Data protection

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy provides information about the processing of personal data in connection with our activities and operations, including our website under the domain name www.bergwaldprojekt.ch. In particular, we provide information on why, how and where we process which personal data. We also provide information about the rights of persons whose data we process.

We may publish further data protection declarations or other information on data protection for individual or additional activities and operations.

We are subject to Swiss law and any applicable foreign law, in particular that of the European Union (EU) with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The European Commission recognized in its decision of 26 July 2000 that Swiss data protection law ensures adequate data protection. In its report of January 15, 2024, the European Commission confirmed this adequacy decision.

1. Contact addresses

The controller in terms of data protection law is:

Bergwaldprojekt
Via Principala 49
7014 Trin

info@bergwaldprojekt.ch

In individual cases, third parties may be responsible for the processing of personal data or there may be joint controllership with third parties. We are happy to provide data subjects with information about the respective responsibility upon request.

2. Terms and legal bases

2.1 Terms

Personal data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable person.

Processing: any handling of personal data, regardless of the means and procedures used, such as retrieving, matching, adapting, archiving, storing, reading out, disclosing, obtaining, recording, collecting, deleting, disclosing, arranging, organizing, storing, modifying, disseminating, linking, destroying and using personal data.

European Economic Area (EEA): Member States of the European Union (EU) and the Principality of Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.

2.2 Legal bases

We process personal data in accordance with Swiss law, in particular the Federal Act on Data Protection (Data Protection Act, DPA) and the Ordinance on Data Protection (Data Protection Ordinance, DPO).

We process - if and to the extent that the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable - personal data and personal data in accordance with at least one of the following legal bases:

  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data for the performance of a contract with the data subject and for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data in order to safeguard legitimate interests - including the legitimate interests of third parties - unless the fundamental freedoms and rights and interests of the data subject prevail. Such interests are in particular the permanent, humane, secure and reliable performance of our activities and operations, the guarantee of information security, protection against misuse, the enforcement of our own legal claims and compliance with Swiss law.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data to fulfill a legal obligation to which we are subject under any applicable law of Member States in the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR for the processing of personal data with the consent of the data subject.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person
  • Art. 9 para. 2 ff. GDPR for the processing of special categories of personal data, in particular with the consent of the data subjects.

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) refers to the processing of personal data as the processing of personal data and the processing of particularly sensitive personal data as the processing of special categories of personal data (Art. 9 GDPR).

3. Nature, scope and purpose of the processing of personal data

We process the personal data that is necessary to enable us to carry out our activities and operations in a permanent, humane, secure and reliable manner. The personal data processed may fall into the categories of browser and device data, content data, communication data, metadata, usage data, master data including inventory and contact data, location data, transaction data, contract data and payment data. The personal data may also constitute particularly sensitive 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, insofar as such processing is permitted.

We process personal data, where necessary, with the consent of the data subjects. In many cases, we may process personal data without consent, for example to fulfill legal obligations or to protect overriding interests. We may also ask data subjects for their consent if their consent is not required.

In this process, we process in particular information that a data subject provides to us voluntarily 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 data 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 process personal data for the duration required for the respective purpose. We anonymize or delete personal data, in particular depending on statutory retention and limitation periods.

4. Disclosure of personal data

We may disclose personal data to third parties, have it processed by third parties or process it jointly with third parties. Such third parties may be, for example, specialized providers whose services we use. For example, in order to make use of technical or organizational services that we require for the fulfilment of the aforementioned purposes or our other business activities, we forward certain data to trustworthy third parties if this is necessary for the purposes stated here in the privacy policy.

We may disclose personal data as part of our activities and operations, in particular to banks and payment service providers as well as logistics and shipping companies.

The consent of the account holder to the collection of membership and donation payments by direct debit regulates data protection and data processing for payment processing. The legal basis for this is the GDPR, in particular consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) and the necessity for the performance of a contract (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR). The data exchanged will only be used for this purpose. Only the necessary data is collected. The transmission is encrypted.

5. Communication

We process personal data in order to be able to communicate with individuals as well as with authorities, organizations and companies. In particular, we process data that a data subject voluntarily transmits to us when contacting us or registering for a user account, for example by post, email, contact form or telephone. We may store such data in an address book or with comparable tools.

