Dr Charlotte Bassett

Privacy Policy

DrCharlotteBassett.com

Last updated: April 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how DrCharlotteBassett.com (operated by Charlotte Bassett and Scott Jackson as co-founders) collects, uses, and protects your personal data. This policy is written in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By using this website and subscribing to our email list, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

1. Who We Are

DrCharlotteBassett.com is a history and art history essay website operated by Charlotte Bassett and Scott Jackson as co-founders and joint data controllers, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The website publishes short academic essays on art, architecture, and culture.

As joint data controllers, both Charlotte Bassett and Scott Jackson are jointly responsible for how your personal data is collected, used, and protected under this policy.

Website: https://DrCharlotteBassett.com

Contact: You can reach us via the contact form at DrCharlotteBassett.com/contact

2. What Data We Collect and Why

a) Email Subscribers

When you subscribe to receive essays by email, we collect your email address. This data is used solely to send you new essay notifications when content is published on the site.

Email subscriptions are managed through Jetpack Subscriptions, a service operated by Automattic, Inc. (USA), the same company that operates WordPress.com. Your email address is stored and processed by Automattic in accordance with their privacy policy, available at automattic.com/privacy.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send. Your data will be removed from our list promptly upon request.

b) Comments

If you leave a comment on an essay, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your comment. Your email address is not displayed publicly. Comments are checked through Akismet, an automated spam detection service operated by Automattic, Inc.

c) Contact Form

When you submit a message through our contact form, we collect your name, email address, and message content. This information is used solely to respond to your enquiry and is not stored beyond what is necessary to handle your request.

d) Website Analytics

We use Google Search Console to monitor how our content appears in search results. This does not involve collection of personal data about individual visitors.

We intend to add Google Analytics (GA4) in the near future to understand how visitors interact with the site. When active, GA4 will collect anonymised data including pages visited, time on site, and general location (country/region). We may also migrate email subscriptions to a dedicated email marketing platform in the future. This policy will be updated when either change takes effect.

3. Cookies

This site uses cookies in the following limited ways:

  • Essential cookies: Set by WordPress to enable basic site functionality.
  • Comment cookies: If you leave a comment, optional cookies save your name and email for convenience on future visits. These last for one year.
  • Analytics cookies: Will be added when Google Analytics is enabled. This policy will be updated accordingly.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some functionality of the site.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: When you subscribe to our email list, you give clear consent for us to contact you. You may withdraw this consent at any time by unsubscribing.
  • Legitimate interests: We have a legitimate interest in understanding how our content performs through analytics, provided this does not override your rights and freedoms.
  • Legal obligation: We may retain certain data where required by law.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may process your personal data:

  • WordPress.com / Automattic: Our website is hosted on WordPress.com and email subscriptions are managed through Jetpack Subscriptions, both operated by Automattic, Inc. (USA). Automattic processes data under standard contractual clauses for international transfers. See their privacy policy at automattic.com/privacy.
  • Akismet: Used for spam detection on comments. Operated by Automattic, Inc. — see privacy policy above.
  • Google Search Console: Used to monitor search performance. See Google’s privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.

6. How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Email subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
  • Comments: Retained indefinitely to support ongoing conversations, unless you request deletion.
  • Contact form enquiries: Retained only as long as necessary to respond to your enquiry.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
  • Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data where there is no legal requirement to retain it.
  • Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for email marketing at any time by unsubscribing.
  • Right to complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk if you believe your data has been mishandled.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via the contact form at DrCharlotteBassett.com/contact

8. Data Security

This website is hosted on WordPress.com, which provides server-level security including SSL encryption, firewalls, and automated backups. We take reasonable steps to protect your personal data, but no method of transmission over the internet is entirely secure.

9. Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, particularly as new features or services are added to the site (such as Google Analytics, affiliate links, or membership features). The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please get in touch via our contact form:

DrCharlotteBassett.com/contact

We aim to respond to all data-related requests within 30 days in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.