This Privacy Policy governs the data processing of the platform MercatorGlobe offered by Stiftung Mercator GmbH, Huyssenallee 40, 45128 Essen, Deutschland (responsible party).

Below, we summarise the personal data we gather and how we process it. “Personal data” refers to details that can help identify a person, that is, details that can be traced back to an individual. This typically includes the name, e-mail address or telephone number. Purely technical data that may be assigned to a person are also considered personal data. Our platform is operated by Paulbergman GmbH (https://www.alumnii.de), which acts as the data processor of all data collected on this platform. The lawfulness of data processing is based on Art. 6(1f) of the GDPR. This standard permits the processing of personal data within the scope of the responsible party’s “legitimate interest” “except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data”. Our legitimate interest is outsourcing tasks to external service providers who, because of their specialization, can do this more efficiently. You can object to this data processing at any time if specific reasons related to your particular situation speak against it. In that case, just send an e-mail to: alumni@stiftung-mercator.de.

Please send any questions you may have regarding data protection to the data protection officer at: mercatorAT2b-advice DOT com.

You are not legally or contractually required to provide any personal data on this platform. You are only obliged to provide personal data here if this is indicated in a particular case in this privacy policy. That said, processing your personal data is necessary in order to use the platform’s functions and to execute orders.

When you visit our platform…

… we collect data transferred in connection your visit, in particular, the date and time the portal is accessed, your IP address, where the request originated (the “referer”) and data about your operating system and browser. We also collect data on the sub-pages you access.

IP addresses are assigned to every device (smartphones, tablets, PCs) connected to the Internet. Which IP address this is depends on the Internet access your end device uses to go online. This may be the IP address assigned by your Internet Service Provider, for example, if you use Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet at home. However, it could be an IP address assigned by your mobile network operator or the IP address of a public or private Wi-Fi company or other Internet connection. In its current most common form (IPv4), the IP address consists of four groups of digits. Most of the time, as a private user you will not be using a constant IP address because your provider only temporarily assigns you an IP address (a “dynamic IP”). In principle, a permanent IP address (a “static IP”) makes it easier to clearly identify users. Except for prosecuting hackers, we generally do not use this data in any personalized fashion. We use it to evaluate – on an anonymous basis – how many times the portal is accessed daily, and similar information.

Our portal uses the new IPv6 addresses. An IPv6 address consists of eight groups of four digits each. The first four groups of digits are typically assigned dynamically to private users; the device you use to browse the Internet determines the last four groups of digits (the “interface identifier”). Unless configured differently in your operating system, a “MAC address” is used. This is a type of serial number that is uniquely assigned to each IP-enabled device in the world. We do not save the last four blocks of your IPv6 address. In general, we recommend that you activate the “privacy extensions” on your end device in order to more effectively pseudonymize the last four blocks of your IPv6 address. Most common operating systems have privacy extensions, but they are not always factory presets.

The authorization for data processing is based on GDPR Art. 6(1f). This standard allows the processing of personal data within the scope of the responsible party’s “legitimate interests”, unless your fundamental rights, fundamental freedoms and interests prevail. Our legitimate interest is constantly improving our offer, as well as analyzing and defending the platform against attacks and ending misuse. You can object to this data processing at any time if specific reasons based on your situation speak against it. All you need to do is send an e-mail to: alumni@stiftung-mercator.de.

All personal data in log files is automatically deleted after 30 days at the latest.

Our portal uses cookies. These are small text files that are stored on your terminal. Among other functions, cookies enable us to treat you as a logged-in user and/or member for several days after you first log in, or to record if you have previously accessed the portal.

We also use cookies to record the frequency of use and number of site users and site usage patterns, such as how long you stay on which page and which platform content you use. We use the Matomo open source web analytics programme and store the data only on our servers. All usage data is combined into anonymous user profiles.

