Privacy Statement

This privacy policy explains how we collect and process your personal data through your use of this website.

This data will be collected when you access the following services on our website:

Apply for membership with us
Sign up to our newsletter and communication services
Register for our events
Use our contact form or decide to contact us via email
Use any of our services that are provided after the registration through one of our order forms or otherwise.

Your personal data is processed both in Germany and the UK. We are committed to complying with both UK and German data protection legislation. When we process personal data of data subjects in the UK, we do so in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. When we process personal data of data subjects in Germany, we do so in accordance with the DSGVO. When we process personal data of data subjects in the European Union/European Economic Area other than Germany, we will do so in accordance with the EU GDPR. As our English-language website is aimed at companies in the UK, we will refer to UK GDPR regulations in this privacy notice.

This website is not intended for minors and we do not knowingly collect data relating to minors.

Data Controller

German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
Mecklenburg House
16 Buckingham Gate
London
SW1E 6LB
United Kingdom
Tel.: 00 44 (0)20 7976 4100
E-Mail: mail(at)ahk-london.co.uk
Website: https://grossbritannien.ahk.de/en/

EU Representative

Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer
represented by the President and the Director General
Breite Str. 29
10178 Berlin
Germany
E-Mail: ahk-vertreter(at)dihk.de

General information on data processing

1. Scope of processing of personal data

Generally, we only process our users’ personal data when this is necessary to provide a core function of our website including the provision of certain contents and services. We solely process our users’ personal data on the legal basis of and in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Hereby, legal bases may include contractual obligations, our legitimate and justified interests or consent provided by the individual users. Prior consent cannot always be guaranteed or obtained, legitimising and permitting the processing of personal data by law.

2. Lawful basis for processing of personal data

The individual has given her/his consent to the processing of her/his data for one or more specified purposes (Article 6 (1) (a) UK GDPR).
This data is necessary for entering into or performing a contract with the individual (Article 6 (1) (b) UK GDPR).
If the processing of data is necessary to maintain and protect the data controller’s or third party’s legitimate interests, and if these interests outweigh the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the users concerned, then Article 6 (1) (f) UK GDPR) will provide the legal basis for this processing of data.

3. Data deletion and storage

We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. To determine the retention period of personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, including the potential risk of harm through unauthorised use or disclosure. This includes purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.

Provision of the website and creation of logfiles

1. Description, scope and purpose of data processing

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

The user’s following data is collected:

Browser type and version
Operating system
Internet service provider
IP address
Date and time of access
Websites accessed by the user's system through our website

The temporary storage of the user’s IP address is necessary for the user to access the website from her/his computer. Therefore, the user’s IP address must be saved for the duration of the usage.

The logfiles are saved to ensure the functionality of our website. This data enables us to optimise our website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. Within this context, we will not process personal data for any other purposes.

2. Legal basis for the processing

The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and logfiles is in our legitimate interest (UK GDPR Article 6 (1) (f)).

3. Data storage

We will delete your data when the processing thereof is no longer required to fulfil the purposes we collected it for. When we process the data for the provision of our website, your data will be deleted when the website session ends.

When the data is processed into logfiles, we will generally delete the data 7 days after it was processed. However, extended storage is possible and in this case the user’s IP address will be deleted or pseudonymised in order to prevent the identification of the user.

Cookies

1. Description, scope and purpose of data processing

We use cookies to make our website more user-friendly. Some elements of our web page require that the accessing browser can also be identified when the user moves from one page to the next. No personal data is collected in the process.

To do so, the following files are stored and transmitted in the cookies:

(1) fonts = standard cookie variable used by us to reload the fonts in the browser after a page refresh.

(2) fullcss = standard cookie variable used by us to reload the CSS file in the browser after a page refresh.

Maximum cookie lifetime: 730 days

In addition, we use on our website cookies that enable an analysis of the surfing behavior of users.

When visiting our website, the users are informed via web banner about the use of cookies for analytical purposes and referred to this data privacy statement. In this context, it is also pointed out how the storing of cookies can be disabled in the browser settings. This service is provided via the Consent Manager of the Piwik PRO Analytics Suite.

Analysis cookies are used to improve the quality of our website and its content. Through the analysis cookies, we learn how the website is used and can thus constantly optimize our offer.

We use cookies of the Piwik PRO Analytics:

_pk_id = Used to recognize visitors and hold their various properties. Expires after: 13 months if user consents; expires after 30 minutes if user does not consent

_ppms_privacy = Stores visitor’s consent to data collection and usage. Expires after: 365 days

_pk_ses = Shows an active session of the visitor. Expires after: 30 minutes

2. Legal basis for the processing

The legal basis for the processing of personal data, facilitated by the use of technically necessary and enabling cookies, is our legitimate interest (Article 6 (1) (f) UK GDPR). The legal basis for the processing of personal data through the use of cookies for analysis purposes, is the individual’s consent (Article 6 (1) (a) UK GDPR).

