How we manage your data

What we collect: Your survey responses and basic background information (age group, region, etc.). We don't collect names or contact details unless you choose to provide them at the end. 

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How we use it: We analyse all responses together to understand patterns and insights. Melanoma UK receives only anonymous summary reports - never individual responses. 

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Keeping it safe: Your data is encrypted, stored securely, and only accessed by our research team. We follow research governance standards and UK data protection law. 

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Special category data: This research collects information about health and ethnicity. These are called "special category data" under UK law and need extra protection. We only use this information for the research purposes described here. 

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How long we keep it: 

• Your survey answers: We keep identifiable details for up to 6 months after the project ends, then remove names and keep anonymous answers for up to 2 years 
• Summary reports (with no names): We might keep these longer to help with future research 
• Your email (if you give it): Until you ask us to delete it, or automatically after 24 months if you haven't been active 

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Legal basis: We have a legitimate interest in conducting research that might help improve support for people affected by melanoma and other skin cancer. We've balanced this against your privacy rights and believe the research benefits justify the minimal privacy impact. 

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Your rights and choices 

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to: 

• Access - See what information we hold about you 
• Correct - Fix any incorrect information 
• Delete - Ask us to remove your information 
• Object - Tell us to stop using your information 
• Withdraw - Change your mind about taking part 

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Contact information 

• Contact us at help@thiscovery.org 
• Contact Melanoma UK at info@melanomauk.org.uk 
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@thiscovery.org 

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