1. About This Website
Pumpkin & Friends Only Facts is an independent investigative website operated by private individuals with longstanding experience in animal welfare.
Our purpose is to examine matters of public interest relating to animal welfare, charitable organisations, fundraising, governance, public statements and the experiences of individuals who have raised concerns.
We respect the importance of privacy and are committed to handling personal information responsibly, securely and in accordance with applicable UK data protection law.
For all privacy-related enquiries, please contact:
pumpkinandfriendsonlyfacts@mail.co.uk
2. Information We Collect
We may collect and process personal information in the course of operating this website and conducting our investigations.
This may include:
- Names, email addresses and contact details provided by individuals who contact us.
- Correspondence, statements, photographs, screenshots, documents and other evidence submitted to us.
- Information obtained from publicly accessible sources, including social media, charity records, official publications and websites.
- Information supplied by individuals who wish to share their experiences or raise concerns.
- Information relevant to requests for corrections, complaints or responses to published material.
- Technical information collected through WordPress.com and any website services in use.
Some information may be sensitive or relate to private aspects of an individual’s life. We recognise the importance of treating such material with particular care.
3. How We Use Personal Information
We may use personal information to:
- Investigate matters we believe to be of legitimate public interest.
- Assess, verify and contextualise information provided to us.
- Prepare and publish investigative articles, reports and commentary.
- Communicate with individuals who contact us.
- Give individuals and organisations opportunities to respond to relevant allegations.
- Consider corrections, complaints and requests for clarification.
- Maintain appropriate records of evidence supporting our publications.
- Protect the security and integrity of the website.
- Comply with applicable legal obligations.
We aim to use personal information only where there is an appropriate lawful basis for doing so.
4. Investigative Journalism and the Public Interest
Our website undertakes investigative and editorial activities concerning matters we believe warrant public scrutiny.
UK data protection legislation recognises that certain processing of personal information for journalistic purposes may qualify for specific exemptions where the relevant legal conditions are satisfied.
Such exemptions are not automatic. Where we consider an exemption relevant, we will assess its application in light of the particular circumstances, the public interest in publication, freedom of expression and the rights of the individuals concerned.
We recognise that the publication of information about identifiable individuals requires careful consideration, particularly where allegations are disputed or sensitive personal information is involved.
5. Information Provided in Confidence
We understand that individuals contacting us may be concerned about their privacy, safety or the possible consequences of sharing information.
We will treat requests for confidentiality seriously and consider how identifying information can be protected.
We will not deliberately identify a confidential source in published material without considering the circumstances and any assurances given.
However, we cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality or anonymity in every situation, including where disclosure may be required by law.
If you wish to provide information confidentially, please make this clear when contacting us.
6. Publication of Personal Information
Our investigations may refer to identifiable individuals, organisations and their activities.
Before publishing personal information, we aim to consider its relevance, accuracy, context and the public interest in disclosure.
Where appropriate, we may remove or obscure personal addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and other details that are unnecessary to the matters being reported.
We recognise that information concerning health, personal trauma, family circumstances and other sensitive subjects requires particular care.
7. Lawful Basis for Processing
The lawful basis on which we process personal information depends on the circumstances and purpose involved.
Where appropriate, this may include legitimate interests, compliance with legal obligations or consent.
Where information falls within a category requiring additional legal protection, we will consider the further requirements that apply.
We do not assume that information can be processed or published simply because it has previously appeared online.
8. Sharing Personal Information
We do not sell personal information submitted to us.
Information may be processed through services used to operate the website, manage correspondence and securely store relevant documents.
We may share information where necessary and lawful, including with professional advisers or where disclosure is required by applicable law.
Where personal information forms part of an investigation, publication will be considered separately, taking account of accuracy, relevance, privacy and the public interest.
9. Website Hosting and Cookies
This website is hosted by WordPress.com.
WordPress.com may process technical information relating to website visitors, including information about devices, browsers, website activity and cookies.
Cookies are small files or similar technologies used for purposes such as website functionality, security and measuring visitor activity.
The cookies and tracking technologies used may depend on the WordPress.com services and other features enabled on this website.
Further information about WordPress.com’s handling of visitor information is available at:
Information about cookies is available at:
Where consent is legally required for non-essential cookies or similar technologies, appropriate consent arrangements must be in place.
10. External Links
Our website may contain links to external websites, social media platforms and third-party publications.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites. Visitors should review the relevant privacy notices when following external links.
11. How Long We Keep Information
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it is held, taking account of investigative, editorial, evidential and legal considerations.
The appropriate retention period may vary according to the nature of the information and the circumstances in which it was obtained.
Where information is no longer required, we will consider its secure deletion or anonymisation, subject to any continuing lawful reason for retaining it.
12. Protecting Personal Information
We aim to take reasonable steps to protect information against unauthorised access, accidental loss, inappropriate disclosure or misuse.
Access to unpublished investigative material is intended to be limited to those who require it for legitimate editorial purposes.
Nevertheless, no method of electronic communication or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
13. Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, individuals may have rights relating to their personal information, including the right to request access, correction, erasure or restriction of processing, and to object to certain processing.
These rights are not absolute. Applicable legal exemptions may affect how particular requests are handled, including in appropriate circumstances where information is processed for journalistic purposes.
If you wish to raise a concern or make a request concerning your personal information, please contact:
pumpkinandfriendsonlyfacts@mail.co.uk
We will consider requests in accordance with applicable law.
14. Complaints
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact us in the first instance so that we can consider the matter.
You also have the right to raise a complaint with the UK’s data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Website: https://ico.org.uk/
15. Changes to This Privacy Notice
We may update this Privacy Notice to reflect changes in our investigative activities, website functionality, data handling practices or legal requirements.
The date at the top of this page will indicate when the notice was last updated.
16. Contact Us
For privacy enquiries, concerns about personal information or requests relating to this notice, please contact:
Pumpkin & Friends Only Facts