Cookie and Privacy Policy

This cookie and privacy policy sets out how the xyzzy! search engine uses and protects any information that you give when you use this web site.

xyzzy! is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

xyzzy! may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page once in a while to ensure that you are happy with any changes that we make to this policy. This policy is effective from 01 November 2016.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

• Publicly available name and contact information including email address of organisations, services, activities and venues featured in the online search database.
• Name and contact information including email address (if voluntarily provided) of users who contact us.
• Demographic information such as postcode and preferences (if voluntarily provided) of users who contact us.
• Other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers.
• If you are only using the online search engine to find web pages and other resources, then the only item of information noted in the web server log will be the date and time you accessed the directory, your numerical IP address, and a totally-anonymous record of words and phrases that have been submitted in search queries.
• If you are using The Shadowlands text adventure, the only information noted in the web server log will be the date and time you accessed the directory, and your numerical IP address. At registration, a user name will be provided and held, together with a secure and salted one-way hash of your chosen password, and your encypted email address. The email address will be used only to send an account activation code after registration code, a reset password code should you request that your password be reset and to contact you if you request this. We also store upto 255 characters of biography, which any other logged-in player can see, if you choose to provide this. Requests made or commands sent to the text adventure server when playing the game are also logged for testing and debugging purposes, and these logs are discarded after seven days. Progress in the game is held as long as you are registered, so that you can continue to play the game. The content of chat and messages is neither logged nor stored. None of this information will be used for financial gain or shared with third parties.

What we do with the information we gather

The intention of the xyzzy! saecrh engine is to help you to find useful and interesting material on the internet, and it is not intended that data collected should be used for marketing purposes.

In the case of web searches, we require this information in order to be able to provide results for your searches.

In the case of the feedback received from you, we require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service. In particular for the following reasons:

• Internal record keeping.
• We may use the information to improve our services.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file made up of numbers and letters, which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use server traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This is so that we can detect any technical problems or unauthorised attempts to “hack into” our computer systems. This information is not used for commercial purposes.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. Cookies are in no way harmful to your computer.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other web sites

Our search results contain links to other web sites and resources of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information, which you provide whilst visiting such links. This privacy statement does not govern other Websites. You should always exercise caution when visiting sites you are unfamiliar with. Look at the privacy statement applicable to the web site in question and make sure you are happy with it before you proceed any further.

Information in the search engine database

The search engine database will only be effective if it is accurate and up-to-date. So if you want any information adding, editing or removing, please contact us at eric.twose AT btinternet.com (replacing 'AT' with '@').

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

Specify in any communications that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes.

If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee may be payable for this service. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please contact us by email and we'll provide our street address.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be wrong.

Email contact agreement

In the case of the Shadowlands text adventure, it is wholly necessary for technical and security reasons for you to agree to allow us to contact you by email, so that we can send you an activation code after registration, and necessary for you to request a password reset or to change your email address, or to email you in response to a request for technical assistance. If you do not agree, then sadly you will be unable to use the Shadowlands text adventure. We will not contact you for any other reason unless it is necessary for your continued use of the game or if you request a reply from us.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Please also see out General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance statement. Thanks for your help and understanding!