Last updated: 20 November 2025
Thank you for visiting Smart AI Marcus (“the Website”, “we”, “our”, “us”).
Your privacy is important, and this Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information under UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and applicable data protection laws.
By using this Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
Smart AI Marcus is a personal brand blog providing content, training, and resources on AI, marketing, solopreneurship, and side hustles.
Data Controller:
Marcus Appleton
United Kingdom
If you have questions, you can contact us at:
info@smartaimarcus.com
2. What Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with the Website, you may provide:
- Name and email address (e.g., when leaving a comment or subscribing to the newsletter)
- Payment information (only if purchasing a product; processed securely by third-party providers)
- Content of messages you send through contact forms
- Business details you voluntarily provide when requesting consulting or training
We do not collect sensitive personal data.
3. Information Collected Automatically
3.1 Website Analytics (Google Analytics / future tracking)
We may use privacy-focused analytics tools to collect:
- IP address (anonymised where possible)
- Device type
- Pages visited
- Referring URLs
- Session duration and interactions
No personally identifiable analytics data is processed without consent.
3.2 Cookies & Similar Technologies
We use essential cookies necessary for:
- website functionality
- performance and security
- comment preferences (WordPress cookies)
Marketing cookies are only used if you explicitly opt-in.
3.3 Cloudflare & Rocket.net
Our hosting (Rocket.net) and security/CDN provider (Cloudflare Enterprise) may automatically process:
- IP address
- Country
- Browser information
- Security logs (for malicious access prevention)
These services do not use your data for advertising.
4. Comments & Anti-Spam Protection
When you leave a comment, WordPress collects:
- Name (required)
- Email address (required)
- IP address (for security & moderation)
Antispam Bee automatically checks comment data locally only; no personal information is sent to external servers.
This is fully GDPR-compliant.
5. Email Newsletters & Marketing
If you subscribe to the newsletter, we collect:
- Name
- Email address
- Subscription preferences
This data is stored with our email provider (e.g., MailerLite, ConvertKit, or similar).
You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email, or by contacting us directly.
We will never sell or share your email address.
6. Affiliate Links & Sponsored Content
Smart AI Marcus participates in affiliate programmes, which means:
- if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission
- affiliate links use tracking codes or cookies provided by the affiliate platforms
- we do not see your payment information
- affiliate tracking is handled by the third-party merchant according to their privacy policy
We always disclose affiliate links clearly.
7. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal data to:
- Provide articles, training, and resources
- Respond to messages and comments
- Send newsletters (only with consent)
- Improve website performance and content
- Detect and prevent spam or abuse
- Process purchases (if applicable)
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not sell or rent your data to third parties.
8. Lawful Bases for Processing
Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:
- Consent — newsletters, marketing, cookies
- Legitimate interests — analytics, site security, spam prevention
- Contract — purchases, consulting agreements
- Legal obligation — financial record-keeping
9. Data Sharing
We share personal data only with trusted providers who assist in operating the Website:
- Hosting: Rocket.net (UK/EU/US data centres)
- CDN & Security: Cloudflare Enterprise
- Email Marketing: (MailerLite / ConvertKit – when implemented)
- Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal (if used for sales)
All partners comply with GDPR/UK GDPR and only process data on our behalf.
We do not share personal information with advertisers.
10. Data Retention
We keep data only as long as necessary:
- Email subscriptions: until you unsubscribe
- Comments: indefinitely (unless you request deletion)
- Contact form messages: up to 24 months
- Analytics data: 14–26 months (depending on provider settings)
You can request deletion at any time.
11. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
- Restrict or object to processing
- Withdraw consent
- Request a copy of your data
- Complain to the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)
Contact us at info@smartaimarcus.com to exercise any of these rights.
12. International Data Transfers
Some providers (e.g., Cloudflare, email services) may store data outside the UK.
Where this occurs, safeguards such as:
- GDPR adequacy decisions
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
are used to ensure your data is protected.
13. Security Measures
We use industry-standard measures to protect your data:
- HTTPS encryption
- Firewall and DDoS protection
- Cloudflare security
- Password-protected admin access
- Spam protection via Antispam Bee
- Limited access to data processors
No system is 100% secure, but we take all reasonable precautions.
14. Links to Other Websites
Our website contains links to external sites (including affiliate partners).
We are not responsible for their privacy practices.
Please review their policies before providing personal information.
15. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in:
- laws
- our website
- our data processing
Updates will always be posted on this page with the latest date shown at the top.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact: