Our Privacy Policy: Data, Trust, and Your Rights

At Charlotte’s Helix, we believe that trust, like the double helix of DNA, is built on transparency and clear structure, especially when it comes to your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information in connection with our editorial platform focused on the science of gambling addiction, behavioural addiction genetics, and neuroscience. We are committed to compliance with data protection laws applicable in the United Kingdom.

What Information We Collect

We collect information to operate our website and deliver content relevant to our mission. This data falls into two primary categories: information you provide directly and information collected automatically as you browse.

Data You Provide Voluntarily

This is information you knowingly give us when you interact with our site. Examples include:

  • Your name and email address when you sign up for our newsletter or updates on addiction research.
  • Your email address and any details you include if you contact us with an enquiry.
  • Any comments or information you post on our articles or forums.

Data Collected Automatically

When you visit our site, we automatically collect certain technical data. This may include:

  • Your IP address and general location (country/city level).
  • Your browser type and device information.
  • Pages you view, links you click, and how you navigate our content on neuroscience and problem gambling.

How We Use Cookies and Similar Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and understand how our content is used. Our use is designed to be proportionate to our editorial purpose.

Essential Cookies

These are strictly necessary for the website to function. They enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot operate properly without these cookies.

Analytics & Preference Cookies

These help us understand how visitors engage with our scientific content. They allow us to analyse traffic, see which articles on behavioural addiction genetics are most read, and improve our site’s performance. You have the option to manage your cookie preferences via your browser settings.

Analytics and Performance Data

To refine our editorial focus and improve the quality of our resources on gambling addiction science, we analyse how our website is used.

Purpose of Analytics

We use analytics data to measure the reach and impact of our content, understand our audience’s interests in brain research on problem gambling, and make informed decisions about future topics and site improvements.

Data Anonymisation

We use Google Analytics 4 configured with IP anonymisation activated. This means your full IP address is not stored; it is truncated within the UK/EEA before any potential transfer to Google’s servers. This process helps protect your identity while providing us with valuable aggregate usage insights.

Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We work with a select group of trusted service providers to operate our website and communications. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data.

Service Providers We Use

These third parties process data on our behalf under strict contractual terms. They include:

  • Google Analytics 4 for website traffic analysis.
  • Email service providers (e.g., Mailchimp) for managing newsletter subscriptions.
  • Our website hosting platform.

International Data Transfers

Some of these service providers may process data outside the UK, including in the USA. Where such transfers occur, we ensure they are protected by appropriate safeguards, such as the UK-approved Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), to ensure your data protection rights remain enforceable.

Your Data Protection Rights (UK GDPR)

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have several important rights regarding your personal data. We respect and will facilitate the exercise of these rights.

List of Your Key Rights

  • The right to access – You can request copies of your personal data.
  • The right to rectification – You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • The right to erasure – You can request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
  • The right to restrict or object to processing – You can request we limit or stop using your data.
  • The right to data portability – You can request transfer of your data to another service.

How to Exercise Them

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in the ‘Contact Us’ section below. We will respond within one month. If you have concerns about how we handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

How Long We Retain Your Data

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including to satisfy any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements in the United Kingdom.

Retention Principles

For example, we will retain your email address for our newsletter list until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is retained in an anonymised aggregated form. We regularly review our retention periods to ensure we are not keeping data longer than necessary.

Deletion Procedures

When the retention period expires, personal data is securely deleted or anonymised so it can no longer be associated with you. Our deletion methods are designed to prevent recovery or reconstruction of the information.

Contact Us About Your Privacy

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or have a concern about your privacy, please get in touch.

Contact Details

For all privacy-related requests, please email: [email protected]. You may also write to us by post at our registered address in England, which is available upon request via the email above.

Data Protection Officer

While we are not required to appoint a formal Data Protection Officer, our dedicated contact for all data protection matters is our Data Protection Lead, who can be reached via the contact details provided above.

This policy reflects our commitment to handling your data with the same intellectual rigour and care we apply to our research into the genetics of behavioural addiction. It was last updated with your privacy in mind.