1. Data Controller
The data controller for this website is the Kiel Science Factory (Kieler Forschungswerkstatt), c/o Kiel University, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany. You can reach our data protection contact at info@plastic-pirates.eu.
2. What Data We Collect
Server log files: When you visit our website, our hosting provider (Cloudflare Pages) automatically records access data including IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, date and time of visit. This data is used solely for technical operation and security purposes and is deleted after 7 days.
Registration data: When you register a group to participate in the campaign, we collect name, email address, school/organisation name, country, and group size. This data is used exclusively to coordinate your participation and is deleted 12 months after campaign completion.
Scientific data: Plastic litter measurements and photos you upload are stored as open scientific data. Before submission, personal identifiers are removed. The anonymised datasets are published openly under a CC-BY 4.0 licence.
3. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data on the following legal bases under the GDPR:
- check_circle Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR – Performance of a contract/pre-contractual measures (registration and campaign participation)
- check_circle Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – Legitimate interests (technical security, server logs)
- check_circle Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR – Consent (newsletter, if applicable)
4. Sharing Your Data
We share personal data only where necessary for campaign coordination with our partner organisations: VLIZ (Belgium), FCT (Portugal), and national partner institutes. All partners are bound by data processing agreements in accordance with GDPR Art. 28.
We do not sell personal data to third parties or use it for advertising purposes. Scientific datasets are published only after full anonymisation.
5. Cookies & Tracking
This website uses only technically necessary cookies for basic functionality (e.g. session management). We do not use tracking cookies, analytics services, or advertising tools. The language preference you select is stored locally in your browser only.
6. Your Rights
Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Right to access
Request a copy of your personal data we hold.
Right to rectification
Have inaccurate personal data corrected.
Right to erasure
Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten").
Right to restriction
Restrict how we use your data in certain circumstances.
Right to portability
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Right to object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@plastic-pirates.eu. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your national data protection authority.
7. Children's Data
Campaign participation by minors (under 16) requires parental or guardian consent, which is managed through the registering teacher or group leader. We do not knowingly collect personal data directly from children under 13. Scientific field data collected by minors is anonymised before storage.
8. Hosting & Infrastructure
This website is hosted on Cloudflare Pages (Cloudflare, Inc., 101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA). Cloudflare acts as a processor under our data processing agreement. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) are in place for transfers outside the EEA. For more information, see Cloudflare's Privacy Policy.