Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share and protect personal data and the rights you have.
The Short Version
- The BetterFibre site is designed to be informative and process the minimal amount of personal information.
- You may search our site using a postcode to see what Altnet services are in your area.
- We may use web analytics to understand the use of our site.
- If you provide us with your name and e-mail address and ask us to keep you updated when an Altnet arrives at your postcode, we may be in touch from time to time to keep you posted. You can ask us to remove you from this list at any time.
- We may use the information above for statistical uses, without identifying any individuals (such as tracking the level of interest in Altnet services by geography.)
The Long Version
Who we are
This website is operated by the Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA), a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Its members include independent networks and some related parties. You can write to us at c/o Mckellens, 11 Riverview, The Embankment Business Park, Vale Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 3GN. Contact email (privacy and data protection): [email protected]
What personal data we collect
We may collect and process the following categories of personal data, depending on how you interact with us:
- Identity and contact details — Name, E-mail address and postcode
- Website and technical data — IP address, device and browser information, pages you visit, and cookie and analytics data.
Our website may contain embedded content (videos, etc.) from third party sites which may be subject to their privacy policies.
How we collect personal data
We collect personal data when you:
- contact us (email or web forms)
- subscribe to updates
- use our website (including via cookies and analytics)
How we use your personal data and our lawful bases
UK GDPR requires a lawful basis for each use of personal data. The lawful bases are set out in Article 6 UK GDPR and explained in ICO guidance.
We use personal data for:
Communications and updates
Purpose: send member updates, newsletters, event announcements, and sector communications.
Lawful basis: legitimate interests for expected operational communications; consent where required for marketing and where you have chosen to opt in. (You can opt out at any time.)
Website operation, analytics and security
Purpose: keep the site secure, prevent abuse, understand how the site is used, and improve content and performance.
Lawful basis: legitimate interests for essential security and site operation; consent for non-essential cookies such as analytics.
Cookies and Google Analytics
We use cookies and similar technologies. Cookies rules in the UK are covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and ICO guidance requires clear information and consent for non-essential cookies.
We use:
- Strictly necessary cookies: required for core site functions and security.
- Functionality cookies: may be needed to save preferences or similar use
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): used to understand website usage and improve the site. These are set only if you consent via our cookie settings.
You can manage cookies using:
- our cookie banner and cookie settings on the website
- your browser settings (note that blocking some cookies may affect site functionality)
Who we share personal data with
We share personal data only where necessary and proportionate, and typically with:
- Website hosting and IT — thinkbroadband host this website and back-end services which also use Cloudflare and Termly.
- Email marketing and newsletters — Mailchimp, Hubspot (CRM) or other such services
- Analytics — Google Analytics (website usage analytics, subject to cookie consent)
- Professional advisers and compliance (auditors, legal advisors and insurers (only as needed))
We require appropriate contractual protections with suppliers where they process personal data on our behalf.
Where data is stored and international transfers
INCA is UK-based and our operational records are managed in the UK.
Some suppliers may process or store personal data outside the UK (for example where a service provider operates globally). Where this happens, we use appropriate safeguards recognised under UK data protection law (for example, contractual protections) to protect your data. For more details, you may contact us.
How long we keep personal data
We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described above, including for legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. The ICO expects organisations to be transparent about retention periods or the criteria used to set them.
Your contact details may be stored until you unsubscribe or we remove you from the list as it is no longer needed for that purpose. Security logs on servers will typically be kept 12 months unless required for investigation.
How we protect personal data
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data, including access controls and supplier due diligence. No system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we work to reduce risk and respond appropriately if issues arise.
Your rights
You have rights under UK GDPR, including the right to be informed, access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and data portability (where applicable), and the right to withdraw consent at any time where consent is the lawful basis. To exercise your rights, click here. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection.
Automated decision-making
We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.
Children’s data
Our website, membership, and events are intended for professional and organisational use. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Last Updated: 10 February 2026
