Privacy policy.

Why we process your data

We take customer data security seriously and aim to collect only the information we need to operate the Hootline website, provide our services, respond to enquiries and manage customer accounts.

You can visit the Hootline website without telling us who you are. In that case, we may only collect limited technical information, such as website usage, device, browser and security information. This helps us keep the website working, understand general website activity and identify potential misuse or abuse.

This information is used for website operation, security and statistical purposes. It is not intended to identify you personally unless this is necessary to investigate misuse, protect our systems or comply with legal obligations.

If you choose to use certain website features, contact us, sign up for a service or complete a form, you may provide personal information such as your name, business name, email address, telephone number, selected area code, chosen number, package information or message details.

You can choose not to provide personal information, but this may mean you cannot use some parts of the website or Hootline service. For example, we may not be able to respond to your enquiry, process your order or manage your account without the information needed to do so.

If you are unsure which information is required, you can contact us at hello@hootline.co.uk.

Your data protection rights

Depending on where you are based and how your data is processed, you may have rights in relation to your personal information. These may include:

• the right to be informed

• the right of access

• the right to rectification

• the right to erasure

• the right to restrict processing

• the right to data portability

• the right to object

• rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling
  

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@hootline.co.uk.

If you are based in the UK or Europe, we may process your personal information to fulfil a contract with you, for example where you place an order through the website, or where it is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as operating the website, responding to enquiries, managing services and protecting our systems.

Some service providers we use may process information outside the UK or Europe, including in countries such as the United States or Canada. Where this happens, we will take steps designed to protect your information in line with applicable data protection law.

This is consistent with the UK GDPR transparency requirement that people are told why their data is being used, what data is used, how long it is kept, who it may be shared with and what rights they have.

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 21/05/2026

1. Who we are
Hootline is operated by Bright Edge Networks Limited. For the purposes of data protection law, Bright Edge Networks Limited is the organisation responsible for how your personal information is used.

In this policy, we refer to Bright Edge Networks Limited as BENL.
Contact email: hello@hootline.co.uk

2. Information we collect
We may collect personal information when you:

• visit our website

• complete a contact form

• choose an area code or business number

• sign up for a Hootline plan

• contact us by email

• use the Hootline service

• request account changes or cancellation

The information we collect may include:

• your name

• business name

• email address

• contact telephone number

• billing details

• selected area code or business number

• plan or package information

• messages you send to us

• account and service information

• technical information about your website visit, such as device, browser and website usage data

We only ask for information that is relevant to providing, managing or improving the Hootline service.

3. How we use your information
We may use your personal information to:

• respond to enquiries

• help you choose or set up a Hootline service

• process your order

• provide your business number and related services

• manage your account

• process billing and payments

• deal with support requests, changes or cancellations

• send service-related messages

• improve our website and services

• meet legal, regulatory, accounting or tax requirements

• protect our business, systems and customers
  

We may also use your information to send updates about Hootline where permitted by law. You can ask us to stop sending marketing messages at any time.

4. Our lawful basis for using your information
We use personal information only where we have a lawful reason to do so.

This may include:

Contract
When we need to process your information to provide Hootline services, manage your account, process your order or deal with billing.

Legitimate interests
When we use information to respond to enquiries, improve our website, manage business operations, prevent misuse or communicate with business customers about relevant services.

Legal obligation
When we need to keep records or share information to comply with legal, accounting, tax or regulatory requirements.

Consent
Where we ask for your specific permission, such as for certain types of marketing or cookies where required.

5. Who we share information with
We may share personal information with trusted suppliers and service providers where needed to operate Hootline.

This may include:

• payment and billing providers

• telecoms and number providers

• website hosting and website platform providers

• email and communication providers

• IT, security and support providers

• professional advisers, such as accountants or legal advisers

• regulators, authorities or other parties where required by law

We only share information where necessary and expect our providers to handle it securely.

6. Payments and Direct Debit
If you sign up for a paid Hootline service, we may process billing and payment information to manage your subscription.

Payments may be handled by third-party payment or Direct Debit providers. We do not aim to collect or store more payment information than is necessary to manage your account and payments.

7. Call information and service data
Depending on your Hootline plan, we may process service-related information such as call history, voicemail information, call handling settings and call recordings.

Call recordings are only available on plans that include call recording features. If call recording is enabled, you are responsible for making sure your use of call recording complies with any laws or obligations that apply to your business.

Service data is used to provide the Hootline service, support your account and help manage the features you choose to use.

8. Cookies and website analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to help the site work properly, understand how visitors use the site and improve the user experience.

Some cookies may be necessary for the website to function. Others, such as analytics or marketing cookies, may only be used where permitted by law or where you have given consent.

You can manage cookies through your browser settings or any cookie controls shown on the website.

9. How long we keep your information
We keep personal information only for as long as needed for the purpose it was collected.

This may include keeping information:

• while you have an active Hootline account

• while we deal with an enquiry or support request

• for billing, accounting and tax record purposes

• to meet legal or regulatory requirements

• to resolve disputes or protect our business

When we no longer need your information, we will delete it or anonymise it where appropriate.

10. How we protect your information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure or alteration.

No online service can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we use appropriate technical and organisational measures to help protect the information we handle.

11. International transfers
Some suppliers we use may process information outside the UK. Where this happens, we will take steps designed to make sure your information remains protected in line with applicable data protection law.

12. Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights over your personal information, including the right to:

• ask for a copy of the information we hold about you

• ask us to correct inaccurate information

• ask us to delete information

• ask us to restrict how we use information

• object to certain uses of your information

• withdraw consent where we rely on consent

• ask for information to be transferred to another provider, where applicable
  

To exercise your rights, contact us at: hello@hootline.co.uk

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are unhappy with how your personal information is handled. The ICO explains that privacy notices should also tell people about their information rights and how they can complain.

13. Marketing
We may contact business customers or enquirers about Hootline services where permitted by law.

You can opt out of marketing messages at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in the message or contacting us at: hello@hootline.co.uk

We will still send service-related messages where needed, such as account, billing or important service updates.

14. Third-party links
Our website may include links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites.

15. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

16. Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is used, contact us at: hello@hootline.co.uk

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