Privacy Policy

Last updated: 7 July 2026

Essential Radio respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used and protected when you use the Essential Radio website and Android app.

Who we are

Essential Radio is an online radio station available at https://essential.radio.

You can contact us at:
essentialradio@ayrshire.ac.uk

Information we may collect

The Essential Radio app and website may allow users to:

• listen to the live radio stream;
• view now playing information, schedules, playlists, weather, travel and news information;
• send song requests;
• send voicenotes or audio messages;
• contact the station by email or online form;
• listen again to previous shows through third-party services.

Depending on how you use these features, we may receive information such as your name, email address, message content, song request details, and any audio recording you choose to send.

Microphone permission

The app or website may request access to your device microphone only when you choose to use the voicenote feature. Microphone access is used only to record and send the message you choose to submit. We do not record audio in the background.

How we use information

We may use submitted information to:

• respond to messages or requests;
• play or refer to listener requests or voicenotes on air;
• operate and improve Essential Radio services;
• maintain the security and reliability of the website and app;
• meet legal, licensing or regulatory requirements.

Live streaming and third-party services

Essential Radio uses third-party services to provide features such as audio streaming, listen again content, news, weather, analytics or embedded content. These services may process technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device information and usage data.

Third-party services may have their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing those policies when using embedded or linked services.

Cookies and local storage

The website and app may use cookies or local storage to remember preferences, improve functionality and support services such as the player, weather location, theme settings or embedded content.

Data sharing

We do not sell personal information. We may share information only where necessary to operate the service, comply with legal requirements, protect our rights, or where you have chosen to submit information through a third-party service.

Data retention

We keep personal information only for as long as necessary for the purpose it was provided, unless a longer retention period is required for legal, operational or safeguarding reasons.

Children

Essential Radio is not directed specifically at children. If you are under 16, please get permission from a parent, guardian or responsible adult before submitting personal information, requests or voicenotes.

Your rights

You may contact us to ask about personal information we hold about you, to request correction or deletion, or to raise a privacy concern.

Contact:
essentialradio@ayrshire.ac.uk

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.