3. Purpose of data processing

The purpose of using technically required cookies is the simplification of use of websites for the users. Some functions or our web page cannot be provided without the use of cookies. For such it is necessary that the browser is also recognized when the user moves from one page to the next.

We need cookies for the following applications:

(1) fonts = standard cookie variable used by us to reload the fonts in the browser after a page refresh.

(2) fullcss = standard cookie variable used by us to reload the CSS file in the browser after a page refresh.

Maximum cookie lifetime: 730 days

User data collected via technically required cookies is not used to create user profiles.

The use of analytical cookies also serves to improve the quality of our website and its content. From analytical cookies we gain knowledge of how the website is used; we are then able to constantly optimize our services.

We use cookies of the Piwik PRO Analytics:

_pk_id = Used to recognize visitors and hold their various properties. Expires after: 13 months if user consents; expires after 30 minutes if user does not consent

_ppms_privacy = Stores visitor’s consent to data collection and usage. Expires after: 365 days

_pk_ses = Shows an active session of the visitor. Expires after: 30 minutes

4. Storage of data and individual’s rights

Cookies are stored on the user’s computer and are transmitted from there to our website. Therefore, as a user, you have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in your internet browser, you can disable or restrict the transmission of cookies. Previously saved cookies can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically. If cookies are disabled for our website, you may not be able to access all of the website’s offered services and functions.

Newsletter and Chamber communication

1. Description, scope and purpose of the data processing

On our website, users are able to subscribe to our Chamber newsletter and other channels of communication, services that are available to subscribers free of charge. By subscribing to our newsletter and communication services, the data users provide in the iFrame/input form will be transferred to our service provider for newsletter mailings.

We will process the following data:

Title
First name
Surname
Company name, if applicable
Position title, if applicable
(Company) Address
Phone number
Email address

We will further process the following data:

Date and time of subscription

When processing your personal data, we will always ask for your consent in the subscription process and provide a link to our privacy policy.

We will not transfer the personal data you provided in the subscription process to any party other than the service provider designated for our newsletter mailings. Your personal data will solely be used for processing your newsletter and communication services subscription.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for processing your personal data is the consent you provided when subscribing to our newsletter and communication services (Article 6 (1) (a) UK GDPR).

3. Storage of personal data

We will hold on to your personal data for as long as is required to fulfil the purposes we collected it for. Your personal data will be deleted in accordance with our data retention rules and/or legal obligations.

4. Newsletter-Tracking

To optimise our newsletter and communication services, we use personalised newsletter tracking tools. We will not only process your email address, but also your activity in relation to our newsletter and communication services (e.g. clicks on articles/events).

5. Individual’s rights

You can unsubscribe from our newsletter and communication services at any given time. A link to unsubscribe will be provided in every newsletter. Alternatively, you can send us an email to unsubscribe from our newsletter (mail(at)ahk-london.co.uk).

Application for membership, registering for our events and our order forms

1. Description, scope and purpose of data processing

By supplying personal data on our website, you can apply for membership, register for our events and fill in order forms that are required for some of our other services. After you have provided us with your data via an input form or a PDF-file on our website, this data will be transmitted to us. We will process your personal data according to the reason you provided it for. Generally, we will not transfer personal data to third parties. The processing of personal data is necessary in order to apply for membership, to register for one of our events or to order one of our services. For more detailed information please access the following:

We will generally collect the following data:

Title
First name
Surname
Email address
Phone number
Business details including VAT number, if applicable
Bank account details, if applicable

If the data you provide is submitted electronically, we will also collect the following data:

Date and time of the application/registration
Browser used
Operating system

2. Legal basis for processing

The provision of personal data is necessary and fundamental for entering into and closing contracts with the contractual party; the user (Article 6 (1) (b) UK GDPR).

3. Storage of personal data

4. Individual’s rights

You can request the data controller to delete or amend your personal data at any time. Please contact us via mail(at)ahk-london.co.uk.

If we need your personal data for pre-contractual measures, to fulfil our contractual obligations with you or to adhere to any other obligations, an early deletion is only possible in accordance with our contractual and/or legal obligations.

Chamber contact form and contact via email

1. Description, scope and purpose of data processing

On our website we provide an electronic contact form that can be used to get in touch with us. Should you use this form, we will collect and process the following:

First name
Surname
Company name and address if applicable
Email address
Phone number

When sending the details to us we will also collect the following data:

Date and time of the registration
Browser used
Operating system

It is also possible to contact us via email. We will collect and process your personal data provided in this email. There will be no transfer of your personal data to third parties. The data will be used exclusively for the purpose of processing the enquiry.

Your personal data provided in our contact form or via email, will only be processed to reply to your enquiry. It is in our legitimate interest to process your personal data accordingly.

2. Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for processing your personal data provided to us in our contact form or via email, is our legitimate interest (UK GDPR Article 6 (1) (f)). If the aim of contacting us via email or contact form is the conclusion of a contract, then the additional legal basis for the processing of data is UK GDPR Article 6 (1) (b).

