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Privacy Policy
Introduction
The Malta Chamber of SMEs takes Data protection very seriously and invests in resources to ensure that personal data is protected through processes that are by design targeted at keeping personal data safe. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we generally obtain consent from the data subject.
The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By means of this data protection declaration, our enterprise would like to inform the general public of the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed, by means of this data protection declaration, of the rights to which they are entitled.
Data Controller
As the controller, the SME Chamber has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed.
The Controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), other data protection laws applicable in Member states of the European Union and other provisions related to data protection is:
The CEO,
GRTU, The Malta Chamber of SMEs
157, Archbishop Street,
Valletta. Malta.
What data do we collect and why do we store and process your Personal Data?
The SME Chamber collects a series of general data and information when a data subject either becomes a member of our organisation by coming physically to our premises or through other communication channels. This data and information is stored securely either on a centralised server or on one of the organisation’s computers. Generally, when a data subject visits our premises we collect the following: Name & Surname, Address, Telephone and Mobile numbers and email addresses as well as details about their business.
When using our website, we may collect the above personal details as well. Our web hosting provider also collects data through their server logs such as (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (referrer), (4) the date and time of access to the Internet site, (5) an Internet protocol address (IP address), (6) the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and (7) any other similar data and information that may be used in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.
The data collected is never used by the SME Chamber to draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to help us deliver the level of service that we feel our members deserve. We use this data to be able to contact our members and also to offer them new services and offers from time to time. Subscription to these offers and services will require separate consent from our members. Offers may be sent to data subjects through various channels such as: Email Marketing and printed material by post.
Malta Chamber of SMEs analyzes anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise, and to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files, if any, is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.
Where we are obliged to process your personal data in fulfilment of a legal requirement to which we are subject, or in pursuance of performing an obligation under a contract which we have with you, and you fail to provide us with that data, we may not be able to perform the Services as agreed upon.
Who collects personal data?
Data is collected by:
- – By our representatives through physical contact;
- – Through our website and social media pages;
- – Through emails opened and actioned by our representatives;
- – Through phone calls;
- – Through postal mail;
Retention Period
We usually retain the personal data of our members for the period during which they are considered as members. As a policy, the SME Chamber retains all personal data for seven years from the date of the last contact or membership payment. After this period, the data subject is no longer considered a member and their data is erased unless asked to do otherwise by the data subject.
In the case of marketing communications we ask for specific permission from the data subject to retain their email address and/or phone number indefinitely. The data subject is reminded continuously in every mail shot that they may opt out whenever they like of these communications.
Who we share your data with
The SME Chamber may use third party partners to help in processing data for marketing or other purposes such as ICT, logistics and Accounting and Audit firms. We are assured that our partners handle personal data under the strictest controls. We also purposely share only the data that is required for the processing task rather than all the personal data about a data subject.
SME Chamber may, disclose and divulge your personal data, where disclosure is requested by public authorities in accordance with a legal obligation, such as law enforcement, tax and customs authorities, provided that the personal data which is requested is necessary by the said public authority to carry out a particular inquiry in the general interest, in accordance with European Union or Member State law. We may also disclose your data if we are under a legal obligation to do so, in pursuance of a judgment or court order, in order to enforce our Terms of Use or protect our rights.
Transferring of data outside of the European Union, particularly to countries which might not have appropriate data protection safeguards in place, is very unlikely and will be based entirely on your consent.
Subscription to our newsletter
Users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our newsletter. SME Chamber uses this newsletter to inform its members and business partners about its offers. The newsletter may only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid e-mail address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter and (3) if the data subject is a member.
Cookie Policy on our website
SME Chamber’s website uses cookies, which are small text files that are placed on users’ secondary storage to assist in enhancing your browsing experience by displaying content that is more relevant and applicable to you and your preferences. Furthermore, cookies are used for the proper functioning of the website. Our website will request your acceptance for the use of these cookies. The Malta Chamber of SMEs does not use data acquired through cookies to draw any conclusions about the data subject.
CCTV Cameras at our premises
Wherever we have CCTV cameras installed, their purpose is solely for security and not to monitor the movement of members or club representatives. Their purpose is simply to ensure the security of the clubs’ assets as well as the personal physical security of our members while they are at our premises. Data collected through these systems will only be divulged to third parties such as law enforcement agencies in the event of a security incident. Data on these systems is stored in a rotating manner and it is overwritten roughly every 30 days.
Data Security
The processing of your data will be processed in accordance with the provision of the GDPR. The SME Chamber takes appropriate precautions to preserve your rights and prevent any corruption, loss, damage or destruction of your personal data. The club has appropriate security arrangements, including, where appropriate, limited physical access, administrative, procedural, and ICT measures to prevent unauthorised or accidental access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal or destruction of personal data. In case our systems are compromised and suffer a data breach where the personal data of our members is exposed, SME Chamber will promptly inform the data subject and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
Malta Chamber of SMEs representatives may access personal data strictly on a “need to use” basis for the performance of their duties. GRTU representatives are aware of the confidential nature of personal data and how they should handle it in strictest confidence.
How to contact us
You can contact us as follows:
The Malta Chamber of SMEs
43-45, Kapuccini Street
Floriana. Malta.
FRN 1052
Phone Number: +(356) 2123 2881
Routine erasure and blocking of personal data
The data controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.
If the storage purpose is not applicable, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data is erased in accordance with legal requirements.
Your rights as a data subject
As a data subject GDPR provides you with extensive rights as follows:
- – Right of confirmation
- – Right of access
- – Right to rectification
- – Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten)
- – Right of restriction of processing
- – Right to data portability
- – Right to object
- – Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
- – Right to withdraw data protection consent
- – Data protection for applications and the application procedures
For more detailed information about your rights under GDPR, please click here.