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Privacy policy
Privacy Policy
1. general information
This privacy policy regulates data processing in the context of the offer on ‘MercatorGlobe’ from Stiftung Mercator GmbH.
In the following, we summarise which personal data we collect and how we process it.
1.1 Contact details of the controller and the data protection officer
The controller responsible for data processing on this website is
Stiftung Mercator GmbH
Huyssenallee 40
45128 Essen
Phone +49 30200745759
community@stiftung-mercator.de
If you have any questions about data protection, please contact the data protection officer we have appointed:
2B Advice GmbH
Joseph-Schumpeter-Allee 25
53227 Bonn
mercator@2b-advice.com.
1.2 What is personal data?
Personal data is information that can be used to identify a person, i.e. information that can be traced back to a person. This typically includes a person's name, email address or telephone number. However, purely technical data that can be assigned to a person is also considered personal data
1.3 Processor for our website
We would like to point out that our website is operated for us by Paulbergman GmbH (Pappelallee 78/79, 10437 Berlin) (https://alumnii.de/datenschutz/) as a commissioned data processor. All data collected on this website is processed on behalf of Stiftung Mercator GmbH by Paulbergman GmbH, with whom we have concluded a data processing agreement.
2 How do we collect your personal data and what do we use it for?
We would like to point out that the provision of your personal data on this website is generally not required by law or contract. You are not obliged to provide personal data on this website unless we indicate this in individual cases in this privacy policy. Nevertheless, the provision of the functions of this website and the fulfilment of an order require the processing of your personal data.
When you visit our website...
...we collect data that you transmit when you access a website. This includes, in particular, the date and time of your visit, your IP address, the source of your visit (the so-called referrer) and data about your operating system and browser. We also collect data about which subpages you visit.
IP addresses are assigned to every device (e.g. smartphone, tablet, PC) that is connected to the Internet. Which IP address this is depends on which Internet access your device is currently connected to the Internet via. Except for the purpose of tracking unauthorised access to our website, we do not use this data in a personalised manner, but only evaluate it on an anonymous basis, such as how many visits are made each day and similar information.
Our website already supports the new IPv6 addresses. If you already have an IPv6 address, you should also know the following: The IPv6 address consists of eight blocks of four digits. The first four blocks, as with the entire IPv4 address, are typically assigned dynamically to private users. However, the last four blocks of an IPv6 address (known as the ‘interface identifier’) are determined by the device you use to browse the website.
We therefore do not store the last four blocks of your IPv6 address. In general, we recommend that you activate the so-called ‘privacy extensions’ on your end device in order to better anonymise the last four blocks of your IPv6 address. Most common operating systems have a ‘privacy extensions’ function, but in some cases this is not preset at the factory.
Processing is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR due to our overriding legitimate interest in ensuring the smooth operation of our website and in order to be able to trace personal data in the event of unauthorised access or attempted access to our servers. All personal data in log files is automatically deleted after 30 days at the latest.
If you subscribe to the newsletter and emails...
...then, in addition to the above-mentioned data, we will also collect all data that you provide in the corresponding forms. We store this data on the basis of your voluntary consent in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR.
You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. This will not incur any costs other than the transmission costs according to the basic tariffs (e.g. your Internet connection). The revocation does not affect the legality of the data processing carried out up to that point.
The revocation can be made via the unsubscribe link in our emails. Alternatively, the settings can also be adjusted directly in the member profile at https://mercatorglobe.de/mailings/settings.
To send our community-specific newsletter (‘Community Update’), we use the email delivery tool integrated into the platform of our service provider Paulbergman GmbH, Pappelallee 78/79, 10437 Berlin. We use this to provide regular information about our own events, programmes, formats and calls for proposals, e.g. for conference participation.
For invitations to other events organised by Stiftung Merctaor that are not directly and exclusively community-related, we use the Inxmail Professional system from Inxmail GmbH, Wentzingerstr. 17, 79106 Freiburg. In some cases, the service provider u+i interact GmbH & Co. KG, Karl-Eilers-Str. 13, 33602 Bielefeld, handles the dispatch. We have order processing agreements with both companies in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR.
In order to regularly improve the relevance of our mailings, we record whether you have opened and clicked on email newsletters.
Your personal data relating to a newsletter will be deleted after you unsubscribe, unless you wish to remain a member of the network and have requested the deletion of your entire profile. Otherwise, your data will simply no longer be processed for the purpose of sending the newsletter, but will continue to be processed on the basis of the contractual relationship (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
If you use the contact form...
If you send us enquiries via the contact form, your details from the enquiry form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the enquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent.
This data is processed on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR, insofar as your enquiry concerns your membership or potential membership in the network. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of enquiries addressed to us (Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR). Optional information in the form is processed on the basis of your consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the processing of your optional information at any time, and we will then delete this data promptly after receiving your revocation. Mandatory legal provisions – in particular retention periods – remain unaffected.
When processing contact enquiries, the data we collect will be deleted after your enquiry has been dealt with, unless you are or become a member of the network.
When you register as a member...
...we collect all the data that we also collect for unregistered visitors to our website (see above). In addition, we collect data that is generated when you interact with our system. For example, we store contact details and images that you enter or upload to the system. We store messages that you send to other members, comments that you make on the platform, groups that you join, your tags, and your participation in events.
