This policy explains what information we collect when you visit this website (the "Site"), why we collect it, and what choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.

Information we collect

Information you give us

You can read everything on the Site without providing personal information. We only receive what you choose to send — for example, your name and email address if you contact us, and anything you include in your message.

Information collected automatically

Our servers and analytics tools record technical information when you visit:

  • IP address, which may be truncated or anonymised
  • Browser type and version, operating system, and device type
  • Referring website and the pages you view
  • Date, time, and duration of your visit
  • General location inferred from IP address, typically at city or country level

We use this to understand how the Site is used, diagnose technical problems, protect against abuse, and improve our guides.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We and our partners use them to remember preferences, measure traffic, and deliver and measure advertising. They fall into three categories:

  • Essential — required for the Site to function and for security
  • Analytics — help us count visits and understand which guides are useful
  • Advertising — used by third-party networks to select, deliver, cap, and measure ads

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some may affect how parts of the Site work.

Advertising and third-party vendors

The Site may be supported by advertising, including services operated by Google.

  • Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
  • Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to this Site and others on the internet.
  • You can opt out of personalised advertising at Google's Ads Settings.
  • You can opt out of some third-party vendors' cookies at aboutads.info/choices or, for UK and EU visitors, youronlinechoices.com.

Where required, we display a consent banner allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies before they are set.

  • Consent — analytics and advertising cookies, and any marketing you opt into
  • Legitimate interests — site security, fraud prevention, and aggregate usage analysis
  • Legal obligation — where we must retain or disclose information by law

You can withdraw consent at any time through the cookie settings link in the footer.

How long we keep information

Correspondence is kept for up to 24 months after our last exchange. Analytics data is retained in aggregated or pseudonymised form per the provider's settings, typically no longer than 26 months. Advertising data is retained by the relevant network under its own policies.

Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with service providers who host the Site, deliver analytics, or serve advertising, and with legal authorities where required by law.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or port your personal information, to object to or restrict processing, to withdraw consent, and to complain to a supervisory authority — in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office.

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including the right to know what personal information is collected and to opt out of its "sale" or "sharing" for cross-context behavioural advertising.

To make a request, use our Contact page. We will respond within one month, or tell you if we need longer.

Children's privacy

The Site is not directed at children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.

International transfers

Our service providers may process information outside the UK and EEA, including in the United States. Where that happens we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Addendum, EU Standard Contractual Clauses, or an adequacy decision.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information, including HTTPS across the Site. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

The Site links to government resources, law firms, lenders, and other third parties. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

Changes

We may update this policy. Material changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date above.

Contact

Questions about this policy: see our Contact page.