Falkland Islands Communications Regulator

Contact details

Why we collect your personal information?

The Communications Regulator has a duty, under the following legislation, to facilitate the licensing of activities related to the communications services. This legislation includes:

• Communications Ordinance 2017

Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018, followed as best practice, data can be collected for the following reasons:

• (a) We need it to perform a public service/function as a local authority
• (b) We have a legal obligation
• (c) We have a contractual obligation
• (d) We have a legitimate interest
• (e) We have your explicit consent

What type of information do we have?

Personal data is defined as any information which identifies a living individual. We currently collect and process personal data in many different ways depending on how you interact with the government. Some personal information may be classed as sensitive due to the nature of the data and will be protected accordingly.

To enable us to provide the services related to operations performed under the Communications Ordinance and licensing of activities related to communication services, we collect the following information from you directly or from internal departments and external entities:

• Full Name
• Address
• Contact Details
• Date of birth
• IP address

How we get the information?

The personal information we process is provided to us directly by you, as the data subject. The method of collection will depend on how you interact with the Communications Regulator but may include any interaction via the Regulator's website or team, as they support the management of communication licenses.

What happens to the information we have?

We use the information that you have given us in order to fulfil our function as a public authority and provide the above services under our legal obligations.

We process your information to:

• Administrate the licensing of communications in the Falkland Islands, including issuing VSAT licenses
• Ensure regulatory and legal compliance
• To create and maintain a register of licenses under the Communications Ordinance 2017

Other ways that we use your information include:

• Data profiling – this is when your information is summarised and examined to enable us to tailor and improve the services to meet your specific needs
• Research and planning – the information collected about you when you use our services can sometimes be used for purposes beyond the licensing operations. These can include:
  • Research and data collection for performance and activity statistics
  • Investigating complaints and supporting the enforcement of licenses
  • Provide statistics and identifying relevant information regarding the telecommunications sector in the Islands, including types of equipment being used
  • other secondary uses

Where required, we will always seek your consent to use your confidential information for these purposes. Most of the time anonymised data is used.

We may share your personal data between our services and with partner organisations, such as contract service providers and the police, for example when carrying out enforcement procedures on licenses. Data is only shared internally or externally when it is of benefit to you, required to protect you or somebody else, required by law, or to prevent and detect fraud.

All Government Officers who have access to information or data are required to have undertaken the standard FIG Oath of secrecy.

How do you get access your personal data?

Individuals have the right, in accordance with the FIG Data Protection Policy (2020) and FIG Access to Information Code of Practice (2016), to access their personal data held by FIG and to ensure it is accurate. This extends to:

The Falkland Islands Government endeavours to respond to requests for personal data within 20 working days from receipt of the request and satisfactory proof of identity. The 20 days may be extended if the request is complex but the Government Department will inform you if this applies.

Should the request also require extensive research then the individual will be contacted with an explanation.

FIG reserves the right to refuse disclosure of personal data if the request covers exempt information. You will be notified if your request covers exempt information, such as information relating to a third party.

For the purposes of the VSAT licenses, individuals (data subjects) can access, manage and edit the personal information that is held via their online account. Requests for personal data or information should be made in writing or by email using the contact detail supplied on this Privacy Policy.

How do we store your information?

Any personal data relating to an individual – in paper or electronic format - is securely stored within Government Directorates. We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your information against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

Personal information is retained for legal or administrative purposes for a set period of time, in line with approved Government record retention schedules. Each Department has its assigned and approved record retention schedule.

At the end of the retention period information is disposed of securely either through confidential destruction or irretrievable deletion.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with a response received please let us know so that we can address any concerns. Alternatively, you can also submit a complaint, so that the decision can be reviewed internally, via the website: www.falklands.gov.fk/feedback