We base our data processing on GDPR Art. 6(1f). This permits processing personal data within the scope of the “legitimate interests” pursued by the responsible party, unless they are overridden by your interest or fundamental rights and freedoms that require protecting your personal data. Our legitimate interest is analyzing our platform and tailoring our services in order to meet our customers’ needs and continuously improve our offer, as well as to eliminate misuse. If you do not agree to the use of cookies, we recommend that you configure your browser accordingly. However, that may mean that you will not be able to use all the portal’s functions. You can deactivate tracking by Matomo here:

Cookie Settings

All personal data is automatically deleted after 24 months at the latest.

If you register for the newsletter or use the contact form…

… we collect all the data you provide in the respective forms in addition to the data mentioned above. We store this data on the basis of your consent in accordance with GDPR Art. 6(1a). When processing contact requests, the data we collect is deleted after your request has been dealt with or, if necessary, will be saved on the basis of the initiation of a contractual relationship (legitimized in this case by Art. 6(1b) of the GDPR). You can delete your personal data that was collected in connection with registering for a newsletter by using the link found at the end of the newsletter.

Google reCAPTCHA is used to check and avoid interactions on our portal through automated access or “bots”. This is a service provided by Google LLC, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4 Ireland, hereinafter referred to as “Google”.

Through certification under the "EU/US Privacy Shield" Google guarantees compliance with EU data protection requirements when personal data is processed in the USA.
This service makes it possible for Google to determine the portal from which a request is sent and the IP address where the reCAPTCHA input box is used. In addition to the IP address, Google may also collect other information necessary to provide and ensure the service.
The legal basis for this is GDPR Art. 6(1f). Our legitimate interests lie in making our portal secure and defending against unwanted automated access in the form of spam or the like. Google offers further information regarding the general handling of your user data at https://policies.google.com/privacy.

When you register as a member…

… we collect the same data as for non-registered visitors to the platform (see above). In addition, we collect the data generated when you interact with our system – contact details and images that you enter or upload. We store messages that you send to other members, comments you make on the platform, groups you join, your tags, and your participation in events. In order to regularly improve our mailings, we also record whether you have opened and clicked on e-mail newsletters.

We collect all this data to fulfil our contractual obligations to you in pursuit of our purpose (Networking within the Mercator Network), Art. 6(1b) of the GDPR. To fulfill our obligations, we need at least your name and an e-mail address. Unless you provide these details, you cannot be a member in the network. We may request additional mandatory information in order to authenticate potential members.

All other data is to be provided voluntarily in order to enable us and other members to contact you more easily. You can view the data stored about you in your profile settings, where you can also delete your personal data. In keeping with the platform’s purpose, we make your contact details available to other members of the network. In your profile settings, you can control exactly which data can be viewed by other members.

From time to time we will contact you by e-mail to inform you about current developments in and around our network. You may opt out of receiving such e-mails in your profile settings. However, even if you have chosen not to receive newsletters, we reserve the right to send you e-mails if this is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the network (e.g., to provide obligatory information).

As a data subject…

• You may request information about the personal data we have processed. This includes information about why we process data, categories of personal data, categories of recipients and the planned storage period. You can get an overview of this in your profile settings.
• You can request the rectification or completion of data we have stored. As a rule, you can also correct the data yourself in your profile settings. You can further request that all the data we have processed be erased. The easiest way to do this is to use the delete button in your profile settings.
• You may request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.
• You can request your personal data in a machine-readable format and to transmit it to another responsible party.
• You can withdraw all forms of consent used to process your data at any time. The easiest way to do this is in your profile settings.
• AIf we process your data on the basis of a legitimate interest, you are entitled to object.

If you have any questions or objections regarding data protection, and to exercise the rights named above, please contact alumni@stiftung-mercator.de. We will be happy to answer your questions. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

A list of supervisory authorities can be found at: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html

(1) Operator and User

These Terms and Conditions of Use (“Terms of Use”) are a binding legal agreement between the platform’s Operator, Stiftung Mercator (“the Operator”) and registered Users (“Users”). Users are all members who have been activated by the Operator as such.

