Privacy Policy

Our Next Step respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how OurNextStep, trading as Our Next Step, collects, uses, stores and protects personal information when you visit or use our website and services.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Our Next Step website, waiting-list forms, registration processes, questionnaires, member profiles, communications and other services we provide.

Our contact details are:

Our Next Step
Email: [email protected]

Depending on how you use Our Next Step, we may collect information including:

Information you provide directly

This may include:

• name;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• date of birth or age;
• location or general geographical information;
• profile information;
• photographs;
• relationship preferences;
• questionnaire responses;
• information about your interests, lifestyle and preferences;
• information you provide when communicating with us; and
• information you provide when reporting another user.

The exact information collected will depend on the features available at the time.

Account and technical information

We may also collect information such as:

• account details;
• login information;
• IP address;
• device information;
• browser information;
• website usage information; and
• information relating to cookies and similar technologies.

Before the full Our Next Step service launches, you may be invited to join a waiting list.

If you join the waiting list, we may collect information such as your name and email address.

We use this information to:

• manage the waiting list;
• communicate with you about Our Next Step;
• provide information about the launch;
• invite you to complete relevant registration or questionnaire processes;
• provide information about membership; and
• send other communications where you have provided the necessary consent or where another lawful basis applies.

Joining the waiting list does not automatically make you a paid member.

We may use your information to:

• operate and provide Our Next Step;
• create and manage accounts;
• create and display member profiles;
• provide introductions and matching services;
• communicate with you;
• administer memberships;
• process payments where applicable;
• provide customer support;
• improve the website and service;
• maintain security;
• detect and prevent fraud, abuse and misuse;
• investigate reports and complaints;
• comply with legal obligations; and
• send marketing communications where permitted.

We will only use personal information for purposes that are lawful and compatible with applicable data protection legislation.

Depending on the circumstances, we may rely on one or more of the following lawful bases under UK GDPR:

• Consent – where you have given valid consent;
• Contract – where processing is necessary to provide a service you have requested or to perform a contract with you;
• Legitimate interests – where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests and those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests; and
• Legal obligation – where processing is necessary for us to comply with the law.

The lawful basis used will depend on the specific processing activity.

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time, although this will not affect processing that took place before withdrawal.

Because Our Next Step is a dating and introductions service, some information provided by users may potentially fall within the definition of special-category personal data under UK GDPR.

This could include information relating to matters such as:

• sexual orientation;
• sex life;
• health;
• religious or philosophical beliefs;
• racial or ethnic origin; or
• other sensitive information that a user chooses to provide.

We will only collect or use special-category information where there is an appropriate legal basis and additional condition under applicable data protection law.

Where appropriate, we may ask you to provide explicit consent to the processing of particular types of sensitive information.

You should not provide sensitive information unless it is requested or you consider it appropriate to do so.

Our Next Step may ask users to complete questionnaires or provide information about their preferences, personality, lifestyle and relationship expectations.

This information may be used to help provide introductions or matching services.

The precise matching methodology may develop over time.

Where automated processing or profiling is used in a way that is subject to specific UK GDPR requirements, we will provide appropriate information about that processing.

Information included in your member profile may be visible to other members of Our Next Step, depending on the functionality and privacy settings available.

You should therefore consider carefully what information you choose to include in your profile.

We will not intentionally make private account information publicly available unless this is necessary for the operation of the service, required by law, or otherwise permitted under applicable data protection legislation.

If you upload photographs to your profile, those photographs may be visible to other members depending on the functionality of the service.

You should only upload photographs that you have the right to use.

We may remove photographs that breach our Terms & Conditions or create safety, legal or operational concerns.

We may contact you about Our Next Step, including information about:

• the launch of the service;
• membership;
• new features;
• promotions;
• relevant service information; and
• other marketing communications where permitted.

Where applicable, you will be given the opportunity to opt out of marketing communications.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe facility included in the email or by contacting us.

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies.

These may be used for purposes including:

• essential website functionality;
• security;
• remembering preferences;
• understanding website usage;
• analytics; and
• marketing, where applicable.

The exact cookies and technologies used may change as the website develops.

Where consent is required, we will request it in accordance with applicable law.

We may share personal information with trusted service providers where this is necessary to operate Our Next Step.

These may include providers involved in:

• website hosting;
• email delivery;
• payment processing;
• analytics;
• website security;
• fraud prevention;
• customer support;
• identity or profile verification; and
• other technical services.

We require relevant service providers to handle personal information appropriately and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

We may also disclose information where required by law, court order, regulatory requirement or to protect the rights, safety and security of Our Next Step, our users or others.

Our Next Step may use third-party providers as the service develops.

Where these providers process personal information on our behalf, we will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate contractual and security arrangements are in place.

The Privacy Policy may be updated to identify relevant providers once the final technical arrangements have been confirmed.

Some service providers we use may process personal information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will take appropriate steps to ensure that the transfer is lawful and that appropriate safeguards are in place as required by applicable data protection legislation.

Further details will be added to this Privacy Policy as our final service providers are confirmed.

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

• unauthorised access;
• accidental loss;
• misuse;
• alteration; and
• unauthorised disclosure.

However, no internet-based service can guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and should contact us immediately if you believe your account has been compromised.

We will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including where necessary to meet legal, accounting or reporting requirements.

Retention periods may depend on:

• the type of information;
• the purpose for which it was collected;
• whether you continue to use Our Next Step;
• legal requirements; and
• whether the information may be required to deal with disputes or security matters.

Specific retention periods will be confirmed and updated as the final systems and operational procedures are established.

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights including:

• the right to request access to your personal information;
• the right to request correction of inaccurate information;
• the right to request deletion of your information;
• the right to request restriction of processing;
• the right to object to certain processing;
• the right to data portability in certain circumstances; and
• the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

Some rights are subject to conditions and exceptions under UK data protection law.

To exercise your rights, contact us using the details below.

Where the service allows you to delete your account, you may do so using the relevant account functionality.

Alternatively, you may contact us to request deletion.

Deleting an account does not necessarily mean that every item of personal information can be immediately removed. We may need to retain certain information where required by law, necessary to establish or defend legal claims, or otherwise permitted by applicable legislation.

Our Next Step is intended for adults aged 18 and over.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from anyone under 18 for the purpose of providing our dating services.

If you believe that someone under 18 has provided personal information to us, please contact us.

We may process personal information where reasonably necessary to:

• identify suspicious activity;
• prevent fraud and scams;
• protect users;
• investigate reports;
• enforce our Terms & Conditions;
• protect our systems; and
• comply with legal obligations.

This may include reviewing account information, profile information, activity and reports submitted by users.

Where legally required, we may provide information to law enforcement or other relevant authorities.

Our Next Step may use information provided by users to help identify compatible introductions or matches.

The exact technology and methodology used may develop as the service develops.

If we introduce automated decision-making or profiling that is subject to specific legal requirements, we will update this Privacy Policy and provide the information required by applicable data protection law.

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.

You should review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing them with personal information.

Our Next Step is a developing service and this Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time.

When we make changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this document.

Where appropriate, we may notify users of significant changes.

If you have concerns about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so that we have an opportunity to investigate and resolve the matter.

You also have the right to complain to the UK’s data protection regulator:

The ICO provides information about data protection rights and how to make a complaint.