Privacy statement

1. Information on collecting personal data and contact details of the controller

1.1 We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. In the following sections we will inform you about the handling of your personal data when using our website. Personal data is all data with which you can be personally identified.

1.2 The controller of data processing on this website within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH, Schöneberger Str. 15, 10963 Berlin, Germany, Phone: 030/ 25 00 23 33, Fax: 030/ 25 00 24 24, E-mail: hallo@visitBerlin.de. The controller is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

1.3 The data controller has appointed a data protection officer, who can be contacted as follows:
TÜV Rheinland i-sec GmbH
Herr Oliver Gröger
Alboinstraße 56
12103 Berlin
datenschutz@visitBerlin.de

1.4 This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g. orders or enquiries to the data controller). You can recognise an encrypted connection by the character string "https://" and the lock symbol in your browser line.

2. Data collection when visiting our website

During the purely informational use of our website, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise transmit information to us, we only collect data that your browser transmits to our server (server log files). When you visit our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:

Our visited website
Date and time accessed
Quantity of data sent in bytes
Source/link from which you reached the page
Browser used
Operating system used
IP address used (if necessary in anonymised form)

Processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest to improve the stability and functionality of our website. The data will not be passed on or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to subsequently check the server log files if there are specific indications of unlawful use.

3. Making contact

Personal data is collected when you make contact with us (e.g. by contact form or e-mail). Which data is collected when you use a contact form is apparent from the contact form itself. This data is stored and used exclusively for the purpose of answering your request or for making contact, and the associated technical administration. The legal basis for the processing of data is our legitimate interest in responding to your request in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR. If you make contact with a view to concluding a contract, the additional legal basis for processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR. Your data will be deleted after the final processing of your request. This is the case if the circumstances indicate that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified and provided there are no legal obligations to retain the data.

4. Data processing for contract processing

In accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR, personal data will continue to be collected and processed if you provide it to us for the purpose of executing a contract. Which data is collected can be seen from the respective input forms. We store and use the data provided by you for the purpose of processing the contract. After complete execution of the contract, your data will be blocked with regard to tax and commercial law retention periods and deleted after expiry of these periods, unless you have expressly consented to a further use of your data or a legally permitted further use of data has been reserved on our part.

5. Use of customer data for direct advertising

5.1 Registration for our e-mail newsletter

If you register for our e-mail newsletter, we will regularly send you information about our offers. The only data mandatory for sending the newsletter is your e-mail address. The provision of further data is voluntary and will be used to address you personally. We use the double opt-in procedure for sending the newsletter. This means that we will only send you an e-mail newsletter if you have expressly confirmed that you consent to receiving newsletters. We will then send you a confirmation e-mail asking you to confirm that you wish to receive the newsletter in future by clicking on an appropriate link.
By activating the confirmation link, you give us your consent for the use of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a of the GDPR. When you register for the newsletter, we store the date, the website used for registration and the time of registration in order to be able to trace any possible misuse of your e-mail address at a later date. The data collected by us when you register for the newsletter is used exclusively for the purpose of advertising in the newsletter. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time by clicking on the link provided in the newsletter or by sending a message to news@visitberlin.de. Your data will then be stored on a separate server. Your data will then be noted on an unsubscriber list and you will no longer receive this newsletter in the future. In the event of a cancellation request, your e-mail address will be deleted immediately from our newsletter distribution list, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve the right to use data beyond this, which is permitted by law and about which we inform you in this declaration.

5.2 Sending the e-mail newsletter to existing customers

If you have provided us with your e-mail address when purchasing goods or services, we reserve the right to regularly send you e-mail offers for similar goods or services to those you have already purchased from our range. In accordance with § 7 para. 3 of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG), we do not need to obtain your separate consent for this. In this respect, the data processing is carried out solely on the basis of our legitimate interest in personalised direct advertising in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR. If you have initially objected to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose, no e-mails will be sent by us. You are entitled to object to the use of your e-mail address for the aforementioned advertising purpose at any time with future effect by notifying the data controller named at the beginning. In this case, you will only be charged transmission costs according to the base rates. After receipt of your objection, the use of your e-mail address for advertising purposes will cease immediately.

5.3 Newsletter dispatch via Optimizely GmbH

Our e-mail newsletters are sent via the technical service provider Optimizely GmbH, Wallstraße 59, 10179 Berlin ("Optimizely"), to whom we pass on the data you provided when registering for the newsletter. This transfer takes place in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR and serves our legitimate interest in using an effective advertising, secure and userfriendly newsletter system. The data you enter for the purpose of receiving the newsletter (e.g. e-mail address) is stored on Optimizely's servers in the EU.

Optimizely uses this information to send and statistically evaluate the newsletter on our behalf. For the evaluation, the e-mails sent contain web beacons or tracking pixels, which are singlepixel image files that are stored on our website or web content of the e-mail. This makes it possible to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened. Through tracking, technical information is collected (e.g. time of retrieval, IP address, browser type and operating system). The data is only collected pseudonymously and is not linked to your other personal data. A direct reference to an individual person is excluded. This data is used exclusively for the statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better adapt future newsletters to the interests of the recipients.

If you wish to object to data analysis for personalised evaluation purposes, you can do so within the e-mail sent to you.

If you wish to object to the data analysis for statistical evaluation purposes, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter.
We have concluded an order processing agreement with Optimizely, with which we oblige Optimizely to protect our customers' data and not to pass it on to third parties.

You can view Optimizely's privacy policy here:
https://www.optimizely.com/de/legal/datenschutz/

6. Data processing for order processing

6.1 On our website we link to the external booking system of Time Change GmbH, Kaiserdamm 88, 14057 Berlin. This link gives you the opportunity to order and purchase products and services for Berlin Freedom Week online. Your personal data will be collected when you place an order and make a purchase. Your personal data will only be passed on for the purpose of processing the online order in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR.
You can view Time Change GmbH's privacy policy here:
https://time-change.com/en/datenschutz/

6.2 In order to process your order, we work together with the service provider(s) listed below, who support us in whole or in part in the execution of concluded contracts. Certain personal data is transmitted to these service providers in accordance with the following information.
The personal data collected by us will be passed on to the transport company commissioned with the delivery as part of the contract processing, insofar as this is necessary for the delivery of the goods. We pass on your payment data to the commissioned credit institution within the framework of payment processing, insofar as this is necessary for payment processing. If payment service providers are used, we will inform you explicitly about this below. The legal basis for the transfer of data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR.

6.3 Use of payment service providers (payment services)
- Nexi Germany GmbH
If you choose to pay by credit card using the payment service provider Nexi Germany GmbH, payment will be processed via the payment service provider Nexi Germany GmbH, Helfmann-Park 7, 65760 Eschborn, Germany, to whom we will pass on the information you provided during the ordering process, together with information about your order, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR. Your data will be passed on solely for the purpose of processing payment with the payment service provider Nexi and only to the extent necessary for this purpose. You can obtain further information on the data protection provisions of Nexi at the following Internet address: https://www.nexi.de/de/legal-footer/datenschutzerklaerung

- Paypal
If you pay via PayPal, credit card via PayPal, direct debit via PayPal or – if offered – purchase on account or payment by instalments via PayPal, we shall pass on your payment data to PayPal (Europe) S.a.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter referred to as "PayPal") as part of the payment processing. The transfer takes place in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR and only insofar as this is necessary for the payment processing.
For the payment methods credit card via PayPal, direct debit via PayPal or – if offered – purchase on account or payment by instalments via PayPal, PayPal reserves the right to carry out a credit check. For this purpose, your payment data may be passed on to credit agencies in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR on the basis of PayPal's legitimate interest in determining your solvency. PayPal uses the result of the credit check in terms of the statistical probability of nonpayment for the purpose of deciding on the provision of the respective payment method. The credit report may contain probability values (score values). Insofar as score values are included in the result of the credit report, they have their basis in a scientifically recognised mathematical-statistical procedure. The calculation of the score values includes, but is not limited to, address data. For further information on data protection law, including information on the credit agencies used, please refer to PayPal's data privacy policy: https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full
You may object to this processing of your data at any time by sending a message to PayPal. However, PayPal may still be entitled to process your personal data if this is necessary for the contractual processing of payments.

