GDPR Compliance Statement
Commitment
We are committed to the principles inherent in the GDPR and particularly to the concepts of privacy by design, the right to be forgotten, consent and a risk-based approach. In addition, we aim to ensure:
- transparency with regards to the use of data
- that any processing is lawful, fair, transparent and necessary for a specific purpose
- that data is accurate, kept up to date and removed when no longer necessary
- that data is kept safely and securely.
Staffing
Our Data Protection Officer (DPO) is Margaret Donnelly, who works to promote awareness of the GDPR throughout the Company. Our DPO oversees the Company’s commitment to best practice, informs and advises the Company and monitors compliance.
Policy
Our privacy policy is available on our website and a copy is made available to all employees, contractors and suppliers associated with this organisation. It forms part of the induction training of all new staff and follow-up sessions will be put in place if the legislation changes or further guidance is available.
Right to be forgotten
We recognise the right to erasure, also known as the right to be forgotten, laid down in the GDPR. Individuals should contact [email protected]with requests for the deletion or removal of personal data. These will be acted on provided there is no compelling reason for continued processing and that the exemptions set out in the GDPR do not apply. These exemptions include where the personal data is processed for the exercise or defence of legal claims and to comply with a legal obligation for the performance of a public interest task or exercise of official authority.
Subject access requests
We recognise that individuals have the right to access their personal data and supplementary information and will comply with the one month timeframe for responses set down in the GDPR. As a general rule, a copy of the requested information will be provided free of charge although we reserve the right to charge a “reasonable fee” when a request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly if it is repetitive. If this proves necessary, the data subject will be informed of their right to contest our decision with the supervisory authority (the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)).
As set out in the GDPR, any fee will be notified in advance and will be based on the administrative cost of providing the information.
Privacy
We will implement data protection “by design and by default”, as required by the GDPR. Safeguards will be built into products and services from the earliest stage of development and privacy-friendly default settings will be the norm. The privacy notice, which is on our website and which is provided to anyone from whom we collect data, explains our lawful basis for processing the data and gives the data retention periods. It makes clear that individuals have a right to complain to the ICO. We have conducted a privacy impact assessment (PIA) to ensure that privacy risks have been properly considered and addressed.
Data transfers outside the EU
We have put recognised procedures and safeguarding measures in place to secure, encrypt and maintain the integrity of any personal data that is transferred to countries outside the EU. Diligence checks are carried out to ensure that such countries have the necessary safeguards in place, provide enforceable data subject rights and offer effective legal remedies for data subjects where applicable.
Children
The GDPR provides for special protection for children’s personal data and we will comply with the requirement to obtain parental or guardian consent for any data processing activity involving anyone under the age of 16.
Data loss
If a data breach occurs that is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, the people affected will be informed as soon as possible and the ICO will be notified within 72 hours.
GDPR contact
Any questions related to GDPR or to issues concerning data protection generally should initially be addressed to [email protected].