Privacy notice relating to consultation responses received by DESNZ
Updated 16 April 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/desnz-consultations-privacy-notice/privacy-notice-relating-to-consultation-responses-received-by-desnz
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) consults the public as part of its open policy making process. We publish our consultations on GOV.UK.
You can respond:
- by post
- by email
- online via the Consultation Hub
The way in which your data is handled varies depending on how you submit your response, but all information submitted to us will be treated in accordance with data protection principles.
This privacy notice sets out:
- how we process your personal data when you respond to our consultations +the rights you have under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
For information you submit online via the Consultation Hub:
- the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is the data controller
- Delib is the data processor
Delib provides and operates the platform for online responses. The Delib privacy policy explains how they collect, safeguard and process your data on behalf of DESNZ.
For information you submit by email or post:
- the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is the data controller
Your data
Purpose
We collect your personal data as part of the consultation process:
- so that we can contact you regarding your response or related matters
- for statistical data, for example the types of individuals and groups participating
The data we collect
We collect and process the following personal data:
- your name
- your email or postal address
- depending on the topic of the consultation, other personal data such as your postcode or employment status
- any personal data you volunteer by way of evidence or example in your response to the consultation
If you respond online we will also collect:
- your Internet Protocol (IP) address, and details of which version of web browser you used
- information on how you used the site, provided by cookies and page tagging techniques
Legal basis for processing your personal data
The legal basis for processing your personal data is to perform a task carried out in the public interest, that of consulting the public.
Why we need it
We collect your name and email or postal address so that we:
- know you’re a real person
- can respond to your comments
We also collect data in order to:
- gather information about the types of individuals and groups participating
If you respond online we use Google Analytics software to collect information about how you use the site. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements.
Google Analytics stores information about:
- the pages you visit
- how long you spend on each page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
Google Analytics does not collect or store your personal information (for example your name or address) so this information cannot be used to identify who you are. See our consultation hub cookie policy.
What we do with your data
Your personal data may be shared with a contracted provider where they are appointed to undertake the evaluation of the consultation responses. We may also share your data with other organisations which have a direct interest in the policy on which we are consulting: for example Crown bodies, government departments or DESNZ partner organisations.
If we plan to share responses with other bodies, we will make that clear on the consultation.
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 needed for the purposes of the consultation
- the law requires us to
In general, this means that we will only hold your personal data for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 7 years.
Children’s privacy protection
DESNZ consultations are not designed for, or targeted at, children aged 13 or less. It is not our policy to intentionally collect or maintain data about anyone aged 13 or less.
Your rights
The data we are collecting is your personal data, and you have considerable say over what happens to it. You have the right to request:
- information about how your personal data are processed
- a copy of the personal data you submitted in an accessible format
- that anything inaccurate in your personal data is corrected immediately
- that any incomplete personal data are completed, including by means of a supplementary statement
- that your personal data are erased if there is no longer a justification for them to be processed
- in certain circumstances (for example, where accuracy is contested) that the processing of your personal data is restricted
You can also:
- object to the processing of your personal data where it is processed for direct marketing purposes
- lodge a complaint with the independent Information Commissioner (ICO) if you think we are not handling your data fairly or in accordance with the law
Changes to this notice
We may change this privacy notice at our discretion at any time. When we make changes to this notice, the last modified date at the top of this page will be updated. Any changes to this privacy notice will be applied to you and your data as of that revision date.
If these changes affect how your personal data is processed, DESNZ will take reasonable steps to let you know.
How to contact us
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) with any concerns about how we or our services handle your personal information:
Contact the DESNZ DPO:
DESNZ Data Protection Officer
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
3-8 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2EG
Independent advice on data protection and privacy
Contact the Information Commissioner for independent advice about data protection, privacy and data-sharing issues:
Contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
If you make a complaint to the Information Commissioner it doesn’t prejudice your right to seek redress through the courts.