1. Privacy Policy & GDPR
Who we are
This website is operated by Watchdog Journal ("we," "us"). For all matters relating to this policy, contact desk@watchdogjournal.com.
What we collect
We collect as little as the web allows. This is a static website: it has no user accounts, no comment system, no advertising, and no third-party analytics or tracking scripts. The personal data we may process is limited to:
- Server logs. Our hosting provider automatically records standard technical data (IP address, browser type, pages requested, timestamps) for security and operation of the site. These logs are retained only as long as operationally necessary.
- Correspondence. If you email us or otherwise contact us, we process the information you choose to send — including for the purposes of journalism.
- Fonts and embeds. Pages on this site are self-contained and do not load third-party scripts. Where any external resource is ever embedded, it will be noted on the relevant page.
Legal bases
Where the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation applies, we process personal data on the basis of: our legitimate interests in operating and securing this website (Art. 6(1)(f)); your consent, where you contact us voluntarily (Art. 6(1)(a)); and, for our reporting, the processing of personal data for journalistic purposes, which is subject to the journalism exemptions and derogations provided in Art. 85 GDPR and their national implementations.
Journalism and your data
Investigative journalism necessarily involves processing information about identifiable people and organizations. We do this in the public interest, under the editorial safeguards described in our methodology — including evidence classification and a public corrections policy. Data-subject rights are respected to the fullest extent compatible with the journalistic exemption; they do not operate as a mechanism to suppress lawful reporting.
Your rights
The journalistic exemption described above applies fully to published reporting: rights such as erasure or rectification do not extend to material already published in the public interest, and we do not take down or alter published investigations in response to such requests. Outside of published reporting — for example, data held only in our own internal records — you may have rights to request access, rectification, or erasure under applicable law. Requests: desk@watchdogjournal.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority.
Data sharing and transfers
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data. We share it only with service providers necessary to operate the site (hosting), where required by law, or as part of published journalism produced under our editorial standards.
Source protection
Information identifying journalistic sources receives the strongest protection we can give it. We never publish a source's identity without consent, and we resist compelled disclosure to the fullest extent the law allows. See our tips page for secure contact guidance.
2. Cookies
This website does not set cookies, does not use tracking pixels, and does not deploy analytics, advertising, or fingerprinting technologies. Because no non-essential cookies are used, no cookie consent banner is required. If this ever changes, this policy will be updated first and consent will be requested where required.
3. Editorial Disclaimers
- Nature of our reporting. Watchdog Journal publishes investigative journalism in the public interest. Statements in our investigations are made on the basis of the documentary record available at the time of publication and are classified under our evidence standard (Documented, Reviewed, Self-Reported, Disputed).
- Allegations are not findings of law. Descriptions of conduct in our reporting are journalistic conclusions from documents and testimony, not judicial determinations. Persons and organizations are entitled to the presumption of innocence in any legal proceeding.
- Opinion and analysis. Where our reporting contains interpretation, inference, or comment, it represents the honest opinion of the newsroom based on the facts referenced.
- No professional advice. Nothing on this website constitutes legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice. Do not act on information here without obtaining appropriate professional counsel.
- Time-sensitivity. Facts change after publication. Articles reflect the record as at their stated publication or update date.
- External links. Links to third-party sites are provided for reference. We are not responsible for their content, availability, or privacy practices, and a link is not an endorsement.
4. Terms of Use
- Acceptance. By using this website you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use the site.
- Permitted use. Content is provided for personal, non-commercial reading and for quotation consistent with the copyright notice below. You may not scrape this site at scale, misrepresent our reporting, or republish our work as your own.
- No warranty. The site and its content are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
- Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Watchdog Journal shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from use of, or inability to use, this website or reliance on its content.
- Changes. We may update these terms and policies at any time. Continued use of this site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
- Severability. If any provision of these terms is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
5. Copyright & Reuse
All original content on this website is © Watchdog Journal, all rights reserved, unless otherwise stated. You may quote brief excerpts of our reporting with clear attribution and a link to the original article. Full republication requires written permission: desk@watchdogjournal.com.
Documents reproduced within investigations are published as evidence in the public interest. If you believe material on this site infringes your copyright, send a notice identifying the material and the basis of your claim to desk@watchdogjournal.com; we will review it under applicable law. Note that a copyright complaint is not a mechanism for removing lawful reporting about its sender.
6. Corrections & Complaints
Our corrections procedures are part of our editorial standards and are described in full in our methodology. In short: material errors are corrected promptly and visibly, and complaints supported by evidence are acted on. Complaints and correction requests: desk@watchdogjournal.com.
Our position on legal and other threats is stated on our about page: correspondence is read, and coverage is decided by evidence.