Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 2026
1. Who we are
PassTheUKTest (passtheuktest.co.uk) is a free study site run by Rory Stephenson, who is the data controller for this site. Contact: admin@passtheuktest.co.uk. We have no user accounts and no database of users. If you buy an optional pack, Stripe (our payment provider) holds the purchase record.
2. What stays on your device
Your quiz answers, XP, streak, badges, settings, crash-course plan and B2 practice history are stored in your browser's localStorage. They are not sent to us. Clearing your browser data deletes them.
3. Who processes data, and when
Some features need outside services. We do not sell your data, and we do not keep copies of your recordings, transcripts or written answers.
Google (AdSense, Funding Choices)
What: Shows ads, measures them, and records your cookie choice
When: Every visit
Where: USA / global
What: Counts visits and how the site is used, in aggregate
When: Every visit (cookies only with consent in the UK/EEA)
Where: USA / global
What: Turns your B2 speaking recording into text
When: Only when you record an answer and ask for feedback
Where: USA
What: Writes feedback on your B2 speaking transcript or writing answer
When: Only when you ask for feedback
Where: USA
What: Looks up a postcode to find your nearest test centre
When: Only when you search by postcode
Where: UK
YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode)
What: Plays embedded videos
When: Only after you press play on a video
Where: USA / global
What: Takes payment for the optional Pass Pack or English Pack (previously the B2 English Pack), and looks up your purchase when you restore it. We never see your card details
When: Only when you buy or restore a pack
Where: USA / global
What: Keeps short-lived counters, keyed to a scrambled form of your IP address or purchase, to apply daily AI-feedback limits and stop abuse of checkout and restore
When: When you use AI feedback, start checkout or restore a purchase
Where: EU / USA
What: Hosts the site; keeps standard server logs (e.g. IP address, page requested) for security
When: Every visit
Where: USA / global
B2 speaking and writing feedback: your recording or text is sent to OpenAI and Anthropic only to produce your feedback, then shown back to you. These providers process it under their API terms, which do not use it to train their models by default and may keep it for a limited time for abuse and safety monitoring. Do not include personal details (names, addresses) in your answers.
4. Cookies and similar technologies
passtheuktest_v1, passtheuktest_theme
Type: Your browser storage (this site)
Purpose: Your progress, XP, streak and theme. Never sent to us
Consent: Not needed (strictly necessary for the features you use)
passtheuktest_passpack
Type: Your browser storage (this site)
Purpose: Holds a signed unlock code if you bought a pack, so it stays unlocked and ad-free on this device
Consent: Not needed (strictly necessary for a service you paid for)
passtheuktest_crashcourse, passtheuktest_b2_v1
Type: Your browser storage (this site)
Purpose: Your crash-course plan, and your B2 mock scores and feedback history. Never sent to us
Consent: Not needed (strictly necessary for the features you use)
FCCDCF, FCNEC
Type: Cookies (Google Funding Choices)
Purpose: Remember your cookie choice
Consent: Not needed
_ga, _ga_*
Type: Cookies (Google Analytics)
Purpose: Tell visits and visitors apart for statistics
Consent: Needed in the UK/EEA
__gads, __gpi, __eoi, IDE and similar
Type: Cookies (Google advertising)
Purpose: Serve, cap and measure ads; personalise ads if you agree
Consent: Needed in the UK/EEA
If you are in the UK, EEA or Switzerland, analytics and advertising cookies are only set after you agree in the consent message shown on your first visit (provided by Google, a certified consent platform). Refusing is as easy as agreeing. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time with the Cookie settings link at the bottom of every page.
5. Advertising
The site is free because it shows ads (people who buy the optional Pass Pack or English Pack (previously the B2 English Pack) see none) served by Google AdSense (Google LLC). Google and its advertising partners use cookies to show ads, limit how often you see them and measure them. If you agree, ads can also be personalised based on your visits to this and other websites. Without your agreement you may still see non-personalised or limited ads.
Google works with a set of third-party advertising vendors. You can see them in Google's list of ad technology providers and in the “Vendors” section of our consent message. Learn how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
To control ad personalisation, visit Google My Ad Center. You can also opt out of many vendors' personalised ads at youronlinechoices.com/uk (UK and Europe) or aboutads.info (USA).
6. Why we use data (lawful bases)
- Contract: taking payment for, delivering and restoring a pack you buy.
- Consent: analytics and advertising cookies in the UK, EEA and Switzerland.
- To give you a feature you ask for: speaking and writing feedback, postcode search, playing a video.
- Legitimate interests: keeping the site secure and working (server logs, daily limits on AI feedback, checkout and restore), and contextual (non-personalised) ads that keep the site free.
7. International transfers
Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, Stripe, Upstash and Vercel may process data in the USA. These transfers rely on the safeguards these providers offer for UK data, such as the UK–US data bridge or the UK International Data Transfer Addendum.
8. How long data is kept
We keep nothing ourselves. Progress stays in your browser until you clear it. Google Analytics data is kept for up to 14 months. Your cookie choice is remembered for up to 13 months. Stripe keeps purchase records for as long as the law requires (usually 6–7 years for tax). Upstash counters delete themselves within 2 days. Providers keep their own logs under their policies linked above.
9. Your rights
Under UK GDPR you can ask to access, correct or delete your personal data, object to its use, and withdraw consent at any time (use Cookie settings at the bottom of any page). Because we hold no accounts, most data is on your own device and you can delete it by clearing your browser data. For anything else, email admin@passtheuktest.co.uk.
If you are unhappy with how your data is handled, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
10. Changes
We will update this page if anything changes and show the date at the top.