Privacy Policy

In this privacy policy, we provide information about which personal data we process in connection with our activities and operations, including our https://projektneptun.ch, https://edu-validation.ch and https://web.ssd.ethz.ch website. In particular, we provide information on why, how and where we process which personal data. We also provide information about the rights of individuals whose data we process.

For individual or additional activities and operations, further data protection declarations and other legal documents such as general terms and conditions (GTC), terms of use or conditions of participation may apply.

1. Contact addresses

Responsibility for the processing of personal data:

Stiftung Studenten-Discount
Postfach ETH Zentrum
Rämistrasse 101
8092 Zurich

kontakt@projektneptun.ch

We point out if there are other controllers for the processing of personal data in individual cases.

2. Terms and legal bases

2.1 Definitions

Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. A data subject is a person about whom we process personal data.

Processing includes any handling of personal data, regardless of the means and procedures used, such as querying, comparing, adapting, archiving, storing, reading, disclosing, obtaining, collecting, recording, deleting, disclosing, arranging, organizing, storing, modifying, disseminating, linking, destroying and using 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, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. Such personal data may in particular fall into the categories of inventory and contact data, browser and device data, content data, meta or marginal data and usage data, location data, sales data as well as contract and payment data.

We process personal data for the duration required for the respective purpose(s) or as required by law. Personal data that no longer needs to be processed is anonymized or deleted.

We may have personal data processed by third parties. We may process personal data jointly with third parties or transfer it to third parties. Such third parties are, in particular, specialized providers whose services we use. We also guarantee data protection for such third parties.

We only process personal data with the consent of the data subjects. If and to the extent that processing is permitted for other legal reasons, we may refrain from obtaining consent. For example, we may process personal data without consent in order to fulfill a contract, to comply with legal obligations or to protect overriding interests.

In this context, we process in particular information that a data subject voluntarily provides to us when contacting us - for example by post, email, instant messaging, contact form, social media or telephone - or when registering for a user account. We may store such information in an address book, in a customer relationship management system (CRM system) or with comparable tools, for example. If we receive data about other persons, the transmitting persons are obliged to guarantee data protection for these persons and to ensure the accuracy of this 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 and operations, if and to the extent that such processing is permitted for legal reasons.

4. Job applications

We process personal data about applicants to the extent necessary to assess 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, CVs and other application documents as well as online profiles.

We may allow applicants to store their details in our talent pool so that they can be considered for future vacancies. We may also use such information to maintain contact and provide updates. If we assume that an applicant is eligible for a vacancy based on the information provided, we may inform the applicant accordingly.

5. Personal data abroad

We generally process personal data in Switzerland. However, we may also disclose or export personal data to other countries, in particular in order to process it or have it processed there.

We may disclose 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.

We may disclose personal data to countries whose laws do not guarantee adequate data protection, provided that adequate data protection is guaranteed for other reasons. Adequate data protection can be ensured, for example, through corresponding contractual agreements, on the basis of standard data protection clauses or with other suitable guarantees. Exceptionally, we may export personal data to countries without adequate or appropriate data protection if the special requirements under data protection law are met, for example the express consent of the data subjects or a direct connection with the conclusion or execution of a contract. Upon request, we will be happy to provide data subjects with information about any guarantees or provide a copy of guarantees.

6. Rights of data subjects

6.1 Claims under data protection law

We grant data subjects all rights in accordance with the applicable data protection law. Data subjects have the following rights in particular:

• 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 claims and ensure transparency. This includes the processed personal data as such, but also 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.
• Erasure and objection: Data subjects can have personal data erased ("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 surrender of personal data or the transfer of their data to another controller.

We may defer, restrict or refuse the exercise of the rights of data subjects to the extent permitted by law. We can inform data subjects of any requirements that must be met in order to exercise their rights under data protection law. For example, we may refuse to provide information in whole or in part with reference to business secrets or the protection of other persons. For example, we may also refuse to delete personal data in whole or in part with reference to statutory retention obligations.

In exceptional cases, we may charge costs for the exercise of rights. We will inform data subjects of any costs in advance.

We are obliged to take appropriate measures to identify data subjects who request information or assert other rights. Data subjects are obliged to cooperate.

6.2 Right to lodge a complaint

Data subjects have the right to enforce their data protection claims through the courts or to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority.

The data protection supervisory authority for private controllers and federal bodies in Switzerland is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).

7. Data security

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security appropriate to the respective risk. However, we cannot guarantee absolute data security.

Our website is accessed using transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated to HTTPS). Most browsers indicate transport encryption with a padlock in the address bar.

Our digital communication - like all digital communication - is subject to mass surveillance without cause or suspicion and other surveillance 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.

8. Use of the website

8.1 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 make it possible 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 your express consent to the use of cookies - at least if and to the extent necessary.

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), YourAdChoices (Digital Advertising Alliance) or Your Online Choices (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance, EDAA).

