Privacy policy

To use Metacentric services, you must submit personal information. When you use this site, you may send feedback or request notification of site updates. Our Web server also logs the use of this site. This statement explains how we protect your information.

Data controller

Philip Shaw is the data controller for Metacentric Internet Limited and is committed to ensure your privacy is protected. This privacy policy explains how we use the information we collect about you, how you can instruct us if you prefer to limit the use of that information, and procedures that we use to safeguard your privacy.

UK Data Protection Act registration: PZ8580338.

Dispute resolution

We welcome your views about our privacy policy. If you have questions or complaints arising from this policy, or wish to view or amend data that may be held about you, you may contact the data controller by email using our general purpose contact form.

Any complaints will be considered and investigated to all reasonable extent and in good faith. Any errors will be corrected as far as possible after the event, and a public apology may be published if appropriate. However, no exceptional warranty or liability is granted in this regard beyond the standard terms and conditions for this site.

1. The information we collect

1.1. Web server log data

Web server logs are recorded to produce general usage statistics for this site, to analyse this data at an aggregate level, administer the site and adjust navigational routes, error handling and request re-direction accordingly. The server logs will be kept indefinitely for historical interest and private research by Metacentric Internet Limited only. Abstract usage statistics, such as the most frequently requested pages and the top referring Web sites, may be published on this Web site periodically. These statistics will not include information that can be used to identify any individual.

In technical terms, the following information is recorded:

URI of requested resource

Which Web page or image, etc. was requested.

Request timestamp

When the Web page, image, etc. was requested.

HTTP request method

Was it a Web page request, or a feedback form submission, for example.

Response status code

Whether the server fulfilled the request successfully.

Data bytes in response

The amount of data sent by the server.

Referring URI

The previous Web page you requested.

Client's IP address or hostname

A reference to the computer you use to access the site.

User agent information

The name and version of the Web browser you use.

Search terms

Any words entered into a search engine to find this site.

This information may also be used to help us to customise our site for your use, configure your service and respond to your enquiries.

The Metacentric Web server logs are compiled continuously on a server provided by a third party host provider and are accessible to system administrators who are not directly associated with Metacentric Internet Limited. It is unlikely that system administrators would view this log, but the possibility is noted here in the interests of openness.

1.1.1 Account transactions

Metacentric customers configure their own service options and preferences and it is necessary for our systems to record these selections and retain them indefinitely. These options are private to individual customers and only accessible by authenticated access to the Metacentric Web site.

1.2 Cookies and session tracking

Web site cookies are a temporary storage mechanism that can be used to provide users with tailored information from a Web site, can make it easier to use, and enable interactive features. Cookies contain summary information that may be stored by your Web browser and passed back to us at a later date to help us manage your use of this site.

We use cookies to track your use of our site as if it was one continuous "session", so you only need to log in once, and our systems can respond to the choices you make when you configure your service and choose your preferences.

In technical terms, we may record the following data as part of your session:

Unique identifiers

When you log in, we record the fact your identity is verified, so you do not have to log in again.

Navigation and click-stream data

We may record details about the previous page you visited on this site to help us respond to your help requests more precisely.

Interactive data

When you configure your service options and preferences, we need to track this information until it is verified, confirmed and stored permanently.

Preference data

We may store information about the way you prefer to use our Web site, so we can adjust it to your personal requirements.

State-management information

Some service options are only available when other options are set and when you are fully up to date with service payments. These settings may change during your session, so it is necessary to keep track of your service status throughout your session.

It may be possible for you to set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether to accept it, or switch off cookies altogether (see your browser help pages for further information). If you disable cookies, we will use another form of session tracking where a session identifier is tagged onto the Web address for each page. In this case, we collect the same information as with cookies above.

Metacentric does not handle service payments directly, but may record your choice to make a service payment, so we can stop giving you unnecessary reminders.

1.3 Customer information

1.3.1 Mandatory service information

When you register for our services, we need to know your system user name, password, email address, Web address and site information. We gather this information to process and verify your registration, allow you access to our Web site, process any orders you may make and notify you of service information. We will use your email address to provide you with statements of your account and to communicate with you on any matter relating to the conduct of your account and the provision of the service in general.

Unique identifiers

We ask you to create a unique username and private password to log in to our site, so we can verify your identity.

Email address

We send a verification message to your email address to confirm your identity and to issue service information and payment reminders.

Home page address

We need to know all the Web addresses you want to use with this service and may download a service token to check the site belongs to you.

Content

We ask you to give a service name for your site and a summary description to help promote it through our Web site and others.

1.3.2 Optional service information

All other customer information is invited at your discretion, to enhance the level of service we can provide to you. If you provide optional name and address information, we will pass this to our independent Payment Service Provider to pre-fill the relevant service payment forms. In this case, you will have the opportunity to check and amend this information before it is committed. We do not store any payment card details.

The optional information we collect includes:

• First name
• Last name
• Street address
• City
• Country

If you contact us by telephone, we may note your telephone number to call you back, but it will not be retained permanently.

Customers have the option to receive supplementary marketing information from us and our partners by email, but you must actively opt-in when you set up your account. You can change this setting later.

3. How we protect your information

We limit the amount of private information we gather from you to the minimum required for standard service provision, site management and our business needs. We will not pass this information to any third party. If you provide optional name and address information, this can be used to pre-fill our Payment Service Provider's payment forms, but the information you submit to them is at your discretion.

3.1 Updating your details

Metacentric customers can view and update most of the personal information we hold by logging in to this Web site and using the appropriate update screen. You are only permitted access to your own personal details and we record all log in attempts and key transactions to monitor system security.

3.2 Feedback form content

The content of form submissions and email messages will be treated as private business correspondence and will not be published or distributed in any way without your express authority. However, you should note the Internet is not a secure medium, messages submitted via forms are not encrypted and the transmission of the message is not secured or authenticated in any way. Your message will be passed over the Internet and could technically be intercepted by a third party. You are hereby advised not to submit any sensitive, private, personal or security information using the feedback forms on this Web site.

3.3 Your email address

Your email address will only be used to notify you of Metacentric service information, including confirmation messages, customer support correspondence and service payment reminders. If you request notification of news or general site updates, your email address and name only will be added to the relevant mailing list. Your email address will not be passed to any third party and your name and address will not be included in the email message that other people on the mailing list see.

4. Sale of business

If this business is sold or integrated with another business, aggregate information about all users may be disclosed to our advisors, prospective purchasers and their advisors, but no data that could be used to identify or contact any individual will be made available. Only if such a purchase is completed will system data be passed to the new owners of the business, and you will be notified by email.

6. Your consent

By submitting your information to us, you consent to the use of your information as set out in this policy. If we change our privacy policy, we will post the changes on this page and may place notices on other pages of the Web site. We will also email you should we make any changes, so that you may consent to our use of your information in that way. Continued use of the service will signify that you agree to any such changes.

Owing to the global nature of the Internet infrastructure, the information you provide may be transferred in transit to countries outside the European Economic Area that do not have similar protections in place regarding your data and its use as set out in this policy. However, we have taken the steps outlined above to try to improve the security of your information. By submitting your information you consent to these transfers.