Your privacy matters. Dating profiles can contain personal and sensitive information. This policy explains what we collect, why we need it and the choices available to you.
The Ditch Dating is intended only for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly allow children to create accounts.
1. Who we are
The Ditch Dating is a service operated by The Ditch. For the purposes of UK data protection law, The Ditch is the controller of personal information collected through this service.
You can contact us by email at news@theditch.co.uk or by writing to The Ditch, 132A High Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
2. Information we collect
Information you give us
- Account details such as your name, email address, password and date of birth.
- Profile information such as your location, photographs, interests, preferences and the people you would like to meet.
- Messages, reports, support requests and other communications you send through the service.
- Payment and subscription information if paid features are offered. Card details are normally processed by our payment provider and are not stored in full by us.
- Identity or verification information if you choose, or are asked, to complete a safety check.
Information collected when you use the service
- Technical information including your internet protocol address, browser, device, operating system and security logs.
- Activity information including profile views, searches, matches, messages and use of reporting or blocking tools.
- Approximate location based on the area you enter or your internet connection. We do not need your precise live location for ordinary profile browsing.
- Cookie and preference information described in our Cookie Policy.
Sensitive information
Your profile may reveal information about sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, health or other matters classed as special category data. We only use this information where there is a valid legal condition, normally your explicit consent when you choose to provide and publish it. You can remove optional profile information at any time.
3. How we use your information
- To create and manage your account and profile.
- To show relevant profiles and help members discover potential matches.
- To provide messaging, blocking, reporting and account support.
- To prevent scams, fake accounts, harassment, misuse and security threats.
- To investigate reports and enforce our Terms and Conditions.
- To process payments and manage subscriptions where applicable.
- To maintain, test and improve the service.
- To send service messages and, where you have chosen to receive them, marketing communications.
- To meet legal, regulatory and safeguarding obligations.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your private messages for advertising.
4. Our lawful bases
| Purpose | Usual lawful basis |
|---|---|
| Providing your account, profile, matches and member services | Performance of our contract with you |
| Account security, fraud prevention, moderation and service improvement | Our legitimate interests in operating a safe and reliable service |
| Optional marketing and non essential cookies | Your consent, which you can withdraw |
| Handling legal requests and keeping required records | Compliance with a legal obligation |
| Optional special category profile information | Your explicit consent, unless another legal condition applies |
| Urgent action to protect someone from serious harm | Vital interests or another appropriate legal basis |
Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider whether our use is necessary, proportionate and reasonably expected, and whether your rights override our interests.
5. Who we share information with
Information in your dating profile is visible to other members according to your settings. We may also share information with trusted organisations that help us run the service, including hosting, security, email, moderation, customer support, analytics and payment providers.
These organisations may use information only for the agreed purpose and must protect it. We may also disclose information where required by law, to respond to lawful requests, to protect a person from harm, or to investigate fraud and criminal activity.
If a supplier processes information outside the United Kingdom, we will use an approved transfer mechanism and appropriate safeguards where required.
6. How long we keep information
We keep personal information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose collected, to meet legal requirements and to resolve complaints or disputes.
- Active account and profile information is normally kept while your account remains open.
- When you close your account, your public profile is removed from view. Remaining account data is deleted or anonymised after a limited closure period unless it must be kept for legal, fraud prevention or safety reasons.
- Reports, blocks and moderation records may be kept longer where needed to protect members and prevent repeat misuse.
- Financial records are retained for the period required by tax and accounting law.
Backup copies may remain for a short additional period before they are overwritten securely.
7. Your data protection rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:
- Ask for a copy of your personal information.
- Correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Ask us to delete information.
- Restrict or object to certain uses of your information.
- Receive information you gave us in a portable format.
- Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent.
- Ask for human review where a decision with significant effects is made solely by automated means.
These rights are not absolute and an exception may apply. We may ask for information to confirm your identity before completing a request. We will normally respond within one month.
8. Security and your choices
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information. No online service can promise complete security, so use a unique password, keep account details private and tell us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access.
You control what optional information appears on your profile. Avoid publishing your home address, workplace, financial information or other details that could put you at risk. Use the blocking and reporting tools if another member causes concern.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when the service, our suppliers or the law changes. We will publish the updated version here and change the effective date. If a change materially affects how we use your information, we will provide an appropriate additional notice.
Contact and complaints
For a privacy question or to exercise your rights, email news@theditch.co.uk and put “Privacy request” in the subject line.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk. We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concern first.