Privacy Policy

Bluline Administration Limited (Bluline) has a responsibility to document how we will protect your personal data. This is a legal requirement of the UK GDPR under the ‘right to be informed’.

This privacy notice will outline our responsibilities to you.

This privacy notice was last updated in January 2024.

1. Key Terms

1.1 Whilst every effort has been made to outline our responsibilities to you in as clear, concise, and easy to understand manner as possible, we do need to use certain terms throughout this privacy notice.

1.2 We will now provide an easy-to-understand definition of each term:

• Data Controller: A data controller has the responsibility of deciding how personal data is processed and protecting it from harm.
• Data Processor: In a similar way to data controllers, data processors must protect people’s personal data – but they only process it in the first place on behalf of the controller. They would not have any reason to have the data if the controller had not asked them to do something with it.
• Data Protection Act (DPA 2018): The DPA 2018 sets out the data protection framework in the UK, alongside the UK GDPR. It contains three separate data protection regimes:
  • Part 2: sets out a general processing regime (the UK GDPR);
  • Part 3: sets out a separate regime for law enforcement authorities; and
  • Part 4: sets out a separate regime for the three intelligence services.
• Data Subject: A data subject is someone who can be identified from personal data. The data could be their name, address, telephone number or something else – but if it is about a person, then they are the data subject. They are the ‘subject’ of the data.
• GDPR: This stands for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU’s agreed standards for data protection that are also written into UK law through the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018). The transition period for leaving the EU ended on 31 December 2020. The GDPR has been retained in UK law as the UK GDPR and will continue to be read alongside the DPA 2018, with technical amendments to ensure it can function in UK law.
• Individual Rights: In data protection law, people have rights over their data. These generally allow them to ask you to do something, or stop doing something, with their personal data. There are eight individual rights. If you are handling people’s personal data, you will have to comply with these rights whenever they are used, unless it is an exceptional situation.
• Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights, covering laws including the Data Protection Act (2018), Freedom of Information, Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR.
• Lawful Basis: A lawful basis is the reason or legal grounds you can rely on for using people’s personal data. There are six bases to choose from: consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, and legitimate interests. There is no single lawful basis that is better or more lawful than any of the others.
• Personal Data: Personal data is information about who you are, where you live, what you do and more. It is all information that identifies you as a data subject.
• Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR): PECR sits alongside the DPA 2018 and the UK GDPR. They give people specific privacy rights in relation to electronic communications. There are specific rules on:
  • marketing calls, emails, texts, and faxes;
  • cookies (and similar technologies);
  • keeping communications services secure; and
  • customer privacy as regards traffic and location data, itemised billing, line identification, and directory listings.
• Processing: Processing means taking any action with someone’s personal data. This begins when a data controller starts making a record of information about someone and continues until you no longer need the information, and it has been securely destroyed. If you hold information on someone, it counts as processing, even if you do not do anything
• Registration: If you have or use information about people, also known as processing, you may have to register with the ICO and pay a fee. Data protection fees are a legal obligation. If you need to pay, and do not pay the fee, you could be fined.

2. Scope

2.1 The scope for Bluline is any data subject, whose personal data is processed, in line with the requirements of the DPA 2018, PECR, and UK GDPR. From time to time we may also need to meet the requirements of additional UK privacy legislation and overseas privacy legislation, such as the EU GDPR.

2.2 We also acknowledge any additional responsibilities requested by the industry regulator in the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

2.3 The DPA 2018 and UK GDPR have a material scope covering personal data that is processed either electronically or is processed as a part of a physical filing system. For example, any personal data that may be uploaded to a computer/electronic device, or stored in a structured paper filing system.

2.4 Bluline will adhere to the seven UK GDPR data processing principles when handling personal data:

• Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
• Purpose limitation
• Data minimisation
• Accuracy
• Storage limitation
• Integrity and confidentiality (security)
• Accountability

2.5 All associates and employees of Bluline who interact with data subjects are responsible for ensuring that this privacy notice is drawn to the data subject’s attention, at the earliest available opportunity.

3. – Lawfulness

3.1 Bluline Administration Limited is a private limited company, based in England, under company registration number 10867002, complying with the laws of England and Wales. Registered at 3 Eastmoor Road, Wakefield, WF1 3RY.

3.2 Bluline Administration Limited's office is based at Suite 2, Cadbury House, Blackpole East, Worcester, WR3 8SG.

3.3 Bluline is registered with the ICO under registration number ZA356314.

3.4 Bluline acts as a data controller and data processor. We adhere to UK GDPR Article 30 which asks us to maintain a record of all personal data processing activities, as a core responsibility.

