Privacy Statement

This privacy statement provides information about the personal data we process in connection with our activities and operations, including our sentience.ch website. In particular, we provide information on what personal data we process, for what purpose, how and where. We also provide information about the rights of individuals whose data we process.

Additional privacy statements and other legal documents such as general terms and conditions, terms of use or terms of participation may apply to specific or additional activities and operations.

We are subject to Swiss data protection law and any applicable foreign data protection law, in particular that of the European Union (EU) with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The European Commission recognises that Swiss data protection law provides an adequate level of data protection.

1. Contact addresses

Responsible for the processing of personal data:

Sentience Politics
Horburgstrasse 105
4057 Basel

hc.ecneitnes@ofni

In individual cases, we will inform you if other persons are responsible for the processing of personal data.

2. Definitions and legal basis

2.1 Definitions

Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. A data subject is a person about whom we process personal data.

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

The European Economic Area (EEA) comprises the Member States of the European Union (EU) as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) refers to the processing of personal data as the processing of personal data.

2.2 Legal basis

We process personal data in accordance with Swiss data protection law, in particular the Federal Data Protection Act (FADP) and the Ordinance on Data Protection (FADP). We process personal data – if and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – in accordance with at least one of the following legal bases:

  • Art. 6 Paragraph 1 Letter b GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data for the performance of a contract with the data subject as well as for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data to protect the legitimate interests of us or of third parties, unless the fundamental freedoms and rights and interests of the data subject prevail. Legitimate interests are, in particular, our interest in being able to carry out our activities and operations permanently, in a user-friendly, secure and reliable manner and to communicate about them, 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 for the fulfilment of a legal obligation to which may be subject to the applicable law of member states in the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR for the necessary processing of personal data for the performance of a task that is in the public interest.
  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR for the processing of personal data with the consent of the data subject.
  • Article 6(1)(d) of the GDPR for the processing of personal data necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person.

3. Type, scope and purpose

We process the personal data that are necessary to carry out our activities and operations in a sustainable, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. In particular, such personal data may fall into the categories of inventory and contact data, browser and device data, content data, meta or marginal data and usage data, location data, sales data and contract and payment data.

We process personal data for the period of time necessary for the relevant purpose(s) or as required by law. Personal data whose processing is no longer required is anonymised or deleted.

We may have personal data processed by third parties. We may process personal data jointly with third parties or transmit it to third parties. Such third parties are, in particular, specialised providers whose services we use. We also guarantee data protection for such third parties.

As a matter of principle, we only process personal data with the consent of the persons concerned. If and to the extent that the processing is permissible for other legal reasons, we may waive the requirement to obtain consent. For example, we may process personal data without consent in order to perform a contract, fulfil legal obligations or to protect overriding interests.

In this context, we process in particular information that a data subject voluntarily provides to us when contacting us – for example by letter post, email, instant messaging, contact form, social media or telephone – or when registering for a user account. We may store such information, for example, in an address book, in a customer relationship management system (CRM system) or with comparable tools. If we receive data about other persons, the transmitting persons are obliged to guarantee data protection with regard to these persons and to ensure the accuracy of this 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, if and to the extent that such processing is permitted for legal reasons.

4. Job applications

We process personal data about applicants to the extent that it is necessary for assessing their suitability for an employment relationship or for the subsequent performance of an employment contract. The necessary personal data results in particular from the information requested, for example in the context of a job advertisement. We also process personal data that applicants voluntarily provide or publish, in particular as part of cover letters, CVs and other application documents as well as online profiles.

If and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable, we process personal data about applicants in particular in accordance with Art. 9 Paragraph 2 Letter b GDPR.

5. Personal data abroad

We process personal data in Switzerland and in 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 States and territories on earth as well as elsewhere in the universe provided that the law there ensures adequate data protection in accordance with the Decision of the Swiss Federal Council – if and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – 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 by way of standard data protection clauses or with other appropriate safeguards. By way of exception, we may export personal data to countries without adequate or appropriate data protection if the special data protection law requirements are met, for example, the express consent of the data subjects or a direct connection with the conclusion or performance of a contract. We will be happy to provide data subjects with information on any guarantees or a copy of any guarantees on request.

6. Rights of data subjects

6.1 Data Protection Claims

We grant data subjects all claims in accordance with applicable data protection law. Data subjects have the following rights in particular:

  • Information: Data subjects can request information as to whether we process personal data about them and, if so, what personal data is involved. Affected persons also receive the information necessary to assert their data protection claims and to ensure transparency. This includes the processed personal data as such, but also, among other things, 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 limitation: Data subjects can have incorrect personal data corrected, incomplete data completed and the processing of their data restricted.
  • Deletion and objection: Affected persons can have their personal data deleted (“right to be forgotten”) and object to the processing of their data with effect for the future.
  • Data release and data transmission: Affected persons can request the release of personal data or the transfer of their data to another person responsible.

