Privacy Policy

Last updated: 14 January 2026

1. Introduction

Creative Writing Course ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information.

This policy applies to information collected through our website (creativewritingcourse.org), course platforms, email communications, and any other services we provide.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with our services, you may provide us with the following information:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Account Information: Username, password, profile details
• Payment Information: Payment card details, billing address (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Course Content: Writing assignments, forum posts, feedback requests, and other content you create or submit
• Communications: Messages sent to us via email, contact forms, or other channels

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, browser type, device information
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies (see our Cookie Policy for details)

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party services when you interact with our advertising or social media presence. This may include:

• Information from Google Ads and Google Analytics
• Information from social media platforms where we advertise
• Information from payment processors regarding transaction completion

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Primary Purposes

We use your information to:

• Provide Services: Deliver course content, process enrolments, provide customer support
• Communicate: Send course updates, respond to inquiries, provide feedback on assignments
• Process Payments: Handle transactions and maintain financial records
• Improve Services: Analyse usage patterns to enhance our courses and website
• Comply with Legal Obligations: Meet legal and regulatory requirements

3.2 Marketing and Advertising

With your consent, we use your information for marketing purposes:

• Sending email newsletters and promotional materials about our courses
• Displaying targeted advertisements through Google Ads and other platforms
• Analysing the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns
• Retargeting website visitors with relevant course information

Important for Google Ads Compliance: When you interact with our Google Ads advertisements or visit our website after clicking an ad, we collect data through Google's advertising cookies. This includes information about your interaction with our ads and website behaviour. This data helps us understand ad performance and deliver relevant advertising to appropriate audiences.

3.3 Analytics and Performance

We use analytics tools, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use our website. This helps us improve user experience and course effectiveness. Analytics data is generally anonymised but may include your IP address.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (UK GDPR)

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies
• Contract Performance: To provide courses and services you've purchased
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, ensure website security, and conduct business development
• Legal Obligation: To comply with financial, tax, and other legal requirements

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our business:

• Payment Processors: To process course payments securely
• Email Service Providers: To send course communications and newsletters
• Course Platform Providers: To host and deliver course content
• Analytics Providers: Including Google Analytics for website analysis
• Advertising Partners: Including Google Ads for targeted advertising

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

5.2 Google Ads and Advertising Data

When you interact with our Google Ads campaigns, Google collects and processes data according to their privacy policy. We receive aggregated reporting data from Google but do not have access to individually identifiable information about ad viewers. However, when you visit our website after clicking an ad, we may collect data about your website behaviour through cookies.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

5.4 What We Don't Do

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We do not share your course assignments or creative work with anyone without your explicit permission.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy:

• Account Information: Retained whilst your account is active and for up to 2 years after account closure
• Course Content: Retained for the duration of your course access plus 1 year
• Financial Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with UK tax and accounting requirements
• Marketing Data: Retained until you withdraw consent or for 3 years of inactivity

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data (right to be forgotten)
• Restriction: Request limitation on processing of your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one month.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyse website usage. For detailed information about the cookies we use and your choices, please see our Cookie Policy.

Google Ads Cookies: Our website uses Google Ads cookies to deliver targeted advertising and measure campaign effectiveness. These cookies track your interaction with our ads and website. You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings or by adjusting your cookie preferences through our cookie banner.

9. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom. When we use service providers located outside the UK/EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by UK authorities.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. Whilst we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by email or through a prominent notice on our website. Your continued use of our services after such notification constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact and Complaints

Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 078 7512 1486
• Address: 9-11 St Andrew's Cres, Cardiff CF10 3DG, United Kingdom

Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your personal data appropriately. Visit ico.org.uk for more information.