Geoportal.de

Privacy Policy

The Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) is particularly concerned about the protection of your personal data, which is why we only process personal data to the extent necessary. Which data are required and processed for what purpose and on what basis depends to a large extent on the type of service you use or depends on the task for which we require it.

The term "personal data" means all information related to an identified or identifiable natural person. Natural persons are considered identifiable if they can be identified directly or indirectly, in particular by linking them to an identifier such as a name, identification number, location data or an online reference number.

More detailed information on what data are collected, for what purpose and on what basis, how you can contact the responsible body and the data protection officer and what rights you have with regard to the processing of personal data can be found in this data protection declaration.

1. Controller and data protection officer

The controller responsible for processing personal data is the

Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG)
Richard-Strauss-Allee 11
60598 Frankfurt am Main
Telefon: 069 6333-1
Fax: 069 6333-235
elektronische Post: mailbox@bkg.bund.de
DE-Mail: poststelle@bkg-bund.de-mail.de

If you have specific questions about how your privacy is protected, please contact the BKG data protection officer:

Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie
Richard-Strauss-Allee 11
60598 Frankfurt am Main
elektronische Post: dsb@bkg.bund.de

The following statement gives you an overview of how the BKG guarantees the protection of your data and what kind of data is collected on what basis and for what purpose.

2. Data processing related to visiting this website

Each time you visit a website, data are collected and exchanged that are necessary to provide the service. These are:

  • IP address
  • type and version of your Internet browser
  • operating system used
  • the requested page
  • referrer URL (the previously visited page)
  • time of the server request

The data are stored beyond the time of the visit in the log files of our system. According to Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 5 of the Act on the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI-Gesetz), we are also required to store data past the time of your visit in order to protect against attacks on the BKG’s Internet infrastructure and federal communications technology. These data are analyzed and, in case of attacks on the communications technology, needed to initiate legal and criminal proceedings. 

These data are not stored together with other personal data of the user.

Data logged when the BKG website is accessed are shared with third parties only if we are legally obligated to do so, or if needed for legal or criminal proceedings in case of attacks on federal communications technology. Otherwise these data are not shared with third parties. The BKG does not combine these data with other data sources. 

Session cookies

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the Internet browser or by the Internet browser on the user's computer system. When a user visits a website, a cookie may be stored on the user's operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string of characters, a so-called session ID, which enables the browser to be uniquely identified when the website is called up again.

Dealing with cookies

Cookies can be controlled with all Internet browsers. Most browsers are set to accept all cookies without asking the user. You can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies by changing the settings in your Internet browser. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically.

If you would like to use our website to the full extent, you should set your browser so that session cookies are accepted.

If you reject all cookies,

  • our shop systems will not work and
  • various web applications (including interactive maps) will not work correctly.

Check your data

Every Internet browser can show you when cookies have been stored on your computer and what they contain. The websites of the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information and the Federal Office for Information Security offer more detailed information.

3. Processing personal data when you contact us

Personal data are processed differently depending on how you contact us: via e-mail, online form, post or telephone.

a. Contacting via e-mail

You can contact the BKG using the central e-mail address named in the publication data or the e-mail address of individual staff members.

If you contact the BKG by e-mail, the data you send - at least your e-mail address and the information contained in your message (including any personal data you provide) - will be stored for the purpose of contact and responding to your message in accordance with the time limits for record retention given in the Registry Directive, supplemental to the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries (GGO).

Please note that the data will be processed in compliance with Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 3 BDSG. To respond to your message, it is necessary to process the personal data you provide.

b. Contacting by using the contact form

If you use this form, you will need to provide your first and last name and e-mail address. Without this information, your message cannot be processed. A phone number is optional and enables us to respond by phone, if requested.

Please note that the data transmitted with the online form and its content (which may also include personal information you provide) will be processed on the basis of Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 3 BDSG for the purpose of responding to your message.

Your request, which you have communicated to us via the contact form, is processed by staff of the BKG. Your data are stored in accordance with the time limits for record retention given in the Registry Directive, supplemental to the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries (GGO).

c. E-mail addresses of third parties

The BKG website also provides e-mail addresses of third parties (e.g., project managers commissioned by the BKG) regarding specific topics. These addresses do not end in @bkg.bund.de. If you send a message to one of these addresses, the BKG is not responsible for processing the personal data. If you have any questions about how these third parties deal with your personal data, please contact them directly.

