Data Protection Policy

This data protection policy (valid as of November 2020) applies to all websites of the Competence Field Metropolitan Research (KoMet) in the UA Ruhr.

I. Name and Address of the Coordinators/Controllers

Those responsible, according to the understanding of the EU General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws in the member states and other legal provisions related to data protection, are:

Prof. Dr. Jens Martin Gurr
University of Duisburg-Essen, Department of Anglophone Studies
Campus Essen: Universitätsstraße 2, 45141 Essen, Raum: R12 S04 H08
Telephone: +49 201 183 3427, E-Mail: jens.gurr_at_uni-due.de

Prof. Dr. Uta Hohn
Ruhr-University Bochum, Chair of Urban and Metropolitan Studies

Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Gebäude: IA E6/127
Telefon: +49 234 32-28433, Fax: +49 234 32-14484,  E-Mail: uta.hohn_at_rub.de

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Wiechmann
TU Dortmund University, Department of Spatial Planning and Planning Theory
Campus Süd: August-Schmidt-Straße 4, 44227 Dortmund, Gebäude: GBI, 3. OG, Raum 413
Telephone: +49 231 755 5428, E-Mail: thorsten.wiechmann_at_tu-dortmund.de


II. Name and Address of the Data Protection Officer

The Data Protection Officer is:

Dr. Kai-Uwe Loser 

Data Protection Officer of Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Universität Duisburg-Essen Universitätsstraße 150 44780 Bochum

Telephone: +49 234 32 28720

E-Mail: kai-uwe.loser_at_rub.de

Webseite: https://dsb.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/dr-kai-uwe-loser/ (only in German available)



III. General Information about data processing

1. Scope of processing of personal data

We generally process the personal data of our users only to the extent that this is necessary to ensure the functioning of our websites and to provide our contents and services. As a rule, the processing of the personal data of our users will always be subject to their prior consent. An exemption applies where it is not possible to obtain prior consent for technical reasons and said data processing is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Where we obtain the data subject’s consent to the processing of personal data, the legal basis is provided by Art. 6 (1) (a) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Where the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, the legal basis is provided by Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR. This also applies to any processing required in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract.

Where the processing of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which our company is subject, the legal basis is provided by Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR.

Where the vital interest of the data subject or another person requires the processing of personal data, the legal basis is provided by Art. 6 (1) (d) GDPR.
Where the processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party and where such interests are not overridden by the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject, the legal basis for the processing is provided by Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.

3. Data erasure and retention period

We will erase or block the personal data of a data subject as soon as the specific purpose of retention ceases to exist. A further retention may happen where this is required by European or national lawmakers in EU regulations, national laws or other provisions applying to the data controller. We will also block or erase the data upon expiry of a legal retention period stipulated in any of the rules referred to above, unless it is still necessary to retain the data for concluding or performing a contract.


IV. Provision of websites and creation of log files

Each time you visit our websites our system does not automatically collect data and information from the computer system you use. No data is collected or saved.


V. Newsletter

1. Description and scope of data processing

In order to register for our newsletter, you will be asked to send an e-mail on our webpage. By sending this e-mail with your address and name, you give consent to us to send you our newsletter. For information on data protection please see our webpage.

2. Purpose of data processing and legal basis

The email address of the user is collected and used to be able to send the newsletter. The legal basis for processing data after a user has registered for the newsletter is Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR provided that the user has given consent.

3. Retention period

We will delete the data as soon as they are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected. This means a user’s email address and name are stored as long as the subscription to the newsletter is active.

4. Possibility of objection and elimination

The newsletter is delivered following the user’s registration on the website: in the same way it is possible to withdraw consent to our storing the personal data entered during the registration process for which a link is available in each newsletter.


VI. Rights of the data subject

1. Right of access

Where we process your personal data, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and have the following rights with regard to the controller. You may obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not we process any personal data concerning you.

Where this is the case, you may request the controller to provide you with the following information:
(1) The purposes of processing the personal data;
(2) The categories of personal data concerned;
(3) The recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed;
(4) The envisaged period for which the personal data concerning you will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
(5) The existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of the personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning you or to object to such processing;
(6) The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
(7) Any available information as to the source of the data, where the personal data are not collected from the data subject;
(8) The existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Art. 22 (1) and (4) GDPR, and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

You have the right to obtain information whether the personal data concerning you are disclosed to third countries or international organisations. In this context you may request to be informed about the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR with regard to the transfer.

2. Right to rectification

You have a right to obtain from the controller the rectification and/or completion, where the processed personal data concerning you are inaccurate or incomplete. The controller must undertake the rectification without delay.

3. Right to restriction of processing

Under the following conditions you may demand a restriction of the processing of personal data concerning you:
(1) You contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
(2) The processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request the restriction of their use instead;
(3) The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but you still require them for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; or
(4) You have objected to processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your interest. Where processing of personal data concerning you has been restricted, such personal data shall, with the exception of storage, only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State. Where restriction of processing has been obtained under the conditions above, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction of processing is lifted.

4. Right to erasure

a) Obligation to erase

You have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay, and the controller has the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:
(1) The personal data concerning you are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed;
(2) You withdraw consent on which the processing is based according to Art. 6 (1) (a), or Article 9 (2) (a) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing;
(3) You object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR;
(4) The personal data concerning you have been unlawfully processed;
(5) The personal data concerning you have to be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject;
(6) The personal data concerning you have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8 (1) GDPR.

b) Information to third parties

Where the controller has made public the personal data concerning you and is obliged pursuant to Art. 17 (1) GDPR to erase them, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, will take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform data controllers which are processing the personal data that you as the data subject have requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data.

c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not exist to the extent that processing is necessary:
(1) For exercising the right of freedom of expression and information;
(2) For compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
(3) For reasons of public interest in the area of public health in accordance with Art. 9 (2) (h) and (i) as well as Art. 9 (3) GDPR;
(4) For archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 (1) GDPR in so far as the right referred to in section (a) above is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing; or
(5) For the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

5. Right to be informed

Where you have exercised your right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing, the controller is obliged to communicate any rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you or restriction of processing to each recipient to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort.

You also have the right to be informed about these recipients by the controllers.

6. Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you provided to the controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. Moreover, you have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, where:
(1) The processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR or Art. 9 (2) (a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR; and
(2) The processing is carried out by automated means.

In exercising this right you also have the right to have the personal data concerning you transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible. The rights and freedoms of others may not be affected adversely hereby.

The right to data portability does not apply to processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

7. Right to object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Article 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

The controller will no longer process the personal data concerning you, unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves the purposes of establishing, exercising or defending legal claims.

Where personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.

Where you object to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data concerning you are no longer processed for such purposes.

In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, you may exercise your right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

VII. Plugins und Tools

1. Google Fonts (local hosting)

This site uses so-called Google Fonts, which are provided by Google, for the uniform display of fonts. The Google Fonts are installed locally. A connection to Google servers does not take place.

Further information on Google Fonts can be found at  https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

2. Font Awesome (local hosting)

This site uses Font Awesome for the consistent display of fonts. Font Awesome is installed locally. There is no connection to Fonticons, Inc. servers.

For more information about Font Awesome, please see the Font Awesome privacy policy at: https://fontawesome.com/privacy.