We may suspend, restrict or refuse to exercise the rights of data subjects to the extent permitted by law. We can inform affected persons of any requirements that need to be met in order to exercise their data protection rights. For example, we may refuse to provide information in whole or in part with reference to trade secrets or the protection of other persons. For example, we can also refuse to delete personal data in whole or in part with reference to legal retention requirements and to ensure transparency. This includes the personal data processed as such, but also, among other things, 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 may have inaccurate personal data corrected, incomplete data completed and the processing of their data restricted.

Deletion and objection: Data subjects can have personal data deleted (“right to be forgotten”) and object to the processing of their data with effect for the future.

Data release and data transfer: Data subjects may request the surrender of personal data or the transfer of their data to another data controller.

We may suspend, restrict or refuse the exercise of data subjects’ rights to the extent permitted by law. We can inform data subjects of any requirements they must meet 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 business secrets or the protection of other persons. We may also, for example, refuse to delete personal data in whole or in part with reference to statutory retention obligations.

We may exceptionally provide for costs for the exercise of rights. We inform data subjects in advance of any costs.

We are obliged to take appropriate measures to identify data subjects who request information or assert other rights. Data subjects are obliged to cooperate.

6.2 Right of appeal

Affected persons have the right to enforce their data protection claims through legal action or to lodge a complaint with a responsible data protection supervisory authority. The data protection supervisory authority for private parties responsible and federal bodies in Switzerland is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (EDÖB).

If and to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable, affected persons have the right to lodge a complaint with a responsible person European data protection supervisory authority to raise.

7. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security that is appropriate to the respective risk. However, we cannot guarantee absolute data security.

Our website is accessed using transport encryption (SSL / TLS, in particular the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, abbreviated HTTPS). Most browsers mark transport encryption with a padlock in the address bar.

Our digital communication is – like basically all digital communication – subject to mass surveillance without cause or suspicion as well as other monitoring by security authorities in Switzerland, the rest of Europe, the United States of America (USA) and other countries. We cannot have any direct influence on the appropriate processing of personal data by secret services, police departments and other security authorities.

8. Use of the Website

8.1 Cookies

We may use cookies. Cookies – our own cookies (first-party cookies) and cookies from third parties whose services we use (third-party cookies) – are data that are stored in the browser. Such stored data need not be limited to traditional text-based cookies.

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. Cookies make it possible in particular to recognise 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 completely or partially deactivated and deleted at any time in the browser settings. Without cookies, our website may no longer be fully available. We actively request your express consent to the use of cookies – at least if and to the extent necessary.

In the case of cookies used for performance and reach measurement or for advertising, a general objection (“opt-out”) is possible for numerous services via 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).

8.2 Server log files

We may record the following information for each access to our website, provided that this information is transmitted by your browser to our server infrastructure or can be determined by our web server: Date and time including time zone, Internet Protocol (IP) address, access status (HTTP status code), operating system including user interface and version, browser including language and version, individual sub-page of our website accessed including amount of data transferred, website last accessed in the same browser window (referer or referrer).

We store such information, which may also constitute personal data, in server log files. The information is necessary to provide our website in a permanent, user-friendly and reliable manner and to ensure data security and thus in particular the protection of personal data – also by third parties or with the help of third parties.

8.3 Tracking pixels

We may use tracking pixels on our website. Tracking pixels are also referred to as web beacons. Tracking pixels – including those from third parties whose services we use – are small, usually invisible images that are automatically retrieved when you visit our website. Pixel counters can be used to collect the same information as server log files.

9. Notifications and Messages

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

9.1 Performance and reach measurement

Notifications and communications may contain web links or tracking pixels that record whether an individual communication has been opened and which web links have been clicked. Such web links and tracking pixels may also record the use of notifications and messages on a personal basis. We need this statistical recording of usage for performance and reach measurement in order to be able to send notifications and communications effectively and in a user-friendly manner based on the needs and reading habits of the recipients, as well as permanently, securely and reliably.

9.2 Consent and Objection

In principle, you must expressly consent to the use of your e-mail address and other contact addresses, unless such use is permitted for other legal reasons. For any consent we use the “double opt-in” procedure where possible, i.e. you will receive an E-mail with a web link that you must click to confirm so that no misuse by unauthorised third parties can take place. We may log such consents including Internet Protocol (IP) address, date and time for evidence and security reasons.

In principle, you can object to receiving notifications and communications such as newsletters at any time. With such an objection, you can at the same time object to the statistical recording of use for performance and reach measurement. This is without prejudice to necessary notifications and communications in connection with our activities and operations.

9.3 Service providers for notifications and communications

We send notifications and communications with the help of specialised service providers.

