Privacy Policy

AltPath (altpath.uk) is operated from the United Kingdom. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use cookies, and your choices.

Who we are

The data controller for this website is AltPath. Contact us at hello@altpath.uk.

Information we collect

  • Usage data: standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages visited, timestamps) to keep the service secure and reliable.
  • Calculator inputs: values you enter to run calculations. An account is not required; inputs are processed to return results and are not sold as personal profiles.
  • Optional account data: if you create an account, we store your name, email, authentication details, and any investing preferences you choose to save (for example pot size and account type answers). You can sign in with email and a password (we send a short-lived verification code) or with Google. Google shares your name, email, and profile image with us so we can create or recognise your account. These preferences are used only to tailor tools on this site for relevance. You can skip the preference quiz, edit it later in your profile, or delete preferences. We do not sell account data.
  • Local preferences: theme choice is stored in localStorage. Cookie consent is stored in your browser as a cookie, with a local copy so ads and analytics stay in sync.

Budget planner and bank statements

The budget planner lets you upload bank statement exports (CSV or PDF), guess spending categories, add or remove entries, and plan a monthly budget. We do not store uploaded statement files, sell your data, or share it with advertisers or data brokers. If you are signed in, we store the latest categorised entries, an in-progress organise draft, and budget results in your account so you can reopen them later. You can export a PDF or Excel pack to share with an adviser such as a mortgage broker.

Bank statement uploads

Files you upload are read once to extract transaction dates, descriptions, and amounts. Processing happens in server memory during your session. We do not write statements to disk or save them in a database.

First we match well-known UK merchants with rules. Remaining unclear lines are grouped by similar description (the way FreeAgent Guess works), then merchant names and amounts may be sent to OpenAI to suggest a category. Full statement files are not sent. You can change or remove any guessed category before you rely on the totals. Uploads are sent over HTTPS. We never ask for online banking passwords.

How long we keep your data

Uploaded statement files are not kept after analysis. If you are signed in, the categorised entries, category choices, in-progress organise draft, and budget figures stay in your account until you click Clear, delete the saved plan, or delete your account. If you are not signed in, typed amounts and parsed statement rows stay in this tab until you click Clear or close the tab. Refreshing this tab keeps the draft. A new tab does not restore it, and we do not send it to another account. We only copy a signed-out draft to your account if you created it in this tab and then signed in, and your account does not already have a newer draft. Signing out also removes the draft.

Standard server logs (for example IP address and request timestamps) may be kept briefly for security, as described elsewhere in this policy. Those logs do not include the contents of your statements. PDF and Excel exports are generated when you request them and are not stored on our servers.

Your choices

You decide what to upload. We never ask for bank login details or account passwords.

  • Upload only exports you are comfortable sharing.
  • Add, remove, recategorise, or exclude any entry after upload.
  • Export a PDF or Excel expenditure analysis to share with an adviser.
  • Signed-in users can reopen or delete the saved plan from the planner or their profile.
  • If you are not signed in, click Clear or close the tab to remove the draft - the upload does not stay on our servers.

Education only

The budget planner is a planning tool, not financial advice. Savings suggestions are estimates to help you think about investing - not a budget you must follow.

Cookies and similar technologies

We use the following categories of cookies:

  • Essential: required for basic site functionality (for example, remembering your theme or cookie choice).
  • Analytics (optional): if you allow analytics cookies, Google Analytics may set cookies to measure site usage. We use Consent Mode so analytics runs in a limited mode until you consent.
  • Advertising (optional): if you allow advertising cookies, Google AdSense may set cookies to show and measure ads. We load these only after you consent.

You can withdraw or change consent at any time using Cookie settings in the footer, or by clearing site data in your browser. If you reject non-essential cookies, we do not load Google advertising scripts and analytics cookies remain disabled.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site. Google may use cookies and similar technologies to collect usage data. Learn more in Google's Privacy Policy and opt out via the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. Learn more in Google's Advertising Policy and manage ad personalization at Google Ad Settings.

Legal bases (UK GDPR)

  • Essential cookies and security logging: legitimate interests in operating the service.
  • Advertising and analytics cookies: your consent.

Data retention

Server logs are retained for a limited period needed for security and troubleshooting. Cookie preferences remain in your browser until you clear them.

Your rights

Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to processing of your personal data, and to lodge a complaint with the ICO (UK). Contact us to exercise these rights.

Changes

We may update this policy from time to time.