Corrections / Removal Requests for oavo.co.uk

This page applies to oavo.co.uk. Last updated: 6 February 2026.

What this page is for

oavo.co.uk is an independent community storytelling and commentary website, run by Karl M Loftus. If something on the site is wrong, unfair, unsafe, or involves personal information that needs correcting or removing, this page explains how to contact us and what to include so we can deal with it properly.

Note: This page covers requests such as correction (rectification), removal (erasure), restriction, image takedowns, safety/doxxing concerns, and defamation-style complaints where relevant.

Quick options (choose what fits)

• A) Correction — something about you is inaccurate or incomplete and you want it corrected.
• B) Removal — you want personal information about you removed (where the law supports this).
• C) Restriction — you want us to pause/limit use or visibility while we investigate.
• D) Urgent safety — doxxing, harassment, threats, stalking risk, children/vulnerable people.
• E) Defamation complaint — you believe content is defamatory and want it handled as a formal complaint.
• F) Photo / image concern — you appear in an image or private details are visible.
• G) General factual correction — factual error not necessarily personal data (date/place detail etc.).

How to contact us

If you want a correction, removal, restriction, or image review, please email:

Tip: put one of these in the subject line so it lands in the right place.

• Correction request – [URL]
• Removal request – [URL]
• Restriction request – [URL]
• URGENT SAFETY – [URL]
• Defamation complaint – [URL]
• Photo/image request – [URL]

What to include (so we can act quickly)

Please include all of the following:

1. The exact page link(s) / URL(s) where the issue appears.
2. What you want us to do (correct / remove / restrict / add a note / remove an image / blur details).
3. What is wrong and why (short explanation, including any harm/risk if relevant).
4. The correct information (for corrections) and, if possible, supporting evidence.
5. Your contact email for the reply.

Please only send what’s necessary. If you cannot find the URL, send the page title and the text you can see so we can locate it.

Identity checks (to protect you)

We only ask for identity verification when genuinely needed, for example if someone could misuse the process to remove or change information about someone else. If verification is needed, we’ll ask for the least intrusive proof that reasonably works.

If you’re requesting on behalf of someone else (e.g. a child, or as a representative), tell us your relationship and authority to act.

Timeframes

We aim to respond as soon as possible. For UK data protection rights requests, we will respond without undue delay and normally within one month. If a request is complex or you make multiple requests, we may need more time — if so, we will tell you.

What we may do (possible outcomes)

• Correct the content (edit inaccurate information).
• Complete incomplete information (where appropriate).
• Add a clarification note (dated) to keep the record fair and clear.
• Remove specific personal details (name/location/identifiers).
• Anonymise content (change identifying detail while keeping the story meaning).
• Remove or edit images (or blur identifying details where appropriate).
• Restrict content temporarily while investigating.
• Refuse or partially refuse (with reasons and review options).

When we may refuse or limit a request

Some requests may be refused or limited where it is lawful to do so. For example:

• if we have reasonable grounds to believe the content is not inaccurate (for correction requests);
• if the relevant legal right does not apply or there are lawful grounds to keep certain information;
• if the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive (we will explain clearly if this is the case).

If we refuse, we will explain why and tell you how you can ask for a review or escalate.

Urgent safety requests (we prioritise these)

If content includes private contact details, precise location info that puts someone at risk, threats, harassment, stalking risk, or anything involving children/vulnerable people, please use the subject line URGENT SAFETY.

We may take temporary action quickly (for example, limiting visibility) while we investigate, then follow up with a full response.

Photos and images

If your request is about an image, include:

• the URL of the page the image is on
• what identifies you (face, clothing, car registration, home frontage, etc.)
• whether the image involves a child (we prioritise these)

Where appropriate, we may remove, replace, or anonymise images, especially where private details or children are involved.

Defamation complaints

If you believe something is defamatory, include:

1. the URL and the exact words complained of
2. why you say it is defamatory
3. what meaning you believe readers take from it
4. what parts you say are factually inaccurate (if relevant)
5. your contact details for the response

We will handle complaints responsibly. Depending on the situation, we may remove content, request evidence, or add clarification.

Right of reply / adding context

Sometimes the fairest outcome is not deletion but clarity. If you disagree with something, you can request a short clarification note or reply statement. We may edit for length, privacy, and safety.

Search engines and cached copies

If we edit or remove content, it may still appear temporarily in search results or cached pages. These usually update over time, but we cannot control every third-party cache or archive.

Record-keeping

To manage requests fairly and safely, we may keep a minimal record of the request, our decision, and the steps taken. This supports accountability and helps prevent misuse of the process.

If you’re unhappy with the outcome

If you disagree with our decision, reply to our email and ask for a review. If your request concerns UK data protection rights and you still believe it has been handled incorrectly, you can raise concerns with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Request template (copy/paste)