Privacy

This page explains what we do with the data we collect from you on this website and how you can get access to this.

Privacy policy

This page explains how Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) uses any information you give to us via this website, and the ways in which we protect your privacy.  The Data Controller is Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW.  If this privacy policy changes in any way, we will place an updated version on this page.  Regularly reviewing this page ensures you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it and what circumstances, if any, we will share it with other parties.

The Data Protection Act

Under the Data Protection Act 1988, we have a legal duty to protect any data about you.  We use leading technologies and encryption software to safeguard your data, and keep strict security standards to prevent any unauthorised access to it.  We do not pass on your details to third parties unless you give us permission to do so.

What information do we collect?

You do not have to register to view most of our website, www.snh.gov.uk.  However, some personal information is required if you chose to order publications or provide us with feedback.  We will always tell you why we are collecting your data and how we will use it.

Ordering publications

When you order a publication, we need to know your name, e-mail address, delivery address, credit or debit card number and the card's expiry date.  This allows us to process and fulfil your orders and to notify you of the status of your order.  We also ask you for your telephone number, which enables us to contact you urgently if there is a problem with your order.

Feedback

You can send us your feedback by completing a variety of forms online:

• Completing these feedback forms will automatically generate an e-mail directed to the appropriate person, for example our Enquiry Service or the Website Manager.
• If this feedback form is asking for information, we may need to contact other Government Departments or Agencies to find that information.
• If your question is technical, we may need to pass it to our technology suppliers.
• We do not pass on any of your personal information when dealing with your enquiry.
• Once we have replied to you, we keep a record of your e-mails for 6 months for reference and audit purposes, after which it is deleted.

Site usage information

To help make our website better, we use tracking technology which monitors user sections via a Java applet which activates a session cookie.  No information is stored on your computer and no personal data is obtained from this software.

Persistent cookies

One way we collect information about you when you use our websites is through the use of cookies.  A 'cookie' is a set of data that a website server stores on your computer.  Cookies enable websites to recognise your computer and to 'remember' your entries as you move from page to page, or even when you revisit the site from time to time using the same computer.

We use 'Persistent cookies' on our website which remember a user at the user's next visit.  Your persistent cookies are not automatically erased, and they remain on your computer until you erase them.  If you do not want these cookies to remain on your computer, you can erase them through use of your browser settings. To find out more about cookies go to the IAB website at www.allaboutcookies.org

These cookies do not contain any personal information about you, and do not hold any information about which sites you visited before snh.gov.uk

Log files

Log files allow us to record visitors' use of the site. WEB Trends, our web developers, puts together log file information from all our visitors. We use this information to make changes to the layout of the site and to the information in it, based on the way that visitors move around it.

Log files do not contain any personal information.

What happens when I link to another site?

www.snh.gov.uk contains links to other websites, both those of government departments and of other organisations. This privacy policy applies only to our site, so you should always be aware when you are moving to another site and read their privacy statement.  SNH is not responsible for the content of any other website.

We do not pass on any personal information you have given us to any other site.

Access to your information and contacting snh.gov.uk

You have the right, under the Data Protection Act 1998, to ask us for copies data about you that we have collected. For any enquiry or concern about our privacy policy, or to request access to your personal data, contact

Information Officer
Scottish Natural Heritage
Battleby
Redgorton
Perth
PH1 3EW

Telephone: 01738 458682
Email: foi@snh.gov.uk

It is in our interest and yours to hold accurate data. If the data we hold is inaccurate is any way you may, where appropriate, obtain a court order to;

• have the data erased or destroyed;
• have the data corrected or changed, or
• block certain types of access to your data.

To find out more about your personal data and your rights visit the UK Information Commissioners website at www.ico.gov.uk

Dispute

We aim to ensure that we have resolved any matters satisfactorily, however if you are not satisfied you may contact: