Privacy Statement

Last updated: January 18, 2022

Your privacy is important to us.

Pickering Interfaces Ltd gather and process your personal information in accordance with this privacy notice and in compliance with the relevant data protection regulation and laws. This notice provides you with the necessary information regarding your rights and our obligations, and explains how, why and when we process your personal data.

Pickering Interfaces registered office is at Stephenson Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 4NL and we are a company registered in England and Wales under company number 01029133. We are registered on the Information Commissioner's Office Register; registration number ZA334448, and act as the data controller when processing your data.

Information we collect

By using Pickering Interfaces’ website, you are agreeing to the collection, storage and processing of your information in the manner set out in this policy.

Pickering Interfaces processes your personal information to provide you with our products and services. We will never collect any unnecessary personal data from you and do not process your information in any way, other than as specified in this notice.

When you visit our websites, we collect data to provide you with access to our websites, applications, services, and solutions, and to help us personalize and improve your experience.

Automatically collected information

Our web servers automatically collect the following information from visitors to our websites: data about the pages accessed, computer IP address, device ID or unique identifier, device type, geo-location information, computer and connection information, mobile network information, statistics on page views, traffic to and from the sites, referral URL, ad data, and standard web log data and other information. We may also collect anonymous information through our use of cookies (View our Cookie Policy)

Manually collected information

If you register to our website, download literature, request a quote, or request us to contact you, you may be required to provide personal information such as First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number, Company Name, Street Address, City, State/Region, Postal Code and Country.

Other methods of collection

We may also collect information from or about you in other ways, such as, through your contact with our sales team and your interactions with members of the Pickering Group.

“Live Help Now” is our chat platform that is available on this website. It allows website visitors in the North American region to chat with our Sales and Support teams. We collect contact information via the chat such as name, email address, location, etc. This personal data will create a lead in our customer relationship database for internal reference and not used for any other purpose.

Information about children

Our websites are not intended for or targeted at children under 16, and we do not knowingly or intentionally collect information about children. If you believe that we have collected information about a child under 16, please contact us so that we can delete the information.

How we use your personal data

Pickering Interfaces takes your privacy very seriously and will only retain your data for as long as is necessary and for the purpose(s) specified in this notice. Such information will be non-intrusive and is processed on the grounds of legitimate interests. The purposes and reasons for processing your personal data are detailed below:

  • to provide you with the information, products and services that you request from us including providing you with product pricing and quotes, support on switching services; and literature downloads.
  • to allow you to participate in interactive features of our service, when you choose to do so. This includes our Cable Design Tool, Switch Path Manager and other interactive tools available on our website.
  • to provide you with information about other switching and simulation goods and services we offer that are like those that you have already purchased or inquired about.
  • to make suggestions and recommendations to you about goods or services that may interest you, which may be based on your activity on our website.
  • to notify you about changes to our service and to send you service emails relating to your account.
  • to manage and operate your account with us and to complete contractual obligations.

Sharing & disclosing your personal information

Pickering Interfaces will not share, sell or rent your personal information for promotional purposes and will not disclose your personal information to outside organizations unless they are affiliated with us as a third-party vendor. Distributors, partners, affiliates, or other business partners of Pickering Interfaces who have access to your personal information use the information about your customer relationship with us and our products. These vendors use the information to fulfill our requirements for such things as processing quotes, orders, purchases, shipping products to customers, and providing information to potential customers.

Any information submitted by you through our website, provided to our sales offices or contact made directly to our UK headquarters may result in transferring your personal data across international borders. Where applicable, there is either an adequacy decision by the European Commission in respect of those countries or appropriate safeguards have been put in place as per guidance under UK GDPR. This means that the countries to which we transfer your personal data are deemed to provide an adequate level of protection for your personal data or have other data protection mechanisms in place.

Google Analytics & Adwords

Our website uses Google Analytics and Google Adwords which are web analytics services provided by Google, Inc. Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze and track how users navigate the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.

We will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf.

We will not (and will not allow any third party to) use Google Analytics or Google Adwords to track, collect or upload any data that personally identifies an individual (such as a name, email address or billing information), or other data which can be reasonably linked to such information by Google. Since August 2020 Google has been updating their current processing terms and adding the relevant Standard Contractual Clauses as adopted by the European Commission.

