Last updated: 29/01/2026
Stewart McDonald (“I”, “me”, “my”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, and protected when you visit https://www.stewartmcdonald.net.
Who I Am (Data Controller)
For the purposes of UK data protection law, the data controller is:
Stewart McDonald
Website: https://www.stewartmcdonald.net
Contact: https://www.stewartmcdonald.net/contact
What Personal Data Is Collected
Mailing List / Newsletter
When you voluntarily sign up to my mailing list or newsletter, I may collect:
- Your email address
- Your name (if provided)
Newsletter sign-ups may occur directly through this website or via third-party lead generation platforms such as Facebook.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email, and you may request deletion of your data at any time.
Giveaways and Contests
If you enter a giveaway or contest, I may collect:
- Your name
- Your email address
If you win a physical prize, you will be asked to provide a postal address solely for the purpose of delivering the prize.
Non-Personal Information
This website may collect non-identifying information such as:
- Browser type
- Device information
- Pages visited
- Referral source
This data is used to understand how the website is used and to improve performance and content.
Legal Basis for Processing Your Data
Under UK GDPR, your personal data is processed on the following legal bases:
- Consent – when you sign up to the newsletter, giveaways, or updates
- Legitimate interests – to operate, maintain, and improve the website and communications
- Legal obligation – where required by law
How Your Information Is Used
Your information may be used to:
- Send newsletters, author updates, and related communications
- Administer giveaways and contests
- Understand which content readers engage with
- Improve future emails, books, and website content
You will only receive marketing emails if you have explicitly opted in.
Email Marketing & Third-Party Services
MailerLite
My email list is managed using MailerLite, which acts as a data processor on my behalf. Your data is stored and processed in accordance with UK GDPR and MailerLite’s own data protection policies. MailerLite does not use your data for its own marketing purposes.
Advertising and Promotions
I may use third-party advertising platforms to promote my books and website. These platforms may include social media networks or online retailers.
When you interact with an advertisement or submit your information through a third-party platform (for example, via a lead generation form), your data is initially collected and processed by that platform in accordance with their own privacy policy. Where appropriate, your information may then be securely transferred to my email marketing provider for the purpose of sending newsletters or author updates.
I do not receive personally identifiable information about individuals who view or purchase through advertisements unless you voluntarily provide it (for example, by signing up to my mailing list). I do not receive personally identifiable information from online retailers, only aggregated advertising and sales reports.
Cookies
This website uses cookies to:
- Ensure basic site functionality
- Analyse website traffic and usage
- Support marketing and promotional activity
Non-essential cookies are only used with your consent. You can manage or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or any cookie consent tools in use on the site.
Disabling cookies may affect how some parts of the website function.
Sharing of Personal Data
Your personal data is not sold or shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
It may be shared only with trusted service providers (such as website hosting, email marketing, or analytics providers) where necessary to operate the website and services, and always under appropriate data protection agreements.
Data Storage & Security
Your data may be stored and processed using:
- WordPress
- 123 Reg (website hosting)
- MailerLite
Reasonable technical and organisational measures are in place to protect your personal data.
In the event of a data breach, affected individuals will be notified without undue delay, in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.
International Data Transfers
Some service providers used to operate this website or related services may be located outside the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA). Where personal data is transferred outside the UK, appropriate safeguards are used to ensure a similar level of protection, such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent legal mechanisms.
Data Retention
Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary:
- Newsletter data is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
- Giveaway data is deleted after the giveaway concludes unless you have opted into ongoing communications
Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data
- Restrict or object to processing
- Request data portability
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
I aim to respond to all valid data protection requests within one month.
Children’s Information
This website is not intended for children under the age of 16. I do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
Third-Party Links
This website and related emails may contain links to third-party websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and continued use of the website indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is handled, please contact me via:
https://www.stewartmcdonald.net/contact