Privacy Policy
Last updated: 25th May 2018
Here's the deal, I need to have a privacy policy to explain how I comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations). Sometimes I need to update this Privacy Policy, I will notify you by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy, and, in some cases I might provide you with additional notice. I'd love for you to keep up-to-date with my privacy policy and review it whenever you're interacting with me here.
It's one of those pages that no one really wants to read and it totally gives me a headache. But I have this minor problem about wanting to keep the law, so let's begin.
Collection of Information
I collect information you provide directly to me. For example, I collect information when you subscribe to my newsletter/email list, participate in an event, survey, contest, promotion, make a purchase, leave a comment, communicate with me via third party social media sites, or otherwise communicate with me. This includes your name, email address, postal address, phone number, gender, date of birth, payment information (such as debit/credit card/Paypal info).
I use Paypal to help with the financial side of my business. You can find their privacy policy here (just in case you like reading all the legal jargon that everyone else pretends to read).
I keep the normal records of transactions that businesses keep because otherwise the tax man gets really mad with me.
If you have signed up to hear from me your name and email address also ends up at Mailchimp where they are stored securely. I use Mailchimp to send you the emails you requested. Mailchimp gives me information about whether or not you open your emails from me and if you click the link. They are GDPR compliant. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time by hitting the unsubscribe button.
Cookies
Let's be honest, I wish this was an opportunity for me to write about my favourite melt-in-the-mouth cookies but alas, it's some weird computer thing. I use cookies because my website needs them to run smoothly. You do have the option of turning off this ability in your browser but don't blame me if my website suddenly has a ton of kinks and stops working...
The cookies that help my site to not be broken include:
Functional and Required Cookies
Without these, my site breaks.
Analytics and Performance cookies
These tell me how people use my site and help me make it better for you. I can iron out kinks and help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. I will use this information to make my website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests.
Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are pretty much always my go-to snack when editing photography sessions. They kind of help me function correctly.
Analytics and Stuff
I use Google Analytics to see what you like looking at and reading. It gives me statistics about my site that help me work out what you like most. I get to see which blog posts you like best and write more along those lines while ditching the stuff that didn't do so good. Their privacy policy.
I use Facebook Pixels. At the moment it's not doing much but when I eventually get around to running ads on Facebook this will help me target ads to the people who have looked at my website. Their privacy policy.
I also use AddThis which helps you share stuff from my blog with your friends and helps me see what you have shared. Their privacy policy.
These don't store personal data. I see how people interact with my site. I make my site more user friendly based on how people navigate through my site.
Social Media
If you follow me on one social media and we're friends, I might add you on another social media platform because I like that we're friends. Feel free to not be friends. I'm cool with boundaries.
Security
I take reasonable measures to help protect information about you from loss, theft, misuse and unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration and destruction.
Help?
If you have any questions or concerns (or you want to be removed from my mailing list) you can contact me abibridgwater@gmail.com
Phew! That was hard work. If you stuck with me to the end hooray for getting through the jargon.
Now I'm gonna go eat a cookie...