Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Lots of Muzik (“Lots of Muzik”, “we”, “us” or “our”) collects when you visit lotsofmuzik.com (the “Site”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using the Site you agree to the practices described here.

1. Who we are

Lots of Muzik is an independent publication covering metal and rock music: news, album reviews, interviews, videos, concert reviews and a release calendar. For any privacy question you can reach us at [email protected].

2. Information we collect

Information you provide to us

• Contact form and email. When you write to us through the contact form or by email we receive your name, email address and the content of your message, plus anything else you choose to include. We use it to read and answer your message.
• Band, artist and label submissions. If you send us press materials, links, images or interview material, we keep them as needed to evaluate and, where appropriate, publish coverage.
• Comments. If comments are enabled on an article and you post one, we collect the name, email address and website you enter, along with your IP address and browser user agent to help detect spam.
• Newsletter. If and when we offer an email newsletter, we will collect your email address to send you updates, and every message will include a way to unsubscribe.

Information collected automatically

When you browse the Site, our servers and the tools we use record technical information such as your IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, language, the pages you view, the date and time of your visit, and the page that referred you. We use Google Analytics (installed through Google Site Kit) to understand, in aggregate, which content is read and how visitors reach us. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies; see our Cookie Policy for details and how to opt out.

Information stored in your browser

If you switch between the dark and light display modes, we save that choice in your browser’s local storage so the Site looks the way you left it. This setting stays on your device and is not sent to us.

3. How we use information

• To operate, maintain, secure and improve the Site.
• To answer your messages and requests.
• To understand audience and content performance so we can publish what readers want.
• To detect and prevent spam, abuse, fraud and security incidents.
• To comply with legal obligations and to protect our rights.

4. Legal bases (where applicable)

If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or a similar jurisdiction, we process personal data on the basis of our legitimate interests (running and securing a publication and understanding its audience), your consent (for example for analytics cookies where consent is required), the performance of a request you make to us, and compliance with legal obligations.

5. Who we share information with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the following categories of recipients, and only as needed:

• Service providers that help us run the Site, such as our hosting provider, Cloudflare (security and content delivery), our email delivery service for messages sent from the contact form, and Google (Analytics, Tag Manager and Google Fonts).
• Embedded and linked services, such as YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook and music platforms, when an article embeds or links to their content. These services may collect data directly from you under their own policies.
• Payment providers. If you support us through a donation or “Buy Us a Coffee” link, the payment is processed by the payment provider on its own site. We do not receive or store your card or bank details.
• Authorities and advisers when required by law, to enforce our terms, or to protect the rights, property and safety of Lots of Muzik, our readers or others.

6. International transfers

Our providers may process information in countries other than your own, including the United States. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards offered by those providers, such as standard contractual clauses.

7. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes in this policy. Messages are kept while we handle your request and for a reasonable period afterwards. Analytics data is retained according to the retention settings configured in Google Analytics. Server logs are kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting.

8. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls and security tooling. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you, correction of inaccurate data, deletion, restriction or objection to certain processing, portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. California residents may also have the rights to know, delete and correct personal information and to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise any right, email [email protected]; we may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, and you can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track signal, we will honor it where we are legally required to do so.

10. Children’s privacy

The Site is a general-audience music publication and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Links to other websites

Articles link to artists, labels, stores and streaming services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites, and we encourage you to read their policies.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the new version on this page and update the date at the top. If changes are significant, we will make that clear on the Site.

13. Contact us

Questions or requests about this Privacy Policy: [email protected]. See also our Terms of Use, Cookie Policy and Accessibility statement.