Privacy & Cookie Policy

Depending on which data you share with us and the functionalities you use on our Website, BACKBONE processes various categories of personal data. If we process your personal data, it falls under one of the following categories:

• Contact form: : If you email us or contact us via the website form, we process your email address and/or telephone number, as well as any information you voluntarily provide;
• Cookies: Each time you visit our website, we may collect certain personal data through cookies and similar technologies, specifically your IP address, browsing behavior, origin, and search terms. More information on our use of cookies can be found in Article 7.

In principle, the personal data we process is provided directly by you or is automatically collected by us (in the case of technical or usage information). If you share third-party personal data with us, you confirm that you have informed those third parties and obtained their consent (if required under applicable law) to share their data with us.

We use your data exclusively for the following purposes:

• Contact form: To respond to the inquiry you submitted, based on the legal ground of performing a service you have requested;
• Cookies: To maintain and improve our website and to compile anonymous statistics that do not identify individual persons or companies, based on your explicit, prior consent at your first visit to our website. We use analytical, functional, and marketing cookies. You can change your cookie preferences at any time via the link in the footer on each page.

We never disclose your data to third parties for commercial purposes. However, we may transfer your data to new entities within the group or to third parties who may ensure continuity of service in case of internal reorganization or transfer of activities. BACKBONE will, where possible, inform you in advance, but you understand that this may not always be technically or commercially feasible.

In rare cases, we may be required to disclose personal data pursuant to a court order or to comply with mandatory legislation or regulation. You expressly acknowledge, confirm, and agree that we may disclose your personal data if legally required, or if BACKBONE in good faith determines that such disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with an ongoing investigation, court order, or legal proceeding relating to the Website, our (customer) relationship, or our services;
• Enforce BACKBONE’s general terms and conditions;
• Respond to claims that personal data infringes the rights of third parties;
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of BACKBONE, its employees, collaborators, and third parties.

BACKBONE may provide your personal data to competent law enforcement or judicial authorities or other official public bodies if BACKBONE considers this useful or necessary, at its own discretion, for the investigation of fraud, intellectual property infringement, or any other harmful activity, or if BACKBONE reasonably suspects that such activity may cause harm to BACKBONE or to you.

Of course, we also share your data with third parties in the context of managing our platform. The current list can be obtained upon simple request by email. For every transfer to third parties, we ensure appropriate safeguards for your personal data, including entering into data processing agreements where necessary.

We retain your personal data as long as necessary for the purposes of the processing:

• To manage and respond to contact requests and inquiries submitted via the Website (e.g., via the contact form):
  
  As long as necessary to contact you in relation to the submitted request or inquiry. Your identification and contact data will in any case be deleted no later than 3 years after our last contact.
  
  
• To gain analytical, technical, and statistical insights to improve our services, Website, and your user experience:
  
  Retention periods vary from the duration of a session or Website visit to as long as your consent remains valid. In any case, this data will be deleted or anonymized (i) when you withdraw your consent; and (ii) within a reasonable period after collection.

For more information on the retention period of personal data collected via cookies, see Article 7.

You have the right at any time to access your personal data free of charge and to learn how we use it. You have the right to request that we correct, supplement, or delete your personal data. In some cases listed in the GDPR, you may also request restriction of processing.

You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data if you have serious and legitimate reasons that override our need to process the data. You always have the right to object to the use of your personal data for direct marketing purposes without having to provide a reason.

You also have the right to receive your personal data in a digital and readable format and/or to transfer it to another data controller or service provider of your choice. Where our processing is based on your prior consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

You can exercise your rights by emailing us at privacy@backbone-cs.be.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority:

Drukpersstraat 35
1000 Brussel
Tel : +32 (0)2 274 48 00
contact@apd-gba.be.

However, we would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns before you approach the Data Protection Authority. Therefore, we kindly ask you to contact us first.

We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures to ensure the safety of your personal data. For example, certain (sensitive) data is encrypted before storage, employees only have access to the data necessary for their tasks (delegation of authority), and we use specialized software to protect our data from potential attacks.

In no event can BACKBONE be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the unlawful or improper use of personal data by a third party. Despite our efforts, you should be aware that transmitting personal data over the Internet always involves risks. The security and protection of your data can never be fully guaranteed, nor can we ensure that unauthorized third parties will never be able to circumvent these measures or use your data for improper purposes.

Our Website uses cookies and similar technologies. This helps us provide you with a better user experience when you visit our site and allows us to optimize it. Without your prior consent, we only place strictly necessary cookies. For all other cookies, we request your permission first.

A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device when you visit it, allowing the site to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login details. These are called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies, which originate from a domain different from the one you are visiting.

If you detect that other cookies are being placed via our website, we kindly ask you to notify us immediately so that we can make the necessary adjustments.We provide as much information as possible about cookies placed by third parties. If you want to know more, we refer you to the privacy statements of those third parties on their respective websites. Please note: we have no control over the content of those statements or the content of third-party cookies.During your first visit to our Website, you will be asked to accept our cookies. You can later manage your preferences at any time.

More information on cookies can also be found at: www.allaboutcookies.org.

BACKBONE may update this Privacy Policy at any time. All changes will be indicated on the Website and, if proportionate and relevant, may be communicated to you via email or during your next Website visit. The date of the latest update is indicated at the bottom of this policy.

Please review this Privacy Policy regularly to remain informed of any changes that may affect you.

Amended versions of this Privacy Policy will take effect ten (10) days after publication on the Website and, if necessary, will be submitted for your approval. Changes necessary to comply with legal requirements will take effect immediately.

If BACKBONE has lawfully transferred your personal data to a third party (other than a sub-processor), it shall not be held liable for any unlawful processing or misuse by that third party. BACKBONE shall only be liable for damage resulting from the processing of personal data if it has failed to comply with its specific obligations under the GDPR.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, BACKBONE’s liability under this Privacy Policy is limited to the amounts actually paid out under its professional liability insurance for the damage-causing event.

This Privacy Policy is governed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with Belgian law.

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or enforcement of this Privacy Policy shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts and tribunals of the judicial district of East Flanders, Division Dendermonde.