3.5 Bluline has appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO). Our DPO is CSRB Limited. They can be contacted on 0117 325 0830 or via dpo@csrb.co.uk.

3.6 Bluline uses lawful bases, as set out in UK GDPR Article 6, when we process your personal data:

• Contract - the processing is necessary for Bluline to fulfil the obligations of an agreement or contract, for the provision of our medical healthcare scheme for police officers, police staff and their families.
• Legal Obligation – the processing is necessary for Bluline to fulfil the requirements of a statute in law or the general requirements of that law. For example, consent for access to medical records in accordance with the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 when dealing with medical information.
• Legitimate Interests - the processing is necessary, as Bluline has ascertained the legitimate interest of the individual, and explained why the processing of personal data is required to action the legitimate interest. For example, providing an update on any claims made via the healthcare scheme.

3.7 Bluline processes certain special category data:

• Personal data revealing race or ethnic origin;
• Personal data revealing political opinions;
• Personal data revealing religious or philosophical beliefs; and
• Personal data concerning health.

3.8 Bluline ensures that all processing of the above special category data is lawful, fair, and transparent, and complies with all the data processing principles of the UK GDPR.

3.9 Bluline can only process special category data if we can meet one of the specific conditions in Article 9 of the UK GDPR. We may also have to meet additional conditions set out in the DPA 2018. The Article 9 conditions we use are:

• Explicit consent
• Health or social care (with a basis in law). This condition is met if the processing is necessary for health or social care purposes, which means the purposes of:
  • preventive or occupational medicine;
  • the assessment of the working capacity of an employee;
  • medical diagnosis;
  • the provision of health care or treatment;
  • the provision of social care; and
  • the management of health care systems or services, or social care systems or services.

3.9 Bluline may transfer personal data we collect about you to countries outside the UK and the EEA (European Economic Area). We treat each international data transfer individually and assess the risk associated with the transfer and whether a suitable level of adequacy with UK data protection and privacy legislation is available, within the country to where the personal data is being transferred. If the international data transfer would fall within the European Union/EEA, personal data would be able to flow freely under the ‘Adequacy Decision’ agreed between the UK and European Parliament on 27 June 2021. If the international data transfer is outside the EU/EEA/UK then appropriate safeguards or derogations would be put in place, such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). This privacy notice would also be updated.

4. – Fairness

4.1 Bluline processes personal data in a fair way. We do this by putting the individual’s rights at the heart of all processing with regards to personal data. There are eight data subject rights:

• Right to be informed – you have the right to know why we are collecting and processing personal data, and this right is met by the provision of this privacy notice and any subsequent updates.
• Right of access – you have the right to know what personal data we have on record and request a copy.
• Right of rectification – you have the right to correct data that we hold about you that is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Right to be forgotten – in certain circumstances you can ask for the personal data we hold about you to be erased from our records.
• Right to restriction of processing – where certain conditions apply to have a right to ask us to only process your personal data for certain processing activities.
• Right of portability – you have the right to have the data we hold about you transferred to another organisation.
• Right to object – you have the right to object to certain types of processing such as marketing.
• Right to object to automated processing, including profiling – you also have the right to object to the legal effects of automated processing or profiling.

4.2 Bluline will only handle personal data in ways that data subjects would reasonably expect and not use it in ways that have unjustified adverse effects on them.

4.3 Bluline will obtain personal data in the first instance in a fair way. We will seek consent from the data subject, or only bring personal data into the business where explicit consent has been given and recorded.

4.4 Bluline always considers the rights and freedoms of data subjects when processing personal data. This could be individually or in a group.

5. Transparency

5.1 Transparency is fundamentally linked to fairness. Bluline will always be clear, open, and honest with people from the start, about who we are, and how and why we need to use your personal data.

5.2 Bluline wants individuals to have a choice about whether they wish to enter a relationship with us. We tell data subjects from the outset the types of personal data we may need to process, usually within our contract and proposal documentation. We issue all individuals with a copy of this privacy notice.

5.3 Bluline processes the following personal data types as a minimum:

• Identity Data (e.g., contact name, email addresses, telephone numbers).
• Location Data (e.g., addresses).
• Non-Sensitive Data (e.g., date of birth, gender)
• Payment Data (e.g., payment information to facilitate the provision of the scheme)
• Special Category Data (e.g., medical information – see paragraph 3.6 above)
• Third Party Data (e.g., dependent or spouse).

