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Privacy policy

The International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (“ISGE”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a non-profit scientific association established under Swiss law. We are committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP, in force as of 1 September 2023) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/679, “GDPR”).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, process, store, and safeguard your personal data in the context of our membership, scientific, educational, and congress activities.

1. Data Controller

For the purposes of the FADP and GDPR, the data controller is: International Association of Gynecological Endocrinology 

    • Registered address: Via Alla Ramogna 12 – 6600 Locarno, Switzerland.
    • E-mail: [email protected]

2. Categories of Personal Data Collected

In line with Art. 5 FADP and Art. 4(1) GDPR, ISGE may collect and process:

  • Identification data: name, title, gender, nationality, date of birth.
  • Contact data: postal address, telephone, email.
  • Professional data: institution, position, specialization, scientific interests.
  • Membership and registration data: subscription status, payment details, congress or course registrations.
  • Scientific contributions: abstracts, presentations, publications.
  • Communication data: correspondence, surveys, feedback.
  • Technical interaction data: IP address, device/browser identifiers (when using our website).

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data (special categories under Art. 9 GDPR) unless required for legitimate purposes (e.g., dietary needs for events, accessibility requests), and always with your explicit consent

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3. Purposes and Legal Bases of Processing

  • Membership administration (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b); FADP Art. 6 para. 1).
  • Membership management (registration) 
  • Scientific communication (newsletters, educational updates).
  • Financial and accounting compliance (GDPR Art. 6(1)(c); FADP Art. 31).
  • Legitimate interests of ISGE to pursue its mission of promoting research, education, and collaboration in gynecological endocrinology (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)). 

Where required, we will obtain your consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); FADP Art. 6 para. 6) — for example, to send you marketing communications.

4. Data Retention

Personal data will be retained only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above and in line with Art. 6 FADP and Art. 5(1)(e) GDPR.

  • Membership and administrative records: up to 10 years (to comply with accounting/audit requirements).
  • Communications and correspondence: generally up to 3 years after the last interaction.
  • Scientific contributions: retained permanently in ISGE’s archives unless erasure is requested and compatible with academic integrity obligations.

5. Data Security

In accordance with Art. 8 FADP and Art. 32 GDPR, we implement appropriate technical and organizational measures (encryption, restricted access, secure storage) to prevent unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration of personal data.

6. Sharing of Data with Third Parties

ISGE may share personal data only with:

  • Service providers (IT hosting, payment processors, mailing services) strictly under data processing agreements compliant with Art. 9 FADP and Art. 28 GDPR.
  • Authorities or auditors where legally required.

No data are sold, rented, or otherwise disclosed for unrelated commercial purposes.

7. International Data Transfers

As ISGE operates internationally, personal data may be processed outside Switzerland or the EU/EEA. In such cases, transfers occur only where the recipient country ensures an adequate level of protection (FADP Art. 16; GDPR Art. 45), or through appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses (GDPR Art. 46).

8. Your Rights

Under the FADP (Arts. 25–29) and the GDPR (Arts. 12–22), you have the following rights:

  • Right of access: to obtain confirmation of whether your data are processed and to receive a copy.
  • Right to rectification: to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”): to request deletion of data, where legally permissible.
  • Right to restriction: to limit processing under certain conditions.
  • Right to object: to processing based on legitimate interests, including for direct communication.
  • Right to data portability: to receive your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format (where technically feasible).
  • Right to withdraw consent: at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

Requests can be submitted by email to: [email protected].

9. Complaints

If you believe your data protection rights have been violated:

  • Under the FADP, you may contact the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).
  • Under the GDPR, you may contact your local EU Data Protection Authority.

10. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal, operational, or organizational changes. Updates will be published on www.isgesociety.com with the effective date clearly stated.