For more information, please refer to Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

For remarketing purpose’s, we use Google Analytics’ 3rd-party audience which uses data such as age, gender and interests to better understand the behavior of our customers. They work with companies that collect information about your online activities to provide advertising targeted to suit your interests and preferences. For example, you may see certain ads on this website or other websites because we contract with Google and other similar companies to target our ads based on information we or they have collected, including information that was collected through automated means (such as cookies and web beacons). These companies also use automated technologies to collect information when you click on our ads, which helps track and manage the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.

You may opt out of the automated collection of information by third-party ad networks, for the purposes of delivering advertisements tailored to your interests.

Please visit Google’s Display Network ads’ preferences page where you can edit or opt out: http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/

HubSpot InBound marketing software

We use Hubspot for building marketing web pages, downloading literature, creating social media posts and creating and deploying email. All sources of marketing content are used to inform our customers about Pickering and our offerings. When requesting to register to our website, download any of our literature, you may be required to provide personal information such as First Name, Last Name, Company Name, Email, Phone Number, State/Region, Country, Zip and Address. This enables visitors to be contacted about their interest in the company’s goods or services and interact with the company.

Your information is stored and managed on HubSpot servers in the United States and other jurisdictions where HubSpot affiliates with sub-processors. To which HubSpot ensure such transfers are made in compliance with the requirements of Data Protection Laws and abide by and process European Data in compliance with the Standard Contractual Clauses.

For more information, please refer to HubSpot Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/privacy-policy

Salesforce

We also use a Customer Relationship Management system for collating all our customer details and dealing with service requests. This information can then be accessed by other Pickering Offices/Agents to enable us to deal with any customer requirements, quickly and efficiently. This data is hosted and stored on a server based in Europe, governed by EU GDPR.

For more information, please refer to the Salesforce Privacy Policy: https://www.salesforce.com/company/privacy/full_privacy/

Hotjar

We use Hotjar Ltd, based on the island of Malta to evaluate your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. We understand and interpret your user behavior anonymously, without personally identifying individual users. This allows us to get statistically accurate insights when you visit our website. All data is securely stored in their cloud system, governed by EU GDPR. An automatic 365-day data retention period is enforced to ensure all analytics data older than 365 days collected through Hotjar is systematically deleted.

For more information, please refer to Hotjar's Privacy Policy: https://www.hotjar.com/legal/policies/privacy

Survey Sparrow

We use this software company based in the California, USA to collect customer feedback, such as customer loyalty and satisfaction rating for follow up. We will only survey our existing customers.

Any personal data stored in HubSpot will sync with this platform. We will only send surveys out via email, where you will also be given the opportunity to be removed from any further survey communications. If Survey Sparrow transfers your personal data, they do so with all requirements applicable to current Data Protection Laws and abide by and process European Data in compliance with the Standard Contractual Clauses.

For more information, please refer to Survey Sparrow's Privacy Policy: https://surveysparrow.com/legal/privacy-policy/

Safeguarding measures

Pickering Interfaces takes your privacy seriously and takes every reasonable measure and precaution to protect and secure your personal data. We work hard to protect you and your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction and have several layers of security measures in place, including:

  • SSL website encryptions
  • Enterprise Firewall with SPI
  • Centralized user authentication with dual-factor
  • Authentication for all external access
  • Full anti-virus/malware and anti-ransomware scanning
  • AEO Certification (GB AEO F/00128/18) Customs Simplifications/Security and Safety
  • BSI Certification ISO9001:2015 Standard

Legitimate interests

Pickering Interfaces will occasionally send you marketing information regarding our products, services or promotions by email and post. These have been identified as being beneficial to our customers and in our interests. Such information will be relevant to you as a customer and is non-intrusive and you will always have the option to opt-out/unsubscribe at any time.

How long we keep your data

We will only retain your personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and processed. This includes the purposes of satisfying any legal, tax, reporting, regulatory or accounting requirements. Our standard data retention period in respect of paper correspondence is 6 years plus the current year. This data is then destroyed by a professional data shredding company.

Where your personal data is held electronically in an archive containing data that cannot easily be separated and may contain other data requiring to be held for longer period, we may, at our discretion retain for longer than six years in reflection of this. For clarity, it should be noted that such personal data may be held by us or Data Processors, in electronic or paper format.

In event that we collect your personal data but, you do not become a Customer, or you are no longer a Customer, your data is retained in our archiving system for the purposes of quote/product history and customer support. You do, however, have the right to ask removal of your personal data, within reason, which can be securely and effectively destroyed or permanently erased from our IT systems as far as practically possible.

