Privacy policy
What information we collect, why we use it and the choices available to you.
Last updated · 8 September 2026
Publisher details
Northstar Ridge Ltd
Company number: 17274747
Hillfoot, Formby Lane, Aughton, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 7HG
Who we are and the scope of this policy
MedsCompass is an independent medical-device review publication and is responsible for the personal information described in this policy. This notice applies to medscompass.com, its review, comparison, device, newsletter and contact pages, and the measurement used when a reader follows a MedsCompass link to a connected Northstar Commerce store. A retailer or other website you visit has its own privacy notice for the information it collects.
Information you give us
We collect information you choose to provide. This can include your name and email address when you subscribe, and your name, email address, organisation and message when you contact us. Please do not send medical records, detailed health information, passwords or payment-card information through a MedsCompass form. Purchases are completed by the relevant retailer or connected store, not on the MedsCompass publication itself.
Information collected when you use the site
Our hosting and security systems may record an IP address, browser and device type, requested page, approximate time, referring page, error information and security signals. If measurement is enabled, we may also record campaign parameters, page interactions and aggregate performance data. We use this information to deliver pages, prevent abuse, diagnose faults and understand whether the publication is useful.
Advertising and cross-site attribution
When a visitor arrives through an advertisement, MedsCompass may receive an advertising click identifier such as a GCLID, GBRAID or WBRAID together with ordinary campaign parameters. Northstar Attribution assigns a random journey identifier, records the first landing page and referral information, and securely passes a signed reference to a connected Northstar Commerce store when the visitor chooses a retailer link. The store can then associate checkout and purchase events with that journey. This is used to measure advertising results; it is not used by MedsCompass to infer a diagnosis or create a medical profile.
Why we use information
We use information where it is necessary to provide a service you requested, where you have given consent, where we must comply with law, or where our legitimate interests are not overridden by your rights. Those legitimate interests include operating and protecting the publication, responding to enquiries, preventing fraud, improving content and measuring the effectiveness of advertising. Consent is used for marketing emails and, where required, non-essential browser storage or advertising measurement; it can be withdrawn without affecting earlier lawful processing.
Who receives information
Information may be processed by carefully selected providers that support website hosting, database storage, security, email delivery, diagnostics, analytics and advertising measurement. A connected Northstar Commerce store receives only the signed attribution details needed to recognise a journey. Google may receive an eligible advertising conversion when live advertising measurement is enabled. We may also disclose information where required by law, to protect legal rights or in connection with a genuine business reorganisation. We do not sell personal information or provide subscriber lists to data brokers.
International processing and safeguards
Some technology providers may process information outside the United Kingdom or the country in which a visitor lives. Where data-protection law requires it, transfers should rely on an adequacy decision, approved contractual protections or another lawful safeguard. Provider documentation may give additional information about the locations and safeguards used for its service.
How long information is kept
We keep information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose described, security, dispute handling or a legal obligation. Newsletter details are normally retained until you unsubscribe, after which a limited suppression record may be kept so we respect that choice. Enquiries are retained according to their subject and follow-up needs. Security logs are kept for a limited operational period. The first-party Northstar attribution cookie expires after no more than 90 days; related server records are reviewed and retained only while needed for measurement, reconciliation, fraud prevention or legal records.
Your rights and choices
Depending on the law that applies, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction or portability, and to object to certain uses of your information. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw it at any time. You can unsubscribe using the link in a marketing email. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office or the data-protection authority where you live. Some rights are subject to lawful exceptions, and we may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
Children, security and changes
MedsCompass is written for adults and is not directed to children. We use proportionate technical and organisational safeguards, including restricted administrative access and protected transmission, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security. We will revise this notice when our services, providers or legal duties materially change and will show the updated date on this page.
Contact us about privacy
Email privacy@medscompass.com with a privacy question or rights request. Please identify the relevant MedsCompass service and avoid sending unnecessary sensitive information. If a request concerns a purchase or payment, contact the store named on the order confirmation because that store controls the transaction record.