- Google Pay
If you choose the payment method "Google Pay" of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"), the payment processing is carried out via the "Google Pay" application of your mobile device running at least Android 4.4 ("KitKat") and having an NFC function by charging a payment card deposited with Google Pay or a payment system verified there (e.g. PayPal). For the release of a payment via Google Pay in the amount of more than €25, the prior unlocking of your mobile end device by the respective verification measure set up (such as facial recognition, password, fingerprint or pattern) is required. For the purpose of payment processing, the information you provide during the ordering process, together with information about your order, will be passed on to Google. Google then transmits your payment information stored in Google Pay in the form of a uniquely assigned transaction number to the source website, with which a completed payment is verified. This transaction number does not contain any information about the real payment data of your payment means stored in Google Pay, but is created and transmitted as a one-time valid numeric token. For all transactions via Google Pay, Google only acts as an intermediary to process the payment transaction. The transaction is carried out exclusively in the relationship between the user and the source website by debiting the means of payment deposited with Google Pay. If personal data is processed during the described transfers, the processing is carried out exclusively for the purpose of payment processing in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. b DSGVO. Google reserves the right to collect, store and evaluate certain transactionspecific information for each transaction made via Google Pay. This includes the date, time and amount of the transaction, merchant location and description, a description of the purchased goods or services provided by the merchant, photos that you have attached to the transaction, the name and email address of the seller and buyer or the sender and recipient, the payment method used, your description for the reason for the transaction and, if applicable, the offer associated with the transaction. According to Google, this processing is carried out exclusively in accordance with Art. 6 para.1 lit. f DSGVO on the basis of the legitimate interest in proper billing, verification of transaction data and optimization and function maintenance of the Google Pay service. Google also reserves the right to merge the processed transaction data with other information that is collected and stored by Google when using other Google services. The terms of use of Google Pay can be found here: https://payments.google.com/payments/apis-se-cure/u/0/get_legal_document?ldo=0&ldt=googlepaytos&ldl=en
Further information on data protection with Google Pay can be found at the following Internet address: https://payments.google.com/payments/apis-secure/get_legal_document?ldo=0&ldt=privacynotice&ldl=en

6.4 Passing on personal data collection agency
If you as a customer do not meet your payment obligations, we will pass on your data to the following company for the purpose of implementing receivables management:
IHD Kreditschutzverein e.V., Augustinusstraße 11 B, D-50226 Frechen, Germany.
You can find more information about the IHD's data protection policy at the following Internet address: https://www.ihd.de/datenschutz/index-english.html

7. Use of social media

We are represented with our company profile or social media channels within social networks and platforms (hereinafter referred to as ‘networks’). When using the respective networks, personal data may be collected. We would like to point out that the terms and conditions and data protection guidelines of the respective network operators apply. You use the networks and their functions at your own risk. This applies in particular to the use of interactive functions (e.g. commenting, sharing, rating).
An overview of our network channels and the associated privacy policy can be found here:
Instagram (profile: ‘berlinfreedomweek’ & ‘berlinfreedomconference’):
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/

