Data Privacy policy

This privacy policy informs you about the personal data we process in connection with our activities and operations, including our www.kongresshaus.ch website. In particular, we provide information on what we process personal data for, how we process it, and where we process it. We also provide information about the rights of people whose data we process.

Further data privacy policies and other legal documents such as General Terms and Conditions (GTC), terms of use, or conditions of participation may apply to individual or additional activities and operations.

We are subject to Swiss data protection law and any applicable foreign data protection legislation, in particular that of the European Union (EU) via the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The European Commission recognizes that Swiss data protection law ensures adequate data protection.

1. Contact addresses

Responsibility for the processing of personal data:

Kongresshaus Zürich AG
Zurich Convention Center Ltd.
Gotthardstrasse 5
CH-8002 Zürich

datenschutz@kongresshaus.ch

We will indicate if any other people are responsible for processing personal data in individual cases.

Data protection representation within the European Economic Area (EEA)

We have the following data protection representation pursuant to Art. 27 GDPR:

VGS Datenschutzpartner UG
Am Kaiserkai 69
20457 Hamburg
Germany

info@datenschutzpartner.eu

The data protection representation serves as an additional point of contact for supervisory authorities and data subjects in the European Union (EU) and the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA) for enquiries in connection with the GDPR.

2. Terms and legal bases

2.1 Terms

Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable person. A data subject is a person about whom personal data is processed.

Processing includes any handling of personal data, irrespective of the means and procedures used, such as the retrieval, comparison, adaptation, archiving, retention, sorting, publication, procurement, recording, collection, deletion, disclosure, arrangement, organization, storage, modification, dissemination, linking, destruction and utilization of personal data.

The European Economic Area (EEA) comprises the Member states of the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland, Norway, and the Principality of Liechtenstein. The GDPR refers to the processing of personal data as “the processing of personal data”.

2.2 Legal bases

We process personal data in accordance with Swiss data protection law, in particular the Federal Data Protection Act and the Ordinance to the Federal Data Protection Act.

Insofar as the GDPR applies, we process personal data in accordance with at least one of the following legal bases:

  • Art. 6 para. 1b GDPR: For the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Art. 6 para. 1f GDPR: For the necessary processing of personal data to protect the legitimate interests of ourselves or third parties, unless the fundamental freedoms and rights and interests of the data subject prevail. Legitimate interests are, in particular, our interest in being able to carry out our activities and operations in a sustainable, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner, as well as to communicate about them; the guaranteeing of data security; protection against misuse; the enforcement of our own legal claims; and compliance with Swiss law.
  • Art. 6 para. 1c GDPR: 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. 1e GDPR: For the necessary processing of personal data for the performance of a task that is in the public interest.
  • Art. 6 para. 1a GDPR: For the processing of personal data with the consent of the data subject.
  • Art. 6 para.1d GDPR: For the necessary processing of personal data to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person.

3. Nature, scope and purpose

We process the personal data that is 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, as well as contract and payment data.

We process personal data for the period of time required for the respective purpose(s) or as required by law. Personal data whose processing is no longer required is anonymized 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, specialized providers whose services we use. We also guarantee data privacy for such third parties.

In principle, we only process personal data with the consent of the data subject unless the processing is permitted for other legal reasons. For example, we may process personal data without consent in order to fulfil a contract, to comply with legal obligations, or to protect overriding legitimate interests.

In this context, we particularly process information that a data subject voluntarily and personally provides when contacting us (for example, by letter, email, instant messaging, contact form, social media or telephone) or when registering for a user account. For example, we may store such information in an address book, a Customer Relationship Management System (CRM system), or with the aid of comparable tools. If we receive data about other persons, the people who pass it on are obliged to ensure data privacy with respect to such persons and to ensure the accuracy of such personal data.

Insofar as such processing is permitted for legal reasons, 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.

4. Applications

We process the personal data of applicants insofar as it is needed to estimate their suitability for employment or the subsequent performance of an employment contract. In particular, the personal data that is needed results from any information that has been requested, for example in the context of a job advertisement. We also process any personal data that applicants voluntarily provide or publish, especially as part of a covering letter, CV, and/or other application documents as well as online profiles.

