Privacy Policy
Last updated: 06.07.26
This privacy policy explains how The Shield of Achilles (“the site”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects and uses your personal information, and the rights you have under UK data protection law.
The site is operated by Harri Storey Evans, trading as Flint Street Press, a sole trader based in the United Kingdom. For any privacy question, or to exercise any of your rights below, contact us at hello@theshieldofachilles.co.uk.
We are the “data controller” for the information described here.
1. The information we collect
a) Information you give us. If you join our book club waiting list or sign up for updates, we collect your email address (and your name, if you choose to provide it). If you email us directly, we keep your message and contact details so we can reply.
b) Information collected automatically. We use Cloudflare Web Analytics to understand how the site is used — for example, which articles are read and how many people visit. This tool is privacy-first: it does not use cookies, does not track you across other websites, and does not collect information that identifies you personally. The data we see is aggregate and anonymous (such as total page views).
We do not use advertising or tracking cookies, and we do not sell your data to anyone.
2. Why we use it, and our lawful basis
| What | Why | Lawful basis (UK GDPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Your email (waiting list / updates) | To tell you when the book club opens and to send occasional updates | Consent — you opt in, and can opt out at any time |
| Emails you send us | To respond to you | Legitimate interests — replying to enquiries |
| Aggregate analytics | To understand and improve the site | Legitimate interests — running and improving the site, using privacy-friendly tools |
3. Who we share it with
We only share personal data with the service providers that help us run the site:
- Cloudflare — analytics and site delivery (privacy-first, no cookies).
- Substack — to store the mailing list and send emails.
These providers process data on our behalf under their own data protection terms. Some may process data outside the UK; where they do, this is covered by appropriate safeguards (such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses / the UK Addendum). We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
4. How long we keep it
- Waiting list / update emails: until you unsubscribe, or until the waiting list is no longer needed, whichever is sooner.
- Emails you send us: for as long as needed to deal with your enquiry, then deleted.
- Analytics: aggregate and anonymous, so it cannot be linked back to you.
You can ask us to delete your information at any time.
5. Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- Be informed about how your data is used (this policy).
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Rectify data that is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Erase your data (“right to be forgotten”).
- Restrict how we use your data.
- Object to our use of your data.
- Data portability — receive your data in a usable format.
Where we rely on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time — every email we send includes an unsubscribe link, or you can email us.
To exercise any right, email hello@theshieldofachilles.co.uk. We will respond within one month.
6. Cookies and analytics
We use Cloudflare Web Analytics to understand how the site is used. It is privacy-friendly and cookieless — it does not store or read any information on your device, and it does not track you across other websites. Because nothing is stored on your device, no cookie consent is required; and in any case, analytics used solely to gather aggregate statistics for improving the site falls within the statistical-purposes exemption introduced to UK e-privacy rules by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
7. Complaints
If you have a concern about how we handle your data, please contact us first at hello@theshieldofachilles.co.uk so we can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the UK’s data protection regulator:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) — ico.org.uk — helpline 0303 123 1113.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date at the top will always show the current version. Significant changes will be highlighted on the site.
This policy covers the website only. The book club, when it launches, will have its own separate terms covering membership and payment.