Our role at Cosy Meerkat

As controllers or processors of data, we need to follow the GDPR ruling and state how and why personal data is processed. We ensure personal data is processed lawfully, transparently, and for a specific purpose (in our case to keep you up-to-date on all the great work we’re doing and what we’re up to).

What is GDPR

In a nutshell, GDPR is the result of four years of work by the EU to bring data protection legislation up to date with the new, previously unforeseen ways that data is now being used.

Why is GDPR needed?

Firstly, the EU wants to give people more control over how their personal data is used. And secondly, the EU wants to give businesses a simpler, clearer legal environment in which to operate – making data protection law the same across the single market.

What exactly is personal data?

Anything that counted as personal data under the Data Protection Act also qualifies as personal data under GDPR. Data like economic, cultural or mental health information is also considered personally identifiable information. However, when you sign up to our mailing list, we don’t ask for to know you inside out, we simply ask for things that help us talk to you, such as your name, email and your LinkedIn profile (should you use this to sign up to our mailing list) which helps us personalise our communication to you. We also ask for your explicit permission and let you know what your data will be used for.

To explain the legal bases for using your personal data, we will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we will use your personal data (name, email, and job role) to contact you via email, your details securely stored in our CRM system. Generally, we do not rely on consent as a legal basis for processing your personal data other than where the law requires it, for example in relation to sending said direct marketing comms to you. Where our legal basis is consent, you have the right to withdraw consent at any time, just let us know should you wish to do so.

How do we collect information?

When it comes to visiting our website, we automatically log every visitor’s domain and IP address. We do not identify the user, just the computer being used to view our site. This data is used to help us in a couple of ways. Firstly, to ensure we have coverage and secondly, to do our own click stream analysis so that we can better understand how our site is being used. Ultimately, it’s all about improving our service for users – in other words, you.

We have purchased 3rd party lists that are GDPR compliant to help build and maintain our mailing list. We carefully consider whether there is a legitimate interest in what we share via email. We will always ensure that we use data proportionally, with a minimal impact on personal privacy.

What happens when I subscribe to Cosy Meerkat’s services?

When you request information from us, you may be asked for your email address, and/or your name. We then send the information you requested using the personal details we received. Should we hold your personal data, it is to keep our records updated with regards to new business. The use of your personal data will only ever be used for us to promote our own business products / services unless the law requires that the direct marketing be based on consent. We will never pass your details on to any third parties unless it is to help us specifically respond to your request or comments.

Please note we use MailChimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing to our mailing list, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.

What if I change my mind?

Of course you can change your mind, though we’d be sad to lose touch, but understand that you may want to unsubscribe from our emails at some point. Which is why every email offers you a way to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Should you require further information on this process, please just let us know.

How about security?

You can be reassured that Cosy Meerkat has taken all the relevant security measures to protect any personal data from loss, misuse and alterations of customer data under our control. While we cannot guarantee that loss, misuse or alteration of data will not occur, we do our utmost to prevent this.

Can I access information Cosy Meerkat holds on me?

You have the right to access any personal information we hold on you and the right to know why that data is being processed; how long it’s being stored for; and who gets to see it. If you’d like more information on this, please just let us know. .

Your acceptance

By using this site you consent to the collection and use of this information by Cosy Meerkat and to this privacy policy. If we change our privacy policy in any way, we will post these changes on this page.

Useful contacts

If you’d like to speak to us about our privacy policy in more detail, please feel free to contact us by emailing your question(s)/comment(s).