Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice explains how Effective Altruism UK ("EA UK", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal data when you interact with our organisation, whether through our websites, events, community spaces, newsletters, or other services.

EA UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number 1170614), with our registered office at Flat 19 Jarman House, Jubilee Street, London, E1 3BL. We are a community organisation that supports individuals in the UK who are interested in using evidence and logic to do good, by providing connections, resources, and knowledge.

We process your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018

1. Who We Are and How to Contact Us

For the purposes of data protection law, EA UK is the data controller for the personal data described in this Notice. This means we determine how and why your personal data is used and have legal duties to protect your rights.

Contact details:

Email: hello@effectivealtruism.uk
Post: Effective Altruism UK, Flat 19 Jarman House, Jubilee Street, London, E1 3BL

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us using the details above.

2. What Personal Data We Collect and Why

As a data controller, we decide how and why your personal data is used. We collect the minimum personal data necessary to deliver our charitable mission and community services. The categories of data we collect depend on how you interact with us.

2.1 Website Visitors

When you visit our websites (effectivealtruism.uk, ealondon.com, and associated subdomains), we may collect technical data including:

Your IP address
Browser type and version
Operating system
Pages visited and time spent
Referring website

Our processing purposes include: System administration, security, and improving website usability.

Our Legal basis for processing is Legitimate interests (maintaining secure and functional websites).

2.2 Newsletter Subscribers

Substack Newsletter

Our primary newsletter is hosted on Substack (eauk.substack.com). When you subscribe, we collect:

Your email address
Your name (if provided)
Email engagement metrics (opens, clicks)

Our processing purposes include: To send you monthly updates about events, job opportunities, community news, and resources relevant to effective altruism in the UK.

Our Legal basis for processing is Consent (you actively subscribe to receive communications).

Note: Substack processes your data as our processor. You can view Substack's privacy policy at substack.com/privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any newsletter.

EA Mailing List

We also maintain a separate mailing list through our CRM system. When you join this list, we collect:

Your email address
Your name (if provided)
Your areas of interest or engagement history with EA UK

Our processing purposes include: To send you updates about EA UK activities, and occasional promotional communications and advertisements from EA UK and partner organisations that further our charitable objectives of education and training.

Our Legal basis for processing is Legitimate interests (communications that support our charitable mission and help individuals engage with effective altruism). We have assessed that these communications provide value to recipients who have engaged with EA UK and do not override your interests or rights.

You can opt out of these communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us at hello@effectivealtruism.uk.

2.3 Event Attendees

When you register for our events (including meetups, workshops, socials, and conferences), we collect data through our event platforms (currently Eventbrite and Luma). This may include:

Your name and contact details
Your professional background or affiliation
Responses to registration questions (e.g., interests, dietary requirements, accessibility needs)
Attendance records
Anonymous feedback provided in post-event surveys

Our processing purposes include: To manage event logistics, provide requested accommodations, evaluate applications where events are selective, and improve future programming.

Our Legal basis for processing is Legitimate interests (delivering events effectively); Contract (where you register for a specific programme).

Special category data (e.g., disability, religion): Where you request reasonable accommodations (such as accessible facilities, prayer space, or dietary options linked to religious observance) and we need to process information about your disability, health, or religious beliefs to comply with our duties under the Equality Act 2010, we process this data on the basis of legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c)) and substantial public interest (Article 9(2)(g), with a basis in UK law under Schedule 1, Part 2 of the Data Protection Act 2018). Where you voluntarily provide such information for other purposes, we rely on your explicit consent and we provide you with clear opt-out options.

2.4 Career and Donation Advice Recipients

If you book a 1-1 conversation with EA UK for career guidance, donation advice, or cause prioritisation support, we collect:

Your name and email address
Your professional background, skills, and experience
Your stated interests, career goals, and cause areas of interest
Notes from conversations (with your awareness)
Records of introductions or referrals made on your behalf

Our processing purposes include: To provide personalised guidance and, where you consent, to connect you with relevant organisations, opportunities, or individuals within the effective altruism ecosystem.

Audience modelling and advertising

We may use aggregated information from our mailing list (such as general interests, demographics, or engagement patterns) to create lookalike audiences on third-party advertising platforms, including Meta (Facebook/Instagram). This helps us reach new individuals who may be interested in effective altruism.

Your personal data is not shared directly with these platforms for advertising purposes, and you will not receive targeted ads as a result of being on our mailing list. However, aggregated profile information derived from our mailing list may inform how these platforms identify similar audiences.

Our Legal basis for processing is Legitimate interests (supporting individuals in having greater impact); Consent (for referrals to third parties, targeted advertising).

2.5 Directory Participants

EA UK maintains a publicly accessible Directory of Individuals where community members can voluntarily list their contact information and professional details to facilitate networking and collaboration.

If you choose to join the Directory, you provide:

Your name and preferred contact method
Your location (city/region)
Your professional background and areas of expertise or interest
Contact details / Social media profile
Any other information you choose to share publicly

Our processing purposes include: To facilitate connections between individuals interested in effective altruism.

