Data Protection

Privacy Policy

I. Name and address of the controller

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws of the member states as well as other data protection regulations is

University of Bonn
Institute of Computer Science
Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 8
Postal address:
Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 5
53115 Bonn
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)228 73-4418
Mail: gf@cs.uni-bonn.de
Web: www.informatik.uni-bonn.de

II. Name and address of the data protection officer

The data protection officer of the controller is

Dr. Jörg Hartmann
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn
Germany

Mail: joerg.hartmann@uni-bonn.de
Phone: + 49 (0)228 -73 – 6758
https://www.datenschutz.uni-bonn.de

III. General information on data processing

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

We only process our users' personal data insofar as this is necessary to provide a functional website and our content and services. The processing of our users' personal data only takes place regularly with the user's consent. An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for factual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.
When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures.
Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the University of Bonn is subject, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
If the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the university, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e) GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data deletion and storage duration

The personal data of the data subject will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies. Data may also be stored if this has been provided for by the European or national legislator in EU regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. The data will also be blocked or erased if a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need for further storage of the data for the conclusion or fulfillment of a contract.

IV. 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 computer.
The following data is collected:

Information about the browser type and version used
The user's operating system
The user's internet service provider
The IP address of the user (pseudonymized, shortened IP address)
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 (within *.uni-bonn.de, external referrers are not passed on)
The log files contain IP addresses or other data that enable an assignment to a user. This could be the case, for example, if the link to the website from which the user accesses the website or the link to the website to which the user switches contains personal data.

The data is also stored in the log files of our system. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user.

2. Purpose of data processing

Temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable delivery of the website to the user's computer. For this purpose, the user's IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session.
The data is stored in log files to ensure the functionality of the website. We also use the data to optimize the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. The data is not analyzed for marketing purposes in this context.

3. Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended.

If the data is stored in log files, this is the case after seven days at the latest. Storage beyond this period is possible. In this case, the IP addresses of the users are deleted or alienated so that it is no longer possible to identify the calling client.

4. Possibility of objection and removal

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files are absolutely necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, the user has no option to object.

V. Use of cookies

1. Description and scope of data processing

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the Internet browser or by the Internet browser on the user's computer system. When a user accesses a website, a cookie may be stored on the user's operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string of characters that enables the browser to be uniquely identified when the website is called up again.

We use cookies to make our website more user-friendly. Some elements of our website require that the accessing browser can be identified even after a page change.

The following data is stored and transmitted in the cookies:

1. language settings
2. log-in information

We also use cookies on our website that enable an analysis of the user's surfing behavior. The software Matomo (formerly Piwik) is used for this purpose; details can be found below under point IX.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of personal data using cookies for analysis purposes is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR if the user has given consent to this.

3. Purpose of data processing

The purpose of using technically necessary cookies is to simplify the use of websites for users. Some functions of our website cannot be offered without the use of cookies. For these, it is necessary for the browser to be recognized even after a page change.
We require cookies for the following applications:

(1) Adoption of language settings

The user data collected by technically necessary cookies is not used to create user profiles.

Analysis cookies are used for the purpose of improving the quality of our website and its content. The analysis cookies tell us how the website is used, enabling us to constantly optimize our offering.

4. Duration of storage, possibility of objection and removal

Cookies are stored on the user's computer and transmitted by it to our website. As a user, you therefore have full control over the use of cookies. You can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies by changing the settings in your Internet browser. Cookies that have already been saved can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically. If cookies are deactivated for our website, it may no longer be possible to use all functions of the website to their full extent.

VII. YouTube

The website of the University of Bonn uses plugins from YouTube, which is operated by Google. The operator of the pages is YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA.

When you visit one of our pages equipped with a YouTube plugin, a connection to the YouTube servers is established. This tells the YouTube server which of our pages you have visited.

If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable YouTube to assign your surfing behavior directly to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

The use of YouTube is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offers.

Further information on the handling of user data can be found in YouTube's privacy policy at: https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy.

VIII. Newsletter

1. Description and scope of data processing

You can subscribe to a free newsletter on our website. When registering for the newsletter, all data from the input mask is transmitted to us.
The following data is also collected during registration:

(1) IP address of the accessing computer
(2) Date and time of registration

Your consent is obtained for the processing of the data as part of the registration process and reference is made to the privacy policy.
No data will be passed on to third parties in connection with the data processing for sending newsletters. The data is used exclusively for sending the newsletter.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of data after registration for the newsletter by the user is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR if the user has given consent.

3. Purpose of data processing

The purpose of collecting the user's e-mail address is to deliver the newsletter.
The collection of other personal data as part of the registration process serves to prevent misuse of the services or the e-mail address used.

4. Duration of storage

The data will be deleted as soon as its storage is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. The user's e-mail address is stored for as long as the subscription to the newsletter is active.

5. Possibility of objection and removal

The subscription to the newsletter can be canceled by the user concerned at any time. For this purpose, there is a corresponding link in every newsletter.

This also makes it possible to withdraw consent to the storage of personal data collected during the registration process.

IX. Contact form and e-mail contact

1. Description and scope of data processing

There is a contact form on our website that can be used to contact us electronically. If a user makes use of this option, the data entered in the input mask will be transmitted to us and stored. These data are

The following data is also stored at the time the message is sent:

(1) The user's IP address

(2) Date and time of registration

Your consent is obtained for the processing of the data as part of the collection process and reference is made to the privacy policy.
Alternatively, you can contact us via the e-mail address provided. In this case, the user's personal data transmitted with the e-mail will be stored.

