Privacy policy

The following privacy policy applies to the use of the website www.urbansolutionslab.eu (hereinafter referred to as the “website”).

We attach great importance to data protection. The collection and processing of your personal data is carried out in compliance with applicable data protection regulations, in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We collect and process your personal data in order to provide you with the aforementioned portal.

This policy describes how and for what purpose your data is collected and used, and what choices you have in relation to your personal data.

By using this website, you consent to the collection, use and transfer of your data in accordance with this privacy policy.

Name and address of the data controller

The data controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other data protection laws of the Member States, as well as other data protection regulations, is

Institut Arbeit und Technik

Legal representative:

Prof. Dr Stefan Gärtner, Executive Director

The Institute for Work and Technology (IAT) is a central research institution of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen.

Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen

The university is a body governed by public law.

Legal representative:

Prof. Dr Bernd Kriegesmann, President of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen

Supervisory authority:

Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Völklinger Straße 49

40221 Düsseldorf

Contact details of the Data Protection Officer at Westphalian University of Applied Sciences:

Data Protection Officer

Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen

Neidenburger Straße 43

45897 Gelsenkirchen

Telephone: +49 (0)209 95 96 – 410

Email: datenschutz@w-hs.de

If you wish to object to the collection, processing or use of your data by us in accordance with these data protection provisions, either in full or in relation to specific measures, you may address your objection to the controller named above.

You may save and print this privacy policy at any time.

AllGeneral Information on Data Processing

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

We generally process our users’ personal data only to the extent necessary to provide a fully functional website and our content and services. The processing of our users’ personal data is usually carried out only with the user’s consent. An exception applies in cases where obtaining prior consent is not possible for practical reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Where we obtain the data subject’s consent for the processing of personal data, Article 6(1)(a) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person, Article 6(1)(d) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.

If processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our institute or a third party, and the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not override the former interest, Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data erasure and retention period

The data subject’s personal data shall be erased or blocked as soon as the purpose for which it was stored no longer applies. Storage may also take place if this is provided for by European or national legislators in Union regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. Data shall also be blocked or erased when a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need for further storage of the data for the conclusion or performance of a contract.

Provision of the website and creation of log files

1. Description and scope of data processing

Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing device.

The following data is collected in this process:

• the page accessed

• information about the browser type and version used

• the user’s operating system

• the anonymised IP addresses of the requesting computers

• date and time of access

• websites from which the user’s system accesses our website

• websites accessed by the user’s system via our website

This data cannot be attributed to specific individuals. The data is not merged with other data sources.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files in accordance with the above points is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Our interests in data processing include, in particular, ensuring the operation and security of the website, analysing how visitors use the website, and simplifying the use of the website.

3. Purpose of data processing

The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable the website to be delivered to the user’s computer. For this purpose, the user’s IP address must be stored for the duration of the session.

The data is stored in log files to ensure the functionality of the website. Furthermore, the data helps us to optimise the website and to ensure the security of our IT systems. The data is not analysed for marketing purposes in this context.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

Duration of storage

The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of data collected for the purpose of providing the website, this occurs once the relevant session has ended.

5. Right to object and right to erasure

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files is strictly necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, the user has no right to object.

Web analytics via Matomo

1. Scope of personal data processing

We use the open-source software tool Matomo on our website to analyse our users’ browsing behaviour. When individual pages of our website are accessed, the following data is stored:

• Two bytes of the IP address of the user’s accessing system

• The website accessed

• The website from which the user accessed the visited website (referrer)

• The subpages accessed from the visited website

• The duration of the visit to the website

• The frequency of visits to the website

The software runs exclusively on our university’s local servers. This data is stored only there. The data is not passed on to third parties.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

The legal basis for the processing of personal data is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Our legitimate interest in this data processing lies in our need to provide you with a website that is tailored to your needs and optimised for the devices you use.

3. Purpose of data processing

The processing of personal data enables us to analyse the browsing behaviour of our users. By evaluating the data obtained, we are able to compile information on the use of the individual components of our website. This helps us to continuously improve our website and its user-friendliness. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in processing the data pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. By anonymising the IP address, we take sufficient account of users’ interest in the protection of their personal data.

