Data Protection Notice for Whatsapp Business

Thank you for using WhatsApp Business as a communication channel.

Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your personal information is protected in compliance with applicable data protection laws in Scotland, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. What data we collect

When using WhatsApp Business, we may collect personal information about our customers to provide them with legal services. The information we collect may include:

• Name
• Previous name
• Maiden name
• Current and previous addresses
• Photographs
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status
• Financial information
• Bank account numbers
• National insurance numbers
• Pension account details
• Driving license
• Passport numbers
• Tax reference numbers
• Email addresses
• Family member details including next of kin, medical history, financial history and any other information that you may provide/ be required to provide to comply with regulatory and statutory requirements and to provide you with legal services.

We may not deal directly with children (those under the age of 16). We must deal with their parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must sign all paperwork and authorisations relating to information held on the child.

2. Purpose of data collection 

We use the information 

• to respond to your claim,
• to record the details of your case in our internal case management systems,
• to conduct identity verification checks to manage fraud reporting,
• and to ensure the security and integrity of communication.

When and how we share information with others

Your information may be shared with:

• Statutory agencies like the Ministry of Justice or Law Society of Scotland;
• Motor Insurers Bureau;
• Medical Professionals;
• Lawyers and other legal experts;
• Insurers;
• IT service providers who provide data storage, processing, back-up and retrieval services;
• Sub-contractors or associates who are asked by Gildeas to deliver all or some of the services; and
• Credit checking agencies

We may need to have access to your information held by other people, for example doctors, employers, and your insurance company.

We will seek your consent before we contact them and explain who we are contacting, what information we are requesting and why we need this information.

We do not sell personal information to anyone and only share it with third parties who are facilitating the delivery of our services.

3. Lawful basis for processing

We process your data on the following lawful bases under GDPR:

• Consent: By communicating with us via WhatsApp Business, you consent to the processing of your data.
• Legitimate Interest: We process your data to ensure efficient communication and fraud management.
• Legal Obligation: If required by law, we may process your data for compliance or reporting purposes.

4. Data security

All communications on WhatsApp Business are protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read the messages.

However, please note that WhatsApp Business is a third-party platform owned by Meta, and their Terms of Service and Data Processing Terms apply.

We take additional security measures to protect your data, including limiting access to authorised personnel only.

5. Data security

Your personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined above or as required by law. Once it is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise the data.

6. Data sharing

We will not share your personal data with any third parties unless required by law, such as in cases of fraud investigation or legal processes.

7. Your rights

You have rights under GDPR, including the right to:

• access your personal data,
• request correction or deletion of your data,
• withdraw consent for processing,
• object to the processing of your data in certain circumstances. 

For any data protection concerns or to exercise your rights, please contact 

Data Protection Officer

Gildeas Solicitors

97 & 99 West Regent Street

Glasgow

G2 2BA

Tel: 0141 331 6071

Email: [email protected]

If you are not satisfied with our handling of your queries on data protection, you can call the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1113 or visit the Information Commissioner’s Office to make a complaint.

8. International data transfers

As WhatsApp Business is a global service, your data may be transferred outside your home country, including to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

These transfers will only be made in accordance with GDPR and relevant international data protection agreements.

9. Changes to this notice

We may update this Data Protection Notice from time to time. Any significant changes will be communicated via our website or through WhatsApp Business itself.

For more information about our data protection practices, please visit our Privacy Policy.

By using WhatsApp Business to communicate with us, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Data Protection Notice.

Legal Notice

Gildeas Solicitors Limited is a limited company incorporated in Scotland with registered number SC365972.

The Law Society of Scotland

Gildeas Solicitors Limited is regulated by The Law Society of Scotland. We are subject to Law Society rules which cover insurance requirements, requirements about how clients should be dealt with and how client assets are to be protected. All individual solicitors in our business are subject to the Law Society practice rules.

Links

Links to other sites are provided for information only. Gildeas Solicitors Limited takes no responsibility for material found on them.

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Gildeas Solicitors is a recognised law firm specialising in personal injury claims, supporting you throughout Scotland from our offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We’re passionate about what we do, whilst putting our clients’ interests first. That’s why we make personal injury personal. 

Considering our services? Call our dedicated New Claims team today on 0141 331 6070.