At The Book Taster, bringing people together through a shared love of reading is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're discovering a new book club, connecting with fellow readers or hosting your own group, we understand that trust is an essential part of building a welcoming community.

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We also recognise that when you share your personal information with us, you are placing your confidence in how we look after it. We are committed to handling your data with care, respect and transparency, using it only for the purposes explained in this policy and taking appropriate steps to keep it secure.

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This Privacy & Cookie Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it is used, when it may be shared (including with book club hosts and, where appropriate, via WhatsApp), and the choices and rights you have regarding your personal information.

 

Our aim is to be open and straightforward about how your data is handled, so you can enjoy being part of The Book Taster community with confidence.

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About Us

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The Book Taster operates thebooktaster.com.

 

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a transparent and secure manner.

 

If you have any questions about this Privacy & Cookie Policy, please contact us:

 

Email: info@thebooktaster.com

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Information We Collect

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We may collect the following personal information when you use our website:

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• Name

• Email address

• Telephone or mobile number

• Town or location (if provided)

• Information you provide when joining or creating a book club

• Messages you send us

• Technical information such as IP address, browser type and device information

• Website usage information collected through cookies and analytics

 

We only collect information that is necessary to provide our services and improve your experience.

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How We Use Your Information

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We use your personal information to:

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• Create and manage your account (where applicable)

• Match readers with suitable book clubs

• Help book club hosts organise their groups

• Respond to enquiries

• Send important service updates

• Improve our website and services

• Monitor website performance and security

• Meet our legal obligations

Where you have given permission, we may also send newsletters or promotional emails. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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Sharing Information with Book Club Hosts

One of the core purposes of The Book Taster is connecting readers with book clubs.

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If you request to join a book club (by signing up to a club via the website) or ask to be connected with a host, we may share relevant information with that book club host, including:

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• Your name

• Your email address

• Your telephone or mobile number

• Any dietary information that is shared

• Any information you choose to provide relating to your interest in the club

 

This information is shared via whats app solely to allow the book club host to contact you about membership, meetings or related activities.

 

We ask all book club hosts to handle your personal information responsibly and only for book club purposes only.

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Sharing Information via WhatsApp

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Many book club hosts organise their clubs using WhatsApp.

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Where you choose to join a book club, your name and email adress will be shared via whats app with the relevant book club host so that they can:

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• Contact you directly;

• Invite you to a WhatsApp group;

• Communicate with members about book club meetings and activities.

 

Please be aware that once you join a WhatsApp group for your book club community:

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• Other group members may be able to see your name, profile picture and phone number, depending on your WhatsApp privacy settings.

• WhatsApp is provided by Meta and operates under its own Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

• We are not responsible for how WhatsApp processes your information.

• Please see our strict code of conduct for members use of whats app. 

 

Joining a WhatsApp group is entirely voluntary. If you would prefer not to join via WhatsApp, please let the book club host know, and alternative communication methods may be available.

 

Legal Basis for Processing

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Where required by applicable data protection laws, we process your personal information because:

• it is necessary to provide the services you request;

• you have given your consent;

• we have a legitimate interest in operating and improving our website and connecting readers with book clubs; or

• we are required to comply with legal obligations.

 

Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies help us:

• Remember your preferences

• Keep the website secure

• Understand how visitors use our website

• Improve website performance

 

Some cookies are essential for the website to function.

Others are optional and are only used where you have given your consent.

 

Analytics Cookies

We may use analytics services such as Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website.

These cookies may collect information including:

• Pages visited

• Time spent on the website

• Device type

• Browser

• Approximate location

• Referring website

 

This information helps us improve our services and does not normally identify you directly.

 

Managing Cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings.

Where required by law, you will also be able to accept or reject non-essential cookies through our cookie banner.

Disabling some cookies may affect how the website functions.

 

Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.However, no website or internet transmission can ever be guaranteed to be completely secure.

 

Data Retention

We keep your personal information only for as long as necessary to:

• provide our services;

• comply with legal obligations;

• resolve disputes; or

• enforce our agreements.

 

When information is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

 

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal information

• Correct inaccurate information

• Request deletion of your information

• Restrict or object to certain processing

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

• Request a copy of your information in a portable format

• Lodge a complaint with your data protection authority.

 

For UK users, you may contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data protection rights have been infringed.

 

Third-Party Services

 

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or use third-party services.

These may include:

• WhatsApp (Meta)

• Google Analytics

• Email service providers

• Payment providers (if applicable)

• Social media platforms

 

These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.

 

Children's Privacy

The Book Taster is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the applicable minimum age in your country), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

 

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be published on this page with the updated effective date.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy & Cookie Policy or how your information is used, please contact:

Email: info@thebooktaster.com

Website: thebooktaster.com

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