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Privacy Policy

About this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how The Woof Shack collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and other applicable UK data-protection legislation.

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For the purposes of data protection law, The Woof Shack is responsible for deciding how and why personal information is used.

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The Woof Shack uses information you provide on customer care record cards, booking forms, terms and conditions forms and marketing opt-in forms to provide the services you request, manage appointments, maintain appropriate customer records and communicate with you about your appointments and our services.

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The Woof Shack website also collects personal information and technical usage information when you use or interact with the site. This includes information you submit through contact forms and information collected automatically through cookies, analytics and similar technologies.

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This Privacy Policy does not override any rights you have under applicable data-protection law.

Please read this Privacy Policy to understand how we handle your personal information. If you have any questions or concerns about how your information is used, please contact The Woof Shack using the details in section 14.0.

1.0 Our core principles regarding user privacy and data protection

The Woof Shack aims to:

  • handle personal information responsibly and securely;

  • collect and process only personal information that is reasonably necessary for our business and the services we provide;

  • be clear about how and why personal information is used;

  • keep personal information accurate where necessary and retain it only for as long as required;

  • not sell or rent personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes;

  • respect marketing preferences and requests to stop receiving marketing communications; and

  • take reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

2.0 Relevant legislation

The Woof Shack website and our handling of personal information are intended to comply with applicable UK legislation and regulatory requirements relating to data protection and privacy, including:

  • UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR);

  • Data Protection Act 2018;

  • Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), as amended; and

  • Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

We will review our data-protection arrangements from time to time to take account of changes in legislation, regulatory guidance, our business practices and the services we use.

2.1 Your data-protection rights

Data-protection law gives individuals a number of rights in relation to their personal information. The rights that apply may depend on the circumstances and the lawful basis on which information is being processed.

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The right to be informed
You have the right to know how and why your personal information is collected and used, who it may be shared with and how long it is likely to be retained.

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The right of access
You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, together with certain supplementary information. We will normally respond to a valid request without undue delay and within one calendar month. In certain circumstances this period may be extended where permitted by law. We may need to request information to confirm your identity.

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The right to rectification
You have the right to ask us to correct inaccurate personal information or complete information that is incomplete.

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The right to erasure
In certain circumstances, you have the right to ask us to delete your personal information. This right is not absolute and does not apply where we have a lawful reason or obligation to retain the information.

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The right to restrict processing
In certain circumstances, you have the right to ask us to restrict how we use your personal information.

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The right to data portability
Where the relevant legal conditions apply, you may have the right to receive personal information you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, or to ask us to transmit it to another organisation.

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The right to object
You may have the right to object to certain uses of your personal information. You have an absolute right to object to your personal information being used for direct marketing. If you object to direct marketing, we will stop using your information for that purpose.

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The right to withdraw consent
Where we rely on your consent to use personal information, you can withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of anything we did before consent was withdrawn.

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Rights relating to automated decision-making
You have rights in relation to certain decisions made solely by automated means. The Woof Shack does not currently use solely automated decision-making to make decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on customers.

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The right to complain
If you are concerned about the way we have handled your personal information, you can make a data-protection complaint to The Woof Shack. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

2.2 The Woof Shack and UK GDPR

The Woof Shack is committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable data-protection law.

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We aim to ensure that personal information is:

  • processed lawfully, fairly and transparently;

  • collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes;

  • adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary;

  • accurate and kept up to date where necessary;

  • kept only for as long as necessary; and

  • processed securely and protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.

3.0 What personal information do we collect?

To provide our services and operate the business, The Woof Shack needs to collect certain personal information.

Personal information is information that relates to an identified or identifiable person.

3.1 Information you provide to us

When you use The Woof Shack for dog-grooming services, we may collect information including:

  • your name;

  • address;

  • telephone number;

  • email address;

  • appointment and booking information;

  • details of services provided;

  • grooming history;

  • payment and transaction information;

  • communications with us;

  • marketing preferences; and

  • comments, feedback, recommendations or reviews.

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We also record information about your dog where necessary to provide grooming services. This may include your dog’s name, age, breed, temperament, grooming requirements and relevant health or medical information.

