Privacy & Data Protection Policy

The Start Box by Stride Media

This Privacy & Data Protection Policy explains how Stride Media Management Limited trading as The Start Box ("The Start Box", "Company", "we", "our", "us") collects, uses, stores and protects your personal information when you use our website, platform and services.

The Start Box is operated by:

Stride Media Management Limited (Registered Company Number: 17223025), trading as The Start Box.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data transparently and in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including:

  • UK GDPR
  • EU GDPR (where applicable)
  • the Data Protection Act 2018

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following information:

Customer Information

  • full name
  • email address
  • billing information
  • payment details
  • recipient names
  • horse names
  • message request information
  • uploaded content or notes
  • customer communications

Talent Information

  • name
  • email address
  • social media information
  • payment details
  • submitted content
  • account/login details

Gift Recipient Information (when "Send as a gift" is selected)

  • recipient name
  • recipient email address
  • sender name and optional gift note provided by the purchaser

When a customer chooses to send a completed message directly to the recipient, we collect the recipient's name and email address solely to fulfil delivery of the personalised message. The purchaser confirms they have permission to share the recipient's email address with us for this purpose. We do not use recipient contact details for marketing, do not share them with the rider, and retain them only as part of the order record under our standard retention policy.

Technical Information

  • IP address
  • browser type
  • device information
  • cookies and usage analytics
  • website activity

2. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • process customer orders;
  • facilitate personalised content requests;
  • manage Talent fulfilment;
  • process payments;
  • communicate with users;
  • provide customer support;
  • improve the Platform;
  • maintain platform security;
  • comply with legal obligations;
  • market and promote The Start Box (where permitted).

3. Legal Basis For Processing

We process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

  • performance of a contract;
  • legitimate business interests;
  • user consent;
  • legal obligations.

4. Sharing Information With Talent

Customer request information may be shared with relevant Talent solely for the purpose of fulfilling personalised content requests.

This may include:

  • recipient names
  • horse names
  • occasion details
  • message guidance

Talent are contractually required to:

  • keep customer information confidential;
  • use information only for fulfilment purposes;
  • comply with applicable data protection obligations.

5. Payments

Payments are processed securely through third-party payment providers such as Stripe.

The Start Box does not store full payment card details.

Customers should also review the privacy policies of third-party payment processors.

6. Marketing & Communications

We may send:

  • service emails;
  • order updates;
  • promotional communications;
  • marketing campaigns.

Users may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us directly.

7. Social Media & Promotional Usage

We may request permission to:

  • repost customer reactions;
  • share testimonials;
  • use screenshots or customer feedback;
  • feature completed messages for promotional purposes.

We will not publicly share private personalised content without consent.

8. Cookies & Analytics

The website may use:

  • cookies;
  • analytics tools;
  • tracking technologies

to improve user experience and monitor platform performance.

Users may manage cookie preferences through browser settings.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for:

  • operational purposes;
  • legal obligations;
  • accounting requirements;
  • dispute resolution;
  • platform administration.

Completed personalised content may be retained internally for:

  • customer support;
  • compliance;
  • marketing consent records;
  • quality control.

10. International Transfers

As The Start Box operates internationally, data may be processed outside the UK.

Where international transfers occur, we will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

11. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data, including:

  • secure payment systems;
  • password-protected accounts;
  • encrypted systems where appropriate;
  • restricted internal access;
  • secure cloud storage providers.

However, no online platform can guarantee absolute security.

12. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights including:

  • access to your personal data;
  • correction of inaccurate data;
  • deletion of your data;
  • restriction of processing;
  • objection to processing;
  • withdrawal of consent;
  • data portability.

Requests may be submitted using the contact details below.

13. Children's Data

The Platform may involve personalised content for children and young riders.

Parents or guardians submitting requests confirm they have authority to provide relevant information.

We do not knowingly collect unnecessary personal data from children directly.

14. Third-Party Services

The Platform may use third-party providers including:

  • payment processors;
  • cloud storage providers;
  • email delivery services;
  • analytics providers.

These providers may process data in accordance with their own privacy policies.

15. Changes To This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.

Updated versions will be published on the Platform.

Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

16. Contact

For privacy or data protection enquiries, please contact:

Stride Media Management Limited trading as The Start Box
Registered Company Number: 17223025
Email: hello@thestartbox.co.uk
Website: www.thestartbox.co.uk

You also have the right to lodge complaints with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) where applicable.

