Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service Website Privacy Policy

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has updated its website privacy policy, detailing how it collects and uses data from visitors to manchesterfire.gov.uk. The service, operated by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, gathers technical information like screen resolution, browser type, and pages viewed through Google Analytics to improve site performance and ensure it meets users' needs.

The policy reveals that GMCA uses five main tools to manage its online presence: Umbraco for website building, Twitter and Facebook for embedding social media content, Google Analytics for site analysis, and MailChimp for email newsletters. While most data is stored in the UK, some information may be transferred to the European Economic Area for processing.

Users can opt out of Google Analytics tracking using a browser add-on, and the service maintains a 14-month data retention period. The policy emphasizes that personal information won't be shared with third parties for marketing purposes, though data may be disclosed if there's a legal obligation.

The updated privacy policy comes as digital services become increasingly central to public safety communications. For Oldham residents accessing fire safety information, emergency updates, or community safety resources online, the policy provides transparency about how their browsing data is handled and what protections are in place.