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Information about a dog will not usually be personal information by itself. However, when it is recorded as part of an identifiable customer’s records, it forms part of the information we hold in connection with that customer and their services.

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Information may be recorded on customer care record cards, terms and conditions forms and other business records.

3.2 Information collected through our website

When you visit thewoofshack.com, certain technical information may be collected automatically by our website provider, Wix, and by analytics services where these are enabled.

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This may include information such as:

  • your IP address or information derived from it;

  • the type of device and browser you use;

  • operating system and screen information;

  • approximate location;

  • pages visited and how visitors interact with them;

  • referring or exit pages;

  • date and time information; and

  • cookie or similar online identifiers.

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This information is used to operate and secure the website, understand how it is used and improve the experience for visitors.

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If you contact us using the website contact form, we may collect information such as your name, email address, telephone number and the contents of your message. Information submitted through the website may be stored or processed through Wix and may also be added to The Woof Shack’s customer records where appropriate.

3.3 Information collected from other sources

The Woof Shack also accepts enquiries and bookings through Facebook and Messenger, WhatsApp, telephone, SMS and email.

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Information you provide through these channels may be collected and recorded where necessary to respond to your enquiry, manage your appointment or provide our services.

4.0 Why we collect and use personal information

We use personal information for purposes including:

  • managing bookings and appointments;

  • providing dog-grooming services;

  • responding to enquiries;

  • communicating with you about appointments and services;

  • maintaining customer, grooming and service records;

  • processing and recording payments;

  • dealing with questions, complaints or customer-service matters;

  • complying with legal, accounting, insurance and regulatory requirements;

  • maintaining the security and proper operation of our business and website;

  • understanding and improving our website and services; and

  • sending marketing communications where permitted.
     

Information about a dog’s health, medical requirements, temperament or other requirements will only be collected and used where it is relevant and reasonably necessary for the services being provided.

4.1 Our lawful bases for using personal information

Data-protection law requires us to have a lawful basis for using personal information. The lawful basis we rely on depends on why the information is being used.

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We may rely on:

Contract
Where the information is necessary to take steps at your request before providing a service, or to provide grooming services you have agreed to receive. This includes managing bookings, appointments, payments and communications relating to your service.

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Legal obligation
Where we need to use or retain information to meet a legal requirement, such as certain accounting, tax or regulatory obligations.

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Legitimate interests
Where using the information is reasonably necessary for the legitimate operation of The Woof Shack and those interests are not overridden by your rights. This may include maintaining appropriate business and service records, responding to enquiries and complaints, protecting the security of our business and website and managing or defending legal claims.

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Consent
Where you have given us clear permission for a particular purpose. This may include marketing communications, certain uses of photographs and non-essential website cookies or analytics. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

5.0 How your information is stored and processed

The Woof Shack may keep customer and grooming information on customer care record cards and through digital services used to operate the business.

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We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is stored securely and that access is limited to people who need it for legitimate business purposes.

5.1 Website hosting

The Woof Shack website is hosted on the Wix platform.

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Wix provides the technology used to host and operate the website. Information submitted through the website, such as contact-form information, and certain technical information generated when you use the site may therefore be processed and stored using Wix systems.

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For more information about how Wix handles information, please refer to the Wix Privacy Policy.

5.2 Where website information may be processed

Wix and other technology providers may use servers, cloud infrastructure and service providers in different countries.

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The precise locations used by these providers may change over time. Further information about Wix’s current data-processing arrangements and subprocessors is available through Wix’s privacy and data-protection information.

5.3 International data transfers

Some of the organisations that provide services to The Woof Shack may process personal information outside the United Kingdom.

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Where a transfer of personal information is subject to UK restrictions on international transfers, we take reasonable steps to ensure that an appropriate legal mechanism or safeguard is in place. This may include transfers to countries covered by UK adequacy regulations or the use of approved contractual safeguards

5.4 Security of personal information

The Woof Shack takes reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

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Our website is hosted by Wix, which uses security measures including encrypted HTTPS connections, secure data storage, firewalls and monitoring systems to help protect information processed through its platform.