For this purpose, we use in particular:

Third parties who transmit data about other persons to us are obliged to independently ensure the data protection of these data subjects. In particular, they must ensure that such data is correct and may be transmitted.

We use selected services from suitable providers to enable and improve communication with individuals and other communication partners. We can also use such services to manage and otherwise process the data of data subjects beyond direct communication.

6. Data security

6.1 General

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security appropriate to the respective risk. With our measures, we guarantee in particular the confidentiality, availability, traceability and integrity of the processed personal data, without being able to guarantee absolute data security.

Access to our website and our other digital presence takes place using transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated to HTTPS). Most browsers warn against visiting a website without transport encryption.

Our digital communication - like in principle all digital communication - is subject to mass surveillance without cause or suspicion 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. We also cannot rule out the possibility that a data subject may be subject to targeted surveillance.

6.2 Technical processing

We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect against automated input. Data such as IP address and other user-related information may be processed by Google (Ireland). The legal basis is our legitimate interest in protection against misuse. It cannot be ruled out that Google may also transfer data to the USA. Google uses the EU standard contractual clauses to ensure an adequate level of data protection. Further information can be found in Google's privacy policy.

7. Personal data abroad

We process personal data in principle in Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA). However, we may also export or transfer personal data to other countries, in particular in order to process it or have it processed there.

We may export personal data to all countries on earth and elsewhere in the universe, provided that the law there complies with decision of the Swiss Federal Council and - if and insofar as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable - also in accordance with the decision of the European Commission, we may transfer personal data to countries whose law does not guarantee adequate data protection, provided that data protection is guaranteed for other reasons, in particular 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 any guarantees.

8. Rights of data subjects

8.1 Data protection rights

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

  • 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 surrender 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 data subjects' rights to the extent permitted by law. We may 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 confidentiality obligations, overriding interests or the protection of other persons. For example, we may also refuse to erase personal data in whole or in part, in particular with reference to statutory retention obligations.

We may exceptionally 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.

8.2 Legal protection

Data subjects have the right to enforce their data protection claims by legal means or to lodge a complaint with a 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).

European data protection supervisory authorities are organized as members of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). In some Member States in the European Economic Area (EEA), the data protection supervisory authorities are federally structured, especially in Germany.

9. Use of the website

9.1 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 does not have to 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 deactivated, restricted or deleted in full or in part at any time in the browser settings. The browser settings often also allow automated deletion and other management of cookies. Without cookies, our website may no longer be fully available. We actively request explicit consent to the use of cookies - at least if and to the extent required by applicable law.

For cookies that are used to measure success and reach or for advertising, a general objection ("opt-out") is possible for numerous services via the 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).

9.2 Cookiebot

We use the consent management service Cookiebot™ CMP from Usercentrics A/S, Havnegade 39, 1058 Copenhagen, Denmark, to obtain and document the consent required under the Swiss DPA and the GDPR for technically unnecessary cookies and tracking tools. Your IP address (anonymized), the time and type of your consent and your consent status are processed to ensure legal compliance.

9.3 Logging

We may log at least the following information for each access to our website and our other digital presence, provided that this information is determined or transmitted as standard for such access to our digital infrastructure: Date and time including time zone, IP address, access status (HTTP status code), operating system including user interface and version, browser including language and version, individual subpage of our website accessed including amount of data transferred, the last website accessed in the same browser window (referrer).

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

9.4 Tracking pixels

We can integrate tracking pixels into our digital presence. Tracking pixels are also known as web beacons. Tracking pixels - including those from third parties whose services we use - are usually small, invisible images or scripts written in JavaScript that are automatically retrieved when our digital presence is accessed. Tracking pixels can be used to collect at least the same information as is recorded in log files.

10. Notifications and messages

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

10.1 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 effectively and in a human-friendly, permanent, secure and reliable manner based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients.

10.2 Consent and objection

You must in principle consent to the use of your email address and other contact addresses, unless the use is permitted for other legal reasons. We may use the "double opt-in" procedure to obtain double-confirmed consent. In this case, you will receive a message with instructions for double confirmation. We may log consents obtained, including IP address and timestamp, for evidence and security reasons.

You can in principle 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. We reserve the right to send necessary notifications and messages in connection with our activities and operations.

10.3 Service providers for notifications and messages

We send notifications and messages with the help of specialized service providers.

We use in particular:

11. Social media

We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms in order to communicate with interested persons and to provide information about our activities and operations. In connection with such platforms, personal data may also be processed outside Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA).

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

We are jointly responsible for our social media presence on Facebook, including the so-called Page Insights, together with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland), insofar as and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable. Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is part of the Meta companies (including in the USA). Page Insights provide information about how visitors interact with our Facebook presence. We use Page Insights to provide our social media presence on Facebook in an effective and user-friendly way.

Further information on the type, scope and purpose of data processing, information on the rights of data subjects and the contact details of Facebook and Facebook's data protection officer can be found in Facebook's privacy policy. We have concluded the so-called "Controller Addendum" with Facebook and have thus agreed in particular that Facebook is responsible for guaranteeing the rights of data subjects. For the so-called Page Insights, the corresponding information can be found on the page "Information on Page Insights" including "Information on Page Insights data".

For our Instagram page, we are also jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited - if and to the extent that the GDPR is applicable. Information on the type, scope and purpose of data processing and the rights of data subjects can be found in Instagram's privacy policy at https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy.
We have also concluded the "Addendum for Data Controllers" with Meta, which regulates the responsibilities in connection with data processing and the exercise of data subjects' rights.

For our presence on LinkedIn we are - if and to the extent that the GDPR is applicable - jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company (Ireland). LinkedIn provides us with so-called "Page Insights", with which we receive information about the use of our site. Further information on the type, scope and purpose of data processing and the rights of data subjects can be found in LinkedIn's privacy policy at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
We have concluded the "Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum" with LinkedIn, which stipulates that LinkedIn is responsible for fulfilling the rights of data subjects.

The processing of personal data in connection with our social media presences is based on our legitimate interest in up-to-date communication and information in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR or Art. 31 para. 1 FADP (Switzerland).

12. Third-party services

We use the services of specialized third parties in order to be able to carry out our activities and operations in a sustainable, people-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 collect the IP addresses of users at least temporarily for technically compelling reasons.

For necessary security-related, 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:

12.1 Digital infrastructure

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

We use in particular:

  • exigo: In addition to our internal servers, we host our website at Exigo AG in Chur. At Exigo AG, standard web server log files are created for each access to the website with the following information IP address, date and time including time zone, browser request including origin of the request (referrer), operating system used including user interface and version, browser used including language and version, amount of data transferred. The log files are used to detect technical problems and to ensure security and to statistically evaluate the use of our website. The data is stored on servers in Switzerland. Further information: Privacy policy: privacy policy

12.2 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 privacy policies and terms of use, also apply.

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

We use in particular:

12.3 Maps

We use third-party services to embed maps in our website and documentation.

We use in particular:

12.4 Digital content

We use the services of specialized third parties to integrate digital content into our website. Digital content includes, in particular, image and video material, music and podcasts.

We use in particular:

12.5 Advertising

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

We would like to use such advertising in particular to reach people who are already interested in our activities and operations or could be interested in them (remarketing and targeting). For this purpose, we may transmit corresponding - possibly also personal - data to third parties who 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 with whom you are registered as a user may be able to assign the use of our website to your profile there.

We use in particular:

13. Measuring success and reach

We try to measure the success and reach of our activities and operations. In this context, we can also measure the effect of third-party references or check how different parts or versions of our digital presence 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.

In most cases, the IP addresses of individual users are recorded for the success and reach measurement. 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 digital presence, information on the size of the screen or browser window and the - at least approximate - location. In principle, any user profiles are only created pseudonymously 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 with the respective service.

We use in particular:

14. Final notes on the data protection declaration

We have updated this data protection declaration with the Privacy Policy Generator from Datenschutzpartner on November 25, 2025.

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. We will inform you about updates in an appropriate form, in particular by publishing the current privacy policy on our website.

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