Privacy Policy
Last updated: 2026-10-05
Watch String (watchstring.com) is a static reading-reference site. There are no accounts, no comments, no newsletters and no purchase flows. This policy explains the small amount of data that is still processed when you visit, and the rights you have under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and equivalent laws.
1. Data we collect
1.1 Things you send us
Only if you email [email protected]: your email address and the contents of your message. Used solely to reply and, for corrections, to update the relevant guide. Emails are kept as long as needed for that purpose and then deleted on request.
1.2 Things stored on your own device
The site stores preferences locally in your browser (localStorage, not cookies sent to any server):
- Theme choice (
watchorder-theme) — light or dark. - Watch progress — which checklist items you ticked on guide pages.
- Consent choice (
watchstring-consent) — your cookie-banner decision.
These never leave your device, are strictly necessary for the features you asked for, and can be cleared at any time via your browser settings. See the cookie policy for full detail.
1.3 Things processed automatically
Like almost every site, the hosting and delivery chain necessarily sees basic technical data: IP address, user agent, requested URL, referrer and timestamp. This is used for security, abuse prevention and aggregated reliability monitoring, and is handled by:
- Cloudflare (hosting / CDN) — server logs and bot protection.
- Google Fonts — the heading typeface is loaded from Google's servers, so Google receives your IP and the font request when a page loads.
- TMDB / RAWG image servers — guide posters load directly from
image.tmdb.orgormedia.rawg.io, so those servers see your IP and the image request.
There is currently no first-party analytics, no advertising, no cross-site tracking and no social-media embeds on Watch String. If that ever changes, this policy and the consent banner will be updated first.
2. Legal bases (GDPR Art. 6)
- Legitimate interests — secure, reliable delivery of the pages you requested (hosting logs, strictly-necessary local storage).
- Consent — any optional cookies, analytics or advertising in the future. Refusing has no effect on reading the site.
- Legal obligation — responding to valid copyright or law-enforcement requests.
3. Sharing
Personal data is not sold and not shared for marketing. It is disclosed only to the infrastructure providers above as needed to deliver the site, or when required by law.
4. International transfers
Hosting and font/image delivery may involve transfers outside the EU/EEA (notably the US). Where that happens, providers rely on mechanisms such as the EU-US Data Privacy Framework or Standard Contractual Clauses. Server location and routing are controlled by those providers, not by this site.
5. Retention
Server logs are kept by the hosting provider under its own retention schedule (typically days to weeks). Emails you send are kept only as long as needed to handle your request. On-device preferences persist until you clear them.
6. Your rights
Under the GDPR (and similar regimes such as the UK GDPR) you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict or port your personal data, to object to processing based on legitimate interests, and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these, email [email protected]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
7. Children
Watch String is a general-audience reference and does not knowingly collect data from children. Parents or guardians may contact the address above about any concern.
8. Changes
If tracking or data practices change (for example, adding analytics or advertising), this policy, the cookie policy and the consent banner will be updated before the change takes effect. The last-updated date at the top always reflects the current version.
9. Contact
Data controller: the operator of watchstring.com, reachable at [email protected].