I am a registered sole trader operating as Laura Ripper Proofreading and Copy-editing.

This policy explains how I protect and use the information you give me when you use this website, when you contact me and when you send me files to edit or proofread.

If I ask you to provide information, I will use it only in the ways stated in this policy.

This privacy policy was last updated on 15 May 2018.

What personal data I collect, and when

If you contact me by email, I collect the following information:

• your name
• your email address
• any information included in your email signature
• any information you choose to provide about your enquiry (for example, word count, the nature of your project).

If you contact me by phone or text, I collect your phone number.

If you book in a project with me, I may collect your postal address to use on my invoice. I will also collect any information I need to provide the service you have asked for. This includes any files you send me to work on.

If you subscribe to my blog, I collect your email address. If you follow my blog, I collect your username only.

If you use my website, I collect information using cookies. A cookie is a small file placed on your computer’s hard drive when you use my website. It enables my website to identify your computer as you view different pages on my website.

The only way in which I use cookies is for web analytics, specifically:

• Google Analytics
• WordPress.

Cookies do not give me access to your computer or any information about you that you do not openly share with me.

To learn more about cookies, visit All About Cookies.

How I use your personal data

I use the personal data I collect as follows:

• To contact you about your enquiry or project.
• For my accounting processes (for example, to send invoices), and to keep to my tax authority’s (HMRC’s) requirements.
• To enable certain functions on my website (for example, to collect statistics about the number of visitors, and to provide a subscription service for my blog).

I will never share your information with anyone else unless you give me permission in writing to do so, or I have to do so by law.

The only times I will use your personal data for marketing or promotion purposes are:

• to publish a testimonial you have written on my website, directory entries and social media accounts
• to mention the name of your organisation in my directory entries.

If I would like to do this, I will always get your permission in writing first. I will never publish your personal information without your permission.

If you have contacted me about a project and I cannot fit it in, I may offer to help you find someone else who is available. As part of this process I may offer to pass your information to a colleague. I will always get your permission first.

How I store and protect your data

The personal information I collect from you is stored on the following platforms:

• WordPress. This is my website host. It is password-protected and has SSL-certification (https) to provide an extra layer of security. You can access WordPress′s privacy policy here.
• PayPal. This is a password-protected payment service that you may use to pay for the services I provide. You can access PayPal′s privacy policy here.
• Gmail. This is my email provider, where I keep the emails we have exchanged. My account is password-protected. You can access Google′s privacy policy here.

I also store and protect your personal information and files in the following ways:

• Microsoft OneDrive. This is my cloud-based file-management system, which I access using my password-protected computer and pin-protected mobile device. Nobody else has access to these devices. I use OneDrive to store the files you send me for proofreading or editing, and the files related to that work (for example, invoices and style sheets). You can access Microsoft′s privacy policy here.
• Dropbox. This is my alternative cloud-based file management system, which is accessed via my password-protected computer. I only use Dropbox if you have asked me to. You can access Dropbox′s privacy policy here.

If you do not want me to keep your information and files in a cloud storage system, please let me know. I will be happy to keep your information on my computer′s hard drive instead.

I have taken steps to protect the security of information on my mobile device and computer.

Controlling how I use your information

You can unsubscribe from my blog at any time.

You can use your web browser’s cookie settings to determine how my website uses cookies. If you do not want my website to store cookies on your computer or device, you can amend your settings.

You can ask me to delete your files and any information I hold about you at any time. As long as I′m keeping to the law, I will do this straight away.

How long I will keep your data for

Because I work with many of my clients more than once, I do not delete your data unless you ask me to. This helps me to provide the best service I can to you.

HMRC requires me to keep records for ′at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year′. See How long to keep your records. Because of this, I keep your data on invoices and my accounts for six years.

Please ask if you want me to delete or amend your records and files. As long as I′m keeping to the law, I will do this straight away.

Links from my website

My website contains links to other websites.

Please note that I have no control of websites outside the lauraripperproofreading.com domain. If you provide information to a website I have linked to, I am not responsible for its protection and privacy.

Always be wary when submitting data to websites. Read the site’s data protection and privacy policies fully.

Contact me

If you have any questions, you are welcome to email me at lauraannripper@gmail.com.