Privacy

Privacy notice

This site collects very little. This notice explains what it collects, why, and what you can ask me to do about it, under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Who I am

The data controller is Spencer Stern, trading as Stern Consulting, Unit 110172, PO Box 6945, London W1A 6US, United Kingdom, registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under number ZC239854. For anything about your data, email hello@yoursocialworldexplained.com.

Analytics: Umami

I use Umami to count visits. It sets no cookies, stores nothing in your browser and does not follow you across other sites. It records pages viewed, the referring site, browser, device type and approximate country, in aggregate. It also counts a few actions: clicks on the buy buttons (with the format and the store), clicks on the links in the footer, use of the sample form and clicks on the review-copy request button. When you sign up for the sample, the count records the type you chose, but never your email address or anything else you type. Umami data is stored in the European Union. Lawful basis: legitimate interests, in understanding how the site is used. See the Umami privacy policy.

Free sample: MailerLite

If you ask for the free sample, your email address and the type you choose are sent through this site's server to MailerLite, which emails you the sample for that type and a few follow-up emails about it. The type is stored with your details so the emails can be written for it. Lawful basis: your consent. You can withdraw it at any time with the unsubscribe link in every email, or by emailing me. I keep your details until you unsubscribe. MailerLite is based in the EU; where it uses providers outside the UK and EU, it relies on approved safeguards. See the MailerLite privacy policy.

Review copies

Review-copy requests come to me by email. I use what you send, such as your name, email address, preferred format and where you plan to review, only to send you the copy and to follow up with you about the review. Lawful basis: legitimate interests, in handling a request you have made. I delete requests 12 months after I have dealt with them.

Hosting and fonts

The site is hosted by Netlify, which processes your IP address to deliver pages and keep the service secure. Fonts are loaded from Google Fonts, so your browser sends your IP address to Google when a page loads. Both providers are based in the United States and transfer data under the UK Extension to the EU–US Data Privacy Framework or other approved safeguards. Lawful basis: legitimate interests, in running a secure, working website.

Your store preference

If you use the UK / US switch beside the buy buttons, your choice is saved in your browser's local storage so the site remembers it. It is never sent anywhere. Clearing your browser's site data removes it.

Amazon

The buy buttons link to Amazon. Some links may carry an Amazon Attribution tag, which tells Amazon that you came from this site; it does not tell me who you are. Once you are on Amazon, Amazon's own privacy notice applies.

Your rights

You can ask for a copy of your personal data, and ask me to correct it, delete it, restrict its use or stop using it. Where I rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time. Email hello@yoursocialworldexplained.com and I will reply within one month. If you are unhappy with how I have handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.