1. Introduction
Welcome to philboulton.com.
I’m Philip Boulton, the owner and author of this website. I respect your privacy and believe you should understand how your personal information is collected, used and protected when you visit my website.
This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you browse my website, how that information is used, and your rights regarding your personal data.
I aim to collect only the information necessary to operate, maintain and improve this website.
This policy is intended to reflect the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
2. Who I am
This website is owned and operated by Philip Boulton, based in the United Kingdom.
Website: https://philboulton.com
Email: hello@philboulton.com
For the purposes of applicable data protection legislation, I am the data controller responsible for personal information collected through this website.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact me using the email address above.
3. Information I collect
You can browse this website without creating an account or directly providing personal information.
However, certain information may be collected automatically when you visit the website.
This may include:
- Your IP address.
- Your browser type and version.
- Your device and operating system.
- Pages you visit and how you interact with them.
- The website that referred you to my website.
- Your approximate geographical location.
- Technical information necessary to maintain website security and performance.
Some of this information is collected through standard website server logs.
Additional information may be collected through Google Analytics, where you have provided the necessary consent.
I do not currently offer visitor accounts, public commenting facilities or online purchasing.
4. How I use your information
Information collected through this website may be used to:
- Operate and maintain the website.
- Protect the website against security threats and malicious activity.
- Identify and resolve technical problems.
- Understand how visitors interact with the website.
- Improve website content, navigation and performance.
- Comply with applicable legal obligations.
Under UK GDPR, the lawful basis for processing personal information depends on the purpose.
Legitimate interests: I may process limited technical information where reasonably necessary to maintain the security, reliability and operation of the website, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.
Consent: I rely on your consent for non-essential analytics cookies and similar tracking technologies.
Legal obligations: Certain information may be processed or retained where required by law.
5. Google Analytics
This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google.
Google Analytics helps me understand how visitors use my website so I can improve its content and usability.
Depending on the configuration and your consent preferences, Google Analytics may collect information including:
- Pages visited.
- Time spent on the website.
- How visitors arrive at the website.
- Browser and device information.
- Approximate geographical location.
- Interactions with website content.
Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect information.
Google Analytics cookies will only be enabled after you have provided the appropriate consent.
You can choose to accept or reject analytics cookies through the website’s cookie consent banner.
You can also change or withdraw your consent at any time through the website’s cookie settings.
For more information about how Google handles information, please visit:
6. Cookies
Cookies are small text files that websites may store on your computer, smartphone or other device.
They help websites function correctly, remember preferences and provide information about how visitors use a website.
My website may use the following categories of cookies.
Essential cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to operate correctly.
They may support website security, basic functionality and the storage of your cookie consent preferences.
Strictly necessary cookies do not generally require consent under UK cookie regulations.
Analytics cookies
Analytics cookies help me understand how visitors use the website.
I use Google Analytics for this purpose.
These cookies will only be enabled where you have provided the appropriate consent.
Third-party cookies
Some embedded content, such as videos or other media from external websites, may use cookies or similar tracking technologies.
Where consent is required, these services should not be activated until you have given permission.
Managing your cookie preferences
When you first visit the website, you will be given the opportunity to accept, reject or customise non-essential cookies.
You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time through the website’s cookie settings.
Further information about the specific cookies used, their purposes and how long they remain on your device is available in the website’s Cookie Policy.
7. Embedded content from other websites
Some articles on philboulton.com may include embedded content from third-party websites.
This may include videos, images, social media posts or other external content.
Embedded content can behave in much the same way as if you had visited the third-party website directly.
These third-party websites may:
- Collect information about your visit.
- Use cookies or similar technologies.
- Monitor your interaction with embedded content.
- Associate your activity with an existing account if you are logged in to their service.
Where embedded content uses non-essential cookies or tracking technologies, I aim to ensure that the appropriate consent is obtained before that content is loaded.
Third-party services operate under their own privacy policies, which I encourage you to review.
8. Email communications
You can contact me directly by emailing:
If you contact me by email, I may collect your name, email address and any information you choose to include in your message.
I will use this information to read and respond to your enquiry, and for any necessary follow-up correspondence.
The lawful basis for processing this information will generally be my legitimate interest in responding to communications, although another lawful basis may apply depending on the nature of your enquiry.
I will not automatically add you to a marketing mailing list simply because you have contacted me.
Email correspondence will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose of the communication, or where a longer retention period is required by law.
9. Newsletter and email subscriptions
I may introduce an optional email newsletter in the future.
If I do, visitors will be able to subscribe voluntarily to receive updates, articles and other content from philboulton.com.
I currently intend to use Kit, an email marketing platform, to manage newsletter subscriptions.
When the newsletter becomes available, I expect to collect information such as your email address and, optionally, your name.
This information would be used to deliver the newsletter and manage your subscription.
Newsletter subscriptions will be based on your consent, and you will be able to unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in each email.
I will update this Privacy Policy with the relevant processing details before launching the newsletter.
At present, I do not operate an email newsletter or collect newsletter subscriptions through this website.
10. Sharing your information
I do not sell or rent your personal information.
However, limited information may be processed by third-party service providers that help operate and maintain the website.
These may include:
Website hosting providers: To host the website, maintain server infrastructure and support website security.
Google Analytics: To provide website usage statistics where the appropriate consent has been obtained.
Embedded content providers: Where you choose to interact with third-party content.
Email service providers: Where necessary to receive and respond to email correspondence.
Information may also be disclosed where required by law or where reasonably necessary to protect the security and integrity of the website.
11. International data transfers
Some third-party services used by this website may process or store personal information outside the United Kingdom.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, I aim to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.
These safeguards may include adequacy regulations, recognised international data transfer agreements or other lawful transfer mechanisms.
12. How long I retain information
I aim to retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and why it is processed.
Website analytics: Information collected through Google Analytics is retained according to the retention settings configured within the Google Analytics account.
Website server logs: Technical information may be retained by the website hosting provider for security, maintenance and troubleshooting purposes.
Email correspondence: Emails are retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to enquiries and maintain relevant correspondence.
Information may be retained for longer where required by law or where necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
13. Your data protection rights
Under UK GDPR, you have rights relating to your personal information.
Depending on the circumstances, these may include:
- Right of access: You can request a copy of the personal information held about you.
- Right to rectification: You can request that inaccurate or incomplete information be corrected.
- Right to erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
- Right to restrict processing: You can request restrictions on how your information is processed.
- Right to object: You can object to certain types of processing.
- Right to data portability: You may request certain personal information in a structured, commonly used format.
- Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw that consent at any time.
These rights are subject to applicable legal conditions and exemptions.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact:
I will respond to requests in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent data protection regulator.
ICO website: https://ico.org.uk
14. Keeping your information secure
I take reasonable steps to protect the website and any personal information processed through it.
These measures may include website security controls, software updates, secure connections and access restrictions.
However, no method of transmitting or storing information online can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
15. Links to external websites
My articles may contain links to websites operated by other individuals, organisations or companies.
I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.
I encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
16. Children’s privacy
This website is intended for a general audience and is not specifically directed towards children.
I do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children through visitor registration, comments or other interactive features.
If you believe that personal information relating to a child has been collected inappropriately, please contact me.
17. Changes to this Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes to the website, the services I use or applicable data protection requirements.
Any updates will be published on this page.
The date at the top of the policy will indicate when it was last revised.
18. Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, how your personal information is used, or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact me.
Philip Boulton
Website: https://philboulton.com
Email: hello@philboulton.com