Privacy basics for small newsletters
Consent, data, and what to tell readers, in plain language. Not legal advice.
This is a plain-language overview, not legal advice. Laws differ by country, so check the rules that apply to you and your readers.
Consent
- Only add people who asked to subscribe.
- Make it clear at signup what they will receive and how often.
- Keep a record of when and how each person subscribed. Most platforms do this for you.
Data you hold
- Collect only what you need. An email address is usually enough.
- Know where your subscriber data is stored and who can access it.
- Delete data when someone asks you to.
What to tell readers
A short privacy page should say what you collect, why, where it is stored, and how to ask for it to be deleted. Link it from your signup form and footer.
Tracking
Open and click tracking is common, but tell readers you do it. If you add analytics to your website, choose a privacy-friendly option where possible.