8.2 Server log files

We may collect the following information for each access to our website, provided that this information is transmitted by your browser to our server infrastructure or can be determined by our web server: Date and time including time zone, Internet Protocol (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 (referer or referrer).

We store such information, which may also constitute personal data, in server log files. The information is required to provide our website in a permanent, user-friendly and reliable manner and to ensure data security and thus in particular the protection of personal data - also by third parties or with the help of third parties.

8.3 Tracking pixels

We may use tracking pixels on our website. Tracking pixels are also known as web beacons. Tracking pixels - including those from third parties whose services we use - are small, usually invisible images that are automatically retrieved when you visit our website. Tracking pixels can be used to collect the same information as server log files.

9. Notifications and messages

We send notifications and messages by e-mail and via other communication channels such as instant messaging or SMS.

9.1 Measuring success and reach

Notifications and messages may contain web links or tracking pixels that record whether an individual message has been opened and which web links have been clicked on. Such web links and tracking pixels can also record the use of notifications and messages on a personal basis. We require this statistical recording of usage for measuring success and reach in order to be able to send notifications and messages in an effective, user-friendly, permanent, secure and reliable manner based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients.

9.2 Consent and objection

You must always expressly consent to the use of your e-mail address and other contact addresses, unless the use is permitted for other legal reasons. Wherever possible, we use the "double opt-in" procedure to obtain consent, i.e. you will receive an e-mail with a web link that you must click on to confirm, so that no misuse by unauthorized third parties can occur. We may log such consents, including the Internet Protocol (IP) address, date and time, 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 also 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.

10. Social media

We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms in order to communicate with interested parties and to provide information about our activities and operations. In connection with such platforms, personal data may also be processed outside Switzerland.

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. In particular, these provisions provide information about the rights of data subjects directly vis-à-vis the respective platform, including, for example, the right to information.

11. Services of third parties

We use the services of specialized third parties in order 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, 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) for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland; General information on data protection: "Privacy and Security Principles", 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" (information from Google), "Types of cookies and other technologies used by Google", "Personalized advertising" (activation / deactivation / settings).
• Services from Microsoft: Provider: Microsoft Corporation (USA) / Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (Ireland) for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom and Switzerland; General information on data protection: "Data protection at Microsoft", "Data protection and privacy (Trust Center)", Privacy Policy, Privacy Dashboard (data and privacy settings).

11.1 Digital infrastructure

We use services from specialized third parties in order to be able to use the necessary digital infrastructure in connection with our activities and operations. This includes, for example, hosting and storage services from selected providers.

In particular, we use:

• Hostpoint: Hosting; Provider: Hostpoint AG (Switzerland); Data protection information: Privacy policy.
• StackPath CDN: Content Delivery Network (CDN); Provider: StackPath LLC (USA) / Highwinds Network Group Inc (USA); Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy.

11.2 Automation and integration of apps and services

We use specialized platforms to integrate and connect existing apps and services from third parties. We can also use such "no-code" platforms to automate processes and activities with third-party apps and services.

We use in particular:

• Zapier: Automation and integration of apps and services; Provider: Zapier Inc (USA); Data protection information: Privacy Policy, "Data Privacy at Zapier", "Data Privacy & Security FAQ", "Security and Compliance".

11.3 Contact options

We use services from selected providers in order to be able to communicate better with third parties such as potential and existing customers.

11.4 Scheduling

We use services from specialized third parties to be able to arrange appointments online, for example for meetings. In addition to this privacy policy, any directly visible terms and conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or privacy policies, also apply.

We use in particular:

• Doodle: Online appointment scheduling; Provider: Doodle AG (Switzerland) as a subsidiary of TX Group AG (Switzerland); Information on data protection: Privacy Policy, "General Terms and Conditions of the Processing of Personal Data".
• Google Calendar: Online appointment scheduling; Service provider: Google; Google Calendar-specific information: "Scheduling with Google Calendar", "Data protection in Google Calendar".

11.5 Audio and video conferencing

We use specialized audio and video conferencing services to communicate online. For example, we can use them to hold virtual meetings or conduct online lessons and webinars. When participating in audio and video conferences, the legal texts of the individual services, such as data protection declarations and terms of use, also apply.

Depending on your life situation, we recommend muting the microphone by default and blurring the background or displaying a virtual background when participating in audio or video conferences.

We use in particular:

• Microsoft Teams: Platform for audio and video conferencing, among other things; Provider: Microsoft; Teams-specific information: "Data protection and Microsoft Teams".
• Zoom: Video conferencing; Provider: Zoom Video Communications Inc. (USA); Information on data protection: Privacy Policy, "Data protection at Zoom", "Legal Compliance Center".

11.6 Online collaboration

We use third-party services to enable online collaboration. In addition to this Privacy Policy, any directly visible terms and conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or privacy policies, also apply.

We use in particular:

• Miro: Whiteboard platform; Provider: RealtimeBoard Inc (USA); Data protection information: Privacy policy, "Trust in Miro" ("Miro Trust Center").

