Data Protection

Data 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

 

1. Data controller and data protection officer

Data processing is the responsibility of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Address:
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn, Germany
Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1–5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany

Contact:
info(at)giz.de

Please contact GIZ’s data protection officer if you have questions specifically about how your data are protected: datenschutzbeauftragter(at)giz.de

 

2. Information on the collection of personal data

2.1 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.

2.2 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. In case of denying cookies, GIZ processes the data that is technically required in order to display the website correctly and to ensure its stability and security.

If cookies are accepted by the user, additional statistical data will be collected and processed by GIZ in accordance with the European general data protection regulation. This will be used to improve the website.

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 below.

Log file fields

Field

Displayed as

Description

Date

date

The date on which the activity occurred.

Time

time

The time, in coordinated universal time (UTC), at which the activity occurred.

Server IP address

s-ip

The IP address of the server on which the log file entry was generated.

Method

cs-method

The requested action, for example, a GET method.

URI Stem

cs-uri-stem

The target of the action, for example, Default.htm.

URI query

cs-uri-query

The query, if any, that the client was trying to perform. A Universal Resource Identifier (URI) query is necessary only for dynamic pages.

Server port

s-port

The server port number that is configured for the service.

User name

cs-username

The name of the authenticated user who accessed your server. Anonymous users are indicated by a hyphen.

Client IP address

c-ip

The IP address of the client that made the request.

User agent

cs(User-Agent)

The browser type that the client used.

Referrer

cs(Referrer)

The site that the user last visited. This site provided a link to the current site.

HTTP status

sc-status

The HTTP status code.

Protocol substatus

sc-substatus

The substatus error code.

Win32 status

sc-win32-status

The Windows status code.

Time taken

time-taken

The length of time that the action took, in milliseconds.

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.

2.3 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).

 

2.4 Matomo analysis service (user analysis)

To analyse usage data on its website, GIZ uses the Matomo web analysis service developed by an international developer-community as part of an open-source-project. Data is stored and evaluated completely anonymously.

Matomo uses cookies to enable a statistical analysis of the use of the GIZ website. Matomo 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 Matomo is processed and stored by Matomo on behalf of GIZ in Germany only.

Further information on data protection at Matomo can be found here matomo.org/gdpr-analytics/

Information on opting out

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.

 

3. 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:

  • Email
  • Letter
  • Phone

3.1 Contact by email

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.

3.2 Contact by letter

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.

3.3 Contact by phone

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.

 

4. 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.

 

5. 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.

 

6. 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.

 

7. 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.

 

8. 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: November 2020