Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2026

ICO Registration Number: ZA505321

1. Who We Are

Ethnic Opinions is a UK-based market research fieldwork and participant recruitment agency.

We act as a data controller when collecting and managing participant data for research recruitment purposes.

Contact us:

By phone – 0208 150 6288

By email – hello@ethnicopinions.com

By post – Ethnic Opinions, 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR

2. The Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity and Contact Information, including full name, email address, telephone number and postal address where required.

Demographic and Profiling Information such as age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, employment status, education level and household composition.

Special Category Data, including racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs and health-related information, where relevant to research recruitment. Such data is collected only where necessary and subject to additional safeguards.

Research Participation Information, including screening questionnaire responses and participation history.

Financial Information limited to bank account details solely for incentive payments. We do not collect card payment details.

Technical Data, such as IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited and session duration, is collected via website tracking technologies.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect personal data when you sign up to our participant panel, complete screening forms, or communicate with us by phone, email or WhatsApp. We may also receive data via referrals or client-provided sample lists, where contractually agreed. Technical data may be collected through website tracking technologies.

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your data to assess eligibility for research projects, contact you about relevant opportunities, manage participation, process incentive payments, maintain our participant panel database, meet client contractual requirements and comply with legal and regulatory obligations. We do not sell personal data.

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data on the basis of legitimate interests to operate and manage a market research recruitment service and to maintain a participant panel. We rely on consent where required, including for processing special category data. We may also rely on a contract where necessary to administer participation and pay incentives. When special category data is processed, we rely on explicit consent and appropriate research safeguards under Article 9 of the UK GDPR.

6. Participant Panel Database

If you join our participant panel, your data may be retained to contact you about future research opportunities. You may withdraw at any time by contacting us. Your data will then be securely removed unless we are required to retain it for legal reasons.

7. Data Sharing

We may share your data with research clients where participation requires it, moderators and research partners under confidentiality obligations and secure cloud service providers, including Zoho CRM. All third parties must protect personal data through appropriate contractual controls.

8. International Transfers

Where research clients or service providers are located outside the UK, personal data may be transferred internationally. In such cases, we rely on UK adequacy regulations, approved contractual safeguards and appropriate technical and organisational measures.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary. Typically, panel data is retained for up to 24 months from last engagement; screening data is retained for up to 12 months unless project requirements specify otherwise; and financial records are retained for 6 years in line with statutory requirements. Data is securely deleted when no longer required.

10. Data Security

We operate a secure cloud-based infrastructure. Controls include storage within secure cloud systems, no local storage of research data, individual user accounts, two-factor authentication and role-based access controls.

11. WhatsApp Communications

If you choose to communicate with us via WhatsApp, your contact details and message content may be processed for recruitment purposes. You may request that communication be moved to email or withdrawn at any time.

12. Website Tracking and Cookies

Our website uses tracking technologies, such as cookies and similar identifiers, to improve functionality and enhance the user experience. These technologies may collect technical data such as IP address, browser type and browsing behaviour. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

13. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access your personal data, request correction, request erasure in certain circumstances, restrict processing, object to processing and request data portability where applicable.

To exercise your rights, contact hello@ethnicopinions.com. We will respond within one calendar month.

14. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Website: www.ico.org.uk

15. Changes to This Policy

We review this policy regularly and update it when necessary. The latest version will always be available on our website.

Ethnic Opinions | ICO ZA505321 | www.ethnicopinions.com