Last updated: 11 November 2025

Privacy

This Privacy Policy explains how [The Anfield Road] (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit (the “Site”), interact with our content, or contact us.

Quick summary: We collect minimal data to run the Site, measure audience interest, and respond to you. We do not sell your data. You control your cookie choices.

What we collect

• Identifiers & usage data: IP address (with IP anonymisation for analytics), device/browser type, pages viewed, referring URLs, approximate location (country/region), time on page, events (clicks, scroll depth), and error logs.
• Contact information: If you email us, submit a form, or subscribe to updates, we may collect your name, email address, and message content.
• Contributor/author data: For our writer pages we display names, bios, and optional social links provided by the individuals.

How we use your data (lawful bases)

• Site operation & security (legitimate interests): hosting, performance, bug/error detection, abuse prevention.
• Analytics & improvement (consent): to understand which content is read and improve the Site (Google Analytics 4 with IP anonymisation).
• Communications (consent or legitimate interests): responding to messages, feedback, and press enquiries.
• Legal compliance (legal obligation): handling rights requests, record-keeping.

Sharing your data

We use reputable processors to host, deliver, and measure our Site (e.g., web hosting/CDN, email provider, analytics). They process data under contract and only as instructed by us. We do not sell personal data.

International transfers

Service providers may process data outside the UK/EEA. Where they do, we rely on appropriate safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses or UK Addendum).

Retention

• Analytics events: retained per our Google Analytics configuration (typically 2–26 months).
• Emails/forms: kept as long as reasonably necessary to respond and maintain records, then securely deleted.

Security

We use technical and organisational measures appropriate to the nature of the data. No method is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information.

Your rights (UK/EU GDPR)

You may have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, object, port, and withdraw consent at any time. To exercise these rights, contact [privacy@theanfieldroad.com]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO or your local authority.

Children

Our Site is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (or relevant local age). If you believe we have done so, please contact us and we will delete it.

Do Not Track

We do not respond to “Do Not Track” signals due to industry limitations. Use our cookie controls instead.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new “Last updated” date.

Cookies

This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on site and how you can control them.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to make websites work and to collect information. We also use local storage and similar technologies.

How we use cookies

1. Strictly necessary (cannot be turned off):
   • Core site functionality, load balancing, security (e.g., session, CSRF, CDN).
2. Analytics (requires consent):
   • Google Analytics 4 (GA4): helps us understand which articles are read and how the Site performs. We enable IP anonymisation and do not use GA for precise location or advertising profiles.
3. Functional (optional):
   • Preferences such as saved consent choices, reading settings, or remember-me options (if offered).
4. Social/media embeds (optional):
   • If you interact with embedded posts or videos, those platforms may set their own cookies; their policies apply.

Google Analytics 4 details

• Provider: Google LLC and affiliates.
• Purpose: audience measurement and site improvement (non-advertising use).
• Data: pseudonymous identifiers, device/browser info, events (page views, scrolls, outbound clicks), approximate geolocation (country/region), timestamp.
• Controls: We request your consent before setting analytics cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time via the cookie banner/settings.
• Retention: configured between 2–26 months.
• Opt-out options:
  • Use our Cookie Settings to disable Analytics.
  • Use Google’s browser add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Typical cookies/local storage keys we use

(Exact names can vary by configuration.)

• _ga – GA user identifier (Analytics; consent).
• ga<container-id> – GA session/measurement (Analytics; consent).
• _gid – GA daily identifier (Analytics; consent).
• cookie_consent (or similar) – remembers your cookie choices (Necessary).

Managing your preferences

• Accept/Reject via banner: On first visit you can choose your preferences.
• Change later: Use the Cookie Settings link in the footer to update your choices or withdraw consent.
• Browser controls: You can block or delete cookies via your browser settings. Blocking necessary cookies may affect site functionality.

Third-party cookies

Some pages may include third-party embeds (e.g., social posts, video). These services may set their own cookies. Please review their privacy/cookie policies for details.