11.7 Map material

We use third-party services to embed maps in 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".

11.8 Digital audio and video content

We use services from specialized third parties to enable the direct playback of digital audio and video content such as music or podcasts.

We use in particular:

• YouTube: Video platform; Provider: Google; YouTube-specific information: "Privacy and security center", "My data on YouTube".

11.9 Fonts

We use third-party services to embed selected fonts, icons, logos and symbols on our website.

We use in particular:

• Google Fonts: Fonts; Provider: Google; Google Fonts-specific information: "Privacy and Google Fonts", "Privacy and data collection".

11.10 Payments

We use specialized service providers to process our customers' payments securely and reliably. For the processing of payments, the legal texts of the individual service providers such as General Terms and Conditions (GTC) or data protection declarations also apply.

We use in particular:

• TWINT: Processing of payments in Switzerland; Provider: TWINT AG (Switzerland); Information on data protection: Privacy policy, "Security according to Swiss standards".

11.11 Advertising

We use the option of displaying targeted advertising for our activities and operations on third parties such as social media platforms and search engines.

In particular, we would like to use such advertising to reach people who are already interested in our activities and operations or who might be interested in them (remarketing and targeting). For this purpose, we may transmit relevant - possibly also personal - data to third parties that enable such advertising. We can also determine whether our advertising is successful, i.e. in particular whether it leads to visits to our website (conversion tracking).

Third parties with whom we advertise and where you are logged in as a user may be able to assign the use of our website to your profile there.

We use in particular:

• Facebook advertising (Facebook Ads): Social media advertising; provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland) and other Meta companies (including in the USA); Data protection information: Remarketing and targeting, in particular with the Facebook pixel and custom audiences including lookalike audiences, privacy policy, "advertising preferences" (user login required).
• Google Ads: Search engine advertising; Service provider: Google; Google Ads-specific information: Advertising based on search queries, among other things, whereby various domain names - in particular doubleclick.net, googleadservices.com and googlesyndication.com - are used for Google Ads, "Advertising" (Google), "Why am I seeing a particular ad?".
• Instagram Ads: Social media advertising; Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland) and other Meta companies (including in the USA); Data protection information: Remarketing and targeting, in particular with Facebook pixels and custom audiences including lookalike audiences, Privacy Policy (Instagram), Privacy Policy (Facebook), "Advertising preferences" (Instagram) (registration as user required), "Advertising preferences" (Facebook) (registration as user required).
• TikTok Ads: Social media advertising; Provider: TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited (UK) and TikTok Technology Limited (Ireland) for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK and Switzerland / TikTok Inc. (USA) for users in the USA / TikTok Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) for users in the rest of the world; information on data protection: remarketing and targeting in particular with the TikTok pixel, privacy policy, "Privacy Policy for Younger Users", cookie policy, "Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for TikTok for Business" ("TikTok for Business - Privacy and Cookie Policy").

12. Extensions for the website

We use extensions for our website in order to be able to use additional functions.

In particular, we use:

• Google reCAPTCHA: Spam protection (differentiation between wanted comments from humans and unwanted comments from bots and spam); Provider: Google; Google reCAPTCHA-specific information: "What is reCAPTCHA?" 
• jQuery (OpenJS Foundation): Free JavaScript library; Service provider: OpenJS Foundation (USA) with use of StackPath CDN; Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy (OpenJS Foundation), Cookie Policy (OpenJS Foundation).

13. Success and reach measurement

We try to determine how our online offer is used. In this context, we can, for example, measure the success and reach of our activities and operations as well as the effect of third-party links to our website. We can also, for example, test and compare 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 in particular correct errors, strengthen popular content or make improvements to our online offering.

In most cases, the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of individual users are stored for the purpose of measuring success and reach. In this case, IP addresses are generally shortened ("IP masking") in order 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 offering to the user account or user profile of the respective service.

We use in particular:

• Google Analytics: Success and reach measurement; Provider: Google; Google Analytics-specific data: Measurement also across different browsers and devices (cross-device tracking) and with pseudonymized Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are only transmitted in full to Google in the USA in exceptional cases, "Data protection", "Browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics".
• Google Tag Manager: Integration and management of other services for measuring success and reach as well as other services from Google and third parties; Provider: Google; Google Tag Manager-specific information: "Data collected with Google Tag Manager"; further information on data protection can be found in the individual integrated and managed services.
• Plausible Analytics: Performance and reach measurement; Service provider: Plausible Insights OÜ (Estonia); Data protection information: No processing of personal data and no use of cookies, privacy policy, "Data Policy", "About Plausible Analytics", "Privacy-focused Google Analytics Alternative".

14. Final provisions

We have created this Privacy Policy using the Privacy Policy Generator of Datenschutzpartner.

We can adapt and supplement this privacy policy at any time. We will inform you about such adjustments and additions in an appropriate form, in particular by publishing the current privacy policy on our website.