Privacy policy: Ask the government a question
How your data is used and collected when using the 'Ask the government a question' service.
This privacy policy relates to the online service ‘Ask the government a question’. It explains what personal data we collect and what we do with it. It also explains your rights and how to enforce them.
Who manages this service
This service is managed by Government Digital Service (GDS) on behalf of the Cabinet Office. In most cases, the Cabinet Office is the ‘data controller’ for data protection purposes. When we share your data with other government departments (see the “What do we do with your data” section), the other department also acts as a data controller in their own right.
The personal data we need
When you use this online service, we ask for:
- your name
- your email address
- your phone number
- the region where you live
- the question you would like to ask
If your question is selected for a public event, you will be contacted by a representative from the relevant government department to ask for a video recording of you asking the question which will be broadcast (live or pre-recorded) on national television, social media and YouTube.
Why we collect your data
We collect your personal contact details so that a representative from the relevant government department can contact you in relation to your question. For example, if your question is selected for a public event, you will be contacted to ask for a video recording of you asking the question, or for you to ask your question live. Video recordings will be played at a public event alongside your name and the region where you live.
If the government would like to use your question in other ways, for example in people’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) or in a written question and answer session, you will be contacted to confirm your permission to use your question in this way.
Lawful basis for processing your personal information
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we are processing this information on the basis that you are giving us your consent to use this information to contact you if you submit a question for the press conference or other question and answer sessions with the government. We also rely on your consent to identify you when asking the question on your behalf, or to collect and broadcast a video of you asking your question.
We rely on the fact that we are carrying out a function in the public interest to retain the recordings of public events (that may include your data) for historic reference and interest. This is in line with our duties under the Public Records Act 1958.
What we do with your data
Each question that is submitted is assigned a unique ID number. We share your question, its unique ID number and your region with YouGov to independently select which questions should be asked. Your name or contact details are not shared with YouGov.
YouGov provide us with the unique ID numbers of the questions that they select. We use the unique ID number to identify the individual(s) that submitted the question and then either contact them ourselves or share the information with other government departments so they can do the same.
If you agree to provide a video, it will be broadcast (live or pre-recorded) with your name and the region where you live at a public event.
The government’s public events are broadcast on national television and our social media channels such as YouTube and Facebook. This may be further published by journalists and members of the public. Where this occurs we will have no control over the use and further publication of the data. Please bear this in mind before submitting your question.
We also conduct aggregate analysis of the questions that are submitted for themes which helps us to understand the types of topics that the public as a whole are interested in. We use a de-identified copy of your data for this that does not include your name and contact details.
Your data will be stored with our IT suppliers who provide document management storage and other services to us.
Where your data is processed and stored
Your personal data may be transferred outside the UK while being processed by our IT suppliers. If this happens, we’ll make sure it is given the same level of technical and legal data protection as it is within the UK, through the use of contractual clauses or an adequacy decision in respect of the international territory.
How long we store your data
We retain your personal data for the minimum amount of time necessary for the purpose of this service. In the majority of cases, we will not retain your personal data for longer than 3 months after you have submitted your question.
Please be aware that we do not erase or remove the recordings of public events once they have been published in the public domain such as our YouTube channel. This is because they are retained for historic reference and interest. Furthermore, you should be aware that the recordings we broadcast can be copied and used by third parties both in the UK and overseas, such as news broadcasters. We will not have control over any copies that a third party makes. Please bear this in mind before submitting your question.
How we protect your information
We have set up systems and processes to prevent unauthorised access to or disclosure of the data we collect about you. All third parties that process personal data as part of this online service, including the other government departments we share your data with, are required to keep that data secure and process it in line with this privacy notice.
Your rights
You can:
- withdraw your consent at any time
- ask to see the personal data that we hold on you
- ask to have the personal data corrected
- ask that access to the personal data is restricted
- ask to have the personal data removed or deleted
If you want to make any of these requests, please contact askgovuk@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
Questions and complaints
The contact details for the data controller’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) are:
Stephen Jones
Email: dpo@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
The Data Protection Officer provides independent advice and monitoring of Cabinet Office’s use of personal information.
If you consider that your personal information has been misused or mishandled, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
Email: casework@ico.org.uk
Any complaint to the Information Commissioner will not affect your right to seek redress through the courts.
Changes to this policy
We may change this privacy policy. 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, the Cabinet Office will take reasonable steps to let you know.