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 Privacy
       and

Cookie  
Policy






  Introduction



The website you are accessing is nighthawkstar.com (“Website”), which is operated by Nighthawk Star Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (“Nighthawk Star”, “We”,  “Us” or “Our”), an unincorporated nonprofit association based in Edinburgh, Scotland. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018, We are the data controller.

Please read the following sections carefully to understand how Our Website collects, processes, and uses your personal data, alongside the choices available to you with respect to that data.



Table of Contents:



1. What this Policy Covers

2. Collected Personal Data
   2.1. Information You Voluntarily Provide
   2.2. Information We Collect Automatically
         Cookie

3. Handling of Personal Data
   3.1. Transfer, Storage and Processing of Personal Data
   3.2. Account Security
   3.3. Voluntary Disclosure
   3.4. Disclosure to Third Parties
   3.5. For Marketing Purposes

4. Purposes of Personal Data Collection

5. Your Rights
   5.1. Your Right to Manage Cookies
   5.2. Your Right to Opt-Out of Marketing Communications
   5.3. Your Right to Access Your Personal Data
   5.4. Your Right to be Informed of Privacy and Cookie Policy Changes
   5.5. Your Right to Transparency



  1. What this Policy Covers



Your privacy is of utmost importance to Us; and, we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy and Cookie Policy (“Privacy and Cookie Policy”) (in conjunction with this Website’s Terms and Conditions, as well as any other documents mentioned in it) sets out the basis on which any personal data We collect from you, or that you provide to Us, will be processed and used by Us. This Privacy and Cookie Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the data protection laws of the United Kingdom, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By submitting personal data to this Website, you consent to the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of said personal data in accordance with the provisions of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.


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Please note that this Website is hosted and powered by WordPress.com and may involve data processing by Automattic Inc., the parent company of WordPress.com, depending on the functionality features used by nighthawkstar.com. Throughout this Privacy and Cookie Policy, we will refer to these functionality features, which may include, but are not limited to, data analytic tools, contact and submission forms, and spam and security features, collectively as “Plugins.”

If you would like to learn more about how WordPress.com and Automattic Inc. handles personal data, please read Automattic Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.


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Please be aware that this Website may contain links to external websites operated by third-party service providers. This Privacy and Cookie Policy does not apply to any of the products or services provided by these external websites, and we do not accept responsibility or liability for their content or practices. We recommend that you consult the privacy and cookie policies of these external websites before providing any personal data.



  2. Collected Personal Data



Nighthawkstar.com only collects information about you if We have a reason to do so – for example, to provide services and products, to communicate with you, or to improve Our services and products. This information may come from two sources: (1) voluntary provision of information; (2) automatic collection through cookies.



2.1. Information You Voluntarily Provide


  • Information that you provide when you fill in the forms on this Website.
    This includes information provided at the time of submitting a work to this Website, subscribing to a service provided by Us, requesting further services from Us, purchasing one of Our products, or reporting a problem with Our services, products or Website.
    Please note that the forms on this Website are powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.

  • Information contained within files uploaded to the Website.
    This may include any personal or identifying data stated or embedded within uploaded documents or media files.
    Please note that the file upload field on this Website is powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.

  • Information that you provide when you register to receive newsletters from Us.
    This typically includes your email and newsletter preferences.
    Please note that newsletter registration on this Website is powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.

  • Information that you provide when you complete a survey for Us.
    These surveys may be conducted through Plugins provided by WordPress.com or via external websites. Please refer to the respective privacy policies of those platforms if applicable.

  • Information contained in your communications with Us.
    If you choose to contact Us, We may retain records of your correspondences with Us and any information shared within those correspondences.
    These surveys may be conducted through Plugins provided by WordPress.com or via external websites. Please refer to the respective privacy policies of those platforms if applicable.

Please be aware that any payments related to the purchase for Our services and products or donations made in support of Us are processed securely by an external service provider. We do not directly collect or store your financial details.



2.2. Information We Collect Automatically


  • Information about your device and browser.
    This may include your device type, IP address, operating system, browser type and screen resolution. This information may be collected automatically via cookies and web beacons (also known as “pixel tags”).
    Please note that the cookies and web beacons used by this Website are powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.

