Sterling Edge

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information may be collected, used, stored and otherwise processed when you visit Sterling Edge, create an account, subscribe, contact us or use other features of the website.

We aim to collect only the information reasonably required to operate Sterling Edge, provide requested services, communicate with users, maintain security and meet applicable legal obligations.

1. Who is responsible for your information?

Sterling Edge is operated by:

{{LEGAL_OPERATOR_NAME}}
{{REGISTERED_ADDRESS}}
Privacy contact: {{PRIVACY_EMAIL}}

The operator identified above is responsible for determining how personal information collected through Sterling Edge is used, except where another organisation acts independently as a data controller for its own service.

2. Information we may collect

The information collected depends on how you use Sterling Edge.

Account information

If you create an account, we may collect information including:

your email address;
account identifiers;
account creation information;
authentication and session information.

Passwords used for registered accounts are not intended to be stored as readable plain-text passwords. The website stores a one-way password hash used for authentication.

Subscription information

If you subscribe or request access to Sterling Edge content, we may collect information such as:

your name, where requested;
your email address;
the subscription or membership option selected;
the date and status of your request or subscription.

Contact enquiries

If you use our contact form, we may collect:

your name;
your email address;
the contents of your message;
information reasonably necessary to respond to your enquiry.

Technical information

When you use the website, limited technical information may also be processed as part of normal website operation and security.

This can include information such as:

session identifiers;
request timestamps;
browser or device information supplied with web requests;
IP address or server log information where recorded by the hosting environment;
information required to detect errors, abuse or security problems.

3. Why we use personal information

Personal information may be processed for purposes including:

creating and administering user accounts;
authenticating signed-in users;
providing access to subscriber or member content;
processing subscription or registration requests;
responding to messages and support enquiries;
managing editorial correction or privacy requests;
maintaining the functionality and security of the website;
preventing abuse, spam or unauthorised access;
maintaining appropriate administrative records;
complying with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

4. Our basis for processing

The basis relied upon depends on why the information is being processed.

Providing an account or requested service

Where you create an account, request membership or ask us to provide a service, processing may be necessary to take steps at your request or to provide the service you requested.

Legitimate interests

We may rely on legitimate interests where processing is reasonably necessary to operate and protect Sterling Edge, respond to ordinary enquiries, maintain appropriate records or prevent misuse of the website, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

Consent

Where we specifically ask for consent, such as for an optional marketing communication where consent is required, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Legal obligations

Information may also be processed where this is necessary to comply with an applicable legal obligation.

5. Account security

Registered-user passwords are intended to be stored using one-way password hashing rather than as readable plain-text passwords.

Authentication may use an essential server-side session and an associated browser cookie so that Sterling Edge can recognise a signed-in user while they navigate the website.

Users are responsible for keeping their account credentials confidential and should not share passwords with other people.

6. Cookies and browser storage

Sterling Edge may use cookies, local storage and session storage where necessary for website functionality.

This can include storage used for:

signed-in sessions;
security;
temporary website state;
remembering acknowledgement of the cookie notice.

More information is available in our Cookie Notice .

7. Advertising-supported content

Sterling Edge is advertising-supported and may receive compensation when visitors interact with certain commercial links, enquiries, registrations, subscriptions, purchases or other qualifying actions.

Advertising support does not automatically mean that information submitted to a Sterling Edge account or contact form is provided to an advertiser.

If personal information is collected specifically for referral to a third-party provider or advertiser, the relevant purpose and recipient should be disclosed at or before the point at which the information is submitted.

More information about the site's commercial model is available in our Advertising Disclosure .

8. When information may be shared

Personal information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary for the operation of Sterling Edge or where disclosure is required by law.

Recipients may include:

website hosting or infrastructure providers;
technical service providers supporting website functionality;
professional advisers where reasonably necessary;
public authorities where disclosure is legally required;
a third-party service or provider where you have specifically requested an introduction or submission and the sharing has been disclosed to you.

Service providers processing personal information on our behalf should only use it for the relevant service and subject to appropriate contractual and security requirements.

9. Commercial use of submitted information

Information submitted solely for creating a Sterling Edge account, managing membership or contacting Sterling Edge is not treated as permission to disclose that information to unrelated advertisers for their own independent marketing.

If a separate form is intended to send information to an advertiser or third-party provider, that purpose should be clearly identified before the information is submitted.

10. How long we keep information

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including any period required for security, administration, dispute resolution or applicable legal obligations.

Account information

Account information may be retained while the account remains active and for a limited period afterwards where reasonably necessary to administer closure, maintain security records or comply with applicable obligations.

Contact messages

Contact correspondence may be retained while an enquiry is being handled and afterwards for as long as reasonably necessary for record keeping, follow-up or dispute management.

Subscription communications

Information used solely for optional communications based on your consent may be retained until you withdraw that consent, unsubscribe or the information is no longer required for that purpose.

Security and technical records

Technical records may be retained for a limited period where reasonably necessary for security, troubleshooting, abuse prevention or server administration.

11. Protecting personal information

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps intended to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, alteration or disclosure.

Information intended for server-side operation should not be intentionally exposed through publicly accessible website directories.

However, no internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

12. International processing

Some hosting, infrastructure or service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, any transfer should be handled using an applicable legal mechanism and safeguards required for the relevant destination and processing arrangement.

13. Your data-protection rights

Depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal basis, you may have rights in relation to your personal information.

These may include the right to:

request access to personal information held about you;
request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
request deletion of personal information in circumstances where the right applies;
request restriction of processing in certain circumstances;
object to certain processing;
request transfer of eligible personal information where the portability right applies;
withdraw consent where processing relies on your consent;
complain to the relevant data-protection supervisory authority.

These rights are not absolute in every situation. The response to a request can depend on the nature of the information, the purpose for which it is being processed and applicable legal requirements.

14. How to exercise your rights

To make a privacy request, contact:

You may also use our Contact page .

We may need to request enough information to identify the relevant account or correspondence and to confirm that personal information is not disclosed to the wrong person.

Please do not send passwords, payment-card information or unnecessary identity documents through the general contact form.

15. Complaints

If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us first so that we have an opportunity to review the issue.

You may also have the right to raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office or another competent data-protection supervisory authority where applicable.

16. Third-party websites

Sterling Edge may link to websites and services operated by third parties.

Once you follow an external link, the destination organisation may process information under its own privacy policy and terms.

Sterling Edge is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of third-party websites.

17. Children's information

Sterling Edge is intended as a general financial-information website and is not designed specifically as a service for children.

Users should not intentionally submit personal information about another person, including a child, unless they have an appropriate reason and authority to do so.

18. Automated decision-making

Sterling Edge does not use the account and contact information described in this policy to make solely automated decisions that are intended to produce legal or similarly significant effects on users.

19. Changes to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated when website functionality, data-processing practices or applicable requirements change.

Material changes should be reflected in the version made available on this page.

20. Transparency and related policies

This Privacy Policy should be read together with:

21. Privacy contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information can be sent to:

{{LEGAL_OPERATOR_NAME}}
{{REGISTERED_ADDRESS}}
Email: {{PRIVACY_EMAIL}}