Privacy Notice
Last updated 22 September 2026
Who controls your information
Mellfolk is the data controller for personal information used to operate this service. Contact: support@mellfolk.co.uk.
Information we use
We use your email address, account identifier, display name, date of birth and profile information. We also store content and activity you choose to create, including posts, photos, videos, comments, reactions, follows, groups, messages, listings, reports, blocks and moderation records. Firebase Authentication processes sign-in information; Mellfolk does not store your password.
Purposes and lawful bases
We process account and content information to provide Mellfolk under our contract with you. We use legitimate interests to secure the service, prevent fraud, moderate content, improve reliability and protect members. We process information where necessary to meet legal obligations, and rely on consent where we specifically ask for an optional use.
Who receives information
Public profile details and content marked for everyone can be seen by visitors or members. Direct messages are restricted to their participants. Authorised administrators can review reports and relevant content. Service providers supporting authentication, hosting, databases, storage and email process information for Mellfolk, including Google Firebase and the Sites hosting infrastructure.
International transfers
Some service providers may process information outside the UK. Where UK data-protection law requires it, transfers must use an adequacy regulation, approved contractual safeguards or another lawful transfer mechanism.
Cookies and device storage
Mellfolk uses essential authentication storage and a short-lived secure session cookie to keep you signed in. These are necessary to provide your account and are not used for advertising. Mellfolk does not currently use advertising or marketing cookies. Read the Cookie Notice for details and browser-control guidance.
Retention
Account content is kept while your account is active. Account deletion removes associated content from the live service. Security, moderation and legal records may be retained where reasonably necessary to investigate harm, resolve complaints or meet legal obligations; they are reviewed regularly and should not be kept longer than needed. Infrastructure providers may retain limited backups according to their own controlled backup schedules.
Automated checks
Mellfolk may use automated checks to detect spam or high-confidence unsafe text and to validate uploads. Material enforcement decisions can be reviewed by an administrator through the appeals process. Mellfolk does not use your information for advertising profiles.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection or portability of your information and may withdraw consent where consent is used. You can download or delete your account from Profile settings, or email us for help. We normally respond to a valid rights request within one month, although the law permits extensions in limited circumstances. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.
Children
Mellfolk is for people aged 16 or over. We request a date of birth and apply safety and privacy protections to all members. Please report any account that may belong to someone under 16.
Privacy requests and concerns
Email support@mellfolk.co.uk. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request. Please also use this address if you believe your information has been exposed or misused so the concern can be investigated promptly.