Data privacy policy
This is a translation of the original Data Privacy Policy in German, which prevails.
This Data Privacy Policy informs you about the processing
of personal data in connection with our activities, including our website under the domain name
We may publish additional data privacy policies or other information on data privacy for individual or additional activities.
We are subject to Swiss law and, where applicable, foreign law, in particular that of the European Union (EU) with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The European Commission recognized with its decision of July 26, 2000, that Swiss data protection law ensures an adequate level of data protection. [cite: 110, 111] In its report of January 15, 2024, the European Commission confirmed this adequacy decision.
1. Contact Addresses
The party responsible for data protection is:
Meteotest AG
Meteotest AG
Fabrikstrasse 14
3012 Bern
Switzerland
In individual cases, third parties may be responsible for the processing of personal data, or there may be joint responsibility with third parties. [cite: 112, 113] We will gladly provide information about the respective responsibility to data subjects upon request.
1.1 Data Protection Officer or Data Protection Advisor
We have appointed the following data protection officer or data protection advisor as the point of contact for data subjects and authorities regarding inquiries related to data protection:
Beat Schaffner
Meteotest AG
Fabrikstrasse 14
3012 Bern
Switzerland
1.2 Data Protection Representative in the European Economic Area (EEA)
We have appointed the following data protection representative in accordance with Art. 27 GDPR:
VGS Datenschutzpartner GmbH
Am Kaiserkai 69
20457 Hamburg
Germany
The data protection representative serves as an additional point of contact for data subjects and authorities in the European Union (EU) and the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA) for inquiries related to the GDPR.
2. Terms and Legal Bases
2.1 Terms
Data Subject: A natural person about whom we process personal data.
Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
Particularly Sensitive Personal Data: Data concerning trade union, political, religious, or ideological views and activities, data concerning health, private life, or racial or ethnic origin, genetic data, biometric data uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning criminal or administrative sanctions or proceedings, and data concerning measures of social assistance.
Processing: Any handling of personal data, regardless of the means and procedures used, such as querying, comparing, adapting, archiving, storing, reading out, disclosing, procuring, collecting, recording, deleting, [cite: 114, 115, 116] publishing, sorting, organizing, saving, modifying, disseminating, linking, destroying, and using personal data.
European Economic Area (EEA): Member states of the European Union (EU) as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway.
2.2 Legal Bases
We process personal data in accordance with Swiss law, in particular the Federal Act on Data Protection (Data Protection Act, FADP) and the Ordinance on Data Protection (Data Protection Ordinance, DPO).
We process personal data – if and to the extent that the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – in accordance with at least one of the following legal bases:
- Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject and for carrying out pre-contractual measures.
- Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary to protect legitimate interests – including the legitimate interests of third parties – unless the fundamental rights and freedoms and interests of the data subject override such interests. [cite: 116, 117, 118] Such interests include, in particular, the sustainable, user-friendly, secure, and reliable exercise of our activities, the guarantee of information security, protection against misuse, the enforcement of our own legal claims, and compliance with Swiss law.
- Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which we are subject under any applicable law of member states in the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Art. 6(1)(e) GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.
- Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR for the processing of personal [cite: 118, 119] data with the consent of the data subject.
- Art. 6(1)(d) GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person.
- Art. 9(2) ff. [cite: 119, 120] GDPR for the processing of special categories of personal data, in particular with the consent of the data subjects.
The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) refers to the processing of personal data as "processing of personal data" and the processing of particularly sensitive personal data as "processing of special categories of personal data" (Art. 9 GDPR).
3. Nature, Scope, and Purpose of Processing Personal Data
We process the personal data that is necessary to exercise our activities sustainably, in a user-friendly, secure, and reliable manner. [cite: 120, 121, 122] 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. [cite: 122, 123] The personal data may also constitute particularly sensitive personal 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, insofar as such processing is permitted.
