1. Introduction
Sustainable Children Surgery (hereinafter “SCS”, “we”, “our association”) respects the privacy of your personal data and attaches great importance to its protection.
This Privacy Policy explains:
- What information is collected when you access and/or use the website https://sustainablechildrensurgery.org (hereinafter the “Site”);
- How we use this personal data;
- The level of security we provide for its protection.
By accessing and using the Site, you expressly accept this Privacy Policy. This policy may be modified at any time, particularly to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, and applicable law.
2. Data Controller
The data controller for personal data collected via the Site is:
Sustainable Children Surgery
Swiss law association
Chemin des Boqueteaux 14
c/o Barbara Wildhaber
1255 Veyrier
Switzerland
IDE: CHE-403.056.571
Email: info@sustainablechildrensurgery.org
Webmaster contact: webmaster@sustainablechildrensurgery.org
For any questions regarding data protection or the exercise of your rights (see section 8), you can contact us at the email address above.
3. Data Collected
We collect data related to your access and use of the Site. Depending on the features used, we may process the following categories of personal data:
3.1 Identification and Contact Data
Last name, first name, title, postal address, email address, phone number, language preference, profession or function, company name (optional).
3.2 Donation and Payment Data
Donation or contribution amount, frequency (one-time or recurring), payment method (credit card via Zahls, BACS bank transfer), billing information, internal transaction references.
Important: SCS does not store full credit card data. Credit card payment processing is delegated to our secure provider Zahls (www.zahls.ch), which complies with PCI-DSS security standards.
3.3 Data Related to Your Interactions with SCS
Participation in events, newsletter subscription or unsubscription, correspondence, information requests via contact forms, communication preferences.
3.4 Technical and Navigation Data
IP address, browser type and version, operating system, pages viewed, date and time of access, referring site, as well as information collected using cookies or similar technologies (see section 9).
Some data may be essential to process your request or perform a service (e.g., contact form, newsletter subscription, donation processing) and are then marked as mandatory during collection.
4. Purposes and Legal Bases of Processing
We process your personal data only to the extent permitted by Swiss data protection law (nLPD, new Federal Data Protection Act, in force since September 1, 2023) and, where applicable, by European law (GDPR) when it applies.
The main processing purposes are as follows:
4.1 Site Management and Provision of Our Online Content
Hosting, security, correct display of pages, adaptation of our content to our audience.
4.2 Responding to Your Requests
Processing messages sent via contact forms or by email, follow-up correspondence.
4.3 Management of Financial Support
Processing donations and contributions, acknowledgments, issuing donation certificates (where available for tax deduction), monitoring donor relationships.
4.4 Communication and Information
Sending newsletters, event invitations, activity reports, or awareness campaigns, to the extent that you have consented or applicable law permits.
4.5 Statistics and Site Improvement
Analysis of Site traffic and usage (e.g., via analytics tools) to improve our offerings and services.
4.6 Compliance with Our Legal Obligations and Defense of Our Rights
Maintaining accounting records, tax and accounting obligations, abuse prevention, defending our rights in case of dispute.
Where required by law, we will specifically inform you and, if necessary, obtain your consent before any particular processing (e.g., newsletter subscription, non-strictly necessary cookies).
5. Disclosure of Data to Third Parties
We do not disclose your personal data to third parties, except in the following cases:
5.1 Service Providers (Processors)
Providers who assist us in operating the Site, hosting, sending email communications, processing payments (Zahls for online payments, WooCommerce as an e-commerce platform), or performing statistical analyses.
5.2 Partners and Institutions
Partners and institutions with whom we collaborate on specific sustainable pediatric surgery projects, to the extent necessary to achieve the stated objectives and in accordance with applicable law.
5.3 Authorities and Legal Obligations
Authorities, courts, or other third parties when required by law or when necessary to safeguard our rights or those of third parties.
Our processors are contractually obliged to process personal data only according to our instructions and to protect it adequately in accordance with applicable law.
6. Data Transfer Abroad
In principle, we process your personal data in Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA).
