In short: we collect only what we need to run the Network, get to know you, and organise events. We don’t sell your data. Limited profile details may be visible to other vetted members of the private network, but your contact details are only shared with your agreement. Analytics cookies are only used if you accept them.
1. Who we are
Sparked Connection Ltd (company number 16967307) (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the Professional Singles Network (singles-network.com), a professional community, mentorship and events network. We act as the data controller for your personal data under UK data protection law (ICO registration number: ZC080494).
Contact: hello@sparkedconnection.com
2. Our approach to privacy
Community and mentorship are personal. We treat your information with care, discretion and confidentiality. We only collect and use data that is necessary to understand you and to support the friendships, mentorship and events you have told us matter to you.
We do not operate like a dating app, and your data is never used for public browsing or algorithmic exposure.
3. What personal data we collect
Information you provide
- Name, email address and contact details
- Age or date of birth
- Location (city or region)
- What you are looking for (for example friendship, mentorship and/or events)
- Mentorship interests, and workshop or event preferences, where relevant
- Relationship preferences and intentions, where you choose to give them
- Lifestyle information (interests, habits, values)
- Personality assessment responses
- Photographs (where provided)
- How you heard about us
- Messages or communications with us, and notes we take during your 1:1 introduction call
- Details of the events, workshops and trips you book or attend, including any dietary or accessibility needs you tell us about, and confirmation of payment (card details are handled by our payment provider, not by us)
Information collected automatically
- Only if you accept analytics cookies: pages visited, approximate location, device and browser type, and how you arrived at the website (see section 14). IP addresses are anonymised.
- A record in your browser of your cookie choice.
Sensitive / special category data
Some information (for example relating to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal values, beliefs and lifestyle preferences) may be considered special category data under UK GDPR. We only process this data with your explicit consent, where it is necessary to provide the services you have asked for, and with appropriate safeguards in place. Please don’t share more sensitive detail than you are comfortable with.
4. How we use your data
We use your data to:
- understand what you are looking for and tailor your experience of the Network;
- facilitate friendships, mentor matching, and event or workshop invitations, where relevant;
- communicate with you about your membership and, where you have opted in, send you marketing communications about events and community updates;
- take bookings and payments for events, workshops and trips, and organise them;
- manage payments and service access; and
- improve our services.
Your data is used only for the purposes you have told us matter to you, and for the purpose of providing a personalised community, mentorship and events service.
5. AI-assisted tools and human oversight
We may use secure, private AI-assisted tools to support analysing questionnaire responses, identifying community-matching patterns, and assisting with internal meeting notes.
Where calls or meetings are transcribed, AI-assisted transcription tools may be used to help create accurate summaries, notes and follow-up actions. These recordings and transcripts are used solely for internal service delivery and are treated confidentially.
Where AI-assisted transcription, note-taking or analysis tools are used, we take reasonable steps to ensure that such providers operate appropriate security, confidentiality and data protection measures consistent with UK GDPR requirements. Where required by law, appropriate data processing agreements will be maintained with third-party providers.
All decisions are reviewed by a human. No decisions are made solely by automated means. AI supports, and does not replace, human judgement.
6. Lawful basis for processing
- Contract: to provide the community, mentorship and event services you request, including taking bookings and payments.
- Legitimate interests: to review applications and operate the Network responsibly and safely.
- Consent: where required, for example optional marketing communications, event photography, sensitive data, and analytics cookies.
- Legal obligations: for accounting or regulatory purposes.
You may withdraw consent at any time where applicable.
7. How we share your information
We do not sell or distribute your data.
Within our community
Where you have told us you are interested in friendship, mentorship and/or events, we may make limited profile details, such as your first name, profession and photo, visible to other vetted members within the private member network, for the purposes of friendship, mentorship and events. Personal contact details are only shared with another member with your agreement. By joining, you acknowledge that limited profile information may be shared with other members in this way. You may withdraw your consent to community sharing at any time.
Marketing and event photography
Where you have separately opted in, we may send you marketing communications about events and community updates, and use photographs or video taken at events for marketing purposes (for example social media, website and newsletters). Both of these are optional, and you may withdraw your consent at any time.
With service providers and partners
We may use trusted third parties for website hosting, payment processing, communication tools (including video-call and email providers), event booking platforms, and secure data handling. All providers are subject to data protection agreements. We may also share limited details with venues and suppliers where needed for a booking (for example your name and any dietary or accessibility requirements).
Analytics and legal requirements
If you accept analytics cookies, Google receives the usage data described in section 14. We may also disclose information to professional advisers, regulators or the authorities where we are legally required to, or need to protect our rights or the safety of others.
8. What we do not do
- We do not publicly display your profile. Visibility is always limited to vetted members, and only for the purposes you have told us matter to you.
- We do not allow browsing or swiping.
- We do not sell your data.
- We do not make automated decisions about your membership.
9. International data transfers
Where data is processed outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards, such as UK adequacy regulations and standard contractual clauses.
10. Data storage and security
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures, including restricted access controls, secure systems and environments, and confidentiality safeguards. Your data is accessed only where necessary. If you think your information has been put at risk, please contact us straight away.
11. Data retention
- Active members: for the duration of membership.
- Inactive applications: limited retention for review.
- Legal and accounting data: as required by law.
- Consultation recordings: retained only where necessary for service delivery and securely deleted when no longer required.
- Meeting transcripts and AI-generated summaries: retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or maintain business records.
- Event and mentorship records: retained for the duration of your membership and a reasonable period afterwards, for safeguarding, record-keeping and Community Code of Conduct purposes.
Photographs and personal profiles can be deleted upon request.
12. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access your personal data, correct inaccurate data, request deletion, restrict or object to processing, request data portability, and withdraw consent where applicable.
To exercise your rights, contact us at hello@sparkedconnection.com.
13. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first at hello@sparkedconnection.com so we can look into it and put things right. We will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and respond as soon as possible after investigating.
You also have the right to complain directly to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at any time, particularly if you are not satisfied with our response: ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or 0303 123 1113.
14. Cookies and website analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use this website and to improve our service. These cookies are not set until you give consent via the cookie banner shown on your first visit. You can accept or reject analytics cookies at any time using the cookie button (🍪, “Cookie preferences”) in the bottom-left corner of the page. Rejecting cookies does not affect your ability to use the site.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| sc_cookie_consent (browser storage) | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies | Essential | Until you clear your browser data |
| _ga, _ga_* (Google Analytics) | Tell us how visitors use the website, in aggregate. IP addresses are anonymised | Analytics, only if you accept | Up to 2 years |
15. Age
Membership is open to people aged 27 and over (see our Terms & Conditions). We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe we have, please contact us and we will delete it.
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.