Website of the UK government

What information Directgov collects

Directgov collects the following kinds of information from people visiting this website:

• feedback (through visitors emailing Directgov or completing online forms)
• queries and customer satisfaction survey results (via the Directgov website)
• site usage information, using cookies and page tagging techniques

After Directgov replies to your feedback, a record of your message will be kept for up to two months before it's deleted.

Cookies

Directgov uses small bits of data stored on your computer called 'cookies'. Find out what Directgov uses them for, and how to control their use.

• How cookies are used by Directgov

How Directgov uses your information

Information collected by Directgov is used to:

• improve the content and design of the website
• contact visitors (with their permission)

Directgov will never share your information with other organisations for marketing, market research or commercial purposes. Directgov doesn't pass on your personal information to any other website.

Other websites

Directgov contains links to and from websites of government departments and other organisations. This privacy policy applies only to Directgov.

Following a link to another website

When you go to another website, read the privacy policy on that website if you want to know what it does with your information. Directgov doesn’t pass on any of your personal information to other websites.

Following a link to Directgov from another website

When you come to Directgov from another website, Directgov may get personal information about you from the other website. You should read the privacy policy of websites you visit that link you to Directgov if you want to know about this.

These policies will explain how they collect and use your personal information, and whether they pass this on to websites they link you to.

Social networking websites

Directgov has links at the bottom of website pages so you can use social networking websites (eg Facebook and Twitter) with Directgov. These websites are not controlled by Directgov. By using these links you accept the privacy policies of these websites. To find out more, see 'How do you use this toolbar?'.

• How do you use this toolbar?

Government Gateway privacy policy

The Government Gateway provides secure and encrypted online services. Some government transactions and services, eg Tax Self Assessment and the State Pensions Forecast, need you to register with the Government Gateway to use them. The Government Gateway has its own privacy policy you can read to find out more.

• What is the Government Gateway?

• Government Gateway privacy policy Opens new window

Data Protection Notice

Under the Data Protection Act, Directgov must protect any information collected from you. Directgov uses leading technologies and encryption software to protect your data, and keeps strict security standards to prevent any unauthorised access to it.

• Data protection and identity theft (government, citizens and rights section)

Access to your information

All personal information received is treated confidentially. By submitting personal information you agree to Directgov's processing of your personal information, including sensitive personal information, for the purposes outlined below. All personal data received is kept for up to two months.

Personal information you submit may be passed on to the appropriate government department, executive agency or non-departmental public body to help resolve any query raised. Directgov may also give personal information to law enforcement authorities as part of a criminal investigation.

Personal data will be available to selected employees, contractors and service providers who are associated with Directgov, for them to complete their responsibilities for Directgov.

Where Directgov uses the services of other organisations, they are contractually obliged to process your data securely and confidentially under strict instructions.

Asking for information Directgov holds about you

Information held by Directgov central administration

If you submit personal information through one of the following features of Directgov, it may be collected and stored by the team that administers Directgov:

• enquiries sent in through the 'contact us' form
• forms hosted on the forms.direct.gov.uk domain
• the 'Was this information useful?' form on the bottom of every page

For a copy of any information collected about you through any of the above methods, please email:

foi.team@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

Information held by Directgov’s service providers

Other online services available on the Directgov website may also require you to enter personal information. In these cases, your information will be processed by the government department or agency that operates that particular service.

You can find out which department or agency operates the service by checking the logo on the relevant page. For example:

• getting a Pension Credit estimate is provided by The Pension Service
• applying for a vehicle tax disc is provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

If you would like to ask for a copy of the information held about you, please write to the Data Protection Officer of that organisation.

Changes to this privacy policy

If this privacy policy changes Directgov will update this page. You should visit this page regularly so you know:

• what personal information Directgov collects
• how Directgov uses your personal information
• when (if ever) Directgov shares your personal information with someone else