Privacy Policy
 
For the purposes of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (“PDPO”), Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong (“we” or “us”) is the data user responsible for the collection, use, and retention of personal data in connection with our operations in Hong Kong.  Goethe-Institut e. V. in Germany (“GI-HQ”) acts as our data processor where data is transferred to Germany for central administration.  The Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong pledges to fully apply the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Chapter 486 of the Laws of Hong Kong, and the German Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz) where applicable.
 
“Personal data” means any information (i) relating directly or indirectly to an individual, (ii) from which it is practicable for the individual’s identity to be ascertained, and (iii) which is in a form in which access to or processing of the information is practicable[AR1] .

Any personal data collected will be processed, handled and stored in strict confidentiality and high level of security and integrity. Goethe-Institut e.V. and Goethe headquarters in Munich, Germany (“GI-HQ”) will endeavor to take reasonable steps to keep secure any information we hold about you and keep this information accurate and up-to-date. Your personal information may be stored in hard copy or electronically (including on secure servers in controlled environment).
 
We have security processes in place to protect personal information from misuse, loss or unauthorized access, modification or disclosure in accordance with Hong Kong and German data protection laws. The types of measures we take vary with the type of information and how it is collected and stored. We require our employees, agents, contractors and data processors to respect the confidentiality of any personal information held by us.
 
Please note that Goethe-Institut e.V. may use overseas facilities including (but not limited to) in Germany to process or back-up information and, as a result, we may transfer your personal information to these overseas facilities for storage. However, this does not change any of our commitments to safeguard your privacy.  Where personal data is transferred outside Hong Kong, we take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that the transferee provides a level of protection comparable to the requirements of the PDPO.

We collect, use and retain personal data mainly for the following purposes: 

• processing enrolments, course administration and examinations;
• maintaining contact with students, alumni and partners; 
• issuing invoices and handling payments; 
• verifying qualifications and test/exam results; and
• complying with legal obligations.

Failure to provide the requested information may result in our being unable to process your registration or provide certain services.
 
Under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you have a right to request access to, and to request correction of, your personal data. Such requests should be addressed to Data Protection Officer of Goethe-Institut e.V., Luka Wong, via email to library-hongkong@goethe.de.   

We may transfer or disclose personal data to the following persons or organisations for the purposes listed above: 

• GI-HQ and its authorised staff; 
• external service providers including but not limited to IT, payment and examination partners;
• our professional advisers and auditors; and 
• government authorities or regulators where required by law.

Statement of Consent

Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong is the data user responsible for processing your personal data under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) of Hong Kong.  Goethe-Institut e. V. in Germany (“GI-HQ”) assists us as a data processor or joint data controller where information is transferred to Germany.
I do hereby declare and consent to the electronic processing and storage by Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong of my personal data (“Data”) provided under the terms of my registration, and to the transmission of such Data to GI-HQ in Germany for the purposes described below.
Such transfer and processing are carried out solely for purposes relating to course administration, examination management, customer relationship maintenance and internal reporting.  Your Data will not be used for any other purpose without your further consent.
 
Furthermore, I voluntarily consent to the use of my Data by Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong and GI-HQ not only for performing the contractual agreement, but also for the purposes of market research, advertising and direct marketing associated with the range of services offered by Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong and, in particular, for providing relevant advertisements or surveys (“Information”), e.g., about new courses offered by Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong to me at the contact address I have provided, either by post or – at my special request – also by telephone, fax, email, or text message.  I understand that this consent is optional and may be withdrawn at any time by written notice to library-hongkong@goethe.de.
 
Data concerning examinations I have taken may also be transmitted to GI-HQ for storage and use in the central examination archives for verification purposes and for issuing replacement certificates, as required.

Personal data will normally be retained for up to 10 years after the end of the relevant course or examination, or for such shorter period as is necessary for the fulfilment of the purposes for which it was collected, after which it will be securely deleted or destroyed.

To the extent the Data relates to examinations entitling my foreign spouse to relocate here with me, I hereby authorize GI-HQ to confirm, at the request of the German authorities, the authenticity of a certificate I have submitted to a government agency under the regulations of the German Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz).

Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong will not use my Data for any other purpose than those specified in this consent agreement or provide any Data to a third party, unless I have specifically agreed to.
 
I have been informed that I may revoke my permission to use my Data for market research, advertising and marketing purposes at any time, and have the right to ask Goethe-Institut e.V. Branch Hong Kong anytime to delete my Data.

In the event of discrepancies between the language versions of this Privacy Policy and Statement of Consent, the English version shall prevail.