Purpose
Digital Tax Matters Ltd takes its responsibilities under data protection legislation extremely seriously. Breach of our data protection responsibilities can result in significant financial and reputational damage. We, therefore, endeavour to implement practices which ensure that we are constantly upholding our responsibilities under data protection legislation and allow us to meet our clients’ expectations in terms of privacy.
Data Protection Act 2018
The primary legislation in the United Kingdom governing data protection is the Data Protection Act 2018. The legislation covers personal data. Personal data means any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified, in particular by reference to an identifier.
The five principles established under this legislation, require personal data to be:
- Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals
- Collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes
- Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed
- Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay
- Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals; and
- Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures
Data Protection Officer – Mr Gaetano Mulé
Privacy Notices (Right to be Informed)
We maintain a privacy notice which all clients have been provided a copy of. This notice details important information relating to why and how data is processed. In particular, our privacy notice contains details of; the identity and contact details of the controller and the data protection officer; the information being collected; why the data is being processed and the lawful bases for the processing; who the data will be transferred to.
Access Requests (Right of Access)
All individuals have a right to obtain; confirmation that their data is being processed; access to their personal data; and, other supplementary information (which can largely be found in the applicable privacy notice(s). Any individual wishing to obtain any of these should contact us using details provided in the ‘Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy’ section of this document.
All access requests will be completed free of charge, unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive. If the request is deemed by us to be manifestly unfounded or excessive, the individual will receive a written explanation as to why and details of costs associated with fulfilling the request. The fee charged will be based upon; administration time costs; postage costs; printing costs; and, any other delivery cost.
In exceptional circumstances we may refuse an access request. An access request will only be refused if it is manifestly unfounded or excessive. If the request is deemed by us to be manifestly unfounded or excessive, the individual will receive a written explanation as to why and a statement that the request cannot be processed.
Inaccurate or Incorrect Data (Right to Rectification)
Digital Tax Matters Ltd aims to ensure that all data it holds is accurate and correct. However, from time to time, this aim may not be met. All individuals have a right for inaccurate or incorrect data to be corrected or rectified. Any individual wishing to have their data corrected should contact us using details provided in the ‘Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy’ section of this policy.
Where data has been transferred to a third party and subsequently it has been rectified, we will notify the third party without delay of the rectification.
In some instances, we may not take action to a right to rectification request (for example, if it is believed that the request has malicious intent or is inaccurate). If no action is to be taken, a written explanation will be provided to the individual who made the request.
Request to Delete Data (Right to Erasure)
Digital Tax Matters Ltd aims to retain data for only as long as it is needed. However, from time to time, this aim may not be met, or a valid reason as to why the data no longer needs to be retained maybe presented which had not been considered by us. All individuals have a right to request the deletion or removal of personal data where there is no compelling reason for its continued processing. Any individual wishing to have their data erased should contact the Association using details provided in the ‘Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy’ section of this policy.
In limited circumstances, we will not be able to comply with a request to delete or remove data. This will normally be because the data is being used to; comply with a legal obligation for the performance of a public interest task or in exercising official authority; or, to exercise or defend legal claims. If no action is to be taken, a written explanation will be provided to the individual who made the request.
Request to Suppress Processing of Data (Right to Restrict Processing)
Restricting processing means Digital Tax Matters Ltd will continue to store the personal data, but will not ‘use’ the data or transfer it to third parties.
We will restrict processing; if you contest the accuracy of the personal data we hold, the restriction will apply until such a time as we have verified the accuracy of the data; if you have objected to the processing and we are considering if we have legitimate grounds not to act on your objection; if the processing we are conducting is found to be unlawful, but you oppose erasure; if we no longer require the data, but you require the data to establish, exercise or defend a legal claim. Any individual wishing to restrict processing of personal data should contact us using details provided in the ‘Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy’ section of this policy.
If data has been passed to third parties, we will inform them of any restriction to processing as soon as possible.
We may have to retain certain personal data, either for a defined period of time or indefinitely, to ensure that a restriction on processing is enforced. This will always be explained in writing to the relevant individual.
Reusing Personal Data (Right to Data Portability)
Personal data can, on the request of the individual, be transmitted to other organisations, or, provided to the individual in a format which they can reuse. All individuals have a right to obtain and reuse their personal data across different services. Any individual wishing to reuse their personal data should contact Digital Tax Matters Ltd using details provided in the ‘Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy’ section of this policy.
Before providing data, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the individual making the request has a right to the data they are asking for. This may include providing a copy of a government issued ID.
Data provided as part of the right to data portability will always be provided in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, normally a CSV file.
Digital Tax Matters Ltd welcomes information which clients have transferred from other organisations. All reasonable measures will be taken to facilitate the right to data portability.
In some cases, where the request is complex, or we have received a number of requests, we may require an additional two months to comply with a request to be processed. If this is the case a written explanation will always be provided to the individual concerned within one month of receiving a request.
Objections to Data Processing (Right to Object)
If Digital Tax Matters Ltd is processing data based on legitimate interests, for direct marketing or for statistical purposes individuals have the right to object. To object the individual must have grounds relating to your situation.
If the objection relates to Digital Tax Matters Ltd using an individual’s personal data for direct marketing purposes, then we will cease to process the data immediately.
Any objections should be made using the details provided in the ‘Contacting the Association Regarding this Policy’ section of this document.
Training and Communication
A copy of this policy is given to all employees, contractors, apprentices, trainees and other official agents of Digital Tax Matters Ltd. In some cases, as an additional control, some employees, contractors, apprentices, trainees and other official agents may be required to sign a copy of this policy.
All employees, contractors, apprentices, trainees and other official agents will be given training on this policy before being given access to personal data or being involved in a role related to the processing of personal data. All contractors, apprentices, trainees and other official agents will receive regular training on this policy. This will be documented in a CPD log.
Enforcement
Significant breaches of this policy can result in disciplinary action.
Responsibilities
Ultimate responsibility for this policy rests with the principles of Digital Tax Matters Ltd. Day to day responsibility for this policy is held by Mr G Mulé.
Monitoring and Review
This policy is kept under constant review to ensure its suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Any improvements identified will be made as soon as possible.
Comments from employees, contactors, officials, clients and regulators are welcome and will be taken into consideration.
Contacting Digital Tax Matters Ltd Regarding this Policy
If you need to contact Digital Tax Matters Ltd regarding this policy please email: [email protected].
Alternative you can write to Digital Tax Matters Ltd at Crofton House, 27 St Cuthbert's Street, , Bedford, Bedford.