Exceptions are e-mail addresses with the following character strings after @:

  • adv.online.de
  • geomis.bund.de
  • gdi-de.org
  • erdrotation.de
  • iers.org
  • geoportal.de
  • eurogeographics.org

These e-mail addresses are subject to the regulations and notices mentioned under point 3.a.

d. Contacting by post

If you write a letter to the BKG, the data you send (such as first and last name, address) will be stored and the information contained in your letter (including any personal data you provide) will be stored for the purpose of contact and responding to your letter in accordance with the time limits for record retention given in the Registry Directive, supplemental to the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries (GGO). 

Please note that the data will be processed in compliance with Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 3 BDSG. To respond to your message, it is necessary to process the personal data you provide.

e. Contacting by telephone

If you contact a BKG staff member by telephone, your personal data will be processed as far as necessary to respond to your concern.

If your personal data are processed by an employee of the BKG for the purpose of processing your request that falls in the duties of the BKG these data are stored in accordance with the time limits for record retention given in the Registry Directive, supplemental to the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries (GGO). 

Please note that the data transmitted and the content (which may also include personal data you provide) will be processed on the basis of Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 3 BDSG for the purpose of processing your request.

4. Processing personal data in the context of providing information

How personal data are processed depends on the form in which information is provided: printed publications, analog maps and digital spatial data, the dispatch of newsletters and information services as well as events and informational visits to the BKG.

a. Ordering free printed publications

If you order brochures, flyers or other printed publications from this website, we must process your personal data to carry out pre-contractual measures and the contract (providing publications) according to Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR. The following personal data are needed to process your order:

  • name, first name
  • street, house number
  • postal code, city or town
  • e-mail address (for electronic orders)

These data are processed to carry out your order. If we are unable to finalize your order, the data you provide will be shared with third parties (shipping company, other government agencies or institutions which send the ordered material). If you do not provide the necessary data, your order will not be processed.

Additional information, such as your title, telephone number, institution or company are not necessary to process your order, although they are helpful. 

The data transmitted by you will be deleted after processing the order.

b. Ordering analog maps and printed publications

If you order analog maps and printed publications from this website, we must process your personal data to carry out pre-contractual measures and the contract (providing publications) according to Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR.

The following personal data are needed to process your order:

  • title
  • name, first name
  • street, house number
  • postal code and city or town

These data are processed within the scope of ordering analog maps by the company GeoCenter Touristik Medienservice GmbH and by the company Landkarten und Reiseführer, Frank Schühle. If the aforementioned data are not available, the order cannot be processed. The processing of the above mentioned personal data for the ordering of printed publications takes place in the BKG.

Additional information, such as your company / institution, federal state, country, telephone number, fax and e-mail address are not necessary to process your order, although they serve the communication in the context of the order.

c. Ordering digital spatial data

If you order digital spatial data (spatial data and spatial data services) from this website, we must process your personal data to carry out pre-contractual measures and the contract (providing digital spatial data) according to Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR. The following personal data are needed to process your order:

  • company / institution
  • title
  • name, first name
  • street, house number
  • postal code and city or town
  • country
  • e-mail address
  • VAT ID

These data are processed within the scope of ordering. If the aforementioned data are not available, the order cannot be processed.

Additional information, such as telephone number and fax are not necessary to process your order, although they serve the communication in the context of the order.

The BKG as Central Office for Geotopography (ZSGT) licenses cross-state digital spatial data on behalf of the surveying authorities of the federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany. For this reason, the BKG is subject to an information obligation towards the federal states. The personal data are therefore also made available to the surveying authorities of the federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany for information purposes.

With the paid licensing of spatial data services, you automatically receive information by e-mail that is required for the use of the services you have purchased. The information service is shipped on the basis of a valid license agreement. A revocation during the contract period is not possible.

d. Newsletters

If you sign up for the e-mail newsletters, we will store your e-mail address on a server. Your data will be processed based on your consent pursuant to Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR. We use these data only to send the newsletters and for statistical evaluations in order to analyze system performance. We do not share your data with third parties and do not use them for any other own purposes. 

If you no longer wish your data to be stored for this purpose, and thus no longer wish to subscribe to our newsletter, you may unsubscribe at any time, and the data you provided will be deleted. Please use this LINK to do so, you will need the e-mail address you provided when subscribing. 

e. Data for the dispatch of information services

If you sign up for a BKG information service in the course of using a spatial data service, we will store on a server your e-mail address and the services you have selected. Your data will be processed based on your consent pursuant to Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR. We use these data only to send the information service and for statistical evaluations in order to analyze system performance. We do not share your data with third parties and do not use them for any other own purposes. 

