Privacy Policy

Who We Are

Drone Services North East provides professional drone operations for inspection, surveying, monitoring, and media services across construction, infrastructure, offshore wind, and industrial sectors throughout the UK.

Data Controller: Drone Services North East
Contact: info@droneservicesnortheast.co.uk
Phone: 0191 731 8555
Website: droneservicesnortheast.co.uk

Information We Collect

We collect and process personal data only when necessary to provide our services, respond to enquiries, and comply with legal obligations.

Information You Provide to Us

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name, and job title when you contact us or request a quote
• Project Details: Site locations, project descriptions, technical requirements, and operational constraints
• Payment Information: Billing address and payment details (processed securely via third-party payment providers)
• Communications: Records of correspondence, consultation notes, and service requests

Information Collected Automatically

• Website Usage Data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on site
• Cookies: Small text files stored on your device to improve website functionality and user experience (see Section 5 for details)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data about website traffic and user behavior via Google Analytics

Operational Data

• Aerial Imagery & Data: Photographs, videos, survey data, and reports captured during drone operations
• Site Information: Location coordinates, site access details, and operational documentation
• Safety Documentation: Risk assessments, method statements, and site-specific safety records

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes, based on legitimate business interests and legal obligations:

Data Storage & Security

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.

Security Measures

• Encryption: Data transmitted via our website is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Access Controls: Personal data is accessible only to authorized personnel who need it to perform their duties
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure servers with regular backups and access logging
• Third-Party Security: Payment processing and cloud storage providers meet industry-standard security certifications

Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law:

• Client Data: Retained for 7 years after project completion (UK tax and accounting requirements)
• Enquiry Data: Retained for 2 years if no contract is formed
• Operational Data: Raw survey data archived for 90 days; processed deliverables retained per contract terms
• Website Analytics: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual IP addresses anonymized after 14 months

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and analyze usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us understand how you interact with our site.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality (e.g., session management, form submission)
• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics tracks website traffic and user behavior (anonymized data)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality. For more information, visit allaboutcookies.org.

Third-Party Services

We use trusted third-party services to support our operations. These providers have access to limited personal data only as necessary to perform their functions:

• Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis (anonymized data)
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing (PCI-DSS compliant)
• Cloud Storage: Secure data storage and backup services
• Email Providers: Business email and communication services
• Website Hosting: Secure website hosting and content delivery

All third-party providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes. We do not share data with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Your Rights (UK GDPR)

Under UK data protection law (UK GDPR), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation on how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where consent was the legal basis

Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell or share your personal data except in the following circumstances:

• Service Delivery: Sharing operational data with site management, contractors, or clients as necessary to complete projects
• Legal Obligations: Disclosure required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
• Professional Advisors: Sharing with lawyers, accountants, or auditors subject to confidentiality agreements
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, personal data may be transferred (you will be notified)

International Data Transfers

Your personal data is primarily stored and processed within the UK. Some third-party services (e.g., cloud storage, analytics) may involve data transfers to countries outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure adequate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK ICO
• Adequacy decisions confirming equivalent data protection standards
• Certification schemes (e.g., Privacy Shield successor frameworks)

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child, we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. Significant changes will be communicated via:

• A prominent notice on our website
• Email notification to active clients
• Updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy

Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.