We strongly support the right to privacy. Protecting your personal data and treating it in a confidential way is something we take seriously. We'll process your personal data exclusively within the legal framework of the data protection provisions of the European Union, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (hereinafter: GDPR).
This data protection policy statement describes when, how and for which purposes we'll process your personal data. It also points out the rights you have regarding the processing of your data. In particular, you'll find information on
who's legally responsible for the data processing (data controller)
the data collection and logging we carry out automatically when you visit our website
the data we collect and process when you register for our newsletter
the social plug-ins we use on our website
the web analytics tool (e.g. Matomo) we've chosen to analyze and optimize usage of our website
your rights as a data subject
your right to lodge a complaint
1. Responsible data controller
According to data protection legislation, and especially the GDPR, the responsible data controller is:
Deutsche Welle | DW
represented by the Director General Peter Limbourg
Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 3 53113 Bonn Germany
Phone: 0049 228 429-0 E-Mail: info@dw.com
DW's Data Protection officer is:
Ulf Bürger
You can contact him and data protection supervision via: datenschutz@dw.com
2. Data collection and logging
When you access our website on your device, we process the following anonymized data:
the date and time of access
the duration of your visit
your actions on the website
your operating system
the device type you have used for access
your browser type (and version)
the referrer (name of the website you accessed immediately before)
the volume of data sent
your anonymized IP address
We process this data on the basis of GDPR Article 6 (1) point f (legitimate interest), as they are required for us to provide the service, ensure technical operation, and investigate/remove malfunctions. It's in our interest to ensure the use and technical operability of our website. This data is automatically processed when our website is accessed. We usually erase the data after 30 days unless, under exceptional circumstances, we need them for a longer period for the above-mentioned purposes. In such a case, we erase the data as soon as they're no longer required.
3. Social Plug-ins (YouTube, Twitter)
This website uses plug-ins for the following social network:
YouTube (YouTube LLC, 901 Cherry Ave. San Bruno, CA 94066 USA). You can recognize it by the YouTube logo
Twitter (Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA). You can recognize it by the Twitter logo. With the help of Twitter buttons it is possible to a) share content on Twitter and b) follow us on Twitter.
When you click on a social network button, your browser uses a social plug-in to set up a direct connection to the server of the relevant social network. The legal basis for the data transfer to the previously mentioned social network is your consent (pursuant to Art. 6 Para. 1 letter a, 49 Para. 1 letter a GDPR).
In this respect, your personal data might be transferred to bodies in a third country (outside the European Union), although a level of data protection comparable to that under EU law is not guaranteed. We have no influence on the scope data is collected by the social media operators in this way. The operators process the information you have called up on our website. If you're logged into the relevant social media platform at that time, the operator can match your account with the site. If you then also interact with the social plug-in (e.g. by clicking "like" or "share") the relevant social media site will process that information.
Please be aware that, even if you're not a member of the social network, it's possible for them to identify your IP address via the social plug-in, and they might also store and process this information. Further information on the scope and purpose for which data is processed, collected and used by the respective social network, as well as your rights in this respect and the setting options, can be found in the social network's data protection policy:
If you do not want a social network to collect data via our website, make sure you do not click the relevant buttons. In addition, you can block social plug-ins via add-ons in your browser. However, there is no guarantee your data will not be processed and/or stored by the social network.
4. Web analytics (Matomo)
This website uses Matomo web analytics (formerly known as Piwik). Matomo uses cookies, i.e. text files which are stored on your computer and allow us to analyze your use of the website. The information generated by the cookies–including your shortened IP address–is transferred to our server and stored for the purpose of usage analysis and website optimisation. Your IP address is immediately anonymized. Information on your usage of this website won't be made available to third parties. Any data linked to cookies is automatically erased after 3 months. Any data that has reached the end of its retention period is automatically erased once a month.
The legal basis for the use of Matomo is your consent according to GDPR Article 6 (1) point a. If you want to disable cookies for the future, you can do so by changing your browser settings.
5. Your rights as a data subject
As a data subject you are entitled to the following rights:
right to information: You have a right to access the data we've stored about you as a person.
right to rectification and erasure: You can require us to correct inaccurate data or–provided that the legal grounds are in place–to erase your data.
restriction of processing: Provided that the legal grounds are in place, you can require us to restrict the processing of your data.
data portability: If you've provided us with data on the basis of a contract or your consent, and as long as there are legal grounds, you can require us to send you the data you gave us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, or you can require us to send your data to a different controller.
objection to data processing on the legal basis of "legitimate interest" under GDPR Article 6 (1) point f: If there are reasons arising from your specific situation, you are entitled to object to our processing of your data at any time, provided that such an objection has its legal basis in a "legitimate interest". If you make use of your right to object, we shall discontinue the processing of your data, unless we can–within the parameters of the law–demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for further processing, outweighing your own rights.
objection to cookies: You can also object to the use of cookies at any time.
revocation of consent: If you've given us your consent to the processing of your data, you can revoke the same at any time with future effect. This, however, doesn't affect the legitimacy of processing your data until the date of revocation. To exercise any of the aforementioned rights, please use the contact details as provided in clause 1 of this data protection policy. When you do so, please make sure we can clearly identify you.
To exercise any of the aforementioned rights, please use the contact details as provided in clause 1 of this data protection policy. When you do so, please make sure we can clearly identify you.
If you have any questions about the processing of your personal data, your rights as a data subject or any consent you may have given, please feel free to contact us. We'll provide further information, free of any charges.
6. Your right to lodge a complaint
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 GDPR.