Privacy policy

Well Read Women — Privacy Policy

Well Read Women ("we," "our," "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, subscribe to our book box, or purchase from our online store.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following data:

  • Identity Data: Name, title, date of birth (if provided)
  • Contact Data: Email address, billing/shipping address, phone number
  • Transaction Data: Details of purchases, subscription orders, and payments
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, login data, and cookies
  • Usage Data: How you use our website and services
  • Marketing & Communications Data: Your preferences in receiving marketing from us

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

  • Process and deliver your book orders and subscriptions
  • Manage your customer account and payments
  • Communicate with you about your orders or enquiries
  • Send newsletters, updates, or promotions (only if you opt in)
  • Improve our website, services, and customer experience
  • Comply with legal or regulatory requirements

3. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK data protection law, we rely on the following lawful bases:

  • Contractual necessity – to process your orders and subscriptions
  • Legal obligation – to comply with UK law (e.g., tax records)
  • Consent – for marketing communications
  • Legitimate interests – to improve services and prevent fraud

4. Sharing Your Information

We will never sell your data. We may share your information with trusted third parties, including:

  • Payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
  • Delivery services (e.g., Royal Mail, couriers)
  • Service providers for website hosting, analytics, and email marketing
  • Third-party platforms such as Substack, which subscribers may access as part of their membership benefits. Substack operates its own privacy policy, which we encourage you to review
  • Authorities if required by law

5. International Transfers

If we transfer your data outside the UK (e.g., via third-party services), we ensure appropriate safeguards, such as UK-approved standard contractual clauses, are in place.

6. Data Retention

We will keep your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Typically, order information is retained for six years for tax purposes.

7. Your Rights (UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction of your data if inaccurate
  • Request erasure ("the right to be forgotten")
  • Object to processing for marketing purposes
  • Request restriction of processing
  • Request transfer of your data (data portability)
  • Withdraw consent at any time (where applicable)

To exercise these rights, please contact us at hello@wellreadwomen.co.uk

8. Cookies

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience, analyse site traffic, and personalise content. The types of cookies we use include:

  • Strictly necessary cookies – essential for the website to function
  • Analytics cookies – to understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
  • Marketing cookies – to deliver relevant advertising and track campaign performance (e.g., Meta Pixel)

You can manage or withdraw your cookie consent at any time via the cookie banner on our website, or through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your browsing experience.

9. Data Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here with an updated effective date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

Well Read Women Email: hello@wellreadwomen.co.uk

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk