Glossary

Data Privacy Policy

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

Below you will find information about,

  • who you can contact at GIZ on the subject of data protection.
  • what data is processed when you visit the website.
  • what data is processed when you contact us, subscribe to newsletters or press releases or use other GIZ online services.
  • what possibilities there are to object to the storage of the data.
  • what rights you have with respect to us.

1. Controller and Data Protection Officer

The responsible body for data processing is the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

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

Contact:
sekretariat@d-eiti.de

If you have specific questions about the protection of your data, please contact GIZ’s data protection officer: datenschutzbeauftragte@giz.de

2. Information about the collection of personal data

2.1 General

GIZ processes personal data exclusively in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG).

Personal data are, for example, name, address, e-mail addresses and user behavior.

Personal data will only be processed by GIZ to the extent necessary. Which data is required and processed for what purpose and on what basis depends largely on the type of service you use, or on the purpose for which the data is required.

2.2 Collection of personal data when using visiting our website

No personal data is currently collected.

2.3 Cookies

When you visit our website, small text files, so-called 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 in which the page is displayed is closed (so-called temporary cookies or session cookies). This type of cookie makes it possible to assign different requests from a browser to a session and to recognize the browser when you visit the website again (session ID).

2.4 Analysis service Matomo (user analysis)

To analyze usage data on its website, GIZ uses the Matomo web analysis service operated by InnoCraft Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand. Data is stored and evaluated completely anonymously.

The data generated with Matomo is processed and stored by Matomo on behalf of GIZ in New Zealand only.

Further information on data protection at Matomo can be found here Matomo Cloud Privacy Policy – Matomo Analytics

Further information on user analysis

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).

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.

Further 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. Microsoft Edge, 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 will be processed in order to be able to respond to the enquiry. The following contact options are available:

  • contact form
  • e-mail
  • telephone

3.1 Contact form

On our website, a form offers the possibility to contact us electronically. When using the contact form, surname, first name, e-mail address, as well as any information provided by the e-mail address. Your postal address and other personal data provided in the request will be processed. The indication of the postal address is optional and, if desired, enables the request to be answered by post. The processing is carried out on the basis of consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and for the purpose of processing your request.

By activating the checkbox and submitting the contact form, the user agrees to the transmission and storage of his/her personal data. Filling out the contact form can be cancelled at any time. The data will only be transmitted by submitting the form.

The data is transmitted to GIZ via an SSL-encrypted connection.

3.2 Contact by e-mail

Alternatively, it is possible to contact GIZ via the e-mail 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.

3.3 Contact by telephone

If you contact us by telephone, personal data will be processed to the extent necessary in order to handle your request.

The legal basis for the processing of data transmitted in the course of a telephone call is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR.

4. Processing of personal data in connection with social network use

On its website, GIZ offers the opportunity to visit company presences on social networks and platforms such as LinkedIn and X (ex-Twitter).

These online presences are operated in order to interact with the users active on these sites and platforms and to provide information 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 and its further use by the operators of the social networks. 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.

When you access a GIZ presence on social media, the terms of use and the data protection declarations of the respective operators apply. Click here for the contact addresses and links to the privacy policies of the social media in which GIZ operates.

Social media with GIZ appeareances

  • The privacy policy for the social network LinkedIn, which is operated by LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, can be viewed at https://de.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy?trk=%7Berror-page%7D-privacy-policy
  • The privacy policy for the social network X (Twitter), which is operated by Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA, can be viewed at https://twitter.com/de/privacy;

5. 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.

6. Transfer of data to third countries

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

7. 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.

8. IT security of user data

The protection of personal data is an important concern for GIZ. Therefore, technical and organizational security measures ensure that the data is protected against accidental and intentional manipulation, unintended erasure and unauthorized access. These measures are updated according with the technical developments and are constantly adapted in line with the risks.

9. Reference to user rights

Visitors to the GIZ website have the right to

  • Access to information about your data stored by us (Art. 15 GDPR),
  • Rectification of your data stored by us (Art. 16 GDPR),
  • Erasure of your data stored by us (Art. 17 GDPR),
  • Restriction of the processing of your data stored by us (Art. 18 GDPR),
  • Object to the storage of your data, provided that this data is processed based on Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) and e) GDPR (Art. 21 GDPR),
  • receive the data concerning you in a commonly used and machine-readable format from the controller in order to have it transmitted to another controller if necessary (right to data portability, Art. 20 GDPR),
  • withdraw your consent, provided that the processing of the data has been carried out on the basis of consent (Art. 6 para. 1 a) GDPR). The lawfulness of the processing based on the consent given remains unaffected until the reception of the withdrawal.

Furthermore, and in accordance with Art. 77 GDPR, you have the right 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).