Privacy notice
Last updated 20 October 2026
This notice explains what personal data BaristaScout collects, why, and what you can do about it. We keep it short because we collect very little.
Who we are
BaristaScout (www.baristascout.com) is run by Lewis Sellers, 10 South Parade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5QS. We are the controller of the personal data described here. Contact us at privacy@baristascout.com about anything in this notice.
What we collect and why
When you browse the site
- Technical logs. Our hosting provider (Vercel) records requests, including your IP address, browser type and the page requested, to run and secure the site. Our lawful basis is legitimate interests (keeping the site working and safe).
- Error reports. If a page fails, a report goes to Sentry (EU region) so we can fix it. We have switched off storing IP addresses and do not send cookies, form contents or account details. Lawful basis: legitimate interests.
- Link counts. When you click through to a café's website, directions, phone or Instagram, we count it: which café, which kind of link, and when. We do not record who you are, your IP address or any cookie. This is not personal data.
- Your cookie choice. We store it in a cookie so we do not ask on every page (see our cookie policy).
Only if you agree
- Google Analytics tells us which pages are visited and which links are used, using a pseudonymous identifier in a cookie. Google does not store your IP address in Analytics. We keep Analytics data for 14 months and have switched off Google signals and advertising features. Lawful basis: consent.
- Google Maps shows cafés on a map. When a map loads, your browser connects to Google, which receives your IP address and how you use the map. Lawful basis: consent. Google's own use is described in Google's privacy policy.
When you search near you
- If you type a postcode or place, it is sent to our server, which looks it up with postcodes.io (an open UK postcode service). Your IP address is not passed on.
- If you tap "Use my location", your browser asks your permission first. The approximate coordinates are used only to sort cafés by distance and are not stored.
Our editors
People who edit the guide sign in with an email address, a password and an authenticator app. We keep their account details and a record of changes they make, so every change can be checked and undone. Lawful basis: legitimate interests (running the guide accurately).
Who we share data with
We use these providers to run the site. Each acts on our instructions:
| Provider | What for | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Supabase | Database and editor sign-in | London, UK |
| Vercel | Hosting | London, UK, with some processing in the USA |
| Sentry | Error reports | European Union |
| Google (only with your consent) | Analytics and maps | European Union and USA |
| postcodes.io | Postcode and place lookup (no personal data) | UK |
Where data goes to the USA, it is protected by the UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework or the UK International Data Transfer Agreement. We never sell personal data.
How long we keep it
- Hosting logs: as set by Vercel, currently 30 days.
- Error reports: 90 days.
- Analytics: 14 months.
- Your cookie choice: 6 months, then we ask again.
- Editor accounts: while the person edits for us. The record of changes is kept for 6 years, with the editor shown only by an internal reference after their account is deleted.
- Backups: up to 7 days.
Your rights
You can ask for a copy of your personal data, ask us to correct or delete it, object to or restrict how we use it, or ask for it in a portable format. You can withdraw consent at any time from Cookie settings at the bottom of every page; this does not affect anything done before. Email privacy@baristascout.com and we will reply within one month.
If you are unhappy with how we use your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113). We would appreciate the chance to put things right first.
Changes
When we add features that use personal data, such as a newsletter, café owner accounts or a suggestion form, we will update this notice before they go live.