This Privacy Policy explains how Abendfokus (abendfokus.de) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit our website or interact with us. It is based on the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The data controller is Abendfokus Media Ltd, registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry) with registered office at Office 9, Business Centre, Valletta, 0000.
Who controls your personal data?
Abendfokus Media Ltd is the data controller for all personal data collected through the Abendfokus website. Our Chief Editor Thomas Bergmann oversees editorial standards, but data protection enquiries should be directed to our designated contact via the details below.
As a registered company in Gibraltar, we comply with UK GDPR requirements for any data processing that affects users in the United Kingdom. Our legal representative for data matters can be reached through our contact page.
What personal data do we collect?
We collect only the information you provide when contacting us, signing up for newsletters, or submitting tips. This may include your name, email address, and any details you choose to share in a message. We also collect basic technical data such as IP address and browser type through cookies.
We never collect sensitive categories of personal data unless you voluntarily provide them in a tip or complaint. In those cases, we handle them with extra care and only with your explicit consent where required.
Why do we process your data?
We use your data to deliver the news and services you request, respond to your enquiries, send newsletters you have subscribed to, and improve our website. Our lawful bases are your consent, our legitimate interest in publishing journalism, and performance of a contract where applicable.
For example, if you subscribe to our newsletter via the newsletter page, we process your email address based on your consent. You can withdraw that consent at any time by unsubscribing.
How long do we keep your data?
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected. Newsletter subscriber data is kept until you unsubscribe. Contact enquiries are deleted after one year unless they relate to a complaint or legal matter that requires longer storage.
Technical logs and cookie data are retained for up to 26 months, in line with standard analytics retention periods. After that, they are anonymised or deleted.
What rights do you have under UK GDPR?
You have the right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data, as well as to restrict or object to processing. You also have the right to data portability and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise these rights, contact our data team via info@abendfokus.de.
If you believe we have not handled your data correctly, you can file a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK. We also have a formal complaints procedure for matters related to our editorial content or data handling.
How do we use cookies and similar technologies?
We use cookies to analyse site traffic, remember your preferences, and deliver relevant advertising. Some cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function; others require your consent. You can manage your preferences through our cookie banner at any time.
For a detailed list of the cookies we use and their purposes, please see our dedicated cookie policy. We do not use cookies to track you across unrelated sites without your explicit consent.
Who do we share your data with?
We share your data only with trusted service providers who process data on our behalf, such as hosting providers, email delivery services, and analytics platforms. These processors are contractually bound to comply with UK GDPR and may not use your data for their own purposes.
We never sell your personal data to third parties. If we are required to disclose data by law or to protect our legal rights, we will do so only to the extent necessary.
How do we protect your data?
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or destruction. This includes encryption in transit, secure server infrastructure, and access controls limited to staff who need the data for their work.
Our editorial team, including Redaktionschef Maria Braun and fact-checking lead Lisa Otto, are trained in data protection principles. We review our security practices regularly.
What you can expect from us
As an independent publisher, we are committed to transparency and trustworthiness. Our editorial policy and fact-checking policy outline how we ensure accuracy and fairness in our journalism. Those same values apply to how we handle your data.
We will never use your personal data for purposes you have not agreed to. If we change our privacy practices, we will update this page and notify you through the website. You can also read our AI and automation policy to understand how technology supports our work without compromising your privacy.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact our data team at info@abendfokus.de or use the contact page. For complaints specifically about data handling, refer to our complaints procedure.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are unsatisfied with our response. We will cooperate fully with any regulatory investigation.