Privacy Policy

Last updated: 27 May 2026

And now for some legal stuff.

I know, thrilling.

TL;DR: this is a personal blog doing personal blog things, like comments, email subscriptions, basic stats so I know if anyone is actually reading, and the occasional cookie to keep things working properly.

This privacy policy explains how this website, duncanmaile.com, collects and uses personal information.

This is a personal blog. I write posts, allow comments, and may offer email subscriptions so readers can receive updates when new posts are published.

Who runs this website

This website is run by, somewhat predictably:

Duncan Maile
Website: duncanmaile.com
Contact: hello@duncanmaile.com

What information this site may collect

This website may collect the following information when you visit, comment, subscribe, or interact with the site:

  • Your name or display name, if you leave a comment.
  • Your email address, if you leave a comment or subscribe by email.
  • Your website address, if you choose to provide one when commenting.
  • Your IP address and browser information, which may be collected for spam prevention, security, analytics, and website functionality.
  • Information about how you use the site, such as page views and basic visitor statistics.
  • Any information you choose to include in a comment or message.

Comments

When visitors leave comments on the site, the information entered into the comment form is collected, along with technical information such as IP address and browser user agent string. This helps with spam detection, moderation, and site security.

Comments may be publicly visible once approved. Please avoid posting personal information in a comment that you do not want to be public.

Email subscriptions

If you subscribe to receive updates by email, your email address will be used to send you notifications when new posts are published.

You can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in the emails.

Email subscription functionality may be provided through WordPress.com, Jetpack, or Automattic services. Jetpack Newsletter allows visitors to subscribe and receive email notifications for new posts.

Analytics and site statistics

This site may use WordPress.com/Jetpack statistics to understand how visitors use the website, such as which posts are viewed and where visitors roughly come from.

Jetpack says stats logs may include visitor IP addresses and WordPress.com usernames, where available, and are retained by Automattic for 28 days for the purpose of powering the stats feature.

This information helps me understand what people read and improve the site.

Cookies

Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit a website. They can be used for things like remembering preferences, enabling website features, measuring visits, and supporting comments or logged-in sessions.

This site may use cookies for:

  • Essential website functionality.
  • Commenting features.
  • Remembering preferences.
  • Spam protection and security.
  • Basic analytics or visitor statistics.
  • Embedded content from other websites.

WordPress.com and Jetpack may place cookies as part of providing site functionality. Automattic provides more information about cookies used by WordPress.com and related services in its cookie policy.

Where required, this site will ask for cookie consent. The ICO explains that consent is usually needed for non-essential cookies, including many analytics, advertising, or tracking cookies.

Embedded content from other websites

Posts on this site may include embedded content, such as videos, social media posts, images, or links from other websites.

Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you visited those websites directly. Those websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content.

Why this information is used

I may use personal information to:

  • Display and manage comments.
  • Prevent spam or abuse.
  • Send email updates to subscribers.
  • Keep the website secure.
  • Understand how visitors use the site.
  • Respond to messages or enquiries.
  • Maintain and improve the website.

Lawful basis for using personal information

Depending on the situation, the lawful basis may be:

  • Consent, such as when you subscribe to email updates or accept optional cookies.
  • Legitimate interests, such as running the website, moderating comments, preventing spam, and understanding basic site usage.
  • Legal obligation, if required to comply with applicable law.

Who personal information may be shared with

Personal information may be processed by services used to run this website, including WordPress.com, Jetpack, Automattic, spam prevention tools, hosting providers, analytics tools, or email subscription services.

I do not sell personal information.

Automattic provides its own privacy information for visitors to sites using WordPress.com and Jetpack services.

How long information is kept

Comments may remain on the site indefinitely unless removed.

Email subscription information is kept for as long as you remain subscribed.

Analytics and technical logs may be kept by third-party service providers according to their own retention periods. For example, Jetpack states that stats logs are retained by Automattic for 28 days.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have rights over your personal information, including the right to:

  • Ask what personal information is held about you.
  • Ask for incorrect information to be corrected.
  • Ask for information to be deleted.
  • Object to certain uses of your information.
  • Withdraw consent where consent is being relied on.
  • Complain if you are unhappy with how your information is handled.

The rights available depend on the lawful basis being used for the processing. The ICO explains that privacy notices should tell people about these rights and how to complain.

To make a request, contact: hello@duncanmaile.com

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.

Links to other websites

This site may link to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or cookies used by external websites.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.