• Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy & Cookies Notice

We’ve created this policy, which covers how Story… 

  • Collect 
  • Use 
  • Disclose 
  • Transfer
  • Store

…your data. 

1. Introduction and general terms 

Story is committed to protecting your personal information when you are using story services. We want our services to be safe and enjoyable environments for our clients and contacts. This privacy and cookies policy relates to our use of any personal information we collect from you via the following online services: 

  • Any Story website that links to this privacy and cookies policy; 
  • Social media or official Story content on other websites; 
  • Mobile device and applications (“apps”). 

It also relates to our use of any personal information you provide to us by phone, sms, email, in letters and other correspondence and in person. 

In order to provide you with the full range of story services we sometimes need to collect information about you. 

This privacy and cookies policy explains: 

  • What information Story may collect about you; 
  • How Story will use information we collect about you; 
  • When Story may use your details to contact you; 
  • Whether Story will disclose your details to anyone else; 
  • Your choices regarding the personal information you provide to us; 
  • The use of cookies on Story websites and how you can reject cookies; 
  • How you can change the way we hold and use your personal information. 

Whenever you provide personal information, we are legally obliged to use it in line with all applicable laws concerning its protection, including the data protection act 1998 and the general data protection regulations (referred to collectively in this privacy and cookies policy as the “data protection regulations”). 

Story websites contain hyperlinks to websites owned and operated by third parties. These third-party websites have their own privacy policies and are also likely to use cookies so we urge you to review their policies separately. They will govern the use of personal information you submit when visiting those websites, which may also be collected by cookies. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the privacy practices of those third-party websites and your use of them is at your own risk. 

2. Who are we? 

Story is a UK-based marketing and communications agency offering a fully integrated service to our clients so they can deliver the most appropriate marketing information or other relevant communications to their end users. 

We are a subsidiary of the listed UK company the mission marketing group plc and we sometimes work with other companies in the group to help deliver services to clients. 

3. What information will Story collect about me? 

When you participate in, access or sign up to any of Story’s services, activities or online content we may receive personal information about you. This can consist of information such as your name, email address, postal address, telephone or mobile number, gender or date of birth. 

4. How will Story use the information it collects about me? 

Story will use your personal information for a number of purposes including: 

  • To provide our services, activities or online content, to provide you with information about them and to deal with your requests and enquiries; 
  • To analyse the information you supply as well as your activity on our (and other) services so that we can offer a more relevant, tailored service where we provide personalised services; 
  • To use IP addresses and device identifiers so we can identify the location of users, block disruptive use, establish the number of visits from different countries and determine whether or not you are accessing the services from the UK; 
  • For analysis and research purposes so that we can improve the services offered by story. This can include using geo-demographic information from external sources where this helps us; 
  • We may also use and disclose information in aggregate (so that no individuals are identified) for marketing and strategic development purposes. 
  • Where story proposes using your personal information for any other use we will ensure that we notify you first. Please see section 18 for details. 

5. Your Story contact request 

  • If you fill out one of our online contact forms your details will be added to our crm system so we can effectively manage your enquiry. You will be contacted regarding your enquiry using the information you submit on the form. 
  • You can unsubscribe from any emails we send at any point using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of those emails. 

6. When will Story contact me? 

Story may contact you: 

  • In relation to any correspondence we receive from you or any comment or complaint you make about story products or services; 
  • In relation to any services you are using; 
  • To update you on any material changes to story’s policies and practices; and 
  • For marketing purposes, as set out in section 7. 

7. Will I be contacted for marketing purposes? 

Story will only send you marketing communications where you have agreed to this. We may send occasional emails to let you know about Story initiatives and services. We may personalise the message content based on any information you have provided to us and on your use of Story platforms. 

We may use information we hold about you to show you relevant advertising on third-party sites (e.g. Facebook, Google, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter). 

8. Will Story share my personal information with anyone else? 

We will keep your information within Story except where disclosure is required or permitted by law (for example to government bodies and law enforcement agencies, including for child protection reasons) or as described in this section and section 9. 

We may share your information across Story and, where this is necessary to provide you with a service you have requested, other mission marketing group agencies. 

We will use your information within Story and will only share it outside the mission marketing group where you have requested it or given your consent. However, we may share with third-party sites (e.g. Facebook, Google, Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor, credit reference suppliers, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter) some data, with appropriate security measures, to show you relevant advertising on third-party sites, as set out in section 7. 