In certain cases (e.g., IT tools, communication platforms, technical or payment providers), data may be transferred to other countries, particularly when using cloud services or third-party platforms.
We only transfer personal data to countries that do not have an adequate level of protection within the meaning of Swiss law if appropriate safeguards are in place, for example, through recognized standard contractual clauses or other instruments provided for by applicable law.
Where required by law, we will specifically inform you of such transfers and the safeguards implemented.
7. Retention Period
We retain your personal data only for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with legal obligations (e.g., accounting and tax retention periods of 10 years in Switzerland) or to defend our interests in court.
When data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymized, unless there is a legal obligation to retain it.
8. Your Rights
Under applicable law, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
8.1 Right of Access
Obtain information about the personal data we process concerning you.
8.2 Right to Rectification
Request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
8.3 Right to Erasure
Request the deletion of your data, to the extent that we are not obliged to retain it for legal or legitimate reasons.
8.4 Right to Restriction and Objection
Request the restriction of processing or object to certain processing, particularly for direct marketing purposes.
8.5 Right to Withdraw Consent
Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw it at any time, with effect for the future.
8.6 Right to Data Portability
In certain cases provided for by applicable law, you may request to receive your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
To exercise your rights, you can contact us in writing or by email at the address indicated in section 2 (info@sustainablechildrensurgery.org), attaching a copy of an identity document if necessary to verify your identity.
If you believe that your data protection rights are not being respected, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) in Switzerland.
9. Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve the use and functionality of the Site, measure traffic, and analyze the use of our content.
9.1 What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small file stored on your electronic device (computer, tablet, smartphone) that allows it to be recognized during subsequent access to the Site.
9.2 Types of cookies used
We use different types of cookies:
- Strictly necessary cookies: Essential for the operation of the Site and the provision of its basic functionalities (e.g., donation cart management, user session).
- Performance and analytics cookies: Allow us to measure Site traffic and understand how visitors use it, in order to improve our services.
- Functionality cookies: Allow us to remember your preferences (e.g., chosen language).
9.3 Cookie Management
You can configure your browser to refuse all or part of the cookies or to be informed of their placement, according to the options available in your browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
If you do not accept certain cookies, the use of the Site or certain functionalities may be impaired or may not work correctly (e.g., inability to finalize an online donation).
When required by applicable law, a cookie banner or management module will inform you of the cookies used during your first visit and allow you to manage your preferences.
10. Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.
These measures include, in particular:
- Encryption of sensitive data (secure SSL/TLS connection via HTTPS certificate);
- Limiting access to personal data to only those employees, committee members, and service providers who need it to perform their tasks;
- Securing our IT systems and hosting;
- Performing regular backups.
These measures are adapted according to evolving risks, available technologies, and best practices.
However, no data transmission over the Internet or storage system can be completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a security incident likely to entail a high risk to your rights and freedoms, we will inform you as soon as possible in accordance with applicable law.
11. Third-Party Sites and Services
The Site may contain links or references to other third-party websites, including sites of partners, medical institutions, international organizations, or donation collection platforms.
This Privacy Policy does not apply to these external sites or services, and we do not assume responsibility for them. These third-party sites are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of use.
We encourage you to consult the privacy policies of the third-party sites and services you visit or use.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may modify this Privacy Policy at any time at our sole discretion, particularly to reflect changes in our activities, new practices, technologies, or legislative amendments.
The current version is the one published on the Site on the date of your consultation. We recommend that you regularly consult this page to be aware of any changes.
By your renewed access and use of the Site, you expressly accept the modified Privacy Policy.
13. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction
This Privacy Policy is governed by Swiss substantive law, excluding its conflict of laws rules.
Subject to mandatory provisions, any claim or dispute in connection with the processing of your personal data by SCS is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Canton of Geneva, subject to an appeal to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
14. Questions and Contact
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Sustainable Children Surgery
Email: info@sustainablechildrensurgery.org
Postal address: Chemin des Boqueteaux 14, c/o Barbara Wildhaber, 1255 Veyrier, Switzerland
Last updated: February 25, 2026
