Privacy policy
Last updated: 24 May 2026
1. Who we are
LostTed is based in the United Kingdom. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.
If you have any questions about how we handle your data, please contact us at hello@lostted.com.
2. How LostTed identifies you
LostTed does not use traditional user accounts with passwords. Instead, you are identified by your email address and a unique access link that we send to you. This link is personal to you — please keep it safe and do not share it.
3. What information we collect and why
If you join the waitlist:
| Information | Why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Email address | To notify you when LostTed launches |
If you create a listing (Lister):
| Information | Why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Name and email address | To create and manage your listing, and to contact you about it |
| Pin locations (up to 3 on a map) | To show where your item was last seen, so Spotters know where to look |
| Photo of your item (optional) | To help Spotters and Finders identify your item |
| Description of your item | To help Spotters and Finders identify your item |
If you report a found item (Finder):
| Information | Why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Name and email address | To allow the Lister to contact you through the platform if there is a match |
| Messages you send | To enable in-platform communication with the Lister |
If you register as a Spotter:
| Information | Why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Name and email address | To send you alerts when a new listing is created near you |
| Your location (a pin on a map) | To determine which listings are near you and whether to send you an alert |
| Category preferences | To filter alerts to only the types of items you want to spot for |
If you share a reunion story:
| Information | Why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Your story (optional) | With your permission, to share on LostTed as a success story |
4. Our lawful basis for processing your data
Under UK GDPR, we need a lawful basis to process your personal information. We rely on the following:
- Contractual necessity — processing your name, email, and listing details is necessary to provide the service you have requested (creating a listing, registering as a Spotter).
- Legitimate interests — we process location data to match Spotters to relevant listings. We have assessed that this is proportionate and does not override your privacy rights, given that participation is voluntary and the data is used solely to provide the service.
- Consent — where we display your reunion story publicly, we do so only with your explicit permission.
5. How long we keep your data
- Listings — kept for the duration of the listing, plus 90 days after it is closed or expired. After that, personal details are deleted and the listing record is anonymised.
- Messages — kept for 12 months after the listing is closed, then deleted.
- Spotter registrations — kept until you unsubscribe. Every alert email includes a one-click unsubscribe link.
- Waitlist — kept until you are notified of launch or request deletion, whichever comes first.
- Reunion stories — kept indefinitely with your permission, or deleted on request.
6. Who we share your data with
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only in the following limited circumstances:
- Between users — a Lister's contact details are shared with a Finder only when the Lister explicitly chooses to do so. We never share contact details automatically.
- Service providers — we use third-party services to operate LostTed, including email delivery (Resend) and database hosting (Hetzner). These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by data processing agreements.
- Legal requirements — we may disclose data if required to do so by law, or to protect the safety of our users.
7. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Erasure — request that we delete your personal information
- Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate information
- Restriction — ask us to limit how we use your data in certain circumstances
- Portability — request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Object — object to processing based on legitimate interests
To exercise any of these rights, please email hello@lostted.com. We will respond within 30 days.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
8. Cookies
LostTed uses only essential cookies required for the platform to function (for example, to keep you signed in to your listing management page). We do not use advertising cookies or tracking cookies.
We use Plausible Analytics for website statistics. Plausible does not use cookies and does not collect any personal information — it counts page visits in aggregate only.
You can read more on our cookie policy page.
9. Data security
We take reasonable technical measures to protect your personal information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and regular database backups. No system is perfectly secure, but we take our obligations seriously.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. If we make significant changes that affect your rights, we will notify you by email. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last updated.
11. Contact us
For any privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, please contact us at hello@lostted.com.