Asymmetrist

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 22 October 2024

Updated: 21 January 2026

You agree to the Privacy Policy below, and to the Privacy Policy of Substack, the technology provider.

About Us

At Axia Editions Limited (“we,” “us,” or “our”), the owner and operator of Asymmetrist, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data when you interact with our website, newsletter, and related features, which are hosted and delivered via Substack.

Asymmetrist is a brand operated by Axia Editions Limited, a UK-registered company (Company No. 15889065), located at:

4 Endsleigh Street

London

WC1H 0DS

United Kingdom

Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) on the following lawful bases:

Consent

We rely on consent for:

• sending newsletters and editorial updates

• occasional sponsored or partner messages

• the use of analytics, tracking, or marketing cookies

Consent is obtained through explicit opt-in mechanisms (such as unchecked checkboxes and cookie banners).

Contractual necessity

Where you hold a paid subscription, we process certain personal data as necessary to perform a contract with you. This includes:

• managing subscription status

• granting access to paid content

• administering billing and account-related communications

Legitimate interests (limited use)

We may rely on legitimate interests only for strictly necessary service communications (for example, account notices or legal updates), where your rights and freedoms are not overridden.

We do not rely on legitimate interests for marketing, analytics, or tracking cookies.

You may withdraw consent at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email, adjusting your preferences via the Substack platform, or managing cookie settings through the cookie banner.

Mailing List Portability and Platform Changes

If we change our newsletter delivery or publishing platform, we may transfer our subscriber list to a new provider under the same lawful basis and for the same editorial purposes.

You will not need to re-subscribe, and you will retain the same rights to unsubscribe or object at any time.

We will inform you in advance of any such platform migration and provide a clear opportunity to opt out or unsubscribe, in accordance with UK GDPR and PECR rules.

Subscriber data portability does not include payment data. Payment information is handled directly by third-party payment providers and is not transferred as part of any platform migration.

Information We Collect

1. Personal Information

We may collect:

• name

• email address

• subscription status (free or paid)

• responses to forms, surveys, or correspondence

This information is collected via our website, Substack, and direct communications.

2. Usage and Analytics Data

We use analytics tools such as Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Substack’s native analytics to collect anonymised usage data, including browser type, device type, and referral source.

IP anonymisation:

GA4 anonymises IP addresses by default. We do not log or store full IP addresses.

With your consent, we may also integrate additional tools in the future, including:

• Google Tag Manager

• Meta (Facebook) Pixel

• Twitter/X Pixel

• Parse.ly Analytics

• other analytics or marketing technologies

These tools are used only with explicit consent and help us understand audience behaviour and improve editorial performance.

We may update, replace, or introduce analytics, measurement, or performance tools over time, provided they serve similar editorial, operational, or analytical purposes. Any such tools will be implemented in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law and, where required, will be subject to your explicit consent.

Paid Subscriptions and Payment Data

Payments for paid subscriptions are processed by Substack, which uses Stripe as its primary payment processor.

• We do not collect or store your full payment card details.

• Payment information is handled directly by Stripe in accordance with its security and compliance obligations.

• We receive limited information necessary to administer subscriptions, such as confirmation of payment, subscription status, and billing country.

Stripe acts as an independent data controller for payment information and may transfer data outside the UK or EU using approved safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses and the UK Addendum.

Some subscriptions may be purchased via third-party app stores or payment systems (such as Apple’s in-app purchase system). In such cases, payment information is handled directly by the relevant provider in accordance with their own privacy policies, and we receive only limited information necessary to administer access.

Platform Hosting and Newsletter Delivery via Substack

Asymmetrist is hosted and delivered via Substack, a U.S.-based provider acting as a data processor.

Substack:

• manages subscriber databases

• delivers newsletters and site access

• provides analytics and cookie-consent infrastructure

Substack relies on Standard Contractual Clauses and the UK Addendum to comply with international data-transfer requirements. We maintain a Data Processing Agreement with Substack.

Substack may use sub-processors (such as AWS) to provide its services. For details, please refer to Substack’s Privacy Policy.

Community Features, Livestreams, and Visibility

Asymmetrist may offer interactive features, including livestreams, live chat, comments, or other community or discussion spaces hosted via Substack.

If you participate in these features:

• your Substack profile name, avatar, or other profile information may be visible to other participants

• your comments or messages may be visible in real time or as part of a recorded or archived discussion

Participation in community features is voluntary. We encourage readers to review their Substack profile settings and visibility preferences before engaging.

Cookie Consent Infrastructure

Cookie consent on Asymmetrist is managed through Substack’s global cookie banner.

Users may:

• accept all cookies

• reject non-essential cookies

• manage preferences granularly

Non-essential cookies (including analytics and marketing cookies) are activated only with your explicit consent. You may update your preferences at any time by revisiting the cookie banner or adjusting settings within your Substack account, where applicable.

For further details, please refer to Substack’s Cookie Policy.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• access the personal data we hold about you

• correct inaccurate or incomplete data

• request deletion of your data

• withdraw consent at any time

• object to certain processing activities where lawful grounds exist

If you are a paid subscriber, exercising data-protection rights (including withdrawal of consent or deletion of your account) will result in cancellation of your subscription and removal of your personal data, but does not entitle you to a refund for payments already made for access to digital content.

To exercise these rights, contact:

bogdan@axiaeditions.com

We aim to respond within 30 days.

Children’s Privacy

Asymmetrist is not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have done so, we will delete the data promptly.

Data Security

We safeguard your data using secure third-party platforms (including Substack, Stripe, and Google Workspace), HTTPS encryption, and restricted access controls.

Only authorised personnel have access to personal data.

Data Retention

We retain personal data while you remain subscribed or until you request deletion. Most deletion requests are processed within 14 days.

Sponsored Content and Editorial Monetisation

From time to time, Asymmetrist may include:

• sponsored messages or editorial partnerships

• affiliate links or commercial collaborations

All such material is clearly identified. We do not sell or share personal data with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

We do not currently engage in behavioural targeting. If this changes, we will seek explicit consent in advance, as required by UK law.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal, technical, or editorial changes.

Material updates will be communicated via email or prominently on our website with reasonable notice. You will always have the opportunity to unsubscribe or object where applicable.

Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

bogdan@axiaeditions.com

Axia Editions Limited

4 Endsleigh Street

London

WC1H 0DS

United Kingdom