Privacy Policy
Last updated:
Your Privacy. Our Responsibility.
1. Introduction
Welcome to Keep Updated UK.
We are an independent UK digital news publication covering national news, investigations, government accountability, public spending, immigration, policing, local authorities, community affairs and other matters of public interest.
We are committed to protecting personal information, respecting individual privacy and handling data responsibly and transparently.
This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, shared and protected when individuals:
- Visit our website.
- Contact our editorial team.
- Submit news tips, photographs, videos or evidence.
- Report factual inaccuracies or make complaints.
- Communicate with us as journalists, witnesses or sources.
- Subscribe to any email updates or newsletters that we offer.
- Interact with services or features operated by Keep Updated UK.
This policy should be read alongside our Editorial Standards, Corrections & Clarifications Policy and Cookie Policy.
2. Who We Are
Keep Updated UK is an independent digital news publication operating in the United Kingdom.
Publication: Keep Updated UK
Website: Keep Updated UK
Email: info@keepupdateduk.co.uk
Legal operator / data controller: [Insert full legal name of the individual or organisation operating Keep Updated UK]
Correspondence address: [Insert business correspondence address]
The legal operator identified above is responsible for determining how and why personal data is processed in connection with our activities, except where another organisation acts as a separate data controller.
For privacy enquiries, data protection requests or concerns about the handling of personal information, please contact:
3. Information We May Collect
The personal information we collect depends on how individuals use our website and communicate with us.
Information You Provide Directly
This may include:
- Your name and email address.
- Your telephone number, if supplied.
- Information submitted through contact forms.
- Messages, correspondence and enquiries.
- News tips and supporting documents.
- Photographs, video recordings and audio files.
- Information provided when submitting complaints.
- Information provided when requesting corrections.
- Newsletter subscription details, where applicable.
You are not required to provide unnecessary personal information when making a general enquiry.
However, we may need certain details to respond to your request or investigate information submitted to us.
Information Collected Automatically
When you access our website, certain technical information may be collected through our website infrastructure and permitted technologies.
This may include:
- IP addresses.
- Browser and device information.
- Operating system information.
- Pages accessed and approximate visit times.
- Referral information.
- Security and diagnostic logs.
- Cookie preferences and consent records.
- Website performance information.
The precise information collected depends on the technology enabled on our website.
Information Obtained Through Journalism
As a news publication, we may also collect personal information from:
- Publicly available records.
- Government publications and official statements.
- Court documents and public proceedings.
- Freedom of Information responses.
- Witnesses and interviewees.
- News sources and contributors.
- Publicly available social media posts.
- Documents supplied during investigations.
- Other lawful reporting and research activities.
Some journalistic material may contain sensitive personal information or allegations involving identifiable individuals.
Such information will be assessed and handled in accordance with applicable law and our editorial responsibilities.
4. How We Use Personal Information
We process personal information for legitimate purposes connected with operating our website and providing responsible journalism.
These purposes may include:
Website operations: Providing access to articles, maintaining website functionality, monitoring security and resolving technical problems.
Communications: Responding to enquiries, requests and correspondence.
Journalism and investigations: Assessing information, contacting sources, verifying evidence, preparing articles and conducting reporting in the public interest.
Editorial complaints: Investigating complaints, reviewing correction requests and maintaining appropriate records of our decisions.
Newsletter services: Sending updates that an individual has requested, where such a service is offered.
Website improvement: Understanding website performance and improving the experience of visitors through appropriately configured analytics.
Legal and regulatory compliance: Meeting applicable legal obligations, responding to lawful requests and protecting legal rights.
We will not use personal information for purposes that are incompatible with applicable data protection law.
5. Our Lawful Bases for Processing
Where required under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we identify an appropriate lawful basis before processing personal information.
Depending on the activity, these may include:
Legitimate interests: Processing information where reasonably necessary to operate our publication, respond to enquiries, maintain website security, assess submissions and conduct appropriate business administration, subject to balancing those interests against individual rights.
Consent: Where an individual gives valid consent for a specific purpose, such as receiving an optional marketing newsletter or accepting technologies that require consent.
Legal obligation: Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements, including obligations relating to data protection complaints.
Other applicable legal bases: Where justified by the particular circumstances and permitted by law.