We process personal data as far as necessary with the consent of the data subjects. [cite: 123, 124, 125] In many cases, we can process personal data without consent, for example, to fulfill legal obligations or to protect overriding interests. [cite: 125, 126] We may also ask data subjects for their consent if their consent is not required.
We process personal data for the duration necessary for the respective purpose. [cite: 126, 127] We anonymize or delete personal data, in particular, depending on legal 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. [cite: 127, 128] Such third parties include, in particular, specialized providers whose services we use.
We may disclose personal data, for example, to banks and other financial service providers, authorities, educational and research institutions, consultants and lawyers, interest groups, IT service providers, cooperation partners, credit agencies and credit bureaus, logistics and shipping companies, marketing and advertising agencies, media, organizations and associations, social institutions, telecommunications companies, insurance companies, and payment service providers.
5. Communication
We process personal data to communicate with individuals as well as with authorities, organizations, and companies. [cite: 128, 129, 130, 131] In doing so, we process in particular data that a data subject transmits to us when making contact, for example, by postal mail or email. [cite: 131, 132] We may store such data in an address book or with comparable tools.
Third parties who transmit data about other individuals to us are obliged to independently ensure the data protection of these data subjects. [cite: 132, 133] In particular, they must ensure that such data is correct and may be transmitted.
We use selected services from suitable providers to enable and improve communication with individuals and other communication partners. [cite: 133, 134] We may also use such services to manage the data of data subjects beyond direct communication and process it in other ways.
We use in particular:
- Formspark: Form service; [cite: 134, 135] Provider: Trampoline Software SRL (Belgium); Information on data protection: Privacy Policy.
6. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security appropriate to the respective risk. [cite: 135, 136, 137] With our measures, we ensure in particular the confidentiality, availability, traceability, and integrity of the processed personal data, without being able to guarantee absolute data security.
Access to our website and our other digital presence is via transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated HTTPS). [cite: 137, 138] Most browsers warn against visiting a website without transport encryption.
Our digital communication – like any 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. [cite: 138, 139, 140] We cannot exert any direct influence on the corresponding processing of personal data by intelligence agencies, police authorities, and other security authorities. [cite: 140, 141] We also cannot rule out the possibility that a data subject is specifically monitored.
7. Personal Data Abroad
We process personal data primarily in Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA). [cite: 141, 142] However, we may also export or transfer personal data to other countries, in particular to process it there or have it processed.
We may export personal data to all countries on Earth and elsewhere in the universe, provided that the law there ensures an adequate level of 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 – also in accordance with the decision of the European Commission.
We may transfer personal data to countries whose law does not ensure an adequate level of data protection, provided that data protection is ensured for other reasons, in particular on the basis of standard data protection clauses or other suitable guarantees. [cite: 142, 143, 144] In exceptional cases, we may export personal data to countries without adequate or suitable data protection if the specific data protection requirements are met, for example, the express consent of the data subjects or a direct connection with the conclusion or processing of a contract. [cite: 144, 145] We will gladly provide data subjects with information about any guarantees or provide a copy of any guarantees upon request.
8. Rights of Data Subjects
8.1 Data Protection Claims
We grant data subjects all claims in accordance with applicable law. [cite: 145, 146, 147] Data subjects have in particular the following rights:
- Information: Data subjects may request information about 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 claims and to ensure transparency. This includes the processed personal data 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 may have incorrect personal data corrected, incomplete data completed, and the processing of their data restricted.
- Opportunity for Own Viewpoint and Human Review: Data subjects may, in the case of decisions based exclusively on automated processing of personal data that have legal consequences for them or significantly affect them (automated individual decisions), present their own viewpoint and request review by a human.
- Deletion and Objection: Data subjects may have personal data deleted ("right to be forgotten") and object to the processing of their data with effect for the future.
