The Purpose
This Privacy Policy applies to any personal data collected through social and market research.
Who Are We?
Established in 1991, SMSR Ltd (Social and Market Strategic Research) is a dynamic and innovative social research agency with over twenty years dedicated research experience based in Hull. Conducting both public interest and social policy research on behalf of the public sector, SMSR Ltd has dedicated operating divisions that handle research projects for police, local government, central government, fire and rescue, education, health providers and not-for-profit organisations.
We are registered with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) for the purpose of processing personal data. Their website www.ico.org.uk/for-the-public/ has information for consumers. Our company registration number is Z7256908. SMSR Research is a company partner of the Market Research Society and adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct.
We process your personal data for our legitimate business interest in conducting research studies and in accordance with Data Protection laws. We have suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures in place to safeguard your data. In addition, SMSR Ltd adheres to strict data processing agreements drawn up between SMSR and its clients in order to safeguard and protect your information.
What information do we collect from you?
Research gives individuals like yourself the opportunity to provide your opinions and feedback about public services, products or concepts covering many different topics. The insights that are generated are vital in the design, scope and implementation of services you may receive. It’s our job as Researchers to be curious about people’s opinions and ask questions. Alongside collecting your opinions/ feedback we also sometimes ask for you to give us some personal information to help with the analysis or other areas of the research, this is explained below.
Individuals may have been invited to take part in our research because:
- They have been recruited by an interviewer or recruiter representing SMSR Research Ltd and have freely given their permission to participate in the survey
- They have signed up to a third-party research panel provider and given their consent to be contacted for the purposes of research
- They have given their permission as a service user of one of our clients, for their details to be provided for research purposes
We never knowingly invite children under the age of 16 to participate in research studies without taking measures to ensure appropriate consent from a parent or guardian.
How do we use this information and what is the legal basis for our processing?
SMSR Research Ltd processes your personal data for research projects it undertakes. The legal basis for any initial contact with you is based upon a legitimate interest, whereby we are contacting you on behalf of our client who has a legitimate business for processing the data. After which participant consent and agreement to take part in research studies or any further recontact forms the legal basis for us processing the data.
To ensure we gain your explicit consent, we will always ensure that you are fully informed regarding the research project with clear information so that you can openly decide whether you wish to take part or not. Equally you have the right to withdraw your consent at any point. We are not trying to sell anything. The answers you give us are completely confidential and are used for research purposes only and never for direct marketing purposes. We don’t pass on your individual information to third parties. However, should any personal data be shared with any third parties such as regulators, law enforcement others who have a legitimate legal request you would be notified at the onset before this is passed on. We commit, in obtaining individuals’ agreement to take part, not to mislead them about the nature of the research or how the findings will be used.
It is not our aim to sell or promote anything. Any information provided to us as a result of participation will only be used for the purposes of research and to assist our clients in the development and improvement of their products and services.
Individuals are generally contacted for one of the following reasons:
- An invitation to participate in research
- To confirm details of research they have agreed to take part in
- To remind them of research activities that require completion for studies in which they are actively involved
- To conduct research
- For quality purposes, to validate answers/views given in recent research we have conducted (if consent has been given)
- To update and ensure that our record of personal information is correct (applicable to those consenting to being part of an ongoing community or panel)
- For provision of an incentive for taking part in research or notification of a prize draw that we are administering
Individuals’ responses to our surveys will be treated as confidential unless they consent to being identified. The personal information we collect is generally combined with the responses of others who have participated in the research and is reported in a way which is anonymised.
In some instances, we may ask permission to pass on an individual’s data in a way where they would be personally identified but, in these circumstances, we will ensure that the information is only used for the stated purposes.
Sensitive Data Collection and Processing
On some projects you may be asked to share some sensitive personal information. You would be explicitly informed about the research project and how the data you are supplying will be used so you can make your decision whether you wish to consent to take part. Sensitive information may include: racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, an individual’s health, or a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.
We have suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures in place to safeguard all your data.
Who Do We Share This Information With?
We never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us in any way without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such uses.
How Long Do We Keep Your Data?
SMSR Ltd will only hold your data for as long as is necessary. We have a retention policy in place with each organisation that we work with and all data is held on a secure server. Data is normally processed within a month and we usually hold details for 3 months before they are securely removed from our systems. Data may be stored for longer periods in accordance with the scope of some research projects. Participants will be fully informed within such circumstances.
What Are Your Rights?
Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to find out what information the government and other organisations store about you. These include the right to:
- be informed about how your data is being used – this privacy policy explains how your data is used
- access personal data – you may request information on any data we hold on you and any supplementary information. You can request details of any personal data we have about you by submitting a subject access request to [email protected]
- have incorrect data updated – if any personal data held or stored is incorrect or incomplete you have the right to ask us to amend/update
- have data erased – you have the right to request that your data be deleted if the processing of such data has no legal basis or if the legal basis no longer applies
- stop or restrict the processing of your data – at any point you have the right to ask for us to stop contacting you and processing your data further
- data portability (allowing you to get and reuse your data for different services) – have the right to request for any personal data provided to be made available to yourself in an easily readable format
- object to how your data is processed in certain circumstances – you have the right to object to take part in any research project you have been approached about.
How Can You Contact Us
Should you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please email us at: [email protected]
If you have a complaint, please direct it to Lee Atkinson at the above email address.
Our Commitment to Data Security
To prevent unauthorised access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect. All our computers are password protected and files are encrypted.