Sometimes Story uses third parties to process your information on our behalf, for example to provide services or analysis. Story requires these third parties to comply strictly with our instructions and Story requires that they do not use your personal information for their own business purposes, unless you have explicitly consented to the use of your personal information in that way. 

9. Offensive or inappropriate content on Story websites 

If you post or send content which we consider offensive, inappropriate or objectionable anywhere on or to Story websites or otherwise engage in any disruptive behaviour Story may remove that content and/or block access. 

Where Story considers that you may be in breach of any applicable laws, for example on hate speech, Story may disclose your personal information to relevant third parties, including to law enforcement agencies or your internet provider. Story would only do so in circumstances where such disclosure is permitted under applicable laws, including data protection regulations. 

10. What if I am a user aged under 18? 

If you are aged 18 or under, please get your parent/guardian’s permission before you provide any personal information to Story. 

11. How long will Story keep my information? 

We will hold your personal information for as long as is necessary for the relevant activity, or as long as is set out in any relevant contract you hold with Story. 

12. Can I delete my data? 

You can request that Story delete any personal information we hold about you at any time by contacting [email protected] with your request.  

13. Can I find out what personal information Story holds about me? 

Under the data protection regulations, you have the right to request a copy of the personal information Story holds about you and to have any inaccuracies corrected. We will use reasonable efforts consistent with our legal duty to supply, correct or delete personal information about you in our files. 

If you are within the UK, please address requests and questions about this or any other question about this privacy and cookies policy to [email protected]  

Please note, we reserve the right to charge an administrative fee if your request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. 

If we feel we need to establish your identity, we may ask for proof of such before providing any personal data. 

14. Web browser cookies 

A) what is a cookie? 

A cookie is a small amount of data, which often includes a unique identifier, that is sent to your computer, tablet or mobile phone (all referred to here as a “device”) web browser from a website’s computer and is stored on your device’s hard drive. Each website can send its own cookie to your web browser if your browser’s preferences allow it. Many websites do this whenever a user visits their website in order to track online traffic flows. Similar technologies are also often used within emails to understand whether the email has been read or if any links have been clicked. If you continue without changing your settings, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Story website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. 

On Story websites, cookies record information about your online preferences and allow us to tailor our websites to your interests. 

During the course of any visit to a Story website, the pages you see, along with a cookie, are downloaded to your device. Many websites do this, because cookies enable website publishers to do useful things like find out whether the device (and probably its user) has visited the website before. This is done on a repeat visit by checking to find and using the cookie left there on the last visit. 

B) how does Story use cookies? Information supplied by cookies can help us to understand the profile of our visitors and help us to provide you with a better user experience. Story uses this type of information to help improve the services it provides to its users. Certain areas of Story websites may use cookies for a specific reason. 

C) third-party cookies in embedded content on Story pages. Please note that during your visits to Story websites you may notice some cookies that are not related to Story or Story’s contractors. We sometimes embed content from social media and other third-party websites. These may include YouTube, Vimeo, Google maps, Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud, Vine, Instagram, Pinterest and Flickr. As a result, when you visit a page containing such content you may be presented with cookies from these websites and these third-party cookies may track your use of the Story website. Story does not control the dissemination of these cookies and you should check the relevant third party’s website for more information. If you continue without changing your settings, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Story website. However, you can find out about changing your cookie settings here. Where Story embeds content from social media and other third-party websites some websites may use google analytics to collect data about user behaviour for their own purposes. Story does not control this. For more information, see the google webpage how google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps. 

D) Story cookies and how to reject cookies 

Below are details of cookies set by services we use to better understand the use of the Story owned websites. We use this data to continuously improve our service we offer. 

Cookie: google analytics 

Name: _ga, _gid 

Purpose: these cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information (in an anonymous form that does not identify a visitor) including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example by making sure users are finding what they need easily. 

More info: overview of privacy at google. To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit the Google site. 

It is important to note that if you change your settings and block certain cookies you may not be able to take full advantage of some features of Story services, and we might not be able to provide some features you have previously chosen to receive. 

E) other information collected from web browsers 

Your web browser may also provide Story with information about your device such as an IP address and details about the browser that you are using. Where requesting a specific service it may be possible for you to choose to provide Story with access to your device’s location through the web-browser. We use information provided by your browser or by the link that you have clicked to understand the webpage that directed you to Story and this may be captured by performance cookies. 

If you have any concerns about the way that we use cookies or respect your settings, then please contact us at [email protected]  

15. Do not track (DNT) browser setting 

DNT is a feature offered by some browsers which, when enabled, sends a signal to websites to request that your browsing is not tracked such as by third-party ad networks, social networks and analytic companies. This website does not currently respond to DNT requests. 

