Guidance

FCDO privacy notice: Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Updated 30 September 2020

© Crown copyright 2020

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-privacy-notice-academic-technology-approval-scheme-atas/fcdo-privacy-notice-academic-technology-approval-scheme-atas

Date last modified: 2 September 2020

1. Who we are

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH

Email: ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk

2. What data we process and why

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British Citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values and tackle global challenges with our international partners. In doing so we process personal data.

In particular, the ATAS Unit processes personal data for the purposes of considering applications for an ATAS certificate for study in the UK for counter proliferation purposes.

The Immigration Rules Part 15 require all international students applying to study for a postgraduate qualification in certain sensitive subjects to apply for an ATAS certificate before they can study in the UK. The sensitive subjects are those where knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery. These students must apply for an ATAS certificate before they can study in the UK. UK immigration law does not allow universities to register international students for ATAS applicable courses until they have received all the relevant ATAS certificate details. Entry Clearance Officers will ask to see an ATAS certificate as part of the visa application process.

We process this data because it necessary to do so in order to perform our official functions as a Government Department.

4. What we do with it

We will share the personal data that you supply to us with other Government Departments, agencies, foreign governments and other bodies, as well as the Higher Education Institution (HEI) to which you have applied for study, so that we can consider and process your ATAS application.

There may be other circumstances in which we may lawfully share your data with third parties where, for example, we are required to do so by law, by court order, or to prevent fraud or other crimes. Where we share data, however, we shall do so in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

5. How long we keep your data

In order to safeguard Britain’s national security and for counter proliferation purposes, we will retain personal data provided for the purposes of considering applications for an ATAS certificate for study in the UK for 20 years. The personal data will be processed for considering any future applications for an ATAS certificate.

5.1 Your rights

You have the right to:

  • object – request that your data is not processed for certain purposes
  • erasure – request that your personal data is erased where one of the statutory grounds applies
  • data portability – the right to obtain and reuse your personal data for your own purposes across different services in certain circumstances
  • restrict processing – request that the processing of your personal data is restricted in certain circumstances – for example, where accuracy is contested
  • rectification – 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
  • access – request information about how your personal data is processed and to request a copy of that personal data

If your personal data is processed on the basis of consent, you have the right to:

  • withdraw consent to the processing of your personal data at any time
  • request a copy of any personal data you have provided

Please note that we may not be able to consider or process your application for an ATAS certificate for study in the UK if we are unable to process certain data.

6. How to contact us

If you have any questions about anything in this notice, or if you consider that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, or if you would like to exercise any of your rights, you can contact us at: ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk

You can also contact the Data Protection Officer at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

Data Protection Officer
Knowledge Management Department
Knowledge and Technology Directorate
Room K4.02
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH

Email: Data.Protection@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 7008 5000

7. Complaints

You may also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Email: casework@ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

8. Changes to this notice

We may modify or amend this privacy notice at our discretion at any time. When we make changes to this notice, we will amend the last modified data at the top of this page. Any modification or amendment to this privacy notice will be applied to you and your data as of that revision date. We encourage you to periodically review this privacy notice to be informed about how we are protecting your data.

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