Legal information
Privacy Policy
1. Who controls your personal data?
Michael Sweenie is the controller of the personal data covered by the Privacy Policy.
If you have questions about the policy or how your personal data is used, contact:
Email: michaelsweenie1@gmail.com
No separate data protection officer is currently identified for the site.
2. What personal data do we collect?
Contact form
When you use the Contact form, we collect:
- your name;
- your email address;
- your company;
- your job title; and
- any additional information or message you choose to provide.
Your name and email address are required. The other fields are optional unless the form indicates otherwise.
Newsletter signup
If you subscribe to the newsletter, we collect the email address you provide so that we can send newsletter emails and manage your subscription preferences.
The newsletter signup form and subscriber list are provided by Kit. Kit processes subscriber information on Michael's behalf. Kit's own privacy information and service terms also apply.
The signup process uses confirmation by email. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in a newsletter email.
Website usage and technical information
Google Analytics and a Google tag are currently connected to the website.
Depending on the final configuration and your consent choice, Google may process information about website use, interactions, browser or device characteristics and identifiers.
The current Google Analytics Measurement ID is:
G-H7FXRC3J4Z
Google Analytics operates after Analytics consent. The site uses the measurement and event settings configured for the Google Analytics property.
Google Search Console is connected to the following property:
Search Console is used to monitor the website’s presence and performance in Google Search. Google’s own service terms and privacy information apply to that service.
Theme preference
The website uses browser localStorage to remember your light or dark theme preference.
Theme preference storage differs from a cookie. The preference is stored in your browser and is not intended to be sent to the website through the theme preference function.
Technical logs
No separate technical logging process is active for the website.
3. How do we use personal data?
We may use personal data to:
- respond to Contact form enquiries;
- manage conversations resulting from Contact form enquiries;
- operate, maintain and secure the website;
- understand website usage and performance through Google Analytics;
- monitor search visibility and performance through Google Search Console;
- send newsletter emails when you have subscribed;
- manage newsletter subscriptions and unsubscribes;
- remember your selected theme; and
- comply with applicable legal requirements.
4. Lawful bases
The lawful bases for the activities described above are:
| Purpose | Lawful basis |
|---|---|
| Responding to Contact form enquiries | Legitimate interests in responding to enquiries and managing communications |
| Operating and securing the website | Legitimate interests in providing and protecting the website |
| Google Analytics and Google tag | Consent is requested before these optional measurement technologies are used |
| Google Search Console | Legitimate interests in understanding and improving the website’s search presence |
| Theme preference | Legitimate interests in providing a usable light and dark theme preference |
| Newsletter emails | Consent provided when you subscribe |
Michael will not use Contact form data to add you to a marketing list unless a separate lawful marketing process is introduced and you provide the required consent.
5. Who receives personal data?
Personal data may be received by:
- Michael Sweenie;
- Netlify, which provides website hosting and Netlify Forms;
- Gmail, which receives Contact form notification emails;
- Google services connected to Google Analytics, the Google tag and Google Search Console; and
- Kit, which provides the newsletter signup form and subscriber email service; and
- technical or professional providers where necessary to operate, secure or review the website.
Netlify provides website hosting and Netlify Forms, Gmail receives Contact form notifications, and Google provides the Analytics, tag and Search Console services described above. Those providers publish their own privacy information and service terms.
6. Contact form, Netlify Forms and Gmail
The Contact form uses Netlify Forms.
When you submit the form, Netlify processes the submission and sends a notification to Michael’s Gmail account.
Contact form submissions are retained only for as long as necessary to respond to and manage the enquiry. No fixed deletion period is set because the appropriate period depends on the enquiry and any resulting conversation.
Netlify processes the form submission and Gmail receives the notification email. The relevant provider retention and deletion controls apply to those services.
7. Google Analytics, Google tag and Search Console
Google Analytics and a Google tag are currently connected to the website.
Google Analytics only activates after a visitor accepts Analytics through the Privacy Settings banner. Rejection prevents the Analytics script from loading and prevents Analytics measurement.
Google Analytics and the Google tag measure website use and approved interactions. They do not receive Contact form names, email addresses or message content through the site’s Analytics events.
Google Search Console is connected to the website property shown above. It is used for search performance monitoring and is not currently an email subscription or tool-access system.
Google’s own privacy information and service terms describe its data handling, international processing and retention arrangements.
8. Metadata Cleaner
Metadata Cleaner is currently freely available without an email address, account or subscriber-only access.
The tool processes image files locally in your browser. Files are not stored by this website.
The tool does not currently collect email addresses or add users to a mailing list.
9. Newsletter and email access
The website provides an optional newsletter signup form through Kit. If you subscribe, Kit receives and processes the email address you submit so that the newsletter can be delivered and your subscription can be managed.
The form uses an email confirmation step. A subscriber who does not confirm their email address will not be treated as a confirmed newsletter subscriber. You can unsubscribe through the link included in newsletter emails.
Metadata Cleaner is currently available without an email address, account or subscription.
10. International transfers
Some providers may process personal data using infrastructure or support arrangements outside the United Kingdom.
Netlify, Google, Gmail and Kit may process personal data outside the United Kingdom. Their published privacy information and contractual safeguards apply to those transfers.
11. How long do we keep personal data?
We use the following retention principles:
- Contact form submissions: only for as long as necessary to respond to and manage the enquiry.
- Google Analytics data: according to the retention settings selected for the Google Analytics property.
- Google Search Console data: according to the relevant Google account and service controls.
- Gmail notifications: according to the relevant Gmail mailbox and deletion process.
- Theme preference: normally remains in your browser until you clear local site data or the website replaces the preference.
- Metadata Cleaner image files: not stored by the website.
- Newsletter subscriber data: while you remain subscribed, or until it is deleted or removed through the relevant Kit controls. Confirmation and unsubscribe records may be retained where necessary to demonstrate consent or comply with legal obligations.
12. Security
Michael intends to use reasonable technical and organisational measures appropriate to the risk.
These measures may include limiting access to personal data, reviewing connected services and keeping relevant systems updated.
No online transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Please avoid sending sensitive personal information through the Contact form unless it is necessary.
13. Your rights
Subject to legal conditions and exceptions, you may have the right to:
- ask for access to your personal data;
- ask for inaccurate data to be corrected;
- ask for personal data to be deleted;
- ask for processing to be restricted;
- object to processing based on legitimate interests;
- object to direct marketing;
- withdraw consent where processing relies on consent; and
- request data portability where the legal conditions apply.
To exercise a right, contact michaelsweenie1@gmail.com.
14. Withdrawing consent
Where the website uses consent for Google Analytics, the Google tag or other non-essential storage technologies, you can change or withdraw your choice through the website’s Privacy Settings.
Withdrawing consent does not affect processing carried out before withdrawal.
You can withdraw newsletter consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in a newsletter email or by contacting Michael.
15. External websites
The website may link to external websites, services or resources.
Their privacy practices are separate from the policy. You should review the privacy information provided by those websites.
16. Changes to the policy
The policy may be updated when the website, providers, tracking setup, forms, tools or legal requirements change.
The last updated date appears at the top of the current version.
17. Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal data is being used, please contact Michael first at michaelsweenie1@gmail.com.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office. More information is available at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.