We (“we”, “us”, “our”) take the protection of the data of users (“user” or “you”) of our website very seriously and are committed to protecting the information that users provide to us in connection with the use of our website (collectively referred to as the “digital assets”). We also undertake to protect and use your data in accordance with applicable law.

This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of your data through your use of our digital assets (the “services”) when you access them via your devices.

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Please read this Privacy Policy carefully and ensure that you fully understand our practices regarding your data before using our services. If you have read and fully understood this policy but do not agree with our practices, you must discontinue using our digital assets and services. By using our services, you acknowledge the terms of this Privacy Policy. Continued use of the services constitutes your consent to this Privacy Policy and any amendments thereto.

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In this Privacy Policy you will learn:

• How we collect data

• What data we collect

• Why we collect such data

• To whom we disclose the data

• Where the data is stored

• How long the data is retained

• How we protect the data

• How we handle minors

• Updates or amendments to this Privacy Policy
  
   

What data do we collect?​

• Non-identifiable and non-identifying information that you provide during the registration process or that is collected through your use of our services (“non-personal data”). Non-personal data does not allow us to identify the individual from whom it was collected. Non-personal data that we collect mainly consists of technical and aggregated usage information.

• Individually identifiable information, i.e. all information that can identify you or could reasonably be used to identify you (“personal data”). Personal data we collect through our services may include, from time to time, information such as names, email addresses, postal addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, and more. If we combine personal data with non-personal data, we will treat the combined information as personal data as long as it remains combined.

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How do we collect data?​

• We collect data when you use our Services. Therefore, when you visit our digital assets and use our Services, we may collect, record and store information relating to usage, sessions and related data.

• We also collect data that you provide to us directly, for example when you contact us through a communication channel (such as by sending us an email with a comment or feedback).

• We may collect data from third-party sources as described below.

• We also collect data that you provide when you sign in to our Services through a third-party provider such as Facebook or Google.
  
   

Why do we collect this data?​

• To provide and operate our Services;

• To further develop, customise and improve our Services;

• To respond to your feedback, enquiries and requests, and to offer support;

• To analyse demand and usage patterns;

• For other internal, statistical and research purposes;

• To enhance our data security and fraud prevention capabilities;

• To investigate violations, enforce our terms and policies, and comply with applicable laws, regulations or official requests;

• To send you updates, news, promotional materials and other information relating to our Services. You can choose whether or not to continue receiving such promotional emails by clicking the unsubscribe link in those emails.

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To whom do we disclose this data?​

• We may share your data with our service providers to help us operate our Services (e.g. data hosting via third-party providers, technical support, etc.).

• We may also disclose your data in the following circumstances:
  (i) to investigate, detect, prevent or address illegal activities or misconduct;
  (ii) to establish or exercise our rights of defence;
  (iii) to protect our rights, property or personal safety, as well as the safety of our users or the public;
  (iv) in the event of a change of control within our organisation or one of our affiliates (through merger, acquisition or purchase of substantially all assets, etc.);
  (v) to collect, hold and/or manage your data through authorised third-party service providers (e.g. cloud service providers) for legitimate business purposes;
  (vi) to collaborate with third parties in improving your user experience.

• For clarity, we may transmit or otherwise use non-personal data at our discretion.

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Category: Users with a blog or forum​

Please note that our Services enable social interactions (e.g. posting content, information and comments publicly and chatting with other users). Be aware that any content or data you provide in these areas may be read, collected and used by others. We advise against posting or sharing information you do not wish to make public.

If you upload or otherwise provide content through our digital assets, you do so at your own risk. We cannot control the actions of other users or members of the public who have access to your data or content. You acknowledge and agree that copies of your data may remain viewable even after deletion, on cached or archived pages, or where third parties have copied or stored your content.​

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Cookies and similar technologies​

When you visit or access our Services, we authorise third parties to use web beacons, cookies, pixel tags, scripts and other technologies and analytics services (“tracking technologies”). These technologies may enable third parties to automatically collect your data in order to improve navigation on our digital assets, optimise performance, ensure security and prevent fraud, and provide a more personalised user experience.

To learn more, please read our Cookie Policy.

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Category: User not linked to an advertising service​​

We will not share your email address or any other personal data with advertising companies or networks without your consent.

 

Category: User linked to an advertising service, campaign manager or Facebook Ads​​​​

We may display advertisements through our Services and digital assets (including websites and applications using our Services), which may be tailored to you — for example, based on your recent browsing behaviour across sites, devices or browsers.

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To deliver these adverts, we may use cookies, JavaScript, web beacons (including clear GIFs), HTML5 local storage or other technologies. We may also work with third parties such as network advertisers (i.e. third parties who display ads based on your browsing behaviour) to deliver targeted ads. External advertising networks, sponsors or website traffic measurement services may also use cookies or similar technologies to measure ad effectiveness and tailor content to you.

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These third-party cookies and technologies are subject to each provider’s own privacy policy, not ours.
 

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Where do we store the data?​

Non-personal data​

Please note that our companies, as well as our trusted partners and service providers, are located around the world. For the purposes explained in this Privacy Policy, we store and process all non-personal data in different jurisdictions.

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Personal data​

Personal data may be maintained, processed and stored by our authorised affiliates and service providers in the United States, in Europe (including Lithuania, Poland and Germany), and in other jurisdictions as required for the proper delivery of our Services and/or as required by law.
 

How long do we retain data?​​

Please note that we retain collected data for as long as necessary to provide our Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

We may correct, amend or delete inaccurate or incomplete data at any time at our own discretion.

