Devon County Council (DCC) is collecting and or processing your personal data as a Data Controller under Data Protection Legislation and our ICO registration number is Z6475582. This privacy notice concerns the processing of personal data that takes place by the Engineering Design Group whilst they are operating drones.
This notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it and how we keep it secure. It also explains your rights and our legal obligation. Should you wish to find out more about Devon County Council’s data protection policies please contact our Data Protection Officer by emailing keepdevonsdatasafe@devon.gov.uk.
We will notify you of any changes to this privacy notice
This privacy notice was last updated on 3 December 2025. If we use your personal data for any new purposes, updates will be made to the policy information and changes communicated, where necessary in accordance with current data protection legislation. Any queries relating to this privacy notice please contact the Data Protection Officer by emailing keepdevonsdatasafe@devon.gov.uk.
What information are we processing?
When operating a drone, it is possible that we may capture photos and video that includes individuals who may be identifiable. Please note that people are not the intended subject of the footage captured.
Purpose of collecting or processing your personal data
The purpose of any photography or filming that is undertaken via a drone that is operated by our Engineering Design Group is to train officers on the proper user of the drone. There is no direct intention to capture personal data of passers by, and any photographs or filming that captures images of people will be immediately deleted once a drone training session has concluded.
The legal basis for us collecting your personal data
DCC has various legal obligations under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain Highways Maintainable at Public Expense. The Council considers that the use of Drones is necessary to help us discharge our monitoring obligations under this legislation. As such, the incidental processing of personal data that takes place whilst training staff on the use of drones, is lawful on the grounds that Article 6(1)(e) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation applies.
Recipients or categories of recipients that we may share your personal data with
Photos and videos will be predominantly used by DCC staff to train them on how to use a drone. A small number of photos or videos may be used for DCC news or social media publications for larger scheme public updates, those these will not contain personal data.
Please note that people are not the intended subject of the footage captured and any images and filming that contains personal data is intended to be deleted once a drone training session has concluded.
International transfers
Personal data will not be transferred outside of the European Union.
How long will we hold your personal data?
Devon County Council will not retain your personal data. Any personal data will be deleted or redacted.
Your data protection rights
Under Data Protection Legislation, you have the right to obtain a copy of their personal records held by us, this is called a Subject Access Request (SAR).
Further details on your rights under data protection legislation and how to exercise them.
Complaints
If you have any comments, queries or complaints about this privacy notice or the processing of your personal data please contact our Data Protection Officer.
Alternatively, if you are not happy with the way that DCC is handling your personal data, you are entitled to appeal to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Further details of how to make a complaint to the ICO is available from their website.
Automated decisions
Automated processing will not be used.