Last updated: 28 September 2026
Website: https://sovereignblog.org (SovereignBase / SovereignBlog)
1. Who is responsible
The controller of personal data for this website is:
Mark Braddock trading as / writing under SovereignBase (domain sovereignblog.org)
Stockport / Manchester, United Kingdom
Email: mark@sovereignbase.org
Questions about this notice or your rights: use that address. We do not currently appoint a separate Data Protection Officer.
2. What this notice covers
How we process personal data when you visit this site, read articles, use the contact form, leave a blog comment, or choose to load optional embeds (for example Google Maps on the contact page). Written for UK visitors under UK GDPR and PECR. Not a contract and not legal advice.
3. What data we process
3.1 Server and security logs
Our hosting platform records technical data typical of web servers (for example IP address, date/time, URL, status code, referrer, user agent) for security, abuse prevention, debugging and availability.
Lawful basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) UK GDPR) — keeping the site secure and reliable. We do not use these logs to build marketing profiles.
Host: Infomaniak Network SA (Switzerland) — see section 6.
3.2 First-party session and consent cookies
- PHPSESSID (or equivalent): needed for the site to function (for example forms/session). Strictly necessary.
- cookieConsentAgree (Infomaniak Site Creator): stores your cookie preference.
Lawful basis: strictly necessary cookies under PECR; storing your choice reflects your banner decision.
3.3 Analytics
We do not currently use analytics or tracking cookies. If we introduce analytics in future (preferably a privacy-friendly EU tool), we'll only do so with consent where required and will update this notice first.
3.4 Contact form
Fields you submit (typically full name, email, subject, message) plus anti-spam measures (CAPTCHA / honeypot), handled via Infomaniak Site Creator.
Lawful basis: steps toward a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) and/or legitimate interests in answering enquiries (Art. 6(1)(f)), depending on your message.
Retention: only as long as needed to respond and for a short follow-up (for example up to 12 months unless an ongoing matter needs longer), then delete or archive securely.
3.5 Blog comments
Comment text, display name/username, email and CAPTCHA. Email is for moderation/reply and is not published unless you put it in the comment body.
Lawful basis: consent and/or legitimate interests in a moderated discussion. You may ask us to remove your comment.
3.6 Optional Google Maps (contact page)
A Stockport map may load from Google only after you choose to load it. That can involve Google cookies or IP processing on Google’s servers. Lawful basis: consent (your click). You can decline to load it.
3.7 Fonts and platform scripts
Fonts primarily from Bunny Fonts (fonts.bunny.net). Infomaniak serves Site Creator assets and may run platform error monitoring to operate the hosting/CMS. Not advertising.
3.8 What we do not do
No newsletter signup on this site at present. No chat widget. No Facebook Pixel detected. Social icons should only link to profiles we control.
4. Purposes (summary)
| Purpose | Examples | Lawful basis |
|---|---|---|
| Provide and secure the site | Hosting, TLS, logs, necessary cookies | Legitimate interests / necessity |
| Answer messages | Contact form | Contract steps and/or legitimate interests |
| Moderated comments | Blog comment fields | Consent / legitimate interests |
| Remember cookie choices | cookieConsentAgree | Consent / necessary |
| Optional map | Google Maps after click | Consent |
We do not sell your personal data.
5. How long we keep data
- Server logs: per Infomaniak hosting defaults and security needs (confirm exact window in your Infomaniak panel and update if known).
- Contact messages / comments: as in sections 3.4–3.5.
- Consent cookie: about 12 months as configured by Site Creator, then you may be asked again.
6. Processors and international transfers
| Party | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Infomaniak Network SA | Hosting, Site Creator, CDN/assets, form/comment handling, Infomaniak-hosted platform tooling | Switzerland (adequacy arrangements with the EU/UK at the time of drafting — re-check if the law changes) |
| Google LLC | Optional Google Maps on the contact page, only if you choose to click to load it, and any Google Fonts if still loaded | Data goes to Google in the United States. The map only loads when you click. |
If we add tools later (newsletter, payments, CRM), we will update this section first.
7. Your rights
Under UK GDPR you may ask us to: access; rectify; erase (in certain cases); restrict (in certain cases); object to legitimate-interests processing; portability (where applicable); and withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Email mark@sovereignbase.org with enough detail to find your data. We may verify identity. We aim to respond within one month.
You may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): https://ico.org.uk, telephone 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to resolve concerns first.
8. Cookies (categories)
| Category | Examples | When |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary | PHPSESSID; cookieConsentAgree | Always as needed |
| Settings | Preference cookies if enabled | Only if you enable Settings |
| Statistics | None currently in use | Not currently used |
| Marketing | None currently in use | Not currently used |
Use Accept all, Reject, or Settings on our banner. Browser controls can also block cookies; blocking necessary cookies may break forms.
9. Children
Aimed at adults. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Contact mark@sovereignbase.org if you believe a child has submitted data.
10. Links to other sites
External links have their own privacy practices. Read those notices before submitting data elsewhere.
11. Changes
We may update this notice when processing or the law changes. The “Last updated” date will change. Where consent is required, we will re-ask when the law requires.
12. Contact
Mark Braddock / SovereignBase
Stockport / Manchester, United Kingdom
Email: mark@sovereignbase.org
Contact form: https://sovereignblog.org/contact