Privacy statement for public enquiries

Processing of public enquiries

What is our legal framework?

All personal data are processed in accordance with European Union data protection law, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 (‘EUDPR’).

Why do we process personal data?

Personal data are processed to provide accurate and personalised responses to questions and requests for information from the public.

The data will not be published or used for any other purpose.

What is the legal basis for processing your personal data?

Your personal data are processed by the ECB:

• in the performance of a task carried out in the public interest, based on Article 5(1)(a) EUDPR, in conjunction with Article 10 of the Treaty on European Union;
• based on a legal obligation to which the ECB is subject under Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as the principles of The European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour;
• because you consented to this processing by providing the personal data requested. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us as indicated below. All processing of your personal information will stop once you withdraw your consent; however, any processing that has already taken place remains lawful.

Who is responsible for processing your personal data?

The ECB is the controller for the processing of your personal data. The Public Communication Division in our Directorate General Communications is responsible for this processing. ADITO acts as a sub-processor (see ADITO’s privacy statement).

Who will be the recipients of your personal data?

The recipients of your personal data are members of staff in the Public Communication Division.

What categories of personal data are collected?

The ECB processes the following personal data:

• Name (title, first name, surname)
• Contact details (postal address, email address, phone number)
• Country

Will your personal data (in a clear or encrypted form) be processed (e.g. transferred, accessed or stored) in third countries or by international organisations?

The ECB does not foresee any transfer of your personal data to third countries or international organisations.

How long will the ECB keep personal data?

Your personal data will be stored for a maximum of five years before being deleted.

Please note that personal data may be held in the ECB’s archives in accordance with Decision (EU) 2023/1610 of the European Central Bank of 28 July 2023 establishing the historical archives of the European Central Bank.

What are your rights?

You have the right to access your personal data and correct any data that are inaccurate or incomplete. You also have (with some limitations) the right to delete your personal data and to object to or to restrict the processing of your personal data in line with the EUDPR. The ECB may restrict your rights to safeguard the interests and objectives referred to in Article 25(1) EUDPR.

Who can you contact for queries or requests?

You can exercise your rights by contacting us through our information request form. You can also directly contact the ECB’s Data Protection Officer at dpo@ecb.europa.eu for all queries relating to your personal data.

Addressing the European Data Protection Supervisor

If you consider that your rights under the EUDPR have been infringed as a result of the processing of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor at any time.