Bodh Gaya, Indien

"Those who do not have an oasis within themselves will not survive the desert."

Walter Ludin

Data Protection

1. Introduction

We are delighted that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest in our foundation. The protection of your personal data is very important to us. In accordance with the legal requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (Datenschutz-Grundverordnung/DSGVO) and other data protection regulations, we would like to inform you below about how we handle your personal data.

2. Data controller

Dr. Birk Foundation
Kufsteiner Straße 7
10825 Berlin

Phone: +49 172 399 70 41
Email: datenschutz@dr-birk-foundation.com

 

3. Collection and processing of personal data

We collect and process personal data that is generated when you use our website. This data is used to provide and ensure the functionality of our website.

 

3.1. Data collected automatically when using the website

When you visit our website, certain technical information is automatically collected by the web server to ensure the functionality and security of the website. This includes:

  • IP address
  • Date and time of access
  • Referrer URL (the page from which you accessed our site)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Language used

This data is stored for a maximum of 14 days and then deleted or anonymised. It serves to ensure the stability and security of the website and thus constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) DSGVO.

 

3.2. Data collected through the use of tools and plugins

Our website uses the following tools and plugins, some of which collect personal data:

  • Advanced Custom Fields PRO: Enables us to create custom fields. No personal data is collected.
  • Akeeba Backup CORE for WordPress: Backs up website data. No personal data is processed.
  • Classic Editor: This tool allows us to manage or deactivate the default settings for the use of forms. When forms are used, personal data such as name and email address are always processed.
  • EWWW Image Optimizer: Optimises the loading speed of our images. No personal data is processed.
  • Page Builder by SiteOrigin and SiteOrigin Premium: Help with the design of the page structure. These plugins do not collect any personal data.
  • SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle: Provides additional widgets for the website. No processing of personal data.
  • WPML Multilingual CMS and WPML String Translation: These plugins enable the multilingual display of our website and do not store any personal data.
  • Yoast SEO: Improves the findability of the website in search engines. No personal data is stored.

3.3. Use of cookies

Our website uses cookies to store your preferred language setting during your session. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device. You can disable the storage of cookies in your browser settings, but this may lead to restrictions in the use of the website.

  • Purpose of cookies: To store your selected language setting during your session so that you can use the website in your preferred language.
  • Type of cookie: Session cookie (only stored for the duration of your session and automatically deleted when you close your browser).
  • Storage duration: The cookie is only stored for the duration of your browser session and is deleted when you close your browser.
    The cookie does not store any personal data and is solely responsible for the technical functionality of the language selection.

As this cookie is necessary for the provision of the basic functionalities of the website, we do not require explicit consent in accordance with the DSGVO. Nevertheless, we inform you transparently about its use.

 

4. Legal basis for processing

The processing of your personal data is based on the following legal basis:

Art. 6(1)(f) DSGVO (legitimate interest): We process personal data to ensure the functionality of the website and to improve our offering.

5. Disclosure of data

We only disclose your personal data to third parties if this is necessary to ensure the functionality of the website or if we are legally obliged to do so. This may be the case, for example, when working with service providers to provide hosting or maintenance services. These service providers only have access to the data they need to perform their tasks with and are contractually obliged to comply with data protection regulations. Your data will not be sold to third parties or passed on for marketing purposes.

The hosting service provider we use is:

ALL-INKL.COM - Neue Medien Münnich
Owner: René Münnich
Hauptstraße 68 | D-02742 Friedersdorf

 

6. Storage period

We only store personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose or as required by law. After these periods have expired, the data is deleted or anonymized. In particular, log files—as described above—are stored for a maximum of 14 days and then deleted or anonymized.

 

7. Your rights

You have the following rights with regard to your personal data:

  • Right of information: You can request information about the personal data we have stored at any time (Art. 15 DSGVO).
  • Right of rectification: If your personal data is incorrect or incomplete, you can request that it be corrected (Art. 16 DSGVO).
  • Right of erasure: You can request the erasure of your personal data, provided that there are no legal retention obligations (Art. 17 DSGVO).
  • Right of restriction of processing: You can request the restriction of the processing of your data (Art. 18 DSGVO).
  • Right of objection: You may object to the processing of your personal data for reasons related to your particular situation (Art. 21 DSGVO).
  • Right of data portability: You have the right to receive the personal data you have provided in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format (Art. 20 DSGVO).

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact the contact point specified under “Data controller.”

 

8. Revocation of consent

If you have given us separate consent to process your personal data, you can revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future. Consent can be revoked by sending an email to datenschutz@dr-birk-foundation.com.

 

9. Right of complaint

If you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the DSGVO, you have the right to file a complaint with the competent supervisory authority. This is:

Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
(Berliner Beauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit)
Alt-Moabit 59-61
10555 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 13889-0
Fax: +49 30 2155050

Email: mailbox@datenschutz-berlin.de
Website: https://www.datenschutz-berlin.de

10. Changes to this data protection statement

We reserve the right to change this data protection statement as necessary, in particular to adapt it to new legal requirements or technical developments. Changes will be published on this page. We therefore recommend that you review the data protection statement regularly.

 

Status: November 10, 2025