Security & privacy

Your privacy

Where and why does SOS Children's Villages collect information on or through the website?

We do not ask you for any personal information if you are just visiting our website. However, for you to take advantage of some of our services, we will ask for some personal information. Also in order to help us continually to learn and improve our content and services, data is collected in an anonymous and aggregated manner, for example the number of visitors to certain pages or the use of such features as e-cards and tell-a-friend.

Some personal data such as name, address and preferences are collected when you register on our website and when you sign up for a sponsorship. The data you provide enables us to give you information in a personalised manner. For example if you sign-up for our electronic sponsorship programme, which is a form of regular support of all SOS Children's Village activities in a specific town or village, you will receive news and stories. Registration and sign-up are completely voluntary. Completing the optional fields is your choice.

Data such as credit card numbers or other billing information are collected in order to process a donation. It is your decision whether you would like to store these payment details with us for a longer period than it takes to process the contribution. If you do, you will not have to re-enter all your details the next time you decide to make a donation or sponsorship payment.

Does SOS Children's Villages use cookie information?

A "cookie" is a small piece of data that is sent to your browser from our web server and stored on your computer's hard drive. SOS Children's Villages uses cookie information in order to provide better and more personalized content and services to the visitors of this website. For example, we may use the information for tracking which areas of our website you have visited, and how frequently. We may match information obtained from cookies with other data you provided in order to develop statistics.

Please check your computer or software manual for specifics on how cookies work on your computer. It is possible to block cookies from being loaded onto your computer. Please note, however, that blocking cookies can affect the performance of websites.

Any change of our policy concerning cookies will be communicated on our homepage and through a new version of this privacy statement.

 

Does SOS Children's Villages share information collected on the website with 3rd parties?

Personal data collected is not distributed, shared, rented or sold to companies or organisations that are not a part of the SOS Children's Villages' organisational structure. In the case that administrative services such as credit card processing are required from third parties, such services are acquired under the understanding that all personal information is treated confidentially and only for the purpose of SOS Children's Villages.

If compelled by law or some other regulatory authority, SOS Children's Villages may share personal information. This is also valid if we have good reason to believe that there has been an inappropriate interference with or use of our website. In such cases we maintain the right to disclose personal information as we deem appropriate, or as asked for by a legal or regulatory authority.

Aggregated, statistical and other non-personal information such as the number of visitors to our website and their use of certain features or services may be shared with third parties working with us, for example for the promotion of our website.

Does SOS Children's Villages use addresses collected on the website for sending additional information through e-mails, traditional mail or by other means?

SOS Children's Villages sends you additional information by e-mail or snail mail only when you have expressed an interest in this. On our website you can subscribe and unsubscribe to our electronic newsletter at any time, and it is also possible to request one of our offline sponsorships. These sponsorships for a specific child or SOS Children's Village are serviced by traditional snail mail and not over the Internet.

How can I opt-out of mailing lists for the newsletter, cancel my sponsorship etc.?

You are free at any time to unsubscribe from our newsletter, to deregister and to cancel an electronic sponsorship. Please contact us by completing the contact form on our website or writing to the e-mail address given at the bottom of this statement.

How can I access or correct information?

Your information is not stored on the website. You can update the correct information by entering visiting the sponsor/donor update form and inform us.

What rules apply if I "click" over to another website?

SOS Children's Villages may choose to link its website to the website of third parties in order to provide either a particular service or more in-depth information on a specific topic. However, our Privacy and Security statement no longer applies when you leave the website. It is not possible for us to control the information collected on you by externally linked websites, nor the use of this information. For the policies guiding these third party websites, please consult their respective privacy and security statements.

Your Security

How does the website of SOS Children's Villages provide security and protect confidential information?

SOS Children's Villages uses well-recognised and proven technology for payments. Payment information is transferred by the use of an SSL connection which offers the highest degree of security that your browser is able to support.

Data on all on-line transactions are saved on a secure server hosted by an international, experienced and reputable company. Several layers of built-in security, including an advanced firewall system, encryption of credit card numbers, and use of passwords, protect the collected information.

External Data Protection Officer (DPO):

Dr. Sebastian Kraska
Rechtsanwalt, Dipl.-Kfm.

IITR Datenschutz GmbH
Marienplatz 2
80331 Munich
Germany
http://www.iitr.de
Tel. +49 89 1891 7360