Privacy Policy
Last updated: 1 October 2025
This Privacy Policy explains how UK Safety News (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal data when you visit uk-safety.news (the “Site”) and any related pages or services.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information responsibly in accordance with UK data protection laws, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
1) Who we are (Data Controller)
- Data Controller: UK Safety News
- Website: https://uk-safety.news
- Contact: editor@uk-safety.news or use our [Contact] page
- Data Protection Contact
2) What personal data we collect
We collect the following categories of personal data:
- Identifiers & contact details: name, email address, username, password (hashed), account preferences.
- Content & interactions: comments you post, messages sent via contact forms, saved articles, and any media you upload.
- Usage data: pages viewed, links clicked, time on page, referring URLs, approximate location (city/country), device and browser type, IP address.
- Cookies & similar tech: identifiers used for site functionality, analytics, and advertising (see Cookies section).
- Advertising data: ad impressions, ad interactions, and interests/categories inferred by ad partners.
- Newsletter/alerts (if enabled): email address, subscription preferences, and engagement (opens/clicks).
You may choose not to provide certain information, but some features (e.g., logging in, posting comments, receiving newsletters) may not function without it.
3) How we obtain your data
- Directly from you: when you create an account, submit a form, comment, or subscribe.
- Automatically: via your browser/device and cookies when you use the Site.
- From third parties: analytics providers, ad networks, anti-spam/anti-fraud tools, and social media platforms if you interact with our embedded content.
4) Why we process your data (lawful bases)
We use your data for:
- Site operation & security (e.g., login, load balancing, fraud/spam prevention) — Legitimate interests / Legal obligation
- Comments & community features — Legitimate interests / Consent where required
- Analytics & performance (to improve content and usability) — Consent (where required) / Legitimate interests
- Personalised and contextual advertising — Consent via cookie banner/consent management
- Newsletters & alerts — Consent (you can unsubscribe at any time)
- Compliance & enforcement — Legal obligation / Legitimate interests
Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time (see Your Rights).
5) Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies, SDKs, and similar technologies to:
- Make the site work: session, authentication, preference, and security cookies.
- Measure performance: analytics cookies to understand readership and improve the Site.
- Support advertising: cookies/pixels to deliver and measure ads; ad partners may use data to build or access interest profiles.
You can manage your preferences via our cookie banner and your browser settings (e.g., blocking third-party cookies). Blocking some cookies may affect site functionality.
Categories we use:
- Strictly Necessary (always on)
- Performance/Analytics (consent where required)
- Functional (consent where required)
- Advertising/Targeting (consent)
[If you use a CMP, add: “We use a Consent Management Platform (CMP) to store and honour your choices.”]
6) Analytics
We use analytics tools to understand how our content is used (e.g., pages visited, dwell time). These tools may set cookies and collect IP addresses and device info. Where required, we run analytics in consent mode and/or IP anonymisation.
[Replace/confirm:]
- Provider(s): [Google Analytics / Plausible / Matomo / Other]
- Settings: [e.g., IP anonymisation enabled; retention period X months]
7) Advertising and sponsorship
We may display ads and sponsored content. Advertising partners may set cookies or use device IDs to:
- deliver, cap, and measure ads
- combat fraud and abuse
- personalise ads where you’ve given consent
[Replace/confirm:]
- Ad partners: [e.g., Google AdSense/Ad Manager, Mediavine, other networks]
- Ad personalisation: [Personalised ads only with consent; you can opt out in our cookie banner]
- Sponsored content: Clearly labelled as “Sponsored” or “Advertisement”.
8) Anti-spam and safety tools
To protect our Site and users, we use moderation and anti-spam/anti-abuse tools that may process IP addresses, user agents, and content you submit.
[Replace/confirm tools, e.g.: Akismet reCAPTCHA hCaptcha. If using reCAPTCHA, include: “Use of reCAPTCHA is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms.”]
9) Sharing your data
We share data only as necessary with:
- Service providers/Processors: hosting, security, analytics, email delivery, customer support, ad tech.
- Advertising partners: only where you’ve consented to advertising cookies.
- Legal and compliance: authorities or third parties where required by law or to enforce our terms or protect rights.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, sale, or reorganisation (we will notify you where required).
We do not sell your personal data.
10) International transfers
Some providers may process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, we use appropriate safeguards such as:
- Adequacy regulations (e.g., UK-recognised adequate countries)
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved for UK use, potentially with UK Addendum
- Additional technical and organisational measures where appropriate.
11) Data retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described above:
- Account data: while your account remains active and for up to [X months/years] after closure for record-keeping/legal obligations.
- Comments/posts: retained to preserve discussion history unless you request removal where feasible.
- Analytics data: kept for [X months] (aggregate/anonymous data may be kept longer).
- Cookie consents: stored for [X months] to evidence your choices.
- Contact form enquiries: retained for [X months] for follow-up and audit.
We regularly review our retention periods and delete or anonymise data when no longer needed.
12) Your rights (UK GDPR)
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data
- Erase data (in certain circumstances)
- Restrict processing (in certain circumstances)
- Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing
- Data portability (receive data you provided in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format)
- Withdraw consent at any time (where processing relies on consent)
To exercise your rights, contact us at [Insert contact email]. We will respond within one month (or explain if more time is needed for complex requests).
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.
13) Children’s privacy
Our Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact us to delete it.
14) Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit (HTTPS), access controls, least-privilege practices, and regular patching. No system is 100% secure, but we work to prevent unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
15) Third-party links and embeds
Our articles may include links to external sites or embedded content (e.g., social posts, videos). These third parties operate under their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices; please review their policies before providing data.
16) Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date will change accordingly. Material changes will be communicated via the Site and, where appropriate, by email/notice to registered users.
17) Contact us
Questions or requests about this Policy or your data:
- Email: editor@uk-safety.news
- Postal: UK
- Online: https://uk-safety.news/contact