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How do we protect the data?​

The hosting service for our digital assets provides us with the online platform that allows us to offer our Services. Your data may be stored through the hosting provider’s data storage, databases and general applications. They store your data on secure servers behind a firewall and offer secure access via HTTPS.​

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How do we handle minors?

​The Services are not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you are under 18, you should not use our Services or provide any personal information to us.

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We reserve the right to request proof of age at any time to ensure that no minors are using our Services. If we become aware that data from minors has been collected, we will delete this data as soon as possible.

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If you believe that a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us at: iinfo@openhouseessen.org

 

Updates or amendments to this Privacy Policy​

We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy from time to time at our sole discretion. Updates will take effect immediately upon the posting of the revised policy on the website.

Your continued use of the website or our Services after any changes constitutes your acknowledgement and acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy and your agreement to be bound by its terms.

 

Your rights under UK and EU data protection law

If you reside in the European Union or the United Kingdom, you have the following rights under the GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act:

• Right of access – You may request confirmation as to whether we process your personal data and obtain a copy of the data we hold about you.

• Right to rectification – You may request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Right to erasure – You may request the deletion of your data where there is no lawful reason for us to retain it.

• Right to restrict processing – You may request the restriction of the processing of your data in certain circumstances.

• Right to data portability – You may request to receive your data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, or have it transferred to another controller.

• Right to object – You may object to the processing of your data where it is based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
   

If you wish to exercise any of these rights or receive further information,
please contact us at: info@openhouseessen.org.
 

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

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How We Handle Minors​

Category: The user does NOT collect data from minors​

The services are not intended for users who have not yet reached the legal age of majority. We will not knowingly collect data from children. If you are not of legal age, you should not download or use the services, and you should not provide us with any information.

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We reserve the right to request proof of age at any time in order to verify whether minors are using our services. In the event that we become aware that a minor is using our services, we may deny or block such users’ access to our services and may delete any data we have stored about that user. Should you have reason to believe that a minor has provided us with data, please contact us as explained below.

 

Category: The user collects data from minors​

Children may use our services. However, if they wish to access certain features, they may need to provide some information. Some data (including data collected via cookies, web beacons and other similar technologies) may be collected automatically. If we knowingly collect, use, or disclose data collected from a child, we will do so in accordance with applicable law and will obtain parental consent. We do not make a child’s participation in an online activity conditional on providing more contact information than is reasonably necessary to participate in that activity. We use the data we collect only in connection with the services requested by the child.

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We may also use a parent’s contact details to communicate about the child’s activities within the services. Parents may review data we have collected from their child, prohibit us from collecting further data from their child, and request that all data collected be deleted from our records.

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Please contact us to review, update or delete your child’s data. To protect your child, we may ask you to provide proof of identity. We may deny access to the data if we believe your identity is in question. Please note that certain data may not be deleted due to other legal obligations.

 

Category: Always​

We use your personal data only for the purposes set out in the Privacy Policy and only when we believe that:

• the use of your personal data is necessary to perform or enter into a contract (for example, to provide you with the services themselves or to offer customer care or technical support);

• the use of your personal data is necessary to comply with relevant legal or regulatory obligations; or

• the use of your personal data is necessary to support our legitimate business interests (provided that this is always done in a proportionate way and respects your privacy rights).
   

As an EU resident, you may:

• request confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you are being processed and obtain access to your stored personal data as well as certain supplementary information;

• request to receive the personal data you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format;

• request the rectification of your personal data held by us;

• request the deletion of your personal data;

• object to the processing of your personal data by us;

• request the restriction of the processing of your personal data; or

• lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
   

Please note, however, that these rights are not absolute and may be subject to our own legitimate interests and regulatory requirements. If you have general questions about the personal data we collect and how we use it, please contact us as indicated below.

In providing the services, we may transfer data cross-border to affiliated companies or other third parties and from your country/jurisdiction to other countries/jurisdictions worldwide. By using the services, you consent to the transfer of your data outside the EEA.

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If you are located within the EEA, your personal data will only be transferred to locations outside the EEA where we believe there is an adequate or comparable level of protection for personal data. We will take appropriate steps to ensure that we have suitable contractual arrangements with our third parties to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to minimise the risk of unauthorised use, alteration, deletion, loss or theft of your personal data, and that these third parties always act in accordance with applicable laws.

 

Category: The website does not sell users’ data​

We do not sell users’ personal data for the purposes and intentions of the CCPA.

 

Category: Websites with a blog or forum​

Users of the services who are residents of California and under the age of 18 may request and obtain removal of their posted content by emailing us at the address provided in the “Contact” section below. These requests must be clearly labelled “California Removal Request.” All requests must include a description of the content you wish to have removed and sufficient information to enable us to locate the material. We do not accept notices that are not properly labelled or submitted, and we may not be able to respond if you fail to provide sufficient information. Please note that your request does not ensure that the material will be completely or comprehensively removed. Material you have posted may, for example, be republished or reposted by other users or third parties.

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Updates or Changes to the Privacy Policy​

Category: Always​

We may revise this Privacy Policy at our discretion from time to time, and the version published on the website is always the most current (see “Effective Date”). We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly for any updates. In the event of significant changes, we will post a notice of such changes on our website. By continuing to use the services after notification of changes on our website, you confirm your acceptance of the amended Privacy Policy and agree to be bound by its terms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice, and you should not rely on it as such. Specific legal requirements and definitions may vary between states and/or jurisdictions. As set out in our Terms of Use, you are responsible for ensuring that your use of the services is lawful under the laws applicable to you and that you comply with them.

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To ensure that you fully meet your legal obligations, we expressly recommend seeking professional legal advice to better understand the requirements that apply specifically to you.