Defence Connect Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2025

Defence Connect is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

Defence Connect is a UK-based not-for-profit that convenes discussions, events, research, and analysis relating to defence, defence technology and national security.

For the purposes of data protection law, Defence Connect is the data controller responsible for your personal data.

Contact details
Email: operations@defenceconnect.org.uk
Website: www.defenceconnect.org.uk

2. Personal data we collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:
- Contact details such as name, job title, organisation, email address, and telephone number
- Professional information such as sector, role, and areas of interest or expertise
- Event-related information including attendance, dietary requirements, and accessibility needs
- Communications including correspondence with us by email or other means
- Website usage data such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited
- Marketing preferences where you have opted in or out of communications

We do not knowingly collect special category personal data unless strictly necessary.

3. How we collect personal data

We collect personal data when you contact us, register for events, subscribe to email updates, engage with us as a partner or contributor, or interact with our website.

4. How we use your personal data

We use personal data to manage relationships, deliver events, produce research and briefings, communicate with stakeholders, operate our website, and comply with legal obligations.

5. Lawful basis for processing

We process personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Legitimate interests
- Consent
- Contract
- Legal obligation

6. Sharing your personal data

We do not sell personal data. We may share data with trusted service providers, professional advisers, or public authorities where required by law.

7. International data transfers

We do not routinely transfer personal data outside the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards will be in place.

8. Data retention

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary and is securely deleted or anonymised when no longer required.

9. Your rights

You have rights under UK GDPR including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, withdrawal of consent, and data portability. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details above.

10. Complaints

Whilst would appreciate the opportunity to directly address any concerns you might have first, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at www.ico.org.uk to make a complaint where necessary.

11. Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be published on our website.