(2) Object of the Agreement

“MercatorGlobe” is the Operator’s platform accessible via the URL https://mercatorglobe.de, through which registered Users can exchange information and communicate via messages and comments. Use of MercatorGlobe is restricted to Users who accept these Terms of Use.

(3) User Rights and Obligations and Netiquette

3.1 Your personal password must be kept secret from third parties. Should Users have reason to believe that others know their password, it must be changed immediately. Passwords can be changed in the User profile.

3.2 Users must be aware of the consequences and significance of the collection, processing and storage of personal data and understand their meaning and these Terms of Use. The use of "MercatorGlobe" is only permitted for persons at least 14 years old. Parents or guardians are responsible for protecting their children’s privacy. Youngsters under the age of 18 wishing to use MercatorGlobe must involve their parents or guardians and ask if they agree to registration and use. Proof of the parental consent for the processing of the personal data of the minor and the exemption from liability for damage caused by the minors must be provided. Minor Users must ask their parents or guardians for permission before posting information about themselves on the Internet.

If minors register and/or use “MercatorGlobe” without the permission of their legal guardians and/or by deception of their age, this constitutes a violation of the terms of use. The Operator is indemnified against any liability claims and all claims of damage by the minors, the legal guardians, and third parties that arise from the unauthorized use of “MercatorGlobe.” The minor or the legal guardians are liable for damages that arise from the unauthorized use of “MercatorGlobe.” Additionally, the Operator reserves the right to ban and delete the minor’s account without the consent of the legal guardians in such cases. There is no right to further use of “MercatorGlobe” even with a subsequent approval from the legal guardians.

3.3 MercatorGlobe Users are responsible for their activities on the entire platform. Only content and statements that do not violate the rights of others (especially copyrights and ancillary copyrights) may be published. It is expressly forbidden to communicate, transmit or post content and/or statements that are illegal – especially those with

insulting, discriminatory or pornographic content, and those that glorify violence or offend public morality. This also covers content that can be accessed via links posted by Users. The use of offensive content and designations, as well as other representations suspected to be illegal but that cannot be conclusively determined, are prohibited.

Unauthorized activities, content and/or statements include but are not limited to:

· Content that violates human dignity and religiously or politically extreme content, as well as content that is racist or hateful, or that glorifies war.

· Content that is harmful to young people.

· Any representation and incitement to violence against people, institutions, and animals.

· Conspiracy to commit criminal and terrorist acts.

· The use of insulting or defamatory content, whether or not it concerns other Users, staff, other persons or institutions.

· The unacceptable nuisance of other Users, especially through spam (see Sec 7 of the Act Against Unfair Competition, UWG).

· Content protected by law (e.g., by copyright, trademark, patent, design or utility model law) or the unauthorized advertising, promotion and/or distribution of legally protected goods or services.

· Using MercatorGlobe for commercial purposes. Sending unsolicited product content (spamming) is prohibited. This includes chain letters, games of chance and appeals for donations.

3.4 Users commit to paying a contractual penalty to the Operator in the event of a culpable violation of the primary or secondary contractual obligations, particularly with regard to the above. The amount of the contractual penalty is EUR 5,000.00 per violation. In the case of a continuing violation that lasts for a period of 30 days, each commenced day is considered a separate violation. However, the total contractual penalty may not exceed EUR 50,000.00.

3.5 The contractual penalty is to be paid regardless of proof of damage and regardless of the assertion of further claims for damages. The Operator reserves the right to assert further claims for damages in addition to the contractual penalty, whereby the paid contractual penalty will be credited against the claim for damages.

3.7 Users have the right to have the appropriateness of the contractual penalty reviewed by a court in accordance with § 343 BGB (German Civil Code). The court can reduce the contractual penalty to a reasonable amount if it is disproportionately high.