- Data Disclosure and Data Transfer: Data subjects may request the disclosure of personal data or the transfer of their data to another 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 to be met for the exercise of their data protection claims. For example, we may refuse information in whole or in part with reference to obligations of confidentiality, overriding interests, or the protection of other individuals. We may also refuse the deletion of personal data in whole or in part, for example, with reference to legal retention obligations.
We may exceptionally charge a fee for the exercise of rights. We will inform data subjects in advance about 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.
8.2 Legal Recourse
Data subjects have the right to enforce their data protection claims through legal channels or to file a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority.
The data protection supervisory authority for private controllers and federal agencies in Switzerland is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).
European data protection supervisory authorities are organized as members of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). In some member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), the data protection supervisory authorities are structured federally, especially in Germany.
9. Use of the Website
9.1 Cookies
We may use cookies. Cookies – both our own cookies (first-party cookies) and 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 temporarily in the browser as "session cookies" or for a specific period of time as "permanent cookies." "Session cookies" are automatically deleted when the browser is closed. Permanent cookies have a specific storage duration. Cookies enable, in particular, the recognition of a browser on the next visit to our website and thereby, for example, the measurement of the reach of our website. However, permanent cookies can also be used, for example, for online marketing.
Cookies can be completely or partially deactivated, restricted, or deleted in the browser settings at any time. The browser settings often also allow automated deletion and other management of cookies. Without cookies, our website may no longer be fully available. We actively request – at least if and to the extent required by applicable law – explicit consent to the use of cookies.
For cookies used for success and reach measurement 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), YourAdChoices (Digital Advertising Alliance), or Your Online Choices (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance, EDAA).
9.2 Logging
We may log the following information for each access to our website and our other digital presence, provided 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, accessed individual subpage of our website including transmitted data volume, last website accessed in the same browser window (referrer).
We log such information, which may also constitute personal data, in log files. The information is necessary to provide our digital presence sustainably, in a user-friendly, and reliable manner. The information is also necessary to ensure data security – also by third parties or with the help of third parties.
9.3 Tracking Pixels
We may embed tracking pixels in our digital presence. Tracking pixels are also referred to as web beacons. Tracking pixels – also from third parties whose services we use – are usually small, invisible images or scripts formulated in JavaScript that are automatically retrieved when accessing our digital presence. With tracking pixels, at least the same information as with logging in log files can be recorded.
10. Notifications and Communications
10.1 Success and Reach Measurement
Notifications and communications may contain web links or tracking pixels that record whether a single message was opened and which web links were clicked. Such web links and tracking pixels can also record the use of notifications and communications on a personal basis. We need this statistical recording of usage for success and reach measurement in order to send notifications and communications effectively and in a user-friendly manner, as well as sustainably, securely, and reliably, based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients.
10.2 Consent and Objection
You must generally consent to the use of your email address and your other contact addresses, unless the use is permitted for other legal reasons. We may use the "double opt-in" procedure for obtaining a double-confirmed consent. In this case, you will receive a message with instructions for double confirmation. We may log consents received, including IP address and timestamp, for evidence and security reasons.
You can generally 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 usage for success and reach measurement. Necessary notifications and communications in connection with our activities and operations remain reserved.
10.3 Service Providers for Notifications and Communications
We send notifications and communications with the help of specialized service providers.
We use in particular:
- Campaign Monitor: Email marketing platform; Provider: Marigold Group (United Kingdom, USA, etc.); Information on data protection: "Privacy", Privacy Policy.
11. Social Media
We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms to communicate with interested individuals and to provide information about our activities. 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 privacy policies and other provisions of the individual operators of such platforms also apply. These provisions provide information in particular about the rights of data subjects directly vis-à-vis the respective platform, including, for example, the right to information.
12. Services of Third Parties
We use services of specialized third parties to exercise our activities sustainably, in a user-friendly, secure, and reliable manner. Such services allow us, among other things, to embed functions and content in our website. When embedding, the services used collect, for technically compelling reasons, at least temporarily, the IP addresses of the users.