3. Data storage

4. Individual’s rights

You can make a request to delete or amend your personal data at any time. Please contact us on mail(at)ahk-london.co.uk.

Transfer of personal data to third parties

1. Website provider

In the context of processing personal data, the data is shared with the provider that operates the website and other providers of technical support. The data processing is governed by contracts with these service providers.

2. Website Analysis with Piwik PRO

We use Piwik PRO Analytics Suite as our website/app analytics software and consent management tool. We collect data about website visitors based on cookies. The collected information may include a visitor’s IP address, operating system, browser ID, browsing activity and other information. See the scope of data collected by Piwik PRO.

We calculate metrics like bounce rate, page views, sessions and the like to understand how our website/app is used. We may also create visitors’ profiles based on browsing history to analyze visitor behavior, show personalized content and run online campaigns.

We host our solution on Microsoft Azure in Germany, and the data is stored for 25 months.

The purpose of data processing: analytics and conversion tracking based on consent. Legal basis: Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR.

Piwik PRO does not send the data about you to any other sub-processors or third parties and does not use it for its own purposes. For more, read Piwik PRO’s privacy policy.

3. Social Media Sharing Button

General note: Normally, social media plugins mean that the IP address and additional browsing behaviour of all website visitors will be tracked. This can be the case even if you have not clicked on the button. To avoid visitors being tracked, we are using the Shariff Method. This means that a connection between the visitor and the social media network is only established once the respective share button has been clicked. If you are already logged-in to a social media network, there will not be a separate window for Google+ and Facebook. With Twitter, there will be a pop-up window giving you the opportunity to edit your tweet. Thus, you can share our content in social media networks without giving these networks the opportunity to create a complete tracking profile.

a. Twitter

Our website uses plugins of the social media network Twitter, Twitter Inc., 795 Folsom Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States of America. Because we use the Shariff Method, they will only learn about your IP-address and your visit on their website, once you have clicked on the sharing button.

We have no knowledge of or influence on any possible further collection and use of your personal data by Twitter. You can find more information on Twitter’s privacy policy on: https://twitter.com/en/privacy . Please also see above in this privacy policy for our general information about the use and deactivation of cookies.

b. Facebook

Our website uses plugins of the social media network Facebook, Facebook Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States of America. Because we use the Shariff Method, Facebook will only learn about your IP-address and your visit on their website, once you have clicked the sharing button. Should you click on the button whilst being logged into Facebook, Facebook will be able to connect this visit to your user account.

We have no knowledge of or influence on any possible further collection and use of your personal data by Facebook. You can find more information in Facebook’s privacy policy on: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy . Please also see above in this privacy policy for our general information about the use and deactivation of cookies.

c. LinkedIn

Our website uses the LinkedIn share plugin from the social media network LinkedIn, LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. If you click on this button, your browser will connect with LinkedIn in order to use the functions of the plugin. In this process, LinkedIn will store none of your personal data and your usage will not be tracked via a cookie. You can find more information on LinkedIn’s privacy policy on: www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy . Please also see above in this privacy policy for our general information about the use and deactivation of cookies.

d. Xing

Our website uses the Xing Share Plugin from the social media network Xing, XING AG, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Germany. When you click on this button, your browser will connect with Xing to enable the operation of this plugin. Xing will not store any of your personal data and your usage will not be tracked via a cookie. You can find more information on Xing’s privacy policy on: www.xing.com/privacy. Please also see above in this privacy policy for our general information about the use and deactivation of cookies.

4. Other Social Media Plugins/Buttons

Flickr

Our website uses the Flickr plugin from the social media network Flickr, Flickr Inc., 67 E Evelyn Ave, Ste 200 Mountain View, CA 94041, USA c/o SmugMug Ltd, 3rd Floor, Chancery House, St. Nicholas Way, Sutton, England, SM1 1JB. When you click on the corresponding button, your browser will connect to Flickr in order to use the functions of the plugin.

Upon your browser’s connection to Flickr, we have no knowledge of or influence on any possible further collection and use of your personal data by Flickr. You can find more information on Flickr’s privacy policy on: https://www.flickr.com/help/privacy. Please also see above in this privacy policy for our general information about the use and deactivation of cookies.

Your rights

You have the right to be informed, the right of access, the right of rectification, the right to erasure and the right to restrict processing of personal data we hold about you within the limits of the current data protection legislation. Please contact us via email if you would like a copy of your personal information. You may ask us to correct or remove personal information you think is inaccurate. Should you wish to exercise any of these rights, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will check the legal requirements for the exercise of this right.

How to raise a complaint

For privacy claims, you may contact the relevant authority, the Information Commissioner's Office, which has different addresses and contact details for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Via the homepage www.ico.org.uk and the contact us function, you can find the details that are relevant for you.

You can also contact our EU Representative, whose contact details can be found at the beginning of this Privacy Policy. Please note that this option applies to individuals in the EU/EEA.

However, we would greatly appreciate to be your first point of contact in any issues you may encounter. So please do not hesitate to get in touch with us prior to contacting the ICO.