Quick summary
- We collect only what we need to run the site, respond to requests, and deliver the newsletter.
- Analytics and marketing cookies are optional and controlled through your cookie choice.
- We do not sell personal data.
This summary is for convenience. The full policy below is the legally relevant description of our practices.
1) Who we are and how to reach us
SignalByte Tech News is an editorial website published by SignalByte Media Ltd, a company registered in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of the UK GDPR and EU GDPR where applicable, SignalByte Media Ltd is the “data controller” for personal data processed through this website. That means we decide why and how personal data is processed when you use our services.
If you have questions about this policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, you can contact us using the details below. For privacy related requests, please use our dedicated email address so we can route your message correctly and respond faster.
Controller
SignalByte Media Ltd
Address
20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BY, United Kingdom
Privacy contact
2) Personal data we collect
The specific data we collect depends on how you interact with the site. We aim to minimize collection and avoid sensitive categories. We do not ask for health, financial account, biometric, or government identifier data through our standard forms.
Data you may provide directly
- Email address (newsletter subscription and correspondence).
- Full name (if you include it when contacting us; not required for newsletter signup).
- Phone number (only if you choose to provide it in an email or request a call back).
- Message content (the text you send to us, including tip submissions or general inquiries).
Data collected automatically
- IP address and approximate location derived from IP (city or region level).
- Device and browser information such as user agent, OS version, and screen size.
- Usage and event data such as pages viewed, clicks, and referral source (where available).
- Cookies and similar identifiers for essential functionality and, with consent, analytics or marketing measurement.
- Server logs including timestamps, request URLs, and error codes for security and troubleshooting.
If you choose to email us, your email provider may also process your data under its own terms. We recommend avoiding sending passwords, payment details, or confidential information that is not necessary for your request.
3) How we collect data (sources and methods)
We collect personal data through a combination of direct input and automatic collection. Direct collection happens when you submit information, such as subscribing to the newsletter on the homepage, or when you contact us using email. Automatic collection happens when your browser requests pages and assets from our servers, and when optional analytics scripts record events.
Forms and subscriptions
Our newsletter signup collects an email address and stores it for the purpose of sending the newsletter. We may send a confirmation or service messages related to subscription management, such as unsubscribe verification. We do not require your name or phone number to subscribe.
If you contact us for editorial or business inquiries, we will process the details you include, which may contain your name, email address, phone number, and the content of your message.
Cookies, analytics, and logs
Our site uses standard server logs for security and performance monitoring. With your consent (where required), we may use analytics tools such as Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate usage patterns. If we run marketing campaigns, we may use Meta Pixel or similar conversion measurement tools, but only in accordance with the cookie choice you make in the banner.
Your cookie preference is stored locally in your browser (localStorage) so that we can remember your choice. You can reset it at any time by clearing site data in your browser.
4) Legal bases for processing (GDPR Article 6)
We process personal data only when we have a lawful basis. Depending on the context, we rely on one or more of the legal bases listed in GDPR Article 6. Where consent is required, you can withdraw it at any time using the tools described in this policy, without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
Data category
Typical purpose
Legal basis
Newsletter email address
Send newsletter and manage subscription
Consent (Art. 6(1)(a))
Contact messages (name, email, phone if provided)
Respond to inquiries and provide support
Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) and, where applicable, steps prior to a contract (Art. 6(1)(b))
Server logs and IP address
Security, abuse prevention, debugging
Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f))
Analytics events and identifiers
Understand site usage and improve content
Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) where required; otherwise legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) with appropriate safeguards
Compliance records
Meet legal obligations and handle disputes
Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) and legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f))
Legitimate interests include maintaining the security of our systems, improving the usability of the site, and responding to reader inquiries. We consider your rights and expectations, and we minimize the data used to achieve these purposes.
5) Why we process personal data (purposes)
We process personal data to operate SignalByte Tech News, publish and improve content, communicate with readers, and keep our services secure. We do not use personal data to make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects solely through automated processing.
Service delivery
Deliver website content, ensure pages load reliably, and support core functions such as navigation, preference storage, and basic security controls. This includes processing IP addresses in logs for request routing and defense against abuse.
Customer support and communications
Respond to emails, handle newsletter subscription changes, and communicate about corrections or operational notices when relevant. Messages may be used to keep context of an ongoing thread, but we avoid collecting unrelated information.
Analytics and improvements
Measure which topics readers find useful, detect broken pages, and improve accessibility and performance. Where required, analytics is enabled only after you consent through the cookie banner choice.
Marketing (consent-based)
If we promote SignalByte through advertising platforms, we may use consent-based measurement tools to understand aggregate conversions (for example, a newsletter subscription). We do not attempt to infer sensitive traits and we do not knowingly target children. Where required, marketing cookies or pixels are enabled only if you choose to accept them in the cookie banner.
6) Data retention (how long we keep data)
We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer period is required by law or needed to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims. Retention periods vary by data category.
Retention schedule
- Newsletter subscription data: until you unsubscribe, then deleted or anonymized within 30 days.
- Contact emails and support correspondence: up to 2 years from last interaction, unless required longer for compliance or dispute handling.
- Form submissions (where used): 2 years, unless you request deletion sooner.
- Server security logs: typically 90 days, unless a longer period is needed for incident investigation.
- Analytics data: 14 months for event level data (where configured), then aggregated or deleted.
