VOX Privacy & Data Protection Policy
Introduction
Welcome to VOX – Voice of Expression, a civic engagement and digital inclusion platform under CREST (Community Research, Equity, Systems & Technology).
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your information is handled safely, securely, and transparently.
VOX enables individuals and communities to share their experiences, opinions, and challenges to help inform better policymaking and community development. We only collect data that helps us fulfil this mission.
Who We Are
CREST (Community Research, Equity, Systems and Technology)
Trading name: VOX
Registered in Northern Ireland
Email: hello@voxvoice.org
Website: www.voxvoice.org
We act as the Data Controller for all personal data collected through the VOX website, app, and SMS platform.
The Information We Collect
We collect only what is necessary to deliver our services, including:
Type
Basic information
Contact details
User submissions
Technical data
Cookies
Examples
Name, age range, gender (optional), location (city/council area)
Email, phone number (optional)
Issues, experiences, stories shared on VOX
Device type, browser, IP address
Session and analytics cookies
Why We Collect It
To understand who uses our platform and tailor support or reports.
For account creation, feedback, or technical support.
To identify community priorities and inform civic reports.
For security, analytics, and improvement of user experience.
To help us understand usage and improve services.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Provide and improve our digital platform and services.
Analyse aggregated trends to generate insights for community reports.
Communicate updates, surveys, or opportunities (only if you opt in).
Ensure security and prevent misuse of our systems.
We never sell or share your personal information for marketing purposes.
Legal Basis for Processing
Under the UK GDPR, VOX processes your data based on:
Under the UK GDPR, VOX processes your data based on:
Consent: when you choose to submit information, create an account, or sign up for updates.
Legitimate interest: improving our platform to better represent community voices.
Legal obligation: where required by law or funding regulations.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by emailing hello@voxvoice.org.
How We Store & Protect Your Data
All data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Stored securely on Supabase servers (EU-based) with strict access controls.
Regular security audits and backups are carried out.
Only authorised CREST/VOX team members can access user data for research or operational purposes.
We retain your data only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected.
Sharing Your Data
We may share anonymised, aggregated insights (not individual data) with:
NGOs, councils, or government partners working on community development.
Academic or research institutions (for public benefit).
Your identity is never disclosed without explicit consent.
Partners only see summarised data trends, e.g. “42% of respondents in Belfast report barriers accessing public transport.”
Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have the right to:
Access your data
Correct inaccuracies
Request deletion (“Right to be forgotten”)
Restrict or object to processing
Data portability
To exercise these rights, email: privacy@voxvoice.org
We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request.
Cookies & Tracking
VOX uses essential and analytics cookies to improve performance.You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our on-site cookie banner.
Children’s Privacy
VOX is not intended for users under 16 years old. If you believe a child has submitted data, please contact us immediately at hello@voxvoice.org so we can delete the information.
Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect new legal requirements or service improvements.
The most recent version will always be available at www.voxvoice.org/privacy.
Last updated: November 2025
Contact Us
For all privacy-related queries:
📧 hello@voxvoice.org
📍 Belfast, Northern Ireland