Privacy Statement
The purpose of this privacy statement is to inform which personal data we process in connection with our activities and operations, including our skat-foundation.ch website. We provide information on what personal data we process, for what purpose, how and where. We also inform about rights of persons whose data we process.
For individual or additional activities, further data protection declarations as well as other legal documents such as general terms and conditions (GTC), terms of use or conditions of participation may apply.
We are subject to Swiss data protection law and any applicable foreign data protection law such as, in particular, that of the European Union (EU) with 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:
Skat Foundation
St. Leonhard-Strasse 45
9001 St. Gallen
info@skat-foundation.ch
In individual cases, third parties may be responsible for the processing of personal data or there may be joint responsibility with third parties.
2. Definitions and Legal Bases
2.1 Definitions
Data subject: Natural person about whom we process personal data.
Personal data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
Sensitive personal data: Data concerning trade union, political, religious, or philosophical opinions and activities; data concerning health, privacy, or racial or ethnic origin, genetic data, biometric data uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning criminal or administrative sanctions or prosecutions, and data concerning social assistance measures.
Processing: Any handling of personal data, regardless of the means and procedures used, such as the retrieval, comparison, adaptation, archiving, storage, reading, disclosure, procurement, collection, recording, deletion, disclosure, organization, organization, storage, modification, dissemination, linking, destruction and use of personal data.
2.2 Legal Basis
We process personal data in accordance with Swiss data protection law, in particular the Federal Act on Data Protection (Data Protection Act, DPA) and the Ordinance on Data Protection (Data Protection Ordinance, DPO).
3. Type, Scope and Purpose
We process the personal data required to carry out our activities and operations in a permanent, humane, secure, and reliable manner. The processed personal data may fall into the categories of browser and device data, content data, communication data, metadata, usage data, master data including inventory and contact data, location data, transaction data, contract data, and payment data.
We also process personal data that we receive from third parties, obtain from publicly accessible sources, or collect in the course of our activities and operations, insofar as such processing is permitted for legal reasons.
Where necessary, we process personal data with the consent of the data subjects. In many cases, we may process personal data without consent, for example, to fulfill legal obligations or to protect overriding interests. We may also ask data subjects for their consent if it is not required.
We process personal data for the duration required for the respective purpose. We anonymize or delete personal data depending on statutory retention and limitation periods.
4. Disclosure of Personal Data
We may disclose personal data to third parties, have it processed by third parties, or process it jointly with third parties. Such third parties are, in particular, specialized providers whose services we use.
For example, we may disclose personal data to banks and other financial service providers, public authorities, educational and research institutions, consultants and lawyers, interest groups, IT service providers, cooperation partners, credit and credit agencies, logistics and shipping companies, marketing and advertising agencies, media, organizations and associations, social institutions, telecommunications companies, and insurance companies.
5. Communication
We process personal data to be able to communicate with third parties. In this context, we process data that a data subject transmits when making contact, for example by post or e-mail. We may store such data in an address book or with comparable tools.
Third parties who transmit data about other persons are obliged to guarantee data protection for such data subjects. Among other things, the accuracy of the personal data transmitted must be ensured.
We use selected services from suitable providers to be able to communicate better with third parties.
In particular, we use:
StiftungSchweiz: Donation form and processing. Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy
Brevo: Newsletter and email communication. Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy
6. Applications
We process personal data about applicants to the extent that it is required for assessing their suitability for an employment relationship or for the subsequent execution of an employment contract. The required 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, resumes, and other application documents as well as online profiles.
We may allow applicants to store their details in our talent pool in order to consider them for future vacancies. We may also use such information to maintain contact and provide news. If we believe that an applicant is eligible for a job opening based on the information provided, we may notify the applicant accordingly.
We can publish job advertisements with the help of suitable third parties, for example in electronic and printed media or on job portals and job platforms.
7. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security appropriate to the respective risk. With our measures, we ensure confidentiality, availability, traceability, and integrity of the personal data processed, without being able to guarantee absolute data security.
Access to our website and our other online presence takes place using transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated to HTTPS). Most browsers warn against visiting websites without transport encryption.
Our digital communication – like all digital communication – is subject to mass surveillance without cause or suspicion 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 forces, and other security authorities. Nor can we rule out the possibility that a data subject may be subject to targeted surveillance.
8. 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, to process it or have it processed there.
We may export personal data to all countries and territories on earth and elsewhere in the universe, provided that the local law guarantees 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 – adequate data protection in accordance with the decision of the European Commission.
We may transfer personal data to countries whose law does not ensure adequate data protection, provided that data protection is ensured for other reasons, in particular on the basis of standard data protection clauses or with other appropriate safeguards.
By way of exception, 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. We will be happy to provide data subjects with information about any guarantees or a copy of any guarantees upon request.
9. Rights of the Data Subject
9.1 Data Protection Claims
We grant data subjects all rights in accordance with the applicable data protection law. Data subjects have the following rights:
- 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 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”) and object 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 postpone, restrict, or refuse the exercise of the rights of data subjects within the legally permissible framework. We can inform data subjects of any requirements that must be met to exercise their rights under data protection law. For example, we may refuse to provide information in whole or in part with reference to confidentiality obligations, overriding interests, 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 charge costs for the exercise of rights. We will inform data subjects in advance of any costs.
