Cookie & Privacy Policy
Last Updated: June 2023
Who We Are
The Modern Witch Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates themodernwitch.co.uk and is the data controller responsible for your personal data.
Contact Information:
- Email: dee@themodernwitch.co.uk
What Data We Collect About You, For What Purpose And On What Grounds We Process It
Personal data means any information capable of identifying an individual. We may process the following categories of personal data about you:
- Communication Data:Â Includes any communication sent to us via contact forms, email, text, social media messaging, posting or other methods. We process this to communicate with you, keep records, and establish or defend legal claims. Lawful basis: legitimate interests.
- Customer Data:Â Includes data relating to purchases such as name, title, billing address, delivery address, email, phone number, contact details, purchase details, and card details. We process this to supply goods/services and keep transaction records. Lawful basis: performance of contract.
- User Data:Â Includes data about website use, posts, and publications. We process this to operate and administer the website. Lawful basis: legitimate interests.
- Technical Data:Â Includes IP address, login data, browser type, visit length, page views, navigation paths, time zone settings, and devices used. We process this to analyse website usage and improve services. Lawful basis: legitimate interests.
- Marketing Data:Â Includes marketing and communication preferences. We process this for promotions, content delivery, advertising effectiveness, and marketing strategies. Lawful basis: legitimate interests or consent.
We may combine Customer, User, Technical and Marketing Data for targeted advertising and marketing communications. Lawful basis: legitimate interests or consent.
Sensitive Data
We do not collect any Sensitive Data (such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, health data, etc.). We also do not collect information about criminal convictions or offences..
Failure to Provide Personal Data
If we are required to collect data by law or contract and you fail to provide it, we may not be able to perform the contract or deliver services, and may need to cancel orders, with notice.
Change of Purpose
We will only use your data for the purpose it was collected unless we reasonably consider another compatible purpose. For unrelated purposes, we will notify you and explain the legal basis.
Automated Decision Making
We do not carry out automated decision making or profiling.
How We Collect Your Personal Data
We collect data via:
- Direct interactions: forms, emails, purchases, comments, and messages.
- Automated technologies: cookies, analytics, server logs, and similar technologies.
- Third parties: analytics providers (Google, Facebook), technical/payment/delivery providers, data brokers, or publicly available sources such as Companies House.
Marketing Communications
Our lawful ground for marketing is consent or legitimate interests. Under PECR regulations, we may send marketing if:
- You have purchased or enquired about products/services and not opted out.
- You have explicitly consented.
You can unsubscribe at any time by:
- Updating account preferences
- Following unsubscribe links
- Email: dee@themodernwitch.co.uk
Opting out does not affect service communications.
Disclosures of Your Personal Data
We may share your data with:
- Service providers for IT, administration, and system operations.
- Professional advisers (lawyers, auditors, insurers, bankers).
- Government bodies requiring reporting of processing activities.
- Third parties involved in selling, transferring, or merging our business.
All third parties are required to protect your data and process it lawfully.
International Transfers
When transferring data outside the EEA/UK, we ensure:
- Transfers only to countries deemed to provide adequate protection.
- Standard contractual clauses or certification schemes.
- Explicit consent when required.
Data Security
We have implemented security measures to prevent accidental loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. Access is restricted to authorised personnel who process data confidentially and securely.
We have breach procedures in place and will notify you and regulators if legally required.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purpose collected, considering legal, accounting, and reporting obligations. Examples:
- Customer data retained for 6 years for tax compliance.
- Comment data and metadata retained indefinitely for moderation efficiency.
- User account data retained until voluntarily deleted (excluding usernames).
Anonymised data may be retained indefinitely for research or statistical purposes.
Your Legal Rights
Under data protection law, you have rights to:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request erasure
- Restrict processing
- Object to processing
- Data portability
- Withdraw consent (where consent is lawful basis)
To exercise your rights, email support@themodernwitch.co.uk. No fees apply unless requests are unfounded, repetitive, or excessive. We may require identity verification.
Complaints may be made to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Enable website functionality
- Recognise returning visitors
- Retain user preferences
- Support analytics and marketing
Comment Cookies:
If you leave a comment, cookies may store your name, email, and website for convenience. These last for one year.
Login Cookies:
We set cookies for login sessions and screen preferences. Login cookies last two days; screen preference cookies last one year. “Remember Me” extends login cookies for two weeks. Logout removes login cookies.
Editor Cookies:
Publishing articles sets a cookie indicating post ID, which expires after one day.
Embedded Content:
Articles may contain embedded content (videos, images, articles) from third-party websites that collect data independently.
Cookie Control:
Most browsers allow you to block cookies, but disabling cookies may affect site functionality. See browser help settings for managing cookies.
Third-Party Links
Our website may link to third-party websites, plug-ins or apps. Clicking those links may allow others to collect your data. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and recommend reviewing their privacy policies.
Policy Updates
We may update this policy periodically. Updates will be posted on this page with the revision date.
For any questions, contact: dee@themodernwitch.co.uk