Privacy Policy – Cookie Jar Content

1. Introduction

Welcome to Cookie Jar Certified (“we”, “our”, or “us”). We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our website and services.

This policy applies to all users of our golf course review and rating platform. By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Who We Are

Cookie Jar Certified is a golf course review and rating platform operated by Cookie Jar Golf. For any privacy-related enquiries, please contact us at: info@cookiejargolf.com

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you register for an account or use our services, we may collect:

Account Information: Username, email address, and password
Profile Information: Display name, phone number, home golf club, handicap, biography
Social Media Links: Links to your Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or personal website (if you choose to add them)
User Content: Reviews, ratings, and comments you submit about golf courses
Communications: Any correspondence you send to us

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system
Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, navigation paths, referring website
Cookie Data: Information stored by cookies on your device (see Section 8)

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

4.1 To Provide Our Services

Create and manage your user account
Enable you to submit and manage reviews and ratings
Display your profile to other users (according to your privacy settings)
Facilitate the friends feature and social connections

4.2 To Improve Our Services

Analyse usage patterns to improve website functionality
Develop new features and services
Fix bugs and technical issues

4.3 To Communicate With You

Send service-related notifications
Respond to your enquiries and support requests

4.4 To Ensure Security

Protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Enforce our terms of service
Comply with legal obligations

5. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Under UK data protection law, we process your personal data on the following legal bases:

Contract: Processing necessary to provide you with our services when you create an account
Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving our services and ensuring security, where these interests are not overridden by your rights
Consent: Where you have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose
Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with our legal obligations

6. Your Privacy Controls

We provide you with control over your personal information:

6.1 Privacy Settings

You can control the visibility of your personal information by setting each field to:

Public: Visible to all visitors
Friends Only: Visible only to users you have accepted as friends
Private: Visible only to you

These settings apply to: email address, phone number, home club, handicap, and social media links.

6.2 Profile Management

You can view, edit, or update your profile information at any time by visiting your profile page.

6.3 Account Deletion

You can delete your account at any time from your profile page. When deleting your account, you can choose to:

Delete all your reviews permanently, or
Keep your reviews as anonymous contributions

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights:

Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
Right to Rectification: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to Erasure: You can request that we delete your personal data (subject to certain conditions)
Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests
Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@cookiejargolf.com. We will respond to your request within one month.

8. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

8.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly (e.g., session management, security)
Authentication Cookies: Keep you logged in during your session and remember your preferences
Security Cookies: Help protect against spam and malicious activity (including Google reCAPTCHA)

8.2 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. However, disabling essential cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.

9. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

We may share your information with:

Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website (e.g., hosting providers), subject to confidentiality agreements
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
Protection of Rights: When necessary to protect our rights, safety, or property, or that of our users

9.1 Third-Party Services

Our website uses:

Google reCAPTCHA: To protect against spam and abuse. This service is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:

Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/SSL)
Secure password storage using industry-standard hashing
Regular security assessments
Access controls limiting who can view personal data

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

Provide our services to you
Comply with legal obligations
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in compliance with UK data protection law.

13. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by:

Posting the updated policy on this page
Updating the “Last Updated” date below

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us:

Email: info@cookiejargolf.com
Website: www.cookiejargolf.com

16. Complaints

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

Website: ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113

Last Updated: 30 September 2026