Last updated: 12 September 2026

Who we are

This notice explains how Dalry Parish Church, a Church of Scotland congregation in Dalry, North Ayrshire, handles personal information through dalryparishchurch.org. It covers this website, not all pastoral, membership or safeguarding records held by the church.

For questions about this notice or to exercise your privacy rights, email [email protected] or use our Get in touch page. Please mark your message “Privacy enquiry”.

Information collected and why

• Enquiries: your name, contact details and the information you provide, so we can respond and follow up.
• Accounts and comments: registration details, account identifiers, comments and technical information needed to administer accounts, publish contributions and prevent abuse. A name or comment you submit for publication may be visible to other visitors.
• Newsletters: your subscription details and preferences. Email systems may also record delivery, opens and link clicks where these features are enabled. You can unsubscribe using the link in an email or by contacting us.
• Technical information: IP address, browser and device information, requested pages, timestamps and security logs, for operating and protecting the website.
• Usage information: visits, pages viewed, approximate location, referral source and interactions, through analytics services.

Please avoid including sensitive pastoral, health or safeguarding information in public comments or routine website forms. Contact the church to arrange a suitable way to discuss confidential matters.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. Similar technologies include browser storage, embedded scripts and tracking pixels. Some support a feature you request; others measure activity or connect the website with an external provider.

• Essential functions: WordPress and related services may use cookies for secure sign-in, account sessions, security and remembering choices. Blocking these can prevent those features from working.
• Analytics: Google Analytics helps us understand how the website is used and where it can be improved.
• External content: Facebook feeds, videos, sharing tools and other embedded services can contact their providers and may use their own cookies or identifiers.
• Optional sign-in: Google or Facebook may use cookies or browser-based identity mechanisms when you choose to sign in through them.

Optional tracking requires a valid choice where consent is required by law; simply reading this policy is not consent. Where a cookie-choice prompt is displayed, you can decline optional categories or change your choice through its settings. You can also delete or block cookies in your browser. Browser controls may affect sign-in and embedded content, and do not necessarily prevent every type of information being sent to a provider.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics processes information about website visits and interactions. It can use identifiers to recognise a browser across visits. Common GA4 cookies include _ga and _ga_<identifier>; Google documents a default lifetime of two years, although site settings and browser restrictions can shorten this. Cookie expiry is separate from the retention of analytics records.

See how Google uses information from partner websites, Google’s cookie documentation and the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on applies to supported browsers and is not a general control for other Google services.

Facebook content and features

The website displays Facebook content. When an embedded Facebook feature connects to Meta, technical information such as your IP address, browser information and the page being visited may be disclosed. Depending on your account, choices and the feature, Meta may associate activity with your Facebook account and process it for its own purposes. Following a link to Facebook takes you to a separately operated service.

Read the Meta Privacy Policy and Meta Cookies Policy for provider-specific processing, cookies and controls. This notice does not mean that every Meta advertising or tracking product is installed on our website.

Sign in with Google or Facebook

Where offered, social sign-in is optional. If you choose it, the provider authenticates you and shares information permitted by the sign-in process, which may include an account identifier, name, email address and profile picture. We use the information received to create or recognise your website account and provide the feature you requested. We do not receive your Google or Facebook password through social sign-in.

Review the permissions shown before continuing. Google and Facebook also process information under their own privacy policies. See Google’s Privacy Policy and the Meta policy above. You can review or revoke an app’s access in your provider’s account settings. Revoking access does not automatically erase information already held in your church website account; contact us to request deletion. Social sign-in does not by itself subscribe you to a newsletter.

Legal grounds and sharing

Depending on the purpose, we rely on consent, our legitimate interests in responding to enquiries and administering a secure church website, or a legal obligation. Consent is the basis for newsletter subscriptions and optional tracking where required. You may withdraw consent without affecting the lawfulness of earlier processing. If sensitive information is involved, an additional legal condition is needed; this general notice is not a request for consent to process sensitive information.

Authorised church personnel and service providers may access information as needed for website hosting, maintenance, email delivery, security and the services described above. External platforms may act as independent controllers for their own processing. Some providers process information outside the UK; applicable transfer arrangements and safeguards depend on the provider and service. Their privacy notices explain their arrangements.

Retention, security and your rights

Retention depends on the purpose: the time needed to handle an enquiry, maintain an account or subscription, moderate published content, investigate a security issue or meet a legal requirement. Backup copies can persist after removal from the live website until replaced under the backup cycle. Contact us for information about the retention applicable to your records.

We use appropriate access and security measures, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security. Depending on the circumstances, you may request access, correction, erasure, restriction or portability of your information, object to processing, or withdraw consent. These rights are subject to legal conditions, and we may need to verify your identity.

You can raise concerns with us or complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK data protection regulator.

Changes to this notice

We may update this page when the website or its services change. The date above identifies the latest version.