The Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA)
1st Floor, 7 Bell Yard, Strand, London WC2A 2JR
enquiries@abia.org.uk | 0203 633 9755
Last updated: June 2026
1. Who We Are
The Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA) is the UK trade body for introduction, matchmaking, and dating agencies. We are a non-profit making association, established in 1981.
For the purposes of UK data protection law, ABIA is the Data Controller for personal data collected through this website.
Registered address: 1st Floor, 7 Bell Yard, Strand, London WC2A 2JR
Contact: enquiries@abia.org.uk
ICO Registration Number: Z3477592
2. The Law That Applies
This policy is written in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. References to ‘data protection law’ mean these pieces of legislation collectively.
3. What Data We Collect and Why
We only collect personal data that is necessary for the purposes described below.
Contact and membership enquiry forms
When you use the contact form or membership application form on our website, we collect your name, email address, telephone number, and any additional information you choose to include in your message. Where requested, we also collect your age, postcode, and occupation.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR (necessary to take steps prior to entering into a contract, or to respond to your enquiry).
Website analytics
We use analytics tools to understand how visitors use our website, including which pages are visited and how users navigate the site. This data is collected in aggregated, anonymised form where possible.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR (your consent, given via our cookie consent tool).
Email updates
If you subscribe to our email updates, we collect your name and email address to send you information about ABIA and the introduction agency sector.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR (your consent, which you may withdraw at any time).
Member agency applications
When a business applies to join the ABIA, we collect information about the agency and its principal(s) in order to assess and process the application and, if accepted, to administer the membership.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR (necessary for the performance of a contract, or pre-contractual steps).
4. Cookies
Our website uses cookies. A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. Please see our separate Cookie Policy for full details of the cookies we use and how to manage your preferences.
You can set or update your cookie preferences at any time using the cookie settings tool available on this website.
5. Third-Party Services
We use a number of third-party services in operating our website. These services may process your personal data on our behalf, and we ensure appropriate data processing agreements are in place. Key services include:
- WordPress (website platform)
- ShortPixel (image optimisation and delivery)
- YouTube (embedded video content — see their privacy policy at youtube.com/t/privacy)
- Analytics providers (details in the Cookie Policy)
6. International Transfers
Some of the third-party services we use may transfer your personal data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR requirements, including the use of the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA) or adequacy decisions as applicable.
7. How Long We Keep Your Data
We only retain personal data for as long as is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected:
- Enquiry and contact form data: up to 12 months from the date of last contact, unless a membership or business relationship results from the enquiry.
- Member agency data: for the duration of membership and for up to 6 years thereafter, to meet legal and accounting obligations.
- Email subscription data: until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent.
- Analytics data: as governed by the settings of each analytics tool (see Cookie Policy).
8. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the following rights in relation to personal data we hold about you:
- The right to access the personal data we hold about you.
- The right to have inaccurate data corrected.
- The right to have your data deleted in certain circumstances.
- The right to restrict how we use your data in certain circumstances.
- The right to object to processing based on our legitimate interests.
- The right to withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent.
- The right to data portability in certain circumstances.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at enquiries@abia.org.uk or write to us at the address above. We will respond within one calendar month.
9. Marketing Emails
We will only send marketing or newsletter emails to you if you have explicitly opted in to receive them. Every marketing email we send includes a clear unsubscribe link. You may also unsubscribe at any time by emailing enquiries@abia.org.uk with ‘Unsubscribe’ in the subject line.
We never sell, rent, or exchange email lists with third parties.
10. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or destruction. Our website is served over HTTPS, and we regularly review our data handling practices.
11. Complaints
If you have a concern about how we handle your personal data, please contact us in the first instance at enquiries@abia.org.uk. We will do our best to resolve the matter promptly.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection:
- Website: ico.org.uk
- Helpline: 0303 123 1113
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page indicates when it was last revised. Where changes are significant, we will take steps to bring them to your attention.
Association of British Introduction Agencies | abia.org.uk | enquiries@abia.org.uk