Our Legal basis for processing is Consent (you voluntarily submit your information for public display).

Information submitted to the Directory is publicly accessible. You should only share information you are comfortable being visible to the public. You can request removal at any time by contacting us at hello@effectivealtruism.uk.

2.6 Slack Community Members

If you join our Slack community channels, the platform provider collects and processes data according to their own privacy policies. We may see:

Your username/display name
Your phone number (WhatsApp) or email (Slack)
Content of messages in group channels
Channel membership and general activity

Our processing purposes include: Community coordination, event announcements, and peer-to-peer networking.

Our Legal basis for processing is Legitimate interests (facilitating community engagement); Consent (you choose to join).

2.7 Donors

If you donate to EA UK, we collect:

Your name and contact details
Donation amount and date
Payment metadata (method used, transaction reference)
Gift Aid declaration information, including confirmation of UK taxpayer status

We never store your full card or bank details—these are held by our payment processors (such as Stripe or PayPal).

Our processing purposes include: To process donations, issue receipts, comply with accounting and Gift Aid requirements, and keep you informed about the impact of your support.

Our Legal bases for processing are Contract (processing your donation); Legal obligation (financial record-keeping, Gift Aid, HMRC reporting).

3. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell or share your personal data with others for profit. We only share data in the following limited circumstances:

3.1 Trusted Service Providers (Processors)

We use a limited number of third-party services to operate effectively. These include:

Google Workspace (email, documents, forms)
Substack (newsletter)
Eventbrite and Luma (event registration)
Airtable (contact and application management)
WhatsApp and Slack (community communication)
Zoom and Calendly (meetings and scheduling)
Stripe and PayPal (payment processing)
Squarespace (website hosting)
Meta (marketing and ads)
Linkedin (marketing and adds)

These providers act as data processors but they each have their own privacy policies. Where they may transfer data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (such as Standard Contractual Clauses or UK adequacy decisions).

3.2 Referrals Within the EA Ecosystem

If you agree to this and depending on the specific circumstances of the support you’re receiving from EA UK, we may share your name, profile, and career goals with:

Other effective altruism organisations running fellowships, grants, or recruitment
Researchers or mentors relevant to your interests
Career support organisations (e.g., 80,000 Hours, High Impact Professionals, Probably Good)
EA-aligned employers

3.3 Partner Events

EA UK promotes events organised by other entities within the EA movement. If you register for a partner event through our platforms or at our recommendation, the partner organisation will become a separate data controller for information you provide directly to them.

3.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal data where required by law, regulation, or court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of EA UK, our community, or others.

4. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our websites use cookies (small files stored on your device) to help us understand how visitors use our sites and to improve functionality.

Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly necessary cookies: Required for basic website functionality (e.g., maintaining your session, enabling secure areas). You cannot refuse these without impacting site usability.
Analytics cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand visitor behaviour (pages visited, time on site, referral sources). This data is aggregated and anonymised where possible.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. For guidance, visit aboutcookies.org. To opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Notice. Our standard retention periods are:

Type of Data Retention Period

Event and programme applications 5 years from last engagement

General correspondence 5 years

Newsletter subscriptions Until you unsubscribe

Directory entries Until you request removal

Career advice and referral notes 24 months from last contact, or upon request

Donation records 7 years (legal requirement)

Community platform data (Slack/WhatsApp) Until you leave or request deletion

Survey responses Anonymised after 12 months

We regularly review and delete data that is no longer needed. Where possible, we anonymise data for statistical purposes rather than retaining identifiable information.

6. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers are based outside the UK (particularly in the United States). When we transfer personal data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

Transfers to countries with UK adequacy decisions
International Data Transfer Agreements (UK Addendum to EU Standard Contractual Clauses)
Transfers to providers certified under recognised frameworks

If you would like more information about the safeguards we apply to international transfers, please contact us.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, destruction, or alteration. These include:

Access controls limiting who can view personal data
Secure, password-protected systems
Use of reputable, GDPR-compliant service providers
Regular review of data handling practices

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of data transmitted to us electronically.

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification: You can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your data in certain circumstances (sometimes called the "right to be forgotten").
Right to Restrict Processing: You can ask us to limit how we use your data in certain situations.
Right to Data Portability: Where technically feasible, you can receive your data in a portable format.
Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@effectivealtruism.uk. We will respond within one month. In some cases, we may need to verify your identity before acting on your request.

Please note that these rights are not absolute, and there may be legal exemptions or limitations that apply.

9. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, we encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

However, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK's supervisory authority:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Website: ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Post: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

10. Changes to This Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated via our newsletter or website. The latest version will always be available at effectivealtruism.uk/privacy-policy.

We encourage you to review this Notice periodically.

11. Third-Party Links

Our websites and communications may contain links to third-party websites, services, or platforms (such as 80,000 Hours, Centre for Effective Altruism, or partner organisations). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal data.

Last updated: 25 January 2026