Data Protection

This privacy centre contains all information in relation to data protection laws, how the Church complies with these laws and how data subjects (individuals) can exercise their rights under these laws.

The Church of Scotland is a charity registered in the UK and, as such, we adhere to all data protection laws, including but not limited to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We are providing you with this information to comply with data protection laws and to ensure that you are fully informed, and we are transparent in how we collect and use your personal data.

The Church processes personal information in the course of its legitimate activities, with appropriate safeguards in place, as a not-for-profit body with a religious aim and on the basis that the processing relates solely to members, former members or people who have regular contact with us, and that this information is not disclosed to any third party without the individual's consent.

The Church also process information where this is necessary for compliance with our legal obligations; where processing is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by individual's interests or fundamental rights and freedoms; where (in relation to the processing of personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences or related security measures in a safeguarding context) the processing meets a condition in Part 1, 2 or 3 of Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018; where the processing is for reasons of substantial public interest and necessary for the purpose of protecting an individual from neglect or physical, mental or emotional harm; and where you have given consent to the processing of your information for a particular purpose. A privacy notice will be provided at the point of collection of the data, it will also be published on the website for individuals to view at ease.

You can view any of our Privacy Notices and Cookies Policy by choosing one from the following drop-down list:

Privacy Notices AI: Opportunities and Challenge for the Church webinarChurch of Scotland Diaconate CouncilChurch of Scotland Webinar “Facing Discomfort: History, Race and the Church” AttendeesChurch of Scotland Webinar “Facing Discomfort: History, Race and the Church” SpeakersGeneral Assembly Privacy NoticeGrants Privacy NoticeIslamophobia: The Causes, the Cures and The Church WebinarJourneying With New Scots: Preparing for Sanctuary SundayLegacies of Slavery Project Group Privacy NoticeMeeting of the Commission of Assembly Privacy NoticePre-Retirement ConferencePrivacy notice - Guest user access on InsitePrivacy Notice - HR RecruitmentPrivacy Notice - Life and Work website and magazinePrivacy Notice - Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interests in Land (RCI)Privacy Notice 2024 General Election Information SessionsPrivacy Notice Acorn Autumn RoadshowPrivacy Notice Assisted Dying Briefing (for Commissioners)Privacy Notice Church of Scotland Learning Course EvaluationPrivacy Notice Church of Scotland Learning Module Evaluation – Formation for MinistryPrivacy Notice Church of Scotland Learning platformPrivacy Notice DC Pension Scheme Information SessionsPrivacy Notice Declaration of Transactions with General Trustees, Charity Trustees and Key Management Personnel – Senior Management Team (SMT)Privacy Notice for a webinar on the Blue Book (Assembly Trustees) Report to the General Assembly 2024Privacy Notice for CCTV at 121 George StreetPrivacy Notice for Church Hymnary TrustPrivacy Notice for Declaration of Transactions with Charity Trustees of the Church of Scotland TrustPrivacy Notice for Disciplinary ProceedingsPrivacy Notice for Discretionary Housing Grant FundPrivacy Notice for EmployeesPrivacy Notice for Future Focus GatheringPrivacy Notice for Housing and Loan Fund AssistancePrivacy Notice for Initial Ministerial Education (IME) CandidatesPrivacy Notice for Interim Ministers and Transitions Ministers (IM/TM) CPD EventPrivacy Notice for Love in Fellowship and Trust (LIFT) – Guild branch for young peoplePrivacy Notice for Ministers Conference - 27th February 2025Privacy Notice for Nominations process for the Membership of the Standing Committees of the General AssemblyPrivacy Notice for people interested in our properties for salePrivacy Notice for Pioneer Learning Gathering CommunityPrivacy Notice for Presbytery Climate Change ConferencesPrivacy Notice for Safeguarding Department Drop-in SessionsPrivacy Notice for Schools Ministry SurveyPrivacy Notice for Seeds for Growth in person EventsPrivacy Notice for Seeds For Growth Webinars Privacy Notice for Tabeetha School Alumni NetworkPrivacy Notice for the General Trustees Asset Management DatabasePrivacy Notice for the GuildPrivacy Notice for the Research Group on Ethnic Minorities (RGEM)Privacy Notice for Unincorporated Entities (UE) Register of Declaration of InterestsPrivacy Notice Journeying With New Scots Event – Photograph Media ConsentPrivacy Notice Minister Recruitment, the Apprenticeship Route, training and onward developmentPrivacy Notice National Offices Registration Sign In DevicePrivacy Notice Open Presbytery Webinars - Legacies of Slavery ApologyPrivacy Notice Public Life and Social Justice (PLSJ) Presbytery ConversationsPrivacy Notice Register of MinistriesPrivacy Notice Safeguarding Trainers Conference 2023Privacy Notice – Online via Zoom - Seeds For Growth Conversation/Meeting Probationers' ConferenceThe Church of Scotland Central Information Systems (CIS) database Privacy NoticeThe Church of Scotland Year Book Privacy NoticeWebinars hosted by the Church of Scotland Stewardship Team Privacy Notice

Complaints to UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

If you are concerned about how your personal data is being used by the Church of Scotland, in the first instance please can you contact the Church of Scotland Data Protection Officer ( DPO ) at privacy@churchofscotland.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the outcome then you can complain to the regulator of data protection, the UK Information Commissioner's Office ( ICO ). The ICO has guidance on their website.

You can email them at casework@ico.org.uk or call them on 0303 123 1113 or you can send a letter to them at the following address:

Customer Contact
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
SK9 5AF