Website Terms & Conditions

The Start Box by Stride Media

These Terms & Conditions govern the use of The Start Box platform and website ("Platform"), operated by Stride Media Management Limited (Registered Company Number: 17223025), trading as The Start Box ("Company", "we", "us", "our").

By using the Platform and placing an order, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. About The Platform

The Start Box is a personalised equestrian fan engagement platform connecting customers with professional riders, trainers and equestrian personalities ("Talent") through:

  • personalised voice notes
  • personalised video messages
  • related digital content

The Platform acts solely as an intermediary between customers and Talent.

2. Eligibility

By using the Platform, you confirm that:

  • you are at least 18 years old; or
  • you have permission from a parent or guardian;
  • all information provided is accurate;
  • you will use the Platform lawfully and respectfully.

3. Orders & Payments

All orders must be:

  • submitted through the Platform;
  • paid for in full upfront.

Prices are displayed in GBP unless otherwise stated.

The Company reserves the right to:

  • refuse any order;
  • cancel any order;
  • refund any order;
  • amend pricing at any time.

Orders are not guaranteed until payment has been successfully processed.

4. Personalised Content

All messages are personalised and created individually by Talent.

Customers acknowledge that:

  • message style, tone and wording may vary;
  • content length is approximate only;
  • delivery timelines are estimates only;
  • Talent retains creative discretion regarding delivery style.

The Platform does not guarantee:

  • exact wording;
  • exact duration;
  • specific phrases or scripts;
  • specific delivery times during competition or travel periods.

5. Customer Conduct

Customers must not request:

  • offensive content;
  • discriminatory content;
  • abusive content;
  • political messaging;
  • defamatory statements;
  • unlawful activity;
  • medical, veterinary or legal advice;
  • inappropriate or explicit material.

The Company reserves absolute discretion to reject any request deemed:

  • inappropriate;
  • unsafe;
  • commercially damaging;
  • inconsistent with brand standards.

6. Delivery

Completed content shall typically be delivered:

  • digitally;
  • via email or secure download link.

Delivery timelines are estimates only and may vary depending on:

  • rider schedules;
  • travel;
  • competition commitments;
  • event calendars.

The Company shall not be liable for delays outside its reasonable control.

7. Refund Policy

Due to the personalised nature of the content, completed orders are generally non-refundable.

Refunds may be issued at the Company's discretion where:

  • a request cannot be fulfilled;
  • Talent becomes unavailable;
  • content materially fails to match the approved request;
  • technical delivery failure occurs.

Refund requests relating solely to:

  • creative style;
  • tone;
  • rider presentation;
  • perceived enthusiasm;
  • background environment

shall not normally qualify for refunds.

8. Intellectual Property

All Platform branding, graphics, copy, design and technology remain the property of the Company.

Talent retains ownership of:

  • their likeness;
  • image;
  • name;
  • voice;
  • personal brand.

Customers are granted a personal, non-commercial licence to use delivered content.

Customers must not:

  • resell content;
  • commercially exploit content;
  • create NFTs or AI training datasets from content;
  • edit content misleadingly;
  • impersonate Talent.

9. Social Media & Marketing Usage

Customers acknowledge that the Company may request permission to:

  • repost reactions;
  • share screenshots;
  • use customer testimonials;
  • feature completed content for promotional purposes.

No private customer content shall be publicly shared without consent.

10. Talent Availability

Talent participation may change at any time.

The Company does not guarantee:

  • ongoing Talent availability;
  • future participation;
  • repeat bookings with specific riders.

Talent profiles may be added, paused or removed without notice.

11. Platform Rules

Users must not:

  • misuse the Platform;
  • attempt to contact Talent directly through the Platform;
  • circumvent payment systems;
  • scrape or copy Platform content;
  • upload harmful software or malicious code.

The Company reserves the right to:

  • suspend accounts;
  • restrict access;
  • refuse service;
  • pursue legal remedies where appropriate.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be liable for:

  • indirect loss;
  • emotional disappointment;
  • missed events;
  • delayed delivery;
  • technical interruptions;
  • rider unavailability;
  • customer misuse of content.

Total liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the relevant order.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability which cannot legally be excluded.

13. Privacy & Data

Customer information shall be handled in accordance with the Platform Privacy Policy.

Information submitted through the Platform may be shared with relevant Talent solely for the purpose of fulfilling requests.

14. Changes To The Terms

The Company may update these Terms at any time.

Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Contact

For customer support or enquiries:

Stride Media Management Limited trading as The Start Box
Registered Company Number: 17223025
Email: hello@thestartbox.co.uk
Website: www.thestartbox.co.uk