  • Statistical data about this Website users.
    This may include your browsing behaviour and interactions with the Website, such as, but not limited to, the pages you visited, the amount of time you spent on the Website and your clicks. Please be reassured that this information is anonymised; this data does not personally identify you and is used solely to monitor the Website’s usage and performance for the improvement of user experience and reader satisfaction. This information may be collected automatically via cookies and web beacons (also known as “pixel tags”).
    Please note that the cookies and web beacons used by this Website are powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.


Cookies are small text files that store pieces of data on a device when a website is loaded in a browser. They are widely used to collect information about a user’s device and browser, as well as to provide statistical information about users to the site owner. This is for the purposes of enhancing user experience, performing essential site functions such as account registration and allowing users to remain logged in, and providing essential site features such as user analytics, spam prevention, and site security.

Web beacons (also known as “pixel tags”) are most commonly implemented as small transparent images. They serve a similar purpose to cookies and are used to collect information about a user’s device and browser, as well as to provide statistical information about users to the site owner. Although web beacons are often used in conjunction with cookies, they are not stored on your device in the same way as cookies.

Nighthawkstar.com uses “session cookies”, which temporarily “remember” user information, actions and preferences during a single visit. These session cookies are automatically deleted when you close the browser this Website is loaded on. This Website also uses web beacons in conjunction with cookies. If you disable cookies, web beacons may still load, but their functionality will be limited.

Please note that the cookies and web beacons used by this Website are powered by Plugins provided by WordPress.com.



      List of Cookies Used by this Website:


  • tk_ai
    tk_ai is a cookie set by a Jetpack Plugin provided by WordPress.com. This cookie stores randomly generated user IDs linked to the browsing behaviour and site interactions of users for the purpose of providing Us with statistical data about this Website’s users. The information collected by the tk_ai cookie allows Us to enhance user experience and improve reader satisfaction, as well as track suspicious activity and prevent potential spam. The tk_ai cookie expires at the end of your session, when you close the browser this Website is loaded on. Please be assured that the tk_ai cookie stores data anonymously and does not contain personally identifiable information.

  • tk_qs
    tk_qs is a cookie set by a Jetpack Plugin provided by WordPress.com. This cookie collects statistical data about this Website’s users by tracking user behaviour and site interactions during a browsing session, making a record of information such as, but not limited to, page views, time spent on each page, page navigation paths, and scroll depth. This cookie also collects information about users’ device and browser, such as, but not limited to, your device type, operating system, browser type and screen resolution. The information collected by the tk_qs cookie allows Us to enhance user experience and improve reader satisfaction, as well as track suspicious activity and prevent potential spam. The tk_qs cookie expires after 30 minutes. Please be assured that the tk_qs cookie stores data anonymously and does not contain personally identifiable information.

For more information about how the specific WordPress.com powered cookies used by this Website collect, process, and use your personal data, please see Automattic Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.



      Controlling Cookies


We want to make you aware that you have control over the cookies enabled during your visit to Our Website. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time in your browser’s settings. Typically, your browser allows you to:


  • Accept or reject all cookies.
  • Accept only essential cookies.
  • Delete specific cookies or all cookies already stored on your device.
  • Block cookies from particular sites.
  • Enable notifications for each time a cookie is placed.

However, please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on this Website – you may experience limited access to some of this Website’s services, and some pages may not load.

To find out more about managing cookies, please visit aboutcookies.org.



  3. Handling of Personal Data



3.1. Transfer, Storage and Processing of Personal Data


Please be aware that the data we collect from you may be transferred to, stored on, and processed by servers located outside of the United Kingdom. Nighthawk.com is hosted on WordPress.com, a service provided by Automattic Inc., whose servers are primarily located in the United States; thus, personal data collected by this Website is primarily stored and processed in the United States. Please note that Automattic Inc. may also transfer, store and process personal data in other countries where their servers or their service providers operate. Additionally, personal data may be processed by a member of Nighthawk Star or third-party service provider operating outside of the United Kingdom and the United States.

To prevent unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of personal data, this Website follows strict data handling procedures and employs strong security measures to ensure that your information stays safe. This includes, but is not limited to, a secure hosting environment, data encryption and malware protections. Please be reassured that any personal data We collect from you is protected under United Kingdom data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We will take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that your personal data is transferred, stored, and processed securely and in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, insofar as the transfer, storage, and processing is within Our control.

