1. Introduction and scope
This Privacy Policy explains how Balanced Harvest, operating from 32 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LE, United Kingdom, handles personal information when you use Balancedliving.co.uk, contact our team, request our weekly educational digest or otherwise Interact with our services. Balanced Harvest is an information and lifestyle publisher focused on healthy eating, balanced nutrition, wholesome foods, active living and related educational topics. We act as the controller of personal data described in this policy unless a notice presented at the point of collection states otherwise.
This policy applies to visitors, subscribers, people who submit enquiries, editorial contributors and business contacts. It does not apply to third-party websites that may be referenced in our content. Those services have their own privacy practices, and you should review their notices before providing personal information.
2. Personal data we collect
We may collect information you provide directly, including your name, email address, telephone number, message content, communication preferences and any details you choose to include in an enquiry. When you request the weekly guide, we collect your first name, email address and consent record. If you correspond with us about editorial work, accessibility or partnerships, we may retain the content of that correspondence and associated contact details.
Technical information may be generated when you visit the website, including IP address, browser type, device characteristics, operating system, approximate region, pages viewed, referring page, time spent and basic Interaction events. Essential technical logs can be processed for security, availability and troubleshooting. Optional analytics information is used only where the relevant consent or legal basis applies.
3. Purposes and lawful bases
We use personal data to respond to enquiries, administer subscriptions, deliver requested information, operate and secure the website, understand aggregate content performance, maintain records, manage editorial relationships and meet legal obligations. Under UK data protection law, we rely on one or more lawful bases depending on the activity.
- Consent: for optional email communications and optional analytics storage where consent is required. You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Contract or steps before contract: where you ask us to consider a collaboration, commissioned content arrangement or another defined service relationship.
- Legitimate Interests: for proportionate website security, fraud prevention, service improvement, business administration and responding to relevant professional enquiries, provided those Interests are not overridden by your rights.
- Legal obligation: where records or disclosures are required by law, regulation, court order or a competent authority.
4. Email communications and preferences
We send the weekly educational digest only to people who have requested it or where another lawful basis permits communication. Messages may include meal-planning ideas, seasonal produce information, active-living guidance and updates to Balanced Harvest content. Every marketing-style email will include a practical way to unsubscribe. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing that took place before withdrawal.
We may send operational messages that are not promotional, such as a response to your enquiry, a confirmation of a preference change or important information about the website. You cannot opt out of a message that is necessary to complete a request you made, although you may choose not to continue the underlying Interaction.
5. Cookies, local storage and analytics
The website uses essential technologies to remember privacy choices, support security and operate Interactive features. Optional technologies may help us understand which articles are useful, how visitors navigate and where technical improvements are needed. Our cookie banner offers Accept All, Partial and Functional options. Your selected level is stored locally so the website can respect it on future visits.
Further detail about categories, duration, controls and browser settings appears in our Cookie Policy. Blocking essential storage may prevent some preferences or forms from working as expected. We do not use the website to build sensitive health profiles or make automated decisions about visitors.
6. Sharing personal data
We may share limited information with carefully selected service providers that support hosting, email delivery, security, analytics, professional advice or business administration. Providers are permitted to use information only for the agreed service and must apply appropriate safeguards. We may also disclose data where necessary to comply with law, protect rights or safety, investigate misuse, establish legal claims or respond to a valid request from a competent authority.
If the organisation is reorganised, merged or transferred, relevant records may be shared with professional advisers and a prospective or actual successor subject to confidentiality and data protection requirements. We do not sell personal data and do not provide advertisers with identifiable subscriber lists.
7. International transfers
Some service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where a transfer is not covered by UK adequacy regulations, we use an appropriate safeguard such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, the UK Addendum to approved standard contractual clauses or another lawful mechanism. We also consider the nature of the data, the purpose of processing and supplementary security measures.
8. Retention and deletion
We keep personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose collected, legal obligations, security, dispute management and record keeping. Routine contact enquiries are generally retained for up to twenty-four months after the last meaningful Interaction unless a longer period is justified. Subscription records are retained while you remain subscribed and for a limited period afterwards to document consent and honour suppression preferences. Security logs may be retained for shorter operational periods unless investigation requires longer retention.
At the end of the relevant period, information is deleted, anonymised or securely archived where continued retention is legally required. Backup copies may persist for a limited cycle before automatic replacement.
9. Security and confidentiality
We use proportionate technical and organisational measures designed to protect information against accidental loss, unauthorised access, alteration and disclosure. Measures may include access controls, secure hosting configurations, transport encryption, software updates, limited staff permissions and incident procedures. No Internet service can guarantee absolute security, so you should avoid sending unnecessary sensitive health, financial or identity information through general contact forms.
10. Your UK data protection rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to request access, correction, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, and to withdraw consent. You may also object to direct marketing at any time. Rights are not absolute and may be limited by legal exemptions, competing rights or the need to retain records for legal claims.
To make a request, email [email protected] or write to our Manchester address. We may ask for information needed to verify identity and clarify the request. We normally respond within one month, although the period may be extended for complex or multiple requests where the law allows. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office. We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve the concern.
11. Children’s privacy
The website is intended for a general adult audience and is not designed to collect personal information from children. A parent or guardian who believes a child has provided information without appropriate permission should contact us. We will review the circumstances and take reasonable steps to delete the information where required.
12. Health information and special category data
Our articles discuss nutrition and active living, but we do not ask visitors to submit medical histories or diagnostic information. Please do not include special category data in a general enquiry unless it is strictly necessary. Balanced Harvest does not provide individual medical advice, and contact forms are not monitored as an emergency or clinical service.
13. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal, technical or operational changes. The revised version will be published on this page with an updated effective date. Material changes may also be communicated through a prominent website notice or direct message where appropriate. Continued use after publication does not override any consent requirement imposed by law.
14. Contact details
Questions, rights requests and privacy complaints may be sent to Balanced Harvest, 32 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LE, United Kingdom; email [email protected]; telephone +44 131 225 8134. Office hours are Monday to Friday 09:00–17:30 and Saturday 10:00–14:00.