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Privacy Policy

Effective date: 19/08/2025
Website: skharris.co.uk (the “Site”)
Controller: S. K. Harris (“we”, “us”, “our”)

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This notice explains what we collect, how we use it, how long we keep it, and the rights you have under UK data protection law (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).

If you have any questions, contact: author@skharris.co.uk

1. Who we are

This Site is the official author website of S. K. Harris. For the purposes of data protection law, we are the data controller for personal data processed via this Site.

Contact details:
Email: author@skharris.co.uk

2. What data we collect

We only collect the minimum data necessary to operate the Site and respond to enquiries.

Data you provide directly

  • Contact form / email enquiries: your name, email address, message content, and any information you choose to include.
  • Newsletter sign-up (not currently enabled): your email address and (optionally) name.
  • Event/appearance requests (not currently enabled): name, organisation, email, and event details.

Data we collect automatically

  • Usage data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, and timestamps (via standard server logs and/or analytics).
  • Cookies and similar technologies: see section 9 (Cookies).

Embedded content
Pages may include embedded content (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, X/Twitter, Instagram). Embedded content behaves as if you visited the other website and may collect data about you. Please review those services’ privacy policies.

We do not knowingly collect special category (sensitive) data. Please avoid sharing it in messages.

3. Why we use your data (purposes) and legal bases

We process your data only where we have a lawful basis:

  • To respond to enquiries (contact forms/emails).
    Legal basis: Legitimate interests (to operate the Site and respond professionally).
  • To provide a newsletter (when enabled).
    Legal basis: Consent (you can withdraw at any time via the unsubscribe link or by contacting us).
  • To maintain Site security and performance (server logs, security plugins).
    Legal basis: Legitimate interests (keeping the Site secure) and legal obligation where applicable.
  • To understand aggregated Site usage (analytics).
    Legal basis: Consent (for non-essential analytics cookies in the UK/EEA).
  • To comply with laws and enforce our terms.
    Legal basis: Legal obligation and legitimate interests.

We do not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling that has legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Who we share data with (processors)

We only share data with trusted service providers who act on our instructions and provide appropriate safeguards:

  • Web hosting and email: [Hosting provider name] (Site hosting, server logs), [Email provider name].
  • Contact form / email delivery: [Form plugin/service], [Email delivery service].
  • Newsletter platform: [e.g., MailerLite / Mailchimp / ConvertKit].
  • Analytics: [e.g., Google Analytics / Plausible].
  • Security and backups: [e.g., Wordfence, UpdraftPlus].

These providers may be located outside the UK/EEA. Where transfers occur, we rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., UK adequacy regulations or Standard Contractual Clauses).

We do not sell personal data.

5. Retention – how long we keep data

  • Enquiries: kept for up to 12 months after the last correspondence, unless required longer for legal reasons.
  • Newsletter data: kept until you unsubscribe or we cease the mailing list.
  • Server logs/security records: typically 30–180 days, unless investigating incidents.
  • Analytics data: retained according to the provider’s settings.

We review retention periodically and delete or anonymise data when no longer needed.

6. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data and receive a copy.
  • Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erase your data (“right to be forgotten”) in certain circumstances.
  • Restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances.
  • Data portability for data you provided to us with consent or contract.
  • Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent (e.g., newsletter).

To exercise any right, contact author@skharris.co.uk. We may need to verify your identity. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unhappy with how we use your data.

7. Children’s privacy

This Site is aimed at adults. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA). If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us to delete it.

8. Security

We use technical and organisational measures appropriate to the risk (e.g., HTTPS, limited access, security plugins, regular updates). However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

9. Cookies

Cookies are small files placed on your device. We use:

  • Strictly necessary cookies to operate the Site (e.g., security, load balancing).
  • Functional cookies (e.g., to remember preferences) where used.
  • Analytics cookies (if enabled) to understand how the Site is used. These are non-essential and set only with your consent in the UK/EEA.

You can control cookies via your browser settings and (if implemented) our cookie banner. Blocking some cookies may impact Site functionality.

If you would like a detailed cookie list, please see our Cookie Policy (if published) or contact us.

10. Third-party links

This Site may link to other websites. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Please review their privacy notices.

11. Changes to this notice

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top indicates the latest version. Significant changes will be noted on the Site.

12. How to contact us

For privacy queries or to exercise your rights:
Email: author@skharris.co.uk