4. Duration of storage

The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for our record-keeping purposes.

Rights of the data subject

If your personal data is being processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and you have the following rights vis-à-vis the controller:

1. Right of access

You may request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed by us.

If such processing is taking place, you may request the following information from the controller:

• the purposes for which the personal data is being processed;

• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data concerning you has been or will be disclosed;

• the envisaged period for which the personal data concerning you will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;

• the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of the personal data concerning you, a right to restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing;

• the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;

You have the right to request information as to whether the personal data concerning you will be transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. In this context, you may request to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 of the GDPR in connection with the transfer.

2. Right to rectification

You have the right to request rectification and/or completion from the controller if the personal data concerning you that is being processed is inaccurate or incomplete. The controller must carry out the rectification without undue delay.

3. Right to restriction of processing

You may request the restriction of the processing of personal data concerning you under the following conditions:

• if you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;

• the processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request the restriction of the use of the personal data instead;

• the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but you require it for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; or

• if you have objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.

Where the processing of your personal data has been restricted, such data – apart from storage – may only be processed with your consent, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of an important public interest of the Union or of a Member State.

If the restriction on processing has been imposed in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.

4. Right to erasure

a) Obligation to erase

You may request the controller to erase personal data concerning you without undue delay, and the controller is obliged to erase such data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

• The personal data concerning you are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.

• You withdraw your consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR, and there is no other legal basis for the processing.

• You object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.

• The personal data concerning you has been processed unlawfully.

• The erasure of the personal data concerning you is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.

• The personal data concerning you was collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

b) Disclosure to third parties

Where the controller has made personal data concerning you public and is obliged to erase such data pursuant to Article 17(1) of the GDPR, the controller shall, taking into account available technology and the cost of implementation, take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers who process the personal data that you, as the data subject, have requested the erasure of all links to such personal data or of copies or replications of such personal data.

c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not apply where processing is necessary

• for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information;

• to comply with a legal obligation which requires processing under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject, or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;

• for reasons of public interest in the area of public health pursuant to Article 9(2)(h) and (i) and Article 9(3) of the GDPR;

• for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) of the GDPR, in so far as the right referred to in point (a) is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of such processing; or

• for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

5. Right to be informed

If you have exercised your right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to notify all recipients to whom your personal data has been disclosed of this rectification, erasure or restriction of processing, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort.

You have the right to be informed by the controller of these recipients.

6. Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to the controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. You also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, provided that

• the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, and

• the processing is carried out by automated means.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to have the personal data concerning you transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible. The freedoms and rights of other individuals must not be prejudiced thereby.

The right to data portability does not apply to the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

7. Right to object

You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

The controller shall no longer process the personal data concerning you unless it can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

Where personal data concerning you is processed for the purposes of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.

If you object to processing for the purposes of direct marketing, personal data concerning you will no longer be processed for these purposes.

In connection with the use of information society services – notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC – you have the option of exercising your right to object by means of automated procedures using technical specifications.

8. Declaration of Consent

You have the right to withdraw your declaration of consent under data protection law at any time. Withdrawing your consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out on the basis of your consent prior to its withdrawal.

9. Automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling

You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing – including profiling – which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you. This does not apply if the decision

• is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between you and the controller,

• is authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject, and that law provides for appropriate measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms as well as your legitimate interests, or

• is based on your explicit consent.

However, such decisions may not be based on special categories of personal data as referred to in Article 9(1) of the GDPR, unless Article 9(2)(a) or (g) of the GDPR applies and appropriate measures have been taken to safeguard your rights and freedoms as well as your legitimate interests.

With regard to the cases referred to in (1) and (3), the controller shall take appropriate measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and your legitimate interests, including at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express your point of view and to contest the decision.

10. Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

The supervisory authority to which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the progress and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy under Article 78 of the GDPR.