Privacy Policy

foodwatch takes the protection of your personal data very seriously. We ensure that all of our data-processing operations are evaluated by our external data protection officer on a regular basis. 

As a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Germany, foodwatch must comply with the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),  the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and the German Telemedia Act (TMG).

Email Campaigns

foodwatch offers email campaigns on a regular basis. In this context, consumers can contact individuals in positions of responsibility in politics, associations and companies to make them aware of shortcomings or abuses and call on them to make the necessary changes.

The data requested in the form is used for the implementation of the respective email campaign, which normally includes the transmission of your general identification data (surname, first name, city/town of residence), along with any comments you have entered, to the recipient of the petition by email. If applicable, foodwatch may also share this data when handing over collections of signatures to the respective recipient(s). As a general rule, we do not provide recipients with the email or postal addresses of the signatories. If the recipients of email campaigns would like to respond to a campaign, foodwatch publishes their statements on its website or forwards them by email to the respective signatories. 

The legal basis for the processing of personal data is the consent of the signatories of the email campaigns in accordance with Art. 6(1) lit. a) GDPR. Once you have completed the form, you will receive a confirmation email from us. Your signature will not be added until you have clicked on a button in this email to confirm that you are the owner of the respective email address. This system enables us to ensure that no one can sign a petition using another person’s email address.

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time with future effect. An informal email making this request is sufficient. Please send your withdrawal requests to: unsubscribe(at)foodwatch(dot)org.  You may also unsubscribe to our newsletter at any time, for example by clicking on the “unsubscribe link” at the bottom of every newsletter. This link will take you to our unsubscribe form. 

Contact form

If you would like to get in touch with us, feel free to use our contact form. Any data that we collect, including personal data, will only be used for contact purposes in relation to your enquiry. The legal basis we rely on for processing your personal data is your consent under Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. Once you submit the contact form, we will send a copy of your enquiry to the email address you provided.

Press mailing list

If you are a journalist and would like us to send you updates on our work, simply send an email to media@foodwatch.org. We will then add you to our mailing list and send you an email with our most recent press releases. You can unsubscribe at any time, using the email address specified in every press release we send. Your personal data will only be used for public relations purposes related to foodwatch’s work and will not be forwarded to third parties.

Sharing content via social networks

On our website, we do not use any official social-media buttons provided by Facebook or other providers. We find these buttons problematic because data is transmitted automatically from the respective website to the provider, e.g. Facebook or Twitter. The share buttons on the foodwatch website are simple links to the social networks through which contents are also transferred. With these links, data is only transferred if you choose to click on the button in order to use the respective social networks for sharing purposes. For more information, see the privacy policies of Facebook and Twitter.

Website statistics: Matomo Analytics

We use the open-source tool Matomo to analyze our website. The purpose of data processing is to analyze your browsing behavior. By evaluating the collected data, we are able to gather information about the usage of each page on our website. This helps us improve the content and user-friendliness of our website.

Initially, we establish consent-free tracking, which is supplemented by an extended, consent-based tracking based on cookies.
The legal basis for processing fully anonymized data is Art. 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The legal basis for processing data through the setting of cookies and accessing the end device is your consent under Art. 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. This process complies with all current data protection requirements. A third tracking method (census measurement) server-side determines the absolute number of page views independently of the previously integrated and, if applicable, rejected tracking variants. The legal basis for processing the page counter is Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

The software runs exclusively on the server of our service provider. Storage of your personally identifiable data collected via cookies only takes place there. The data is not shared with third parties. Service provider: wegewerk GmbH, Saarbrücker Straße 24, 10405 Berlin | Wegewerk privacy policy.

The software is configured not to store complete IP addresses but to mask 2 bytes of the IP address (e.g., 192.168.xxx.xxx). This way, it is no longer possible to assign the truncated IP address to the accessing computer.
You have the option to revoke your consent to the setting of cookies at any time in the Cookie Settings section in the footer of the page.

Matomo Tag Manager


We use the Tag Manager to integrate the Matomo Analytics tool. The Tag Manager also includes the conversion pixels of our AdWords campaigns.
Preventing tracking

In addition to tracking through cookies (changes to cookies in the footer under Cookie Settings), you can use the option to prevent consent-free tracking by accessing this privacy policy and excluding consent-free tracking with future effect. By revoking consent, the lawfulness of the data processing carried out prior to the revocation remains unaffected.

Preventing tracking

Disable user analysis by checking the opt-out checkbox for cookieless tracking. A cookie will be set to store your privacy preferences. Your visits to this website will no longer be tracked by the web analytics tool. Please note that if you delete cookies stored in your browser, the Matomo deactivation cookie for this website will also be deleted. Additionally, if you use a different computer or web browser, you will need to repeat the deactivation procedure.

Google AdWords

Google makes it possible for non-profit organisations to place free advertisements on the Google search-results page within a limited scope. foodwatch also uses this service (“Google AdWords” or “Google Ad Grants”). Therefore, for certain search terms, Google shows ads that lead the user to the foodwatch website. 

