This Privacy Notice is effective from 25/05/2018

Your privacy is critically important to us. At MD5 Limited, we have a few fundamental principles:

• We limit the collection of data for specific purposes and ensure that we have legitimate and lawful grounds for processing that data.
• We store personal information for only as long as we have a reason to keep it.
• We aim to ensure that the data we hold is accurate and up to date.
• We aim for full transparency on how we gather, use, and share your personal information.
• We implement security controls specifically to protect personal and sensitive data.

Below is MD5 Limited’s privacy policy, which incorporates and clarifies these principles.

Who We Are and What This Privacy Notice Covers

MD5 Limited is one of the leading eForensic, eDisclosure, Digital Forensic (Inc Mobile & Computer), Digital Forensic Software Developers and data recovery companies based in the UK. Delivering high quality, reliable (as per accepted ISO standards & Procedures), professional services for Government Agencies, Law Enforcement, Corporate, the Legal Sector & Private Individuals

We provide these services from our inhouse facility located in Normanton, West Yorkshire, UK.

This Privacy Policy applies to information that we collect about you when

• Using our websites (such as md5.uk.com or vfc.uk.com);
• Using other products and services that are available on or through our websites (including Digital Forensics, eForensics\eDisclosure, Software Development (VFC) & Data Recovery).
• Having personal interactions via various forms of electronic messaging, voice and video communication or face to face.
• Communication of relevant marketing information that you have either consented to or otherwise expect from us as part of an established relationship.
• Out of contractual necessity such as in the delivery or products or services or the employment of our staff
• From 3rd parties with whom you have agreed for them to share your data with us.

Throughout this Privacy Policy we’ll refer to our website and other products and services collectively as “Services.”

Below we explain how we collect, use, and share information about you, along with the choices that you have with respect to that information.

Please note that this Privacy Policy does not apply to any of our products or services that have a separate privacy policy. These will be presented to you as appropriate should these products or services relate to you.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us as described in the Contact Section below.

Definitions you should be aware of

Personal data: “personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (known as the ‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person;

Data Subject: The “Data Subject” is the individual that the personal data relates to and identifies

Data Controller: “Controller” This is the decision maker who decides how, when and where data under their control will be processed.

Data processor: “Processor” refers to the individual or organisation that carries out data processing activities under instruction from the Data Controller. The Data Controller may also be the Data Processor.

Processing: “Processing” processing relates to any activity carried out on personal data and includes manipulating, sharing, copying, viewing and storage of data or simply the activity of making a decision based on that data. Decision making may also include automated decision making.

Filing System : “Filing System” basically means any form of data that can be interrogated or searched and can be digital (like a database or email system) or hard copy (like files in a filing cabinet or contact details in a rolodex).

Consent: “Consent” of the Data Subject relates to the permission to use their personal information following a clear explanation of how that data will be processed and why.
Legitimate Interest: “Legitimate interest” relates to the processing of personal on the basis that the organisation feels that their data processing activities will not infringe upon anyone’s rights or freedoms and that there is a reasonable expectation that these activities will take place.

Special Category: “Special Category” data is personal data which reveals racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health, sex life or sexual orientation.

Data Breach: “Personal Data Breach” means a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed

Information We Collect

We only collect information about you if we have a reason to do so; for example, to provide our Services, to communicate with you, or to make our Services better.

We collect information in three ways: if and when you provide information to us, automatically through operating our services, and from outside sources. Let’s go over the information that we collect.

Information You Provide to Us

It’s probably no surprise that we collect information that you provide to us. The amount and type of information depends on the context and how we use the information.

In order to access or use certain portions of the website or enjoy the full functionality of the website, or otherwise in conducting business with us or seeking to conduct business with us, you may be prompted to provide certain personal data to us in the following ways:

• by filling in forms (for example, a ‘Contact us’ form) on our website or at a trade show or anywhere else we conduct business;
• by downloading documentation from our website;
• by subscribing to newsletters or other communications;
• by corresponding with us by phone, e-mail or otherwise using our contact details;
• by registering or participating in MD5\VFC webinars or seminars/conferences; or
• by submitting questions or comments to us or requesting any other information from us.