For more information about the safeguards implemented by Automattic Inc., we recommend that you read Automattic Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

By using this Website, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your personal data as described above.



3.2. Account Security


Where we have given you or where you have chosen a password which enables you to access certain parts of this Website, you are responsible for keeping this password confidential. We ask you not to share this password with anyone.

Please note that We cannot accept responsibility for any unauthorised access, disclosure, or transfer of personal data that results from your failure to maintain the confidentiality of your password.



3.3. Voluntary Disclosure


Please be aware that this Website is accessible globally via the World Wide Web. If you choose to publish content on this Website or through this Website’s services, that content – including any personal data you choose to include – may be viewed and accessed by users worldwide. This may constitute a transfer and disclosure of your personal data outside of the United Kingdom; thus, We strongly encourage you to carefully consider the nature and sensitivity of the information you choose to make public on this Website.

By publishing content on this Website or through this Website’s services, you acknowledge and consent to the transfer and disclosure of your personal data as described above.



3.4. Disclosure to Third Parties


Please be aware that, when necessary to the fulfilment of services and provision of products requested from Us, We may share your personal data with trusted third-party service providers. This data sharing is conducted under the lawful basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Please be assured that all third-party service providers engaged by Us are contractually required to take all reasonable steps necessary to handle your personal data in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, and only data necessary to provide the requested services and products will be shared.



3.5. For Marketing Purposes


Please be reassured that you will not receive any unsolicited marketing communications from Us or this Website nor will We share your personal data with third-party marketing or advertising services without your explicit consent. Our newsletters are strictly ‘opt-in’, meaning you will only receive them if you have explicitly given your consent on one of the forms on this Website or by registering via this Website’s newsletter registration function. If you have opted-in, we want to make you aware that you have the right to withdraw you your consent to the receipt of newsletters and marketing communications at any time.


To ‘opt-out’, please follow the instructions included in every newsletter or by contacting us directly at nighthawkstar.mag@gmail.com with the subject line “Opt-Out”.


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Although We take all reasonable steps necessary to protect your personal data, please be aware that the transmission, storage, and processing of information via the internet cannot be guaranteed to be completely secure. We cannot guarantee the security of any data transmitted to this Website, and any such transmission is at your own risk.



  4. Purposes of Personal Data
      Collection



We use the information this Website collects from you for the following purposes:


  • To protect this Website.
    We may use information about users’ devices and browsers, as well as statistical data, to detect and prevent security breaches, spam, fraudulent activity, and abusive content. This allows Us to take the necessary actions to safeguard the rights and property of Nighthawk Star, contributors, readers and the public – for example if misuse is detected, we may decline a submission or suspend access to certain features.
    This involves the use of cookies, which is explained in section 2.2. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.

  • To ensure and improve quality of this Website and Our services.
    We may use statistical data, feedback, and survey responses to monitor user engagement and reader satisfaction. This allows Us to make improvements to the Website’s functionality and content, as well as Our services and products – for example, by analysing how users interact with Our offerings, we can improve on our services and tailor future products to better suit the interests and preferences of Our readership.
    This involves the use of cookies, which is explained in section 2.2. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.

  • To ensure a smooth user experience.
    We may use information about users’ devices and browsers, as well as statistical data, to “remember” the login status, subscription status and site preferences of this Website’s users. This allows Us to provide a seamless and engaging experience for this Website’s users – for example, by “remembering” users’ subscription status, users are able to access exclusive subscriber-only content without needing to verify it each time.
    This involves the use of cookies, which is explained in section 2.2. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.

  • To provide services and products requested by you.
    We may use the information you provide when you fill in forms on this Website, as well as information contained in your communications with Us, to facilitate the provision of services and products you purchase from Us. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your email address, your postal address and your mobile number. For example, we may keep a record of this information to provide you with access to digital copies of our magazine or to mail you physical copies.
    Please note that, in order to provide the services and products you request, we may share this information with trusted third-party service providers who assist Us in delivering these services and products. For instance, if you order a print edition of our magazine, your name, phone number, and postal address may be shared with an external printing and mailing service.
    This disclosure of your personal data to third parties is further explained in Section 3.4. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.

