Redactions

To protect people at increased risk of violence or harassment, we implement certain redactions and search restrictions.

The data in question is generally still present in our databases, with the restrictions being enforced by our query engine. Some restrictions only apply to certain types of users, so that for example verified journalists may be able to retrieve information not visible to other users. Where this is the case, users able to bypass the restriction will receive a warning asking them to be extra careful when considering whether to make the information public. They will also be provided with the reason for the redaction for this purpose.

We prohibit AML-regulated users from making redacted information in our databases available to others, and we require verified journalists to first verify that the information is in fact currently publicly available via other websites or publications and to consider the potential impact on the persons in question before they publish it.

Search restrictions can take a number of forms. Multiple of these forms can be combined:

• Direct search restrictions mean that a certain attribute of a certain data entry (such as the address of a company) cannot directly be searched for, but that it could still be used for relationship based searches

• Relationship restrictions mean that a specific relationship (such as an appointment of a person as a specific company's officer) will not be taken into account for relationship based searches. The output graph will be cut off after the relationship and the relationship will be removed from the graph.

• Object pre-relationship restrictions mean that relationship search output graphs will be cut off after the object in question

• Object post-relationship restrictions mean that relationship search output graphs will be cut off before the object in question

Search results will display the total number of results removed due to search restrictions, but will not specify the type of or reason for the restrictions.

In the case of redactions, the data in question will not appear in query results at all (unless the querying user type is exempt from the redaction).

This article contains a list of the standard cases in which we apply redactions and other restrictions. If your situation is not on this list but you still believe a restriction on your data would be justified, please email us at [e-mail].

Persons holding a section 790ZG exemption

Companies House automatically transmits information regarding new redactions made under section 790ZG to us. We will automatically adjust our database accordingly. If your information is still contained in a different company's PSC filings not subject to a section 790ZG exemption, your profile will still appear on our website but it will not link to any companies for which you have a 790ZG exemption in place. It may take a few days for a new exemption to transfer to Companies Zone. If it is important that the exemption is applied immediately, please email us at [e-mail].

Note that if you have a section 243 or section 790ZF exemption, this will not apply to Companies Zone because we do not receive, store or publish the information these exemptions cover.

If you would be eligible for a section 790ZG exemption, for example because you are targeted by activists, licensed under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, active in the defense industry, or an easily traceable supplier or partner of an organization meeting these criteria, but do not hold one, please email us at [e-mail] with relevant evidence and we will restrict access to your data accordingly. Nevertheless, we recommend applying for an exemption with Companies House instead, as your data will otherwise still be visible on the Companies House website and other company information websites.

If your exemption was granted by Companies House, the redaction applies for all Companies Zone users. If you have requested the redaction with us directly, it will only apply for standard users, not for verified journalists and AML-regulated users. If there is a reasonably high risk that these closed user groups would pose a risk to you, we may apply the redaction for all users.

Transgender people

Where a person's current title or name does not match the gender of one of their previous titles or names, we will redact the conflicting previous titles and names on request. You can submit such a request via the My Data section, and it will be approved automatically unless the system cannot identify the gender of a title or name, in which case the redaction will take effect after the request has been manually approved.

This redaction will apply for standard users, but not for verified journalists and AML-regulated users.