Modern information and communication technologies play a fundamental role in the activities of housing associations such as Catalyst Housing. This privacy statement sets out the data we collect via our website, how we collect it and how we process it.

Providing visitors with anonymous access

You can access our website home page and browse our site without disclosing your personal data.

Automatic collection of information

We do not automatically log personal data nor do we link information automatically logged by other means with personal data about specific individuals.

Cookies

Cookies are small, sometimes encrypted files that are downloaded to your pc/mobile device when you access websites (including the Catalyst website). These cookies then allow websites to recognise your pc/mobile device next time you visit.

Cookies are useful because they can help with the navigation of a site and make your browsing experience faster and easier. Cookies can also track user activity on a website, helping to provide information about how visitors use and interact with the site.

Catalyst and cookies

EU legislation requires all websites to clearly specify if cookies are being used and what they are being used for. Websites also need to obtain the user’s consent to store a cookie on their pc/mobile device.

We do not use cookies to store personal information.

We use Google Analytics which uses cookies to anonymously track activity on our website. We use this information to keep our site relevant and to make it easier to use. These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited.

Managing cookies

Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Note: Mobile devices can include mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and any other device that allows you internet access to websites.

Data collection and purpose specification

We collect the personal data that you may volunteer while using our services. We do not collect information about our visitors from other sources, such as public records or bodies, or private organisations. The personal data collected and purposes for which they are used are listed below. We do not collect or use personal data for any purpose other than that indicated below.

Primary personal data collected for technical administration, research and development, customer administration and marketing:

• name
• gender
• address
• email
• telephone
• personal details
• family characteristics
• ethnic origin
• health/medical data

If we wish to use your personal data for a new purpose, we offer you the means to consent to this new purpose.

Children’s privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. We do not take specific steps to protect the privacy of children who disclose their personal data to us. We do provide information about our personal data practices in relation to children on our home page and wherever we knowingly collect personnal data from children on our website.

Disclosure and visitor choice

We disclose our visitors’ personal data to our subsidiaries or other organisations. Where we disclose your personal data for purposes which are different from those indicated in the table mentioned above, we offer you the opportunity to consent to disclosure by writing to The Data Controller, Catalyst Housing, Ealing Gateway, 26-30 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2AU.

Confidentiality and security

We do not give visitors to our website the option of using a secure transmission method to send us their personal data. We have implemented security policies, rules and technical measures to protect the personal data that we have under our control from:

• unauthorised access
• improper use or disclosure
• unauthorised modification
• unlawful destruction or accidental loss

All our employees and data processors, who have access to, and are associated with the processing of personal data, are obliged to respect the confidentiality of our visitors’ personal data. We ensure that your personal data will not be disclosed to State institutions and authorities except if required by law or other regulation, or where subject to an information sharing agreement.

Access to the personal data we may hold about you

You can ask us whether we are keeping personal data about you by writing to: The Data Controller, Catalyst Housing, Ealing Gateway, 26-30 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2AU. On request, we will provide you with a readable copy of the personal data which we keep about you. We will require proof of your identity before providing a copy of the data, and provision of the information is subject to a charge of £10.00. We allow you to challenge the data that we hold about you and, where appropriate, you may have the data:

• erased
• rectified or amended
• completed

We reserve the right to refuse to provide our visitors with a copy of their personal data, but will give reasons for our refusal. We do, however, allow you to challenge our decision to refuse to provide you with a copy of your personal data.

Web services

Some areas of our website may enable you to communicate with other visitors or to post information to be accessed by others. When you do so, other visitors may collect your data.

Third party websites

Our website contains links to various third party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any external websites that are linked from this site.

Privacy compliance

Our privacy policy is compliant with the Data Protection Act 1998. There are no global or regional regulatory or self-regulatory schemes applicable to our website or organisation. In order to demonstrate that our privacy policy accords with the above privacy instrument, we are subject to a Government Agency supervision.

Government Agency supervision

Designation of the agency: The Information Commissioner Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Enquiries

If you have an enquiry or concern about our privacy policy, please contact: The Data Controller, Catalyst Housing, Ealing Gateway, 26-30 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2AU or visit our feedback page.