Typically, the personal data you give us may include name, business affiliation, business address, telephone number, and email address, and any personal details required to resolve any enquiries or complaints.

Personal data may also be required to enter into a contract with you or to perform a contract with you (such as to provide services at your request), and failure to provide any information may result in our inability to provide requested services or products.

Here are some further examples:

• Basic Online Account Information: We ask for basic information from you in order to set up your account. For example, to activate an online account we require a username and email address, and that’s it. You may provide us with more information, like your name, but we don’t require that information to create your account.
• Public Profile Information: If you have an online account with us, we collect the information that you provide for your public profile. For example, your username is part of that public profile, along with any other information you put into your public profile. Your public profile is just that, Public, so please keep that in mind when deciding what information you would like to include.
• Business Account Information: If you have a business account with us we will require certain information in order to fulfil our obligations to you. This information will include contact details such as email, phone number and mailing address for individuals associated with your account as well as account preferences and service history in order to provide you with the best service possible.
• Transaction and Billing Information: If you buy something from us, you will provide additional personal and payment information that is required to process the transaction and your payment, such as your name, credit card information, and contact information.
• Communications with Us: You may also provide us information when you respond to surveys, communicate with our Helpdesk about a support question, or post a question in our public forums.

Information We Collect Automatically

We also collect some information automatically

When you visit our website, our server automatically collects certain browser or device generated information, which may in some cases constitute personal data, including but not limited to:

• your date, time and duration of your visit;
• your browser type;
• your operating system;
• your page visits;
• Internet traffic.

Log Information: Like most online service providers, we collect information that web browsers, mobile devices, and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, IP address, unique device identifiers, language preference, referring site, the date and time of access, operating system, and mobile network information. We collect log information when you use our Services in order to assess the performance of our systems.

Location Information: We may determine the approximate location of your device from your IP address. We collect and use this information to, for example, calculate how many people visit our Services from certain geographic regions.

Information from Cookies & Other Technologies: A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. Pixel tags (also called web beacons) are small blocks of code placed on websites and e-mails. MD5 Limited uses cookies and other technologies like pixel tags to help us identify and track visitors, usage, and access preferences for our Services, as well as track and understand e-mail campaign effectiveness and to deliver targeted ads. For more information about our use of cookies and other technologies for tracking, including how you can control the use of cookies, please see here for information.

Information We Collect from Other Sources

We may also get information about you from other sources. For example, if you create or log into your account through another service (like Google) or if you connect your website or account to a social media service (like Twitter), we will receive information from that service (such as your username, basic profile information, and friends list) via the authorization procedures used by that service. The information we receive depends on which services you authorize and any options that are available.

We may also obtain information from third party services about individuals who are not yet our users (…but we hope will be!), which we may use, for example, for marketing and advertising purposes.

How We Use Information

We use information about you as mentioned above and as follows:

• To provide our Services
  • eForensics\eDisclosure
  • Digital Forensics (Mobile & Computer)
  • Data Recovery
  • Software Development
• To further develop our Services – for example by adding new features that we think our users will find of benefit;
• To monitor and analyse trends and better understand how users interact with our Products and Services, which helps us improve our Services and make them easier to use;
• To monitor and protect the security of our Services, detect and prevent fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities, fight spam, and protect the rights and property of MD5 Limited and others;
• To communicate with you about offers and promotions offered by MD5 Limited and others we think will be of interest to you, solicit your feedback, or keep you up to date on MD5 Limited and our products; and
• To personalize your experience using our online Services, provide content recommendations and serve relevant advertisements based on your preferences.

Sharing of Personal Data

How We Share Personal Data

We do not sell our users’ private personal information.

We share your personal data in the limited circumstances spelled out below and with appropriate safeguards on your privacy:

Subsidiaries, Employees, and Independent Contractors:

We may disclose information about you to our subsidiaries, our employees, and individuals who are our independent contractors that need to know the information in order to help us provide our Services or to process the information on our behalf. We require our subsidiaries, employees, and independent contractors to follow this Privacy Policy for personal information that we share with them.

