Data Protection & Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 2026
1. Overview
This is a private, non-commercial academic website operated by Bernd M. Weiss. We take your privacy seriously and have designed this website to collect as little data as possible.
In short: This website does not use cookies, does not install tracking scripts, and does not use analytics platforms (no Google Analytics, no Meta Pixel, no other tracking). The only personal data collected is what you voluntarily submit through the contact/signup form.
2. No Cookies
This website does not set any cookies — neither session cookies, persistent cookies, nor third-party cookies. No consent banner is required because no cookies are used.
3. No Analytics or Tracking
No analytics tools, tracking pixels, user behavior recording tools, or social media tracking scripts are loaded on this website. No external JavaScript is loaded for tracking or advertising purposes.
4. Images from Unsplash
This website loads decorative images hosted on Unsplash's content delivery network (images.unsplash.com). When your browser loads these images, Unsplash's servers receive a connection request that includes your IP address. This is a technical necessity of web image delivery. Unsplash's privacy policy applies to these requests: unsplash.com/privacy.
If you prefer, you can prevent image loading using your browser's privacy settings or a content blocker. The textual content of the website remains fully accessible.
5. Contact / Signup Form
This website includes a voluntary signup form for the PhD defense event (June 17, 2026). When you submit this form, the following data is transmitted:
Data collected: First name, last name, email address, and optionally affiliation and a preference for receiving research updates.
Purpose: To send you the streaming link for the online defense and, if opted in, occasional updates about related research.
Form processing: Form submissions are transmitted via FormSubmit (formsubmit.co), a third-party form processing service, which delivers your submission as an email to the website operator. FormSubmit's privacy policy applies to this processing: formsubmit.co/privacy.pdf.
Storage: Form submissions are received by email and stored in the email account of the website operator. They are not stored in any database on this website.
Legal basis: Processing is based on your explicit consent (GDPR Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) — by submitting the form, you consent to the collection and use of your data for the stated purposes.
No sharing: Your data will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties beyond what is necessary for the stated purposes.
6. Your Rights (GDPR)
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the following rights:
Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR): You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR): You may request correction of inaccurate personal data.
Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR): You may request that your personal data be deleted.
Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3) GDPR): You may withdraw your consent at any time. This does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Right to lodge a complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact: bernd@creaternity.space
7. Hosting & Server Logs
This website is hosted on a standard web hosting service. As with all web servers, connection data may be stored in server access logs (IP address, access time, page requested, browser user agent) for a limited period for security and technical maintenance purposes. This data is not used for profiling and is not shared with third parties.
8. External Links
This website contains links to external platforms (LinkedIn, Google Scholar, Unsplash, Formsubmit). Once you follow a link to an external site, this privacy policy no longer applies. Please refer to the privacy policies of those platforms.
9. Contact
For any privacy-related questions or requests:
Bernd Michael Weiss
bernd@creaternity.space
10. Changes to This Policy
This privacy policy may be updated occasionally to reflect changes to the website or legal requirements. The date at the top of this page indicates when it was last updated.