit 3A, 34-35 Hatton Garden Holborn, London, EC1N 8DX Email: info@marine-matrix.com Phone: +44 7741 338380