Last modified on 23 October 2022
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is very important to us. We have a few fundamental principles:
- We are thoughtful about the personal information we ask you to provide and the personal information that we collect about you through the operation of our services.
- We store personal information for only as long as we have a reason to keep it.
- We aim to make it as simple as possible for you to control what information on your website is shared publicly (or kept private), indexed by search engines, and permanently deleted.
- We help protect you from overreaching government demands for your personal information.
- We aim for full transparency on how we gather, use, and share your personal information.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a technology for managing a company’s relationships and interactions with customers and potential customers.
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union law for data protection.
- Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a set of policies and procedures for systematically managing sensitive data. The goal of an ISMS is to minimize risk, ensure business continuity, and pro-actively secure sensitive information.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an organization, headquartered in Switzerland, that sets internationally-accepted standards across a number of fields, including information security.
- Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is the British Columbia law on data protection.
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is the Canadian Federal-level law governing data protection.
- Personally Identifiable Information (Personal Data) is any data that could potentially identify a specific individual.
What is swissamf.com (“SAMF”), and what legislation do we adhere to?
The website www.swissamf.com is a website for Swiss AMF AG, a company that provides corporate services to clients around the world.
Because of our international reach, we adhere to the highest legislative standards, including the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection, and equivalent international legislation such as the GDPR).
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in force since May 2018 and regulates the data protection practices of any companies which deal with all personal data of private individuals in the EU, irrespective of whether these companies are based in the EU or not. Since the 28 member states of the EU together constitute the world’s biggest economy, and since 80 nations are their most important trading partners, many companies all over the world buy and sell goods and services to EU people.
What data does SAMF collect through our website?
We collect only the data that we need to respond to your inquiries or to provide you with the services you request from us. Specifically we collect the following data:
- We collect the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device you use to browse www.swissamf.com. This data on its own is anonymous and we are unable to identify you on this alone.
- Personal identification information (Name, email address, phone number, etc.)
- We also collect cookies, which are small files that a site or its service providers embed on your computer (with your permission) to enable the site’s or service providers’ systems to recognize your browser and capture and retain certain information. Learn more about cookies here. For more information on how we use cookies, and how to change your cookies preferences, please also read our complete Cookie Policy.
Optional information sharing
- If you choose to communicate with us via chat, as applicable, we will collect your name and your email, as well as logs of your chat with our staff.
- If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, we will collect your name and your email address. Newsletters may be sent periodically with highlights and news about our industry and particular companies. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time by updating your email preferences using the ‘Click here to opt out’ link, or by sending an email to info(at)swissamf.com with the subject line “UNSUBSCRIBE” from the email address you wish to unsubscribe.
- If you choose to contact us directly, the contact forms on our website collect your name, email address, contact number, company name and any free text field information you choose to include.
- Note: at the completion of a contact form, your IP address is no longer anonymous, and we will be able to identify you by the combination of your IP and contact information.
Your information may be transferred internationally
Personal information that you share through the www.swissamf.com website may be transferred internationally, including to or through areas where the standards for data privacy differ from those in force in Switzerland.
Some of these countries may not be among those listed by the EU Adequacy Decisions.
Please see the section below for additional detail.
Why do we collect your data?
We collect your data for the following purposes:
- To fulfill a contract to supply our goods or services.
- For legal compliance, such as to fulfil our AML-KYC compliance duties or for due diligence purposes.
How is your information collected and stored?
GlobalPass analyses passports, documents and other AML-KYC related information to assist us in satisfying our KYC obligations. Globalpass processes and stores data in ISO 27001-certified datacentres worldwide. Learn more about how GlobalPass processes data.
Joomla is an open-source content management system (CMS) for publishing web content. It is built on a model–view–controller web application framework. Learn more about how Joomla processs data.
Personal data that SAMF collects through forms on the www.swissamf.com website might be collected and processed by third-party companies such as Joomla, RSForm!Pro, and FormExperts.
FormExperts also provides some of the forms you can interact with on our website. FormExperts processes and stores data in FormExpert servers. In addition to the data that you manually enter in the form, FormExpert also receives your IP address and location. Learn about FormExperts’ privacy practices here.