For necessary security-related, statistical, and technical purposes, third parties whose services we use may process data in connection with our activities in aggregated, anonymized, or pseudonymized form. This includes, for example, performance or usage data in order to provide the respective service.
We use in particular:
- Services of Google: Providers: Google LLC (USA) / Google Ireland Limited (Ireland), partly for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland; General information on data protection: "Principles of Privacy and Security", "More information on how Google uses personal data", Privacy Policy, "Google is committed to complying with applicable data protection laws", "Guide to data protection in Google products", "How we use data from websites or apps on which our services are used", "Types of cookies and similar technologies that Google uses", "Advertising you can control" ("Personalized advertising").
12.1 Digital Infrastructure
We use services of specialized third parties to use necessary digital infrastructure in connection with our activities. This includes, for example, hosting and storage services from selected providers.
We use in particular:
- Google Cloud including Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Storage space and other infrastructure; Google Cloud-specific providers: National or regional Google companies depending on the country and region; Google Cloud-specific information: "Privacy Center", "Google Cloud and general data protection principles", "Google Cloud Privacy Notice", "Data protection".
12.2 Audio and Video Conferences
We use specialized services for audio and video conferences to communicate online. We can use these, for example, to hold virtual meetings or conduct online classes and webinars. The legal texts of the individual services, such as privacy policies and terms of use, also apply to participation in audio and video conferences.
Depending on the situation, we recommend that you mute the microphone by default and blur the background or display a virtual background when participating in audio or video conferences.
We use in particular:
- Google Meet: Video conferences; Provider: Google; Google Meet-specific information: "Google Meet – Security and Privacy for Users".
12.3 E-Commerce
We operate e-commerce and use services from third parties to successfully offer services, content, or goods.
12.4 Payments
We use specialized service providers to process payments securely and reliably. The legal texts of the individual service providers, such as general terms and conditions (GTC) or privacy policies, also apply to the processing of payments.
We use in particular:
- Stripe: Processing of payments; Providers: Stripe Inc. (USA) / Stripe Capital Europe Limited (Ireland) / Stripe Payments Europe Limited (SPEL, Ireland) / Stripe Payments UK Limited (United Kingdom); Information on data protection: "Stripe Privacy Center", Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy.
13. Extensions for the Website
We use extensions for our website to use additional functions. We may use selected services from suitable providers or use such extensions on our own digital infrastructure.
We use in particular:
- Google reCAPTCHA: Spam protection (differentiation between desired content from humans and unwanted content from bots and spam); Provider: Google; Google reCAPTCHA-specific information: "What is reCAPTCHA?".
14. Success and Reach Measurement
We endeavor to measure the success and reach of our activities. In this context, we may also measure the effect of third-party references or examine how different parts or versions of our digital presence are used (the 'A/B testing' method). Based on the results of the success and reach measurement, we can, in particular, correct errors, enhance popular content, or make improvements.
For success and reach measurement, the IP addresses of individual users are, in most cases, recorded. In this case, IP addresses are generally truncated ('IP masking') to follow the principle of data minimization through corresponding pseudonymization.
Cookies may be used and user profiles created during success and reach measurement. Any user profiles created may include, for example, the individual pages visited or content viewed on our digital presence, information on the size of the screen or browser window, and the – at least approximate – location. Generally, any user profiles are created exclusively in pseudonymized form and are not used to identify individual users. Individual services from third parties where users are logged in may, potentially, associate the use of our online offerings with the user's account or user profile with the respective service.
We use in particular:
- Matomo: Success and reach measurement; Provider: InnoCraft Ltd. (New Zealand, free open-source software); Information on data protection: Use on our own digital infrastructure and with pseudonymized IP addresses, "List of all Matomo Features".
15. Final Notes on the Data Privacy Policy
We created this data privacy policy using the Data Privacy Generator from Datenschutzpartner .
We may update this data privacy policy at any time. We will inform about updates in an appropriate manner, in particular by publishing the current data privacy policy on our website.