Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 23^rd September 2024

The English Library (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you use our website and services, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant data protection laws.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information from you when you interact with our website, contact us, or use our services. This information may include:

• Personal identification details: such as your name, email address, postal address, and phone number.
• Payment information: including credit card or bank details for order processing (Note: we use secure third-party payment processors).
• Order details: including the books and services you purchase.
• Usage data: such as your IP address, browser type, and other technical information collected automatically when you visit our website.
• Marketing preferences: such as your subscription to our newsletters or marketing communications.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Order processing: to fulfil and deliver your purchases.
• Customer service: to respond to your inquiries and provide support.
• Marketing and communications: to send you updates, newsletters, and special offers if you have opted in to receive them. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time.
• Improving our services: to analyse usage trends and enhance our website and services.
• Legal compliance: to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including tax and accounting requirements.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Performance of a contract: for fulfilling orders and providing services you have requested.
• Legitimate interest: for improving our services and responding to your inquiries.
• Consent: for sending marketing communications, if you have given explicit consent.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We will never sell your personal data to third parties. However, we may share your data with:

• Service providers: such as payment processors, couriers, or IT providers who help us run our business.
• Legal authorities: if required by law or in the course of a legal investigation.
• Business transfers: if we undergo a business merger or sale, your personal data may be transferred to the new owners.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes secure encryption for sensitive data (such as payment information) and regular security assessments.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, such as fulfilling orders, providing customer service, and complying with legal obligations. If you request deletion of your data, we will delete or anonymize it, unless required by law to retain it.

7. Your Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights concerning your personal data:

• Right of access: to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: to request corrections to your personal data if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to erasure: to request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to restrict processing: to request the restriction of processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Right to data portability: to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to object: to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at sales@theenglishlibrary.co.uk.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are located outside of the EEA or the UK, please be aware that your data may be transferred to, and processed in, countries that may not have the same data protection laws as your country of residence. We take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is treated securely, including implementing standard contractual clauses for data transfers as required by applicable law.

9. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in a high risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Data Minimization

We only collect the personal data necessary to provide our services and will not process your information for any purpose not specified in this policy.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

12. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, collect usage data, and improve our services. For more information, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

13. Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete it.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting an updated version on our website, with the “Effective Date” at the top.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at:

Email: sales@theenglishlibrary.co.uk
Phone: 07988 585475