Clear information about your data and this website.

Who we are

The Harder Path is operated by DUTCH-ENGELS CONSULTING LTD, the data controller for the personal information described in this notice.

DUTCH-ENGELS CONSULTING LTD is registered in England and Wales under company number 07723087. Its registered office is Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex, England, HA7 1JS.

Our contact address is Banff Business Centre, 8 Low Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB45 1AS. You can contact us at hello@theharderpath.com or on +44 (0)1224 466 121.

Information we collect

• Newsletter information: your email address and subscription status when you join The Harder Path Dispatch.
• Messages and story submissions: the information you choose to include when you email us, make an enquiry or submit a story.
• Analytics information, only with your permission: information such as pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser type, referring page, outbound-link activity and broad engagement with the site.
• Technical and security information: limited server and access-log information used to keep the website available, secure and functioning correctly.

Please do not send health information or other sensitive personal information unless it is genuinely necessary for the story or enquiry you want us to consider. If you submit another person’s information, you must have a lawful reason and appropriate permission to do so.

Why we use it

• We send the newsletter because you have consented. You can withdraw that consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in an email.
• We use Google Analytics only when you have consented through the website’s privacy controls.
• We respond to messages and consider story submissions where this is necessary for our legitimate interests in communicating with readers, developing editorial material and operating The Harder Path. Where a formal agreement is proposed, we may also process information to take steps at your request before entering a contract.
• We use limited technical information for our legitimate interests in security, fraud prevention and reliable website operation, and where necessary to meet a legal obligation.

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider the impact on you and do not use your information where your rights and interests override ours.

Newsletter and Beehiiv

The Harder Path Dispatch is provided using Beehiiv. When you subscribe, Beehiiv processes your email address and related subscription information on our behalf so that we can manage the list, send the dispatch and administer subscriptions.

Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe facility. Beehiiv’s own information is available in its privacy policy and data processing addendum.

Cookies and analytics choices

Google Analytics does not load unless you select Allow analytics. If you allow it, Google Analytics may set cookies beginning _ga to distinguish visits and produce aggregated statistics. We do not enable advertising storage, personalised advertising or Google Signals through our website code.

If you select Continue without analytics, the analytics tag is not loaded. Your browser stores the choice locally so that we can remember it. You can reconsider at any time by selecting the Privacy choices control shown on the website. Withdrawing consent stops future analytics collection from that browser and removes The Harder Path Google Analytics cookies that our code can access.

Strictly necessary storage may be used to remember your privacy choice and to support security and core website operation. It does not require consent.

Who receives information

We use a limited number of service providers to operate the website and newsletter, including Beehiiv for newsletter delivery, Google Analytics for consented website measurement and GoDaddy for website hosting. Our email and other professional service providers may also process information where necessary.

These providers may act as processors under contract or, for limited aspects of their services, as independent controllers. We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect legal rights or in connection with a genuine business reorganisation. We do not sell your personal information.

International transfers

Some service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom, including in the United States. Where UK data-protection law requires safeguards, we rely on mechanisms such as adequacy regulations, the UK Extension to the EU–US Data Privacy Framework where applicable, or approved contractual safeguards including the UK International Data Transfer Addendum.

How long we keep information

• Newsletter information is normally kept while you remain subscribed. After you unsubscribe, a minimal suppression record may be retained so that we respect your choice.
• General correspondence and story submissions are normally kept only while needed for the enquiry or editorial purpose, and ordinarily no longer than 24 months unless there is an ongoing relationship, publication requirement or legal reason to keep them longer.
• Analytics information is retained according to our Google Analytics settings and only for as long as it remains useful for aggregated website measurement.
• Security and server logs are retained for limited operational periods determined by our hosting and security requirements.

We may retain information for longer where necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims or to meet a legal obligation.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to ask for access to your personal information, correction, deletion, restriction of use, or transfer of information you supplied. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing.

You also have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests and to object at any time to direct marketing.

To exercise a right, email hello@theharderpath.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. There is normally no charge.

Complaints

Please contact us first so that we can try to resolve your concern. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office. Visit the ICO complaints page or telephone 0303 123 1113.

Children and automated decisions

The website and newsletter are not directed to children under 16. If you believe a child has supplied personal information, please contact us. We do not use personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

Editorial and health information

The writing on The Harder Path may describe personal experiences of illness, recovery and wellbeing. It is general editorial information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek guidance from an appropriately qualified medical professional about your own circumstances.

Copyright and permitted use

Unless otherwise credited, the writing, photography, artwork, design and other original material on this website belong to DUTCH-ENGELS CONSULTING LTD and are protected by applicable copyright and other intellectual-property laws.

You may link to public pages and make limited personal, non-commercial use permitted by law. Reproduction, republication, distribution, adaptation, commercial use or systematic extraction requires prior written permission. To request permission, email hello@theharderpath.com.

The Harder Path and Choose The Harder Path are used as brand identifiers. Nothing on this page grants a licence to use them in a way that suggests endorsement or affiliation.