Thames Opera Company
Data Protection

Key details

Policy prepared by: Thames Opera Company
Approved by Board on: 10/09/2021
Next review date: 10/09/2022

Introduction

In order to operate, Thames Opera Company needs to gather, store and use certain forms of information about individuals.

These can include members, employees, contractors, suppliers, volunteers, audiences and potential audiences, business contacts and other people the group has a relationship with or regularly needs to contact.

This policy explains how this data should be collected, stored and used in order to meet Thames Opera Company data protection standards and comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Why is this policy important?

This policy ensures that Thames Opera Company:

Protects the rights of our members, volunteers and supporters
Complies with data protection law and follows good practice
Protect the group from the risks of a data breach

Roles and responsibilities

Who and what does this policy apply to?

This applies to all those handling data on behalf of Thames Opera Company e.g.:

Committee members
Employees and volunteers
Members
Contractors/3rd-party suppliers

It applies to all data that Thames Opera Company holds relating to individuals, including:

Names
Email addresses
Postal addresses
Phone numbers
Any other personal information held (e.g. financial)

Roles and responsibilities

Thames Opera Company is the Data Controller and will determine what data is collected and how it is used. The Data Protection Officer for Thames Opera Company is Timothy Drakes. They, together with the Trustees, are responsible for the secure, fair and transparent collection and use of data by Thames Opera Company. Any questions relating to the collection or use of data should be directed to the Data Protection Officer.

Everyone who has access to data as part of Thames Opera Company has a responsibility to ensure that they adhere to this policy.

Thames Opera Company uses third party Data Processors (e.g. Go Daddy) to process data on its behalf. Thames Opera Company will ensure all Data Processors are compliant with GDPR.

Data protection principles

a)We fairly and lawfully process personal data in a transparent way

Thames Opera Company will only collect data where lawful and where it is necessary for the legitimate purposes of the group.

A member’s name and contact details will be collected when they first join the group, and will be used to contact the member regarding group membership administration and activities. Other data may also subsequently be collected in relation to their membership, including their payment history for ‘subs’. Where possible Thames Opera Company will anonymise this data
- Lawful basis for processing this data: Contract (the collection and use of data is fair and reasonable in relation to Thames Opera Company completing tasks expected as part of the individual’s membership).
The name and contact details of volunteers, employees and contractors will be collected when they take up a position, and will be used to contact them regarding group administration related to their role.

Further information, including personal financial information and criminal records information may also be collected in specific circumstances where lawful and necessary (in order to process payment to the person or in order to carry out a DBS check).
- Lawful basis for processing this data: Contract (the collection and use of data is fair and reasonable in relation to Thames Opera Company completing tasks expected as part of working with the individuals),

An individual’s name and contact details will be collected when they make a booking for an event. This will be used to contact them about their booking and to allow them entry to the event.
- Lawful basis for processing this data: Contract (the collection and use of data is fair and reasonable in relation to Thames Opera Company completing tasks expected as part of the booking),
An individual’s name, contact details and other details may be collected at any time (including when booking tickets or at an event), with their consent, in order for Thames Opera Company to communicate with them about and promote group activities. See ‘How we get consent’ below.
- Lawful basis for processing this data: Consent (see ‘How we get consent’)

Pseudonymous or anonymous data (including behavioural, technological and geographical/regional) on an individual may be collected via tracking ‘cookies’ when they access our website or interact with our emails, in order for us to monitor and improve our effectiveness on these channels. See ‘Cookies on the Thames Opera Company website’ below.
- Lawful basis for processing this data: Consent (see ‘How we get consent’)

b)We only collect and use personal data for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes and will only use the data for those specified purposes.

When collecting data, Thames Opera Company will always provide a clear and specific privacy statement explaining to the subject why the data is required and what it will be used for.

c)We ensure any data collected is relevant and not excessive

Thames Opera Company will not collect or store more data than the minimum information required for its intended purpose.

E.g. we need to collect telephone numbers from members in order to be able to contact them about group administration, but data on their marital status or sexuality will not be collected, since it is unnecessary and excessive for the purposes of group administration.

d)We ensure data is accurate and up-to-date

Thames Opera Company will ask members, volunteers and staff to check and update their data on an annual basis. Any individual will be able to update their data at any point by contacting the Data Protection Officer.

e)We ensure data is not kept longer than necessary

Thames Opera Company will keep records for no longer than is necessary in order to meet the intended use for which it was gathered (unless there is a legal requirement to keep records).

The storage and intended use of data will be reviewed in line with Thames Opera Company data retention policy. When the intended use is no longer applicable (e.g. contact details for a member who has left the group), the data will be deleted within a reasonable period.

f)We keep personal data secure

Thames Opera Company will ensure that data held by us is kept secure.

