Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 25 April 2025

Last Updated: 2 November 2026

1. Introduction

Hobo Web – a website founded in 2006 by Shaun Anderson – is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. Hobo Web (www.hobo-web.co.uk) is commercially licensed to and operated by Candlestickoperations Ltd (registered in England and Wales under Company No. 17503419, with its registered office at 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE), trading as Hobo Web, Hobo, and Hoboweb. We offer SEO Services, technical search research, and AI/SEO Software (including SEO software in Google Sheets and agentic marketing systems) in the Marketing industry to our target audience of Businesses.

This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, process, and share your personal data in accordance with applicable laws in the United Kingdom, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and the EU Digital Services Act (or ‘DSA’) where applicable. It also outlines your rights and our procedures regarding data protection.

2. Data Controller & Contact Information

Candlestickoperations Ltd (trading as Hobo Web) is the Data Controller responsible for your personal data.

Registered Office: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE (Company No. 17503419)
General Email: info@hobo-web.co.uk
Accessibility Inquiries: shaun.anderson@hobo-web.co.uk
Privacy Inquiries: shaun.anderson@hobo-web.co.uk

For any editorial questions regarding this Privacy Notice or our platform practices, you may also contact our Creator & Site Editor: Shaun Anderson.

3. Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Our Data Protection Officer / Privacy Lead for Hobo Web is Shaun Anderson and can be contacted at shaun.anderson@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk.

4. Categories of Personal Data We Collect

Hobo Web (operated by Candlestickoperations Ltd) may collect, store, and process the following types of personal data about you:

Information You Provide:
- Data submitted through forms on Hobo Web (e.g., when you sign up, subscribe to our newsletter, contact us, or request information via www.hobo-web.co.uk). This may include your name, contact details, preferences, and any other information you choose to provide.
Copies of Correspondence:
- Emails, letters, and any other communications (by post, email, or through Hobo Web) that you send to us.
Survey and Questionnaire Responses:
- Responses provided if you participate in any surveys or questionnaires using Hobo Web.
Website Usage Data:
- Information about your visits to Hobo Web, including traffic data and details on how you interact with our content.
Device Information:
- Technical data such as your IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system, platform, and other technology-related details from the devices you use to access Hobo Web.

5. Provision of Personal Data

If you fail to provide the required personal data:

When Hobo Web (Candlestickoperations Ltd) is legally obligated to collect certain data or needs it to perform our contractual obligations, your failure to provide this data may prevent us from fulfilling the contract (for example, providing you with SEO Services or software access). In such cases, we may have to cancel the relevant service or product, and you will be notified accordingly.

6. Purposes and Legal Basis for Processing

Hobo Web processes your personal data for the following purposes:

Ensure Optimal Presentation:
- To display our website content on Hobo Web in the most effective manner for you and your device.
Send Relevant Information:
- To communicate details about our SEO Services, research publications, and software offerings that may be of interest.
Contract Performance:
- To fulfill our contractual obligations through Hobo Web with you.
Compliance with Legal Obligations:
- To adhere to legal and regulatory requirements (including the UK GDPR, the Digital Services Act (‘DSA’), and the Consumer Rights Act 2015) and to satisfy Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Client requirements.
Feature Access & Account Protection:
- To enable you to access various features on Hobo Web and to secure your account.
Third-Party Communications:
- To allow third parties to contact you about relevant goods or services if you explicitly allow us to do so via Hobo Web.
Service Providers:
- To transfer your information to our designated “Service Providers” so that they can service your requirements on or through Hobo Web.
Marketing Communications:
- To send you marketing communications by electronic means (email or text) only if they relate to our SEO Services, Hobo Web publications, or offerings you have previously expressed interest in.
Statistical Analysis:
- To aggregate your information with that of other users to generate statistical data that does not personally identify you after using Hobo Web. This aggregated data may be shared with third parties we collaborate with through Hobo Web.