After you sign up for an information service on our website, you will receive an e-mail with a link to click on to finalize your subscription. This double opt-in system ensures that you have consciously chosen to receive the information service.

When you register, your data are stored on our server, and an e-mail confirming registration is sent to the e-mail address you provided; this e-mail contains a link to click on to finalize registration.

Only after you click on the link to finalize registration will your data be stored for the purpose of sending you the information service as long as your subscription continues.

If you no longer wish your data to be stored for this purpose, and thus no longer wish to subscribe to the information service, you may unsubscribe at any time via dlz@bkg.bund.de, and the data you provided will be deleted. This right of withdrawal does not apply to receiving paid spatial data services. The information service is sent here on the basis of a valid license agreement.

f. Events and visitor groups

The BKG organizes its own events and regularly welcomes groups for an informational visit. In order to grant participants and groups access to the premises of the BKG, we must collect your first name and surname in accordance with Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Section 3 BDSG (Federal Data Protection Act) in order to fulfil our duties (public relations) within the framework of event organization and for security reasons prior to the event.

Additional information, such as the institution, type of school, class level, club or mobility limitations are optional in most cases but help in preparing the visit to the BKG. These data for the purpose of the event or the informational visit are processed based on your consent pursuant to Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR; you may withdraw this consent at any time. The lawfulness of processing on the basis of the consent provided remains unaffected until the BKG receives notification that consent has been withdrawn.

g. Data processing through film and/or photo shoots

Film and/or photo shoots are made at BKG events and BKG trade fair appearances. These files are stored on BKG servers, processed and published on the Internet on our websites and/or in the intranet as well as in print products for the purpose of external and internal public relations. The deletion period for the files is 12 months after the time of recording. At the end of the 12 months we delete them from our servers.

h. Soziale Medien

The BKG is active in the social networks Twitter, YouTube and XING.

Please note that the BKG has no influence on the terms of use of the social networks mentioned. We expressly draw your attention to the fact that the operators of social networks permanently store data outside Germany and use them for business purposes. To what extent and for how long the data are stored is not recognizable for us.

For information about which data Twitter processes and for which purposes they are used, please see Twitter’s privacy statement: https://twitter.com/de/privacy.

For information about which data YouTube processes and for which purposes they are used, please see the privacy statement of YouTube or Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy .

Please see the privacy statement of XING here: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

The BKG has no influence on the transfer of your data to third parties. We therefore recommend that you carefully check which personal data you make available to these networks. We treat your data with the utmost care, but accept no liability for the conduct of the named operators or third parties.

5. Video surveillance

The properties of the BKG

  • Richard-Strauss-Allee 11, 60598 Frankfurt am Main
  • Karl-Rothe-Straße 10-14, 04105 Leipzig
  • Geodätisches Observatorium Wettzell, Sackenrieder Straße 25, 93444 Bad Kötzting

are monitored with a video system in the outside area in order to maintain the domestic authority. Video data are processed in compliance with Article 6 (1) (e) GDPR in conjunction with Article 4 BDSG. Only external identification features are stored. The data collected in this way will only be transferred to third parties if we are legally obliged to do so or if the transfer is necessary for legal or criminal prosecution in cases of violations of domestic authority. Data are not transmitted in other cases.

The records are only evaluated in the case of concrete suspicion. Unless there is a suspicious case, the records shall be deleted after 24 hours at the latest.

6. Your rights

You have the following rights vis-à-vis the BKG with regard to personal data concerning you:

  • Right of access, Article 15 GDPR
  • Right to rectification, Article 16 GDPR
  • Right to rectification and erasure, Article 17 GDPR
  • Right to restriction of processing, Article 18 GDPR
  • Right to object to collecting, processing and/or using , Article 21 GDPR
  • Right to data portability, Article 20 GDPR
  • If the personal data are processed on the basis of consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), you can withdraw your consent at any time for the purpose in question. The lawfulness of processing on the basis of the consent provided remains unaffected until notification has been received that consent has been withdrawn. 
  • You also have the right to submit a complaint to the supervisory authority under data protection law (e.g., Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information). You may also submit questions and complaints to the BKG Data Protection Officer.