Privacy and terms of use

This section contains information on:

• privacy, data protection, and freedom of information
• terms on the use of all British Council websites, accessibility and information on how to make a complaint
• details on the policies that the British Council abides by India provisions.

This information is updated from time to time. This content was last updated in September 2020.

Privacy

PRIVACY

We regard the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as important to our successful operations and to the maintenance of confidence of those with whom we deal. As such this statement will apply equally to all of our offices irrespective of where they are based. 

You can read our full policy on privacy in English.

DATA PROTECTION

Find out about how we protect your information and how you can request access to this information we hold about you.

You can read our full policy on data protection in English.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

The British Council prides itself on seeking new and open ways of engaging with the worldwide community.  In order to build integrity and trust, it is important that we set an example by opening up more of our organisation to the world. 

You can read our full policy on freedom of information in English.

REMARKETING

Third-party vendor remarketing tracking cookies (like the Google Adwords tracking cookie) are used by the British Council.

Remarketing through the use of remarketing tracking cookies or pixels enables us to show ads across the internet to you after you have visited our website.

We do not collect any identifiable information through the use of Google, Facebook, or any other third-party remarketing system.

Third-party vendors such as Google and Facebook whose services we use will place cookies on web browsers in order to serve ads based on past visits to our website. This allows us to make special offers and continue to market our services to those who have shown interest in our services.

If you do not wish to receive this type of advertising from us in the future you can opt through the links below.

You may opt-out of Google’s use of cookies by visiting the Ads Preferences Manager. Also, you can opt-out of other third-party vendor’s use of cookies by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page.

The British Council also uses Google’s DoubleClick’s Remarketing Pixels. You may opt-out of DoubleClick’s remarketing pixels or their use of cookies by visiting the DoubleClick opt-out page or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page. The British Council also uses Google’s Dynamic Ad Serving. The Dynamic Ad Serving feature uses the Teracent cookie and you may opt-out of the Teracent cookie by visiting this opt-out page.

The British Council may from time to time utilise Facebook Advertising, Facebook Pixel Re-marketing, and communications. We do this to understand and deliver ads and make them more relevant to you. Cookies also enable us to learn whether someone who saw an ad on Facebook later visited our website. The ultimate control of the dissemination of information gathered through Facebook Advertising, Facebook Pixel Re-marketing, and communications resides entirely with Facebook. You can opt-out of Facebook’s use of cookies and Facebook Pixel Re-marketing through settings on your Facebook account.  

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. In our work, we meet many children and adults who are potentially at risk for a variety of reasons. We aim to create a safe environment in which no child or adult will experience harm or exploitation during their contact with us. We will, where reasonably practicable, follow relevant UK and international laws and standards, as well as ensuring local legal compliance. We require all staff to ensure their behaviour is consistent with this policy. We also require that clients, customers, partners, and suppliers are made aware of this policy and operate within it.

Read our safeguarding global policy statement or refer to the 'Downloads' section at the bottom of this page for translated copies.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

The British Council is committed to meeting the UK and international standards for managing our environmental impact. We recognise the impact of our business operations and activities on the environment. We also recognise the threat of climate change to prosperity, social justice and quality of life. We are therefore committed to managing and minimising our environmental impact. 

You can read our full environmental policy in English.

EQUAL, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. Our work involves developing relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Working effectively with diversity and promoting equality of opportunity is, therefore, an essential part of our work.

You can read our full policy in English to find out how we build equal opportunities and diversity into our programmes and projects and who you can contact for more information.