Privacy

Last updated: 23 August 2026

Open Philosophy Library provides free access to public-domain philosophical works and original educational material. You can read the website without creating an account. This Privacy Policy explains what information may be processed when you visit the site and how cookies, analytics and advertising services may be used.

Information processed when you visit

The website, its hosting provider and security services may automatically process limited technical information needed to deliver and protect the site. This may include your IP address, browser and device type, operating system, referring page, pages requested, approximate location derived from an IP address, and the date and time of access. Server and security logs may be retained for a limited period for reliability, fraud prevention, troubleshooting and protection against misuse.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. Strictly necessary cookies may be used to operate, secure and remember essential settings for the website. Where required by law, non-essential cookies—including analytics or advertising cookies—will be used only after you have made a choice through the consent message shown on the site.

You can accept, reject or manage non-essential cookies through the site’s consent controls. You can also remove cookies using your browser settings. Refusing non-essential cookies will not prevent you from reading the library, although some optional features or advertising may work differently. For more detail about cookie categories and how to change your choice, see the Cookie Policy (UK).

Analytics

Open Philosophy Library may use Google Site Kit and Google Analytics to understand general patterns such as the number of visits, popular pages, device types and how visitors find the site. This information helps improve navigation, performance and editorial planning. Analytics may use cookies or similar technologies and may process online identifiers and technical information. Where consent is required, analytics will not be activated until consent has been provided.

Advertising and Google AdSense

The site may use Google AdSense to display advertising. Google and other authorised third-party vendors may use cookies, web beacons, IP addresses or similar technologies in connection with serving and measuring advertisements. Advertising cookies may enable Google and its partners to show adverts based on a visitor’s use of this site or other websites, subject to the visitor’s consent and applicable law. Where personalised advertising is not permitted or selected, non-personalised or limited advertisements may be shown using contextual information such as the content being viewed and general location.

You can manage how Google personalises advertising through Google Ads Settings. Further information about how Google uses information from sites and apps that use its services is available in Google’s information for partner sites.

Links and downloadable material

The library contains links to external sources and may provide downloadable files. External websites operate under their own privacy policies, and Open Philosophy Library is not responsible for their practices. Following an external link may allow that provider to receive technical information associated with the visit.

Contact and correspondence

If you contact Open Philosophy Library, the information you provide will be used to respond to your enquiry, address copyright or accuracy concerns, and maintain necessary correspondence. Please do not send sensitive personal information through the website.

Data sharing and retention

Information may be processed by service providers that support hosting, security, analytics and advertising. Information is not sold by Open Philosophy Library. Data is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to comply with legal obligations, or to establish and defend legal rights. Service providers may apply their own retention periods under their published policies.

Your choices and rights

Depending on your location and the circumstances, you may have rights concerning personal information, including rights to request access, correction or deletion, restrict or object to processing, and withdraw consent. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that took place before withdrawal. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office if you believe your data-protection rights have not been respected.

To make a privacy enquiry, please use the Contact page. Requests may require reasonable steps to confirm identity before information is disclosed or changed.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when the website introduces or changes services, analytics, advertising or legal requirements. The latest version will remain available on this page, with the revision date shown above.