Privacy Policy

Who is responsible (data controller)

Spare Theory is the data controller for information collected through this website. If you have questions about this policy or your data, contact us at hello@sparetheory.com.

The data we collect

• Analytics data. We use Google Analytics to understand aggregate, anonymous usage — pages visited, approximate location, device and browser type, referrers and session patterns. Details are in the Cookies section below.
• Contact and correction details. If you email us, we receive your name, email address and message so we can reply and handle feedback or corrections.
• Email newsletter data. If you subscribe, we store your email address and consent to receive the newsletter until you unsubscribe.
• Technically necessary data. Your cookie-consent choice, and standard server/security logs needed to operate the site.

We do not create detailed behavioural profiles, and we do not sell your personal data to third parties.

Google Analytics and cookies

Google Analytics sets cookies to help us measure how the site is used. We configure it to respect your consent choice: analytics cookies are only set after you accept them through our cookie banner, and you can withdraw consent at any time (see below). Google processes data on our behalf in line with its own privacy and data-processing terms. Where available, we use Google's data-retention and IP-handling settings to minimise how long raw analytics data is kept.

Our cookie banner lets you Accept or Reject non-essential cookies. Choosing reject leaves only strictly necessary storage active.

Affiliate-partner cookies

Some links on this site lead to retailers such as Amazon. If you click one, that retailer may set its own cookies to attribute a referral and record a conversion. These are governed by the retailer's privacy policy, not ours, and are set independently when you follow a partner link. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

How we use your data

• To understand which guides and tools are useful and where content needs improving.
• To reply to you when you contact us or report a correction.
• To send the newsletter you have asked for.
• To keep the site secure and operating reliably.

Legal basis (UK/EU visitors)

Where data-protection law applies, we rely on your consent for non-essential analytics and marketing cookies, and on our legitimate interests — and, for contractual steps, your correspondence — to operate, secure and improve the site and respond to you.

How long we keep data

Analytics data is retained for a limited, configurable period set in Google Analytics. Correspondence is kept only as long as needed to handle it. Newsletter records are kept until you unsubscribe. Server logs are kept for a short security window.

Who we share data with

We use trusted processors that help us run the site — for example Google for analytics, an email-delivery provider for the newsletter, and our hosting provider. Each processes data only to provide those services. We do not sell personal data.

International transfers

Some providers process data outside your country. Where that happens we rely on appropriate transfer safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms the provider offers).

Your rights and choices

• Access, correct, delete or restrict your personal data, or object to certain processing.
• Withdraw cookie consent at any time using the control below, and unsubscribe from email at any time.
• Opt out of Google Analytics via its browser add-on.
• Lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority.

To exercise a request, email hello@sparetheory.com. We'll respond within the timeframe the law requires. Residents of California may request information about categories of personal data shared for direct marketing under CCPA/CPRA; we do not sell or share personal data for cross-context behavioural advertising in that sense.

Manage your cookie consent

You can change your choice at any time. Open cookie settings to re-open the consent banner and accept or reject non-essential cookies again.

Children

This site is not directed at children under 16 (or the equivalent age in your region), and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we'll remove it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as our tools or the law change. The “last updated” date at the top reflects the current version, and material changes will be signalled on the site where appropriate.