Who we are
First Notification Limited is the legal entity operating the Digital Forensics brand, website, professional services and app. For the purposes of UK data-protection law, First Notification Limited may act as a controller, joint controller or processor depending on the nature of the instruction and our role in the matter.
Contact: info@digital-forensics.co.uk
Office: 5-7 Newman Road, Bromley, BR1 1RJ, United Kingdom.
Scope of this policy
This policy applies to personal information handled through this website, email and business communications, professional forensic instructions and case administration, and the Digital Forensics iPhone and iPad app. It does not replace privacy information supplied by a client, employer, law firm, insurer, law-enforcement body, platform provider or other organisation acting independently of us.
Information we may collect
Enquiries & instructions
Name, organisation, role, email address, correspondence, instruction details, conflict-check information and information needed to scope or administer a matter.
Business administration
Contract, billing, payment-reference, supplier, professional-adviser and record-keeping information.
Website technical data
IP address, device/browser information, security logs and similar technical records generated when the website is accessed.
Case & evidence material
Information contained in devices, accounts, files, communications, logs, images, documents, metadata and other material supplied or lawfully obtained for examination.
We do not ask you to send large volumes of sensitive evidence in an initial enquiry. Please describe what exists first so that an appropriate transfer method can be agreed.
Forensic case data
Digital forensic work can involve information about individuals who are not our direct clients and may include confidential, special-category or criminal-offence data. We handle such material only where there is a defined professional purpose and an appropriate legal basis or instruction.
Depending on the engagement, our client may determine the purposes of processing and we act on documented instructions, or we may make limited independent decisions necessary to conduct the forensic examination, preserve evidential integrity, comply with professional obligations, respond to legal process, protect systems or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Why we use personal information
Our lawful basis depends on the context. We may process personal information where necessary to take steps at your request or perform a contract, comply with a legal obligation, pursue legitimate interests such as operating a secure forensic business, preventing fraud, maintaining records and establishing or defending legal claims, or where another basis is required by law.
Where special-category or criminal-offence information is involved, we apply an additional condition permitted by UK law where required. Consent is used only where it is appropriate and genuinely capable of being withdrawn; it is not the default basis for professional forensic examination.
The Digital Forensics app
The app is designed as a device-local forensic workspace. Case files, evidence records, custody activity and other investigation content created in the app are intended to remain on the user's iPhone or iPad and are not routinely transmitted to Digital Forensics.
We do not operate an account service or cloud evidence repository for the app. If you purchase a subscription or download the app through Apple's App Store, Apple processes transaction, account, device and storefront information under Apple's own terms and privacy practices. We may receive limited subscription-status information made available through Apple's platform to enable paid features; this does not give us access to the contents of your forensic workspace.
Users are responsible for securing their device, controlling backups and exports, and deciding where generated reports or evidence are subsequently stored or shared.
Website, cookies and Google Analytics
The website uses strictly necessary technologies for security, normal site operation and recording your cookie preference. These technologies are required for the service you request and cannot be switched off through our consent panel.
We also use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the website, such as which pages are viewed, how visitors move through the site and the general performance of our content. Google Analytics is treated as optional analytics technology on this website and is not loaded until you consent to Analytics cookies.
If you consent, Google may set analytics cookies and receive information such as browser/device details, approximate location derived from network information, pages viewed, referral information and interaction data. We configure the site for analytics rather than advertising purposes and do not intentionally enable advertising-personalisation signals through our implementation.
You can reject Analytics cookies without losing access to the core website and can change your choice at any time using Cookie Settings in the footer. See our Cookie Policy for details.
Server and security logs may separately record technical information for fraud prevention, troubleshooting, availability and cyber-security purposes. We do not sell personal data or website-visitor profiles to advertisers.
International transfers
We aim to keep business and case handling proportionate to the instruction. Where a service provider or authorised recipient is outside the United Kingdom, including where analytics or technology providers process information internationally, we use or rely on an appropriate transfer mechanism or other safeguard where UK data-protection law requires one.
How long we keep information
We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was obtained, including case completion, contractual obligations, evidential continuity, legal or regulatory requirements, limitation periods, dispute resolution, accounting and security.
Retention periods vary by matter. Case evidence may be returned, securely deleted, preserved or retained in accordance with the client's instruction, applicable legal obligations and the circumstances of the case. Routine enquiries that do not progress may be retained for a shorter period for administration, conflict checking and fraud prevention.
Security and confidentiality
We use proportionate organisational and technical measures intended to protect information against unauthorised access, loss, alteration or disclosure. These may include access controls, secure transfer arrangements, device and system protections, evidential handling procedures and restricted case access.
No electronic system is completely risk-free. Clients should not send passwords, complete evidence collections or highly sensitive material by ordinary email unless specifically agreed.
Your data-protection rights
Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to be informed, obtain access, request correction, request erasure, restrict processing, object to processing, receive certain information in portable form, and complain about how your information is used. Some rights are limited where information must be retained for legal claims, professional obligations, crime prevention, court proceedings or another lawful exemption.
To make a request, email info@digital-forensics.co.uk. We may need to verify identity and clarify the scope before responding. You may also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office.
Children
Our website, professional services and app are not directed at children as consumers. Case material may nevertheless contain information about children where it is relevant to a lawful forensic instruction. Such information is treated as sensitive and handled with additional care appropriate to the circumstances.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our services, the app, technology, law or regulatory guidance. The current version will be published on this page with its revision date.
Privacy contact
For privacy questions, rights requests or concerns about personal information, please email info@digital-forensics.co.uk. Written enquiries are preferred so that the request and our response can be accurately recorded.