SLK Owners Club UK respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website, become a member, contact us, purchase goods, book events or otherwise interact with the Club.

We process personal information in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. GOV.UK

1. Who We Are

SLK Owners Club UK is an independent owners’ club for Mercedes-Benz SLK and SLC owners and enthusiasts.

For data protection purposes, the Club is responsible for determining how and why personal information under its control is processed.

Website: slkownersclub.co.uk
Email: info@slkownersclub.co.uk

Postal address: [Club to insert appropriate correspondence address]

Questions concerning this Privacy Policy or the use of your personal information should be directed to the Club using the contact details above.

2. Information We May Collect

Depending upon how you interact with the Club, we may collect information including:

• your name, email address, telephone number and postal address;
• membership number, membership status and membership details;
• account username and related account information;
• information supplied when applying for or renewing membership;
• vehicle information you choose to provide, such as model, year or registration details;
• event registrations, bookings and attendance information;
• orders, billing details and transaction records relating to the Club shop or events;
• correspondence you send to the Club;
• information submitted through website forms;
• newsletter and communication preferences;
• information you voluntarily publish or submit through Club community features;
• technical information such as IP address, browser/device information and website usage information; and
• cookie and analytics information where applicable.

We aim to collect only information that is relevant and necessary for the purpose for which it is being used. This reflects the UK GDPR principle of data minimisation. Legislation.gov.uk

3. How We Collect Information

We may collect information directly from you when you:

• apply for or renew Club membership;
• create or use a member account;
• purchase something from the Club;
• register or pay for an event;
• contact the Club;
• complete a website form;
• subscribe to Club communications;
• participate in Club activities or community features; or
• otherwise provide information to us.

Some technical information may also be collected automatically when you use our website, including through cookies and similar technologies.

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information to:

• administer Club memberships;
• process membership applications and renewals;
• manage member accounts;
• communicate important membership information;
• organise and administer events, meetings and Club activities;
• process bookings, orders and payments;
• respond to enquiries and provide assistance;
• operate and improve our website;
• maintain the security of Club systems and accounts;
• provide newsletters and other communications where permitted;
• maintain appropriate financial and administrative records;
• prevent misuse, fraud and security incidents; and
• comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

We will not use personal information for an unrelated purpose unless there is an appropriate lawful basis for doing so. UK data-protection rules require organisations to identify their purposes and lawful bases for processing. ICO

5. Our Lawful Bases

Depending upon the activity, the Club may process personal information because:

Contract — processing is necessary to provide membership, an event booking, order or another service requested from us.

Legal obligation — processing is necessary to comply with legal, accounting, tax or other obligations applying to the Club.

Legitimate interests — processing is reasonably necessary for operating and administering the Club, communicating with members, maintaining security or improving Club services, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

Consent — where appropriate, we may ask for your consent, for example for certain communications or optional uses of information. Where processing relies upon consent, you may withdraw that consent.

The appropriate lawful basis depends upon the specific purpose for which information is processed. ICO

6. Membership

When you apply for membership, renew your membership or maintain a Club account, we use the information required to administer your relationship with the Club.

This may include processing your contact information, membership information, payment records and relevant correspondence.

We may contact members about matters reasonably connected with their membership, including renewals, Club administration, events and important service information.

7. Events and Club Activities

When you register for a Club event, meeting, tour or other activity, we may collect information required to administer your participation.

Where reasonably necessary, relevant information may be shared with an event organiser, venue, accommodation provider or another service provider involved in delivering that particular activity.

We will only share information reasonably required for that purpose.

8. Purchases and Payments

When you make a payment through our website, information may be processed by our payment and e-commerce providers.

The Club does not intend to store complete payment-card details on its own website where payment is handled securely by an external payment provider.

Transaction information may be retained where necessary for membership administration, accounting, taxation, refunds, dispute handling and other legal obligations.

9. Email and Club Communications

We may send members administrative communications necessary for the operation of their membership.

We may also send newsletters, event information and other Club communications where we have an appropriate lawful basis to do so.

Where you have the right to unsubscribe from marketing communications, an unsubscribe facility will be provided or you may contact the Club directly.

Your right to object to the use of your personal information for direct marketing is absolute. ICO

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to operate correctly, remember preferences, maintain sessions, understand website usage and improve our services.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of the website. Other non-essential cookies should only be used where permitted under applicable requirements.

Further details should be provided through the Club’s Cookie Policy and cookie-consent controls.

The ICO confirms that organisations holding information such as names and email addresses generally require privacy information explaining how that information and relevant website technologies are used. ICO

11. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information where necessary with organisations that help us operate the Club and website, such as:

• website hosting and technical service providers;
• membership and website administration services;
• email and communication providers;
• payment processors;
• e-commerce providers;
• event organisers and venues;
• professional advisers;
• security and anti-fraud services; and
• authorities or regulators where disclosure is legally required.

Where another organisation processes information on our behalf, we expect appropriate data-protection and security arrangements to be in place.

12. How Long We Keep Information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and to satisfy applicable legal, accounting, administrative and reporting requirements.

Different types of information may therefore have different retention periods.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it.

UK GDPR requires personal information to be retained for no longer than necessary, and privacy information should explain the retention period or the criteria used to determine it. ICO

13. Keeping Your Information Secure

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, loss or misuse.

Access to personal information should be limited to Club officers, administrators and authorised service providers who require access for legitimate purposes.

However, no internet-based service can guarantee absolute security.

14. International Transfers

Some technology or service providers used by the Club may process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, the Club will take appropriate steps to ensure the transfer is made in accordance with applicable UK data-protection requirements.

Where required, this may include relying on an adequacy decision or appropriate contractual safeguards.

15. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending upon the circumstances and lawful basis being used, you may have rights including the right to:

• be informed about how your information is used;
• request access to personal information held about you;
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
• request deletion of information in certain circumstances;
• request restriction of processing in certain circumstances;
• object to certain processing;
• request portability of certain information; and
• withdraw consent where processing is based upon consent.

These rights are not absolute in every circumstance and can depend upon the lawful basis and nature of the processing. ICO

To exercise a data-protection right, contact:

info@slkownersclub.co.uk

We may need to verify your identity before completing a request.

16. Children’s Privacy

The Club’s website and membership services are not intended to collect personal information from children unnecessarily.

Where information concerning a child is required for a legitimate Club activity, event or membership purpose, appropriate safeguards and, where required, parental or guardian involvement will be used.

17. Photographs and Club Events

Photographs or video may be taken at Club events and activities for legitimate Club purposes, including documenting events, Club publications, the website and Club communications.

Where appropriate, members and attendees will be informed that photography is taking place.

Anyone with concerns about the use of an image in which they appear should contact the Club.

18. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to websites operated by other organisations.

The Club is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. You should review the privacy information provided by those organisations before supplying personal information to them.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our services, website, legal requirements or data-processing activities change.

The latest version will be published on this page and the Last updated date will be changed accordingly.

The ICO recommends reviewing privacy information regularly and updating it when processing activities change. ICO

20. Complaints

If you have a concern about how the Club uses your personal information, please contact us first so that we have an opportunity to investigate and respond.

You also have the right to raise a complaint with the UK’s independent data-protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Information Commissioner’s Office

21. Contact Us

For privacy enquiries, requests concerning your personal information or questions about this policy, please contact:

SLK Owners Club UK
Email: info@slkownersclub.co.uk
Website: slkownersclub.co.uk