  • To contact you regarding your submission, or a service or product requested by you.
    We may use the information you provide when you fill in forms on this Website, as well as information contained in your communications with Us to confirm receipt of your submission, request clarification or additional details from you, respond to your inquiry, follow up on a requested service or product, or to provide updates about your submission or a requested service or product. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your email address, your postal address and your mobile number. For example, if you submit a work to be considered for publication, we may use the email address you provided in the submission form to notify you about the status of your submission, request edits, or inform you of Our decision.

  • To send you Our newsletter and marketing material.
    We may use the information you provide when you fill in forms on this Website, as well as when you register to receive newsletters from Us to send you Our newsletter and other material that advertises, markets or promotes our services and products. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your email, as well as newsletter and marketing preferences. For example, when you sign up to receive Our newsletter through this Website’s newsletter registration function, we may use the email address you provide to send you Our newsletter.

  • To make a decision on your submission.
    We may use the information you provide when you fill in forms on this Website, as well as the information contained within the files submitted to this Website, together with other information relating to you and your background that is relevant to Our process of evaluating your work for publication. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your email address, your work history, your CV, your cover letter, details of your past works and details of the work proposed for publication. For example, we may review your biographical information and past publication history to assess how your work aligns with the aims and editorial direction of our literary magazine.

  • To establish and manage working relationships with third-party service providers.
    We may use information contained within your communications with Us to evaluate the suitability of your services for the purposes of Our services and products, as well as to enable Us and other trusted third-party service providers which we having working relationships with to communicate with you regarding your assistance in the provision of Our services and products. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your email address, your postal address, your mobile number, your CV, quotes and payment details. For example, a quote sent to Us containing bank account or other financial details may be included in communications between us and you or anyone you work with in the course of provision of the goods or services.

  • To assess your application to join Us.
    We may use information contained within your communications with Us, together with other information relating to you and your background, to evaluate your suitability for a role in or collaboration with Us.This may include, but is not limited to, your name, your contact details, your email, your postal address, your mobile number, your CV, your cover letter, and any other materials submitted as part of your application. For example, if you apply to join Us as an editor, we may review this information to assess your editorial abilities, previous experience and previous works to decide on your suitability for the role; we may also contact you to request for additional detail and provide updates on the recruitment process, as well as reach out to your referees.


  5. Your Rights



5.1. Your Right to Manage Cookies


Under the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), you have the right to disable the cookies placed by this Website at any time through your browser settings.

For more information about managing cookies, please refer to section 2.2. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.



5.2. Your Right to Opt-Out of Marketing
      Communications


Under the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), you have the right to request that We do not process your personal data for marketing purposes. We will usually notify you in advance if We intend to use the information collected about you for marketing purposes or before disclosing it to any third-party advertising or marketing services. You can exercise this right by ‘opting-out’ via the relevant checkboxes on the forms you fill out on this Website.

For more information about Our handling of personal data for marketing purposes, please refer to section 3.5. of this Privacy and Cookie Policy.



5.3. Your Right to Access Your Personal Data


Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to access information held about you. To exercise this right, please contact Us at nighthawkstar.mag@gmail.com with the subject line “Subject Access Request”.  In your email, please include the following details:


  • Your full legal name.
  • Your contact details – email address, postal address, and mobile number.
  • Any IDs related to your interactions with Us – this may include your account number or username, subscription reference number, order numbers, or any other relevant identifiers assigned to you on this Website or used in your communications with Us.
  • The nature of your request and/or the specific information you would like to access.

These details are necessary for Us to verify your request and protect the data held by Us from unauthorized access. These details also allow Us to accurately identify you and the personal data held about you; thus, ensuring that We can process your request efficiently and securely. Please note that, when necessary, we may also request copies of government issued documents, such as, but not limited to, your passport or driver’s license.

In line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, We will respond to your request within one month of receipt.

Please note that, as permitted by law, if your request is deemed to be unfounded, excessive, or repetitive, We may charge a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs incurred by your request.



5.4. Your Right to be Informed of Privacy and Cookie
       Policy Changes


Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have the right to be informed of any changes We may make to this Privacy and Cookie Policy. Any updates will be posted on this page, so please review it periodically to stay informed about how We protect and use your personal data.



5.5. Your Right to Transparency


Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have the right to clear and transparent information regarding the collection, processing and use of your personal data. In line with this, We welcome all questions, comments and requests regarding this Privacy and Cookie Policy at nighthawkstar.mag@gmail.com.