Insofar as the GDPR applies, we particularly process applicants’ personal data in accordance with Art. 9 para. 2b GDPR.

We use third party services to advertise jobs via e-recruitment and to facilitate and manage applications.

5. Personal data abroad

In principle, 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 any country and territory in the world or elsewhere in the universe, provided that the law there guarantees adequate data protection in accordance the ruling of the Swiss Federal Council and – insofar as the GDPR applies - in accordance with the ruling 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 suitable guarantees. Exceptionally, we may export personal data to countries without adequate or appropriate data protection if the special data protection requirements are met: for example, the express consent of the data subjects or a direct connection with the conclusion or performance of a contract. Upon request, we will be happy to provide data subjects with information about any guarantees or a copy of any guarantees.

6. Rights of data subjects

6.1 Rights according to data protection law

We grant data subjects all rights in accordance with the applicable data protection law. Data subjects have the following rights in particular:

  • Information: Data subjects may 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 required 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 the processing, the duration of storage, any disclosure or export of data to other countries, and the origin of the personal data.
    • Correction and limitation: Data subjects can require incorrect personal data to be corrected, incomplete data to be completed, and the processing of their data to be limited.
    • Deletion and objection: Data subjects can require their personal data to be deleted (‘Right to be forgotten’) and can object to their data being processed in the future.
    • Data release and portability: Data subjects can request that their personal data be released to them or transferred to another data controller.

To the extent permitted by law, we may suspend, restrict or refuse the exercising of data subjects' rights. We can indicate to data subjects any requirements they may have to meet in order to exercise their rights under data protection law. For example, we may refuse to provide information in whole or in part by citing business secrecy or the protection of other persons. We may also, for example, refuse to delete personal data in whole or in part by citing statutory retention obligations.

In exceptional circumstances we may stipulate costs for the exercising of rights. We will inform data subjects of any costs in advance.

We are obliged to take appropriate measures to identify data subjects who request information or assert other rights. Data subjects are obligated to cooperate.

6.2 Right to complain

Data subjects are entitled to enforce their data protection rights by legal means or to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority.

The data protection supervisory authority for private controllers and federal bodies in Switzerland is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner.

Insofar as the GDPR applies, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with an appropriate European Data Protection Supervisory Board.

7. Data security

We take suitable technical and organizational 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 (TLS/SSL), in particular via Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). Most browsers indicate transport encryption with a padlock in the address bar.

Like all digital communication in principle, our digital communication is subject to mass surveillance without any reason or cause for suspicion, as well as other surveillance by security authorities in Switzerland, the rest of Europe, the United States of America, 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 or “first-party” cookies) as well as cookies from third parties whose services we use (third-party cookies) are data stored in the browser. Such 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, whereas permanent cookies are stored for a specific period. In particular, cookies make it possible to recognize a browser the next time the website is visited and thus, for example, measure our website’s reach. However, permanent cookies can also (for example) be used for online marketing.

Cookies can be completely or partially deactivated and deleted in the browser settings at any time. However, without cookies our website may no longer be fully available. Insofar as it is necessary, we actively request your express consent to the use of cookies.

In the case of cookies that are used to measure success and reach or for advertising purposes, a general objection (“opt-out”) is possible for numerous services via AdChoices (Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada), the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), YourAdChoices (Digital Advertising Alliance) or Your Online Choices (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance).

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 pixels

We may use tracking pixels (also known as web beacons) on our website. Tracking pixels (also from third parties whose services we use) are small, usually invisible images that are automatically retrieved when you visit our website. Tracking pixels can collect the same information as in server log files.

9.Notifications and messages

We send notifications and messages via email and 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 was opened and which web links were clicked. Such web links and tracking pixels may also record the use of notifications and messages 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

In principle, you must expressly consent to the use of your email address and other contact addresses unless the use is permitted for other legal reasons. If possible, we will use the "double opt-in" procedure for any consent, i.e. you will receive an email with a web link that you must click to confirm so that no misuse by unauthorized third parties can take place. For evidence and security reasons, we may log such consents including Internet Protocol (IP) address, date and time.

