Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how What Should I Tip? ("we", "us", "our"), accessible at whatshoulditip.com, collects, uses and protects information when you use our website, calculator and API. We are based in the United Kingdom and aim to comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Information we collect
We are a reference website and do not require you to create an account. We collect:
- Usage data: standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages visited, referring page, date and time) collected automatically to operate and secure the site and to enforce API rate limits.
- Analytics data: if you consent to analytics cookies, Google Analytics collects aggregated, pseudonymised data about how visitors use the site.
- Information you provide: only if you choose to email us (for example, a correction or an API enquiry), in which case we receive your email address and message.
- Approximate location: to show tipping guidance for the country you appear to be in, your browser may request an approximate country-level location based on your IP address from ipapi.co. We do not store this; it stays in your browser for the session.
We do not knowingly collect special category data, and we do not sell your personal data.
Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small files stored on your device. We use:
- Essential storage: a small amount of local storage to remember your cookie-consent choice. This is always active and does not track you.
- Analytics cookies (optional): set by Google Analytics 4 to measure site usage. These load only after you accept them in our cookie banner.
- Advertising cookies (optional): if and when we display ads via Google AdSense, Google and its partners may use cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. These load only after you consent.
You can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the banner shown on your first visit, and you can withdraw consent at any time by clearing your browser storage. You can also manage cookies in your browser settings, and review Google's ad settings at google.com/settings/ads.
Legal bases for processing
We rely on our legitimate interests to operate, secure and improve the site (server logs and security), and on your consent for analytics and advertising cookies. Where you contact us, we process your message to respond to you.
Third-party services
We use the following processors, each governed by their own privacy policies:
- Google Analytics & Google AdSense — Google Privacy Policy.
- Hosting provider — our servers process server logs to deliver the site.
Data retention
Server logs are retained for a limited period for security and diagnostics. Analytics data is retained according to our Google Analytics configuration. Emails you send us are kept only as long as needed to handle your enquiry.
Your rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, erase, restrict or object to the processing of your personal data, and to data portability. To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@whatshoulditip.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
International transfers
Some providers (such as Google) may process data outside the UK. Where they do, they rely on appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.
Children
This site is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date above reflects the latest revision. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Email hello@whatshoulditip.com or see our contact page.