Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 8th March 2026

About this Privacy Policy

The Merthyr Pioneer respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you visit our website, subscribe to our content, or interact with us.

Your use of The Merthyr Pioneer website and services is also subject to our Terms of Use, which incorporate this Privacy Policy.

For the purposes of UK data protection law, The Merthyr Pioneer acts as the data controller of the personal information you provide to us.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website and services. It does not apply to third-party websites or services that may be linked from our platform.

What Does This Privacy Policy Cover?

This Privacy Policy explains:

What personal information we collect
How we use your information
When and how we may share your information
How we protect your data
Your rights regarding your personal information

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or data practices.

When we make significant changes, we may notify users by posting an update on our website or through direct communication where appropriate.

What Information We Collect

We may collect personal information when you interact with The Merthyr Pioneer, including when you subscribe to newsletters, contact us, or support our work.

This information may include:

Name
Email address
Phone number (if provided)
Payment information (if you make donations or purchase memberships, where applicable)
Marketing preferences
Communication records if you contact us
Social media details if you interact with us via social platforms
Subscription status or membership information
Any other information you choose to provide to us

We may also collect limited technical information automatically when you visit our website, such as browser type, device information, and website usage statistics.

How We Use Your Personal Information

We use your personal information to:

Provide and manage our services, including newsletters, memberships, and subscriptions
Process payments and donations where applicable
Communicate with you about articles, publications, or enquiries
Respond to customer service requests
Improve our website and reader experience
Conduct surveys or research to better understand our audience
Prevent fraud, misuse, or security issues
Comply with legal obligations

Where you have given consent, we may also send you updates, newsletters, or promotional communications about The Merthyr Pioneer.

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails.

Sharing Your Personal Information

We do not sell your personal data.

However, we may share your information with trusted third parties in the following situations:

Service Providers
Companies that help us operate the website or deliver services (such as hosting providers, email platforms, analytics providers, or payment processors).

Legal Requirements
If required to comply with legal obligations, court orders, or regulatory requests.

Business Changes
If The Merthyr Pioneer undergoes a restructuring, merger, or transfer of ownership, your data may be transferred as part of that process.

If you interact with third-party platforms through our site (for example, social media links), their privacy policies will apply to the information you share with them.

Where Your Data Is Stored

The Merthyr Pioneer is based in the United Kingdom and processes personal data in accordance with UK data protection laws, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Some of our service providers may store or process data outside the UK or European Economic Area (EEA). In such cases, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

These measures may include secure hosting, access controls, and data protection practices. However, no online system can be completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Data Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
Request deletion of your personal data (where applicable)
Restrict or object to certain types of data processing
Withdraw consent for marketing communications

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We keep your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our services, fulfil the purposes described in this policy, or comply with legal obligations.