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No method of storing or transmitting information can be guaranteed to be completely secure. We therefore regularly consider the information we hold, how it is stored and whether appropriate safeguards are in place.

5.5 Website analytics and tracking

The Woof Shack uses Wix Analytics and Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors use the website and how the website performs.

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These services may process information such as the pages you visit, how you arrived at the website, interactions with the site, device and browser information, approximate location and cookie or similar identifiers.

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We use this information to understand general website usage, identify areas that may need improving and measure the effectiveness of the website.

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Analytics tools that require consent will not be activated unless you have chosen to allow the relevant cookies or similar technologies.

5.6 Cookies

This website uses cookies and similar technologies.

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Cookies are small files or pieces of information stored on or accessed from your device. They can help a website function correctly, remember preferences and provide information about how visitors use the site.

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Some cookies are necessary for the website to operate and may be used without consent where the law permits. Other cookies, including analytics cookies, will only be used where consent is required and you have chosen to allow them.

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The Woof Shack website is hosted by Wix, which may use cookies necessary for the operation, security and functionality of the website. Google Analytics and other services may also use cookies or similar technologies where enabled.

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You can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the cookie settings provided on the website. You can also manage or delete cookies through your browser settings.

6.0 Sharing your information

The Woof Shack may share personal information with organisations that provide services necessary for us to operate the business, where there is a lawful reason to do so.

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We only share information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

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We do not sell or rent personal information or otherwise make it available to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

6.1 Legal and other necessary disclosures

There may be circumstances in which The Woof Shack is required or permitted by law to disclose personal information without obtaining your consent.

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This may include circumstances involving:

  • compliance with a legal or regulatory requirement;

  • requests from law-enforcement or other authorised bodies;

  • prevention or detection of crime or fraud;

  • serious concerns about animal welfare;

  • a dangerous dog or other significant threat to public safety;

  • protection of the rights, safety or property of The Woof Shack, our customers or others; or

  • the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
     

Where information is disclosed in these circumstances, we will only disclose information that is reasonably necessary and will keep appropriate records where required.

6.2 Seeking veterinary treatment

If The Woof Shack needs to seek veterinary treatment for a dog on an owner’s behalf, it may be necessary to provide the veterinary practice with information needed to provide appropriate treatment.

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This may include the owner’s name and contact details, the dog’s name and relevant information about the medical issue or circumstances.

7.0 Third-party services and providers

The Woof Shack uses third-party organisations and services to help operate the business.

Depending on the service and circumstances, these organisations may process personal information on our behalf or may process information for their own purposes under their own privacy policies.

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The main services we use include:

  • Wix, for website hosting and related website services;

  • Meta, for The Woof Shack Facebook page and Messenger;

  • Google, for Google Analytics, Gmail and related services;

  • WhatsApp, for messaging and calls; and

  • Lopay, for card-payment processing.
     

These providers have their own privacy policies explaining how they handle information.

7.1 Payment services

The Woof Shack uses Lopay for card transactions and payment processing.

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When a card payment is made, payment and transaction information may be processed by Lopay as necessary to complete the transaction, maintain payment records and help prevent fraud.

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The Woof Shack may retain relevant transaction information where needed for accounting, customer-service, legal or business-record purposes.

7.2 Facebook and Messenger

The Woof Shack uses Facebook to share information about the business and communicate with customers through Messenger.

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Messenger may be used for enquiries, booking and appointment management, notifying you when your dog’s groom is complete, sending photographs and other customer communications.

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Information provided through Facebook or Messenger may be added to The Woof Shack’s customer records where necessary.

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Marketing messages through these services will only be sent where permitted by law and in accordance with your marketing preferences.

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Meta processes information in accordance with its own privacy policy.

7.3 WhatsApp

The Woof Shack uses WhatsApp for enquiries and customer communications, including appointment management, notifying customers when a groom is complete, sharing photographs and making or receiving calls.

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Information provided through WhatsApp may be added to The Woof Shack’s customer records where necessary.

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Marketing messages through WhatsApp will only be sent where permitted by law and in accordance with your marketing preferences.

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WhatsApp processes information in accordance with its own privacy policy.

