Privacy & cookies
What this site collects, why, and what you can do about it. Last updated 31 July 2026.
Who we are
Read vs Listen ("we", "us") is an independent website operated by Beth Kempster, a sole trader based in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, we are the data controller for personal data collected through this site. You can contact us at hello@readvslisten.com.
What we collect
Information you give us
If you email us or use the contact form, we receive your email address, your name if you provide it, and whatever you write in your message. We use this only to reply to you. We do not add you to a mailing list without your explicit, separate consent.
Information collected automatically
Like almost every website, our hosting provider records standard server logs when you visit: your IP address, browser type, the pages you requested and the time you requested them. These are used to keep the site running securely and are retained for a limited period.
If we use a website analytics service, it is configured to collect aggregate, non-identifying data about how pages are used: page views, referrers and approximate country. We do not use analytics to build profiles of individual visitors.
Information stored on your device
The Read vs Listen app stores your saved books and your framework preferences in your browser's local storage on your own device. This is not sent to us as personal data and you can clear it at any time by clearing your browser's site data.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use a small number of cookies and equivalent storage technologies:
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Making the site work: page delivery, security, and remembering your cookie choices. |
| Functional (local storage) | Remembering your saved books and framework preferences in the app, on your device only. |
| Analytics | Understanding which pages are useful, in aggregate. Set only where you have consented. |
| Affiliate tracking (third party) | Set by Amazon when you click through to Amazon.co.uk, so that a resulting purchase can be attributed to this site. |
Where UK law requires consent for non-essential cookies (PECR), we ask for it before those cookies are set, and you can change or withdraw your choice at any time. Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent.
Amazon affiliate links and third-party tracking
This site takes part in the Amazon EU Associates Programme. When you click a link on this site through to Amazon.co.uk or Audible, Amazon may set cookies on your device and collect information about your visit in accordance with its own privacy notice. This is how Amazon attributes a purchase to us and pays a commission.
We do not receive your name, address, payment details or the contents of your Amazon basket. We see only aggregate reporting from Amazon about clicks and completed orders. We have no control over Amazon's own data practices and encourage you to read Amazon's privacy notice.
Once you leave this site by following a link, this privacy policy no longer applies.
Our lawful bases for processing
- Consent. For analytics cookies and for any marketing email, where you have opted in.
- Legitimate interests. For keeping the site secure and available, and for replying to a message you have sent us.
- Legal obligation. Where we are required to retain records.
Sharing your information
We do not sell your personal data and we never will. We share data only with the service providers who make the site work (our web host, our email provider and our analytics provider) and only to the extent needed. Where a provider is outside the UK, transfers are covered by appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Addendum or an adequacy decision.
How long we keep it
Email correspondence is kept for as long as needed to deal with your query and for a reasonable period afterwards, then deleted. Server logs are kept for a short period for security purposes. Aggregate analytics data is retained in non-identifying form.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to access the personal data we hold about you, to have it corrected or erased, to restrict or object to how we use it, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis we rely on. To exercise any of these, email hello@readvslisten.com. We'll respond within one month.
If you're unhappy with how we've handled your data you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Children
This site is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them.
Changes to this policy
If we change this policy we'll update the date at the top of the page. Material changes will be flagged on the site.