In principle, you can at any time object to receiving notifications and communications such as newsletters. By making such an objection, you can at the same time object to the statistical recording of usage for performance and reach measurement. This does not apply to notifications and communications that are required in the context of our activities and operations.

9.3 Service providers for notifications and messages

We send notifications and messages with the help of specialized service providers.

In particular, we use:

10. Social media

We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms in order to communicate with interested people and inform them 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 privacy policies and other provisions of the individual operators of such platforms shall also apply in each case. In particular, these provisions provide information about the specific rights of data subjects with regard to the respective platform. For example, this includes the right to information.

Insofar as the GDPR applies, we are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for our social media presence on Facebook, including so-called Page Insights. Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is part of the Meta Companies (including those in the USA). Page Insights provide information about how visitors interact with our Facebook presence. We use Page Insights to provide our social media presence on Facebook in an effective and user-friendly way.

Further information on the type, scope and purpose of data processing, information on the rights of data subjects, and contact details for Facebook as well as Facebook's Data Protection Officer can be found in Facebook’s Privacy Policy. We have agreed the so-called Controller Addendum with Facebook, and thus agreed in particular that Facebook is responsible for ensuring the rights of data subjects. The corresponding information for Page Insights can be found in Information about Page Insights including Information about Page Insights Data.

11. Third party services

We use the services of specialized third parties in order to carry out our activities and operations in a permanent, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. Amongst other things, such services enable us to embed functions and content in our website. If this sort of embedding occurs, the services used record users’ Internet Protocol (IP) addresses at least temporarily and for technically compelling reasons.

For any necessary security-related, statistical and technical purposes, third parties whose services we use may process data related to our activities and operations in an aggregated, anonymized or pseudonymized manner. For example, this is performance or usage data so we can offer the respective service.
In particular, we use:

11.1 Digital infrastructure

We use the services of specialized third parties to provide the digital infrastructure required in connection with our activities and operations. For example, these include hosting and storage services from selected providers.

11.2 Contact options

We use the services of selected providers in order to optimize communication with third parties such as potential and existing customers.

11.3 Scheduling

We use the services of specialized third parties to make appointments online, for example for meetings. In addition to this Privacy Policy, any immediately visible conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or privacy policies, shall also apply.

In particular, we use:

11.4 Social media functions and content

We use third-party services and plugins to embed features and content from social media platforms and to enable the sharing of content on social media platforms and in other ways.

In particular, we use:

11.5 Map material

We use third party services to embed maps on our website.

In particular, we use:

11.6 Digital audio and video content

We use services from specialized third parties to enable the direct playback of digital audio and video content such as music or podcasts.

In particular, we use:

11.7 Advertising

We use the opportunity to display targeted advertising for our activities and operations on third parties such as social media platforms and search engines.

In particular, we would like to use such advertising 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 that enable such advertising. We may 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 can, if necessary, assign the use of our online offer to your profile there.

In particular, we use:

12. Extensions for the website

We use extensions for our website in order to be able to use additional functions.

In particular, we use:

13. Success and reach measurement

We try to ascertain how our online offering is used. In this context, we may (for example) measure the success and reach of our activities and operations and the impact of third-party links to our website. However, we can also (for example) test and compare how different versions of our online offering or parts thereof are used (A/B test method). Based on the results of this success and reach measurement, we can in particular eradicate errors, strengthen popular content, or make improvements to our online offering.

When using services and programmes for success and reach measurement, the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of individual users are in most cases stored. If this is so, IP addresses are in principle shortened ("IP masking") in order to follow the principle of data economy through corresponding pseudonymization.

When using services and programmes for success and reach measurement, cookies may be used and user profiles may be created. These user profiles include (for example) pages visited or content viewed on our website, information on the size of the screen or browser window, and the (at least approximate) location. As a matter of principle, user profiles are only created pseudonymously and are not used to identify individual users. Individual services of third parties with which users are registered can, if necessary, assign the use of our online services to the user account or user profile of the respective service.

In particular, we use:

14. Final provisions

We have used the data protection generator of Datenschutzpartner to create this data privacy policy.

We can adapt and supplement this policy at any time. We will inform you about such adjustments and additions in an appropriate form, in particular by publishing the respective current data privacy policy on our website.