Journalistic activities may also qualify for specific exemptions under the Data Protection Act 2018. Such exemptions are not automatic and will be considered where their legal conditions are met.
Where personal information includes special category data or information concerning criminal allegations or convictions, we will assess the additional legal requirements and any applicable statutory exemptions.
6. Journalism, Investigations and the Public Interest
Keep Updated UK reports on issues affecting the United Kingdom and matters of legitimate public concern.
Our journalism may involve collecting, reviewing and publishing information relating to public officials, organisations, businesses and other identifiable individuals.
We recognise that privacy and freedom of expression are both important rights.
The Data Protection Act 2018 provides certain exemptions for processing personal data for journalistic purposes where the relevant legal conditions are satisfied.
We will consider whether publication is in the public interest, whether the information is reliable and whether using particular personal information is appropriate.
We will not assume that all information obtained during an investigation should automatically be published.
Requests concerning personal information held for journalistic purposes will be assessed individually, taking account of applicable rights, exemptions and legal obligations.
7. Confidential Sources and News Submissions
We recognise that individuals may contact Keep Updated UK with sensitive information, allegations, documents or concerns about matters of public interest.
We take source confidentiality seriously.
Where someone requests confidentiality, we will consider the request carefully and take reasonable measures to protect identifying information.
Information provided to us may be used to assess a story, establish facts, seek corroboration or contact relevant parties.
We will not automatically publish information simply because it has been submitted to us.
We may contact contributors to request clarification, additional evidence or permission to use particular material.
Important: Ordinary email and website contact forms should not automatically be regarded as secure, anonymous whistleblowing systems.
Although we aim to protect confidential sources, absolute anonymity or confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance, including where legal obligations apply.
Anyone intending to supply particularly sensitive material should contact our editorial team first to discuss an appropriate method of communication.
8. Photographs, Videos and Submitted Evidence
Members of the public may submit photographs, videos, audio recordings or documents in connection with potential news stories.
Such material may contain personal information about the sender or other identifiable individuals.
We may examine submitted material for authenticity, accuracy, relevance and potential public-interest value.
Where publication is proposed, we will consider relevant privacy, copyright, safeguarding and legal issues.
Submitting material does not automatically guarantee that it will be published.
We will not knowingly present fabricated, materially manipulated or misleading evidence as authentic news material.
9. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support functionality, maintain security, remember preferences and understand website performance.
Some technologies are necessary for the operation of the website.
Other technologies may require visitor consent unless a specific legal exception applies.
Where consent is legally required, visitors will be given appropriate information and a genuine choice before the relevant technology is enabled.
Where we rely on a permitted exception for statistical or preference-related technologies, we will provide the information and objection mechanisms required by law.
Details of the actual cookies and similar technologies used will be provided in our separate Cookie Policy.
Visitors may also manage certain cookie settings through their browser.
10. Newsletter and Email Communications
Where Keep Updated UK offers an optional newsletter or email update service, we may collect the contact information necessary to provide that service.
We will provide appropriate information about what individuals are signing up to receive.
Where consent is the basis for sending marketing emails, subscribers may withdraw that consent at any time.
Marketing messages will include an appropriate unsubscribe mechanism.
We will not treat submitting a news tip or making an editorial complaint as automatic permission to receive marketing communications.
11. Sharing Personal Information
We may share personal information where reasonably necessary for legitimate business operations, journalism or legal compliance.
Potential recipients may include:
- Website hosting and infrastructure providers.
- Email and communications providers.
- Website security and technical support providers.
- Approved service providers acting on our instructions.
- Professional legal or regulatory advisers.
- Relevant authorities where disclosure is legally required.
- Individuals or organisations contacted for legitimate editorial verification, where appropriate.
Where a service provider processes personal information on our behalf, we will take appropriate steps to ensure suitable contractual and data protection protections are in place.
We will not sell personal information to third parties.
We do not disclose confidential source information simply because another individual or organisation requests it.
Any disclosure is considered in accordance with applicable law and editorial obligations.
12. International Data Transfers
Some technology providers may process or store information outside the United Kingdom.
Where international transfers of personal information take place, we will assess the applicable legal requirements.
Where required, we will rely on appropriate mechanisms, which may include UK adequacy regulations or suitable contractual safeguards.
Individuals may contact us for further information about relevant transfer safeguards where applicable.
