Oxford City Council Landlord Services may use drones as part of fire safety work on tower blocks and other high-rise residential buildings. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use information and to meet our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Purpose of drone use
We use drones to support fire safety and building safety work where this is a proportionate and necessary way to inspect external parts of tower blocks or related features. This may include checking cladding, roofs, balconies, facades, windows, vents, fire stopping locations, or other building elements relevant to assessing and managing fire safety risks. Drone use may help us carry out inspections more safely, quickly and with less disruption than alternative access methods.
What information we may collect
Drone footage will usually focus on the building and its external features. However, images or video may incidentally capture personal data, for example residents, visitors, neighbours, vehicles, windows, balconies, or personal belongings visible from outside. We do not use drones to deliberately monitor residents' private activities, and any incidental capture will be limited to what is necessary for the fire safety purpose.
Lawful basis for processing
Our lawful basis for processing personal data captured through drone use is that the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Council under Article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR. This processing supports the Council’s housing management, landlord, health and safety, and building safety functions. Where special category personal data is incidentally captured, this will only be processed where a relevant condition under data protection law applies.
How we use the information
We use drone images and footage to assess building condition and fire safety risks, plan or verify remedial works, evidence inspections, support contractor instructions, monitor completion of works, and maintain appropriate records of fire safety and property compliance activity.
Who we may share information with
We may share relevant drone footage or images internally with Council teams involved in landlord services, building safety, property compliance, repairs, legal services, complaints handling, insurance, audit, or governance where this is necessary. We may also share information with the Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, contractors, consultants, surveyors, or other professional advisers working on the Council's behalf where this is necessary for the same purposes. We will only share what is necessary and appropriate.
How long we keep the information
We will keep drone footage and related images only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which they were collected, in line with the Council’s retention arrangements and any legal or regulatory requirements. Retention periods may vary depending on whether the footage is required for inspection records, ongoing works, complaints, incidents, claims, investigations, or legal proceedings. Where footage is no longer required, it will be securely deleted.
Transparency and advance communication
Even where consent is not required, we will be transparent about our use of drones. Where possible, we will give advance notice before drone activity takes place, for example through letters, website notices, signage, or other resident communications. Our privacy information will explain why drones are being used, the lawful basis for doing so, how long information is kept, and how residents can exercise their rights. This applies even where any capture of individuals is incidental and not focused on them.
Your rights
You have rights in relation to your personal data, subject to some legal exemptions. These may include the right to be informed, the right to request access to your personal data, the right to request rectification of inaccurate data, the right to request erasure or restriction in certain circumstances, and the right to object to processing where the Council relies on its public task basis. If you wish to exercise your rights, including making a subject access request, you can contact the Council’s data protection team using the Council’s usual data protection contact routes.
Complaints and further information
If you have questions about this privacy notice or how your information is used, you can contact Oxford City Council through its data protection contact arrangements. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you believe your data has been handled unlawfully.
