Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 2026
1. Introduction
Looking Back is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal data when you use the Looking Back website.
We comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable privacy legislation.
2. Who We Are
Looking Back is an online community archive that enables people to preserve historical photographs, share memories and help identify people, places and events from the past.
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is used, please contact us using the Contact page on this website
3. Information We Collect
Depending on how you use the website, we may collect the following information.
Information You Provide
When you contribute content, you may provide:
- your name;
- email address;
- photographs you upload;
- comments and historical information you submit;
- correspondence sent to us.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the website we may automatically collect:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- operating system;
- device information;
- pages visited;
- referring website;
date and time of your visit;
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- provide updated information for photographs.
- manage uploaded photographs;
- respond to enquiries;
- improve the website;
- detect fraud and abuse;
- maintain website security;
- comply with legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR we process personal information using one or more of the following lawful bases:
- your consent;
- our legitimate interests in operating and improving Looking Back;
- compliance with legal obligations.
6. Historical Photographs
Looking Back exists to preserve historical records.
Uploaded photographs may contain images of individuals, buildings and events from the past.
Where possible, contributors should:
- only upload photographs they have permission to share;
- avoid publishing sensitive information relating to living individuals without consent;
- ensure accompanying descriptions are accurate to the best of their knowledge.
If you believe a photograph or associated information should be removed, please contact us and we will investigate promptly.
7. User Contributions
Information that you voluntarily submit, including:
- comments;
- memories;
- identifications;
- captions;
- uploaded photographs;
may become publicly visible.
Please consider carefully what information you choose to publish.
8. Cookies
We use cookies to:
- improve website performance;
- understand how visitors use the website.
Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before placing non-essential cookies.
You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
9. Sharing Information
We may share information with trusted service providers who assist us with:
- website hosting;
- cloud storage;
- email services;
- website analytics;
- technical support.
These providers only process information on our behalf and under appropriate contractual safeguards.
We may also disclose information where required by law or to protect our legal rights.
10. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including:
- encrypted connections (HTTPS);
- secure name and email address storage;
- access controls;
- regular software updates;
- monitoring against unauthorised access.
Although we strive to protect your information, no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
11. How Long We Keep Information
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:
- operate the website;
- preserve historical records;
- comply with legal obligations;
- resolve disputes;
- enforce our Terms of Use.
If you close your account, we may retain publicly contributed historical content where it forms part of the archive, although identifying account information may be removed or anonymised where appropriate.
12. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
- access your personal information;
- request correction of inaccurate information;
- request deletion of your personal information where applicable;
- object to certain processing;
- request transfer of your information (data portability);
- withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
Requests can be made using the Contact page.
13. Children’s Privacy
Looking Back is not intended for children under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent.
If we become aware that such information has been collected in error, we will remove it as soon as reasonably practicable.
14. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The latest version will always be published on this page together with the effective date.
16. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us using the Contact us page on the website
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Website: https://ico.org.uk/
Telephone: 0303 123 1113