8. Rights of data subject

8.1 The applicable data protection law grants you comprehensive data subject rights with respect to the data controller responsible for processing your personal data (rights of access and intervention) about which we inform you below:
- Right to information in accordance with Art. 15 of the GDPR: In particular, you have a right of access concerning your personal data processed by us, the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data processed, the recipients or categories of recipients to whom your data has been or is disclosed, the planned storage duration or the criteria for determining the storage duration, the existence of any right to rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, objection to processing, complaining to a supervisory authority, the source of your data if it was not collected from you by us, the existence of any automated decision making including profiling and if necessary important information on the logic involved and the scope concerning you and the desired effects of such processing as well as your right to notification about which guarantees exist as per Art. 46 of the GDPR on transferring your data to third countries;
- Right to rectification in accordance with Art. 16 of the GDPR: You have a right to immediate rectification of incorrect data concerning you and/or completion of your incomplete data stored by us;
- Right to erasure in accordance with Art. 17 of the GDPR: You have the right to demand erasure of your personal data subject to the provisions of Art. 17 para. 1 of the GDPR. However, this right shall not apply in particular if the processing is necessary to exercise the right to free expression of opinion and to information, to fulfil any legal obligation, for reasons of public interest or to assert, exercise or defend legal claims;
- Right to restriction of processing in accordance with Art. 18 of the GDPR: You have the right to demand restriction of the processing of your personal data as long as the accuracy of our data disputed by you is reviewed, if you reject erasure of your data on account of unreliable data processing and instead demand restriction of the processing of your data, if you need your data to assert, exercise or defend legal claims, after we no longer require such data once it has achieved its purpose or if you have submitted an objection for reasons pertaining to your specific situation, unless it is yet to be determined whether our legitimate reasons prevail;
- Right to information in accordance with Art. 19 of the GDPR: If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing to the data controller, this entity is obliged to inform all the recipients to whom the personal data concerning you has been disclosed of such rectification or erasure of data or restriction of processing, unless this proves to be impossible or is associated with disproportionate costs. You have the right to be informed of such recipients.
- Right to data portability in accordance with Art. 20 of the GDPR: You have the right to receive your personal data which you have made available to us in a structured, accessible and machine-readable format or to demand transmission to another data controller insofar as this is technically feasible;
- Right to revoke consent given in accordance with Art. 7 para. 3 of the GDPR: You have the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of data at any time with future effect. In the event of withdrawal, we will immediately delete the data concerned, unless further processing can be legally based on processing that does not require consent. The withdrawal of the consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of the consent prior to the withdrawal;
- Right to lodge a complaint in accordance with Art. 77 of the GDPR: If you are of the opinion that the processing of personal data concerning you is in breach of the GDPR, you have – regardless of any other administrative or legal remedy – the right to complain to a supervisory authority, particularly in the member state of your place of residence, your workplace or the place of the presumed infringement.

8.2 RIGHT TO OBJECT
IF AS PART OF THE BALANCING OF INTERESTS WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON THE BASIS OF OUR PREVAILING LEGITIMATE INTEREST, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO SUBMIT AN OBJECTION TO SUCH PROCESSING WITH FUTURE EFFECT FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION.
IF YOU MAKE USE OF YOUR RIGHT OF OBJECTION, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE DATA CONCERNED. HOWEVER, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO FURTHER PROCESSING IF WE CAN PROVE COMPELLING GROUNDS FOR PROCESSING WORTHY OF PROTECTION WHICH OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTING, EXERCISING OR DEFENDING LEGAL CLAIMS.
IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED BY US IN ORDER TO CONDUCT DIRECT ADVERTISING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH ADVERTISING. YOU CAN EXERCISE THE OBJECTION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
IF YOU MAKE USE OF YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL CEASE PROCESSING THE DATA IN QUESTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT ADVERTISING.

9. Duration of storage of personal data

The duration of the storage of personal data is measured on the basis of the respective legal basis, the processing purpose and - if relevant - also on the basis of the respective statutory retention period (e.g. retention periods under commercial and tax law).

When personal data is processed on the basis of express consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a of the GDPR, this data is stored until the person concerned revokes his or her consent.

If there are statutory retention periods for data that is processed within the scope of legal obligations or similar obligations on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b of the GDPR, this data will be routinely deleted after expiry of the retention periods, provided that it is no longer required for the performance of the contract or the initiation of the contract and/or there is no legitimate interest on our part in continuing to store it.

When processing personal data on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR, this data is stored until the data subject exercises his or her right to object in accordance with Art. 21 para. 1 of the GDPR, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing is for the purpose of asserting, exercising or defending legal claims.

When processing personal data for the purpose of direct marketing on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR, this data will be stored until the data subject exercises his or her right to object in accordance with Art. 21 para. 2 of the GDPR.
Unless stated otherwise in the other information in this statement about specific processing situations, stored personal data will be deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or processed.

Version: July 2025