With Your Consent

:

We may share and disclose information with your consent or at your direction. For example, we may share your information with third parties with which you authorize us to do so. Where we require your consent to share your data with 3rd parties you will find these listed under Sharing with Third Parties.
We may also request your consent to process limited elements of your data in specific ways. Where we require this consent, it will be presented to you in a way that allows you to have a clear understanding of what you are consenting to and enable you to agree to this in a clear and positive way.

Sharing with Third Parties:

We may share information about you with third party vendors who need to know information about you in order to provide their services to us. This group includes vendors that help us provide our Services to you (like payment providers that process your credit and debit card information) and those that help us understand and enhance our Services (like analytics providers). We require vendors to agree to privacy commitments in order to share information with them.

As Required by Law:

We may disclose information about you in response to a subpoena, court order, or other governmental request.

To Protect Rights and Property:

We may disclose information about you when we believe in good faith that disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect the property or rights of MD5 Limited, third parties, or the public at large. For example, if we have a good faith belief that there is an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, we may disclose information related to the emergency without delay.

Business Sale or Transfers:

In connection with any merger, sale of company assets, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company, or in the unlikely event that MD5 Limited goes out of business or enters bankruptcy, user information would likely be one of the assets that is transferred or acquired by a third party. If any of these events were to happen, this Privacy Policy would continue to apply to your information and the party receiving your information may continue to use your information, but only consistent with this Privacy Policy.

Aggregated and De-Identified Information:

We may share information that has been aggregated or reasonably de-identified, so that the information could not reasonably be used to identify you. For instance, we may publish aggregate statistics about the use of our Services.

Published Support Requests:

And if you send us a request (for example, via a support email or one of our feedback mechanisms), we reserve the right to publish that request in order to help us clarify or respond to your request or to help us support other users.

Sale or Transfer:

If we’re discussing selling or transferring part or all of a business, we may share information about you to prospective purchasers – but only so they can evaluate that business. If we are reorganised or sold to another organisation, we may transfer information we hold about you to them so they can continue to provide the services to you

Publicly Shared Information

Information that you choose to make public is, you guessed it, disclosed publicly. That means, of course, that information like your public profile, posts, other content that you make public on our system. Public information may also be indexed by search engines or used by third parties. Please keep all of this in mind when deciding what you would like to share.

Children

The websites are not for use by children under the age of 16 years and MD5 does not knowingly collect, store, share or use the personal data of children under 16 years. If you are under the age of 16 years, please do not provide any personal data, even if prompted by the website to do so. If you are under the age of 16 years and you have provided personal data, please ask your parent(s) or guardian(s) to notify MD5 and MD5 will delete all such personal data.

Marketing emails

Where lawful to do so, and subject to your consent where required, we may communicate with you by email to tell you about our products and services. If you wish to opt-out of receiving marketing communications, please use the ‘unsubscribe’ link provided in our emails, or otherwise contact us directly and we will stop sending you communications.

Security

While no online service is 100% secure, we work very hard to protect information about you against unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction, and take reasonable measures to do so. To enhance the security of your account, we encourage you to observe good security best practices with your account information, such as choosing strong passwords when registering with our systems and keeping this information secret.
We employ a range of security controls throughout our organisation to ensure that we look after your personal data and protect it from loss, corruption or unauthorised access. Our Data and Information Security Policy which outlines our commitment to protecting your data can be found here.

Retention

We apply a general rule of keeping personal data only for as long as required to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. In general, we retain your personal data for a period of time corresponding to a statute of limitation, for example to maintain an accurate record of your dealings with us.

However, in some circumstances we may retain personal data for other periods of time, for instance where we are required to do so in accordance with legal, tax and accounting requirements, or if required to do so by a legal process, legal authority, or other governmental entity having authority to make the request, & for Marketing and business analysis purposes for so long as required.

Data Destruction/Erasure

We always aim to keep the amount of personal data we hold to a minimum and so, unless we have received a specific request from you to erase any of your data before the retention periods expire, we will destroy/erase with an expired retention period as soon as the retention period has expired.