16. Story developed apps 

When you download or use Story apps on your mobile device or tv information may be accessed from or stored to your device. Most often this is used in a similar way to a web browser cookie such as by enabling the app to ‘remember’ you or provide you with the content you have requested. 

Your web browser or device may also provide Story with information about your device such as a device identifier. Device identifiers such as the device ID, IP address, mac address, IMEI number or app ID (a unique identifier relating to the particular copy of the app you are running) may be collected automatically. 

Information collected automatically 

The application may automatically collect information related to: 

  • The device running the application, including any unique device identifier, IP address, operating system the device uses 
  • The date and time the application is used 
  • The location of the device when the application is used

Use of automatically collected information 

This type of data would only be used by us in aggregated and anonymised form in order to provide information that helps us understand the use of our applications and to improve the applications we create. 

User provided information 

If our application requires you to provide and share personal information or needs to access other information on your device or to access information used by other applications on your device then we will require you to register with us and provide positive acceptance of this policy. Many of our applications will not collect or use this type of information. Where registration is required if you do not accept the policy then the functionality of the application may be restricted. 

Examples of personal information include: 

  • Name, age, gender, your contact details; 
  • Credit card details (only where the application provides opportunities for purchasing); 
  • Your contact lists or preferences in other applications; 
  • Your use of other applications; 
  • Images, comments and other materials on your device or in other applications accessed by your device (e.g. Profile pictures, preferences) and used by the application. 

Use of user provided information 

We will only use this type of information: 

  • For purposes implicit in the intended use of the application; and/or 
  • In anonymised and aggregated form for more detailed analysis of the use of the application; and/or 
  • For internal operations, including troubleshooting problems, data analysis, testing, research, improvements to the application; and/or 
  • To contact you regarding important information or required notices; and/or 
  • To contact you regarding marketing promotions unless you have opted out of this in your registration details. 

Sharing of your information 

We will not provide access to your information to third parties for commercial gain. 

Except as below we will not disclose or share your information. We may disclose user provided and automatically collected information: 

  • As specifically requested by you from within the application; 
  • As required by law, such as to comply with a court order, or similar legal process; 
  • When we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request; 
  • With our trusted services providers who work on our behalf, do not have an independent use of the information we disclose to them, and have agreed to adhere to the rules set out in this policy; 
  • In connection with a corporate transaction involving the application, such as the purchase or sale of a business unit, an acquisition, merger, sale of assets, or other similar event. 

Storing your information 

  • Your information may be stored and processed in any country and may include outsourced cloud facilities. In this regard, or for purposes of sharing or disclosing data as described in this policy, we reserve the right to transfer information outside of your country. By using the application, you consent to any such transfer of information outside of your country. We will retain user provided data for as long as you remain registered to use the application and for a reasonable time thereafter. We will retain automatically collected information for up to 24 months and thereafter may store it in aggregate. 
  • If you’d like us to delete user provided data that you have provided via the application because you no longer wish to use the application then you should de-register your account with us; simply removing the application from your device will not automatically delete your information. 
  • Please note that some or all of the user provided data may be required in order for the application to function properly. 
  • Safeguarding the confidentiality of your information is a priority for us. We provide physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect information we process and maintain. Please be aware that, although we endeavour to provide reasonable security for information we process and maintain, due to the inherent nature of the internet and related technology no security system can prevent all potential security breaches. 

Third-party links 

  • Occasionally, at our discretion, our applications may include or offer third-party products or services or provide links to other organisations or services. These third parties have separate and independent privacy policies. We have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked applications, however, to protect the integrity of our applications, we welcome feedback regarding any breach of privacy policies by those third parties. 

Age 

  • Many of our applications will be suitable for children (under 16) and will not require user provided personal information. 
  • Where an application requires registration with us (and hence access to user provided information) we will ask for the user’s age and appropriately restrict the information the application can access or share. 

17. Changes to Story’s privacy and cookies policy 

  • This privacy and cookies policy may be updated from time to time so you may wish to check it each time you submit personal information to story. The date of the most recent revisions will appear on this page. If you do not agree to these changes, please do not continue to use Story websites to submit personal information to Story. If material changes are made to the privacy and cookies policy, for instance affecting how we would like to use your personal information, we will provide a more prominent notice (including, for certain services, email notification of privacy policy changes). 

18. Contacting Story about this privacy and cookies 

Notice 

If you have any questions or comments about this privacy and cookies notice please contact: [email protected]