Privacy Policy

Introduction
This privacy policy sets out how RailUK Forums uses and protects any information that you give RailUK Forums when you use this website.

RailUK Forums is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

RailUK Forums may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 24 May 2018.

What we collect
We may collect the following:

• name, occupation and date of birth
• contact information including email address and instant messaging handles
• IP addresses used to register, log in, and post messages
• brand and version of your web browser, operating system and device used during a browsing session
• demographic information such as your gender, location and interests
• forum preferences
• other information you may wish to provide

What we do with the information we gather
We require this information, which is provided by your consent, to prevent misuse of the services we provide and to identify content posted by individuals.

Furthermore:

• We will send you welcome messages to verify your email address and to inform you of the services we provide and confirm when your account has been activated
• Should you consent, we may periodically send you messages and may contact you for market research purposes relating to the forum
• We may use the information to improve our service
• We will use the information to customise the forum according to your preferences and to protect your information

Security
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies
We use cookies to enable functions such as showing whether or not a thread or forum you are viewing has new posts since your last visit, or to automatically log you back in when you return to the site after being away for a while, storing your username and password. Cookies are also used to track your current session, ensuring that you remain logged-on while browsing the site and to prevent misuse of the services we provide.

We also use third party advertisements on RailUK Forums to support our site. Some of these advertisers may use cookies when they advertise on our site, which will also send advertisers information including your IP address. RailUK Forums have no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third party advertisers although we believe that these organisations ensure that your privacy is protected and are compliant with current UK regulations concerning the processing of data.

You can chose to disable or selectively turn off our cookies or third-party cookies in your browser settings.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites
Our website contains links to other websites of which we do not have any control. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy policy applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal data
You are able to set privacy settings which can limit who can see some information you have provided and who can contact you. You are also able to set preferences in order to receive or stop receiving email notifications regarding new or updated content. Details on how to do this are in the post below.

You are able to erase the majority of your personal data yourself on the Settings page. Should you not be able to amend an item or otherwise require assistance, please use the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of every page.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal data to third parties unless we have your permission, are required by law to do so, or if we need to submit a report regarding misuse of the services we provide.

You may request details of personal data and supplementary information which we hold about you. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please use the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of every page. A fee may be payable in exceptional circumstances.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, in the majority of cases you may correct this yourself on the Settings page. Should you not be able to amend this or otherwise require assistance, please use the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of every page. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

 

How do I unsubscribe from email notifications?
Depending on your preferences, you may be set up to receive email notifications when a reply is made to a thread that you are watching. Go to your Preferences and uncheck the options "and receive email notifications of replies." There are four similar options as for users of the Media album you can also set to receive a notification when items are uploaded or comments made.

Note that changing these options will not stop you from receiving an email to threads that you are already watching. The easiest way to do this is to use the one-click unsubscribe option at the bottom of any emails you receive from us. You can also go to the All Watched Threads page and use one of the options under 'Manage Watched Threads' on the top of the page.

Within your settings, you can also go to the Contact Details tab and deselect "Receive email when a new conversation message is received" to stop being sent an email whenever you receive a conversation message (also known as a Private Message/PM).

How do I change my Username?
Your Username is the unique name with which you log in to the forum. It also appears alongside any post you make and on your User Profile page. You select your Username when you first join the forum and it cannot be changed. We recommend that your Username does not contain any personal data or any information which can be used to identify you.

In exceptional circumstances, we may allow members to change their Username on one occasion only, at the discretion of the staff team where good reason exists, such as privacy concerns. To request a Username change in these circumstances, please click the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of every forum page and send us your current Username, your proposed new Username, and the reason for the Username change request.

 

Please be advised that we have made some minor modifications to our membership Privacy Policy. Whilst our previous Privacy Policy was largely compliant with new legislation, the changes have been made to ensure full compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and also clarify the position regarding data which we collect.

Summary of changes
1. Section on fees for making a Subject Access Request has been modified, as in the majority of situations a fee is no longer applicable
2. A link to settings for users to correct their personal details has been added; as well as a section on how to unsubscribe from email notifications. We have always worked on an "opt in" basis for email notifications, with them only being sent where the option has been selected upon first registering. However it is accepted that times can change, so a clear section on how to unsubscribe from emails has been added; in addition to the unsubscribe link(s) in the emails themselves.
3. The forum software automatically collects user agent data (this is the type of device and the type of browser). This information is used for statistical purposes.
4. Clarified situation regarding consent for market research (forum membership surveys)
5. Clarified situation whereby session cookies (ie. where you click 'remember me' type options) are also used to help prevent misuse of forum software as well as keep you logged-in
6. Clarified that third party services (this is Google Analytics and ad providers such as Google Adsense) are fully compliant with UK legislation on data protection
8. Clarified that data is collected only by your consent (ie. the forum software does not request additional permissions)
9. Link added to Settings page to advise users how to erase their data, or how to contact forum support team to know how to erase other data or seek assistance