We are obliged to take appropriate measures to identify data subjects who request information or assert other rights. Data subjects are obliged to cooperate.
9.2 Legal Protection
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). In the case of projects financed by cantons or municipalities in Switzerland, the cantonal data protection commissioners are responsible in some cases.
Data subjects have – if and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – the right to lodge a complaint with a competent European data protection supervisory authority.
10. Use of the Website
10.1 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. In particular, cookies allow us to recognize a browser the next time it visits our website and thus, for example, to measure the reach of our website. However, permanent cookies can also be used for online marketing, for example.
Cookies can be completely or partially deactivated and deleted at any time in the browser settings. Without cookies, our website may no longer be fully available. We actively request – at least if and to the extent necessary – the express consent to the use of cookies.
For cookies that are used to measure success and reach or for advertising, a general objection (“opt-out”) is possible for numerous services via AdChoices (Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada), the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI), YourAd- Choices (Digital Advertising Alliance) or Your Online Choices (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance, EDAA).
10.2 Logging
We may log at least the following information for each access to our website and our other online presence, insofar as this information is transmitted to our digital infrastructure during such access: Date and time including time zone, 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, last website accessed in the same browser window (referrer).
We record such information, which may also constitute personal data, in log files. The information is required to provide our online presence in a permanent, user-friendly, and reliable manner. The information is also required to ensure data security – also by third parties or with the help of third parties.
10.3 Tracking Pixels
We may use tracking pixels on our website. Tracking pixels are also referred to 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. Counting pixels can be used to collect the same information as server log files.
11. Notifications and Messages
We send notifications and messages via email and other communication channels such as instant messaging or SMS.
11.1 Measuring Success and Reach
Notifications and messages may contain web links or tracking pixels that record whether an individual message was opened and which web links were clicked on. Such web links and tracking pixels may also record the use 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 based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients in an effective and user-friendly manner as well as permanently, securely, and reliably.
11.2 Consent and Objection
You must always consent to the use of your e-mail address and your other contact addresses unless the use is permitted for other legal reasons. We may use the “double opt-in” procedure to obtain double confirmation of your consent. In this case, you will receive a message with instructions for double confirmation. We may log the consent obtained, including the IP address and time stamp, for reasons of proof and security.
You can object to receiving notifications and communications such as newsletters at any time. With such an objection, you can at the same time object to the statistical recording of usage for measuring success and reach. Necessary notifications and communications in connection with our activities and operations remain reserved.
11.3 Service Providers for Notifications and Communications
We send notifications and communications using specialized service providers.
We use in particular:
- Brevo: email marketing platform. Provider: Sendinblue SAS. Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy
12. 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 of 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 against the respective platform, which includes, for example, the right to information.
For our social media presence on Facebook, including the so-called Page Insights, we are – if and insofar as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland). Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is part of the Meta companies (including 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 manner.
Further information about the nature, scope and purpose of data processing, information about the rights of data subjects and the contact details of Facebook as well as Facebook’s data protection officer can be found in Facebook’s privacy policy. We have concluded the so-called “Responsible Party Addendum” with Facebook and thus agreed in particular that Facebook is responsible for ensuring the rights of data subjects. For the so-called Page Insights, the corresponding information can be found on the page “Page Insights Information” including “Page Insights Data Information”.
13. Third-Party Services
We use the services of specialized third parties to be able to carry out our activities and operations in a permanent, user-friendly, secure, and reliable manner. Among other things, we can use such services to embed functions and content in our website. In the case of such embedding, the services used record the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of 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, anonymized, or pseudonymized form. This is, for example, performance or usage data in order to be able to offer the respective service.
We use in particular:
- Google services: Provider: Google LLC (USA) / Google Ireland Limited (Ireland) partly for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland; General information on data protection: “Privacy and security principles”, “Information on how Google uses personal data”, privacy policy, “Google is committed to complying with applicable data protection laws”, “Privacy policy for Google products”, “How we use data from websites or apps on or in which our services are used“, “Types of cookies and similar technologies used by Google“, “Advertising” (“Personalized advertising”). in which our services are used”, “Types of cookies and similar technologies that Google uses”, “Advertising that you can control” (“Personalized advertising”).
- Services from Microsoft: Provider: Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (Ireland) for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom / Microsoft Corporation (USA) for users in the rest of the world; General information on data protection: “Data protection at Microsoft”, “Data protection and privacy”, Privacy Policy, “Data and privacy settings”.
13.1 Digital Infrastructure
We use services of specialized third parties to allow us to make use of the necessary digital infrastructure in connection with our activities and operations. These include, for example, hosting and storage services from selected providers.
