Data Protection

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH attaches great importance to responsible and transparent management of personal data.

Below we provide users with information as to 

  • who they can contact at GIZ on the subject of data protection 
  • what data is processed when they visit the website
  • what data is processed when users contact us, subscribe to newsletters or press releases or use other GIZ online services 
  • how they can opt out of the storage of data
  • what rights they have with respect to us

Information on the collection of personal data

General

GIZ processes personal data exclusively in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz, BDSG).
Personal data are, for example, name, address, email addresses and user behaviour.

 

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GIZ only processes personal data to the extent necessary. Which data is required and processed for which purpose and on what basis is largely determined by the type of service you use or the purpose for which the data is required. 

Collection of personal data when visiting our website

When visiting the GIZ website, the browser used automatically transmits data that is saved in a log file. GIZ itself processes only the data that is technically required in order to display the website correctly and to ensure its stability and security.

Each time the website is accessed, the data stored includes, but is not limited to, the page that is viewed, the IP address of the accessing device, the page from which the user was redirected, as well as the date and time of access. A detailed list of the data stored is shown here.

The data in the log file is deleted after five days.

Additional information

GIZ is obliged to store the data beyond the time of the visit in order to ensure protection against attacks against GIZ’s internet infrastructure and federal communications technology (legal basis: Article 6 (1) e GDPR in conjunction with Section 5 of the German Act on the Federal Office for Information Security (BSIG). In the event of attacks on communications technology, this data is analysed and used to initiate legal and criminal action. 

Data that is logged when accessing the GIZ website is only transferred to third parties if there is a legal obligation to do so or if the transfer is necessary for legal or criminal prosecution in the event of attacks on federal communications technology. Data will not be passed on in any other cases. This data is not merged with other data sources at GIZ.

Cookies

When you visit the GIZ website, small text files known as ‘cookies’ are stored on your computer. They are used to make the online presence more user-friendly and effective overall. Cookies cannot run programs or infect your computer with viruses.

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The GIZ website uses cookies that are automatically deleted as soon as the browser on which the page is displayed is closed (referred to as temporary cookies or session cookies) This type of cookie makes it possible to assign various requests from a browser to a session and to recognise the browser when the website is visited again (session ID).

etracker analysis service (user analysis)

To analyse usage data on its website, GIZ uses the etracker web analysis service operated by etracker GmbH, Hamburg. Data is stored and evaluated completely anonymously.

Additional information

etracker uses cookies to enable a statistical analysis of the use of the GIZ website. etracker cookies do not contain any information that permits identification of a user. Every time you visit a page on the GIZ website and every time you download a file, information about the activity is processed and stored in a temporary log file. Before it is stored, each data set is rendered anonymous by altering the IP address.

GIZ evaluates usage information for statistical purposes as part of its public relations work and for the needs-based provision of information within the scope of the tasks it performs (legal basis: Article 6 (1) e GDPR in conjunction with Article 3 BDSG).

The data generated with etracker is processed and stored by etracker on behalf of GIZ in Germany only.

Further information on data protection at etracker can be found here https://www.etracker.com/en/data-privacy/. 

Information on opting out 

Users who do not agree with the completely anonymous storage and evaluation of the data from their visit can opt out of the storage and use of the data at any time with a click of the mouse.

The button is located at the bottom of the page. 

Additional information

For this purpose, what is known as an opt-out cookie is stored on the device, preventing user data from being collected when the user visits the website in question. In order for the opt-out to take effect, the cookie must be stored on every device used. As the cookie is stored in specific browsers (programs for internet access), the cookie must be stored in each browser used on each device (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox). 

When all cookies on a device are deleted, the opt-out cookie is also deleted and must be reactivated. 

Processing of personal data when contacting us

When users contact us, the data provided is processed in order to be able to respond to the enquiry. The following contact options are available: 

Additional information

Alternatively, it is possible to contact GIZ via the email addresses provided. In this case, at least the email address but also any other personal user data transmitted with the email (e.g. family and given name, address) as well as the information contained in the email are stored solely for the purpose of contacting the user and processing the request.

The legal basis for the processing of data in connection with email communication is Article 6 (1) e GDPR.

When contacting us by phone, personal data will be processed to the extent necessary in order to handle the enquiry.

The legal basis for the processing of data in connection with communication by phone is Article 6 (1) e GDPR.
 

