Personal Data

WSS Processing of Personal Data

1. a) Nature and Purpose of the Processing of Personal Data
   The Supplier processes personal data for the purpose of recruiting and managing participants for food tasting consumer research projects. This includes collecting screener responses to determine eligibility for specific projects. The processing is limited to data necessary for participant recruitment, management, and communication, and does not involve extensive profiling or automated decision-making beyond project-specific eligibility criteria.
2. b) Types of Personal Data and Categories of Data Subjects
   Categories of data subjects:

• Consumers who have signed up to our panel software to participate in research projects.

Types of personal data processed:

• Name
• DOB
• Email address
• Phone number
• Address
• Availability
• Shopping habits
• Responses to screener questions
• Account information (e.g., login credentials for our app)

Sensitive data (e.g., health-related or dietary preferences) is collected only when directly relevant to the project and with the explicit consent of the data subject.

1. c) Applicable Data Security Measures
   The Supplier follows robust data security measures, including:

• Encryption of personal data at rest and in transit.
• Role-based access controls to limit data access to authorised personnel only.
• Regular vulnerability assessments and updates to maintain secure systems.
• Compliance with GDPR and other applicable data protection regulations.
• Secure storage on encrypted servers with industry-standard firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

1. d) Duration of the Processing of Personal Data
   Personal data is processed for the duration of the Agreement. Additionally, personal data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfil project requirements or as legally mandated. Upon termination of the Agreement or at the request of the data subject, data will be securely deleted in accordance with our retention policy.
2. e) Relevant Links:

https://wssintl.com/join-our-panel/

https://wssintl.com/privacy-policy/

Wirral Sensory Services GDPR Policy for Panellists

At Wirral Sensory Services, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This policy outlines how we collect, process, and safeguard your data as a panellist.

1. Data Controller

Wirral Sensory Services is the Data Controller for the personal data you provide. You can contact us at:

Address: Wirral Sensory Services, 37 Allport Lane, Bromborough, Wirral, CH62 7HH
Email: recruitment@wssintl.com
Phone: 0151 346 2999

2. Types of Data We Collect

We collect the following personal data to facilitate your participation in our consumer research projects:

• Identity Data: Name, date of birth, and gender.
• Contact Data: Email address, phone number, and address (if necessary for home use projects).
• Profile Data: Information provided during sign-up, such as dietary preferences, pet ownership (for pet food studies), and any other details relevant to our research.
• Participation Data: Responses to screener questions, project feedback, and participation history.
• Technical Data: Information from our app, such as login activity and device type, to ensure a smooth user experience.

3. Purpose of Data Processing

We process your data for the following purposes:

• To assess eligibility for specific consumer research projects.
• To manage your participation in research projects, including communication about schedules and requirements.
• To provide incentives where applicable (e.g., vouchers or payments).
• To analyse research results (data is anonymised for analysis).
• To improve our services and tailor future opportunities to your preferences.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: By signing up as a panellist, you consent to us processing your data for recruitment and project management.
• Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfil our obligations as part of your participation in research.
• Legitimate Interest: To improve our research services and maintain a high standard of service delivery.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell or share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. Your data may be shared only under the following circumstances:

• With our clients (in anonymised or aggregated form) to support research findings.
• With service providers (e.g., courier services for sending samples), who are bound by confidentiality agreements.
• When required by law or to protect legal rights.

6. Data Security

We implement strict security measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest.
• Secure storage systems with access restricted to authorised personnel.
• Regular system updates and security audits to prevent unauthorised access.
• Secure disposal of data after its retention period.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or to comply with legal obligations. If you withdraw your consent or request the deletion of your data, it will be securely erased within 30 days, unless retention is required by law.

8. Your Rights

As a data subject, you have the following rights under GDPR:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: You can request the deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”).
• Objection: You can object to the processing of your data for certain purposes.
• Portability: You can request that your data be transferred to another organisation in a structured format.
• Withdrawal of Consent: You can withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at: recruitment@wssintl.com

9. Complaints

If you have any concerns about how we process your personal data, please contact us.

10. Policy Updates

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be communicated to you via mobile phone, email or through our app.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for being a valued panellist at Wirral Sensory Services!