In particular, we use:

10. Social media

We are present on social media platforms and other online platforms in order to be able to communicate with interested persons and to inform them 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 inform in particular about the rights of data subjects directly vis-à-vis the respective platform, which includes, for example, the right to information.

For our social media presence on Facebook, including the so-called Page Insights, we are – if and insofar as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is applicable – jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (Ireland). Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is part of the Meta companies (including in the USA). Page Insights provides 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 manner.

Further information on the type, scope and purpose of data processing, information on the rights of data subjects and the contact details of Facebook, as well as Facebook’s data protection officer, can be found in the Facebook privacy policy. With Facebook we have concluded the so-called “Responsible Party Addendum” and in particular agreed that Facebook is responsible for ensuring the rights of data subjects. For the so-called page insights, the relevant information can be found on the page «Page Insights Information» including «Page Insights Data Information».

11. Third-party services

We use the services of specialised third parties in order to carry out our activities and operations in a sustainable, user-friendly, secure and reliable manner. Such services allow us to, among other things, embed features and content on our website. As a result of such embedding, the services used record the users’ Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for technically necessary purposes at least temporarily.

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, anonymised or pseudonymised form. This is, for example, performance or usage data in order to be able to offer the respective service.

We use in particular:

11.1 Digital infrastructure

We use the services of specialised third parties to provide us with the digital infrastructure we need in connection with our activities and operations. These include, for example, hosting and storage services from selected providers.

In particular, we use:

11.2 Automation and integration of apps and services

We use specialised platforms to integrate and connect existing third-party apps and services. We may use such “no-code” platforms to We also automate processes and activities with third-party apps and services.

In particular, we use:

11.3 Contact options

We use services from selected providers to better communicate with third parties such as potential and existing customers.

11.4 Audio and Video Conferencing

We use specialised audio and video conferencing services to communicate online. For example, we can hold virtual meetings or conduct online classes and webinars. For participation in audio and video conferences, the legal texts of the individual services such as data protection declarations and terms of use apply in addition.

Depending on the life situation, we recommend muting the microphone by default when participating in audio or video conferences as well as blurring the background or having a virtual background superimposed.

We use in particular:

11.5 Online collaboration

We use the services of third parties to enable online collaboration. In addition to this privacy statement, any directly visible terms and conditions of the services used, such as terms of use or privacy statements, also apply.

We use in particular:

11.6 Digital audio and video content

We use services from specialised third parties to enable the direct playback of digital audio and video content such as music or podcasts.

In particular, we use:

11.7 Payments

We use specialised service providers to process payments from our customers securely and reliably. The legal texts of the individual service providers, such as the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) or data protection declarations, also apply to the processing of payments.

We use in particular:

11.8 Advertising

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

With such advertising, we would like to reach in particular people who are already interested in our activities and operations or who might be interested in them (remarketing and targeting). For this purpose, we may transmit corresponding – possibly also personal – information to third parties that 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 where you are registered as a user may be able to assign the use of our online offer to your profile there.

We use in particular:

12. Website Extensions

We use extensions to our website to enable us to use additional features.

In particular, we use:

13. Success and reach measurement

We try to determine how our online offer is used. In this context, we may, for example, measure the success and reach of our activities and operations as well as the effect of third-party links to our website. But we can also, for example, try out and compare how different parts or versions of our online offer 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 to our online offer.

In most cases, the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of individual users are stored for performance and reach measurement. In this case, IP addresses are always shortened (“IP masking”) in order to follow the principle of data economy through the corresponding pseudonymisation.

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 website, information on the size of the screen or browser window and the – at least approximate – location. In principle, any user profiles are created exclusively in pseudonymised form and are not used to identify individual users. Individual services of third parties with which users are registered can, if necessary, assign the use of our online offer to the user account or user profile with the respective service.

We use in particular:

  • AWStats: Success and reach measurement; Developer: AWStats (free open source software); Data protection information: Analysis of server log files on our own server infrastructure, «What is AWStats / Features Overview».
  • Google Analytics:  Performance and reach measurement; provider: Google; Google Analytics-specific information: Measurement also across different browsers and devices (cross-device tracking) as well as with pseudonymised Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are only transmitted in full to Google in the USA in exceptional cases, Data protection”, “Browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics”.
  • Google Tag Manager: Google Tag Manager: Integration and management of other services for performance and reach measurement as well as other services from Google and third parties; provider: Google; Google Tag Manager-specific information: Data collected with Google Tag Manager further information on data protection can be found with the individual integrated and managed services.

14. Final provisions

We can adapt and supplement this data protection declaration at any time. We will inform about such adjustments and additions in an appropriate form, in particular by publishing the respective current data protection declaration on our website.

“This Privacy Policy is an unofficial translation from the original German language version.”