Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 2026
1. Who We Are
This website is operated by Istvan Szentes (sole trader), trading as Istvan Szentes AI Systems Architect, based in Blaydon on Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
For the purposes of UK data protection law, Istvan Szentes is the data controller for personal data collected through this website.
Contact: szentes.istvan2010@gmail.com
2. What Personal Data We Collect and Why
2.1 Enquiries (Contact Form)
When you submit an enquiry through the contact form, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.
We use this information solely to respond to your enquiry. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest in responding to communications directed to us (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(f)).
2.2 Newsletter Subscriptions
When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address.
We use this to send you occasional emails about AI automation, knowledge infrastructure, industry updates, and related topics. The legal basis is your consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)). You can withdraw your consent and unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send you.
2.3 Booking Requests
When you book a call through Calendly, Calendly collects your name, email address, and any other details you provide during the booking process. Calendly acts as a separate data controller for this information. Please review Calendly's privacy policy at calendly.com/pages/privacy.
We receive your name, email address, and booking details from Calendly in order to prepare for and conduct the call. The legal basis is pre-contractual steps taken at your request (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(b)).
2.4 Client Relationships
If you engage our services, we collect and process additional personal data as required to deliver those services, including your business contact details, and any personal data relevant to the specific services agreed. This is covered in detail in our Data Processing Agreement, which forms part of the Client Agreement.
3. How Long We Keep Your Data
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Enquiries (no contract entered) | 12 months from date of enquiry |
| Newsletter subscriber data | Until you unsubscribe |
| Booking data (no contract entered) | 6 months from date of booking |
| Client data (contract entered) | Duration of contract plus 6 years (legal and tax obligations) |
4. Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with the following third-party services as necessary to operate this website and deliver our services:
Kit (ConvertKit) — newsletter platform. Your email address is stored with Kit when you subscribe to our newsletter. Kit is based in the United States. Transfers are made under appropriate safeguards. See Kit's privacy policy.
Calendly — booking platform. See Section 2.3 above.
Infrastructure providers — this website and associated systems are hosted on EU-based infrastructure. Client operational data is stored in Supabase (EU Frankfurt region).
We may also disclose personal data where required by law, regulation, or court order.
5. International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers are based outside the UK and European Economic Area. Where personal data is transferred internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including standard contractual clauses or reliance on adequacy decisions.
6. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
- ✓Right of access — You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- ✓Right to rectification — You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- ✓Right to erasure — You can ask us to delete your personal data in certain circumstances.
- ✓Right to restriction — You can ask us to restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances.
- ✓Right to data portability — You can ask us to provide your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
- ✓Right to object — You can object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- ✓Right to withdraw consent — Where processing is based on consent (newsletter), you can withdraw it at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of prior processing.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at szentes.istvan2010@gmail.com. We will respond within one calendar month.
7. Complaints
If you believe we have handled your personal data unlawfully, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection.
ICO: ico.org.uk | 0303 123 1113
We would appreciate the opportunity to address any concern before you contact the ICO, so please reach out to us first.
8. Cookies
We use cookies on this website. For full details, please see our Cookie Policy.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. We will notify newsletter subscribers of any material changes.
10. Contact
Email: szentes.istvan2010@gmail.com
Website: istvanszentes.com