Information We Collect
When you visit the Modern History Library, our servers automatically record standard log entries. These include your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, the pages you view, the time and date of your visit, and the website that referred you. We use this information to diagnose technical issues, protect against abuse, and understand general usage patterns.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
If you send us a message through the contact address provided on the site, we receive the content of your message and any metadata included in your email, such as your name and email address. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and do not add it to any marketing list.
Site Preferences and Cookies
We may store small text files called cookies on your device to remember your preferences, such as your chosen display settings or whether you have dismissed a notice. These are functional cookies and do not track your activity across other websites. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features of the site may not work as intended.
Analytics
Where enabled, we use a privacy-respecting analytics service to collect anonymous aggregate data about page visits, referring sites, and browser capabilities. This helps us improve the catalogue and understand which works are most interesting to readers. The analytics provider does not receive your IP address in full, and we do not combine analytics data with any personally identifiable information.
Advertising
Some pages may display advertisements provided by third-party ad networks, including Google AdSense. These networks may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. The information collected includes your IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and browsing behaviour. You can learn more about Google’s advertising practices and opt out of personalised advertising by visiting the Google Ads Settings page.
Third-Party Services
We may embed content from external platforms, such as video players or social media feeds. These services may set their own cookies and collect data about your interaction with their content. We do not control these third-party data practices, and you should review their privacy policies for more information.
How We Use Your Data
We process your data for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the catalogue.
- To respond to your communications.
- To detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive use of the site.
- To comply with legal obligations.
Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share aggregated, anonymised data publicly or with service providers for analytics and advertising purposes. Service providers are contractually bound to use your data only as instructed and to protect its confidentiality.
Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard your data against accidental loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain server logs for a limited period necessary for security and operational analysis. Personal information you provide via email is kept only as long as needed to address your query and for legitimate business record-keeping. Cookie data is retained according to the cookie’s expiration date.
Your Choices and Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction or deletion of your data.
- Object to or restrict processing.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
To exercise these rights, contact us at the email address provided on the site. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
Children’s Privacy
This catalogue is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so that we can delete it.
International Visitors
This site is operated from the United Kingdom. If you access it from outside the UK, your data may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the UK or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the site, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred to jurisdictions with different data protection laws.
External Links
The catalogue contains links to external websites, including those referenced in our editorial guides such as King and commonwealth — A Reader’s Guide or The slave trade — A Closer Reading. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to read their policies before providing any personal information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the site after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.
If you have questions about this policy, please contact the catalogue project at editor@ingof.com.