Data Protection and Privacy Policy

Last updated: 21th April 2022

1. Introduction

Metabolism of the Cities is committed to protect the privacy of its members and other contacts and ensuring that any personal data we collect is treated securely, responsibly and for the single purpose of performing our services.

Metabolism of Cities maintains and operates all websites within the Metabolism of Cities Network the https://metabolismofcities.org/ website and its subdomains,

as well as all those powered by the Metabolism of Cities Framework including but not limited to the following sites:

Metabolism of Cities is the "data controller" of the information collected on our websites. This means that we control how information is used and are accountable for its protection in compliance with the GDPR.

This Data Protection Policy applies to all websites that Metabolism of Cities operates. Please read the following carefully to gain a better understanding of our policies and procedures surrounding your personal data and how we will handle it. We reserve the right to modify this policy at any moment.

This policy was most recently modified in March 2020.

2. Data collection and use

Metabolism of Cities gathers personal information in order to provide the services requested and for the legitimate purpose of keeping you informed about Metabolism of Cities' activities.

Metabolism of Cities makes an effort to acquire as little personal information as possible. We only require two pieces of information when you register for Metabolism of Cities: your name and an email address. We require your name in order to prevent spam/abuse. In addition, we also use your name to keep track of your contributions and to credit them appropriately. Your email address is used to validate your registration and (if permitted) to notify you when relevant forum posts, tasks, or other items are updated.

Of the required information to register, only your name is shared with other users and visitors of Metabolism of Cities. Your email address is hidden.

Other fields, such as a profile photo and a brief bio, are optional and are not required to establish an account and use Metabolism of Cities.

We do not gather sensitive data (political opinions, religious beliefs, or health information, for example) unless it is specifically required and only with your explicit cooperation.

3. Website

When you visit our website, www.metabolismofcities.org, we do not use cookies to track you, and thus we do not collect any associated personal data and cannot identify you.

Cookies
Cookies are small text files that your browser saves. According to EU law, all websites must inform you when they use cookies. The majority of websites use cookies, which do not harm your device.

Metabolism of Cities uses cookies as part of the authentication system for logged-in users, we use the strictly necessary cookies to ensure that you are logged in. A non-identifiable cookie might also be used to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery when you fill out a form. Cookies do not identify you or provide us with any personal information about you.

You will be able to browse our site even if you do not accept cookies.

Analytics and other third-party tools

Google Analytics
We track website traffic using Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a Google-owned web analytics service. It collects information to track and monitor how our websites are used. This information is shared with additional Google services. Google may use this information to contextualise and personalise advertisements served by its own advertising network.

For more information about Google's privacy practices, please visit Google Privacy Policy. Additionally, we encourage you to review Google's data security policy at Safeguarding your data - Google.

Links on our website to and from third parties
Our website contains links to and from the websites of a variety of third parties. If you click on one of these external links, please be aware that these sites have their own privacy policies, for which we accept no responsibility or liability. Please review these policies prior to providing any personal information to these third-party websites.

4. How long do we keep your data

We retain your data for the duration of your account. By visiting your account page, you can remove your account. There, you can delete your personal profile and, if desired, anonymise your contributions.

Your personal information can be updated at any moment via your profile page.

5. How are the data rights and freedom of individuals protected

We are currently assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of personal data in accordance with the principles of integrity and confidentiality.

  • ​We engage in employee awareness to ensure data security.
  • We ensure that access to databases containing personal data is granted on a need-to-know basis and that there is no blanket access to all people working for or with Metabolism of Cities.
  • We ensure that access to databases containing personal data is granted on a need-to-know basis and that there is no blanket access to all people working for or with Metabolism of Cities.

6. Your rights concerning your personal data

To ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability, you are invited to exercise the following rights at your discretion, free of charge.

Right to access, correct, and update your personal data

You have the right to access, correct, or delete any of your personal data by contacting data.protection@metabolismofcities.org.

By requesting access to your personal data, you will receive:

  • A list of the personal data that Metabolism of Cities holds about you;
  • An explanation of why your personal data is being processed; and
  • Information about anyone to whom your personal data may have been disclosed (note: we only disclose your personal information if required to by law).

Right to withdraw your consent to processing at any time.

We process your personal data with your express consent. You have the right, at any time and for any reason, to revoke this consent. Please contact data.protection@metabolismofcities.org to do so.

Within one month of receiving your request, your personal data will be removed from mailing lists and/or completely deleted from our database (your data may be stored, but not further processed, in order to comply with possible audits or checks from funding bodies, e.g. the European Commission).

Right to lodge a complaint

Please contact Metabolism of Cities immediately if you have a complaint.

Please keep in mind, however, that you always have the right to lodge a complaint with the appropriate data protection supervisory authority.

7. Changes to this policy

A review and update of this privacy policy occur periodically. You will be notified of any changes to this policy either by email or on our website.

8. Contact

Any inquiries or concerns about Metabolism of Cities' personal data policy should be directed to data.protection@metabolismofcities.org.