Full policy

Introduction

Ferret E-learning is a product of Ferret Information Systems Ltd (referred to here as “Ferret”, “we”, “our” or “us”. The main Ferret Data Protection Policy is available on our website here (this link will open in a new tab/window). There is also further detail below which is specific to Ferret E-learning. This explains what information is held about you, how it is gathered, how it is used and how it is stored.

Other websites

Ferret E-learning may provide links to other websites. Our privacy and data protection policy applies only to our own sites, so if you follow any links provided by us, you should refer to the privacy policy of the other website. We are not responsible for your protection and privacy of any information whilst visiting sites other than our own.

Ferret E-learning runs on Moodle, a learning platform built by the Moodle Project, which is led and co-ordinated by Moodle HQ. More information about Moodle may be found here (this link will open in a new tab/window). Moodle Project and Moodle HQ do not have access to your personal information.

The Ferret E-learning site is hosted by NTC Hosting on a secure server in the UK. More information about NTC Hosting may be found here (this link will open in a new tab/window). NTC Hosting only hosts our site, and does not have access to your personal information. Your personal information is not stored or transferred outside the UK.

What data do we collect, and how do we collect it?

Ferret E-learning collects as little personal information as possible. The personal information we collect is as follows.

Your first and last name and your email address are required by us so that we can set up your account. This information is provided by you.

Moodle collects some information in the form of site logs when you use the Ferret E-learning site. The information collected is your first and last name, your IP address, the date and time you access the site or perform any action on the site, and brief details of your activity on the site, for example, logging in, or viewing a page.

The server collects some information in the form of server logs when you use the Ferret E-learning site. The information collected is your IP address, the date and time you access the site or perform any actions on the site, your browser and/or device operating system version, and the URL of the website which referred you to our site (if any), for example, Google.

How will we use your data?

Your first and last names and your email address are used to set up your Ferret E-learning account. Your first and last names are visible to other site users if you post in any shared areas, for example, course discussion forums. You have the option to change your first and last name to alias, nickname or initial(s) at any time. Your email address is hidden by default and is visible only to you and to Ferret E-learning’s system administrators, unless you choose to make it public.

All other data is collected in the site logs and server logs, and is visible only to Ferret E-learning’s system administrators. The information held in these logs is used to help support site users, for system administration, security and bug tracking, and for producing usage statistics. Such statistics may be provided to other Ferret employees, but these statistics do not contain any personal data.

Data from Ferret E-learning is not and will not be shared with any third party organisation(s) except where we are required to do so by law.

How do we store your data?

All data from Ferret E-learning is held securely within the UK. Information is secured with encrypted passwords and accessible only to authorised Ferret employees. Technical, organisation and security measures are reviewed regularly to safeguard personal information.

Data from Moodle is backed up regularly, and backups are held securely in the UK. The backups are held only for the purpose of reinstatement of data in the event of system failure resulting in data loss from the Ferret E-learning site. Data from Moodle includes all data on the Ferret E-learning site, including user information and site logs.

Server logs are held securely within the UK, for the purposes of tracking and resolving errors, and for security purposes, for example, identifying and blocking unauthorised access attempts.

All data is retained for a maximum of seven years, and is securely destroyed. At our discretion, data from Ferret E-learning may be kept for a shorter period than seven years.

Marketing

Ferret E-learning does not undertake any marketing activities, but you may be contacted by Ferret Information Systems Ltd for marketing purposes. Please see our main Data Protection Policy here (this link will open in a new tab/window) for details about marketing and your rights.

What are your data protection rights?

Please see our main Data Protection Policy here (this link will open in a new tab/window) for details about your data protection rights.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files which are stored on your device (PC, tablet, phone, etc.) which record specific interaction(s) between you and the website you are accessing. You are free to disable and/or delete cookies, but doing so may have an effect on website functions.

Moodle sets the following cookies:

MoodleSession. This is an essential cookie which provides continuity and maintains your login as you use the site. If you do not allow it, the site will not function. This cookie is destroyed when you log out of the Ferret E-learning site or you close your browser, whichever happens first.

MOODLEID_ or MOODLEID1_. This is an optional cookie which will fill in your username for you on the login screen. It is your choice whether to allow it or not, and it will only be set if you put a tick in the “Remember username” box on the login screen. This cookie will be stored permanently until you delete it. If you do delete it, you will need to enter your username yourself to log in.

We do not set any other cookies, specifically any cookies used for advertising or tracking purposes.

Changes to our privacy and data protection policy

Ferret keeps its privacy and data protection policy under regular review, and will place any updates on this webpage and/or our main website here (this link will open in a new tab/window). Our privacy and data protection policy was last updated on May 25th 2018.

How to contact us

If you have any questions about Ferret’s privacy and data protection policy or the data we hold about you, or would like to exercise one of your data protection rights, please contact our Information Protection Officer. Contact details are available here (this link will open in a new tab/window).

How to contact the appropriate authority

If you wish to refer a complaint, or you feel that Ferret has not addressed your concern(s) in a satisfactory manner, you may contact the Office of the Information Commissioner here (this link will open in a new tab/window).