Privacy policy
This site is provided by Companies House in conjunction with the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Cabinet Office.
Companies House is the data controller for any personal information published on this site and any personal information collected via cookies.
The Cabinet Office is the data controller for personal information processed as part of providing the underlying platform such as IP addresses.
A data controller determines how and why personal data is processed. For more information, read the Cabinet Office’s entry in the Data Protection Public Register.
This privacy notice sets out how your personal information is handled when you access this website. For details of how Companies House handles personal data obtained about officers of companies and corporate entities and beneficial owners of overseas entities, see Companies House personal information charter.
What data we collect and why we need it
GDS collects some data automatically when you visit this site. This includes your Internet Protocol (IP) address, and details of which version of web browser you use. GDS uses this information to provide you with access to the website and to monitor use of the site to identify security threats.
Where you provide your consent Companies House uses Google Analytics to collect the following information about how you use this website:
- the pages you visit on GOV.UK
- how long you spend on each GOV.UK page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
- a rough indication of your location using your anonymised IP address
No directly identifiable personal information is collected through Google Analytics (for example your name or address). Companies House will not identify you through analytics information, and will not combine analytics information with other data sets in a way that would identify who you are.
Companies House uses this information to make sure the website is meeting the needs of its users and to make improvements.
See the Cookies page for more information about the cookies used on this website.
If you provide feedback about the Changes to UK company law website, you do not need to provide personal details, unless you choose to. We will not use those details for any other purpose.
Legal basis for processing your data
GDS’s legal basis for processing personal data in relation to site security is their legitimate interests in ensuring the security and integrity of the platform.
GDS’s legal basis for processing all other personal data is that it’s necessary to perform a task in the public interest or in the exercise of our functions as a government department
Companies House collects your information through Google Analytics, and processes any personal data provided with your feedback on the website on the basis of user consent.
What we do with your data
GDS or Companies House may share data with other government departments, agencies and public bodies where there’s a legitimate and justifiable business need. Data may also be shared with technology suppliers, such as hosting providers, which act as data processors.
We will not:
- sell or rent your data to third parties
- share your data with third parties for marketing purposes
We will share your data if we are required to do so by law – for example, by court order, or to prevent fraud or other crime.
How long we keep your data
We will only retain your personal data for as long as it is needed for the purposes set out in this document or for as long as the law requires us to.
GDS will delete access log data after 120 days.
Companies House will delete Google Analytics data after 2 years.
Children’s privacy protection
This website is not designed for, or intentionally targeted at, children 13 years of age or younger. Neither GDS or Companies House intentionally collect or maintain data about anyone under the age of 13.
Where your data is processed and stored
Data related to the underlying platform is processed and stored in the European Economic Area (EEA). Data collected by Google Analytics may be transferred outside the EEA for processing.
How we protect your data and keep it secure
We are committed to doing all that we can to keep your data secure. We have set up systems and processes to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure of your data – for example, we protect your data using varying levels of encryption.
We also make sure that any third parties that we deal with keep all personal data they process on our behalf secure.
Your rights
You have the right to request:
- information about how your personal data is processed
- a copy of that personal data
- that anything inaccurate in your personal data is corrected immediately
You can also:
- raise an objection about how your personal data is processed
- request that your personal data is erased if there is no longer a justification for it
- ask that the processing of your personal data is restricted in certain circumstances
If you have any of these requests, get in contact with gds-privacy-office@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.
Contact us or make a complaint
Contact the GDS Privacy Team at gds-privacy-office@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk if you:
- have a question about anything in this privacy notice
- think that your personal data has been misused or mishandled
You can also contact the Companies House’s Data Protection Officer (DPO):
Data Protection Officer
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3UZ
The DPOs provide independent advice and monitoring of our use of personal information.
You can also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator.
Information Commissioner
casework@ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Textphone: 01625 545860
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Changes to this policy
This policy may be changed from time to time. In that case, the ‘last updated’ date at the bottom of this page will also change. Any changes to this privacy policy will apply to you and your data immediately.
If these changes affect how your personal data is processed, GDS and Companies House will take reasonable steps to let you know.
Last updated 23 October 2023