We collect all this data to fulfil our contractual obligations to you as a member of the network in order to pursue our purpose (networking among members of the network), Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR. To fulfil our obligations, we need at least your name and an email address. Without providing this data, membership in our network is not possible. We may request additional mandatory information to authenticate members.
All other data is voluntary and allows us and other members to contact you more easily. You can view the data stored about you in the settings area of your profile, which allows you to access the stored data. You also have the option of deleting your data in the settings area. Based on the purpose of our network, we make your contact details available to other members of the network. In your profile settings, you can control exactly which data is visible to other members.
From time to time, we will contact you by email to inform you about current developments in and around the network. You can opt out of receiving the community newsletter in your profile settings at https://mercatorglobe.de/mailings/settings. If necessary to fulfil the purpose of our network, we reserve the right to send you emails even if you have opted out of receiving newsletters in general.
3. Cookie settings and general information about cookies
3.1 Settings for the use of cookies
You can revoke your consent or change your settings for the use of cookies at any time by clicking on ‘Cookies’ at the bottom of the website or by clicking on ‘Cookie settings’ below or at the end of this privacy policy.
3.2 General information about cookies
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer. This enables us, for example, to treat you as a logged-in user and/or member for several days after you have logged in once, or to record whether you have already visited the website in the past.
Necessary cookies, cookies requiring consent and data processing
Apart from cookies that are absolutely necessary for the operation of the site, cookies are only used with your prior consent in accordance with §25 TDDDG.
Data collected in connection with technically necessary cookies (e.g. shopping cart cookies) is processed on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR, apart from the cookie used by Paulbergman GmbH to store your selection regarding the use of cookies. We have a legitimate interest in storing cookies for the technically error-free and optimised provision of our services. In addition, we use cookies to record the frequency of use and number of users of the site and behaviour when using the site, for example how long you stay on which page and which content of our website you use. We use the open source programme Matomo and store the data exclusively on our servers. All usage data is summarised in pseudonymised usage profiles. These non-essential cookies are only used with your consent, and the data collected in this context is stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. Consent can be revoked at any time with future effect.
All personal data is automatically deleted after 24 months at the latest.
Use of the Paulbergman Cookie Consent Manager
This website uses cookie consent technology from Paulbergman GmbH to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device and to document this in accordance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Paulbergman GmbH (hereinafter referred to as ‘Paulbergman’).
When you visit our website, the following data is transferred to Paulbergman:
- Your consent(s) or the revocation of your consent(s)
- Your IP address
- Information about your browser
- Information about your device
- The time of your visit to the website
Furthermore, Paulbergman stores a cookie in your browser in order to be able to assign the consents you have given or their revocation. The data collected in this way is stored until you request us to delete it, delete the Paulbergman cookie yourself or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Mandatory legal retention obligations remain unaffected.
Paulbergman is used to obtain the legally required consent for the use of cookies. The legal basis for data processing in this context is Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR.
Use of Google reCAPTCHA
Google reCAPTCHA is used to check and prevent interactions on our website by automated access, e.g. by so-called bots. This is a service provided by Google LLC, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, hereinafter referred to as ‘Google’.
reCAPTCHA is used to check whether the data entered in the forms on our website is entered by a human or by an automated programme. This is intended to protect our website from abusive automated spying and spam. To this end, reCAPTCHA analyses the behaviour of the website visitor based on various characteristics. This service enables Google to determine from which website a request is sent and from which IP address the reCAPTCHA input box is used. In addition to the IP address, Google may also collect other information (e.g. the length of time the website visitor spends on the website or the mouse movements made by the user) that is necessary for the provision and guarantee of this service.
Data processing is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. Consent can be revoked at any time via the cookie management tool.
Through certification under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, Google guarantees that EU data protection requirements are also complied with when processing data in the USA. More information can be found here: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.
Further information on Google reCAPTCHA and Google's privacy policy can be found at the following links: https://www.google.com/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and https://developers.google.com/recaptcha?hl=de.
6. What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the following rights under the GDPR:
- You can request information about your personal data processed by us. In particular, this includes information about the purpose of processing, categories of personal data, categories of recipients and planned storage period. You can find an overview of this in your profile settings.
- You can request the correction or completion of the data stored by us. As a rule, you can also correct the data yourself in your profile settings.
- You can request the complete deletion of your personal data processed by us. The easiest way to do this is to use the corresponding function in your profile settings.
- Within the framework of the provisions of the GDPR, you can request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
- You can request the release of your personal data in a machine-readable format and its transfer to another controller.
- You can revoke all consents on which we rely for the processing of your data at any time. The easiest way to do this is in your profile settings.
- If we process your data on the basis of a legitimate interest, you have the right to object to this processing if there are reasons relating to your particular situation that speak against data processing.
If you have any questions or objections regarding data protection and wish to exercise the above rights, please contact community@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.
The supervisory authority responsible for us is:
State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information North Rhine-Westphalia
Postfach 20 04 44
40102 Düsseldorf
Phone: 02 11/384 24-0
Fax: 02 11/384 24-10
Email: poststelle@ldi.nrw.de
Terms of Use
(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