Other global data privacy regulations

Pickering Group periodically keeps up to date with all relevant global privacy regulations and will update this Privacy Notice in accordance with any additional information which may need to be disclosed.

Here is a list of additional privacy regulations that have or will be coming into force since EU GDPR on 25 th May 2018, in the UK known as ‘UK-GDPR’ on 1st January 2021: -

  • CCPA/CPRA – California Consumer Privacy Act effective from 1st January 2020 and 2023
  • LGPD – Brazilian General Data Protection Law effective from 16th August 2020
  • PIPL – China Personal Information Protection Law effective from 1st November 2021
  • CDPA – Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act effective from 1st January 2023
  • CPA – Colorado Privacy Act effective on 1st July 2023

The purpose of our processing activity is to provide goods or services to business individuals. Any shared use of data which is necessary for the performance of contracts, agreements, or similar instructions, are subject to the provisions in law relevant to its jurisdiction. We do not sell your data to any other organisations.

Any data stored in our database or personal data which is held in one or several locations, the use of appropriate technical and administrative measures is used to protect personal data from unauthorized access, accidental or unlawful situations of destruction, loss, alteration, communication, or dissemination.

Where necessary, we use legitimate interests to fulfill our controller obligations and would only pass to a third-party under pre-contractual agreements. We keep records of our personal data processing operations carried out, especially when based on legitimate interest.

We have implemented internal processes and policies that ensure broad compliance with rules and good practices regarding the protection of personal data. Please read all sections of this Privacy Statement for further details. We will continually review all relevant legislations and will update this statement where required.

Direct Mail

We may use subcontractors (providing services to you on our behalf) to send out direct mail pieces when we have advertisements, promotions, or company information updates to inform our subscribers about. We will only send you direct mail if you have previously provided us your physical address information.

You can also request Direct Mail pieces via our website for flyers, books, brochures and maps to be sent to you. When requesting a piece of direct mail, we will ask you to provide the following personal information: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number, Company Number, Street Address, City, State/Region, Postal Code and Country. If you have already registered on our website and request a direct mail piece from us, we will remember your past registration information and simply request street address and postal code, so we can mail your requested information. You can opt-out of receiving direct mail/have your physical address removed from our database or request to have your address updated at any time by emailing [email protected]

Managing your personal information and preferences

By accessing your Pickering Account, you may at any time update your contact preferences, amend your personal data or unsubscribe by clicking the link in the footer of any electronic newsletter. You can also unsubscribe at any time at this link: https://info.pickeringtest.com/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe

You do have the right to request erasure of your personal data or to restrict processing (where applicable) in accordance with the data protection laws. If you wish to stop receiving any communication from us or delete your account please email [email protected]

Links to other websites

Our site may, from time to time, contain links to and from the websites of our partner networks, advertisers and affiliates. If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that these websites have their own privacy policies. Our Cookie and Privacy Policy only applies to this website, therefore please check their policies before you submit any personal information to these websites.

Your rights

You have the right to access any personal information that Pickering Interfaces processes about you and to request information about:

  • What personal data we hold about you
  • The purposes of the processing
  • The categories of personal data concerned
  • The recipients to whom the personal data has/will be disclosed
  • How long we intend to store your personal data
  • If we did not collect the data directly from you, information about the source

If you believe that we hold any incomplete or inaccurate data about you, you have the right to ask us to correct and/or complete the information and we will strive to do so as quickly as possible; unless there is a valid reason for not doing so, at which point you will be notified. If you wish to request a ‘Subject Access Request’ form, please email [email protected]

Lodging a complaint

Pickering Interfaces only processes your personal information in compliance with this privacy notice and in accordance with the relevant data protection laws. If you have any concerns on the personal data we hold, please contact us on:

Pickering Interfaces Limited
Stephenson Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 4NL
+44 (0)1255 687900
[email protected]

If, however, you wish to raise a complaint regarding the processing of your personal data or are unsatisfied with how we have handled your information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with our lead supervisory authority:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Willmslow, Chesire SK9 5AF
+44 (0)303 123 1113
www.ico.org.uk

Updates to this Privacy Policy

Pickering Interfaces will occasionally update this Privacy Policy to reflect company and customer feedback. Pickering Interfaces encourages you to periodically review this Policy to be informed of how we are protecting your information. If you wish to contact us in respect of this Privacy Policy, please email [email protected]