ACS OPERATIONS (‘we’, ‘our’, or ‘us’) is a UK-based company and the controller of personal data obtained via our website. This means we are legally responsible for deciding how and for what purposes your personal data is used. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR).

1. What This Policy Applies To
This policy applies to personal data we collect from you, including when you interact with us in person, by telephone, text, email, or through our website.

2. Personal Data We Collect About You
The personal data we collect depends on your interactions with us and may include:

• Name, contact details (email, phone number, company details if applicable)
• Identity verification data (e.g., date of birth)
• Gender (if provided)
• Billing and transaction information
• Professional details (CV, employment history, LinkedIn profile, education, references)
• Usage data (information about how you use our website and services)

3. How Your Personal Data Is Collected
We collect personal data directly from you, from publicly available sources (e.g., Companies House), third parties such as recruitment agencies, or through automated technologies (e.g., cookies on our website).

4. How and Why We Use Your Personal Data
We process your personal data for the following purposes, based on one or more legal justifications:

• To provide our services (contractual necessity)
• To verify your identity and prevent fraud (legal obligation or legitimate interest)
• To communicate with you about changes to our terms or services (legitimate interest)
• To customise our website for a better user experience (legitimate interest)
• To market our services (legitimate interest, with opt-out options)
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

5. Marketing
We may send you updates about our services via email, phone, or post. You can opt out at any time by contacting us. We do not sell your data to third parties.

6. Who We Share Your Personal Data With
We may share your personal data with:

• Prospective employers (with your consent)
• Third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors, IT services)
• Professional advisors (e.g., lawyers, auditors)
• Governmental or regulatory bodies when required by law

7. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes it was collected. Standard retention for potential candidate data is 7 years. Certain data (e.g., tax records) may be kept for longer as required by law.

8. International Data Transfers
If we transfer your data outside the UK or EEA, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as adequacy decisions or standard contractual clauses.

9. Cookies
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. For more details, please see our Cookie Policy.

10. Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have rights including:

• Access to your personal data
• Correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure of data (in certain cases)
• Restriction of processing
• Data portability
• Objection to processing (including marketing)
• Not to be subject to automated decisions with significant effects
  To exercise your rights, please contact us.

11. Data Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

12. Complaints
If you have concerns about our use of your data, please contact us. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time and will notify you of significant changes.

14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your rights, you can contact us at:
ACS OPERATIONS