6.1 Visiting our website
In principle, you can visit our website without providing any information about yourself. Access to our website takes place by means of transport layer security (TLS), although access can take place without TLS on some microsites.
When you visit our website, our servers temporarily, automatically store the following data in a protocol file, the so-called server log-file:
- IP address of the requesting computer
- Access page (website from which you landed on our website)
- Browser settings
- Language and version of the browser software
- Date and time of access
- Name and URL of the retrieved data
- Operating system of your computer and browser
- Country from which access to our website took place
- Name of your internet provider
- Time zone difference to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- Content of the request (specific page)
- Access status/HTTP status code
- Transmitted data volume per session
- Last used website
- Activated browser plug-ins
Processing of this data is to optimise use (connection to) our website, to constantly guarantee system security and stability, and to enhance our offerings; in addition, processing is used for internal statistical purposes. A personal user profile is not created.
We also use cookies as well as applications and tools based on the use of cookies when you visit our websites. You can find more information on this in section 7 “What are cookies and when are they used”?
The legal basis for processing your personal data is our overriding interest in processing this data.
6.2 Contact
You can contact us personally by email, contact form, via social media, the VSE campus or by telephone. In order to process your request by e-mail, it is necessary to enter your e-mail address and your message. Providing additional data is voluntary.
Processing this data is in our overriding interest to communicate with you and to process and handle your request.
You can object to this data processing at any time. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data for this purpose. Please send your objection to the contact under point 1 or to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch.
6.3 Online forms
On our website, we offer the possibility to contact us via various online forms (such as applying for membership, registering for events and newsletters, contact inquiries or booking advertising services). In order to use the online forms and process your request, it is essential that you enter your contact details (including title, first name, surname, street, house number, zip code, town/city, email address, telephone number) and your message. Depending on the form, additional information such as professional function or product is necessary.
Processing this data is in our overriding interest to communicate with you and to process and handle your request.
You can object to this data processing at any time. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data for this purpose. Please send your objection to the contact under point 1 or to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch.
6.4 Collaboration tools
We use various collaboration tools for telephone conferences, online meetings and video conferences (hereafter referred to as "online meeting". Various types of data are processed when using these tools. The scope of data depends on what data is provided before and during participation at an online meeting. For example, this includes
- First name and surname, participant name, company email address
- Meeting meta-data: e.g. date, time, meeting ID, telephone numbers, city
- Audio, video or chat contents
- Name of the meeting and the password to participate
- Profile picture
- If necessary, additional personal data made available during the meeting
When an online meeting is recorded, this will be communicated transparently prior to the meeting, and, if required, you will be requested to give your consent.
Processing this data is in our overriding interest. Our overriding interest in this case is to conduct meetings effectively. Furthermore, the legal basis for data processing during online meetings is the contract if the meeting is being conduct in the context of a contractual relationship.
Send your objection to the contact under point 1 or to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch.
6.5 Microsoft Teams
We use the tool "Microsoft Teams" to conduct telephone conferences, online meetings, video conferences and/or online seminars (hereafter referred to as "online meeting"). Microsoft Teams is a product of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA.
Various types of data are processed when using Microsoft Teams. The scope of data depends on what data is provided before and during participation at an online meeting. For example,
- User information: e.g. display name, if necessary the email address, profile picture (optional), preferred language
- Meeting meta-data: e.g. date, time, meeting ID, telephone numbers, city
- Text, audio and video data: In an online meeting, the chat function can be used. The respective user text entries are processed in order to display them in the online meeting. For video display or audio playback, the respective data is processed by the microphone or a video camera on your end device for the duration of the meeting. Cameras or microphones can be turned off or muted by the user at any time via the Microsoft Teams application.
When online meetings are recorded, this is clearly communicated, and, if necessary, consent is requested. Please send your objection to the contact under point 1 or to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
The chat content is logged when using Microsoft Teams. We will also log the chat content if this is necessary for the purposes of logging the results of an online meeting.
Additional information regarding data processing with MS Teams can be found in the data protection information of this tool.
Processing this data is in our overriding interest. Our overriding interest in these cases is to carry out online meetings effectively.
6.6 Membership
We collect the following personal data for association membership:
- Contact person of the association member as well as user information (title, first name/surname, email address, telephone number of the contact person, language).
Data processing supports member management and administration, maintaining member rights and ensuring the adherence of member obligations and quality assurance according to the statutes.
Processing your personal data takes place on the legal basis of (pre-) contractual obligations in the context of membership, as well as our rightful interest in processing your membership.
6.7 Photos and/or filming
Photos and/or videos of participants are taken at our events and published in the following:
- On the website strom.ch
- In (print) publications of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies VSE)
- On the social media channels of the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE)
When you register we will ask for your general consent. Consent is voluntary and can be withdrawn from the VSE at any time with effect for the future. If recordings are available in the internet, these will be removed if possible. The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
6.8 Customer and business relationships (including professional and further training areas)
We process personal data to the extent necessary in each case in order to provide our contractual or pre-contractual services to you and to perform other services requested by you. The data processed in this context and the type, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual relationship.
Personal data that is processed includes:
- Master data: For example, name, address
- Contact data: For example, the email address, telephone number
- Professional and further training data: This includes, for example, participants' contact details, date of birth, events attended, professional background, performance records and examination results.
