Data Protection & Privacy Policy

2. How We Collect Your Personal Data

The PDPA defines personal data as “data, whether true or not, about an individual who can be identified:

1. from that data; or

2. from that data and other information to which the organisation has or is likely to have access.”

The GDPR defines personal data as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“data subject”). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

(henceforth, collectively referred to as “personal data”)

We generally collect personal data through the following methods and / or channels:

• When you engage BDO Singapore to render professional services to you;
• When we record CCTV footage while you are within our premises;
• When you interact with BDO Singapore via face-to-face meetings, emails, letters, fax and telephone conversations;
• When we receive your personal data in the course of our professional work;
• When we receive references from business partners, associates and / or third parties;
• When you submit documents to us for the purpose of employment opportunities, seminars and / or any events organised by BDO Singapore;
• When photographs or videos of you are taken by BDO Singapore and / or our representatives during events hosted by us;
• When you visit our website and leave your personal data, including your IP address assigned to your computer;
• When you visit our website which may use cookies to facilitate the management and maintenance of our website as well as improved navigation by visitors;
• When you submit your personal data to us for any other reasons;
• When we collect information about you from other sources, including commercially available sources, such as public databases (where permitted by law).

2.1 Social Media

We may host various blogs, forums, wikis and other social media applications such as Facebook and Linkedin that allow you to share content with other users (collectively “Social Media Applications”).  Any personal information that you contribute to these Social Media Applications can be read, collected and used by other users of the application, including BDO Singapore.  Any personal data that you share over Social Media Applications will not be covered and / or protected by this Data Protection and Privacy Policy.

2.2 Cookies

We use cookies to identify you from other users on our website to improve your navigation.  A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer or device. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to the use of cookies on our website.

You can block or deactivate cookies in your browser settings.  Please be aware that blocking or deactivating the cookies may, inter alia, affect the quality of your user experience on our website.

2.3 IP Address

An IP Address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you are connected to the Internet.  Your IP address is automatically logged in to our server when you visit our website and it is only used for diagnosing problems with our server and website.  Based on your IP address, we may identify the general geographical location from which you appear to originate. However, we will not be able to pinpoint the exact location from which you are accessing our website.  We will not connect your IP address to anything that will allow us to recognize you unless it is required by laws and regulations.