Speed Test Privacy Statement
Last updated: April 2026
About This Statement
This Privacy Statement explains how SwitcherMate Ltd collects, uses, and discloses information in connection with the SwitcherMate Speed Test at switchermate.com/speed, including bufferbloat measurement, consistency scoring, and Health Check monitoring.
This supplements our main Privacy Policy. Where there is any conflict, this statement takes precedence for speed test data.
Short version: When you run a speed test we automatically collect technical data about your connection and device. If you use the Health Check monitor, results are stored locally on your device and sent to us after each test. We use this to improve coverage data and may follow up about relevant deals. We do not sell your data.
Data Controller
SwitcherMate is a trading name of SwitcherMate Ltd (Company No. 16568958), registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 8a Whalley Road, Accrington, BB5 1AA. We are the data controller for personal data processed through the speed test service, operating in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and PECR.
For questions specifically about this statement contact us at hello@switchermate.com. You may also complain to the ICO at ico.org.uk.
What We Collect
Automatically collected on every test
Each time you run a test we automatically log technical measurements needed to produce a meaningful result: your public IP address, approximate location derived from that IP (typically city or region level — not GPS), a precise timestamp, download speed, upload speed, latency, jitter, bufferbloat grade, consistency score, and related diagnostics such as DNS timing where enabled. For most visitors this information is pseudonymous — it identifies a connection moment, not your name — and we do not merge it with a named customer profile unless you have separately used the main comparison journey with identifiable contact details.
| Data | What it is | Why |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | Your public internet IP | Location, ISP identification, abuse prevention |
| Download speed | Mbps — 15 seconds, 8 parallel streams | Core speed test result |
| Upload speed | Mbps — 12 seconds, 8 parallel streams | Core speed test result |
| Latency (ping) | Median of 25 measurements in ms | Connection quality indicator |
| Jitter | Mean deviation from median latency in ms | Connection stability indicator |
| Bufferbloat grade | A–F grade — latency increase under load | Real-world quality; ISP analysis |
| Consistency score | % of speed samples within 20% of median | Connection stability analysis |
| ISP / network operator | Provider name and ASN, derived automatically from your IP address via Cloudflare's edge network | Coverage mapping; deal matching |
| Approximate location | City and region derived from IP address via Cloudflare (not GPS — not precise) | Local coverage data |
| Timestamp | Date and time of test | Time-of-day performance analysis |
Health Check monitor data
When you activate the Health Check monitor, a full speed test runs every 30 minutes automatically. Each result is stored in your browser's localStorage and transmitted to SwitcherMate on completion. You can clear local history at any time using the "Clear history" button in the interface. To request deletion of transmitted data contact hello@switchermate.com.
Address data (optional)
If you enter your address we additionally collect your full address, postcode, and UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number) via the Ordnance Survey Places API. Address entry is entirely optional — the speed test functions fully without it.
How We Use It
Primary use is operational: we calculate and display your result and store a copy so you can reference past tests if you contact us. We also analyse aggregated, anonymised outcomes to improve test methodology, spot infrastructure issues, and maintain fair rate limits.
Where we surface retail broadband suggestions, location and ISP hints help narrow products that might plausibly fit your measured performance — that processing stays proportionate to the tool you chose to run.
High-level aggregates may feed regional speed benchmarks on SwitcherMate editorial pages; those charts never identify individuals or publish single-home traces.
- Delivering your speed test results — download, upload, ping, jitter, bufferbloat, consistency, DNS
- Building a proprietary UK broadband quality dataset aggregated by postcode, ISP, and time of day
- Identifying peak-hour congestion and evening throttling patterns by provider
- Showing you broadband deals relevant to your connection quality and location
- ISP benchmarking — aggregated bufferbloat and consistency data used in editorial content
- Fraud prevention and rate limiting on our speed test infrastructure
Individual results are never published. Only aggregated, anonymised data is used for coverage analysis.
