Buckinghamshire College Group is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal information is handled securely and in accordance with the law. This notice explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect:
- Personal details (e.g., name, email address, phone number)
- Information provided through forms, applications, or surveys
- Technical data (e.g., IP address, browser type, cookies)
Buckinghamshire College Group uses a third-party AI service provider (OpenAI) to power the website chatbot. Users are not asked for personal information within the chat itself, but message content is not filtered, so any personal data a user chooses to type may be transmitted to the provider. This transfer is covered by a signed Data Processing Addendum with OpenAI, which incorporates Standard Contractual Clauses (and the UK Addendum), providing an appropriate safeguard for the transfer outside the UK in accordance with the College's policy on restricted transfers. OpenAI retains message data for a maximum of 7 days and does not use it to train its models.
Contact details (first name, last name, email address) provided by users to save or return to a chat, or to opt in to marketing, are collected and stored separately from the AI provider, on a UK-based server operated by Buckinghamshire College Group's website/chatbot provider. This data does not leave the UK and is never sent to the AI provider.
2. How We Use Your Information
Your data may be used for:
- Providing services and responding to enquiries
- Improving website functionality and user experience
- Meeting legal and regulatory requirements
3. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.
4. Sharing Your Data
We do not sell your personal information. Data may be shared with trusted third parties only where necessary for service delivery or legal compliance.
5. Data Retention
We keep your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this notice or as required by law.
6. Your Rights
Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Request correction or deletion
- Object to processing
- Withdraw consent (where applicable)
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about your personal information, please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Buckinghamshire College Group
Oxford Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP21 8PD
