Privacy Notice

Effective Date: 1 January 2025  Notice Version: 2.0
Data Controller: Hodgkinson Publishing Ltd, Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset BH16 6FA, United Kingdom
Company No: 04057471  

1 Overview

This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal data (“PD”) and non-personal data (“NPD”) when you interact with any websites or services owned by Hodgkinson Publishing Ltd (“we,” “us,” or “our”). It also describes your rights under applicable data-protection and privacy laws.

2 Your Legal Rights

You may exercise the following rights where applicable under the UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and other laws:

• Right to be informed – why and how we process PD.
• Access – obtain a copy of PD we hold.
• Rectification – correct inaccurate PD.
• Erasure / Right to be forgotten – request deletion where no legal reason requires retention.
• Restriction of processing – suspend processing under certain conditions.
• Data portability – receive PD in machine-readable form.
• Object – to direct marketing or legitimate-interest processing.
• Rights re automated decision-making & profiling – we do not make decisions with legal or similarly significant effects based solely on automated processing.
• Complain – to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk or your local authority.

Requests can be made by contacting us at the address above; we respond within 30 days.

3 Definitions

“Personal data (PD)” means any information identifying or capable of identifying a living individual.
“Non-personal data (NPD)” means anonymised or aggregated information that cannot reasonably identify you.
“User,” “Visitor,” and “Member” have the meanings given in our Terms & Conditions.

4 Information We Collect

We may collect PD that you provide directly (e.g., name, email, billing address, company name, payment details) and information collected automatically (e.g., IP address, browser type, usage data).
Data sources include:

• Account registration & checkout forms;
• Support tickets and live chat;
• Cookies, pixels, and analytics tools;
• Email marketing and affiliate tracking systems.

5 Legal Bases for Processing

We process PD only where lawful, including:

• Contract necessity – to provide products or services you purchase.
• Consent – for email marketing and non-essential cookies.
• Legitimate interests – for analytics, security, fraud prevention, and business administration.
• Legal obligation – to comply with tax and record-keeping laws.

6 Cookies and Tracking

We use first-party and third-party cookies and similar technologies for functionality, analytics, and marketing.
You can manage preferences via our cookie banner or browser settings. For details, see our Cookie Policy.
We honour “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” signals where required under U.S. state law.

7 Analytics and Advertising

We use Google Analytics, Meta (Facebook) Pixel for aggregated insights and ad personalisation.  These providers may set cookies and process IP addresses or device IDs in accordance with their own privacy policies:

• Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Meta (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy
  

You may opt out via:

• https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• https://www.facebook.com/help/568137493302217

8 How We Use Your Information

We use your PD to:

1. Provide and deliver products and services you request;
2. Process transactions and send administrative emails;
3. Respond to support enquiries;
4. Improve our websites, content, and marketing;
5. Send relevant updates and promotions (with your consent where required);
6. Detect fraud and maintain security;
7. Comply with legal obligations.

9 Email and Marketing Communications

We send service emails (e.g., order confirmations, account notices) as necessary to fulfil our contract with you.  Marketing emails are sent only with your opt-in consent, and each email includes an unsubscribe link.

10 Sharing of Information

We do not sell your PD. We share it only with:

• Service providers (e.g., payment processors, email delivery tools, hosting and analytics providers);
• Professional advisers (auditors, law firms);
• Successors or acquirers in the event of a business sale or merger;
• Authorities where legally required.

Any processors are bound by confidentiality and data-processing agreements.

11 Additional Rights for U.S. Residents

Residents of certain U.S. states (e.g., California, Colorado, Virginia) have the right to:

• Request access to and deletion of personal information;
• Request correction of inaccuracies;
• Opt out of the “sale or sharing” of personal information for targeted advertising;
• Not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights.

Submit requests via ProductSupportDesk.com with the subject “Privacy Request.” We will verify identity before responding.

12 Data Retention and Deletion

We retain PD only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes above and meet legal obligations—normally no longer than seven (7) years for business records. When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

13 International Transfers

We store data on servers located in the United Kingdom and United States. Where data is transferred outside the UK or EEA, we use approved safeguards such as the UK Addendum to the EU Standard Contractual Clauses or other legally recognised mechanisms.

14 Security

We employ administrative, technical, and physical measures aligned with ISO 27001 and PCI DSS standards to protect our websites. Despite these controls, no system is fully secure, and you share information at your own risk. Please protect your password and log out after each session.

15 Children’s Privacy

Our websites are not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect PD from children. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.

16 Automated Tools and AI Assistance

We may use automated systems (including AI-powered tools such as chatbots) to assist with customer support and analytics. These tools do not make decisions that produce legal or significant effects for individuals; all final decisions involving your data rest with human staff.

17 International Community Areas & Public Posts

If you post content in community forums or discussion areas, your information may be viewed globally. Exercise caution before sharing personal details.

18 Your Choices and Consent Withdrawal

You may update, correct, or delete account information through your dashboard or by contacting us. You may withdraw consent for marketing or processing at any time (subject to lawful exceptions). We will honour requests within 30 days.

19 Changes to This Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice from time to time. Updates take effect upon posting on our website with a new effective date. Substantive changes will also be notified by email where feasible. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

20 Contact

Questions or requests about this Privacy Notice:

Data Protection Officer
Hodgkinson Publishing Ltd
Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset BH16 6FA UK