Last updated: 1 January 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Defencematters.eu (“we”, “us”) collects and uses personal data when you visit our website, contact us, or subscribe to updates. We process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection law, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and, where relevant, the UK GDPR.

1. Data controller

Website: Defencematters.eu
Controller: Defencematters.eu (site operator)
Contact email: editor@defencematters.eu

2. Personal data we collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Contact and correspondence data: name, email address, and the content of messages you send to us.

• Subscription data: email address and any optional fields you submit when subscribing (where enabled).

• Usage and device data: pages viewed, approximate location (derived from IP address), device type, browser, referral source, and interaction data.

• Technical and security data: IP address, timestamps, server logs, error logs, and security-related logs.

• Cookies and similar technologies: see section 6.

We do not seek to collect special category data. If you include such information in communications with us, you do so voluntarily.

3. How we use personal data

We use personal data for the following purposes:

• To operate and maintain the website, including performance and troubleshooting.

• To respond to enquiries sent to editor@defencematters.eu or via site forms.

• To provide subscriptions, including sending newsletters or alerts where you have requested them.

• To protect the website, including preventing fraud, spam, and unauthorised access.

• To measure audience and site performance, where measurement tools are enabled.

• To sell, place, and report on advertising, limited to direct-sold banner placements (see section 7).

• To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.

4. Legal bases for processing

Where GDPR applies, we rely on the following legal bases as applicable:

• Consent (for example, for marketing emails where required and for non-essential cookies where required).

• Legitimate interests (for example, basic site operation, security, limited measurement, and operating direct-sold advertising), provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.

• Contract (where processing is necessary to provide a service you request).

• Legal obligation (where we must comply with applicable law).

5. Sharing of personal data

We may share personal data with service providers that support website operation, such as:

• website hosting and infrastructure providers,

• email delivery services,

• security and anti-abuse services,

• analytics providers (where enabled).

We do not sell personal data. We disclose information where required by law or where necessary to protect our rights and systems.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for site functionality and, where enabled, for measurement.

Cookies may include:

• Essential cookies required for core site functions.

• Preference cookies that store user choices.

• Analytics cookies (where enabled) used to understand site usage and improve performance.

You can control cookies via browser settings and, where available, site cookie controls. Blocking cookies may affect site functionality.

7. Advertising (direct-sold banners)

Defencematters.eu displays direct-sold banner advertising. This means advertising space is sold directly to advertisers and banners are placed on the site without using third-party ad networks or real-time bidding systems.

What information is used for advertising

• We do not use third-party advertising profiles or cross-site tracking for direct-sold banners.

• Banners are typically served based on placement and page context rather than personal data.

• We may count basic performance metrics such as page views and banner impressions. Where enabled, we may also measure clicks on banners.

What advertisers may receive
Advertisers may receive aggregated reporting, for example total impressions and clicks for a campaign. We do not provide advertisers with users’ names, email addresses, or other direct identifiers.

Third-party links
Banner adverts may link to an advertiser’s website. If you click an advert, the advertiser’s site may collect data under its own privacy policy.

8. Email delivery (WP Mail SMTP)

We use WP Mail SMTP to improve email deliverability for messages sent from the website (for example, contact form notifications, password resets, and subscription-related emails where enabled). This may involve transmitting email content and related metadata (such as sender/recipient addresses and timestamps) through an SMTP service provider.

We use this information solely to send and deliver emails and to diagnose delivery problems where necessary. Email delivery logs may be retained for operational and security purposes.

9. Embedded content and third-party links

Pages may include embedded content (for example, video players) or links to third-party sites. Embedded services may collect usage data and set cookies according to their own policies. We are not responsible for third-party privacy practices.

10. Data retention

We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy:

• Enquiries and correspondence: retained as needed to manage communications and records.

• Subscription data: retained while you remain subscribed and for a limited period afterwards to ensure opt-out requests are respected.

• Technical and security logs: retained for security, fraud prevention, and diagnostics.

Retention periods may vary depending on operational and legal requirements.

11. International data transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the European Economic Area or the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are used as required by law.

12. Your rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

• access your personal data,

• correct inaccurate data,

• request deletion,

• restrict or object to processing,

• withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent),

• request data portability.

To exercise rights, contact editor@defencematters.eu. We may request information to verify your identity.

13. Complaints

If you are in the EEA, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. If you are in the UK, you may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

14. Children

This website is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

15. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the site, services, advertising arrangements, or legal requirements. The “Last updated” date indicates the most recent revision.