RSForm!Pro is a component provided by Joomla. Joomla processes and stores data in Joomla servers. In addition to the data that you manually enter in the form, Joomla’s RSFormPro also receives your IP address and location. Learn more about how Joomla processs data.
We securely store your data in our computer hard drive database. We use the following technical measures to prevent data breeches:
- Encryption, adequate password protection, firewalls and regular computer updates.
- Ongoing security reviews.
- Back-up and restore facilities.
- Regular testing of contingency plans and security.
- Educating staff about how to keep information secure, including hacking, phishing and other malware issues.
- Ensuring policies on IT and related device use are kept up to date.
For data collected for AML-KYC purposes, as applicable, such as passport copies, criminal reports, CVs, source of funds reports, etc. (“AML Data”), we will keep the data for 10 years. Once this time period has expired, we will delete your data from our computer hard drive(s) and destroy any hard copies in our possession.
We will keep your other data only as long as is necessary. Once this time period has expired, we will delete your data from our hard drive(s) and destroy any hard copies in our possession.
- Where you provide it, and consent, your email address may be used:
- to send you information and updates related to your specified interests,
- to send you occasional company news, updates, and
- to provide related product or service information.
- We collect website performance data, which includes visitor IPs and cookies, to understand:
- how many users visit our site,
- how users interact with our site, and
- how we can improve site performance.
- We use your data to perform due diligence.
- We use your AML Data to perform our Anti-Money Laundering duties, and will do so by checking your passport and other documents on GlobalPass.
- We may use the information you provide to improve the effectiveness of our advertising and marketing campaigns, and to improve, modify or otherwise enhance our products and services for the benefit of our customers.
How long will your information be stored for?
We will retain your information until you notify us that you’d like to be removed from our contact lists.
For data collected for AML-KYC purposes, as applicable, such as passport copies, criminal reports, CVs, source of funds reports, etc. (“AML Data”), we will keep the data for 10 years. Once this time period has expired, we will delete your data from our computer hard drive(s) and destroy any hard copies in our possession.
Will your information be disclosed to outside parties?
SAMF does not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your Personal Data to outside parties without your express consent.
Express consent to share your Personal Data is not required in the case of trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep your information confidential (refer to ‘How is your information collected and stored?’).
SAMF does release your Personal Data in cases where we believe such release is necessary to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, in its duty to conduct AML-KYC or protect our or others’ rights, property, or safety.
Non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
Third-party offers on the SAMF website
Occasionally, at our discretion, SAMF may refer to third-party products or services on our website. Use of these third-party products or services will require your acceptance of a services agreement.
These third parties have separate and independent privacy policies. SAMF has no responsibility or liability for, nor direct control over, the content and activities of these third parties.
What are your data protection rights?
SAMF would like to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following:
The right to access – You have the right to request for copies of your personal data. We may charge you a small fee for this service.
The right to rectification – You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request SAMF complete the information you believe is incomplete.
The right to erasure – You have the right to request that SAMF erase your personal data, under certain conditions.
The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that SAMF restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
The right to object to processing – You have the right to object to SAMF’s processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
The right to data portability – You have the right to request that SAMF transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at our email: info(at)swissamf.com.
Please note that all requests under the rights listed above must be made in writing either by letter or email to info(at)swissamf.com or at the following address: Swiss AMF AG, C/O DPO, Bahnhofstrasse 21, 6300 Zug, Switzerland.
Please be aware that requests for rights may require subsequent verification procedures to confirm the requestor’s identity
We may make changes to this Privacy Policy
SAMF may, solely at our discretion, make changes or updates to this policy. If we make changes, we will post those changes on this page, and update the Website Privacy Policy modification date at the top of this Privacy Policy.
How to contact the appropriate authority
Should you wish to report a complaint or if you feel that we have not addressed your concern in a satisfactory manner, you may contact The Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, please contact us as follows:
- send an email to info(at)swissamf.com; or
- call us at +41 43 508 26 22; or
- write to us at: Swiss AMF AG, C/O DPO, Bahnhofstrasse 21, 6300 Zug, Switzerland.