New Data Protection Policy
The frequently asked questions below may still answer any
queries, but please don't hesitate to email
latkinson@rcpsych.ac.uk with
any questions or concerns.
Frequently asked
questions:
Q: Why is the College changing its policy about use of
personal data?
A: Changes are never made just for the sake
of it. Accepted practice in this area is developing quickly and the
College monitors this and makes changes accordingly. Our solicitors
have now advised us that we can adopt a more flexible approach, and
we believe that the new policy will be more helpful and easier to
manage.
Q: But aren't you compromising my privacy and
security?
A: No, we believe we have the balance right.
Home addresses would never be in the public domain without your
explicit consent - and information about where you work is broadly
in the public domain anyway.
Q: The statement I've seen was a bit
vague.
A: You may have seen the plain text version
we circulated for the sake of clarity. The full policy in legal
terminology is
available here.
Q: I don't want my home address details made
public.
A: We will not make any home address details public under any
circumstances (unless you specifically request it for some
reason).
Q: Is there anything you definitely will make
public?
A: Yes. Your name, grade of membership, date of election to
Membership (if applicable), and College Division will appear on the
online membership list, which is open to the public. Please note
that inclusion in this list is now a condition of membership. No
contact details (or any other information) will appear in the
list.
Q: Will you sell the College mailing list or email
list to advertisers?
A: No. Data would be supplied to third
parties only for research, statistical analysis and related
activities, within the field of psychiatry, or for purposes
connected directly with the College's objectives.
Q: What is this about photographs?
A: There are two main circumstances in which
photographs would appear on the website. College Officers might
appear in a posed and captioned picture. We might also publish more
general photographs of group events (such as the Annual Meeting or
the Reception for New Members). In this case your photograph might
appear but not your name.
Q: I hope you are not intending to deluge me with
unwanted emails?
A: We control email shots very carefully. A
limit is placed on the number that may be sent each one is vetted
first to ensure relevance and appropriate timing.
Q: And if I still wish to opt out of these
arrangements?
We hope that you won't feel any need to do so - but please put
your concerns in writing to Elizabeth Atkinson in the Membership
Relations Office in the first instance. We will aim to
reassure you on any points you make but you will always have an
absolute right of opt-out, apart from inclusion in the membership
list (as noted above).