In particular, we use:
- Hostpoint: Hosting; Service Provider: Hostpoint AG (Switzerland); Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
- WordPress.com: Blog hosting and website builder; Service provider: Automattic Inc (USA) / Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd (Ireland) for users in Europe and elsewhere; Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy
- Brüggli-Admedia: Service Provider: Brüggli Admedia (Switzerland) Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
13.2 Contact Options
We use services from selected providers to better communicate with third parties such as potential as well as existing customers.
Among others, we use:
- 3CX: Business Communication Provider; Provider: 3CX (USA); Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
- dgroups: Global Communication Platform; Service Provider: WA-Research (Switzerland); Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
13.3 Audio and Video Conferencing
We use specialized audio and video conferencing services to communicate online. We can use them, for example, 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 privacy statements and terms of use apply in addition.
Depending on the life situation, we recommend muting the microphone by default when participating in audio or video conferences, as well as blurring the background or fading in a virtual background.
We use in particular:
- Microsoft Teams: platform for audio and video conferencing, among other things; provider: Microsoft; Teams-specific information: Privacy Policy
- Zoom: Video conferencing; provider: Zoom Video Communications Inc. (USA); privacy information: Privacy Statement
13.4 Online Collaboration
We use services of third parties to enable online collaboration. In addition to this privacy policy, any directly visible conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or privacy statements, also apply.
We use, among others:
- Microsoft Teams: platform for online collaboration, among other things; provider: Microsoft; Teams-specific information: Privacy Policy
- Miro: whiteboard platform; provider: RealtimeBoard Inc. (USA); Data Protection Information: Privacy Policy
- Padlet: Platform for productive collaboration; Provider: Wallwisher Inc. DBA Padlet; Data protection information: Privacy Policy
13.5 Social Media Features and Social Media Content
We use third-party services and plugins to embed functions 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:
- Facebook (social plugins): Embedding Facebook functions and Facebook content, for example “Like” or “Share”; Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland) and other Meta companies (including in the USA); Data protection information: Privacy policy.
- LinkedIn Consumer Solutions Platform: Embedding functions and content from LinkedIn, for example with plugins such as the “Share Plugin”; Provider: Microsoft; LinkedIn-specific information: Data protection
13.6 Map Material
We use third-party services to embed maps on our website. In particular, we use:
- Google Maps including Google Maps Platform: Map service; Provider: Google; Google Maps-specific information: “How Google uses location information”
13.7 Digital Audio and Video Content
We use the services of specialized third parties to integrate digital content into our website. Digital content includes image and video material, music and podcasts.
In particular, we use
- Vimeo: Video platform; Service provider: Vimeo Inc. (USA); Privacy policy: Data protection declaration, “Private video hosting”.
- YouTube: Video platform; Service provider: Google; YouTube-specific information: “Privacy and Security Center”, “My data on YouTube”.
13.8 Documents
We use third-party services to integrate documents into our website. Such documents may include PDF files, presentations, tables and text documents. We can thus enable not only the viewing, but also the editing or commenting of such documents.
In particular, we use:
- Canva: Digital documents; Provider: Canva Pty Ltd (Australia); Data protection information: Privacy Policy
- Yumpu: Digital documents and electronic publications; Service provider: i-Magazine AG (Switzerland); Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy
- Microsoft 365: Text documents, presentations and tables; Provider: Microsoft; Microsoft 365-specific information: Data Protection
13.9 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.
We use in particular:
- Bexio: expense and payment management platform; Provider: bexio AG (Switzerland); Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
- SGKB: online banking service; Provider: St. Galler Kantonalbank (Switzerland); Information on Data Protection: Privacy Policy
14. Extensions for the Website
We use extensions for our website to be able to use additional functions. We may use selected services from suitable providers or use such extensions on our own digital infrastructure.
In particular, we use:
- Google reCAPTCHA: Spam protection (differentiation between desired content from humans and unwanted content from bots and spam); Service provider: Google; Google reCAPTCHA-specific information: “What is reCAPTCHA?”.
15. Success and Reach Measurement
We try to measure the success and reach of our activities and operations. In this context, we can also measure the effect of third-party references or check how different parts or versions of our online offering are used (“A/B test” method). Based on the results of the success and reach measurement, we can correct errors, strengthen popular content or make improvements.
In most cases, the IP addresses of individual users are recorded to measure success and reach. In this case, IP addresses are generally shortened (“IP masking”) to comply with the principle of data minimization through the corresponding pseudonymization.
Cookies may be used to measure success and reach, 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 pseudonymized form and are not used to identify individual users. Individual third-party services with which users are registered may be able to assign the use of our online offer to the user account or user profile of the respective service.
In particular, we use:
- Google Marketing Platform: Performance and reach measurement, in particular with Google Analytics; Service provider: Google; Google Marketing Platform-specific data: Measurement also across different browsers and devices (cross-device tracking) with pseudonymized IP addresses, which are only transmitted in full to Google in the USA in exceptional cases, privacy policy for Google Analytics, “Browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics”.
- Google Tag Manager: Integration and management of Google and third-party services, for performance and reach measurement; Service provider: Google; Google Tag Manager-specific information: Privacy policy for Google Tag Manager; further information on data protection can be found in the individual integrated and managed services.
16. 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.