This page explains, in plain language, what happens when you visit this website — what information may be collected, how it is used, and what your rights are. There is nothing hidden here, and nothing to be alarmed about.
Who this website belongs to
This website is run by George Howell, writing and creating under the name Gentle George. George is based in the United Kingdom and is the sole person responsible for this website and its content.
What information is collected and why
Most visitors to this website share nothing personal at all. Two things happen automatically when you visit any website, including this one:
- Google Fonts. This site uses typefaces loaded from Google's servers. When the page loads, your browser makes a request to Google, which means Google may receive your IP address as part of that request. You can read Google's Privacy Policy for more detail.
- Standard browser request data. Like every website, this one receives basic technical information from your browser when you visit — such as the page requested and your approximate location derived from your IP address. This information is not stored or used by George.
If you are a patron and choose to introduce yourself using the form on the patron welcome page, you will be asked to share your name, your email address, a personal message, your membership tier, and whether you would like your name listed on this website. This information is shared directly with George and is used solely to begin and continue the personal correspondence that is the heart of what he offers. The legal basis for processing this data is the performance of the patron relationship you have chosen to enter into.
Email correspondence
When you submit the patron form, George receives your details and message by email. He will reply personally from his Gentle George email address, and the conversation continues in both your inboxes from there. No platforms, no portals — just two people writing to one another.
Your correspondence is kept for as long as your patron relationship is active, and for a reasonable period after it ends. It will never be shared with anyone else, used for any purpose other than your correspondence with George, or processed by any automated system.
Every message George receives is read and answered by him personally. There are no automated replies, no assistants, and nothing that stands between your words and his attention.
Zoom calls
Companions arrange video calls with George through Calendly and join them via Zoom. A few things are worth knowing about how George approaches these conversations.
George does not record Zoom calls. He does not take notes during or after them. What is said between two people in a conversation of that kind belongs to that conversation — just as it would in a friendship — and that is exactly what this is.
Zoom itself, as a platform, processes certain technical data during a call — including your display name, audio and video, and connection information. This is governed by Zoom's own privacy policy at zoom.us/privacy. Zoom is a US-based company; your data may be transferred outside the UK in connection with their service.
Third-party services
This website uses a small number of third-party services to function. Each one handles data according to its own privacy policy. George has chosen them carefully and does not use any service whose primary purpose is advertising or tracking.
Tally — patron introduction form
The form on the patron welcome page is provided by Tally. When you submit it, Tally receives and stores your response — including your name, email address, and personal message — and forwards it to George. Tally is based in Belgium and operates under EU data protection law, which the UK recognises as providing adequate protection. Privacy policy: tally.so/privacy
Ko-fi — memberships and payments
Ko-fi handles the patron membership subscriptions and any one-off tips. When you join as a patron or leave a tip, Ko-fi processes your payment and manages your subscription. Your payment details and Ko-fi account information are held by Ko-fi, not by George. Privacy policy: ko-fi.com/privacy
Calendly — booking Zoom calls
Companions use Calendly to choose a time for their monthly Zoom call. Calendly collects your name and email address in order to confirm the booking and send a reminder. Calendly is a US-based company; your data may be transferred outside the UK in connection with their service. Privacy policy: calendly.com/privacy
Zoom — video conversations
Zoom is used for the video calls between George and his Companions. Zoom processes technical data during the call — your display name, audio, video, and connection information. As noted above, calls are never recorded. Zoom is a US-based company. Privacy policy: zoom.us/privacy
Google Drive — book download
The free book download for patrons is hosted on Google Drive. Clicking the download link takes you to Google's servers, where Google's own privacy policy applies. Privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy
Amazon — book reviews
This website links to Amazon so that patrons can leave a review of When No One Is Home. Following that link takes you to Amazon's platform, where Amazon's own terms and privacy policy apply.
Cookies
This website does not set any cookies of its own. No tracking cookies, no advertising cookies, no preference cookies.
Third-party services embedded in or linked from this site — including Google Fonts, Tally, Calendly, and Zoom — may set their own cookies when you interact with them. These are outside George's control. If you wish to limit cookies, you can adjust your browser settings accordingly.
There are no adverts on this website. George does not work with advertisers, does not use tracking pixels, and does not sell or share your data with anyone.
Your rights under UK GDPR
Because this website is based in the UK, UK GDPR applies. You have the following rights in relation to any personal data George holds about you:
- The right to know what data is held about you
- The right to have any data corrected or deleted
- The right to withdraw your consent or object to processing
- The right to receive a copy of your data in a portable format
- The right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk
If you have any concern about your data — however small — please get in touch. George will always respond personally and promptly.
Changes to this policy
If anything changes about how this website works or how data is handled, this page will be updated to reflect that. The date at the top of the page shows when it was last reviewed.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, or anything at all about how your information is handled, George is happy to hear from you.
Email: hello@gentle-george.com