AdWords Conversion Tracking

As an AdWords advertiser, we also use Google Conversion Tracking, an analysis service provided by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. With this service, Google AdWords sets a cookie on your computer (“conversion cookie”) if you have accessed our website via a Google ad. These cookies expire after 30 days and are not used for the personal identification of the user.

Should you visit certain pages of our website and the cookie has not yet expired, Google and our website can recognise that the user has clicked on the ad and proceeded to that page. Each Google AdWords advertiser has a different cookie. Thus, cookies cannot be tracked using the website of an AdWords advertiser. The information obtained using the conversion cookie is used to create conversion statistics for the AdWords advertisers who have opted for conversion tracking. AdWords advertisers are told the total number of users who clicked on their ad and were redirected to a conversion-tracking-tag page. However, advertisers do not obtain any information that can be used to personally identify users.

Conversion tracking only takes place if you actively agree to this by clicking on the "Yes" button in our cookie banner and thus consent to tracking in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a) GDPR. You can revoke this consent at any time by deleting cookies in your browser. (You will find tips on how to proceed above).

Cookies

Essential

Essential Cookies are necessary for enabling the core functionality of the site. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, which is why they cannot be deactivated or declined. 

  • Name: cookienotev2
  • Purpose: This cookie remembers your choice of accepting or rejecting cookies from our website.
  • Expiry date: 1 year
  • Provider: foodwatch website
     
  • Name: be_typo_user
  • Purpose: This cookie stores the login data entered in the Typo3 backend for editorial work. It is not relevant for normal website users. 
  • Expiry date: End of browser session
  • Provider: Typo3

Functional

Functional Cookies enable our website to provide enhanced functionality. If you choose to decline these cookies, certain functions, such as our campaign and donation forms, may not work as intended.

  • Name: sticky-box
  • Purpose: The Sticky Box is the pink website element that offers you the opportunity to take part in a campaign or subscribe to our newsletter. When this form is closed, a so-called Session Cookie is set so that the form does not appear again when the user visits further pages on our website. 
  • Expiry date: Session (automatically deleted when user exits the website)
  • Provider: foodwatch website 

Statistics

We analyse website visits in full compliance with data protection regulations and in an anonymized manner using Matomo's cookie-less tracking. The cookies enable us to improve our services for you. 

  • Name: _pk_id
  • Purpose: Used to summarize information about a user's visit. The data is processed anonymously.
  • Expiry date: 13 months
  • Provider: Matomo (self-hosted)
     
  • Name: _pk_ses
  • Purpose: Temporary cookie to store temporary visit data.
  • Expiry date: Session length
  • Provider: Matomo (self-hosted)
     
  • Name: Consent
  • Purpose: This cookie is used by Google to remember the user’s current consent status in the Google cookie banner.
  • Expiry date: 1 year
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited

Fundraising

Google gives charities and non-profit organisations the opportunity to advertise on Google search for free (up to a certain amount of advertising credit per month). foodwatch also takes advantage of this offer (“Google AdWords” or “Google Ad Grants”). This is why, when certain search terms are used, Google shows ads that lead the user to the foodwatch website. The cookies listed below help us evaluate these ads and optimise our content accordingly.

  • Name: test_cookie
  • Purpose: This cookie is set by Google Ads. It is used for determining whether the user has given their consent in the Google cookie banner. 
  • Expiry date: 15 minutes
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited
     
  • Name: IDE /1P_JAR         
  • Purpose: This cookie is used by Google Ads and set by Doubleclick.net. It contains a randomly generated user ID. Using this ID, users can be recognised, and personalised ads can be shown. “IDE” cookies are used for showing Google ads on non-Google sites. However, these ads are not shown on the foodwatch website.
  • Expiry date: 30 days
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited/ doubleclick.net
     
  • Name: NID
  • Purpose: This cookie is set by Google. It is used to show Google ads in Google services for signed-out users. The cookie stores users’ preferences and personalises ads on Google websites based on recent searches and interactions. foodwatch does not display any ads on its own website.
  • Expiry date: 6 months
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited
     
  • Name: Secure-3PAPISID
  • Purpose: This cookie is used for targeting purposes in order to build a profile of website visitor interests to show relevant and personalised Google ads. No Google ads are displayed on the foodwatch website.
  • Expiry date: 364 days
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited
     
  • Name: _Secure-3PSID
  • Purpose: This cookie is used for building a profile of website visitor interests to show relevant and personalised Google ads. No Google ads are displayed on the foodwatch website. 
  • Expiry date: 2 years
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited/ doubleclick.net
     
  • Name: __Secure-3PSIDCC
  • Purpose: These cookies are used to deliver ads that are relevant to individual users. They contain an encrypted unique ID to identify the user. There are no Google ads on the foodwatch website.
  • Expiry date: 2 years
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited
     
  • Name: AWSALBCORS (or AWSELB, depending on the browser)
  • Purpose: This cookie is installed by Fundraising-Box. It is used for managing data traffic to balance the load on Fundraising-Box servers.
  • Expiry date: End of browser session
  • Provider: secure.fundraisingbox.com
     
