This privacy policy explains how ContainerHavens (containerhavens.org) collects, uses, and protects personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Belgian privacy law.
1. Data controller
The data controller for this website is the University of Antwerp, acting through the ContainerHavens research project. For any data-related enquiries, you may contact us at: containerhavens@gmail.com.
2. What data we collect and why
Contact form
When you use the contact form on our website, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message. The form is powered by WP Forms, a plugin developed by Automattic Inc. This data is used solely to respond to your enquiry. The legal basis for processing is our legitimate interest in communicating with people who reach out to us (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). We do not use this data for marketing purposes.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised information about how visitors use our website (pages visited, time spent, referring sources). This data helps us understand and improve the site. Google Analytics uses cookies and may transfer data to servers in the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses. The legal basis is your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR), which you may withdraw at any time. For more information, see Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Interactive map (Google Maps via WP Go Maps)
The homepage features an interactive map powered by Google Maps, embedded via the WP Go Maps plugin. When you interact with the map, Google may collect your IP address and set cookies on your device. No map data is loaded until you have given consent via the cookie consent mechanism. The legal basis for this processing is your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR). Data may be transferred to Google servers in the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses. For more information, see Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Spam protection (Akismet)
Contact form submissions are screened for spam using Akismet, a service provided by Automattic Inc. (USA). Akismet processes the content of form submissions, along with metadata such as IP address and browser user agent, for spam detection purposes. The legal basis is our legitimate interest in protecting the website from unsolicited or malicious submissions (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). Data is transferred to Automattic’s servers in the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses. For more information, see Akismet’s privacy policy at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
LinkedIn button
Our homepage includes a button linking to the ContainerHavens LinkedIn page. Clicking this link will take you to LinkedIn’s platform, which is governed by LinkedIn’s own privacy policy. We do not collect data through this button.
3. Cookies
We use cookies for Google Analytics and Google Maps (see above). A cookie consent mechanism on the site allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies before any tracking begins. Essential cookies required for the website to function are always active. No third-party tracking cookies are loaded without your prior consent.
4. Data processors overview
The following third parties process personal data on our behalf or as independent controllers in connection with this website:
| Processor | Role | Location | Privacy Policy |
| Hostinger | Website hosting | Lithuania (EU) | hostinger.com/privacy-policy |
| Google LLC | Analytics (Google Analytics) | USA (SCCs apply) | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Google LLC | Interactive map (Google Maps) | USA (SCCs apply) | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Automattic Inc. (WP Forms) | Contact form | USA (SCCs apply) | automattic.com/privacy/ |
| Google LLC | Web fonts (Google Fonts) | USA (SCCs apply) | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Automattic Inc. | Spam filtering (Akismet) | USA (SCCs apply) | automattic.com/privacy/ |
5. Data sharing
We do not sell or rent your personal data. Data submitted via the contact form is accessible only to members of the ContainerHavens research team. Third-party processors listed in section 4 receive only the data necessary for their specific function. No personal data is shared with any other parties.
6. Data retention
Contact form submissions are retained for as long as necessary to respond to your enquiry and for a reasonable period thereafter, unless you request deletion. Google Analytics data is retained in accordance with our Analytics settings (default: 26 months). Server log data held by Hostinger is retained according to their standard retention policy. Akismet retains spam data for a maximum of 15 days.
7. Your rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to:
• access the personal data we hold about you
• request correction of inaccurate data
• request erasure of your data
• object to or restrict processing
• withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
• lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens / Autorité de protection des données) at www.dataprotectionauthority.be
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at containerhavens@gmail.com. We will respond within one month of receiving your request.
8. Website hosting
This website is hosted by Hostinger International Ltd., a company based in Lithuania and operating within the European Union. As our hosting provider, Hostinger processes certain data on our behalf as a data processor, including server log files which may contain IP addresses, browser types, and pages requested. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest in maintaining a functional and secure website (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). This processing is governed by Hostinger’s Data Processing Addendum, available at https://www.hostinger.com/legal/dpa.
9. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against loss, misuse, or unauthorised access. However, no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as completely secure.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page with a revised date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.