PRIVACY
POLICY.
This policy explains what personal data Otaleven Letters collects, how it is used, and the rights you hold under UK data protection law.
1. Who We Are
The data controller for this website is Otaleven Letters, an independent editorial publication with its principal editorial office at 8 Beak Street, London W1F 9BK, United Kingdom. Contact email: [email protected]. Telephone: +44 20 7483 6152.
2. Data We Collect
We collect personal data in the following circumstances:
- Contact enquiries. When you write to us by email or post, we collect your name, email address or postal address, and the content of your communication.
- Technical data. When you visit otaleven.info, our servers automatically record your IP address, browser type, operating system, referral URL, pages visited, and timestamps. This data is collected through our web hosting infrastructure.
- Cookie data. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in our Cookie Policy. Where cookies are used for non-essential purposes, we process this data only with your consent.
- Correspondence corrections. If you submit a correction request or editorial submission, we retain your contact details and the content of your submission for the purpose of processing it.
3. Lawful Basis for Processing
We process personal data on the following lawful bases under Article 6 UK GDPR:
| Processing Activity | Lawful Basis |
|---|---|
| Responding to enquiries and correspondence | Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) |
| Technical / server log data | Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) |
| Non-essential cookies and analytics | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) |
| Compliance with legal obligations | Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) |
4. How We Use Your Data
We use personal data for the following purposes:
- Responding to your enquiries, correction requests, or editorial submissions.
- Operating and maintaining the website, including security monitoring and performance analysis.
- Understanding how readers engage with editorial content, for the purposes of improving the publication (where you have consented to analytics cookies).
- Complying with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
We do not use personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.
5. Data Sharing
We do not sell personal data. We share personal data only in the following circumstances:
- Service providers. We use third-party service providers (including web hosting and analytics services) who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements.
- Legal requirements. We may disclose personal data where required to do so by law, court directive, or competent authority.
6. International Transfers
Some of our service providers are located outside the UK. Where personal data is transferred to countries not recognised as providing an adequate level of protection, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place — such as UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs) or UK Addendum to EU Standard Contractual Clauses — as required by UK GDPR.
7. Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected:
- Correspondence and enquiries: up to 2 years from the date of last communication, unless a longer period is required by law.
- Technical and server log data: up to 12 months from collection.
- Analytics data (where consented): in accordance with the applicable analytics service's data retention settings, ordinarily no more than 26 months.
8. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (a "Subject Access Request").
You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
You may request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
You may ask us to restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances.
Where processing is based on consent or contract, you may receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
You may object to processing based on legitimate interests. We will cease unless we have compelling legitimate grounds.
To exercise any of these rights, write to [email protected]. We will respond within one calendar month. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.
10. Children
This website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal data to us, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of the page. Continued use of the website after such changes constitutes your acknowledgement of the updated policy. We recommend reviewing this page periodically.
12. Contact
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your data rights, contact the editorial office:
Otaleven Letters — Data Enquiries 8 Beak Street, W1F 9BK London, United Kingdom [email protected] +44 20 7483 6152