Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Once Upon a Picture (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit www.onceuponapicture.co.uk (the “Site”). We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Once Upon a Picture is a website providing illustrated image prompts for creative writing and educational use. For any data-related queries, you can contact us at:

Website: www.onceuponapicture.co.uk

Email: sam@onceuponapicture.co.uk

2. What Data We Collect

We may collect the following types of data:

Automatically collected data:

  • IP address and general location (country/region level)
  • Browser type and version
  • Pages visited and time spent on the Site
  • Referring website (how you found us)
  • Device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)

Data you provide voluntarily:

  • Email address (if you sign up for our newsletter or mailing list)
  • Name (if you contact us directly)
  • Payment details (if you purchase a resource — processed securely by our payment provider and never stored by us)

3. How We Use Your Data

We use the data we collect to:

  • Operate and improve the Site
  • Understand how visitors use the Site (via analytics)
  • Send newsletters or updates (only if you have opted in)
  • Process purchases and deliver digital products
  • Display relevant advertisements (via our advertising partners)
  • Respond to your enquiries

4. Cookies

Our Site uses cookies — small text files stored on your device. These include:

  • Essential cookies: Required for the Site to function properly.
  • Analytics cookies: We use WordPress Stats and/or Google Analytics to understand visitor behaviour. These collect anonymised data.
  • Advertising cookies: Our advertising partners (such as Mediavine/Raptive) may place cookies on your device to show relevant adverts. These partners have their own privacy policies.

When you first visit the Site, you will be asked to consent to non-essential cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or using our cookie preference tool.

5. Advertising

We display advertisements on this Site through third-party advertising networks. These networks may use cookies and similar technologies to show you adverts based on your browsing activity. They operate as independent data controllers under their own privacy policies.

You can opt out of interest-based advertising by visiting www.youronlinechoices.com (UK) or optout.aboutads.info (US).

6. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

We process your data on the following legal bases:

  • Legitimate interests: To operate the Site and analyse visitor behaviour.
  • Consent: For non-essential cookies and marketing emails.
  • Contract: To process purchases and deliver products you have bought.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Object to or restrict how we process your data
  • Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address listed in Section 1.

8. Data Retention

We retain your data only for as long as necessary. Email subscriber data is held until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is retained in accordance with the settings of the analytics platforms we use (typically 26 months for Google Analytics).

9. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to read their own privacy policies.

10. Children’s Privacy

While our content is widely used in schools and by teachers, this Site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal data to us, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at:

Email: sam@onceuponapicture.co.uk

Website: www.onceuponapicture.co.uk

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

  • Website: ico.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0303 123 1113