Privacy and terms
Terms of use
This page and any pages it links to explain data.gov.uk’s terms of use. You must agree to these to use data.gov.uk.
Who we are
data.gov.uk is a service provided by the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It helps people find and use open data from the public sector. Find out more about data.gov.uk.
Using data.gov.uk
You agree to use data.gov.uk only for lawful purposes. You must also use it in a way that does not infringe the rights of, or restrict or inhibit the use and enjoyment of, this site by anyone else.
Linking from data.gov.uk
Data.gov.uk links to websites that are managed by other government departments and agencies, service providers or other organisations. We do not have any control over the content on these websites.
We’re not responsible for:
- the protection of any information you give to these websites
- any loss or damage that may come from your use of these websites, or any other websites they link to
You agree to release us from any claims or disputes that may come from using these websites.
You should read all terms and conditions, privacy policies and end user licences that relate to these websites before you use them.
Responsibility for datasets
Only publishers with accounts for the data directory on data.gov.uk can ask for datasets to be deleted. Contact us to ask for datasets to be deleted if you’re a publisher.
data.gov.uk does not host datasets. They are the responsibility of the publishing organisation. All requests for data under the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act should be sent to the publishing organisation.
Changes to these terms of use
Please check these terms of use regularly. We can update them at any time without notice.
You’ll agree to any changes if you continue to use Find open data after the terms of use have been updated.
Privacy notice
DSIT and other government departments, agencies and organisations are joint controllers for pages that start with ‘www.data.gov.uk’. data.gov.uk helps people to find and use open government data, and supports government publishers to maintain data in the data directory.
What data we need
We collect personal data from data publishers including:
- your name
- your email address
- your organisation
The legal basis for processing this data is in the exercise of a public task of a government department to undertake its functions.
Why we need it
We collect personal data from data publishers using the data.gov.uk directory to publish their data. This is so that we can provide access to the publishing service and send publishers email notifications about service changes.
We collect an email address and name so we can verify you work for the publishing organisation.
What we do with it
We use the data you provide to set up your account so you can manage and publish data. From time to time, we might need to update you about changes in the service.
We will not:
- sell or rent your data to third parties
- share your data with third parties for marketing purposes
We will share your data if we are required to do so by law — for example, by court order, or to prevent fraud or other crime.
How long we keep your data
We will only retain your personal data for as long as it is required by law. In general, this means that we will only hold your personal data for the length of time you use this service, or up to 12 months after you leave the service whereby all information will then be deleted.
Children’s privacy protection
We understand the importance of protecting children’s privacy online. Our service is not designed for, or intentionally targeted at, children 13 years of age or younger. It is not our policy to intentionally collect or maintain data about anyone under the age of 13.
Where your data is processed and stored
To make sure that your data is as safe as possible, we design and maintain systems with secure accounts. Your personal data will not be transferred outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) while it’s processed at GDS.
How we protect your data and keep it secure
We’re committed to doing all that we can to keep your data secure. To prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we’ve put in place technical and organisational procedures to secure the data we collect about you.
For example, we protect your data using varying levels of encryption. We also make sure that any third parties that we deal with have an obligation to keep all personal data they process on our behalf secure.
What your rights are
You have the right to:
- request information about how your personal data is processed and to request a copy of that personal data
- request that any inaccuracies in your personal data are rectified without delay
- request that any incomplete personal data is completed, including by means of a supplementary statement
- request that your personal data is erased if there is no longer a justification for it to be processed
- request that the processing of your personal data is restricted in certain circumstances — for example, where accuracy is contested
Changes to this notice
We may change this privacy notice at our discretion at any time. In that case the ‘Last updated’ date at the top of this page will also change. Any changes to this privacy notice will apply to you and your data immediately. If these changes affect how your personal data is processed, GDS will take reasonable steps to make sure you know.
Questions and complaints
GDS, as part of DSIT, acts as a joint controller for personal data published on data.gov.uk with other government departments, agencies and public bodies.
Contact the GDS Privacy Team if you have any questions or think that your personal data has been misused or mishandled.
Email: gds.data.protection@dsit.gov.uk
The contact details for our Data Protection Officer are:
DSIT Data Protection Officer
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
22-26 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
The Data Protection Officer provides independent advice and monitoring of our use of personal information.
If you have a complaint, you can also contact the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator set up to uphold information rights.
Information Commissioner’s Office
casework@ico.org.uk
0303 123 1113
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF