Compliance policies and conditions of use

General

This article consolidates various policies and conditions relating to British Armed Forces Federation and its interactions with its members and with members of the wider public.

This updated article was last revised on 19.9.2019.

Any further changes will be highlighted and, if significant, notified specifically to members.

Principles

BAFF's data protection principles are that:

we will process all personal data fairly and lawfully
we will only process personal data for specified and lawful purposes
we will endeavour to hold relevant and accurate personal data, and where practical, we will keep it up to date
we will not keep personal data for longer than is necessary
we will keep all personal data secure
we will endeavour to ensure that personal data is not transferred to countries outside the United Kingdom without adequate protection

The other tabs above this article lead to more detailed information about our privacy policy, company information, conditions of use, etc.

Privacy

This is the privacy policy for BAFF (2006) Ltd, operating as British Armed Forces Federation and referred to in this and related policies as "we", "us", "the Federation" or under our informal abbreviation "BAFF".

BAFF takes your privacy and confidentiality very seriously. We are registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner's Office. We comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and related data protection legislation, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This policy explains how we use the information and personal data about those who visit our website, register as members or supporters, subscribe to newsletters, contribute website articles, posts or comments, communicate with us by any means, or access any services or support provided by us or by service providers .

By visiting our website and submitting information to us, you consent to our using your personal data and/or information in accordance with this policy.

Electronic information

Some information about our website visitors may be collected automatically and may be used by us to monitor and analyse how our site is used, and to protect data stored on the site. Such processes would not, however, identify any individual person using the site.

Your personal information

Registration as a BAFF Member or BAFF Military Supporter involves online registration on this site. The registration process, however, involves only a few anonymised basic questions which are designed mainly for statistical purposes, the only unique data item being the applicant's email address.

BAFF reserves the right to request full members in certain circumstances to complete a slightly more detailed registration form, which can be completed online or sent by email or BFPO/Royal Mail. Once received by us, such data is NOT held on our website.

Registered members and supporters can normally view their own registration data online. Alternatively this can be requested by email, using the email address which you have registered with us. Other data (such as any articles or comments written by you) can also be requested by registered users.

Purpose of Processing

We will use the personal details you provide us for general statistical purposes and to help us service your membership and to provide any services.

Disclosure to third parties

We will not disclose any of your personal information to anyone without your prior approval, unless we are legally required to do so.

Provision of services

Services may be provided to BAFF members by third parties, such as solicitors, in which case your relationship with them will be governed by their contract terms and their professional and regulatory obligations.

Accessing and updating your information

You have the right to access information we hold about you. Please email our Data Protection Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to make an access request, if you would like to update or amend the information we hold about you or if you have any other queries about this policy.

If you change your mind and no longer wish to receive information or email updates, you can click on the ‘unsubscribe’ link on any bulk email received by you from us or notify us of this by contacting us using the site contact form, selecting the 'Compliance' option.

If you unsubscribe from newsletters, we may still need to send you occasional communications as long as you remain a registered member or supporter.

How long we’ll keep the information

We will keep the personal information you provide for as long as it is reasonable and necessary to comply with our obligations.

Security

You should see a padlock symbol to the left of the web address in your browser. This, and the fact that our web address starts with "https" instead of "http", confirms that our website uses SSL technology. This means that information is transmitted over a secure link, using encryption. Our security measures also include the use of an intrusion detection system. The internet is not, however, a secure medium. Therefore, although we have endeavoured to protect the security of the information we collect and process, we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted to or from our website via the internet. Any transmission is at your own risk, including the sending or receiving of email messages.

Where you are provided with any confidential information (including a user ID or password), you must not disclose such information to any third party.

Complaints

For more information about this policy, or if you would like to make a complaint, please use the site contact form or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will endeavour to resolve any reasonable concern or complaint, however if we are unable to do so to your satisfaction, and if your complaint is about a data protection matter, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO website is at www.ico.org.uk, or you can telephone the ICO helpline at 0303 123 1113 (+44 1625 545 700 from outside the UK).

Cookies

By making any use of the site you accept and agree to this cookie policy, which by default allows cookies (small text files) to be set in your browser to assist your use of the site and help us to improve its usability. You can accept or decline cookies by changing the settings on your own computer or other device.

The BAFF website may use cookies which are necessary to carry out functions like registration and subscription, cookies which help us to manage the website and improve the service to site users, and cookies which enable the website to remember a user's choice, etc.

This website does NOT use cookies that track a user after they have left a website and enable targeted advertising.

The help function of your browser should have information on how to enable, disable or delete cookies. The AboutCookies.org website also explains how you can delete and control the cookies that are stored on your device.

If you select the "Remember Me" checkbox when logging into the website, this sets a cookie which is used to automatically log users into the website when they visit and are not already logged in. Do not select this checkbox when using a public device.

External services

This website may use external services, some of which may set their own cookies.

Google Fonts. [Oct 2020: removed detail which was specific to a template no longer in use.]
Google Analytics. We may use GA from time to time but if we do, we would use the "Google Anonymization" option for increased user privacy.
YouTube. YouTube is likely to set a cookie on your device if you play a YouTube video embedded in our content. Older pages containing embedded video may set a cookie even if you don't play the video. We intend to enable YouTube's "Privacy-enhanced mode" in any future pages containing embedded video, and to update older pages.

Website

The information contained in this website is general information only.

Although care is taken to ensure that the information on the website is accurate and up to date, we do not accept any responsibility for mistakes or omissions. Articles may be out of date. Archived articles are not maintained. BAFF enters into no express or implied conditions, warranties, terms or representations regarding the quality, accuracy, or completeness of any information provided.

By using this website you agree that you have read this disclaimer and that you agree to the terms and conditions of operation contained within the disclaimer. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, you are not authorised to use this website.

Reliance on Content

The information provided on this website or by any other means must not be treated as advice, legal or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, BAFF (including any of its volunteers whether or not they have any relevant professional or academic qualification) is not in any case acting as a legal or financial adviser or professional adviser of any kind. Use of this website does not constitute any kind of professional or advisory relationship. Do not use this site to disregard any professional advice, nor to delay seeking professional advice or representation because of something you have read or seen on this site. Before acting or relying in any way on information contained on the site, you should seek detailed specialist advice from a suitably qualified solicitor or other appropriately qualified adviser, based on your specific circumstances.

Any reliance upon the information given on this site is at the user's own risk. BAFF excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability for loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential arising from your accessing, failing to access, or reliance on information contained in this website, from delay or the failure to respond to an enquiry, or from any information or omission contained in this website.

Although we will endeavour to correct errors which are brought to our attention (please see next paragraph), BAFF accepts no responsibility for loss as stated above and shall not be liable for any typographical or other errors or omissions within the material contained in this website or its accuracy, completeness or currency.

Correction of errors etc

BAFF will as promptly and as clearly as possible correct any errors, on this website or any other media controlled by us, which are brought to our attention. Please use the site contact form to let us know.

Links

This website contains links to other websites not operated or controlled by us. If you use these links, you will leave our website. These links are provided for interest and convenience only and do not constitute any endorsement by BAFF. We do not have any control over the content of external internet sites which are linked to our site or which are linked from it, and cannot accept any responsibility for them. Users who find anything at such linked sites which they consider to be illegal or inappropriate should please bring the matter immediately to our attention.

The links category "Campaigns by others (links submitted by BAFF full members)" is likely to include campaigns which BAFF is unable to support but we give full members the opportunity to bring them to wider attention.

Unless with our explicit prior consent, no external site is permitted to link to our site in any way which suggests any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part. We reserve the right to withdraw any linking permission at our sole discretion and without notice.

Governing law

This website and your use of it is governed by the laws of England and Wales. In accessing this website you agree that any dispute about its use will be determined only by the courts of England and Wales.

Change of Policies, Terms and Conditions, etc

We may change this policy at any time by updating this page, and therefore recommend you check this page from time to time to ensure you are referring to the current terms and conditions. We will notify registered members by newsletter or email of any major changes and will also highlight such changes for a period on this page. Your continued use of our website, following the posting of any changes, indicates your acceptance of such changes.

This version is effective from 19 September 2019. (Minor changes since previous version).

Registration

By any registration on this site you accept our Privacy policy.

To register as a BAFF Military Supporter or full Member you must be serving in, or have served in, the regular or reserve armed forces of the United Kingdom.

Free registration as a BAFF Military Supporter indicates your support for the general aims of BAFF in seeking to support its members and develop responsible representation for armed forces personnel.

Full BAFF membership similarly shows support for those general aims, and your acceptance of the BAFF Constitution.

The 'anonymised' registration questions are designed to provide statistics without personally identifiable information, apart from email address. None of your registration information is publicly visible, or shared by BAFF with anyone.

Full members may also be asked at some stage to submit a short membership form by email, online, or by post. The form will provide minimal detail such as service number and postal address. The data in your membership form is not retained online.

Expiry of membership. You can cancel any registration at any time, but if your paid period runs out without renewing your subscription, after any grace period, by default your subscription will automatically revert to free 'BAFF Military Supporter' status. After that you can still either cancel your registration or purchase a new subscription.

Membership Benefits

BAFF always seeks to develop the range of benefits available to our full members, but such services are provided directly to the member by the service provider concerned. BAFF does not itself provide any services as such.

Advice and support may be provided by our volunteers to the best of their ability but not as a service. Where such volunteers happen to have professional experience or qualifications they are not acting in that capacity and their support should never be treated as professional advice.

BAFF membership benefits may include the availability of various kinds of legal services provided by professional firms. Previously registered for the provision of claims management services, BAFF does not currently operate such a service, but may provide the means for members to be able to engage claims services directly.

The decision whether to engage any particular professional firm or other service provider is entirely a matter for the individual member. Where any particular professional firm or other service provider is mentioned by BAFF volunteers in the course of communication with members, or where a link is provided on our website, the decision whether to engage any service provider is still a matter for the member and any contract will be between the member and provider.

Any benefit scheme can be withdrawn or modified by BAFF or the provider at any time without prior notice.

BAFF is committed to protecting the privacy of its members. Except in so far as the member chooses to share information with BAFF, the member's communications with outside service providers will be entirely confidential between the member and the service provider. BAFF will not seek information relating to service users other than basic statistical information which is not personally identifiable or, exceptionally, such minimal information as appears necessary in order to prevent or discourage fraud or other misuse of the service. All communication in connection with any professional services will in any event be subject always to the provider's professional obligations as well as BAFF's privacy policy.

Intellectual Property

The intellectual property rights (including, without limitation, copyright and trademarks) in all material on our website are owned by BAFF unless otherwise stated or implied by the nature of the material, such as quotations attributed to other sources.

Quotes and excerpts are subject to the copyright of their owners and attributed and used on a fair use basis. Copyright owners please contact us using the site contact form in the event of any concerns.

Any images from the MoD's Defence Imagery Library are used in accordance with the Open Government Licence (OGL) for public sector information.

The BAFF logo is a registered trademark. More info at BAFF Logo - Registered Trademark.

Your use of this website is expressly limited to personal, non-commercial use. You may not reproduce any part of this site, except as follows:

Licence to copy for personal use: You may display the pages of the website on your computer screen and print or download to a local hard disk a reasonable number of unmodified copies for your private personal use only.

Licence to copy for limited purposes: You may copy public pages of the website (those which are available to any visitor without logging in) to individual third parties for their personal information, only if you properly credit British Armed Forces Federation as the source and as, where appropriate, author of the material.

Permission is granted to print and distribute unmodified copies of any BAFF poster or leaflet explicitly published on this website for public distribution.

For the avoidance of doubt, the limited exemptions referred to above do not permit you without specific consent to incorporate all or any part of the content of this website in any commercial publication or document, or for any other commercial purpose.

Legal