PRIVACY POLICY (CONNECT98)
1. Who We Are
Connect98 Limited (“Connect98”, “we”, “us”, “our”) provides an SMS messaging and customer engagement platform.
For the purposes of data protection law:
We act as a Data Controller for:
our website visitors
our customers (account holders)
We act as a Data Processor when processing personal data on behalf of our customers through the Connect98 platform.
2. The Data We Collect
2.1 Website Visitors
We may collect:
IP address
browser type and device information
pages visited and usage data
location data (approximate)
2.2 Customers (Account Holders)
We collect:
name and business details
email address
phone number
billing and payment information
account activity and usage data
2.3 End User Data (Processed on Behalf of Customers)
Through the Connect98 platform, we process personal data provided by our customers, which may include:
mobile phone numbers
names (where collected)
message content
interaction data (e.g. opt-in / opt-out status)
Important:
This data is controlled by our customers. We process it only on their instructions.
3. How We Use Data
3.1 As Data Controller
We use personal data to:
provide and manage our Service
create and manage customer accounts
process payments
provide support
improve our platform
communicate important service updates
Lawful basis:
Contract (to provide the Service)
Legitimate interests (to improve and operate the Service)
Legal obligation (where required)
3.2 Marketing Communications
We may send marketing communications to:
existing customers (where permitted under PECR)
prospective customers who have given consent
You can opt out at any time.
3.3 As Data Processor (Platform Use)
When customers use Connect98 to send Messages:
we process End User data only on customer instruction
we do not use this data for our own marketing
we do not sell or share End User data with third parties
4. SMS & Messaging Compliance
Connect98 provides the platform only.
Customers are responsible for:
obtaining valid consent from End Users
complying with:
GDPR / UK GDPR
PECR
TCPA (US)
CTIA guidelines
We do not control the content or legality of Messages sent by customers.
5. Sharing of Data
We may share data with:
5.1 Service Providers
Including:
hosting providers
payment processors
telecommunications providers (SMS delivery)
These providers process data on our behalf under strict contractual controls.
5.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose data where required to:
comply with legal obligations
enforce our Terms
protect rights, safety, or prevent fraud
5.3 Business Transfers
If our business is sold or restructured, personal data may be transferred as part of that transaction.
6. International Data Transfers
Where data is transferred outside the UK or EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:
adequacy decisions
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary:
Customer account data: for the duration of the account and a reasonable period thereafter
Messaging data: as required to provide the Service and meet legal or compliance obligations
Customers control retention of End User data within the platform.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including:
secure hosting environments
encryption where appropriate
access controls
However, no system is completely secure, and transmission of data is at your own risk.
9. Your Rights (UK/EU)
Under GDPR / UK GDPR, you have the right to:
access your personal data
correct inaccurate data
request deletion of your data
restrict or object to processing
data portability
withdraw consent (where applicable)
To exercise your rights, contact us at: info@connect98.com
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
10. Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
operate our website
analyse usage
improve performance
Further details are available in our Cookie Policy.
11. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
12. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact:
Connect98 Limited
Email: info@connect98.com
“We have been customers of Connect98 across the group for several years now and consider them to be a valued business partner. Their service allows us to create a very valuable database of customers mobile numbers.
A short message with a little incentive always generates more business. Text marketing also helped us enormously when we came out of lockdown. It was the quickest and easiest way to let our customers know we were open again.”
Vinay Bhudia, General Manager,
Tiger Bay International
“One of the most useful features of the Connect98 system is that we can send messages out from Head Office to all our customers, or just locally from any location. We also run competitions using different keywords and always get a great response from that.
Because the response to text is almost immediate, we can send out announcements relating to real-time weather conditions, eg ‘Come and bowl when it is too hot, too cold, too wet...’”
Ana Pinto, Head of Marketing,
Namco Funscape (10-pin bowling)
“Vaping manufacturers are continually adding new products and different, updated vaping devices to their range. Rather than waiting for customers to come into any of our shops to see what is new and available, we often send a text message. We can include in this a link to our website where they can explore the entire range.
I would recommend Connect98 to any retailer that wants to encourage repeat business. It is a great way to stay in touch.”
David Carmichael, Owner,
Carmichaels Vaping
“We started using Connect98 a few months before lockdown and thank goodness we did. Coming out of lockdown it seemed like the whole country needed a haircut and every hairdresser was trying to greet them. We got in first, sent a message out as soon as Boris made his announcement and within 24 hours nearly 20% of our database had made appointments. It is all about getting there first. You know what they say, ‘if you snooze – you lose’.”
Lisa Harris, Owner,
Colour By Lisa
“The course was flooded a few years back and we had to let all our members know that it was unplayable. There was no point in sending an email as that may not be read for days. We ended up phoning all our most likely effected members. Following that incident, we decided to look at SMS as a medium for communicating quickly, mainly because of its instant impact and high open-rate.
The Connect98 platform suited all our requirements and even allowed us to capture the numbers of our ‘Pay & Play’ visitors. We now use it on a regular basis to advise of spare Tee times and Clubhouse events. We are very happy with the service they provide.”
Andrew Killing, General Manager,
Thorney Park Golf Club
“Connect98 has been extremely useful to us in keeping all my therapists busy throughout the day. We can determine when our advance bookings have dropped, and send out incentives to fill those slots. We also use the loyalty scheme rather than printing and stamping cards.”
Rumana Merali, Owner,
Rumiz Beauty Studio
“At Santa Pod we have been using texting and Connect98 for a long time. We are able to grow the size of our customer database when we interact with them on event days.
Between races we ask visitors to text us using ‘POD’ to 60163, followed by a record they would like to hear, or a Birthday/Anniversary they would like read out. With Connect98’s real-time monitoring our PA announcer is able to see these requests as they come in. We are also able to capture the mobile number and adding it to our database, we then have more people to market to for future events.”
Caroline Holden, Commercial Manager,
Santa Pod Drag Racing