Privacy policy

Gold Scouts is a directory of out-of-the-ordinary experiences. We connect users with independent local providers. We are the data controller for the information described on this page. You can reach us at contact@goldscouts.com.

• Provider accounts. Email address and password (stored hashed by our authentication provider), plus the business details you enter — business name, contact details, description, location and photographs.
• Experience listings. Everything you publish about an experience, including images you upload.
• Usage measurement. When you tap a provider's WhatsApp, phone, website or booking link, we record that a click happened, which experience it came from, and a random session identifier stored in your browser. We do not record who you are.
• Approximate location. Only if you tap "Use my location". Coordinates are used to sort results and are never stored on our servers.

Online payments made through Gold Scouts are processed by Stripe. We may receive and retain payment identifiers, amount, currency, status, fees and limited transaction information needed to operate bookings, payments, refunds, fraud prevention and support. We do not store complete card numbers or card security codes. Payments made directly to a provider outside Gold Scouts are handled under that provider’s or payment service’s own privacy practices.

• To display experiences and provider profiles (our legitimate interest in running the directory).
• To operate provider accounts and moderate submissions (performance of our terms with providers).
• To show providers how many enquiries their listings generate (legitimate interest).
• To keep the service secure and prevent abuse (legitimate interest).

Published listings and provider profiles are public. Our hosting and database providers process data on our behalf under contract. We do not sell personal data or share it with advertisers.

Account and listing data is kept while the account is active and for up to 12 months after closure. Click measurement is kept for 24 months in aggregate form.

You can ask for a copy of your data, correct it, delete it, restrict or object to its use, or ask for it in a portable format. Email contact@goldscouts.com and we will respond within one month. If you are in the UK you can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.

Necessary storage keeps sign-in and the site working. With your permission we also use Google Analytics 4 and Microsoft Clarity to measure site usage and understand how visitors interact with pages; both stay switched off until you accept, and you can change your choice at any time from Cookie settings in the footer. See our cookie policy for the full list.