Data Deletion Instructions

You can request deletion of your account and personal data stored by TamizhConnect at any time. This page explains your options and what is removed. Your privacy and control over your personal data are important to us, and we are committed to helping you manage your information in accordance with applicable privacy laws including the UK GDPR. For more information about our privacy practices, see our privacy policy.

Quick summary

Use the in-app flow or email support to request deletion. We verify identity before processing and aim to complete deletion within 30 days after verification.

At-a-glance checklist

  • Use Settings > Privacy > Delete my data for the fastest request
  • Be ready to verify identity to prevent unauthorized deletion
  • Export important data before submitting the request

Understanding Your Data Deletion Rights

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), you have the right to request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances, including when data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was processed, when you withdraw consent, or when data was unlawfully processed. This process is sometimes referred to as the "right to be forgotten". Learn more about your data rights and how to exercise them.

Please note that we may retain certain information in limited circumstances where required by law, for legal claims, for fraud prevention, or where necessary for legitimate business interests such as ensuring the security and integrity of our services.

How to request deletion

  1. From the app: Open Settings > Privacy > Delete my data and follow the prompts. This self-service option provides a streamlined and secure process for account deletion, with clear confirmations and safety measures to prevent accidental data loss.
  2. By email: Send a request from the email associated with your account to email our support team with the subject"Data Deletion Request". Include your full name, registered email address, and (if known) your EPIC number or other account identifiers. We recommend including any additional information that may help us locate your account quickly.

Verification Requirements

To protect your account from unauthorized deletion, we require verification of your identity before processing any deletion request. This may involve:

  • Verification via a one-time code sent to your registered email address
  • Verification via SMS to your registered phone number
  • Confirmation of account-specific information only you would know
  • Authentication through your existing account credentials

We implement these verification measures to ensure that only authorized individuals can access, modify, or delete your personal data, in accordance with security best practices and data protection regulations. For more information about our security practices, see our security policy.

What we delete

When we process your deletion request, we remove the following categories of personal data:

  • Account profile information (name, contact details, preferences)
  • Uploaded media, documents, and personal notes
  • App activity logs, preferences, and device identifiers
  • Family-tree links and relationships created by you
  • Personal research notes and family history records
  • Communication preferences and marketing opt-ins
  • Payment information stored in our systems (processed separately by payment providers)
  • Voter record links and related verification data

What we may retain and why

What we may retain (for legal, fraud prevention, or audit purposes): minimal records of the request (e.g. a hash of your email address, timestamps) for up to 24 months as allowed by law. This retention serves several important purposes:

  • Legal compliance with record-keeping requirements
  • Fraud prevention and security monitoring
  • Auditing purposes and system integrity
  • Defending against potential legal claims
  • Technical backup and system recovery processes

Additionally, if you have outstanding financial obligations to us, we may retain billing information necessary to collect the amounts owed to us. We may also retain certain information if necessary for our legitimate interests in maintaining the security and integrity of our services.

Deletion Timeline and Process

We aim to complete deletion within 30 days of receiving your verified request. The deletion process involves multiple steps to ensure complete and secure removal of your data:

  1. Initial verification of your identity and authorization
  2. Temporary suspension of account access (24-hour review period)
  3. Final confirmation with you before proceeding with deletion
  4. Systematic removal of personal data from active systems
  5. Removal from backup systems during the next scheduled backup cycle
  6. Confirmation notification once deletion is complete

If your request is complex (for example, if it involves deletion of data that has been shared with other users or archived across multiple systems) or involves backups or third-party processors, it may take up to 90 days to complete. We will notify you of any expected delays and provide regular updates on the progress of your request.

Impact of Deletion

Once your account is deleted, you will lose access to all services and content associated with your TamizhConnect account. This includes:

  • Your family tree and all connected relationships
  • Uploaded photos, documents, and research notes
  • Linked voter records and verification status
  • Collaboration with family members and relatives
  • Any premium feature access or subscriptions

Please note that this deletion is permanent and irreversible. Deleted data cannot be recovered, so we recommend exporting any important information before requesting deletion.

Data Portability and Export Options

Before deleting your account, you may wish to export your data for personal record keeping. Our platform provides tools to export your family tree, personal information, and research data in standard formats. To export your data, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Data Exportin our application. For more information about data export, see our data export guide.

Automated Deletion Safeguards

We have implemented safeguards to prevent accidental deletion. When you initiate the deletion process:

  • You will receive multiple confirmation prompts
  • A 24-hour review period allows you to cancel the request
  • You'll receive email confirmations at each step
  • Final notification when deletion is complete

Contact and Appeals Process

Email our support team for any questions about the deletion process or if you believe your deletion request has not been processed correctly.

If you are dissatisfied with how we have handled your data deletion request, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights. For more information about filing complaints, see our complaints procedure.

For information about how our services are delivered, please see our Delivery Policy.

For information about our event ticketing policies, please see our Ticketing Policy.