1. Overview
Robert Mitchell Reviews ("the Site", "we", "us") is operated by Robert Mitchell, an independent product reviewer based in Austin, Texas. We respect the privacy of every visitor and collect only the information needed to run the Site, publish the newsletter and respond to enquiries.
This policy applies to information collected through this website and the newsletter. It does not cover third-party websites linked from the Site, including retailer and brand websites. We recommend reading the privacy policy of any site you visit.
2. Information we collect
Information you provide
- Newsletter subscription: your email address and the page from which you subscribed.
- Contact and enquiry forms: your name, email address, company name if provided, the subject of your message and the message content.
- Correspondence: any information you include when you email us directly.
Information collected automatically
- Server logs: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring page, pages visited and timestamps. Logs are retained for 30 days for security and troubleshooting.
- Analytics: aggregated, anonymised usage data such as page views, session duration and approximate country. See section 5.
- Form security: a one-way hash of your IP address is stored with form submissions to limit abuse. The hash cannot be reversed to identify you.
We do not collect payment information, government identification numbers or precise location data.
3. How information is used
We use personal information for the following purposes and on the following legal bases:
| Purpose | Data used | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sending the weekly newsletter | Email address | Consent |
| Responding to your messages | Name, email, message | Legitimate interest and, where applicable, contract |
| Assessing brand partnership enquiries | Name, email, company, product URL, message | Legitimate interest and pre-contract steps |
| Operating and securing the Site | Server logs, hashed IP | Legitimate interest |
| Understanding how the Site is used | Anonymised analytics | Consent, where required |
| Complying with legal obligations | Any of the above | Legal obligation |
We do not sell personal information and we do not use it for automated decision-making or profiling.
4. Newsletter
When you subscribe, your email address is stored securely and used only to send the newsletter you requested. Each email contains an unsubscribe link. You can also unsubscribe by emailing [email protected]. Unsubscribing removes your address from the active list within 72 hours.
We may record whether an email was opened and which links were clicked. This is used to understand which content readers find useful. It is not shared with brands or advertisers on an individual basis.
5. Cookies and analytics
The Site uses a small number of cookies and similar technologies:
- Essential: a single browser storage entry that remembers your cookie choice. This cannot be disabled because it is required to honour your preference.
- Analytics: a privacy-focused analytics service that records page views in aggregate. IP addresses are anonymised and no cross-site tracking takes place. Analytics runs only if you accept cookies on the notice.
- Affiliate tracking: when you click an affiliate link, the retailer may set a cookie on its own domain to attribute a purchase. This is governed by the retailer's policy.
You can manage or delete cookies in your browser settings. The Cookie Policy lists every cookie used.
6. Sharing and third parties
We share personal information only with service providers who process it on our behalf and under contract, including:
- Web hosting and content delivery providers
- Email delivery services used to send the newsletter
- Analytics providers, as described above
We may also disclose information where required by law, regulation, legal process or a valid request from a public authority, or where necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of the Site, its readers or others.
Brands that partner with the Site never receive subscriber lists or individual reader data. Partners receive aggregate performance figures only.
7. Affiliate links
Some links on the Site are affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate networks may use cookies to attribute the sale. The Affiliate Disclosure explains how these relationships work and how they are kept separate from editorial decisions.
8. Data retention
| Data | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Newsletter email address | Until you unsubscribe, then deleted within 72 hours |
| Contact form submissions | 24 months from the last correspondence |
| Brand partnership records | 7 years, for accounting and tax purposes |
| Server logs | 30 days |
| Analytics data | Aggregated and anonymised; retained indefinitely |
9. Security
The Site is served over HTTPS. Form submissions are stored on access-controlled servers and are not publicly accessible. Access to personal information is limited to Robert Mitchell and contracted service providers bound by confidentiality obligations. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion of your information
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Withdraw consent at any time, without affecting processing that took place before withdrawal
- Receive your information in a portable format
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Residents of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom have these rights under the General Data Protection Regulation and the UK GDPR. California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know, delete and opt out of sale. We do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA.
To exercise any right, email [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity before acting on the request.
11. Children
The Site is not directed at children under 16 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided information to us, contact us and it will be deleted.
12. International transfers
The Site is operated from the United States. If you access it from another country, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States. Where required, we rely on standard contractual clauses or equivalent safeguards with our service providers.
13. Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. The effective date at the top of the page will change, and material changes will be announced in the newsletter. Continued use of the Site after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact
Questions about this policy or about your personal information can be sent to:
Robert Mitchell Reviews
PO Box 4821
Austin, TX 78765
United States
[email protected]