7. Global Privacy and Data Processing Standards

Hobo Web respects and adheres to global privacy laws, using the UK GDPR and EU GDPR as our benchmark standard. We ensure that your personal data collected via Hobo Web is processed in accordance with the highest legal requirements worldwide. To achieve this, we rely on the following lawful bases for processing your personal data:

Performance of a Contract (GDPR Article 6(1)(b))
- Hobo Web processes your data as necessary to fulfil our contractual obligations to you—such as providing the goods, software, or services you have requested.
Legal Obligation (GDPR Article 6(1)(c))
- Hobo Web may process your data when required by applicable laws or regulations. This ensures that our operations comply with legal and regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions.
Legitimate Interests (GDPR Article 6(1)(f))
- Hobo Web, in certain instances, may process your data to pursue our legitimate interests. This includes optimizing content presentation, delivering relevant promotions, improving our services, and preventing fraud, provided that these interests do not override your rights and freedoms.
Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a))
- Where you have explicitly provided consent—such as for marketing communications or the use of non-essential cookies—Hobo Web processes your data based on your agreement. You may withdraw your consent at any time, and this withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of any processing conducted before the consent was withdrawn.

By following these standards, Hobo Web ensures that our global data processing practices meet or exceed stringent privacy requirements, providing you with consistent and reliable protection of your personal data wherever you are located.

8. Marketing Communications

Hobo Web (operated by Candlestickoperations Ltd) will only send you direct marketing communications by electronic means (email or text) if:

You have provided explicit consent to Hobo Web.
You have previously interacted with the Hobo Web website and the marketing relates to our SEO Services, publications, or similar offerings (such as the Agency platform at thisisagency.ai).
You have not exercised your right to opt out of marketing communications. You can opt out at any time by contacting us at contact@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk, or by unsubscribing via the link provided in our communications.

9. Sharing Your Personal Data

Hobo Web (Candlestickoperations Ltd) may share your personal data with third parties only under the following circumstances:

Within Our Group & Licensed Platforms:
- With companies and licensed platforms that form part of our operational ecosystem (including thisisagency.ai, operated by Candlestickoperations Ltd).
Service Providers:
- With trusted third parties that assist in processing your requests or fulfilling contractual obligations using Hobo Web (such as payment processors like Stripe, email delivery providers, and cloud hosting infrastructure).
Legitimate Interests:
- When sharing is necessary for our legitimate business interests (or those of a third party), provided that your rights and interests do not override these interests.
Business Transfers:
- In connection with the sale, transfer, licensing, or merger of parts of Hobo Web’s business, operating licenses, or assets.
Legal or Regulatory Compliance:
- When required to comply with applicable legal or regulatory obligations, including those set out under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

All third parties receiving your data are contractually bound to process it only on our instructions and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Cookies

Cookies are small files placed on your device when you visit Hobo Web. We use cookies to:

Recognize you and store your preferences on Hobo Web.
Enhance the performance and functionality of Hobo Web.
Generate aggregated statistical data for Hobo Web.
Deliver targeted information relevant to your interests when visiting Hobo Web.

Categories of cookies include:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: Essential for the operation of Hobo Web.
Performance Cookies: Collect data on how visitors use Hobo Web to create anonymous aggregated data.
Functionality Cookies: Enable a personalized experience by remembering your preferences for Hobo Web.
Targeting/Advertising Cookies: Deliver content or adverts tailored to you.

Some cookies remain on your device between sessions. You may disable cookies by adjusting your browser settings; however, doing so may limit the functionality of Hobo Web.

We use cookies in compliance with applicable legal frameworks in the United Kingdom (including PECR, the UK GDPR, and the Data Protection Act 2018), the EU (the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR), and international standards (such as the CCPA for California). A cookie consent banner is provided on our website, and you may adjust your preferences at any time via [https://www.hobo-web.co.uk/cookies/](https://www.hobo-web.co.uk/cookies/).

