Last Updated: September 09, 2024
At The Western Gazette (“we,” “us,” or “our”), we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data when you interact with our services (“Services”), including our website https://thewesterngazette.co.uk/ and any other platforms or media owned or controlled by us.
We aim to handle your data responsibly and transparently. By accessing or using our Services, you agree to this policy. Please review this policy carefully, and if you disagree with our practices, do not use our Services.
1. What This Privacy Policy Covers
This Privacy Policy applies to information collected by us in connection with the Services. It covers information you provide directly and information we automatically collect when you use our Services. This includes website interactions, newsletter subscriptions, contest entries, or any other engagement with our digital and offline offerings.
We may provide separate privacy notices for certain Services or activities (e.g., special promotions, events), which will govern specific data practices for those engagements.
2. Personal Information We Collect
We collect different categories of personal information depending on how you interact with our Services:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | Name, email address, IP address, unique user ID |
| Contact Information | Mailing address, phone number |
| Payment Information | Credit card, billing address (when you subscribe to Services) |
| Commercial Information | Purchase history, subscriptions |
| Profile Information | Preferences, interests, and content you engage with |
| Device Information | Browser type, device model, operating system |
| Geolocation Data | Approximate location based on IP address or device settings |
| Inferences | Preferences or behaviors derived from your interactions |
3. How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal data in various ways:
a. Directly from You
We collect personal information when you voluntarily provide it. This may happen when you:
- Subscribe to newsletters or other communications
- Create an account on our site
- Make a purchase or donation
- Participate in contests, surveys, or promotions
- Contact us for support or inquiries
b. Automatically
We collect certain data automatically when you visit our website or use our Services, through cookies, pixels, and similar technologies. This may include:
- Your IP address
- Pages visited, duration of visit
- Device type, browser information
- Cookies (see Section 7 for more on cookies)
c. From Third Parties
We may also obtain information about you from other sources, including:
- Social media platforms (when you engage with us via social media)
- Third-party partners and affiliates that help us provide Services
- Publicly available databases
4. How We Use Your Personal Information
We use your information for a variety of business purposes:
| Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| Providing Services | To manage your account, process transactions, and deliver digital content |
| Personalization | To tailor our Services and provide recommendations based on your interests |
| Communication | To send you newsletters, updates, and respond to inquiries |
| Advertising and Marketing | To deliver targeted ads and promotions based on your browsing activity |
| Analytics and Research | To measure and analyze user activity and improve our Services |
| Security and Fraud Prevention | To protect against unauthorized access, fraud, and malicious activity |
| Compliance with Legal Obligations | To comply with legal or regulatory requirements |
5. Sharing Your Personal Information
We do not sell your personal data. However, we may share your information in the following situations:
| With Whom | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Service Providers | We may share your data with vendors who help us operate and provide our Services, such as payment processors, email delivery providers, and web analytics services. |
| Business Partners | We may share aggregated or anonymized data with business partners for joint marketing and advertising efforts. |
| Legal Authorities | We may disclose personal data if required by law or to protect our legal rights and interests, or in response to law enforcement requests. |
We may also share information with our advertisers and partners in a way that does not identify you personally, such as through anonymized datasets used for market research or ad targeting.
6. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to, processed, and stored outside your country of residence, including in countries with different data protection laws than your own. By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your personal data to countries outside your own, where data protection standards may differ. We take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in such transfers, including through the use of contractual agreements and standard data protection clauses.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our site uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, deliver personalized content, and collect usage data. Cookies are small files that are stored on your device, and they help us remember your preferences and track site activity.
| Cookie Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential Cookies | Necessary for basic site functionality, such as logging in |
| Analytics Cookies | Used to understand site performance and user interactions |
| Targeting/Advertising Cookies | To deliver personalized ads based on your browsing behavior |
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may limit some features of the site.
8. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures, including encryption, secure servers, and access controls, to protect your data from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, no data transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When we no longer need your data, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights related to your personal information, including:
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you |
| Correction | Request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information |
| Deletion | Request that we delete your personal information |
| Opt-Out of Marketing | Unsubscribe from our marketing emails |
| Data Portability | Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format |
To exercise these rights, please contact us at [Insert Contact Email]. We may require you to verify your identity before processing your request.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your data.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you can contact us at:
Email: thewesterngazette@gmail.com
Mailing Address: Kemp House, 152 – 160 City Road, London, UK, EC1V 2NX
Phone: +44 7588 008224