Legal Basis
Processing of speed-test telemetry is carried out under legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR). You actively initiate each test, and the collection is strictly necessary to generate the statistics you requested and to secure our systems against abuse. Where optional features (such as extended monitoring) require clearer consent, we collect that separately before switching them on.
| Processing activity | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Delivering speed test results | Contract performance |
| Bufferbloat, consistency, DNS measurement | Contract performance |
| Building UK coverage dataset | Legitimate interests |
| ISP benchmarking (aggregated only) | Legitimate interests |
| Health Check monitor data collection | Consent — you explicitly activate this feature |
| Showing relevant broadband deals | Legitimate interests |
| Fraud prevention and rate limiting | Legitimate interests |
Who We Share With
GoHighLevel (CRM): Speed test results including all metrics are stored in GoHighLevel (HighLevel Inc., US) under Standard Contractual Clauses. Processed only on our instructions.
Ordnance Survey: Address search queries sent to OS Places API for lookup and UPRN retrieval only. We do not share speed results with OS.
ipapi.co: Your IP address is sent for city, region, and ISP derivation. No other data is shared.
Cloudflare: All speed test traffic routes through Cloudflare's global edge network under their standard Data Processing Addendum. Download files are served from Cloudflare R2. Ping and upload are handled by Cloudflare Workers.
Broadband providers: Only if you actively choose to proceed with a deal from the comparison results.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share speed test data, bufferbloat grades, or Health Check monitor data with advertisers or data brokers.
Retention
Raw speed-test records on SwitcherMate systems are retained for 90 days and then automatically deleted, except where a longer period is unavoidable because the same individual is actively progressing a regulated customer enquiry (for example an in-flight order) — in those cases linked records may follow the retention rules communicated in our main Privacy Policy.
Standalone speed-test data is not sold, is not used for third-party marketing lists, and is not shared with advertisers. Aggregated benchmark statistics may persist because they can no longer identify a person.
| Data | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Speed results + all metrics (stand-alone tests) | 90 days unless tied to an active customer enquiry |
| Health Check monitor results (local browser) | Until you clear history or browser data |
| Health Check monitor results (our systems) | 90 days unless tied to an active customer enquiry |
| Speed results linked to active customer | Duration of relationship + 6 years |
| Aggregated / anonymised dataset | Indefinite — cannot identify individuals |
| Cloudflare edge logs | Up to 7 days per Cloudflare's standard retention |
International Transfers
Where data is transferred outside the UK we rely on UK adequacy decisions or Standard Contractual Clauses. GoHighLevel (US) and Cloudflare (US/global) are both protected under UK SCCs and their respective Data Processing Agreements.
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or port your data, and to object to processing. Contact us at hello@switchermate.com. We respond within one calendar month. You may also complain to the ICO at ico.org.uk.
Important limitation: Because the speed test collects data without requiring registration, we may not be able to locate your specific records if your IP has changed or is shared. We will inform you and explain what steps are available.
Browser Storage
Session storage: A random session ID stored temporarily. Cleared when you close the tab. Not sent to our server with each request.
Local storage: We use your browser's local storage to temporarily save your speed test progress, address selection, and Health Check state on your device. This data is not shared with third parties and is cleared when you stop the test or clear your browser data. Speed results are also stored in localStorage when you activate the Health Check monitor — clear at any time via "Clear history" or your browser's site data settings.
We do not use persistent cookies on the speed test page. For full cookie details see our Cookie Policy.
Security
- All traffic over HTTPS (TLS 1.2 minimum) via Cloudflare
- Enterprise-grade DDoS protection built into Cloudflare
- Rate limiting and session-based abuse detection on all endpoints
- CRM access restricted to authorised SwitcherMate personnel only
- No raw speed test data exposed publicly
Children
The SwitcherMate Speed Test is not directed at children under 18. If you are under 18, please use this service only with a parent or guardian's approval.
Changes
We may update this policy. Material changes communicated via email or website notice. Continued use after any update constitutes acknowledgement of the revised statement.