Who we are
Our organisation is registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission under the name “Socialist Party (Northern Ireland)” and we operate publicly as “Solidarity – the Socialist Alternative”. For the purposes of registration and regulation, the party remains registered as Socialist Party (Northern Ireland). “Solidarity – the Socialist Alternative” operates publicly under this name and is the data controller for the purposes of UK data protection law.
Our data controller contact email is: info@solidaritysocialist.org
What data we collect
Depending on how you engage with us, we may collect:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Postal address
- Membership information
- Records of attendance at meetings or events
- Petition signatures and campaign engagement (including information provided at protests, stalls or public events)
- Donation information
- Communication preferences
- Technical data (e.g. IP address, website usage)
- Information you provide when contacting us via social media
Some of this may include information about your political views or support, which is treated as special category data.
How we collect your data
We collect data in a number of ways:
- Through our website (e.g. sign-ups, forms)
- When you contact us directly
- When you sign petitions or engage with us at protests, stalls or public events
- When you attend meetings or events
- When you make a donation
- Through cookies and website analytics
- When you contact us via social media platforms
Where you provide your details on petitions or sign-up forms, you are given the opportunity to opt in to receive communications from us.
Social media platforms operate independently from us and have their own privacy policies.
How we use your data
We use your data to:
- Administer membership and supporter records
- Organise and promote campaigns, protests and meetings
- Communicate with you about political activity, events and updates
- Maintain attendance and organisational records
- Process donations
- Respond to enquiries made via social media or other channels
- Improve our website and communications
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
We only use your data for purposes connected to our political and organisational work.
We process personal data on the following bases:
- Legitimate interests: to carry out our activities as a political party
- Consent: where you opt in to communications or provide data in specific contexts (including petitions and sign-up forms)
- Legal obligations: including compliance with electoral and financial regulations
Where we process special category data (political opinions), we rely on the condition for political parties processing personal data for democratic engagement purposes under the Data Protection Act 2018.
Communications
We may contact you by email, phone or text where:
You have opted in, or
It is otherwise lawful to do so
You can unsubscribe or update your preferences at any time.
Donations
Donations made online may be processed via Donorbox on our behalf. These providers process your data on our behalf and are required to protect your information. We retain donation records where required for legal and financial reporting purposes.
Sharing and internal use of data
We do not sell personal data or share it with advertisers.
We use trusted service providers, including:
- Mailchimp (for email communications)
- Website and IT service providers
- Donation processing platforms
These organisations act as data processors and only use your data on our instructions.
Access to data is limited to what is necessary and handled in line with data protection law.
Cross-border data processing
Some of our organisational activity takes place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The UK and EU operate under closely aligned data protection frameworks, and we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place when data is accessed or processed across jurisdictions. Where data is processed outside NI (for example by service providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
Data retention
We only keep personal data for as long as necessary.
This may include:
- Membership and supporter data while you remain engaged
- Petition and campaign data for a limited period after the campaign
- Donation records as required by law
- We regularly review and securely delete data when no longer required.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access your data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Request deletion
- Object to or restrict processing
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Request transfer of your data
To exercise any of these rights, contact: info@solidaritysocialist.org
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to:
- Ensure functionality
- Understand usage
- Improve user experience
Where required, we will request consent for non-essential cookies. You can manage cookies through your browser settings.
Complaints
If you have concerns, contact us first via email: info@solidaritysocialist.org
You also may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
www.ico.org.uk
0303 123 1113
Updates
We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.