This page explains what The Midlothian Minute collects when you visit midlothianminute.com or sign up to the newsletter, and what choices you have. If you have a question about it, email midlothianminute@gmail.com.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to count visits and see which stories people read, which helps us decide what to explain next. It only runs if you click “Accept” on the cookie banner. If you click “No thanks”, nothing from Google Analytics loads.
When you accept, Google Analytics sets cookies whose names start with _ga. They let it recognise a returning browser and normally last up to two years. Google Analytics records things like the pages you view, roughly where you are (country and city), the type of device and browser, and how you arrived (for example from Instagram or a search). It doesn’t give us your name or email address. We have turned off advertising features, so this information is not used to show you ads.
Your choice is saved in a small cookie called mm_consent for 180 days so the banner doesn’t keep coming back. You can change your mind at any time with the “Cookie settings” link at the foot of every page. Choosing “No thanks” there also removes the Google Analytics cookies from your browser.
The newsletter
The newsletter is sent with beehiiv. When you sign up, beehiiv stores your email address so it can send you the newsletter, and it records whether emails are opened and which links are clicked. The sign-up form on this site is provided by beehiiv and loads from beehiiv’s servers, which may use their own cookies and tools inside the form (see beehiiv’s privacy policy). You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the foot of every email, and you can email us to ask for your address to be deleted.
Hosting
The website is hosted by Hostinger. Like most web hosts, its servers keep short-term technical logs (such as IP addresses and the pages requested) to keep the site running and secure.
Links to other sites
Our stories link to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and the sources we used. Those sites have their own privacy policies, which apply once you follow a link.
Your rights
You can ask us what information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, or object to us using it. Email midlothianminute@gmail.com. If you’re unhappy with how we’ve handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.
Last updated October 2026.