DeLever APC WhatsApp Group - Consent Form and Privacy Notice 

About the Group 

The DeLever APC WhatsApp Group is a professional discussion group for surveyors undertaking the APC programme with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 

The purpose of the group is to: 

• Encourage discussion and peer learning amongst APC candidates; 

• Allow participants to ask questions and share professional experiences relevant to APC preparation; 

• DeLever will provide notices regarding relevant training events;

• No Direct Messaging is allowed

• The group is intended solely for professional and educational discussion connected to APC progression and related surveying topics. 

Consent to Join the WhatsApp Group 

By joining the DeLever APC WhatsApp Group, you acknowledge and agree that: 

• Your mobile telephone number will be visible to other members of the WhatsApp group. (Until WhatsApp update to Usernames)

• Your WhatsApp profile name, image and status may also be visible to other members depending on your personal WhatsApp privacy settings. 

• Messages posted within the group will be visible to all members of the group. 

• Other members of the group may contact you privately through WhatsApp unless you block or restrict them through your own WhatsApp settings. 

• Participation in the group is entirely voluntary and you may leave the group at any time. 

• You agree to use the group in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. (see our Online Etiquette requirements)

The group must not be used for: 

• direct messaging

• sharing confidential client information; 

• sharing sensitive personal data; 

• marketing unrelated services; 

• offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate content. 

DeLever reserves the right to remove members who misuse the group or fail to comply with these rules and may report any unprofessional behaviour to RICS regulation.

DeLever may use the group to share information about APC-related courses, workshops, coaching sessions and training events offered by DeLever which may be relevant to APC candidates. 

 

Privacy Notice 

Who We Are 

DeLever is the organiser and administrator of this WhatsApp group and acts as the data controller for the personal data processed in connection with the administration of the group. 

If you have any questions regarding this notice or your personal data, please contact: 

DeLever 
59a Day’s Lane 

Biddenham 

Bedford 

MK40 4AE 

 hello@delever.com 
+44(0)1234 943600 

What Personal Data We Process 

We may process the following personal data: 

• Your name; 

• Mobile telephone number; 

• WhatsApp profile information that you choose to make visible; 

• Messages and interactions within the group; 

• Information relating to your APC pathway or professional interests where voluntarily shared by you. 

Purpose of Processing 

We process your personal data for the following purposes: 

• administering and moderating the WhatsApp group; 

• facilitating peer discussion and APC-related learning; 

• sharing APC-related information and training opportunities; 

• maintaining professional standards within the group. 

Lawful Basis for Processing 

Our lawful basis for processing your personal data is: 

• your consent in choosing to join and participate in the group; and/or 

• our legitimate interests in operating a professional APC learning community and providing relevant professional training information. 

• You may withdraw from the group at any time by leaving the WhatsApp group. 

International Transfers 

WhatsApp is provided by Meta Platforms and may process data outside the United Kingdom. 

By joining the group, you acknowledge that your personal data may be transferred and processed internationally in accordance with WhatsApp’s own privacy policies and international data transfer mechanisms. 

Further information can be found in WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy. 

Data Sharing 

Your phone number and any information you post in the group will be visible to other members of the group. 

DeLever will not sell your personal data to third parties. 

We may use third-party service providers where necessary to support our business operations. 

Data Retention 

We will retain your personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the operation of the group and related APC support activities. 

If you leave the group, your future participation will cease, although historic messages may remain visible within the group conversation unless deleted by WhatsApp or individual users. 

Your Rights 

Under UK data protection law, you may have rights including: 

• the right to access your personal data; 

• the right to request correction of inaccurate data; 

• the right to object to certain processing; 

• the right to request deletion in certain circumstances; 

• the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). 

Further information is available from the ICO at www.ico.org.uk. 

 

Acceptance 

By joining the DeLever APC WhatsApp Group, you confirm that: 

• you have read and understood this Consent Form and Privacy Notice; 

• you will comply with the online etiquette requirements;

• you understand that your phone number and profile information may be visible to other group members; 

you voluntarily consent to participate in the group under these terms. ​​​​​​​​​​​