(4) The Operator’s Tasks, Rights and Obligations

4.1 With MercatorGlobe, the Operator provides a platform for Users to contact and exchange with others. Technical applications are provided solely for these purposes. There is no guarantee that contacts will be established. The Operator endeavours to ensure the proper functioning of the platform.

System availability may be impaired by maintenance or other factors. There is no claim for compensation.

4.2 The Operator does not systematically check content or User statements before they are disseminated, transmitted or published on MercatorGlobe. In case of well-founded suspicion, however, the Operator reserves the right to remove content, statements or links that are prohibited in accordance with Section 3.2 of these Terms of Use without prior notice or explanation. In case of disregard or suspected violation of the Terms of Use, the Operator notifies the User of a deadline to respond or to end the wrongdoing. If the User does not respect the deadline or if the violation is so serious that a continuation of the User relationship is unacceptable, the Operator is entitled to immediately exclude or notify the User of termination. Termination must be in writing.

Users can report shared prohibited content, statements, or references to the Operator. A report can be made by sending an email to alumni@stiftung-mercator.de with a description of the situation. The Operator will then investigate the matter.

(5) Terminating an Account

Users can request to have their accounts deleted at any time by e-mailing the Operator at: alumni@stiftung-mercator.de. All of the User’s personal data will be deleted. This process is irrevocable.

(6) Liability

6.1 The Operator has taken the greatest possible care in compiling the contents of MercatorGlobe. The Operator assumes no liability for the correctness, accuracy or absence of error of the information provided there.

6.2 The Operator assumes no liability for content published by Users. Users guarantee that the content they publish (including statements and contributions) can be used free of third-party rights. Users shall indemnify the Operator of all claims, including those for damages that other Users or third parties may assert due to the infringement of their rights by content published by Users on MercatorGlobe or due to infringement of the aforementioned obligations and/or harmful acts of the Users. Users shall bear all reasonable costs incurred by the Operator as a result of their infringement of third-party rights, including reasonable costs for legal defence. These obligations do not apply if the User is not responsible for the infringement in question.

6.3 The Operator assumes no liability for the content of external websites. Operators of linked pages are solely responsible for their content.

6.4 Users are liable for all damage they cause the Operator. Section 6.2 remains unaffected.

6.5 The Operator, its legal representatives, and vicarious agents are liable for intent and negligence in the event of a breach of material contractual obligations, i.e., those that make proper execution of the contract possible in the first place and on whose observance Users may rely. In the event of gross negligence, however, this is limited to damage that is foreseeable and typical for the type of contract. The Operator, its legal representatives and vicarious agents are otherwise only liable for damages caused by intent or gross negligence. In the event of gross negligence, liability is limited to damage that is foreseeable and typical for the type of contract; the Operator is not liable for indirect damage and consequential damage.

The aforementioned limitations and exclusions of liability do not apply in the event of injury to life, limb or health, or in the event of claims under the Product Liability Act.

(7) Ongoing Development of the Services and Changes to the Terms of Use

The content and functions of MercatorGlobe are constantly being developed and improved. The Operator is entitled to make modifications to the service that are in its interest, provided they are appropriate for the User. When changes are made, the Terms of Use are adapted and updated. Registered Users are informed of major changes. At "https://mercatorglobe.de/terms_of_use/" you may read and print the current version.

(8) Termination of Services

The Operator is entitled to terminate the service within a certain period, and in doing so, to delete User content and block User access.

(9) Copyright/Usage Rights

The copyright for posted contributions remains with the User. The User grants the Operator has the right to move or delete contributions from the platform. Users can delete their contributions at any time.

(10) Miscellaneous

10.1 There are no oral agreements concerning use of the platform. The legal invalidity of individual parts and provisions of these Terms of Use shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. Instead, the invalid provision shall be retroactively replaced by a legally valid regulation that comes closest to the meaning and purpose of the original provision.

10.2 This contract is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply. The place of jurisdiction is Essen.

10.3 The data protection regulations apply accordingly.

10.4 The German version of the Terms of Use is the legally binding version.

Stand: 15.10.2024