Cockerel standing on a roof

Privacy policy

1. Who we are

Getcheckedearly.org is a website run by the Scottish Government, providing information on the early detection of cancer. This privacy policy forms part of the Terms of Use for
www.getcheckedearly.org.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland, headquartered at:
St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG.

2. How we use your information

This privacy policy explains how getcheckedearly.org collects and uses personal information when you use the website. In general, we use information to:

  • provide a reliable and user-friendly browsing experience;
  • understand how the website is used so we can improve our content and services;
  • support communications and marketing activities (only where cookies are accepted);
  • analyse overall usage trends, including broad location data such as city or country;
  • produce aggregated, non-identifiable statistics for marketing and strategic development.

We do not collect sensitive personal information through the website unless you choose to submit it via the “Share Your Story” form (see Section 2.1).

2.1 Information we collect

Visit our website

This may include:

  • essential cookies needed for site function, such as navigation, remembering preferences, or submitting forms;
  • analytics cookies, including Google Analytics, which measure site usage and interactions in an anonymous, aggregated form;
  • IP address, browser type, device identifiers and general location information (e.g., city or country).

You can control non-essential cookies using our cookie control panel (accessible via the “C” icon on the website).

Submit your story

Our website includes a form where you can choose to share your personal story. When you submit this form, we collect:

  • your name;
  • your email address;
  • your phone number;
  • the type of cancer you have experienced (special category health information);
  • the information you include in your written story;
  • your consent for a Scottish Government representative to contact you about your submission.

We use this information solely to review, edit and, with your explicit permission, publish your story on getcheckedearly.org or in related communications. Your information will be accessed only by authorised Scottish Government staff involved in managing story submissions.

We will not publish your story or any personal information without your explicit consent. If your story is not used, your personal data will be deleted after a maximum of three months, unless you agree otherwise.

Social media links

Our website contains a link to our Facebook page. We do not collect personal data from your social media profiles. Any interaction you make on Facebook is governed by Facebook’s own privacy policy.

2.2 Links to third-party websites

Our website may link to websites owned and operated by partners or third parties. These websites have their own privacy and cookie policies, and we recommend reviewing them when visiting external sites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

2.3 Google Analytics & marketing cookies

These sections apply only if you consent to marketing/analytics cookies through our cookie control panel. If you do not opt in, these cookies will not be set.

Analytics & advertising

Google Analytics may collect anonymous information about your visit (such as pages viewed, time on site and approximate city/country location). This data may be combined with advertising data to help us understand how users interact with our campaigns and improve our communications.

Remarketing

Where enabled, Google or other third-party vendors may display getcheckedearly.org adverts on other websites. This uses cookies based on your previous visits to getcheckedearly.org, and we may build remarketing lists to support tailored advertising.

3. When we may contact you

We may contact you only in relation to:

  • a story you have submitted via the “Share Your Story” form, where you have given consent for us to do so;
  • any correspondence you initiate with the Scottish Government through other channels (email, telephone or post).

We do not contact users for any other purpose via this website.

4. Your rights

You have the right to:

  • request a copy of the personal data held about you (Subject Access Request);
  • ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
  • request that we delete or restrict the processing of your personal data (subject to legal limitations);
  • object to certain types of processing.

Some rights apply only in specific circumstances.

Contact

The Data Protection Officer
Data Protection and Information Assets Team
V Spur, Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD

Email: dpa@gov.scot

You can also raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office:
https://ico.org.uk/concerns