PRIVACY POLICY
Effective date: 23 September 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Signa Dei collects, uses and protects personal information when you visit or interact with this website. Signa Dei is an independent Catholic educational and research project based in the United Kingdom. We aim to collect only the information necessary to operate, secure and improve the website, and to handle any information you provide responsibly and transparently.
1. DATA CONTROLLER
Signa Dei is responsible for the personal information processed through this website. Signa Dei is an independent Catholic educational and research project based in the United Kingdom. For privacy-related questions, requests or concerns, please use the Contact page.
2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Signa Dei does not offer user accounts and does not currently operate a newsletter. Personal information is collected only when you choose to contact Signa Dei through the website’s contact form. This may include your email address and any information you include in your message. The website and its hosting or security services may also process limited technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information and access or security logs.
3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Information submitted through the contact form is used only to read and respond to your enquiry and, where necessary, to maintain appropriate records of the communication. Signa Dei does not sell personal information, create advertising profiles or use contact details for unsolicited marketing.
4. LAWFUL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
Where you contact Signa Dei, your information is processed where necessary to respond to your request and manage the communication. Signa Dei relies on legitimate interests where necessary to operate, secure and maintain the website, prevent misuse and respond effectively to enquiries. These interests are balanced against visitors’ privacy rights. Where consent is legally required, such as for certain non-essential cookies, consent will be requested before processing begins.
5. CONTACT FORM AND COMMUNICATIONS
If you contact Signa Dei through the website’s contact form, the email address and message you provide will be used only to read and respond to your enquiry. Your information will not be added to a mailing list or used for unrelated marketing. Messages may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to deal with the enquiry, maintain appropriate records or resolve any related issue.
6. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
Signa Dei may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the website to function correctly, remain secure and remember basic preferences. Where non-essential cookies are used, such as analytics or embedded third-party content, they will only be used where permitted by law and, where required, after appropriate consent has been obtained. Visitors can also manage cookies through their browser settings.
7. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
Signa Dei may rely on third-party services to operate the website, including WordPress hosting, security tools, contact-form services and embedded content. These providers may process limited technical or contact information where necessary to provide their services. Signa Dei does not sell personal information and does not intentionally share it with third parties except where required to operate the website, respond to enquiries, protect the site or comply with legal obligations.
8. DATA RETENTION
Personal information is kept only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Contact-form messages may be retained while an enquiry is being handled and, where appropriate, for a limited period afterwards for record-keeping or follow-up. Technical and security data may be retained according to the policies of the website’s hosting, security or service providers. Information that is no longer needed will be deleted or anonymised where reasonably possible.
9. DATA SECURITY
Signa Dei takes reasonable steps to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. The website may use secure hosting, encrypted connections and security tools provided by WordPress and other service providers. However, no website or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, so visitors should avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive information through the contact form.
10. YOUR DATA PROTECTION RIGHTS
Under UK data protection law, you may have rights in relation to your personal information, including the right to request access, correction, deletion, restriction of processing or to object to certain uses of your data. Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. The rights available depend on the circumstances and the lawful basis used for processing.
11. HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS
If you wish to ask what personal information Signa Dei holds about you, request a correction or deletion, or exercise another data protection right, please contact Signa Dei through the website’s Contact page. You may be asked to provide enough information to confirm your identity. Signa Dei will respond to valid requests within the time required by applicable UK data protection law.
12. COMPLAINTS TO THE ICO
If you have concerns about how Signa Dei handles your personal information, please contact Signa Dei first so the matter can be considered. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the independent authority responsible for data protection. Information about making a complaint is available on the ICO website.
13. EXTERNAL WEBSITES
Signa Dei may contain links to external websites, including Vatican, diocesan, academic and historical sources. These websites operate independently and may have their own privacy practices. Signa Dei is not responsible for how external websites collect, use or protect personal information. Visitors should review the privacy information provided by any external website before submitting personal data.
14. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY & CONTACT
Signa Dei may update this Privacy Policy when necessary to reflect changes to the website, the services it uses or applicable legal requirements. Any revised version will be published on this page with an updated effective date. For privacy-related questions or requests, please contact Signa Dei through the website’s Contact page.
Signa Dei is an independent Catholic educational and research archive.
