Privacy Policy

The Hot Family – Hot Radio & Hot Gold

Last updated: 12 February 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how The Hot Family (Hot Radio, Hot Gold and Xtra Hot), operated by Dorset Community Radio Ltd, collects, uses and protects your personal information when you use our websites, forms, services, or interact with us on-air or online.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data lawfully, fairly and transparently, in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

Data Controller:

Dorset Community Radio Ltd

Trading as: Hot Radio, Hot Gold & Xtra Hot

When this policy refers to “we”, “us” or “our”, it means Dorset Community Radio Ltd.

2. What information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

Personal details – name, job title (if provided)
Contact details – email address, phone number, postcode
Demographic information – general location, preferences or interests
Competition or promotion entries – including answers, submissions, audio, images or video
Messages and correspondence – when you contact the studio or our team
Website usage data – pages visited, device/browser information, IP address (via cookies or analytics)

We only collect information that is necessary and relevant.

3. How we use your information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

To respond to enquiries and messages
To run competitions, promotions and giveaways
To administer volunteer, advertising or event submissions
For internal record keeping and administration
To improve our services, content and website
To send marketing communications, where you have opted in
For market research, feedback or surveys (where appropriate)
To customise content and improve user experience

We will never use your data for purposes that are incompatible with those listed above.

4. Legal bases for processing

Under UK GDPR, we must have a valid legal reason to process your data. These include:

Consent – where you have actively opted in (e.g. marketing emails)
Contract – where processing is necessary to deliver something you’ve requested (e.g. a prize)
Legal obligation – where required to meet regulatory or legal requirements
Legitimate interests – for running our station, website, promotions and communications, provided your rights are not overridden

5. Marketing communications

We will only send you marketing communications if:

You have opted in, or
We are permitted to do so under applicable law

You can withdraw consent at any time by:

Using the unsubscribe link in emails, or
Contacting us via the appropriate form on our website

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

6. Sharing your information

We may share your data only where necessary, including with:

Service providers who help us run our website, email systems or prize fulfilment
Promotion or prize partners, where required to deliver a prize
Regulators or authorities (such as Ofcom) where legally required

All third parties are required to handle your data securely and lawfully.

7. Data security

We take data security seriously and have appropriate physical, technical and organisational measures in place to protect your information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure.

8. How long we keep your data

We only keep personal data for as long as necessary, including:

To fulfil the purpose it was collected for
To meet legal, accounting or regulatory obligations
For audit or dispute resolution purposes

When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

9. Your data protection rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access your personal data
Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
Request deletion of your data (where applicable)
Restrict or object to processing
Withdraw consent at any time
Data portability (where applicable)

There is no fee for making a request.

To exercise your rights, please contact us via the relevant contact form on our website. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

10. Cookies & analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve functionality
Analyse traffic and usage
Enhance user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Full details can be found in our Cookie Policy (where applicable).

11. Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to external sites. Once you leave our site, we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. Please check their privacy policies separately.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page and will take effect immediately.

We recommend checking this page periodically to stay informed.

13. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us via our Complaints page:

👉 https://www.hot.radio/content-pages/complaints/

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data protection rights have been breached.