Stopping Stigma UK – Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 19/03/2025
Stopping Stigma UK is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled
securely and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.
1. Who We Are
Stopping Stigma UK is an online platform offering support, information, and signposting related to substance
use. Our website, chatbot ‘Hope’, and digital tools are designed to support people who are using drugs or
alcohol, questioning their use, in recovery, or supporting someone else.
We aim to provide a space that is anonymous, compassionate, and free from judgment.
2. What Information We Collect
We collect only the minimum information needed to improve our services and ensure access to appropriate
resources.
We may collect:
– Anonymous usage data (e.g. website traffic, chatbot interactions).
– Voluntary information you provide (e.g. feedback, optional form responses)
– Non-identifiable data from chatbot interactions, specifically:
– Approximate location (region or city-level)
– Age group (e.g. 18-24, 25-34)
Interactions with Hope are completely anonymous.
We do not collect names, emails, phone numbers, or IP addresses linked to individuals.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use collected data to:
✔ Improve the website, chatbot, and resources
✔ Monitor usage trends (anonymously)
✔ Ensure we are reaching the communities who need us
✔ Respond to optional feedback (when contact details are provided)
4. Chat Visibility & Content Accuracy
– Messages sent to Hope remain visible for 4-6 hours for your convenience, and are then cleared from the
session.
– While we aim to signpost you to helpful, local support, some services may be outdated or unavailable while
we continue to build a comprehensive and regularly updated directory.
We recommend checking service websites or contacting providers directly if you’re unsure.
5. Cookies
Our website may use cookies to understand how visitors use our site and improve performance. You can
disable cookies in your browser settings.
6. Sharing Your Data
We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties. Any data used for reporting or research is fully
anonymised and aggregated.
7. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data. While no system is
completely secure, we are committed to safeguarding all collected information to the best of our ability.
8. Your Rights
You have the right to:
– Access any personal data we hold about you
– Request correction or deletion
– Withdraw consent (where applicable)
To exercise these rights, contact us at: [email protected]
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact:[email protected]
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here with an updated date.
Thank you for trusting Stopping Stigma UK.
We’re here to support you – safely, anonymously, and with care.