Electronically-held data will be held within a password-protected and secure environment
Passwords for electronic data files will be re-set each time an individual with data access leaves their role/position
Physically-held data (e.g. membership forms or email sign-up sheets) will be stored in a locked cupboard
Keys for locks securing physical data files should be collected by the Data Protection Officer from any individual with access if they leave their role/position. The codes on combination locks should be changed each time an individual with data access leaves their role/position
Access to data will only be given to relevant trustees/committee members/contractors where it is clearly necessary for the running of the group. The Data Protection Officer will decide in what situations this is applicable and will keep a master list of who has access to data

g)Transfer to countries outside the EEA

Thames Opera Company will not transfer data to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), unless the country has adequate protection for the individual’s data privacy rights.

Individual Rights

When Thames Opera Company collects, holds and uses an individual’s personal data that individual has the following the rights over that data. Thames Opera Company will ensure its data processes comply with those rights and will make all reasonable efforts to fulfil requests from an individual in relation to those rights.

Individual’s rights

Right to be informed: whenever Thames Opera Company collects data it will provide a clear and specific privacy statement explaining why it is being collected and how it will be used. Right of access: individuals can request to see the data Thames Opera Company holds on them and confirmation of how it is being used. Requests should be made in writing to the Data Protection Officer and will be complied with free of charge and within one month. Where requests are complex or numerous this may be extended to two months Right to rectification: individuals can request that their data be updated where it is inaccurate or incomplete. Thames Opera Company will request that members, staff and contractors check and update their data on an annual basis. Any requests for data to be updated will be processed within one month. Right to object: individuals can object to their data being used for a particular purpose. Thames Opera Company will always provide a way for an individual to withdraw consent in all marketing communications. Where we receive a request to stop using data we will comply unless we have a lawful reason to use the data for legitimate interests or contractual obligation. Right to erasure: individuals can request for all data held on them to be deleted. Thames Opera Company data retention policy will ensure data is not held for longer than is reasonably necessary in relation to the purpose it was originally collected. If a request for deletion is made we will comply with the request unless: There is a lawful reason to keep and use the data for legitimate interests or contractual obligation. There is a legal requirement to keep the data.

Member-to-member contact

We only share members’ data with other members with the subject’s prior consent

As a membership organisation Thames Opera Company encourages communication between members.

To facilitate this:

Members can request the personal contact data of other members in writing via the Data Protection Officer or Membership Secretary. These details will be given, as long as they are for the purposes of contacting the subject (e.g. an email address, not financial or health data) and the subject has consented to their data being shared with other members in this way.

How we get consent

Thames Opera Company will regularly collect data from consenting supporters for marketing purposes. This includes contacting them to promote performances, updating them about group news, fundraising and other group activities.

Any time data is collected for this purpose, we will provide:

A method for users to show their positive and active consent to receive these communications (e.g. a ‘tick box’)A clear and specific explanation of what the data will be used for (e.g. ‘Tick this box if you would like Thames Opera Company to send you email updates with details about our forthcoming events, fundraising activities and opportunities to get involved’)

Data Breaches website

Thames Opera Company takes any breach of data seriously. A data breach could be the deliberate or accidental:

Loss of data – e.g. not knowing where physical or digital data is stored or how to access it, including devices being lost or stolen. Destruction of data – both physical and digital Corruption of data – e.g. changing data without permission or good reason or changing it with permission or good reason but incorrectly, either by Thames Opera Company staff, volunteers or third parties Unauthorised use of data e.g. sending an email that requires consent where consent has not been given. Unauthorised access to data – e.g. an (unauthorised) third party gains access to data stored by Thames Opera Company Unauthorised disclosure of data – e.g. Thames Opera Company passing data to a third party where we do not have a lawful basis to do so.

Thames Opera Company acknowledges that a data breach can occur through both action and inaction on the part of the Data Controller or Processor.

How we prevent Data breaches

Thames Opera Company has the following safeguards to ensure against possible data breaches:

Data is stored on secure systems with access controlled by passwords Automatic, and manual, processes ensure passwords are updated on a regular basis, including as soon as an individual’s role within, or relationship to, Thames Opera Company changes. Automatic, and manual, processes ensure mass communications are only sent in line with mailing preferences. Establish if a breach has occurred. Investigate if any measures can be taken to contain or minimise the breach. Establish the full extent and nature of that breach – including what the breach was, how many data subjects are affected and who they are. Establish if the data breach has, or is likely to, pose a significant risk to the data subjects rights and freedoms:If the breach does pose a significant risk to the data subjects rights and freedoms we will: Ensure all trustees are informed Report the breach to the ICO. This will be done in-line with their guidelines and as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after the breach occurred Report the breach to any other relevant regulators, including the Charity Commission. Report the breach to the data subjects affected, informing them of what has happened, possible and likely impacts it might have on them and what we are doing to manage the breach and reduce risk of future occurrences If the breach does not pose a significant risk to the data subjects rights and freedoms we will: Document details of the breach and the decision making process involved in assessing the severity and risk of the breach. Ensure the breach is reported to the Board of Trustees at the next planed full board meeting.

