This privacy policy explains how BestPicks UK (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects and uses personal data when you visit this website. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data transparently and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
Who we are
BestPicks UK is an independent UK product review and buying guide website covering home & garden products. We do not sell products directly. We are the data controller for the personal data described in this policy. You can reach us at any time via our contact page.
The short version
- We do not sell your personal data. Ever.
- We do not require you to create an account or log in to read our content.
- We use analytics cookies to understand which pages are useful, and affiliate cookies when you click through to a retailer.
- If you email us or use our contact form, we use your details only to reply to you.
What data we collect
1. Information you give us directly
If you complete our contact form, we collect the name, email address, subject and message you provide. We use this solely to read and respond to your enquiry.
- Lawful basis: legitimate interests — responding to enquiries we receive.
- Retention: we keep contact correspondence for up to 24 months, then delete it.
2. Information collected automatically
Like most websites, we collect limited technical information when you browse, including your IP address (anonymised by our analytics provider), browser type and version, device type, approximate location (country/region level), the pages you view, and the site that referred you to us.
- Lawful basis: consent, for any non-essential analytics cookies.
Cookies and similar technologies
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device. We use the following categories:
| Type | Purpose | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Core site functionality and security. These cannot be switched off. | BestPicks UK |
| Analytics | Understanding which pages are read, how visitors arrive, and where content can be improved. Data is aggregated and does not identify you personally. | Google Analytics 4 |
| Affiliate tracking | Recording that a visit to a retailer came from our site, so any resulting commission is correctly attributed. | Amazon EU Associates |
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to measure how our content performs. Google may process this data outside the UK. You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, or by blocking cookies in your browser settings. Google’s own privacy policy explains how they handle the data they receive.
How to control cookies
You can delete or block cookies at any time through your browser settings. Blocking analytics or affiliate cookies will not affect your ability to read anything on this site. The Information Commissioner’s Office provides useful guidance on cookies if you would like to understand them better.
Affiliate links and the Amazon Associates Programme
BestPicks UK is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. When you click a product link on our site, Amazon may place a cookie on your device that identifies us as the referring site. If you then make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is exactly the same as it would be if you had gone to Amazon directly.
We do not receive any personal information about what you buy — Amazon reports only aggregated, anonymised commission data to us. Once you leave our site, your data is handled under Amazon’s own privacy notice, not ours.
Commission never influences our rankings or recommendations. Our editorial process is described on our about page.
Who we share data with
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data. We share limited data only with the service providers that make this site work:
- Google Analytics — aggregated website usage analytics.
- Amazon EU Associates — affiliate referral tracking.
- Our hosting and email providers — to serve the website and deliver contact form messages to us.
Some of these providers may process data outside the UK. Where that happens, transfers are covered by appropriate safeguards such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements or adequacy decisions.
How we protect your data
This site is served entirely over an encrypted HTTPS connection. Contact form submissions are transmitted securely and delivered directly to us by email. We keep personal data only for as long as we need it for the purpose it was collected.
Your rights under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access — request a copy of any personal data we hold about you.
- Rectification — ask us to correct data that is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Erasure — ask us to delete your personal data (the “right to be forgotten”).
- Restriction — ask us to limit how we use your data.
- Object — object to processing carried out on the basis of legitimate interests.
- Portability — receive your data in a portable, machine-readable format.
- Withdraw consent — withdraw consent for analytics cookies at any time via your browser settings.
To exercise any of these rights, please get in touch. We will respond within one month.
Children’s privacy
This website is intended for adults purchasing home and garden products. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first so we can try to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the UK supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes to our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “last updated” date above.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please use our contact form and we will get back to you.