1. Who We Are

THE EMPLOYED LAB ([registered business name]) is the data controller for personal information collected through [website address]. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in line with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Contact: [email address]

2. What Information We Collect

• Feature submissions: your name, email, phone number (if provided), and your dog’s name, breed, age, photos, and background information.
• Story and idea submissions: your name, email, and any text, photos, or concepts you upload.
• Collaboration enquiries: your name, email, business or organisation name, project description, and any links or examples you share.
• Orders and purchases: your name, email, delivery and billing address, and order details. Card payments are processed by our payment provider, and we do not store your full card details.
• Newsletter and waitlist sign-ups: your name and email address.
• Contact messages: the details and message you send us.
• Website usage data: IP address, device and browser type, pages visited, and cookie data, collected automatically.

3. How and Why We Use Your Information

• To review and respond to your submissions and enquiries (contract, or steps taken at your request before a contract).
• To produce and publish features, stories, and magazine content you have submitted (your consent, and the licence described in our Terms & Conditions).
• To process and deliver orders, handle refunds, and provide customer support (contract and legal obligation).
• To send newsletters, magazine news, and waitlist updates (your consent, which you can withdraw at any time).
• To keep the website secure, understand how it is used, and improve it (legitimate interests).
• To meet legal, tax, and accounting requirements (legal obligation).

We do not sell your personal information.

4. Photos and Published Content

Photos and stories you submit may appear in our magazines, on our website, and on our social media if your submission is selected. Magazines may be printed and shared publicly, so content that has been published may be difficult to fully withdraw. If you want to withdraw consent before publication, contact us and we will remove your content from the submission process. Please only upload images of people if you have their permission.

5. Who We Share Information With

We only share information where needed, with trusted providers who help us run the business, such as:

• website hosting and form providers
• payment processors
• email and newsletter providers
• printers, couriers, and delivery services (for physical orders)
• analytics providers

They may only use your information to provide their services to us. We may also share information where required by law or to protect our rights.

6. International Transfers

Some of our providers may process data outside the UK. Where they do, we make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as approved contractual clauses or an adequacy decision.

7. How Long We Keep Information

• Submissions: kept while under review, and for as long as needed if published. Unsuccessful submissions are deleted within [12] months unless you ask us to keep them.
• Orders and financial records: kept for [6] years to meet tax and accounting rules.
• Newsletter and waitlist details: kept until you unsubscribe.
• Enquiries and messages: kept for up to [12] months after our last contact.

8. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to make the website work, remember your preferences, and understand how visitors use it. Where required, we ask for your consent before using non-essential cookies. You can change your cookie settings through our cookie banner [if used] or your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.

9. Keeping Your Information Safe

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data. No online system is completely secure, so please take care when sharing personal information online.

10. Your Rights

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

• access the personal information we hold about you
• have inaccurate information corrected
• have your information deleted in certain circumstances
• restrict or object to our use of your information
• receive your data in a portable format
• withdraw your consent at any time, where we rely on it

To use any of these rights, email [email address]. We will respond within one month.

11. Children

Our website is not aimed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you are under 16, please ask a parent or guardian to make any submission or purchase for you. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Third-Party Links

The website may contain links to other sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so please read their policies.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page, with the date it was last updated.