Privacy and cookies
The short version: we only collect data through Google Analytics, and only if you say yes. You can change your mind at any time.
Last updated 28 October 2026.
Who we are
Scanalytics is run by Ian McGuinness, a sole trader operating as Scanalytics. Ian is the data controller for this website.
For any privacy question or request, email hello@scanalytics.co.uk.
What we collect
- Analytics, only if you accept. Google Analytics records how the site is used: pages viewed, how you arrived (for example from a search engine), your device and browser type, and approximate location (country or city level), linked to a random identifier stored in a cookie. We use this only to understand which pages are useful and to improve the site.
- No accounts. You can't sign up or log in, so we hold no names, passwords or profiles.
- No email list yet. The newsletter signup form is not connected, and nothing typed into it is sent or stored. If we launch a newsletter, it will come with its own privacy notice explaining what we keep and why.
- No advertising. We don't use advertising or remarketing cookies, and Google's advertising features stay switched off.
- Hosting. Like any website, our hosting provider may briefly process technical data such as IP addresses to deliver pages and protect the site from abuse.
Cookies and similar storage
| Name | Set by | Purpose | How long | Needs consent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes visitors with a random ID, so we can count unique visits | Up to 2 years (Google default) | Yes, only set if you accept |
_ga_BEXQX9RT54 | Google Analytics | Keeps track of your session (visit) on this site | Up to 2 years (Google default) | Yes, only set if you accept |
scanalytics_consent_v1 (browser local storage, not a cookie) | This site | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics, so we don't ask on every page | Until you clear your browser storage | No, it is needed to respect your choice |
If you reject analytics, or don't make a choice, the Google Analytics script is not loaded at all and no Google Analytics cookies are set. If you accept and later reject, we delete the Google Analytics cookies we can reach from this site and stop loading the script.
Why we can use this data
Under UK data protection law (the UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), our legal basis for analytics is your consent. You can withdraw it at any time, and withdrawing is as easy as giving it.
Google's role and how long data is kept
Google acts as our data processor for Google Analytics: it processes the data on our behalf, under its data processing terms. Google may process data outside the UK, including in the United States, under the safeguards in those terms. IP addresses are not stored in Google Analytics 4.
Analytics data is kept for the retention period set in our Google Analytics settings. After that, Google deletes it automatically.
Your rights
Under the UK GDPR you have the right to:
- ask what personal data we hold about you and get a copy (access)
- have inaccurate data corrected, or have your data deleted
- restrict or object to how we use it
- receive your data in a portable format, where this applies
- withdraw your consent at any time, using "Cookie settings"
Because analytics data is linked only to a random cookie ID, we may not be able to identify you from it. To ask about your data, email hello@scanalytics.co.uk. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this notice
If we change how we use data, for example by launching a newsletter, we'll update this page and the date above.