Last updated: 19 October 2026
Mill respects your privacy and aims to collect as little personal information as reasonably possible.
This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and how you can request access to or deletion of your information.
Who we are
Mill is an independent local news service operated by the HARG Association.
Mill’s editorial activities and correspondence are managed independently by its owner. Emails sent to Mill, including corrections, enquiries and story submissions, are received and handled separately from its commercial services.
Astronomica Ltd, a UK-registered company, operates Mill’s newsletter, advertising and associated website services. It is responsible for the personal information it processes in connection with these activities.
Astronomica Ltd does not ordinarily have access to Mill’s editorial correspondence or private email inboxes.
For privacy enquiries, please contact privacy@mill.org.uk
Our newsletter
You can choose to subscribe to Mill’s email newsletter to receive local news, updates and other relevant content.
When you subscribe, we collect your email address and any additional information you voluntarily provide.
Our newsletter service may also retain basic administrative information, such as when you subscribed, how you confirmed your subscription, and whether emails were successfully delivered. This helps us manage subscriptions and demonstrate that people have agreed to receive the newsletter.
We use your email address to:
- Send you the newsletter you requested
- Manage your subscription
- Provide relevant updates about the newsletter
- Respond to subscription-related enquiries
The newsletter may occasionally contain clearly identified sponsored content or advertisements.
We do not sell newsletter subscribers’ email addresses, share mailing lists with advertisers or use your email address to send unrelated marketing from Astronomica Ltd.
Subscriptions are voluntary and based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link included in our emails.
If you unsubscribe, we will stop sending newsletters and remove your information from our active mailing list. We may retain limited records where necessary to respect your opt-out, demonstrate consent or comply with legal obligations.
You can also request deletion of your subscription information by emailing corrections@mill.org.uk.
Information you send to us
If you contact Mill by email, we will receive your email address, the contents of your message, your name if supplied, and any other information you choose to include.
We may use this information to:
- Read and respond to your correspondence
- Consider corrections, complaints and story suggestions
- Verify information submitted to us
- Maintain necessary editorial and administrative records
- Comply with legal obligations
Please avoid submitting sensitive personal information unless it is necessary.
Information supplied for journalistic purposes may be retained where there is a legitimate editorial or legal reason to do so. Requests for confidentiality should be made clear before sensitive information is provided.
Website analytics
Mill uses Jetpack Stats, operated by Automattic, to understand general website activity.
This includes information such as page views, popular articles, referral sources and approximate geographic information.
Jetpack may process technical information including IP addresses, browser information, visited pages, device details and timestamps.
Mill primarily uses aggregated statistics and does not attempt to identify individual readers through its analytics.
Some technical information may be processed or temporarily retained by Jetpack, our hosting provider or other services necessary to operate the website.
Advertising
Advertising and commercial services on Mill are managed by Astronomica Ltd.
Advertisements may be supplied directly by Mill or through third-party advertising services.
Depending on the advertising service used, technical information such as IP addresses, device information and interactions with advertisements may be processed.
Some advertising providers may use cookies or similar technologies. Where legally required, we will request consent before using non-essential technologies.
We do not provide our newsletter mailing list to advertisers for their independent marketing purposes.
Sponsored content and paid promotions are identified where appropriate under our editorial standards.
Cookies and other services
Mill uses WordPress, Jetpack and other services to operate and maintain the website.
These services may use cookies or process technical information for security, functionality, analytics or other purposes.
Some articles may include embedded content from third-party websites, such as videos, maps or social media posts. These providers may process information when you interact with their content.
Where consent is required for non-essential cookies or similar technologies, we will provide an appropriate choice.
You can also manage or delete cookies through your browser settings.
How we use personal information
We process personal information only where we have an appropriate lawful basis.
These include:
- Consent: To send newsletters you have chosen to receive.
- Legitimate interests: To operate and secure the website, respond to correspondence, administer services and conduct appropriate editorial activities.
- Legal obligations: Where information must be processed or retained to comply with the law.
- Contractual necessity: Where processing is necessary to provide an agreed service.
Some information processed for journalism may be subject to specific provisions and exemptions under UK data protection law.
How long we keep information
We aim to retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary.
Newsletter subscription details are kept while you remain subscribed. When you unsubscribe or request deletion, we remove information that is no longer needed, subject to any necessary administrative, legal or suppression records.
Ordinary correspondence may be deleted when it is no longer useful. Editorial records, source material and certain administrative information may be retained for longer where there is a legitimate reason.
Published journalism may remain available as part of Mill’s public archive.
Sharing and storage
We use third-party services where necessary to operate Mill, including web hosting, website analytics, email delivery and technical services.
These providers may process limited personal information on our behalf.
Some providers may process or store information outside the United Kingdom. Where applicable, we use providers and arrangements that offer legally required protections for international transfers.
We do not sell personal contact information or mailing lists to third parties.
We may disclose information where required by law or where reasonably necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:
- Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Ask us to correct inaccurate information
- Request the deletion of personal information
- Object to or restrict certain uses of your information
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Request the transfer of certain information where applicable
These rights are subject to legal conditions and exemptions, including those relating to journalism and the protection of other people’s rights.
To make a request, email corrections@mill.org.uk.
We will normally respond within one month, subject to applicable legal requirements.
For newsletter subscribers, we generally hold only a small amount of information, primarily your email address and subscription administration records.
Security
We take reasonable measures to protect personal information and limit unnecessary access.
However, no website, email platform or online service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Complaints
If you are concerned about how we have handled your information, please contact us at corrections@mill.org.uk.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK’s independent data protection regulator.
Further information is available at ico.org.uk.
Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy when our services, practices or legal responsibilities change.
The latest version will be published on mill.org.uk..