- Contract data: This includes, for example, services used, subject matter of the contract, contractual communication, names of contact persons.
- Payment data: This includes, for example, bank details, payment history.
The processing of this data takes place, in particular, for the following purposes:
- Communication
- Providing services and products offered by VSE
- Customer care
The processing of your personal data takes place on the legal basis of our (pre-) contractual obligations in the context of customer and business relationships (including professional and further training offerings) as well as our rightful interest in effective implementation of our vocational and further training programme.
6.9 Member area
In our member area, you can use your profile to view your title, first name, surname, function, company, location, email address, telephone number, newsletter subscriptions and orders placed. In addition, you can change your password in the member area.
When registering, the following information must be provided:
Title, first name, surname, email, telephone number, academic title, function, company, street, postal code
You can log in with your email address and password on future visits to our websites. Your password is stored in encrypted form and cannot be viewed by us.
To prevent unauthorised use, a two-stage procedure (“double opt-in”) is used during registration. This means that after registration you will receive an e-mail in which you must click on a link to confirm your registration.
All data that we are not required to retain by law (e.g. in accounting) will be deleted as soon as the order is completed. You can delete your customer account at any time. The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
6.10 Newsletter mailing
You can subscribe to a newsletter on our website. In our newsletter, you receive information on our products, offerings, services, promotions and about our association.
If you have subscribed to our newsletter, we will use your e-mail address to inform you about the association and our offerings.
The newsletter contains images that are retrieved from the server of the mailing service provider when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about your browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, is initially collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of the services based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behaviour based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or the access times. The surveys also include determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are accessed. Although this information can be assigned to individual newsletter recipients for technical reasons, it is neither our intention nor that of the mailing service provider to monitor individual users. Rather, the evaluations help us to recognise the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users.
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time and revoke your consent. To do this, click on the corresponding button (link) in the newsletter sent to you. You will find the link to unsubscribe from the newsletter at the end of each newsletter. You can send your objection to the contact under point 1 or to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch.
6.11 Competitions
When you take part in competitions, we collect the personal data that is required to run the competition. As a rule, this is the name and contact data. We may pass on your personal data to our competition partners, e.g. to provide you with a possible prize. Participation in a competition and the associated data collection is of course voluntary. Detailed information can be found in our conditions of participation for the respective competition.
The legal basis for data processing for these purposes is the fulfilment of a (preliminary) contract.
The use of data for the aforementioned purpose can be revoked at any time. The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
6.12 Product rating and satisfaction surveys
From time to time we carry out surveys on our products and services in order to improve the customer experience and respond to customer needs. To do so, we need your name or a pseudonym, which is displayed together with your country of origin.
The legal basis for data processing for these purposes is our overriding interest in optimising our offerings and services.
The use of data for the aforementioned purpose can be revoked at any time. The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
6.13 Marketing measures
We use your contact data for the following purposes:
- To maintain contact with you
- To inform you on specific services
- To recommend services that could be of interest to you
- For statistical purposes
Processing your personal data is in our overriding interest.
You can object to this data processing at any time. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data for this purpose.
The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
6.14 Security purposes and access control
We obtain and process personal data in order to ensure and continuously improve the appropriate security of our IT and other infrastructure. This includes, for example, the monitoring and control of electronic access to our IT systems and physical access to our premises (including by means of procedures in which biometric data is processed), analyses and testing our IT infrastructures, system and error checks and the creation of backup copies. For documentation and security purposes (preventive and to clarify incidents), we may also keep access logs or visitor lists in relation to our premises and use surveillance systems (e.g. security cameras). We will inform you of any monitoring systems at the relevant locations by means of appropriate signs.
Processing your personal data is in our overriding interest.
6.15 Risk management in the context of association activities
We obtain and process personal data as part of risk management (e.g. to protect against criminal activities) in connection with the association's activities. Among other things, this includes our operational organisation (e.g. resource planning) and association development.
Processing your personal data is in our overriding interest.
6.16 Application procedure
If you apply for a job with us, we will process the personal data that we receive from you as part of the application process. These include:
- Personal information
- Education
- Work experience
- Skills
- Information on previous positions
- Availability/period of notice
- The usual correspondence data such as postal address, email address and telephone number
We also process all documents submitted by you in connection with the application, such as letters of motivation, CVs, references, certificates, diplomas and other documents provided by you. Furthermore, you can voluntarily provide us with additional information.
This data will only be stored, evaluated, processed or forwarded as part of your application. We can also use your personal data for statistical purposes (e.g. reporting). However, in this case, no conclusions can be drawn about an individual person.
Your applicant data is processed on the legal basis of our (pre-) contractual obligations as part of the application process and our legitimate interests in processing your application.
You can object to this data processing at any time and withdraw your application. Send your objection to the contact under point 1.
If an employment contract is concluded with the applicant, the data provided is retained for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with legal provisions.
If you have given us your consent to store your data for further application procedures and to contact you again if necessary, we will delete this data after three years. You have the option of revoking your consent at any time. The withdrawal can be directed to the contact listed under point 1 or sent to the following email address: datenschutz@strom.ch
