Privacy Policy
With this privacy policy we inform you which personal data we process in connection with our activities and operations, including our efzh.org website. In particular, we provide information on what personal data we process, for what purpose, how and where. We also provide information about the rights of persons whose data we process.
Individual or additional activities and operations may be subject to further data protection declarations as well as other legal documents such as general terms and conditions (GTC), terms of use or conditions of participation.
We are subject to Swiss data protection law and any applicable foreign data protection law, in particular that of the European Union (EU) with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The European Commission recognises that Swiss data protection law ensures adequate data protection.
Last updated: 30.01.2024
1. Contact addresses
Responsibility for the processing of personal data:
Excellence Foundation Zurich
for Economic and Social Research
Schoenberggasse 1
8001 Zurich
Switzerlandcontact@efzh.org
We point out if there are other persons responsible for processing personal data in individual cases.
We also evaluate the behavior of visitors to our website. The data is analyzed statistically and is never used to observe or identify individuals. The knowledge gained helps us to optimize our online presence for the benefit of users.
2. Terms and legal bases
2.1 Terms
Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. A data subject is a person about whom we process personal data.
Processing includes any handling of personal data, irrespective of the means and procedures used, such as querying, matching, adapting, archiving, storing, reading out, disclosing, procuring, recording, collecting, deleting, disclosing, arranging, organising, storing, modifying, disseminating, linking, destroying and using personal data.
2.2 Legal basis
We process personal data in accordance with Swiss data protection law such as, in particular, the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA) and the Ordinance on Data Protection (DPO).
We process - if and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable - personal data in accordance with at least one of the following legal bases:
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO for the processing of personal data with the consent of the data subject.
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b DSGVO for the necessary processing of personal data for the fulfilment of a contract with the data subject as well as for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c DSGVO for the necessary processing of personal data to comply with a legal obligation to which we are subject under any applicable law of Member States in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d DSGVO for the necessary processing of personal data to protect vital interests of the data subject or another natural person.
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e DSGVO for the necessary processing of personal data for the performance of a task that is in the public interest.
Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO for the necessary processing of personal data in order to protect the legitimate interests of us or of third parties, unless the fundamental freedoms and rights and interests of the data subject prevail. Legitimate interests include, in particular, our interest in being able to carry out and communicate about our activities and operations in a permanent, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner, ensuring information security, protecting against misuse, enforcing our own legal claims and complying with Swiss law.
3. Nature, scope and purpose
We process those personal data that are necessary to be able to carry out our activities and operations in a permanent, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. Such personal data may in particular fall into the categories of inventory and contact data, browser and device data, content data, meta or marginal data and usage data, location data, sales data and contract and payment data.
We process personal data for the duration that is required for the respective purpose(s) or by law. Personal data whose processing is no longer required is anonymised or deleted.
We may have personal data processed by third parties. We may process personal data jointly with third parties or transmit it to third parties. Such third parties are, in particular, specialised providers whose services we use. We also guarantee data protection for such third parties.
We only process personal data with the consent of the data subject, unless the processing is permitted for other legal reasons. Processing without consent may be permissible, for example, for the performance of a contract with the data subject and for corresponding pre-contractual measures, in order to protect our overriding legitimate interests, because the processing is evident from the circumstances or after prior information.
In this context, we process in particular information that a data subject voluntarily provides to us when contacting us - for example, by letter, email, instant messaging, contact form, social media or telephone - or when registering for a user account. We may store such information, for example, in an address book, in a customer relationship management system (CRM system) or with comparable tools. If we receive data about other persons, the transmitting persons are obliged to ensure data protection vis-à-vis these persons and to ensure the accuracy of this personal data.
We also process personal data that we receive from third parties, obtain from publicly available sources or collect in the course of our activities and operations, if and to the extent that such processing is permitted for legal reasons.
4. Applications
We process personal data about applicants to the extent that it is necessary for assessing their suitability for an employment relationship or for the subsequent implementation of an employment contract. The necessary personal data results in particular from the information requested, for example in the context of a job advertisement. We also process personal data that applicants voluntarily provide or publish, in particular as part of cover letters, CVs and other application documents as well as online profiles.
5. Personal data abroad
We process personal data in Switzerland and in the European Economic Area (EEA). However, we may also export or transfer personal data to other countries, in particular in order to process it or have it processed there.
We may export personal data to all states and territories on earth as well as elsewhere in the universe, provided that the law there ensures adequate data protection in accordance with the decision of the Swiss Federal Council and - if and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable - in accordance with the decision of the European Commission.