The data will not be passed on to third parties in this context. The data is used exclusively for processing the conversation.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR if the user has given consent.
If the e-mail contact is aimed at the conclusion of a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR.

3. Purpose of data processing

The processing of the personal data from the input mask serves us solely to process the contact.
The other personal data collected is used to prevent misuse of the contact form and to ensure the security of our information technology systems.

4. Duration of storage

The data will be deleted as soon as its storage is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. For the personal data from the input screen of the contact form and the data sent by email, this is the case when the respective conversation with the user has ended. The conversation is ended when it can be inferred from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified.

5. Possibility of objection and removal

The user has the option to revoke their consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the user only contacts us by email, they can also object to the storage of their personal data at any time; in such a case, however, the conversation cannot be continued.

All personal data stored in the course of contacting us will be deleted in the event of revocation.

X. Web analysis by Matomo (formerly PIWIK)

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

We use the open source software tool Matomo (formerly PIWIK) on our website to analyze the surfing behavior of our users. The software places a cookie on the user's computer (for cookies, see above). If individual pages of our website are accessed, the following data is stored:

(1) Two bytes of the IP address of the user's accessing system

(2) The website accessed

(3) The website from which the user accessed the website (referrer)

(4) The subpages that are accessed from the accessed website

(5) The time spent on the website

(6) The frequency with which the website is accessed
The software runs exclusively on the servers of our website. The user's personal data is only stored there. The data is not passed on to third parties.

The software is set so that the IP addresses are not stored in full, but two bytes of the IP address are masked (e.g.: 192.168.xxx.xxx). In this way, it is no longer possible to assign the shortened IP address to the calling computer.

2. Purpose of data processing

The processing of users' personal data enables us to analyze the surfing behavior of our users. By evaluating the data obtained, we are able to compile information about the use of the individual components of our website. This helps us to constantly improve our website and its user-friendliness. By anonymizing the IP address, the interest of users in the protection of their personal data is taken into account.

3. Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required for our recording purposes.
In our case, this is the case after 3 months.

4. Possibility of objection and removal

We offer our users the option of opting out of the analysis process on our website. To do this, you must follow the corresponding link. In this way, another cookie is set on your system, which signals to our system not to store the user's data. If the user deletes the corresponding cookie from their own system in the meantime, they must set the opt-out cookie again.

You can find more information on the privacy settings of the Matomo software at the following link: https://matomo.org/docs/privacy/.

XI. Rights of the data subject

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

1. Right to information

You can request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed.
If such processing is taking place, you can request the following information from the controller:

(1) the purposes for which the personal data are processed;

(2) the categories of personal data being processed

(3) the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been or will be disclosed

(4) the envisaged period for which the personal data concerning you will be stored, or, if specific information on this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period

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

(6) the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

(7) all available information about the origin of the data if the personal data is not collected from the data subject

(8) the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Art. 22 (1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

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

If the data processing is carried out for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, the right of access may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

2. Right to rectification

You have a right to rectification and/or completion of your data vis-à-vis the controller if the processed personal data concerning you is incorrect or incomplete. The controller must make the correction without delay.
In the case of data processing for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, your right to rectification may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

3. Right to restriction of processing

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

(1) 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;

(2) the processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request the restriction of their use instead

(3) the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by you for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims; or

(4) if you have objected to processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.

If the processing of personal data concerning you has been restricted, this data - apart from its storage - may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State.
If processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.

In the case of data processing for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, your right to restriction of processing may be limited to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

4. Right to erasure

a) Obligation to erase

You may request the controller to erase the personal data concerning you without undue delay. The controller is obliged to erase this data immediately if one of the following reasons applies:

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

(2) You withdraw your consent on which the processing was based according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.

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

(4) The personal data concerning you has been processed unlawfully.

(5) The deletion of personal data concerning you is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.

(6) The personal data concerning you have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Art. 8 (1) GDPR.

b) Information to third parties

Where the controller has made the personal data concerning you public and is obliged pursuant to Art. 17 (1) GDPR to erase the personal data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that you as the data subject have requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data.

c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not apply if the processing is necessary

(1) to exercise the right to freedom of expression and information;

(2) for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by 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

(3) for reasons of public interest in the area of public health pursuant to Art. 9 para. 2 lit. h) and i and Art. 9 para. 3 GDPR;

(4) for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 para. 1 GDPR, insofar as the right referred to in section a) is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing, or

(5) for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims

5. Right to information

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

You have the right vis-à-vis the controller to be informed about 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 which the personal data has been provided, where
(1) the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR and
(2) 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 persons may not be impaired by this.

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 of objection

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

In the event of an objection, the controller will no longer process the personal data concerning you unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

In the case of data processing for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes pursuant to Art. 89 para. 1 GDPR, you also have the right to object to the processing of personal data concerning you on grounds relating to your particular situation, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

8. Right to revoke the declaration of consent under data protection law

You have the right to withdraw your declaration of consent under data protection law at any time. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before 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

(1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between you and the controller

(2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests; or

(3) with your express consent.

However, these decisions may not be based on special categories of personal data pursuant to Art. 9 (1) GDPR, unless Art. 9 (2) (a) or (g) GDPR applies and appropriate measures have been taken to protect the rights and freedoms and your legitimate interests.

With regard to the cases referred to in (1) and (3), the data controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, 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 EU General Data Protection Regulation.
The supervisory authority to which the complaint has been submitted will inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Art. 78 GDPR.

The supervisory authority responsible for the University of Bonn is the

State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
North Rhine-Westphalia
P.O. Box 20 04 44
40102 Düsseldorf
Phone: 0211/38424-0
Fax: 0211/38424-10
Mail: poststelle@ldi.nrw.de