5.4 We believe if individuals know at the outset what we will use their personal information for, they will be able to make an informed decision about whether to enter a relationship with Bluline.

5.5 Bluline informs individuals about all personal data processing in a way that is easily accessible and easy to understand, using clear and plain language. We do this via this privacy notice as an example.

5.6 Bluline Administration Limited has appointed a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) to act in the interests of all parties. Should you require further information with regards to personal data and the protection of that data please contact our nominated DPO at CSRB Limited. They can be contacted on 0117 325 0830 or via dpo@csrb.co.uk.

5.7 Bluline hope we can resolve any query or concern you raise about our use of your personal data. You can contact our Operations Manager Michelle Wassell at Bluline in the first instance at any time on 01905 796682 or via email michelle@blulineadmin.co.uk.

5.8 Should we not be able to resolve the complaint, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the lead authority. The lead authority in the UK is the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who may be contacted by telephone on 0303 123 1113 or by visiting www.ico.org.uk.

6. Purpose Limitation

6.1 Bluline will always be clear about what our purposes for processing are from the start.

6.2 Bluline specifically process your personal data for the following purposes:

• Administering our medical health scheme for serving police officers, police staff and their families;
• Supplying our medical health scheme;
• Managing payments for our medical health scheme;
• Personalising and tailoring our medical health scheme to you;
• Communicating with you only regarding the management of our medical health scheme;
• Supplying you with service communications regarding the medical health scheme;

6.3 Bluline will record our purposes for data processing as part of our contact and proposal documentation obligations. We will also specify them in any additional privacy documentation provided.

6.4 Bluline will only use personal data for a new purpose if either this is compatible with your original purpose, or we obtain consent, or we have a clear obligation, or function set out in law.

6.5 Where relevant, Bluline, may also share your personal data with the following categories of third parties:

• Trusted third party partners who we work alongside and process personal data on behalf of, with regards to agreements and contracts, or for the provision of supplementary support services. Disclosure of the nominated trusted third-party partner would be provided at the agreement/contract stage and a relevant Data Processing Agreement (DPA) would be put in place to protect all personal data, from a data controller, data processor, and data subject perspective.
• Fraud prevention agencies, money laundering agencies and associations.
• Regulators and law enforcement agencies, including the police, HM Revenue and Customs, or any other relevant authority who may have jurisdiction. We would always inform you ahead of acting on any instructions to proceed.

6.6 Bluline will share personal information with law enforcement or other authorities, if required by law.

7. Data Minimisation

7.1 Bluline always ensures the personal data we are processing is:

• adequate – sufficient to properly fulfil our stated purpose;
• relevant – has a rational link to that purpose; and
• limited to what is necessary – we do not hold more than we need for that purpose.

The UK GDPR does not define these terms. As this is the case, Bluline accepts these terms may have a differing definition from one individual to the other, as the processing will depend on the specified purpose for collecting and using the personal data.

7.2 In order to assess whether we are holding the right amount of personal data, we demonstrate clearly why we need it, before engaging with the data subject.

7.3 For special category data or criminal offence data, we understand the importance of collecting and retaining only the minimum amount of information.

7.4 Bluline undertakes an annual data protection audit with an external certified data protection service provider, to review our processing to check that the personal data we hold is still relevant and adequate for the stated purposes, and we delete anything we no longer need.

8. Accuracy

8.1 Bluline will take all reasonable steps to ensure the personal data we hold is accurate and up to date.

8.2 Bluline will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal data we hold is not incorrect. This may involve contacting you via our official communication channels, to ensure all personal data held is accurate.

8.3 Bluline will always record the source of where personal data came from and ensure that source is compliant with UK privacy laws, including the UK GDPR.

8.4 If we need to keep a record of a mistake, we clearly identify it as a mistake, and add this to our records of processing for audit purposes, and continuous improvement.

8.5 All Bluline records clearly identify any matters of opinion, and where appropriate whose opinion it is and any relevant changes to the underlying facts.

8.6 Bluline will comply with the individual’s right to rectification, and carefully consider any challenges to the accuracy of the personal data.

8.7 As a matter of good practice, we keep a note of any challenges to the accuracy of the personal data.

9. Storage Limitation

9.1 Bluline will not keep personal data for longer than we need it.

9.2 Bluline will only keep personal data for the period outlined to meet the requirements of the contract, legal obligation, or legitimate interest identified.

9.3 To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.

9.4 Furthermore any retention of personal data will be carried out in compliance with legal, professional body and regulatory obligations. These data retention periods are subject to change, due to any revisions of associated legislation, regulations, or requirements.

