GDPR Compliance

Last Updated: June 2024

Our Commitment to Data Protection

We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. This document explains how we comply with GDPR requirements and outlines your rights as a data subject.

Data Controller Information

birch-side acts as the data controller for personal information collected through our website and services.

Contact: [email protected]
Address: 42 Wellington Street, Manchester M1 4EG, United Kingdom

Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following lawful grounds:

  • Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide educational services you've enrolled in
  • Consent: Where you have given explicit permission for specific processing activities
  • Legitimate Interests: For improving our services, fraud prevention, and business operations
  • Legal Obligations: To comply with financial regulations and other legal requirements

Your Rights Under GDPR

Right to Access

You have the right to obtain confirmation that we process your data and to access your personal information. You can request a copy of your data in a commonly used electronic format.

Right to Rectification

If your personal data is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to request correction or completion of that information.

Right to Erasure

You can request deletion of your personal data when:

  • The data is no longer necessary for the purposes it was collected
  • You withdraw consent and there is no other legal basis for processing
  • You object to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds
  • The data has been unlawfully processed

Note that we may retain certain information to comply with legal obligations or establish legal claims.

Right to Restriction of Processing

You can request that we limit how we use your data when:

  • You contest the accuracy of your data
  • Processing is unlawful but you prefer restriction over erasure
  • We no longer need the data but you require it for legal claims
  • You have objected to processing pending verification of legitimate grounds

Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format and to transmit that data to another controller.

Right to Object

You can object to processing of your personal data based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. We will cease processing unless we demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

Right to Lodge a Complaint

If you believe we have not handled your data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or your local supervisory authority.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your GDPR rights, contact us at [email protected] with:

  • Your full name and email address associated with your account
  • Description of the right you wish to exercise
  • Any relevant details or documentation

We will respond to your request within 30 days. In complex cases, we may extend this period by an additional 60 days and will inform you of the extension.

Data Protection Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security:

  • Encryption of data in transit and at rest
  • Access controls and authentication mechanisms
  • Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
  • Staff training on data protection principles
  • Data breach response procedures
  • Privacy by design in system development

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a personal data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you without undue delay. We will also notify the appropriate supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, where feasible.

International Data Transfers

When we transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
  • Adequacy decisions for countries with appropriate data protection standards
  • Binding corporate rules for transfers within corporate groups

Automated Decision-Making

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects or significantly affects you without human involvement. Any automated processing is limited to improving user experience and course recommendations, which you can opt out of at any time.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with legal obligations. Specific retention periods are detailed in our Privacy Policy.

Third-Party Processing

We work with third-party processors who handle data on our behalf. All processors are carefully selected and bound by data processing agreements that ensure GDPR compliance, including:

  • Processing data only on our documented instructions
  • Implementing appropriate security measures
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Assisting with data subject rights requests
  • Deleting or returning data upon request

Updates to This Document

We may update this GDPR compliance document to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Significant changes will be communicated via email or prominent website notice.

Contact Information

For questions about GDPR compliance or to exercise your rights:

Email: [email protected]
Address: 42 Wellington Street, Manchester M1 4EG, United Kingdom