How retention is applied
Retention is implemented through a combination of automated tool settings and periodic administrative reviews. Some data may persist in backups for a limited time after deletion; in that case, access is restricted and the backup cycles are designed to overwrite data within a reasonable period.
If you request deletion, we will delete or anonymize personal data unless we must keep certain records to comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, or resolve disputes. In those cases, we will keep only what is necessary and restrict it to those purposes.
7) Sharing and disclosures (processors and third parties)
We do not sell personal data. We share data only when necessary to operate the site, deliver the newsletter, measure performance with consent, or comply with law. When we use service providers, they act as “processors” and are permitted to process personal data only on our instructions and for the purposes described in this policy.
Hosting and infrastructure
Our hosting provider processes IP addresses and request data to serve content and protect the service. This can include security filtering, CDN delivery, and logging needed for reliability and abuse prevention.
Email and newsletter delivery
We use an email delivery provider to send the newsletter and handle unsubscribes. The provider processes your email address and delivery metadata (for example, whether an email was delivered). We aim to limit tracking and focus on essential deliverability signals.
Analytics and advertising measurement
With consent where required, we may use analytics platforms such as Google Analytics 4 and advertising measurement such as Meta Pixel to understand traffic and campaign performance. Data is used in aggregated form to improve content and marketing efficiency.
We may also disclose information if required to do so by law, or if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect our rights, investigate fraud or security incidents, or protect users and the public.
8) International transfers
SignalByte is based in the United Kingdom. Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK or European Economic Area, including in the United States. When personal data is transferred internationally, we use appropriate safeguards designed to provide a similar level of protection as under GDPR.
Safeguards may include an adequacy decision (where applicable) or the use of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission, and the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or UK addendum where relevant. We also consider supplementary measures appropriate to the nature of the data and the service.
9) Your rights (GDPR and UK GDPR)
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights over your personal data. We honor GDPR rights for individuals in the UK and EEA and provide similar controls to other users where practical. To exercise a right, email [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.
Core rights
- Right of access: request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to erasure: request deletion in certain circumstances.
- Right to restrict processing: ask us to limit processing in specific cases.
- Right to data portability: receive certain data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Right to object: object to processing based on legitimate interests, including certain analytics.
Consent controls and complaints
If we process data based on consent, you can withdraw consent at any time. For cookies and analytics choices, you can reject cookies via the banner. If you previously accepted and want to change it, you can clear site storage (localStorage) in your browser and refresh the page to see the banner again.
If you believe our processing violates data protection law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. For the UK, the authority is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You can find contact details at the ICO’s official website.
We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue quickly and transparently.
10) Cookie policy (types, purposes, and duration)
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. Similar technologies include localStorage and pixels. We use these to provide core site functions and, depending on your preferences, to measure how the site is used. Our cookie banner allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies.
Strictly necessary
These are required to deliver the service and keep it secure. Examples include load balancing, security protections, and saving essential preferences. Without them, the site may not function correctly.
Duration varies. Some are session-based and expire when you close your browser; others are stored for a limited period to keep the service stable.
Analytics
Analytics cookies help us understand aggregate traffic and how readers navigate, such as which pages are frequently read and where errors occur. We use this to improve accessibility, performance, and editorial navigation.
Where configured, analytics identifiers may persist up to 14 months. You can reject analytics cookies using the banner.
Marketing
Marketing cookies and pixels help measure advertising effectiveness, such as whether a campaign resulted in a newsletter subscription. We use them to understand performance at an aggregate level and to limit repeated ads.
Duration depends on the platform and settings. You can reject marketing cookies using the banner and you can also adjust ad preferences on the platform providers.
How to manage cookies
You can manage cookies in two ways: (1) through our cookie banner choices, and (2) through your browser settings. Most browsers let you delete existing cookies and block new ones. If you block all cookies, some site features may not work as intended.
On SignalByte, your banner choice is stored using localStorage under a preference key. Clearing site data in your browser will remove that preference, which will cause the banner to appear again on a future visit.
11) Children’s privacy
SignalByte Tech News is not directed to children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal data to us, please contact us at [email protected]. If we learn that we have collected personal data from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete it as soon as reasonably possible.
12) Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Measures include access controls, least-privilege practices, monitoring for abuse, and encrypted connections where supported by browsers. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a data breach that is likely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms, we will take steps consistent with applicable law, including notifying relevant authorities and affected users when required.
13) Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service providers. When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice, such as a banner on the site or an email to newsletter subscribers when appropriate.
Continued use of the site after an update means you have seen the revised policy. If you do not agree with the updated terms, you should stop using the site and unsubscribe from the newsletter if applicable.
14) Contact and data deletion requests
To request access, correction, deletion, restriction, or portability, or to object to processing, contact our privacy team at [email protected]. Please include enough information for us to locate your data, such as the email address used for the newsletter. We will respond within the timeframes required by law, generally within one month, and we will explain if we need more time due to request complexity.
Unsubscribe
Every newsletter email includes an unsubscribe link. Unsubscribing stops future emails and triggers deletion or anonymization of subscription data within 30 days, except where retention is required for compliance (for example, to maintain a suppression list so we do not accidentally re-add an address).
Postal contact
SignalByte Media Ltd
20 Fenchurch Street
London, EC3M 3BY
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7946 0958