When contacting us by letter, the personal data transmitted (e.g. family and given name, address) and the information contained in the letter is stored for the purpose of establishing contact and processing the enquiry.

The legal basis for the processing of data in connection with communication by letter is Article 6 (1) e GDPR.

Provision of information

On the GIZ website it is possible to subscribe to a newsletter and to join a press mailing list. Personal data is processed depending on the way in which information is provided. 

Additional information

Personal data is used for the purpose of processing the subscription to each respective newsletter. The data is processed and used exclusively for sending the newsletter. 

After entering the email address, users receive an email containing a link for confirming the authenticity of the address and the subscription (‘double opt-in’). If users do not confirm the registration by clicking on the link contained in the email, the data is deleted immediately.

The legal basis for the processing of data in connection with the dispatch of newsletters is their consent in accordance with Article 6 (1) a GDPR.

The newsletter subscription can be cancelled at any time. If the subscription is cancelled, all personal data is deleted from our database.

Users can register on the GIZ website to receive GIZ press releases by email. The personal data collected in connection with the press mailing list (title, family and given name, email address), as well as other information contained in the message, is used for the purpose of processing the registration to the press mailing list and dealing with enquiries. Data beyond the scope of basic address details, including but not limited to position and media outlet/institution, is collected solely for the purpose of enabling systematic communication of journalistic topics to editorial offices. Providing the postal address is optional and allows, if requested, a reply to the enquiry by post. 

If the subscription is cancelled, all personal data is immediately deleted from our database.

Press mailing list

The legal basis for the processing of data in connection with the press mailing list is Article 6 (1) e GDPR.

Other online services

To access other GIZ online services, for example job offers or registering for training courses, it is necessary to enter personal data for further processing. The corresponding data privacy policies for the respective service apply.

Processing of personal data in connection with social network use 

On its website, GIZ invites users to visit its company presence on social networking sites and platforms including, but not limited to, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. 

These online presences are operated in order to interact with the users that are active on these sites and platforms and to inform them about projects and services. By clicking on a social network’s logo, the user is redirected to the GIZ presence on the respective network.

When users visit the platforms, personal data is collected, used and stored by the operators of the respective social network, but not by GIZ. This is also the case even if the users themselves do not have an account with the respective social network. 

The individual data processing operations and their scope differ depending on the operator of the respective social network. GIZ has no influence on the collection of data or its further use by the social network operators. We are not fully aware of the extent to which, where and for how long the data is stored; to what extent the networks comply with existing obligations regarding erasure; what analyses are conducted and links established with the data; and to whom the data is disclosed.

Access to GIZ social media sites is subject to the terms of use and privacy policies of the respective operators. Click here for the contact details and links to the data privacy policies of the social media on which GIZ maintains a presence. 

More information here.

Disclosure to third parties

GIZ does not pass on personal data to third parties unless it is legally obliged or entitled to do so by law. 

Transfer of data to countries outside Germany

GIZ does not transfer personal data to third countries. When using social media, the privacy policies of the respective providers apply. 

Duration of data retention

User data will not be kept any longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it is processed or as required by law.

IT security of user data

GIZ accords great importance to protecting personal data. For this reason, technical and organisational security measures ensure that data is protected against accidental and intentional manipulation and unintended erasure as well as unauthorised access. These measures are updated accordingly based on technical developments and adapted continuously in line with the risks.

Reference to user rights

Visitors to the GIZ website have the right

  • To obtain information about their data stored by us (Article 15 GDPR)
  • To have their data stored by us rectified (Article 16 GDPR)
  • To have their data stored by us erased (Article 17 GDPR)
  • To obtain restriction of processing of their data stored by us (Article 18 GDPR) 
  • To object to the storage of their data if personal data are processed on the basis of the first sentence of Article 6 (1) 1 f and e GDPR (Article 21 GDPR) 
  • To receive their personal data in a commonly used and machine-readable format from the controller such that they can be potentially transmitted to another controller (right to data portability, Article 20 GDPR).
  • To withdraw their consent to the extent that the data has been processed on the basis of consent (Article 6 (1) a GDPR). The lawfulness of the processing on the basis of the consent given remains unaffected until receipt of the withdrawal.

Users also have the right in accordance with Article 77 GDPR to lodge a complaint with the competent data protection supervisory authority. The competent authority is the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI).  


Last updated: October 2020
 

 

Additional information

You may at any time lodge an objection to the storage of your anonymously collected visitor data, so that these will no longer be collected in future.