Privacy Policy for aerial photography

Wiltshire Drone ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal data. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and share information when you engage with our drone services, visit our website, or communicate with us. We adhere to the principles of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

Wiltshire Drone is a drone services company based in Wiltshire, UK, specialising in aerial photography, videography, surveys, inspections, and mapping for residential, commercial, and construction clients.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of information:

• Contact and Identification Data:
  • Name, company name, address (including project site addresses), email address, phone number.
  • Payment information (e.g., bank details for invoicing).
• Project-Specific Data:
  • Details about your project requirements, site access information, specific areas of interest for drone capture.
  • Any other information you provide relevant to the service requested.
• Aerial Capture Data:
  • High-resolution images (RAW/JPEG), 4K video footage, thermal imagery, 2D/3D mapping data, and other visual or sensor data captured by our drones during a commissioned project. This data may inadvertently capture personal data (e.g., individuals, vehicles, or private property) if they are within the operational area.
• Website Usage Data:
  • Information about your visit to our website, including IP address, browser type, operating system, referral source, length of visit, and pages viewed. This is typically collected through cookies and analytics tools.
• Communication Data:
  • Records of your correspondence with us via email, phone, or social media.

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through various methods:

• Directly from You: When you contact us for a quote, book a service, complete a form on our website, or communicate with us via phone or email.
• Through Drone Operations: Data is captured by our drones during commissioned flights over your property or project site.
• Via Our Website: Through cookies and similar technologies when you browse our website.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes and on the following legal bases:

• To Provide Our Services (Contractual Obligation):
  • To understand your project requirements and provide accurate quotes.
  • To plan and execute drone flights safely and efficiently.
  • To process payments and manage invoicing.
  • To deliver the agreed-upon aerial photography, video, survey reports, or other deliverables.
  • To communicate with you regarding your project.
• For Operational Safety & Compliance (Legal Obligation & Legitimate Interest):
  • To conduct necessary flight planning, risk assessments, and obtain permissions (e.g., from CAA).
  • To comply with aviation regulations and safety standards.
• For Business Operations & Improvement (Legitimate Interest):
  • To improve our services and develop new offerings.
  • To manage our business operations, including record-keeping and administrative tasks.
  • To analyse website usage and improve user experience.
• For Marketing & Promotion (Legitimate Interest or Consent):
  • To promote our business and services on our website, social media, showreels, and printed materials. We will always respect client confidentiality and embargo periods before public use.
  • To respond to your inquiries and provide information about our services.
  • To license general footage to stock libraries (after client publication and confidentiality periods).
• To Comply with Legal Obligations:
  • To meet legal, regulatory, or ethical requirements (e.g., tax, accounting).

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party companies who provide services on our behalf, such as cloud storage providers, payment processors, and professional editing services. These providers are obligated to protect your data and only use it for the purposes we specify.
• Your Designated Third Parties: With your explicit permission, we may share deliverables with your media, print, or advertising suppliers.
• Legal and Regulatory Authorities: If required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Secure cloud storage for project data.
• Access controls and password protection.
• Regular security reviews.

While we strive to protect your personal data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. This typically includes:

• Project-related data: Retained for the duration of the project and a reasonable period thereafter for client support, potential re-use, and legal compliance.
• Marketing data: Retained until you opt-out or request deletion.
• Financial records: Retained for legal and tax purposes (e.g., 6 years + current year).

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to be Informed: To be informed about how your data is used.
• Right of Access: To request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: To request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): To request the deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Right to Restrict Processing: To request that we limit the way we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: To receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: To object to the processing of your personal data in certain situations (e.g., for direct marketing).
• Rights in Relation to Automated Decision-Making and Profiling: To not be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affect you.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We may require proof of identity to process your request.

9. Cookies

Our website may use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse website traffic, and understand how you interact with our content. You can control cookie settings through your browser.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on our website with the effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Wiltshire Drone info@wiltshiredrone.co.uk

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk).