Privacy & Data Policy

Office of Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley – Rules for Processing Personal Data 

You have rights over your personal data. Here’s what I do.

I have always protected your information and used what you have given me as your MSP only in ways that I have agreed with you.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. You can inspect my registration at any time and get advice on data from their web site at ico.org.uk. There is a search facility on their page to allow searches of the register.

You have always had the legal right to know what information we hold about you and how we use it, however the new requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) strengthen these rights.

You now can request, subject to some exclusions, that we erase some or all the personal information we hold about you. And that applies to paper, computer or any way we hold your information.

My website pages at www.angelaconstance.scot documents my activity as an MSP. I do not obtain or retain data about users of my website by using cookies or otherwise, save by their using my Constituent Contact web form to communicate with me.

My disclaimer regarding the new GDPR is clear, I am happy to receive advice of errors, or material omissions that could amount to error. Errors in, or requests related to, personal data will be dealt with as quickly as practical.

Finally, nothing here is intended to be legal advice. If you are unsure of your legal rights in connection with any matter you should obtain independent legal advice.

Use of cookies on your website
The Privacy and Electronic Communications (E C Directive) Regulations 2003 cover the use of cookies for storing and accessing the information stored on a user’s equipment such as their computer or tablet. So, if you have or intend to have a website, you must ensure that you follow the guidance provided by the Office of the UK Information Commissioner in terms of cookies.
www.ico.org.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies

What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small file downloaded onto a device when a user accesses certain websites. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user’s device and the Regulations apply to cookies or similar technologies. The regulations require that people using your website understand about cookies and are given the choice about which of their online activities are monitored by cookies and the rules are intended to prevent information being stored on people’s computers and used to recognise the devices they are using without their knowledge and agreement. 
Further information is available here: www.allaboutcookies.org

The law and cookies
Since 2003, anyone using cookies has been required to provide clear information about how cookies work and since May 2011 the new regulations require that you also obtain consent from users or subscribers to store a cookie on their device.  

Further information and practical steps to ensure compliance are provided here: 
search.ico.org.uk/ico/search?q=cookies

Information regarding cookies on the Scottish Parliament website:
www.scottish.parliament.uk/help/46282.aspx