Privacy policy

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  PRIVACY POLICY 

This Privacy Policy applies between you, the User of this Website, and University of Essex and University of Kent, the owner and provider of this Website. University of Essex and University of Kent takes the privacy of your information very seriously. This Privacy Policy applies to our use of any and all Data collected by us or provided by you in relation to your use of the Website. 

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. 

Definitions and Interpretation 

1. In this Privacy Policy, the following definitions are used: 

Data 

collectively all information that you submit to University of   Essex and University of Kent via the Website. This definition incorporates, where applicable, the   definitions provided in the Data Protection Laws;

Data 

Protection Laws

any   applicable law relating to the processing of personal Data, including but not   limited to the GDPR, and any national   implementing and supplementary laws, regulations and secondary legislation;

GDPR 

the UK General Data Protection   Regulation;

University of Essex 

and

University of Kent, 

we or us

University   of Essex of Wivenhoe Park, Essex, CO4 3SQ; 

University   of Kent of Giles Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ

User   or you 

any third party that accesses the Website and is not either (i)   employed by University of Essex and University of Kent and acting in the course of their employment or   (ii) engaged as a consultant or otherwise providing services to University of Essex and University of   Kent and accessing the Website in connection with the provision of such   services; and

Website 

the   website that you are currently using, www.mothersafteradoption.com, and any   sub-domains of this site unless expressly excluded by their own terms and   conditions.

2. In this Privacy Policy, unless the context requires a different interpretation: 

1. the singular      includes the plural and vice versa; 
2. references to      sub-clauses, clauses, schedules or appendices are to sub-clauses, clauses,      schedules or appendices of this      Privacy Policy; 
3. a reference to a      person includes firms, companies, government entities, trusts and      partnerships; 
4. "including"      is understood to mean "including without limitation"; 
5. reference to any      statutory provision includes any modification or amendment of it; 
6. the headings and      sub-headings do not form part of this Privacy Policy.

Scope of this Privacy Policy 

3. This Privacy Policy applies only to the actions of University of Essex and University of Kent and Users with respect to this Website. It does not extend to any websites that can be accessed from this Website including, but not limited to, any links we may provide to social media websites. 

4. For purposes of the applicable Data Protection Laws, University of Essex and University of Kent is the "data controller". This means that University of Essex and University of Kent determines the purposes for which, and the manner in which, your Data is processed. 

How We Collect Data 

5. We collect Data in the following ways:

1. data is given to      us by you; and

Data That is Given to Us by You 

6. University of Essex and University of Kent will collect your Data in a number of ways, for example: 

1. when you contact us through the Website, by      telephone, post, e-mail or through any other means;
2. when you elect to receive marketing      communications from us; 

in each case, in accordance with this Privacy Policy. 

Our Use of Data 

8. Any or all of the above Data may be required by us from time to time in order to provide you with the best possible service and experience when using our Website. Specifically, Data may be used by us for the following reasons: 

1. internal record      keeping; 
2. improvement of      our products / services; 
3. contact for      market research purposes which may be done using email, telephone, fax or      mail. Such information may be used      to customise or update the Website; 

in each case, in accordance with this Privacy Policy. 

9. We may use your Data for the above purposes if we deem it necessary to do so for our legitimate interests. If you are not satisfied with this, you have the right to object in certain circumstances (see the section headed "Your rights" below).

10. For the delivery of direct marketing to you via e-mail, we'll need your consent, whether via an opt-in or soft-opt-in: 

1. for other types of e-marketing, we are      required to obtain your explicit consent; that is, you need to take      positive and affirmative action      when consenting by, for example, checking a tick box that we'll provide. 
2. if you are not satisfied with our approach to      marketing, you have the right to withdraw consent at any time. To find out how to withdraw your consent,      see the section headed "Your rights" below. 

Keeping Data Secure 

11. We will use technical and organisational measures to safeguard your Data: 

we store your Data on secure servers. 

12. Technical and organisational measures include measures to deal with any suspected data breach. If you suspect any misuse or loss or unauthorised access to your Data, please let us know immediately by contacting us via this e-mail address: Smdave@essex.ac.uk. 

Data Retention 

14. Unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, we will only hold your Data on our systems for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or until you request that the Data be deleted. 

15. Even if we delete your Data, it may persist on backup or archival media for legal, tax or regulatory purposes. 

Your Rights 

16. You have the following rights in relation to your Data: 

1. Right      to access - the right to      request (i) copies of the information we hold about you at any time, or      (ii) that we modify, update or      delete such information. If we provide you with access to the information      we hold about you, we will not      charge you for this, unless your request is "manifestly unfounded or      excessive." Where we are legally permitted to do so, we may refuse your request. If we refuse your      request, we will tell you the reasons why. 
2. Right to correct - the right to have your Data rectified if it      is inaccurate or incomplete. 
3. Right to erase - the right to request that we delete or      remove your Data from our systems. 
4. Right to restrict our use of your Data - the right to "block" us from using      your Data or limit the way in which we can use it. 
5. Right to data portability - the right to request that we move, copy or      transfer your Data. 
6. Right      to object - the right to      object to our use of your Data including where we use it for our      legitimate interests.

17. To make enquiries, exercise any of your rights set out above, or withdraw your consent to the processing of your Data (where consent is our legal basis for processing your Data), please contact us via this e-mail address: Smdave@essex. ac.uk. 

18. If you are not satisfied with the way a complaint you make in relation to your Data is handled by us, you may be able to refer your complaint to the relevant data protection authority. For the UK, this is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO's contact details can be found on their website at https://ico.org.uk/. 

Links to Other Websites 

20. This Website may, from time to time, provide links to other websites. We have no control over such websites and are not responsible for the content of these websites. This Privacy Policy does not extend to your use of such websites. You are advised to read the Privacy Policy or statement of other websites prior to using them. 

General 

24. You may not transfer any of your rights under this Privacy Policy to any other person. We may transfer our rights under this Privacy Policy where we reasonably believe your rights will not be affected. 

25. If any court or competent authority finds that any provision of this Privacy Policy (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision will, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this Privacy Policy will not be affected. 

26. Unless otherwise agreed, no delay, act or omission by a party in exercising any right or remedy will be deemed a waiver of that, or any other, right or remedy. 

27. This Agreement will be governed by and interpreted according to the law of England and Wales. All disputes arising under the Agreement will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts. 

Changes to This Privacy Policy 

28. University of Essex and University of Kent reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy as we may deem necessary from time to time or as may be required by law. Any changes will be immediately posted on the Website and you are deemed to have accepted the terms of the Privacy Policy on your first use of the Website following the alterations. 

You may contact University of Essex and University of Kent by email at Smdave@essex.ac.uk.

Attribution 

This Privacy Policy was created on 24 February 2025.