Cookie and Privacy Policy

Cookie And Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 19-June-2024

Last Updated: 19-June-2024

What Are Cookies?

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are and how we use them, the types of cookies we use i.e, the information we collect using cookies and how that information is used, and how to manage the cookie settings.

Cookies are small text files that are used to store small pieces of information. They are stored on your device when the website is loaded on your browser. These cookies help us make the website function properly, make it more secure, provide better user experience, and understand how the website performs and to analyze what works and where it needs improvement.

How Do We Use Cookies?

As most of the online services, our website uses first-party and third-party cookies for several purposes. First-party cookies are mostly necessary for the website to function the right way, and they do not collect any of your personally identifiable data.

The third-party cookies used on our website are mainly for understanding how the website performs, how you interact with our website, keeping our website secure  and all in all providing you with a better and improved user experience and help speed up your future interactions with our website.

Manage Cookie Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences any time with our cookie consent form. This will let you revisit the cookie consent banner and change your preferences or withdraw your consent right away.

In addition to this, different browsers provide different methods to block and delete cookies used by websites. You can change the settings of your browser to block/delete the cookies. Listed below are the links to the support documents on how to manage and delete cookies from the major web browsers.

If you are using any other web browser, please visit your browser’s official support documents.

Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files containing a small amount of data which is sent to your computer when you visit our website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.

Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Privacy Policy

Your privacy

Last Updated On 19-Jun-2024
Effective Date 19-Jun-2024

This Privacy Policy describes the policies of Small Business Standards (SBS) aisbl, Rue Jacques de Lalaingstraat 4, Brussels 1040, Belgium, phone: +32472260376 on the collection, use and disclosure of your information that we collect when you use our website ( https://www.sbs-sme.eu/ ). (the “Website”). By accessing or using the Website, you are consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not consent to the same, please do not access or use the Website.

We may modify this Privacy Policy at any time without any prior notice to you and will post the revised Privacy Policy on the Service. The revised Policy will be effective 180 days from when the revised Policy is posted in the Website and your continued access or use of the Website after such time will constitute your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. We therefore recommend that you periodically review this page.

We take your privacy seriously and treat all the personal data you give us with great care. We will not sell or swap your details with any other organisation, ever, and we will keep your details private and secure.

What personal data do we process?

We process the minimum required personal data that you give to us when you apply as an expert or member, ask for information, subscribe to our newsletter, register to our events or give us your business card. When you visit our website we also automatically receive your unique identifier for your computer or other device you are using to access our site.

How do we use your data?

Personal data collected and processed by us may be used for the following purposes
• Responding to requests for support;
• Research and statistical analysis;
• Communication about activities, events and any other projects that we think may be of interest to you;
• Distribution of our newsletter
• Expert and member activities.

SBS will not sell, trade, or rent your personal information collected online to third parties. For auditing purposes, we may show attendee lists obtained at events to donors for the sole purpose of verifying that funded events took place.

If we want to use your information for any other purpose, we will ask you for consent and will use your information only on receiving your consent and then, only for the purpose(s) for which grant consent unless we are required to do otherwise by law.

Who do we share your personal data with?

We will not transfer your personal information to any third party without seeking your consent, except in limited circumstances as described below:

The SBS Secretariat, participants of SBS’ events you are attending, Analytics tools, Advertising tools as well as service providers such as graphic designers, website developers and Mailchimp.

We require such third party’s to use the personal information we transfer to them only for the purpose for which it was transferred and not to retain it for longer than is required for fulfilling the said purpose.

We may also disclose your personal information for the following: (1) to comply with applicable law, regulation, court order or other legal process; (2) to enforce your agreements with us, including this Privacy Policy; or (3) to respond to claims that your use of the Website violates any third-party rights.

Who is the controller of your data?

SBS is the controller of your personal data.

What are your rights?

Depending on the law that applies, you may have a right to access and rectify or erase your personal data or receive a copy of your personal data, restrict or object to the active processing of your data, ask us to share (port) your personal information to another entity, withdraw any consent you provided to us to process your data, a right to lodge a complaint with a statutory authority and such other rights as may be relevant under applicable laws. To exercise these rights, you can write to us using our Contact Form. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

You may opt-out of direct marketing communications or the profiling we carry out for marketing purposes by writing to us using our Contact Form.

Do note that if you do not allow us to collect or process the required personal information or withdraw the consent to process the same for the required purposes, you may not be able to access or use the services for which your information was sought.

In case your contact with SBS does not sufficiently address your request, you may further contact the relevant Data Protection Authority. As SBS is a legal entity based in Belgium, they operate under the remit of the Belgian Data Privacy Commission.

Do you have to provide your personal data?

Providing your personal data to us is optional, however, in some circumstances if you do not provide it, we will probably not be able to keep you up to date with news or events, subscription materials or e-newsletters, or our website may not work properly for you.

Legal basis

The legal basis for this Privacy Policy is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Retention of your information

We will retain your personal information with us for 90 days to 2 years after users terminate their accounts or for as long as we need it to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as detailed in this Privacy Policy. We may need to retain certain information for longer periods such as record-keeping / reporting in accordance with applicable law or for other legitimate reasons like enforcement of legal rights, fraud prevention, etc. Residual anonymous information and aggregate information, neither of which identifies you (directly or indirectly), may be stored indefinitely.

Cookies

To learn more about how we use these and your choices in relation to these tracking technologies, please refer to our Cookie Policy above.

Security

The security of your information is important to us and we will use reasonable security measures to prevent the loss, misuse or unauthorized alteration of your information under our control. However, given the inherent risks, we cannot guarantee absolute security and consequently, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us and you do so at your own risk.

Third-party links & use of your information

Our Website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not address the privacy policy and other practices of any third parties, including any third party operating any website or service that may be accessible via a link on the Website. We strongly advise you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.

Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or about how we use your personal data please reach out to us using our Contact Form. We will address your concerns in accordance with applicable law.

Views and opinions expressed are those of Small Business Standards (SBS) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EFTA. Neither the European Union nor EFTA can be held responsible for them.