9.5 Bluline acknowledges that UK privacy legislation does not determine how long personal data needs to be kept. This is up to us as a data controller or processor to determine and document accordingly at the earliest possible opportunity. For example, in contracts or proposal documentation.

9.6 Bluline has a personal data retention and destruction policy and procedure in place, which documents the types of record or information we hold, what we use it for, and how long we intend to keep it. In summary:

• Upon leaving we will keep your personal data for 7 years following your leaving date. This is due to having up to 6 years to make a civil claim for negligence or simple claims in contract.

9.7 Bluline periodically reviews the personal data we hold, and erases or anonymises it, when we no longer need to process it.

9.8 Bluline also considers any challenges to the retention of personal data. We understand that individuals have a right to erasure if we no longer need the personal data.

9.9 Bluline acknowledges there are exceptions to retention periods. Here we can keep personal data for longer if we are only keeping it for public interest archiving, scientific or historical research, or statistical purposes. We would always inform you if this was the case, along with our lawful basis for retention.

9.10 Any personal data held as physical documents is securely stored pre-destruction, securely destroyed, with a Certificate of Destruction issued in line with our personal data retention and destruction policy.

10. Integrity and Confidentiality (security)

10.1 Bluline undertake an analysis of the risks presented by our processing and use this to assess the appropriate level of security we need to put in place. We review our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) annually.

10.2 Bluline have an information security policy and take steps to make sure the policy is implemented. For example, we undertake an annual information security review with an accredited external provider. We make sure that we regularly review our information security policies and measures and, where necessary, improve them.

10.3 Bluline believes in building an information governance framework by design. Where necessary, we have additional policies and ensure that controls are in place to enforce them. We further demonstrate our commitment through the appointment of a DPO.

10.4 Bluline has put in place basic organisational and technical controls such as those specified by established certification frameworks like Cyber Essentials.

10.5 Bluline understand that we may also need to put other technical measures in place depending on our circumstances and the type of personal data we process. For example, we use encryption for personal data transfer where it is appropriate to do so.

10.6 Bluline understand the requirements of confidentiality, integrity, and availability for the personal data we process.

10.7 Bluline make sure that we can restore access to personal data in the event of any incidents, such as by establishing an appropriate backup process.

10.8 Bluline conduct regular testing and reviews of our measures to ensure they remain effective, and act upon the results of those tests where they highlight areas for improvement.

10.9 Where appropriate, Bluline implement measures that adhere to an approved code of conduct or certification mechanism.

10.10 Bluline ensure that any data processor we use also implements appropriate technical and organisational measures. They are required to meet the same level of data protection adequacy as highlighted in this notice.

10.11 Bluline does not use tracking cookies on our website to track user behaviour and/or improve site experience. The UK GDPR and PECR interprets data collected by cookies as personal. It prohibits the collection of personal data without consent, which means a website is only allowed to collect information that the user voluntarily inputs. This includes name, email address, phone number, or any other information that the user shares with the website. The cookie consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Bluline does not use these tracking cookies, giving the user complete control over their personal data.

11. Accountability

11.1 Accountability is one of the UK GDPR data processing principles. Bluline take our responsibility for complying with the UK GDPR very seriously, by addressing the data subject ‘right to be informed’ via this privacy notice.

11.2 Bluline has put in a place several measures that we can, and in some cases must take, including:

• adopting and implementing data protection policies;
• taking a ‘data protection by design and default’ approach;
• putting written contracts in place with organisations that process personal data on our behalf;
• maintaining documentation of our processing activities;
• putting a data protection employee training plan in place and actioning this plan:
• implementing appropriate security measures;
• recording and, where necessary, reporting personal data breaches;
• carrying out data protection impact assessments for uses of personal data that are likely to result in high risk to individual’s interests;
• appointing a data protection officer; and
• adhering to relevant codes of conduct and signing up to certification schemes.

11.3 Bluline understand that accountability obligations are ongoing. We review and, where necessary, update the measures we put in place. For example, we continually enhance our privacy management framework, as this can help embed our accountability measures and create a culture of privacy across our organisation.

11.4 Bluline understand that being accountable can help build trust with individuals and may help mitigate any gaps in compliance, and thus any potential regulatory enforcement action.

11.5 If you have any questions or concerns about how Bluline Administration Limited process and protect your personal data not covered in this privacy notice please contact our DPO, CSRB Limited. They can be contacted on 0117 325 0830 or via dpo@csrb.co.uk.