Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 16th June 2026

SUCKER ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you submit work to our magazine via JotForm or when you sign up for our email mailing list.

We act as the Data Controller for the personal information you provide. If you have any questions regarding this policy or your data rights, you can contact us at dan@suckermagazine.com

1. The Personal Data We Collect

We only collect the minimum amount of personal data necessary to review your work or send you updates. This includes:

  • Submission Data: Name, email address, social media handles/website portfolios, and any personal information contained within your uploaded manuscript or article.

  • Mailing List Data: Name and email address.

  • Technical Data: IP address and submission timestamps automatically recorded by our form and email systems.

2. How We Use Your Data & Our Lawful Basis

Under the UK GDPR, we must have a "lawful basis" to process your data. We use your data in the following ways:

  • To Review and Process Submissions: We process your manuscript and contact details to evaluate your piece for publication under our Submission Terms & Conditions. Lawful Basis: Performance of a Contract.

  • To Run Our Mailing List: We use your email address to send you magazine updates, issue launches, and open call announcements. Lawful Basis: Consent (you must explicitly opt-in; we never automatically add submitters to our marketing list unless they check the newsletter box).

  • To Improve Security: We monitor technical logs to prevent spam and protect our platform. Lawful Basis: Legitimate Interests.

3. Third-Party Data Processors (Where Your Data is Stored)

We do not sell your data. To run our magazine, we securely share your information with trusted third-party services who act as data processors:

  • JotForm: We use JotForm to host our submission portal. Data sent through the form is encrypted during transmission and storage. JotForm maintains robust security measures compliant with UK data protection standards.

  • MailChimp: We use this provider to securely store our mailing list and distribute our newsletters.

4. Data Retention (How Long We Keep Your Information)

We believe in data minimization. Your information is kept only for as long as functionally necessary:

  • Submissions (The 90-Day Purge): In accordance with our security protocols, all personal data, contact forms, and uploaded files sent via our submission JotForm are automatically and permanently deleted from active JotForm servers exactly ninety (90) days after submission. If your piece is accepted, a working copy of the text will be moved to our secure internal editorial workflow, but your data on the submission server will still be wiped.

  • Mailing List: We keep your email address on our mailing list for as long as you choose to stay subscribed. Every newsletter we send contains an instant, one-click "Unsubscribe" link. Once you unsubscribe, your data is permanently removed from our active marketing lists.

5. International Data Transfers

Because our technical partners (such as JotForm) utilize global cloud infrastructure, your data may occasionally be processed or stored outside of the UK (for example, in the United States). Where this occurs, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place—such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or approved international data transfer agreements—to ensure your data receives the same high level of protection it would within the UK.

6. Your UK GDPR Legal Rights

As a UK resident, you have powerful rights over your personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. You can exercise these at any time by emailing us:

  • Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

  • Right to Rectification: You can ask us to correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.

  • Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You can ask us to delete your submission data before the automatic 90-day window closes, or completely wipe your record from our mailing list.

  • Right to Withdraw Consent: For our mailing list, you can withdraw your consent instantly at any time by clicking "Unsubscribe."

If you believe we have mishandled your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection watchdog (www.ico.org.uk). We would, however, appreciate the chance to deal with your concerns before you approach the ICO, so please contact us first.