Privacy policy for the website of the Alter Start association

The Alter Start Association processes personal data in accordance with applicable Swiss law, in particular the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and its implementing provisions.

Where European Union law applies in a particular case, in particular because services are specifically offered to people located in the EU/EEA, additional rules may also apply.

1. Data controller

The controller of personal data within the meaning of applicable law is:

• Association Alter Start
• c/o ObersonAbels
• Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 5
• CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland

For any question about data protection, you can contact the Association at the address above or at info@alterstart.org.

2. Categories of data processed

Depending on how you interact with the Site or the Association, we may process in particular the following categories of data.

Identification and contact data:

• first and last name;
• postal address;
• email address;
• phone number;
• organisation, position or role, where applicable.

Data relating to requests and exchanges:

• content of messages sent via a contact form, email or other channels;
• correspondence, requests for information, requests to take part or for support;
• history of exchanges with the Association.

Data relating to memberships, donations, registrations and events:

• information provided when joining, or registering for an event, activity or programme;
• information needed for administrative and organisational follow-up;
• data relating to a donation or payment, insofar as it is provided to us;
• logistical information or organisational preferences.

Technical and usage data: when you visit the Site, certain technical data may be collected automatically, for example:

• IP address;
• date and time of access;
• pages viewed;
• type of device;
• operating system;
• browser;
• referring site;
• technical logs and security information.

Communication and newsletter data: if you sign up for a newsletter or other communications from the Association, we may process:

• your email address;
• your name, if you provide it;
• your communication preferences;
• technical data relating to the sending and opening of messages, where the tool used allows it.

Sensitive data: as a rule, the Association does not collect sensitive personal data via the Site, unless this is necessary for a specific activity and is based on an appropriate legal basis or on information you provide voluntarily. If certain activities of the Association involve processing sensitive data, this must be specifically indicated at the time of collection.

3. Purposes of processing

The Association processes personal data in particular for the following purposes:

• to provide the Site and its features;
• to respond to contact requests and enquiries;
• to manage memberships, registrations, participation, events, activities and relations with members, volunteers, partners or beneficiaries;
• to process donations and handle the related administration;
• to send information, news or newsletters, in line with the preferences expressed;
• to improve the Site, its content, usability and security;
• to ensure technical maintenance, prevent abuse, fight fraud and protect systems;
• to meet legal, regulatory, accounting or administrative obligations;
• to assert, exercise or defend the Association's rights.

4. Grounds for processing

Where Swiss law applies, the processing of personal data is based in particular on:

• the processing being necessary to provide the Site and to handle requests, registrations, memberships, donations or other services requested;
• the Association's overriding or legitimate interest in organising its activities, communicating, keeping the Site secure and managing its relationships;
• compliance with legal obligations;
• the consent of the person concerned, where this is required or requested.

Where consent has been requested, it may be withdrawn at any time for the future, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before the withdrawal.

5. Mandatory or optional data

Where fields are marked as mandatory, providing them is necessary to process your request, give access to a feature, manage a registration, membership or donation, or carry out the relationship concerned.

If you do not provide this data, the Association may be unable to respond to your request or provide the expected service.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

The Site may use cookies, pixels, tags or similar technologies. These technologies may be used in particular for:

• the proper technical functioning of the Site;
• security;
• remembering preferences;
• audience measurement;
• embedding third-party content or services.

Depending on how the Site is configured, some cookies may be strictly necessary, while others may be subject to your choice via a banner or preference management tool.

You can also set your browser to block all or some cookies. Blocking certain cookies may, however, affect how the Site works.

7. Third-party tools, hosting and recipients

Personal data may be disclosed, to the extent necessary, to the following categories of recipients:

• the Site's hosting provider;
• IT, maintenance, security or backup providers;
• providers of forms, newsletters, event management or member relationship tools;
• payment providers for donations, registrations or memberships;
• authorities, government bodies, courts or external advisers, where legally required or necessary;
• partners or contributors involved in a specific activity, where justified.

These recipients only access the data to the extent necessary to carry out their tasks.

8. Retention period

The Association keeps personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes pursued, in particular to:

• handle a request and follow it up;
• manage the relationship with members, participants, volunteers, partners or donors;
• comply with legal retention obligations, in particular accounting and administrative ones;
• establish, exercise or defend rights.

Retention periods may vary depending on the category of data and the applicable obligations. At the end of the relevant period, data is deleted, anonymised or securely archived, as appropriate.

9. Data security

The Association implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against loss, destruction, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or unauthorised access.

Despite these measures, no transmission over the internet and no IT system can guarantee absolute security.

10. Rights of the people concerned

Within the limits of applicable law, you have in particular the following rights:

• to request information about the personal data concerning you that the Association processes;
• to request the correction of inaccurate data;
• to request the deletion of data, where the processing is no longer necessary or justified;
• to request that certain data be handed over or transferred in a commonly used format, where applicable law provides for this;
• to withdraw your consent, where the processing is based on it;
• to object, in certain situations, to processing based on the Association's legitimate interest.

These rights may be subject to conditions, limitations or exceptions provided for by law.

To exercise your rights, you can write to: Association Alter Start, c/o ObersonAbels, Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 5, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland. The Association may ask for information to verify your identity.

If you believe that a data processing operation breaches applicable law, you can also contact the competent authority, in Switzerland in particular the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).

11. Data of minors

As a rule, the Site is not intended to knowingly collect personal data from children without the appropriate involvement or authorisation of their legal representative where required.

If you believe that a minor has sent us personal data inappropriately, you can contact the Association so that we can look into the situation.

12. Social networks and embedded content

The Site may include links to or content from third-party platforms, for example social networks, videos, maps or external services.

When you interact with these services, the third-party providers may collect data under their own terms and privacy policies. The Association invites you to read them.

13. Changes to this policy

The Association may change this privacy policy at any time.

The version published on the Site is the one that applies at the time it is consulted. In the event of a substantial change, the Association may inform the people concerned by appropriate means.

14. Contact

For any question about this privacy policy or the processing of your personal data, you can contact:

• Association Alter Start
• c/o ObersonAbels
• Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 5
• CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
• info@alterstart.org