BBC Children’s Privacy Policy for Under 13s

Whether you’re on the internet watching your favourite episode of The Dumping Ground for the 16th time or practising your Beyoncé impression in your bedroom, we all need privacy.

Which is why we at the BBC have created this privacy policy. You might want to read through it with your evil overlords (otherwise known as ‘adults’).

About the BBC 

The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster- which is a fancy way of saying we make stuff that goes on your TV, mobile and radio. You know, all your favourites, like Newsround, Blue Peter, The Next Step and Horrible Histories. In fact, we make tons of stuff. We’re well busy.

What is ‘personal data’?

Personal data is any information about you. It can be normal stuff, like your name and date of birth, or more interesting stuff, like the fact that the BBC’s Director-General still sleeps with his teddy bear. 

Why do you collect our personal data? Are you just nosey?

We’re not nosey!!! Although, if you do have any good celebrity gossip, please write in.

We collect your personal data so we can make the BBC more fun and interesting for you! Like, if you enter one of our awesome competitions, we’ll need to know some stuff about you, like your name, email, or home address, so we can send you your prizes. We also love it when you send in stuff you’ve created, like a drawing or a photo we can use on a BBC show.

BUT! We know your personal data is important. So there are loads of very bor… really important data protection rules we have to follow when we collect, use, and keep your personal data. But we absolutely pinky promise to always tell you why and how we’re going to use it.

Most importantly, we always keep your personal data safe and protected. 

Let's see if you can identify these people from three pieces of personal data.

When does the BBC collect and use my personal data?

Well, let me give you some examples. Remember, if you’re under 13, then your tall grumpy housemates (‘adults’) have to confirm they’re happy for you to share it with us. 

All the stuff you love to watch is ready and waiting for you on iPlayer at any time. But you’ll need a BBC Account to access it.

If you’re under 13, your adults will need to set up an account for you. We’ll ask them for some of your personal data, like your username and birthday, and we’ll also ask you for your gender (male/female/other), but don’t worry, you don’t have to give us that information if you don’t want to.

The BBC has LOTS of awesome competitions. Every competition will have its own ‘privacy notice’ that will tell you what personal data we’ll need from you, and how the BBC will use it. So make sure you (or your adult) read it before you enter!

Ooh, is it break time already? I’ll have a double choc chip with extra choc chunks please!

Oh, right, yeah. These technical cookies are bits of information websites attach to a phone, tablet or computer. Different cookies do different things. Some make the BBC website work. Others help you remember what episode of Malory Towers you’re up to on iPlayer. Absolutely none of them are delicious.

Ooh, are you going on one of our shows??? Are you going to be famous??? Can I get your autograph? I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!

If you’re picked to go on a TV show (eek!), or you send in something, like a picture or a story for us to use, we have a ‘Privacy Notice for Contributors’ that tells you how we’ll use your personal data. If you want to read it now, you can find it here – make sure you read it with your adults! 

Sometimes a TV or radio show will have their own special privacy notice, just for that show. This will tell you exactly how they will use your personal data on that particular show. 

We love hearing your opinions. Like when you write in to tell us how funny and clever we are, and how much you really, REALLY enjoyed reading our brilliant Privacy Policy. 

You will need to be signed into your BBC Account to comment on our website. If you’re under 13 years old, we will send notifications to your adult that you have commented on something, and we also check comments before we post them. The posted comment will show your username and what you’ve written. Remember, anyone will be able to see your comment once it’s posted! So don’t use rude words like poo or bum! 

Who do you share my personal data with?

Sometimes we have to share your personal data, but we will only do that when you say it’s ok, or when the law says we have to. And we make sure that when your data is shared with someone else, they will keep it safe too. 

We promise we will never share your personal data without very good reason. 

How long will you keep my personal data?

We will always tell you how long we will keep your personal data for. We will only keep your personal data for as long as we have good reason, and we will delete it if we no longer need it. 

What are my rights?

You have rights under data protection rules. 

You and your adults have the right under the rules to:

You and your adults can find out more on the ‘What are my rights?’ BBC page.

How do I contact the BBC?

We love to hear from you! Keep in touch, yeah? 

The BBC has a person called a Data Protection Officer (sometimes called a ‘DPO’) who makes sure we all follow these rules and always use your personal data in the right way. If you want to ask any questions about your personal data, your rights, or any of the very, fun and interesting stuff on this page, the DPO can be contacted by:

An organisation called the Information Commissioner’s Office (‘ICO’) makes sure that the BBC, and all the other organisations who hold personal data follow the rules. You can contact the ICO if you don’t think the BBC is following the rules.

View welsh version here.