Information Charter

We need to handle personal data about you so that we can:

• carry out our functions of providing development assistance (including in accordance with the International Development Act 2002), fighting global poverty and delivering UK aid around the world;
• administer our organisation and;
• provide services to you.

DFID handles all information in a manner that respects the right of individuals and which complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).  Personal data is information that relates to identifiable living individuals.  We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (the regulatory authority which oversees compliance with the DPA) as a data controller.

This information charter sets out the standard you can expect from DFID when we request or hold personal data about you. 

When we ask you for personal data, we will:

• make sure you know why we need it;
• only ask for what we need, and not collect too much or irrelevant information;
• not keep it for longer than necessary;
• protect it and make sure nobody has access to it who should not.

We will not pass your personal data to third parties other than where this is necessary and in accordance with the DPA.

In return, we ask you to:

• give us accurate information
• tell us as soon as possible if there any changes such as a new address where it is necessary for us to know about this.

This will help us to keep your information reliable and up to date.

Access to personal data

You can find out if we hold any personal data about you by making a ‘subject access request’ in accordance with Section 7 of the DPA.

If you have any other queries relating to how we process your personal information, or you want to make a subject access request, please contact:  foi@dfid.gov.uk or telephone +44(0)1355 843549.

Source of independent advice on handling of personal data

When we ask for information, we will keep to the law, including the DPA.  For independent advice about data protection, privacy and data sharing issues, you can contact the Information Commissioner at:

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone:  0303 123 1113 (or 01625 545745 if you would prefer not to call an ‘03’ number, or +44 1625 545745 if calling from overseas)
Fax:  01625 524510
Website:  www.ico.gov.uk