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Copilot for Web

Copilot for Web Privacy notice

This document covers Copilot for Web which may be accessed by users with the appropriate Microsoft license. It does not cover the premium Copilot 365 which is currently being piloted in parts of the University of Northampton.  

IT Services, which is part of the University of Northampton, is the Data Controller for Copilot for Web. The Copilot for Web service is provided by Microsoft.    

The Data Protection Officer can be contacted by emailing dpo@northampton.ac.uk

Or by writing to:  

The Data Protection Officer, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Senate building, Waterside Campus, University of Northampton, NN1 5PH  


This privacy notice explains how Copilot for Web uses your personal data and how you can exercise your rights regarding that information.  

Information Copilot for Web collects about you  

Usernames and real names which are gathered in the use of Copilot for Web are not available to be viewed by the University of Northampton   

What is the source of the personal data?   

All users will ask Copilot to complete a task using prompts. A prompt is text submitted to Copilot using the same sort of language you would use in normal conversation which describes the task that Copilot should perform. The prompt which is used in Copilot (entered explicitly by the user) is the key source of information for Copilot. It should be noted that some of the data which is not included in a user's prompt, may be sent as part of a web query.   

Why are we collecting your personal data?  

The data is used by Microsoft to provide a response to a task using a prompt (as previously described) and the information processed is not available to others in the University.  

 The lawful basis for processing your personal data  

Consent - Under Article 6(1)(a) of the UK GDPR  

Performance of a Contract - Under Article 6(1)(b) of the UK GDPR  

Legitimate Interests - Under Article 6 (1)(f) of the UK GDPR  

Who are we sharing your personal data with?  

Your personal data will not be shared with other organisations. The data is used by Microsoft to provide a response to the prompt and is not available to others in the University. Only the person entering the prompt and Microsoft will have access to data.  

How long we will process your personal data for  

Personal data is held and controlled by Microsoft. For more information about this please refer to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/purview/retention-policies-copilot 

Users may request deletion of all interactions with Copilot.  

What are your rights and how can you enforce them?  

  • Right to withdraw consent  

  • Right to be informed  

  • Right of access  

  • Right of rectification  

  • Right to erasure  

  • Right to restriction.  

Please note that the above rights are not absolute as this is dependent on the legal basis which is being relied upon.  

How you can complain

In the first instance, you can refer your complaint to the Data Protection and Information Governance team by email at dpo@northampton.ac.uk  

If you are not satisfied, you can send your complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office either by:  

  • Phone: 0303 123 1113