Smart Home Assistant
Newsletter

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 19 June 2026

Data controller

The data controller for this website is Sepehr, trading as Smart Home Assistant. Contact: me@sepehr.co.uk.

This policy is written in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What data we collect

Analytics data

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how readers find and use this site. GA4 collects information such as pages visited, time on page, browser type, operating system, and approximate geographic location (at country or city level). IP addresses are anonymised before they are stored — we do not store full IP addresses, and we do not collect or store any personally identifiable information through analytics.

We do not use GA4 data to build individual user profiles or to identify specific visitors. The data is used in aggregate to understand which content is useful and how the site can be improved.

Affiliate tracking cookies

When you click an affiliate link to Amazon, a retailer in the Awin network, or a retailer in the CJ Affiliate network, those third parties may set tracking cookies on your device. These cookies allow the affiliate network to attribute a subsequent purchase to the link you clicked, so that we can receive a commission. These cookies are set and controlled by the third parties, not by us. We do not have access to the data they collect.

No newsletter or account system

This site does not currently have a newsletter, user accounts, or any form submission that collects personal data from readers. If this changes, this policy will be updated and consent will be sought where required.

Legal basis for processing

We process analytics data on the basis of legitimate interests(Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR): understanding how readers use the site so we can improve it is a legitimate interest that we believe is not overridden by readers' privacy interests, given that the data is anonymised and used only in aggregate.

Affiliate tracking cookies are placed by third parties when you choose to click an affiliate link. By clicking the link, you interact with those third-party services, whose own privacy policies and legal bases apply.

Cookies

This site uses the following categories of cookies:

  • Analytics cookies (Google Analytics 4). Set by Google to track page views and user behaviour in anonymised aggregate form. These are first-party cookies (set on this domain) but processed by Google.
  • Affiliate tracking cookies.Set by Amazon, Awin, CJ Affiliate, and their retailer partners when you click an affiliate link. These are third-party cookies set on the retailer's domain or the affiliate network's domain.

To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, or use your browser's built-in cookie controls to block or delete cookies from google-analytics.com. To prevent affiliate tracking cookies, you can block third-party cookies in your browser settings.

Data retention

GA4 analytics data is retained for 14 months, which is the default retention period set by Google. Data older than 14 months is automatically deleted by Google.

Affiliate tracking cookies are retained according to each network's own policy. Amazon Associates cookies typically expire after 24 hours; Awin and CJ cookies vary by advertiser but are typically 30 days.

Third-party data processors

We share data with the following third-party processors:

  • Google LLC— provides Google Analytics 4. Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
  • Amazon EU S.à r.l.— Amazon Associates affiliate programme. Amazon's privacy notice is available at amazon.co.uk.
  • Awin Limited— affiliate network. Awin's privacy policy is available at awin.com.
  • CJ Affiliate (Conversant LLC)— affiliate network. CJ's privacy policy is available at cj.com.

Your rights under UK GDPR

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to personal data we hold about you:

  • Right of access — to request a copy of the data we hold about you.
  • Right to rectification — to request correction of inaccurate data.
  • Right to erasure — to request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
  • Right to restriction — to request that we restrict processing of your data.
  • Right to data portability — to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Right to object — to object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise any of these rights, contact me@sepehr.co.uk. We will respond within one calendar month.

Note that because analytics data is anonymised and not linked to identifiable individuals, it may not be possible to locate or retrieve data associated with a specific person from our analytics records.

Right to complain

If you believe we have handled your personal data unlawfully, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk. We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concern directly first — please contact us at me@sepehr.co.uk.

Automated decision-making

We do not carry out any automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated from time to time. The date at the top of this page reflects when it was last revised. Significant changes will be noted on the site.