8.0 Photographs and social media

The Woof Shack may take photographs of dogs before, during or after grooming. These may be used to record grooming work or, where appropriate, to display our work on our website or social-media pages.

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A photograph of a dog will not normally be personal information by itself. However, where a photograph is linked to an identifiable customer or a customer can reasonably be identified from accompanying information, it may constitute personal information.

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Where the use of a photograph involves personal information, The Woof Shack will ensure that there is an appropriate lawful basis for its use and will obtain consent where required or appropriate.

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You can contact us if you have concerns about the use of photographs associated with you or your dog.

9.0 Marketing

The Woof Shack may send information about services, offers, news or other promotional content where we are permitted to do so.

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Where we rely on consent, you will be given a clear choice about whether you would like to receive marketing communications.

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You can withdraw your consent or ask us to stop sending marketing communications at any time by contacting The Woof Shack or using any opt-out method provided in the communication.

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We may retain a record of your marketing preference so that we can respect your request not to receive further marketing.

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Communications that are necessary to manage an enquiry, booking, appointment, payment or service are service communications rather than direct marketing. We may continue to send these where they are necessary to provide or administer the service you have requested.

10.0 Reviews and testimonials

If you choose to provide a review or testimonial about The Woof Shack, we may ask to use it for promotional purposes, including on our website or social-media pages.

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Where a review is reproduced, we will only use personal information in a way that is appropriate to the circumstances and consistent with any permission you have given.

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Your first name, your dog’s name or a photograph of your dog may be included where appropriate and where you have agreed to this.

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If you would prefer a review to be displayed anonymously, please let us know.

11.0 Change of business ownership

If The Woof Shack is sold, transferred or reorganised, personal information held by the business may need to be transferred to a new owner or operator where this is lawful and reasonably necessary as part of the transaction.

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Any new owner or operator receiving personal information would be required to handle it in accordance with applicable data-protection law.

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We will provide customers with information about a change in how their personal information will be handled where the law requires us to do so.

12.0 Data retention

The Woof Shack keeps personal information only for as long as it is reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet any applicable legal, accounting, insurance or dispute-resolution requirements.

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Customer, grooming and relevant transaction records may be retained for up to six years after your last appointment where this is reasonably necessary for business records, legal claims, accounting, insurance or dispute purposes.

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Other information may be retained for a shorter period where there is no longer a reason to keep it.

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Where you withdraw marketing consent or opt out of marketing, we may retain enough information to record and respect that preference.

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When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely dispose of or delete it.

13.0 Personal data breaches

If a personal data breach occurs, The Woof Shack will assess the circumstances and the likely risk to the people affected.

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Where required by law, we will notify the Information Commissioner’s Office without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours of becoming aware of a breach that is likely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms.

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Where a breach is likely to result in a high risk to the people affected, we will also inform those individuals without undue delay where required.

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We will keep appropriate records of personal data breaches and the action taken in response.

14.0 Contacting us and making a data-protection complaint

If you have any questions about how The Woof Shack uses your personal information, wish to exercise any of your data-protection rights, or wish to make a data-protection complaint, please contact:

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The Woof Shack
Bradshaw’s Farm Shop and Café
Bleak Farm, Ironstone Road
Burntwood
WS7 1YL

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Email:
thewoofshack@gmail.com

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Telephone:
07464 787 197

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You do not normally have to pay a fee to exercise your data-protection rights. We may need to request reasonable information to confirm your identity before providing personal information or acting on a request.

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We will respond to requests to exercise data-protection rights without undue delay and within the applicable legal time limits.

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If you make a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, we will provide a clear way for you to raise your concerns, acknowledge the complaint within 30 days, take appropriate steps to investigate it without undue delay, keep you informed where appropriate and tell you the outcome.

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If you remain unhappy with how your personal information has been handled, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator responsible for data protection.

15.0 Changes to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory guidance, our business practices, the services we use or the way our website operates.

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The latest version will be published on our website and will show the date on which it was last updated.

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We recommend checking this page occasionally for significant changes.

16.0 Last updated

Last updated: October 2026

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