Privacy Policy

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.

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.

Further Information On Data Storage and Transfer

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.

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).

Matomo analysis service (user analysis)

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

Further Information On Use Analysis

Matomo uses cookies to enable a statistical analysis of the use of the GIZ website. Moatomo 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).

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.

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.

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