Privacy policy

How we respect privacy when we deal with personal information collected by our organisation

1. Personal data that we process.

The following table explains the types of data we collectand the legal basis, under current data protection legislation, on which this data is processed.

2. How we use your data

We will only use your data in a manner that is appropriate considering the basis on which that data was collected, as set out in the table at the top of this policy. For example, we may use your personal information to:

  • reply to enquiries you send to us;
  • handle donations or other transactions that you initiate;
  • where you have specifically agreed to this, send you marketing communications by email relating to our work which we think may be of interest to you.

3. When we share your data

We will only pass your data to third parties in the following circumstances:

  • you have provided your explicit consent for us to pass data to a named third party;
  • we are using a third party purely for the purposes of processing data on our behalf and we have in place a data processing agreement with that third party that fulfils our legal obligations in relation to the use of third party data processors; or
  • we are required by law to share your data.
    In addition, we will only pass data to third parties outside of the EU where appropriate safeguards are in place as defined by Article 46 ofthe General Data Protection Regulation.

4. How long we keep your data

We take the principles of data minimisation and removal seriously and have internal policies in place to ensure that we only ever ask for the minimum amount of data for the associated purpose and delete that data promptly once it is no longer required. Where data is collected on the basis of consent, we will seek renewal of consent at least every three years.

5. Rights you have over your data

You have a range of rights over your data, which include the following:

  • Where data processing is based on consent, you may revoke this consent at any time and we will make it as easy as possible for you to do this (for example by putting ‘unsubscribe’ links at the bottom of all our marketing emails).
  • You have the right to ask for rectification and/or deletion of your information.
  • You have the right of access to your information.
  • You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner if you feel your rights have been infringed. A full summary of your legal rights over your data can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website here: https://ico.org.uk/
    If you would like to access the rights listed above, or anyother legal rights you have over your data under current legislation, please get in touch with us at info@myblackdog.co
    Please note that relying on some of these rights, such as the right to deleting your data, will make it impossible for us to continue to deliver some services to you. However, where possible we will always try to allow the maximum access to your rights while continuing to deliver as many services to you as possible.

6. Cookies & usage tracking

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that is downloaded on to your computer when you visit a website. Cookies are used by many websites and can do a number of things, eg remembering your preferences, recording what you have put in your shopping basket, and counting the number of people looking at a website.We only use cookies that do not collect personal information but that do help us collect anonymous information about how people use our website. We use Google Analytics for this purpose. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website usage by means of cookies,which are stored on users' computers. The information collected by Google Analytics about usage of our website is not personally identifiable. The data is collected anonymously, stored by Google and used by us to create reports about website usage. Google's privacy policy is available at http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.

7. Modifications

We may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time and will publish the most current version on our website. If a modification meaningfully reduces your rights, we'll notify people whose personal data we hold and is affected.
This Privacy Policy applies to information we, My Black Dog, collect about individuals who interact with our organisation. It explains what personal information we collect and how we use it. If you have any comments or questions about this notice,feel free to contact us at info@myblackdog.co

8. Safeguarding Website Information

My Black Dog is committed to taking your confidentiality very seriously. We will only consider speaking to someone else if we are really worried about what you have told us and we feel that you are unable to keep yourself safe.

If you are speaking to one of our volunteers and we have concerns about your safety, we will let you know that these concerns have been raised with a member of the My Black Dog. If necessary, this may include external emergency services to ensure your health and well-being.

My Black Dog is not a crisis service, but we are an open door to anyone who wants to speak to one of our volunteers. During your online chat, we may signpost to other external services or charities which may provide more appropriate support for you.

For safeguarding and training purposes, all online chats are recorded and kept securely. They will be accessed by a member of the My Black Dog team if a safeguarding concern has been raised or to support future training needs (although these will be made anonymous).