This policy explains what information The Library of Lost Ideas ("the library", "we", "us") collects, why, and the choices you have. It is written for a UK website and follows the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Who runs the library
The library is run by Harry Perkins, trading as Mrgreenglimmer, based in Surrey, United Kingdom. We are the "controller" of the personal information described here. You can reach us at harrysperkins@icloud.com or through the Contact page.
What we collect
- Ideas you submit. The title, description, category, the reasons it stopped and any options you choose. Ideas are published publicly. You can submit without an account or a name.
- Notes you leave on ideas. The text of the note, which is published publicly.
- Your email address and account, if you sign in. Signing in is optional and uses a one-time email link, with no password. We store your email address, when your account was created and when you last signed in, and which ideas you submitted while signed in.
- Connection requests. If you use "Connect with creator", we store your email address, any short note you write, and whether the request was accepted. Your email address is only shared with the creator if they accept, and theirs with you.
- Likes and reports. To count each person once and prevent abuse, we store a scrambled code made from your internet connection and browser. We do not store your internet address itself alongside it. Reports also include the reason you give.
- Technical information. Our hosting provider processes standard request information (such as internet address, browser type and pages requested) to deliver the site, keep it secure and produce basic visit counts. We do not add any separate analytics or tracking tool.
Why we use it, and our lawful basis
- To publish and display ideas and notes, run accounts, send sign-in links and handle connection requests. This is necessary to provide the service you ask for (contract).
- To prevent spam, hateful content, abuse and repeated requests, and to keep the site secure. This is in our legitimate interests in running a safe public library.
- To understand, in general, how the site is used so we can improve it. This is in our legitimate interests, using information that does not identify you wherever possible.
- To comply with the law, where we are required to.
Cookies and browser storage
We do not use advertising or tracking cookies, so we do not show a cookie banner. We use your browser's own storage for things that only make the site work for you:
- your Saved list, which stays on your device and is never sent to us;
- an unfinished idea draft, so you don't lose your writing;
- whether you've already seen the introduction;
- your sign-in session, if you choose to sign in.
These are strictly necessary for features you use. You can clear them at any time in your browser settings. If we ever add non-essential cookies or analytics that need your consent, we will ask first.
Who we share it with
We do not sell your personal information. We use trusted service providers who process information on our behalf to run the site:
- Lovable — website hosting, database, account sign-in and file storage (Lovable Cloud).
- Email delivery — sign-in and connection emails are sent through Lovable's email service from notify.thelibraryoflostideas.com.
Some providers may store or process information outside the UK. Where they do, we rely on the safeguards UK law requires, such as adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.
We may also share information if required by law, or to protect people from harm.
Future commercial use
We may in future develop paid services or partnerships around the library. If we do, we may use anonymised or aggregated information — for example, overall trends in the kinds of ideas people share or why ideas stop — that does not identify anyone. We will not sell or hand over information that identifies you without a lawful basis and any permission the law requires, and we will update this policy before any new use begins.
How long we keep it
- Published ideas and notes: for as long as the library runs, unless you ask us to remove them or they are removed for breaking our Terms.
- Accounts: until you ask us to delete your account.
- Connection requests: expire after 14 days if not answered; records are kept for 12 months to prevent repeat requests and abuse.
- Reports and anti-abuse records: for 12 months.
How we protect it
Information is stored with our hosting provider. Access to private records, such as email addresses, connection requests and reports, is restricted to the site's own server and the owner's account, and email addresses are never shown publicly. No system is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps and will act promptly if something goes wrong.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you can ask to access the personal information we hold about you, correct it, delete it, restrict or object to how we use it, or receive a copy of it. To make a request, email harrysperkins@icloud.com from the address linked to your account, or tell us which idea or note is yours. We will reply within one month.
If you submitted an idea anonymously, we may not be able to confirm it is yours, but we will help where we reasonably can.
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to help first.
Children
The library is not intended for children under 13. If you are under 13, please don't sign in or submit personal information.
Changes
We will update this page if anything changes, and change the date at the top. Significant changes will be made clear on the site.