MatchWire is operated as a non-profit football news wire. This privacy policy explains how Northgate Sports Publishing Ltd., the data controller, handles your personal data when you visit our site, use our services or contact us. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Who controls your data
The data controller for MatchWire is Northgate Sports Publishing Ltd., a private company limited by shares registered in Ireland (registration number 712489). Registered address: 2nd Floor, Camden Yard House, 28 Camden Row, Dublin D08 X2T4, Ireland. For any data protection queries, please contact our privacy team at privacy@matchwire.org.
What data we collect and why
We collect only the minimum data necessary to operate the site and respond to your requests. We do not show advertising, use affiliate links or employ third-party tracking for marketing purposes. The data we process includes:
- Server logs: When you visit MatchWire, our servers automatically record your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs and the pages you view. This data is used for site security, troubleshooting and aggregated analytics. Legal basis: legitimate interest in protecting the site and understanding general usage patterns.
- Contact and enquiry data: If you email us at any @matchwire.org address or submit a form, we keep your email address, name (if provided) and the content of your message solely to respond to your query and maintain a record of our communications. Legal basis: legitimate interest in providing customer support and fulfilling your request.
- Newsletter subscriptions: If you subscribe to our free newsletter, we collect your email address and (optionally) your name. We use a double opt-in process. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in each email or by contacting privacy@matchwire.org. Legal basis: your consent, which you may withdraw at any time.
We do not collect or process any special categories of personal data, nor do we engage in automated decision-making or profiling.
Cookies and similar technologies
MatchWire uses only strictly necessary cookies to enable core site functions (for example, session cookies for live match centres). We do not use analytics, advertising or social media cookies. For full details, please see our Cookie Policy. Legal basis for necessary cookies: legitimate interest in ensuring the site works correctly. No consent is required for these cookies, but we provide information in line with GDPR transparency obligations.
Data retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described:
- Server logs: 30 days, after which IP addresses are anonymised or deleted.
- Contact emails: until we have resolved your query and for a further 12 months for record-keeping, unless a longer retention is required by law.
- Newsletter subscriber data: until you unsubscribe, after which your details are deleted within 30 days.
Data sharing and transfers
We do not sell, rent or share your personal data with third parties for their own marketing purposes. We may share data with trusted service providers (e.g. web hosting, email delivery) who process data on our behalf under strict contractual terms. All such providers are based in the European Economic Area or in jurisdictions with an adequacy decision from the European Commission. We do not transfer your data outside the EEA unless equivalent safeguards are in place.
Your rights under GDPR
As a data subject, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data held by us:
- Right of access: request a copy of the data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to erasure: request deletion of your data where there is no legitimate reason for us to keep it.
- Right to restrict processing: ask us to limit how we use your data.
- Right to data portability: receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Right to object: object to processing based on legitimate interest (including for direct marketing, which we do not perform).
- Right to withdraw consent: for any processing based on your consent (e.g. newsletter), you may withdraw at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@matchwire.org. We will respond to your request within 30 days, free of charge, unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive.
Complaints
If you believe we have not handled your personal data in compliance with applicable law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission:
| Supervisory authority | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Data Protection Commission | 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin D02 RD28, Ireland Website: www.dataprotection.ie Email: info@dataprotection.ie Phone: +353 57 868 4800 |
We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve your concern directly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated via a notice on the site or by email where appropriate.
Last updated: 1 June 2025.