We may transfer personal data to countries whose law does not guarantee adequate data protection, provided that data protection is guaranteed for other reasons, in particular on the basis of standard data protection clauses or with other appropriate guarantees. By way of exception, we may export personal data to countries without adequate or appropriate data protection if the special data protection law requirements are met, for example the express consent of the data subjects or a direct connection with the conclusion or performance of a contract. We will be happy to provide data subjects with information on any guarantees or a copy of any guarantees on request.
6. Rights of data subjects
6.1 Data protection claims
We grant data subjects all rights under applicable data protection law. In particular, data subjects have the following rights:
Information: Data subjects can request information as to whether we process personal data about them and, if so, what personal data is involved. Data subjects also receive the information necessary to assert their data protection rights and to ensure transparency. This includes the personal data processed as such, but also, among other things, information on the purpose of processing, the duration of storage, any disclosure or export of data to other countries and the origin of the personal data.
Correction and restriction: Data subjects can have incorrect personal data corrected, incomplete data completed and the processing of their data restricted.
Deletion and objection: Data subjects can have personal data deleted (“right to be forgotten”) andobject to the processing of their data with effect for the future.
Data release and data transfer: Data subjects may request the surrender of personal data or the transfer of their data to another data controller.
We may suspend, restrict or refuse the exercise of the rights of data subjects to the extent permitted by law. We can draw the attention of data subjects to any requirements that must be met in order to exercise their rights under data protection law. For example, we may refuse to provide information in whole or in part with reference to business secrets or the protection of other persons. We may also, for example, refuse to delete personal data in whole or in part with reference to statutory retention obligations.
We may exceptionally provide for costs for the exercise of rights. We inform affected persons in advance of any costs.
We are obliged to take reasonable steps to identify data subjects who request information or assert other rights. Data subjects are obliged to cooperate.
6.2 Right to complain
Data subjects have the right to enforce their data protection claims through legal channels or to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority.
The data protection supervisory authority for private data controllers and federal bodies in Switzerland is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).
7. Data security
We take suitable technical and organisational measures to ensure data security appropriate to the respective risk. However, we cannot guarantee absolute data security.
Access to our website is via transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated HTTPS). Most browsers indicate transport encryption with a padlock in the address bar.
Our digital communication is subject - like all digital communication in principle - to mass surveillance without cause or suspicion and other monitoring by security authorities in Switzerland, the rest of Europe, the United States of America (USA) and other countries. We cannot directly influence the corresponding processing of personal data by secret services, police agencies and other security authorities.
8. Use of the website
8.1 Cookies
We may use cookies. Cookies - our own cookies (first-party cookies) as well as cookies from third parties whose services we use (third-party cookies) - are data that are stored in the browser. Such stored data need not be limited to traditional cookies in text form.
Cookies can be stored in the browser temporarily as “session cookies” or for a certain period of time as so-called permanent cookies. “Session cookies” are automatically deleted when the browser is closed. Permanent cookies have a specific storage period. Cookies make it possible in particular to recognise a browser the next time it visits our website and thus, for example, to measure the reach of our website. Permanent cookies can also be used for online marketing, for example.
Cookies can be completely or partially deactivated and deleted in the browser settings at any time. Without cookies, our website may no longer be fully available. We actively request your express consent to the use of cookies - at least if and to the extent necessary.
8.2 Server log files
We may collect the following information for each access to our website, provided that this information is transmitted by your browser to our server infrastructure or can be determined by our web server: Date and time including time zone, Internet Protocol (IP) address, access status (HTTP status code), operating system including user interface and version, browser including language and version, individual sub-page of our website accessed including amount of data transferred, website last accessed in the same browser window (referer or referrer).
We store such information, which may also constitute personal data, in server log files. The information is required to provide our website in a permanent, user-friendly and reliable manner and to ensure data security and thus in particular the protection of personal data - also by third parties or with the help of third parties.
8.3 Tracking pixel
We may use tracking pixels on our website. Tracking pixels are also known as web beacons. Tracking pixels - also from third parties whose services we use - are small, usually invisible images that are automatically retrieved when you visit our website. Pixel counters can be used to collect the same information as server log files.
9. Notifications and messages
We send notifications and communications by email and through other communication channels such as instant messaging or SMS.
9.1 Success and reach measurement
Notifications and messages may contain web links or tracking pixels that record whether an individual message has been opened and which web links have been clicked on. Such web links and tracking pixels may also track usage of notifications and communications on a personal basis. We need this statistical recording of usage for performance and reach measurement in order to be able to send notifications and messages effectively and in a user-friendly manner based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients, as well as permanently, securely and reliably.
