Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement

1. Introduction

When collecting and processing personal data, we comply with Belgian regulations on the protection of personal data, as well as the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") since its entry into force on May 25, 2018.

2. Who are we?

Worldtrading Europe BV
Baron Van Loolaan 12
9940 Evergem, Belgium
Company number: BE0466930185
Email: info@worldtradingeurope.com
Telephone: +32 (0)9 224 09 16
Website: worldtradingeurope.com

Worldtrading Europe BV is the controller as referred to in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

3. What personal data do we process?

Depending on the contact and context, we may collect and process the following personal data:

• Last name, first name
• Gender
• Position and company name
• Email address, phone number
• Delivery and/or billing address
• IP address and browser information
• Information about your browsing behavior on our website
• Content of contact forms and email communication
• Camera images (if you visit our company)

We do not process any special categories of personal data (such as health, religion, ethnicity, political preferences).

4. How do we collect data?

We obtain personal data:

• Directly from you (via form, email, telephone, appointments)
• Indirectly via public sources (e.g., LinkedIn, company websites, Chamber of Commerce)
• Automatically via our website (e.g., IP address, cookies)

The customer is responsible for the accuracy of the data provided. The customer must notify us of any changes as soon as possible.

5. For what purposes do we process personal data?

We process personal data exclusively for legitimate, predetermined purposes, including:

• Purpose, Legal basis
• Quotations, orders, and contract management, performance of agreement
• Customer and supplier management, legitimate interest
• Accounting and tax obligations, legal obligation
• Marketing, newsletters, lead follow-up, consent/legitimate interest
• Security of our business premises (camera), legitimate interest
• Improvement of our website and services, consent (cookies)

6. Consent and withdrawal

In cases where your data is processed on the basis of your consent (e.g. for marketing or cookies), you always have the right to withdraw this consent. Previous processing will remain legally valid, but future processing will be discontinued and data will be deleted, unless there is another legal basis.

7. Automated decision-making

We do not use automated decision-making that has legal or similar consequences for data subjects.

8. Recipients of data

Your data will only be shared with third parties when necessary for the performance of our activities. A processing agreement has been concluded with all processors in accordance with the GDPR.

External service providers (not exhaustive):

• Zoho Corporation – CRM, email management, and forms (processing within the EU)
• Salesbridge – Official Zoho partner and CRM integration manager
• AFAS Software – ERP and financial administration (processing in the Netherlands)
• Our IT provider – For maintenance, system security, and technical support
• Freelance Sales Director – Customer management on behalf of Worldtrading
• Ellenesse Group (marketing agency) – External marketing partner for communication and campaigns

The service providers listed above are required to respect the confidential nature of your personal data and may only use this data for the purposes for which it was provided.
Under no circumstances can we be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the incorrect or unlawful use of personal data by a third party.

We do not provide data to third countries or international organizations, unless legally required or with your express consent.

9. Data retention periods

Data type, Retention period:

• Administration & customer data, 7 years (accounting)
• Camera images, 2 weeks (security)
• Marketing data, until consent is withdrawn or max. 3 years
• Prospect data, max. 3 years after last contact
• Other personal data, max. 5 years or 20 years in case of liability risk (in accordance with Article 3:306 of the Dutch Civil Code)

10. Security of your data

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures:

• SSL-secured connection on our website
• Encrypted email transmission where necessary
• Antivirus software and up-to-date security patches
• Restricted access rights to systems
• Regular security audits and backups

Our processors also adhere to appropriate security standards.

11. Your rights as a data subject

You have the following rights:

• Access to data
• Correction or supplementation of incorrect data
• Deletion of data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction of processing
• Objection to processing
• Transfer of data to another party (data portability)
• Withdrawal of previously given consent

You can send your request to: privacy@worldtradingeurope.com. We will respond to your request within four weeks at the latest.

12. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and optimize your experience. Functional cookies: Necessary for basic website functions. No consent is required for this.

Analytical cookies (Google Analytics): We use Google Analytics and Piwik to analyze website traffic. IP anonymization is activated. Google may not use the data for other purposes. Processing is based on legitimate interest.

Marketing/retargeting cookies: With your consent, we place cookies from Google Ads, LinkedIn, Facebook, and others to display targeted advertisements on external platforms.

Social media buttons: Our website contains buttons from social networks (such as LinkedIn and Facebook). These may place cookies. We have no control over their data processing. Please read their privacy statements for more information.

Cookie management: You can manage or delete cookies via your browser settings. This must be done separately for each device and browser.

13. External links

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy policies of these sites.

14. Data breaches

In the event of a data breach, we will take appropriate measures immediately. If necessary, we will inform the Data Protection Authority and/or those involved in accordance with GDPR guidelines.

15. Changes

Worldtrading reserves the right to amend this statement at any time. The latest version is always available on our website. We recommend that you consult it regularly.

16. Contact details and complaints

Do you have any questions about our privacy and cookie policy or would you like to submit a complaint?

Contact:
Email: privacy@worldtradingeurope.com
Baron Van Loolaan 12, 9940 Evergem, Belgium

Supervisory authority:
Data Protection Authority
Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels
www.gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit.be