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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 22 March 2026

BritFarmers (“we”, “us”, or “our”) operates the website britfarmers.com (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use our Site and community services. We are committed to complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Data Controller

BritFarmers is the data controller for the personal data collected through this Site. If you have questions about how your data is handled, contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy@britfarmers.com.

2. Information We Collect

Account registration: When you create a BritFarmers account, we collect your name, email address, username, password (stored in hashed form), and the member type you select (farmer, agronomist, rural business, or policy/research).

Profile information: You may optionally provide farm details (type, location, acreage), professional qualifications, business information, biographical details, and a profile photograph. All profile fields beyond your display name are voluntary.

Community activity: We store forum posts, topic replies, activity updates, group memberships, and reactions you make on the Site. This content is visible to other members as part of the website experience.

Technical data: When you visit the Site, our server automatically records your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, and timestamps. We use this data for security, performance monitoring, and aggregated analytics.

Cookies: We use cookies for essential site functionality and, with your consent, for analytics. See our Cookie Policy for full details.

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under the following lawful bases:

  • Contract: Processing necessary to provide your account and website features (Article 6(1)(b)).
  • Legitimate interests: Site security, fraud prevention, service improvement, and aggregated analytics (Article 6(1)(f)).
  • Consent: Marketing communications and non-essential cookies, which you can withdraw at any time (Article 6(1)(a)).
  • Legal obligation: Where we are required by law to retain or disclose data (Article 6(1)(c)).

4. How We Use Your Information

  • To create and manage your account and member profile.
  • To provide website features including forums, groups, activity feeds, and member directories.
  • To display content you contribute to the Site.
  • To send essential account notifications (password resets, security alerts).
  • To send newsletters and updates (only with your consent; you can unsubscribe at any time).
  • To monitor and improve Site performance and security.
  • To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms of Service.
  • To produce aggregated, anonymised statistics about site usage.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties. We may share data in the following limited circumstances:

  • Hosting providers: Our Site is hosted on UK-based or EEA-based servers. Our hosting provider processes data on our behalf under a data processing agreement.
  • Analytics: We use Google Site Kit to collect anonymised usage data (only with your consent).
  • Legal requirements: We may disclose data if required by law, regulation, or court order.
  • Safety: We may share data to protect the rights, property, or safety of BritFarmers, our members, or the public.

6. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily stored and processed within the United Kingdom. Where data is transferred outside the UK (for example, to Google for analytics), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses or an adequacy decision by the UK Government.

7. Data Retention

  • Account data: Retained for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, personal data is removed within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
  • Forum posts and community content: Remain visible unless you request deletion. We may anonymise rather than delete content where it forms part of a broader community discussion.
  • Server logs: Retained for up to 90 days for security and diagnostic purposes.
  • Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymised — not linked to individuals.

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”).
  • Restriction: Request that we limit how we process your data.
  • Data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
  • Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, email privacy@britfarmers.com. We will respond within one calendar month as required by UK GDPR.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit.
  • Secure, hashed password storage (never stored in plain text).
  • Regular software and security updates.
  • Access controls restricting data access to authorised personnel only.
  • Server-level firewalls and intrusion detection.

No system is completely secure. If you become aware of any security vulnerability, please report it to privacy@britfarmers.com immediately.

10. Children’s Privacy

BritFarmers is not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal data.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated via a notice on the Site or by email to registered members.

13. Contact and Complaints

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data:

  • Email: privacy@britfarmers.com
  • Post: Data Protection Officer, BritFarmers, United Kingdom

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.