9.2 Consent and objection
As a matter of principle, you must expressly consent to the use of your e-mail address and other contact addresses, unless such use is permitted for other legal reasons. For any consent, we use the “double opt-in” procedure where possible, i.e. you receive an e-mail with a web link that you must click to confirm so that no misuse by unauthorised third parties can take place. We may log such consents including Internet Protocol (IP) address, date and time for evidence and security reasons.
In principle, you can object to receiving notifications and communications such as newsletters at any time. With such an objection, you can simultaneously object to the statistical recording of use for performance and reach measurement. Necessary notifications and communications in connection with our activities and operations remain reserved.
9.3 Service provider for notifications and messages
We send notifications and messages with the help of specialised service providers.
10. Social media
We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms in order to communicate with interested persons and to provide information about our activities and operations. In connection with such platforms, personal data may also be processed outside Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA).
The General Terms and Conditions (GTC) and Terms of Use as well as data protection declarations and other provisions of the individual operators of such platforms also apply in each case. These provisions inform in particular about the rights of data subjects directly vis-à-vis the respective platform, which includes, for example, the right to information.
11. Services from third parties
We use services provided by specialised third parties in order to carry out our activities and operations in a durable, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. With such services, we can, among other things, embed functions and content in our website. In the case of such embedding, the services used record the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the users at least temporarily for technically compelling reasons.
For necessary security-related, statistical and technical purposes, third parties whose services we use may process data in connection with our activities and operations in aggregated, anonymised or pseudonymised form. This is, for example, performance or usage data in order to be able to offer the respective service.
11.1 Digital infrastructure
We use services from specialised third parties to provide us with the digital infrastructure we need in connection with our activities and operations. These include, for example, hosting and storage services from selected providers.
11.2 Contact options
We use services from selected providers to better communicate with third parties such as potential and existing customers.
11.3 Scheduling
We use the services of specialised third parties to make appointments online, for example for meetings. In addition to this data protection declaration, any directly visible conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or data protection declarations, also apply.
11.4 Audio and Video Conferences
We use specialised audio and video conferencing services to communicate online. For example, we can use them to hold virtual meetings or conduct online lessons and webinars. For participation in audio and video conferences, the legal texts of the individual services such as data protection declarations and terms of use apply in addition.
11.5 Online collaboration
We use the services of third parties to enable online collaboration. In addition to this data protection declaration, any directly visible conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or data protection declarations, also apply.
11.6 Digital audio and video content
We use services from specialised third parties to enable the direct playback of digital audio and video content such as music or podcasts.
11.7 Documents
We use third party services to enable us to embed documents on our website. Such documents may include, for example, forms, PDF files, presentations, tables and text documents. We can thus enable not only viewing, but also editing or commenting on such documents.
11.8 Fonts
We use third-party services to embed selected fonts as well as icons, logos and symbols on our website.
11.9 Payments
We use specialised service providers to process our customers’ payments securely and reliably. The legal texts of the individual service providers, such as the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) or data protection declarations, also apply to the processing of payments.
11.10 Advertising
We use the option of displaying targeted advertisements for our activities and operations on third parties such as social media platforms and search engines.
We would like to use such advertising in particular to reach people who are already interested in our activities and operations or who might be interested in them (remarketing and targeting). For this purpose, we may transmit corresponding - possibly also personal - information to third parties who enable such advertising. We can also determine whether our advertising is successful, i.e. in particular whether it leads to visits to our website (conversion tracking).
Third parties with whom we advertise and where you are registered as a user may be able to assign the use of our online services to your profile there.
12. Success and reach measurement
We try to determine how our online offer is used. In this context, we can, for example, measure the success and reach of our activities and operations as well as the effect of third-party links to our website. But we can also, for example, try out and compare how different parts or versions of our online offer are used (“A/B test” method). Based on the results of the success and reach measurement, we can in particular correct errors, strengthen popular content or make improvements to our online offer.
In most cases, the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of individual users are stored for performance and reach measurement. In this case, IP addresses are always shortened (“IP masking”) in order to follow the principle of data economy through the corresponding pseudonymisation.
Cookies may be used for performance and reach measurement and user profiles may be created. Any user profiles created include, for example, the individual pages visited or content viewed on our website, information on the size of the screen or browser window and the - at least approximate - location. In principle, any user profiles are created exclusively in pseudonymised form and are not used to identify individual users. Individual services of third parties with which users are registered may be able to assign the use of our online services to the user account or user profile of the respective service.
13. Final provisions
We can adapt and supplement this data protection declaration at any time. We will inform about such adjustments and additions in an appropriate form, in particular by publishing the respective current data protection declaration on our website.
This privacy policy is a machine translation from German.