Terms and Conditions
Last Updated: 26/08/2026
Welcome to Zerone! These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our website and services, including the collection, data sanitisation, recycling, resale, and purchase of used storage devices. By using our services, you agree to these terms.
1. General Terms
1.1. By accessing or using our website or services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1.2. Zerone reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any revised terms.
2. Collection and Data Handling Services
2.1. Zerone provides collection, transport, data sanitisation, and subsequent recycling, resale, repurposing, or destruction of data storage devices, including but not limited to external and internal hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), laptops and desktop computers, and other digital storage media.
2.2. You may specify a preferred data sanitisation standard at the time of booking or handover. If no standard is specified, Zerone will apply a single-pass overwrite (one-pass zeros) with verification as the default erasure method.
2.3. Sanitisation methods may include software-based overwriting, cryptographic erasure, or physical destruction where appropriate. All sanitisation is carried out in accordance with reasonable industry practice and applicable UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
2.4. Upon physical collection or handover of any device, full legal ownership transfers to Zerone. You irrevocably forfeit all rights, title, and interest in the device and any data previously stored on it from that point. Zerone may then reuse, resell, recycle, or destroy devices at its sole discretion.
2.5. You remain the data controller for data on any device up to the point of collection. Zerone assumes responsibility for secure handling and erasure only after collection.
2.6. Where Zerone sells a sanitised, second-hand device to a business customer, Section 3 (Purchase of Second-Hand Devices) applies to that sale in addition to these Terms.
3. Purchase of Second-Hand Devices
3.1. This Section 3 applies where a company, business, or trade buyer ("Buyer") purchases a refurbished or sanitised second-hand data storage device ("Device") from Zerone, whether via Zerone's website, a third-party marketplace (including eBay or Hotdrive), or otherwise. This Section applies in addition to, and takes precedence over, Section 6 (Limitation of Liability) in respect of Device sales, save that clause 6.3 continues to apply in full.
3.2. Return policy: Zerone offers a 30-day return period, running from the date of delivery or collection by the Buyer, during which the Buyer may return a Device that is faulty for a repair, replacement, or refund, at Zerone's reasonable discretion. For the purposes of this Section, a Device is "faulty" if it fails to perform its basic storage function (for example, the Device is not detected, does not power on, or does not reliably read and write data) due to a mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing defect present at the time of sale.
3.3. To make a claim under clause 3.2, the Buyer must notify Zerone in writing at info@zeroneuk.com within 30 days of delivery or collection, describing the fault in reasonable detail, and must return the Device to Zerone within a reasonable time of being asked to do so. Return postage or collection costs will be met by Zerone where a claim is upheld, and by the Buyer where it is not.
3.4. The return policy in clause 3.2 does not cover, and Zerone will not accept returns in respect of: (a) faults caused by misuse, improper installation, incompatible use, or handling by the Buyer or any third party after delivery; (b) cosmetic wear consistent with a device sold as second-hand; or (c) any Device returned more than 30 days after delivery or collection.
3.5. As-is basis: Save for the limited fault remedy in clause 3.2, all Devices are sold second-hand and "as seen." Zerone gives no warranty, express or implied, as to the remaining lifespan, capacity, performance, or future reliability of any Device beyond the 30-day period referred to in clause 3.2.
3.6. Data risk and disclaimer: The Buyer acknowledges that:
(a) all Devices have been sanitised by Zerone prior to sale in accordance with Section 2, but that no data sanitisation method, however applied, can guarantee the absolute and permanent irrecoverability of previously stored data, and some residual risk is inherent to the purchase of any second-hand storage media;
(b) the Buyer purchases each Device entirely at its own risk in relation to any data stored on, recovered from, lost from, or corrupted on the Device, whether before, during, or after the 30-day return period referred to in clause 3.2, and whether or not the underlying fault would otherwise entitle the Buyer to a remedy under clause 3.2;
(c) Zerone shall have no liability whatsoever — whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise — for any data loss, data corruption, unauthorised data recovery, or unauthorised access to data arising from or in connection with a Buyer's purchase or use of a second-hand Device; and
(d) the Buyer is responsible for independently verifying the condition of any Device and taking its own backup, testing, and data-handling precautions before storing or transferring any data — and in particular any sensitive, confidential, or business-critical data — onto a Device purchased from Zerone.
3.7. Nothing in this Section 3 excludes or limits Zerone's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
3.8. Where the Buyer deals as a consumer rather than in the course of a business, this Section 3 applies without prejudice to the Buyer's statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which take precedence to the extent of any conflict.
4. Client Responsibilities
4.1. You confirm that you have the legal right to transfer the devices to Zerone.
4.2. Devices must be made available for collection in a condition suitable for transport.
4.3. Zerone is not liable for any data loss, breach, or unauthorised access occurring prior to collection.
5. Confidentiality
5.1. Zerone will treat all data encountered on devices as strictly confidential and will not intentionally access, use, or disclose it beyond what is necessary to perform data sanitisation.
6. Limitation of Liability
6.1. Zerone shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential losses, including loss of business, revenue, or reputation, arising from the collection, transport, sanitisation, or destruction of devices.
6.2. Zerone's total aggregate liability under these Terms shall not exceed the reasonable market value of the physical devices supplied, save as set out in Section 3 in respect of Device sales.
6.3. Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud.
7. Indemnity
7.1. You agree to indemnify Zerone against claims, fines, or damages arising from your failure to comply with data protection law prior to collection, or from the unlawful nature of data stored on the devices.
7.2. Zerone shall indemnify you against claims arising solely from Zerone's failure to perform the agreed data sanitisation after collection.
8. Marketing & Client References
8.1. Zerone may reference your trading name, logo, and a general description of services provided on its website, social media channels, case studies, and other marketing or promotional materials for the purpose of identifying you as a customer of Zerone.
8.2. Zerone will not disclose any confidential, commercially sensitive, or data-related information concerning you or your engagement with Zerone without your separate express written consent.
8.3. You may withdraw consent at any time by notifying Zerone in writing at info@zeroneuk.com. Upon receipt, Zerone will acknowledge within 3 business days and remove or cease use of the relevant materials within a further 3 business days.
9. Governing Law
9.1. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
9.2. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
10. Acceptance
10.1. These Terms apply upon the earlier of written confirmation of a booking (including by email or messaging platforms), physical handover or collection of devices by Zerone, or purchase of a Device from Zerone.
10.2. By confirming a booking, purchasing a Device, or handing over devices, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
11. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact Zerone at info@zeroneuk.com.