Cookies on the Thames Opera Company website

A cookie is a small text file that is downloaded onto ‘terminal equipment’ (e.g. a computer or smartphone) when the user accesses a website. It allows the website to recognise that user’s device and store some information about the user’s preferences or past actions.

Thames Opera Company uses cookies on our website [www.thamesopera.org.uk] in order to monitor and record their activity. This allows us to improve users’ experience of our website by, for example, allowing for a ‘logged in’ state, and by giving us useful insight into how users as a whole are engaging with the website.

We will implement a pop-up box on [www.thamesopera.org.uk] that will activate each new time a user visits the website. This will allow them to click to consent (or not) to continuing with cookies enabled, or to ignore the message and continue browsing (i.e. give their implied consent).

It will also include a link to our Privacy Policy which outlines which specific cookies are used and how cookies can be disabled in the most common browsers.

Data retention policy

Overview

Introduction

This policy sets out how Thames Opera Company will approach data retention and establishes processes to ensure we do not hold data for longer than is necessary.

It forms part of Thames Opera Company Data Protection Policy.

Roles and responsibilities

Thames Opera Company is the Data Controller and will determine what data is collected, retained and how it is used. The Data Protection Officer for Thames Opera Company is Timothy Drakes. They, together with the trustees are responsible for the secure and fair retention and use of data by Thames Opera Company. Any questions relating to data retention or use of data should be directed to the Data Protection Officer.

Regular Data Review

A regular review of all data will take place to establish if Thames Opera Company still has good reason to keep and use the data held at the time of the review.

As a general rule a data review will be held every 2 years and no more than 27 calendar months after the last review. The first review 10th September 2021.

Data to be reviewed

Thames Opera Company stores data on digital documents (e.g. spreadsheets) stored on personal devices held by committee members. Data stored on third party online services e.g. OneDrive, GoDaddy emails. Physical data stored at the homes of committee members Physical data will be destroyed safely and securely, including shredding. All reasonable and practical efforts will be made to remove data stored digitally. Priority will be given to any instances where data is stored in active lists (e.g. where it could be used) and to sensitive data. Where deleting the data would mean deleting other data that we have a valid lawful reason to keep (e.g. on old emails) then the data may be retained safely and securely but not used.

Question

Action

Yes

Is the data stored securely?

No action necessary

Update storage protocol in line with Data Protection policy

Does the original reason for having the data still apply?

Continue to use

Delete or remove data

Is the data being used for its original intention?

Continue to use

Either delete/remove or record lawful basis for use and get consent if necessary

Is there a statutory requirement to keep the data?

Keep the data at least until the statutory minimum no longer applies

Delete or remove the data unless we have reason to keep the data under other criteria.

Is the data accurate?

Continue to use

Ask the subject to confirm/update details

Where appropriate do we have consent to use the data. This consent could be implied by previous use and engagement by the individual

Continue to use

Get consent

Can the data be anonymised

Anonymise data

Continue to use

Statutory Requirements

Data stored by Thames Opera Company may be retained based in statutory requirements for storing data other than data protection regulations. This might include but is not limited to:

< >Gift Aid declarations records Details of payments made and received (e.g. in bank statements and accounting records)Trustee meeting minutes Contracts and agreements with suppliers/customers Insurance details Tax and employment records

Other data retention procedures

Member data

< >When a member leaves Thames Opera Company and all administrative tasks relating to their membership have been completed any potentially sensitive data held on them will be deleted – this might include bank details or medical data. Unless consent has been given data will be removed from all email mailing lists All other data will be stored safely and securely and reviewed as part of the next two year review If an individual opts out of a mailing list their data will be removed as soon as is practically possible. All other data will be stored safely and securely and reviewed as part of the next two year review When a volunteer or freelancer stops working with Thames Opera Company and all administrative tasks relating to their work have been completed any potentially sensitive data held on them will be deleted – this might include bank details or medical data Unless consent has been given data will be removed from all email mailing lists All other data will be stored safely and securely and reviewed as part of the next two year review All other data will be included in a regular two year review.