13. How Long We Keep Information
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, subject to applicable legal requirements and legitimate retention needs.
Retention periods depend on the type of information.
General enquiries: Information is retained for the time reasonably necessary to respond and address any related follow-up, legal or administrative requirements.
Editorial complaints: Records may be retained to demonstrate the handling of complaints, corrections and relevant legal obligations.
Newsletter records: Subscription information is generally retained while a subscription remains active, with limited records retained where necessary to record withdrawals or comply with legal requirements.
Technical information: Security and technical logs are retained for periods appropriate to their operational and security purposes.
Journalistic material: Records, evidence, source communications and published reporting may require longer retention to support editorial accuracy, ongoing investigations, legal defence or the preservation of a legitimate journalistic archive.
We assess retention requirements according to the nature, sensitivity and purpose of the information.
Where information is no longer required, we will take appropriate steps to delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it.
14. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, destruction or loss.
Such measures may include access controls, restricted permissions, appropriate authentication, secure storage, security updates and oversight of relevant service providers.
Access to sensitive editorial information should be limited to individuals who require it for legitimate purposes.
No internet-based service or electronic communications system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
We will respond to identified security incidents in accordance with applicable legal obligations.
15. Your Data Protection Rights
Subject to applicable law and any relevant exemptions, individuals may have the right to:
- Request access to their personal information.
- Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
- Request deletion of information in certain circumstances.
- Request restriction of processing.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Request data portability where applicable.
- Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
- Exercise rights relating to certain automated decisions.
These rights are not absolute and may depend on the processing activity and applicable legal conditions.
Journalistic exemptions may apply to particular requests where the statutory requirements are met.
Right to object: Where we rely on legitimate interests, you have the right to object to processing on grounds relating to your particular situation, subject to applicable legal rules.
If we process your personal data for direct marketing, you have the right to object to that processing at any time.
To make a data protection rights request, contact:
We will respond without undue delay and within the applicable legal timescales, normally within one calendar month, subject to permitted extensions or other applicable provisions.
We may request reasonable information to verify identity where necessary.
16. Children's Privacy
We recognise that children and young people require particular care when personal information is collected, used or published.
Keep Updated UK is a general news publication and does not require children to create accounts to access its ordinary news content.
We will consider the interests, rights and safety of children when dealing with information involving minors.
We will take particular care when publishing identifying information about children, including where legal reporting restrictions or safeguarding concerns apply.
Any website features specifically directed towards children will be reviewed for additional legal requirements before implementation.
17. Third-Party Websites and Social Media
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, social media services and external resources.
These services may operate their own privacy policies and data processing practices.
Where third-party content is embedded directly into our website, we will assess the associated data collection and cookie requirements.
Keep Updated UK is not responsible for the privacy practices of independent external websites that we do not control.
We encourage visitors to review relevant third-party privacy notices.
18. Automated Decision-Making and Artificial Intelligence
Keep Updated UK may use software, including artificial intelligence, to assist with editorial or administrative tasks.
Where personal information is processed through such systems, we will consider the relevant privacy and security implications.
We will assess applicable data protection obligations before introducing any solely automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.
Use of technology does not remove our responsibility for lawful handling of personal information.
19. Privacy Complaints
If you are concerned about how Keep Updated UK collects, uses, stores or discloses personal information, please contact us.
Email: info@keepupdateduk.co.uk
You may raise a complaint without needing to refer to specific legislation.
We will acknowledge data protection complaints within 30 days, take appropriate steps to investigate without undue delay, keep complainants informed where required and communicate an outcome without unjustifiable or excessive delay.
We aim to resolve concerns fairly and transparently.
If you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the UK information rights regulator, commonly known as the ICO.
Website: https://ico.org.uk
Data protection complaints: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
You may also have the right to seek a remedy through the courts.
20. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legislation, our website, the services we provide or the ways in which personal information is processed.
Where material changes are made, we will update the date shown at the top of this page and provide any additional notices required by law.
We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically.
21. Contact Us
For any privacy-related enquiries, requests or complaints, please contact:
Keep Updated UK
Email: info@keepupdateduk.co.uk
Subject: Privacy Enquiry / Data Protection Request
We are committed to responsible journalism, transparent data handling and respect for the rights of individuals.
Keep Updated UK
Independent News • Investigations • UK Affairs
Your Privacy. Our Responsibility.