  • Name: box
  • Purpose: This cookie stores the ID of the user session. Visitors who are not logged in (i.e. donors) also automatically have a user session. However this session does not contain any information.
  • Expiry date: End of browser session
  • Provider: secure.fundraisingbox.com
     
  • Name: __Secure-ENID
  • Purpose: These cookies are required for Google remarketing and are used to deliver ads.
  • Expiry date: 1 year
  • Provider: Google Ireland Limited

YouTube videos on our website

You can view YouTube videos on the pages of our website. YouTube is a service of Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. For YouTube videos that we recently embedded into our website, a connection is not made to YouTube until the first click. However, this function did not become available until 28th May 2019. This is why some older videos can still be accessed directly. In general, we use embedded YouTube videos in the “extended data protection mode” offered by YouTube. You can find more information on data protection with YouTube services in the Google Privacy Policy.

Privacy notice for job applicants

What personal data do we process? And for what purposes?

We process the data that you submit to us in connection with your application. This data is processed in order to assess your suitability for the position (or, if applicable, other open positions at foodwatch) and perform the steps of the recruitment and hiring process.

What is the legal basis for processing your personal data?

The legal basis for processing your personal data in this application process is primarily Section 26 of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), Version 25/05/2018. According to these provisions, the personal data of individuals may be processed for employment-related purposes where necessary for hiring decisions.

Should the data be necessary for legal prosecution after completion of the application procedure, data may be processed on the basis of the requirements of Art. 6 of the GDPR, in particular to safeguard legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Our interest would then consist of asserting or defending against legal claims.

How long will the data be stored?

After conclusion of the application process, the data of unsuccessful applicants will remain stored for no more than six months. In the event that you have agreed to the further storage of your personal data, we will add your data to our applicant pool. In this case, the data will be erased after two years. If you are hired in the context of this application process, your data will be transferred to our personnel files. 

To whom will my data be transmitted?

Your application data will be reviewed by the human resources department upon receipt. Suitable applications are then forwarded internally to the hiring managers for the respective open position. The next steps will then be coordinated. Within the company, your data will only be accessible to persons who require it for ensuring the proper handling of our recruitment and hiring processes.

Online presence on social media platforms

foodwatch maintains an online presence on various social media platforms. This makes it easier for interested individuals to find information on our services and provides an additional channel of communication.

foodwatch has no control over the processing of personal data by the respective platform operator in their own area of responsibility. In general, cookies are stored in your browser by the platform operator when you visit our social media pages. These cookies are used for monitoring your behaviours and interests for market-research and advertising purposes. The platform operators use the user profiles they create in this manner – usually through cross-device tracking – to show you personalised ads. In some circumstances, you may have given a platform operator your consent for the processing of your data. In this case, the legal basis for such processing is set out in Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR.

Your data may be processed even if you are not registered as a user on the respective social media platform. Your data may also be processed outside of the European Union, which could make it more difficult to assert your rights.

If we process your data in-house, we do so independently and on our own authority. In this case, the data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in using social media as a means for providing information to consumers and entering into dialogue with them. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

In the privacy notices of the respective platform operators, you can find detailed information on opt-out options, on the assertion of data subject rights and on the processing of data within the platform operator’s area of responsibility in terms of data protection.

Facebook

Provider: Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland
Data is processed on the basis of an agreement on the joint processing of personal data in accordance with Art. 26 of the GDPR.

YouTube

Provider: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

Instagram

Provider: Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA

Twitter

Provider: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Data subject rights, such as the right of access and the right to object to processing

Irrespective of the above policies, you may at any time object to the use of your data (Art. 21 GDPR) and at any time withdraw your consent to the use of your data, for example, by sending an email to info(at)foodwatch(dot)org.

If you withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data or object to the use of the data, the legality of the processing of your data prior to the time of withdrawal or objection is not affected. The legal bases are the right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3) GDPR “Conditions for consent”) and the right to object (Art. 21 GDPR “Right to object”).

Furthermore, you may at any time ask us to rectify, block or erase any personal data concerning you that we have collected and stored. Insofar as we are legally obligated to store personal data, the storage occurs for the duration of the legal obligation. In this case, the data can only be blocked, not erased. The legal bases are the right to data rectification (Art. 16 GDPR “Right to rectification”), the right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR “Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)”) and the right to restriction (Art. 18 GDPR “Right to restriction of processing”).

On 25 May 2018 the right to data portability under Art. 20 of the GDPR and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority under Art. 77 of the GDPR came into effect. In addition, you have the right to know what personal data we hold about you (Art. 15 GDPR “Right of access by the data subject”).

If you would like to exercise your aforementioned rights or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, for example, by sending an email to info(at)foodwatch(dot)org, ideally using the term “Data protection” in the subject line.

Data controller

The data controller for our website is foodwatch e.V.; all contact information can be found in our Legal Notice. 

Data protection officer

Our data protection officer is Roman Maczkowsky from the company m-privacy GmbH. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments on the subject of data protection, please feel free to contact us at any time, ideally by sending an email to info(at)foodwatch(dot)org or using our contact form.