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CoOwlICO Registration
Information about our registration with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and what it means for your data protection.
Our Registration Status
CoOwl Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a data controller.
Organisation Name
CoOwl Ltd
ICO Registration Number
⚠️ [INSERT YOUR ICO REGISTRATION NUMBER]
Registration Type
Data Controller (Fee Payer)
Registration Status
Active
You can verify our registration on the ICO’s public register at ico.org.uk/esdwebpages/search
What Is ICO Registration?
Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018, most organisations that process personal information must register with the ICO and pay a data protection fee.
The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection. The registration requirement ensures that:
- Organisations handling personal data are accountable and identifiable
- The ICO can contact organisations about data protection matters
- There is a public record of data controllers operating in the UK
- Funds are available for the ICO to carry out its regulatory functions
Registration must be renewed annually. Failure to register can result in fines of up to £4,350 (or 2% of annual turnover for serious breaches).
Data Protection Fee Tiers
The ICO data protection fee is based on your organisation’s size and processing activities.
There are three tiers of data protection fee:
| Tier | Criteria | Annual Fee | CoOwl Applicability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Micro organisations: turnover ≤ £632,000 and 10 or fewer staff | £40 (or £35 if paid by direct debit) | May apply if CoOwl qualifies as a micro organisation |
| Tier 2 | Small & medium organisations: turnover ≤ £36 million and 250 or fewer staff | £60 (or £55 by direct debit) | Likely applicable — standard tier for most startups |
| Tier 3 | Large organisations: criteria exceed Tier 2 thresholds | £2,900 (or £2,875 by direct debit) | Not currently applicable |
CoOwl’s Fee Tier
CoOwl Ltd pays the appropriate data protection fee based on our current organisation size and turnover. We review our tier annually and update our registration as needed.
Special Category Data Processing
CoOwl processes special category data, which has additional registration and compliance requirements.
Under UK data protection law, “special category data” is personal information that is more sensitive and requires additional protection. CoOwl processes the following special category data:
Children’s Photos
Photographs of children uploaded to the Picture Wall. Processed with explicit parental consent under Article 9(2)(a) of the UK GDPR.
GPS Location Data
Location data collected during custody exchange check-ins. While not inherently special category, the combination with custody patterns creates sensitive inferences.
Health & Mood Data
Information about children’s wellbeing, mood tracking, and health notes entered by parents with explicit consent.
Processing special category data means CoOwl has additional obligations under Article 9 of the UK GDPR. We have conducted a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), implemented enhanced security measures, and ensure explicit consent is obtained for all special category processing.
Do You Need to Register?
If you are a sole trader, freelancer, or small business using CoOwl, you may also need to register with the ICO.
Most organisations that process personal data must register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee. This includes:
- Sole traders and freelancers who process customer or client data
- Small businesses with employees
- Charities and community groups
- Childminders, tutors, and healthcare practitioners
- Any organisation using CoOwl for business-related co-parenting management
Some organisations are exempt, including some for domestic purposes only. However, if you use CoOwl in connection with a business or professional activity, you likely need to register.
ICO Self-Assessment Tool
The ICO provides a self-assessment tool to help you determine if you need to register and which fee tier applies to your organisation.
Take the ICO Self-AssessmentHow to Register With the ICO
Registering with the ICO is straightforward and can be done online in minutes.
- Visit the ICO registration portal — Go to ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee/
- Complete the self-assessment — Answer questions about your organisation to determine your fee tier
- Pay the fee — Pay annually by credit/debit card or direct debit (direct debit saves £5)
- Receive your registration number — You will receive an ICO registration number immediately upon payment
- Renew annually — The ICO will send a renewal reminder before your registration expires
Need Help?
If you have questions about your own ICO registration requirements, contact the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113 or visit ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/