Your privacy, explained clearly

We believe good editorial and good privacy go together. We ask for as little personal information as possible, we use it only for the reasons we describe here, and we never sell it.

1. Scope of this policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the Luoli website and to any newsletter, contact form or enquiry channel that links to it. It explains how we handle personal data when you browse our pages, subscribe to our newsletter, or get in touch with our team.

It does not apply to third-party websites that we may link to. When you follow a link away from our site, the privacy practices of that destination apply, and we encourage you to review them.

2. Information we collect

We aim to collect only what we genuinely need. Depending on how you interact with us, this may include:

• Information you give us directly. Your email address when you subscribe to the newsletter, and your name, email address, subject and message when you use a contact form.
• Information collected automatically. Standard technical data such as your IP address (usually truncated or anonymised), browser type, device type, referring page, and the pages you view, gathered through server logs and analytics.
• Preference data. Settings such as your language or cookie choices, stored locally in your browser.

We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal data — such as health, religious or biometric information — and we ask that you do not include such details in messages to us.

3. How we use your information

We use the information we collect for a small number of clear purposes:

• To send you the newsletter you have asked for, and to manage your subscription.
• To respond to your enquiries and provide reader support.
• To understand, in aggregate, which features are read and how the site performs, so we can improve it.
• To keep the site secure, prevent misuse and diagnose technical problems.
• To comply with legal obligations and to establish or defend legal claims.

We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects, and we do not profile you for advertising purposes.

4. Legal bases for processing

Where data-protection law requires us to identify a legal basis, we rely on the following:

• Consent — for sending marketing newsletters and for non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time.
• Legitimate interests — for running and securing the site, improving our editorial, and responding to enquiries, balanced against your rights.
• Contract — where we need to provide a service you have requested.
• Legal obligation — where we must retain or disclose information to comply with the law.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

We use a limited set of cookies and local-storage entries to make the site work, remember your preferences and measure aggregate readership. Essential cookies are required for the site to function; all others are optional and depend on your consent.

For a full list of the cookies we use, what they do and how to control them, please read our Cookie Policy.

6. When we share information

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information. We may share it only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers. Trusted vendors that help us run the site and newsletter (for example, email delivery and analytics providers), acting on our instructions and bound by confidentiality.
• Legal requirements. Where we are required to disclose information by law, court order or a valid request from a public authority.
• Business changes. If the editorial is ever reorganised or transferred, information may move with it, subject to this policy.
• With your direction. Where you ask us to share information or give your clear consent.

7. How long we keep information

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described above:

• Newsletter subscriptions are kept until you unsubscribe, plus a short period to honour your request.
• Contact-form messages are kept for up to 24 months so we can follow up and keep a record of editorial corrections.
• Aggregate, non-identifying analytics are kept for up to 26 months.

When information is no longer needed, we delete it or irreversibly anonymise it.

8. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the following rights:

• Access — to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction — to ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion — to ask us to delete your information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Restriction & objection — to limit or object to certain processing.
• Portability — to receive information you provided in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent — to withdraw consent for marketing or optional cookies at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, email [email protected]. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law, normally within 30 days. You also have the right to complain to your local data-protection authority.

9. International transfers

We are a distributed editorial team and some of our service providers operate globally. Where personal information is transferred outside your country or region, we take steps to ensure it receives an adequate level of protection — for example, by using recognised contractual safeguards. Contact us if you would like more detail about the safeguards we use.

10. How we protect information

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse. These include encryption in transit, access controls and least-privilege practices for our team. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, however, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children's privacy

Our content is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children below the age required for valid consent in their country. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology or the law. When we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of the page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised policy.

13. How to contact us

For any question about this policy or your personal information, contact our privacy desk:

• Email: [email protected]
• General enquiries: see our Contact Us page

You can also read our Cookie Policy, our Copyright notice and learn more About Us.