Your Choices

You have several choices available when it comes to information that we hold about you:

Limit the Information that You Provide:

If you have an account with us, you can choose not to provide the optional account information, profile information, and transaction and billing information. Please keep in mind that if you do not provide this information, certain features of our Services may not be accessible (contact us for more information).

Opt-Out of Electronic Communications:

You may opt out of receiving promotional messages from us. Just follow the instructions in those messages. If you opt out of promotional messages, we may still send you other messages, like those about your account and legal notices.

Set Your Browser to Reject Cookies:

At this time, MD5 Limited does not respond to “do not track” signals across all of our Services. However, you can usually choose to set your browser to remove or reject browser cookies before using MD5 Limited’s websites, with the drawback that certain features of MD5 Limited’s websites may not function properly without the aid of cookies.

Your Rights

When it comes to personal data you have defined rights regarding how your data is collected, processed and shared. These rights are explained below:

The Right of Access:

You have the right to request that we show you what personal data of yours we hold and process.

The Right to Withdraw Consent:

Where you have specifically given us consent to process your data then you have the ability to withdraw that consent at any time. Please be aware that where that data is used to provide your with services, then withdrawal of consent to use this data may negatively impact on our ability to provide those services for you.

The Right to Erasure:

In specific circumstances, you have the right to request that any data we hold on you be erased. This includes where:
• Your personal data is no longer necessary in relation to the purpose for which it was originally collected/processed.
• You withdraw consent.
• You object to the processing and there is no overriding legitimate interest for continuing the processing.

The Right to Object:

There are cases where we may process some of your data in order to help us assess and improve our business. This type of processing may not be supported by a contractual requirement or your consent, but would have been carefully assessed to ensure that we have a clear legitimate interest in doing so that does not adversely affect you as an individual.
In these instances, we make you aware of these activities along with your right to object to this kind of processing should you wish.

The Right to rectification:

If you become aware that any data we hold is incorrect you have the right to request that this data be corrected

The Right to Data Portability:

You have the right to request that we provide you with an electronic copy of any data you have given to us as part of a contractual relationship or following your consent. This also includes any data about you that has been generated automatically as part of these agreements.

The Right to Restrict Processing:

In some situation you may require us to restrict processing, such as following an objection or if data accuracy is in question. Where you exercise your right to restrict processing we shall not recommence processing without first notifying you.

Automated Decision Making:

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the speed and quality of our service we use some automated decision-making processes. These processes are designed to provide fast, consistent results based on information contained within your personal data. If you are unhappy with having automated decisions made based on your personal data then you have the right to request that these decisions are conducted by one of our staff instead.

Exercising your rights

If you wish to exercise any of your rights we would be happy to help you. Please use the contact details below to communicate your requirements.

Other Things You Should Know

Transfer of Information outside of the EEA

From time to time we may transfer your personal information to our group companies, suppliers or service providers based outside of the EEA for the purposes described in this privacy policy. If we do this your personal information will continue to be subject to one or more appropriate safeguards set out in the law. These might be the use of model contracts in a form approved by regulators, or having our suppliers sign up to an independent privacy scheme approved by regulators (like the US ‘Privacy Shield’ scheme).

Ads and Analytics Services Provided by Others

Ads appearing on any of our Services may be delivered by advertising networks. Other parties may also provide analytics services via our Services. These ad networks and analytics providers may set tracking technologies (like cookies) to collect information about your use of our Services and across other websites and online services. These technologies allow these third parties to recognize your device to compile information about you or others who use your device. This information allows us and other companies to, among other things, analyse and track usage, determine the popularity of certain content, and deliver advertisements that may be more targeted to your interests. Please note this Privacy Policy only covers the collection of information by MD5 Limited and does not cover the collection of information by any third-party advertisers or analytics providers.

Registering a Complaint

If you have any complaints about the way in which your personal data is being handled, then please contact us using the contact details below. Alternatively, you may also contact the national supervisory authority to register a complaint, their details can be found at https://ico.org.uk

Contact Details

To contact us about your personal data or with any data requests, you may contact the our data controller at:

Email: dpo@md5.uk.com
Tel: +44 1924 220999
Address: MD5 Limited, PO Box 96, Normanton, WF6 1WY