11. Data Security

Hobo Web and Candlestickoperations Ltd have implemented robust security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way, altered, or disclosed. Access is restricted to authorized personnel, agents, contractors, and other third parties who require it for legitimate business purposes and who are bound by confidentiality obligations.

In addition, Hobo Web has established procedures to address any suspected data breach. If a breach occurs, we will promptly notify you and any applicable regulatory authorities in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Our technical safeguards include encryption, regular security audits, and strict access controls.

For any security-related inquiries, please contact us at contact@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk.

12. Data Retention

Hobo Web will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including meeting any legal, regulatory, accounting, or reporting requirements, generally defined as 2 years from your last interaction (or longer where statutory tax and accounting retention periods require).

To determine the appropriate retention period, Hobo Web considers the quantity, nature, and sensitivity of the data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, and the applicable legal requirements.

Once your data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

13. Your Data Protection Rights

This section explains your rights regarding how your personal data is processed by Hobo Web. If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below:

Right to Withdraw Consent:
- You may withdraw your consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of any processing prior to your withdrawal, but may limit our ability at Hobo Web to provide certain services.
Right of Access:
- You have the right to access the personal data Hobo Web holds about you, free of charge.
Right to Rectification:
- You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”):
- You may ask us to delete your personal data, subject to certain exceptions where retention is legally required.
Right to Restrict Processing:
- You can request that we limit the processing of your personal data.
Right to Data Portability:
- You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format or to have it transferred to another controller.
Right to Object:
- Under certain circumstances, you have the right to object to the processing of your personal data.
Rights under CCPA/CPRA:
- For California residents, this includes the right to know, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information.
Rights under PIPEDA:
- For Canadian residents, this includes the right to access and correct your personal information.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk.

Representatives of Hobo Web will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law. We endeavour to respond to all privacy requests within 30 days of receipt, ensuring prompt and effective compliance with global data protection regulations.

14. International Transfers of Personal Data

Your personal data may be transferred to and stored in destinations within and outside the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA) and processed by personnel or systems operating in the UK, the EEA, or outside the EEA.

Whenever we transfer your data internationally, we ensure that a similar level of protection is maintained by implementing one or more of the following safeguards:

Adequacy Decisions / UK Adequacy Regulations:
- Data is transferred to countries deemed by the UK Government or the European Commission to provide an adequate level of data protection.
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) & UK International Data Transfer Addendum (IDTA):
- We use standard data protection clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the European Commission to safeguard your data.
UK-US / EU-US Data Privacy Framework:
- Where applicable, for transfers involving certified US-based providers.
Other Safeguards:
- Such as Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) or approved codes of conduct.

For further details on the specific mechanisms used for international transfers, please contact us at contact@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk.

15. Changes to This Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changes in our data processing practices or legal obligations, including updates under the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, or the Digital Services Act (‘DSA’). All updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes may also be communicated via website banners on www.hobo-web.co.uk. Please review this page periodically to stay informed of any updates.

16. Complaints

If you believe that our handling of your personal data does not comply with applicable data protection laws under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority, such as the ICO – Information Commissioner’s Office (www.ico.org.uk) or the competent courts of the United Kingdom. Alternatively, we encourage you to contact us directly first to discuss and resolve your concerns at contact@hobo-web.co.uk or info@hobo-web.co.uk.

17. Contact Hobo Web

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Notice or our data practices, please contact us at:

Full Legal Entity Name: Candlestickoperations Ltd
Company Registration Number: 17503419 (Registered in England and Wales)
Registered Office Address: 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE
Trading As / Operating Brands: Hobo Web, Hobo, Hoboweb, and This Is Agency (operated under commercial license from Creator & Site Editor Shaun Anderson)
General Email: info@hobo-web.co.uk
Privacy & Editorial Contact: shaun.anderson@hobo-web.co.uk / contact@hobo-web.co.uk