Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 2025
I. Controller
The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is:
Academic and Research Department – Engineering Hydrology
Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 17
52074 Aachen
Germany
Secretary’s Office
Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 – 13:00
Phone: +49 (0) 241 80 25274
Fax: +49 (0) 241 80 22701
Email: rother@lfi.rwth-aachen.de
Website: https://lfi.rwth-aachen.de/en
Project Website: https://beyond-sandbags.com
II. General Information on Data Processing
1. Scope of Processing of Personal Data
We process personal data only to the extent necessary to ensure a functional website and its content. Processing generally takes place only with user consent or on the basis of a legal obligation.
2. Legal Basis for Processing
Data processing is carried out on the basis of:
Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR – consent
Art. 6 (1) (e) GDPR – processing in the public interest / technical operation
3. Data Deletion and Storage Duration
Personal data will be deleted as soon as the purpose for its collection no longer applies, unless statutory retention obligations exist.
III. Hosting and Website Operation (WordPress on LFI Server)
This website is hosted on servers of the Institute of Engineering Hydrology (LFI), RWTH Aachen University, and operated using WordPress.
When visiting the website, the following data is automatically processed by the server:
IP address
Browser type and version
Operating system
Date and time of access
Requested pages
This data is stored in server log files and is used exclusively for:
Technical operation of the website
IT security
Error analysis
Legal Basis:
Art. 6 (1) (e) GDPR
Storage Duration:
Log file data is deleted or anonymized after a maximum of 7 days.
IV. Use of Cookies
This website uses technically necessary cookies as well as cookies for analytics and external content.
Cookies are used for:
Technical website functionality
Storage of user consent
Statistical analysis via YesCookies
Integration of YouTube and Leaflet
Legal Basis:
Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR – consent
Art. 6 (1) (e) GDPR – technical necessity
You can manage or delete cookies at any time via your browser settings.
V. YesCookies (Analytics Tool)
This website uses YesCookies for anonymous usage analysis.
The following data may be processed:
Anonymized IP address
Visited pages
Referrer URL
Time spent on pages
Browser and device type
The data is used exclusively for statistical evaluation in order to improve the website.
No personal user profiles are created.
No data is transferred to third countries.
Legal Basis:
Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR – consent
VI. YouTube
Our website embeds videos from YouTube.
Provider:
Google Ireland Limited
Gordon House
Barrow Street
Dublin 4
Ireland
When loading a page with an embedded YouTube video:
Your IP address is transmitted to Google
Google receives information about which page was visited
If you are logged into YouTube, your activity may be linked to your user profile
Legal Basis:
Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR – consent
Google Privacy Policy:
https://policies.google.com/privacy
VII. Leaflet (Map Service)
This website uses Leaflet to display interactive maps.
When accessing a map, the following data may be processed:
IP address
Browser type
Operating system
Date and time of access
No personal data is stored by us in this context.
Legal Basis:
Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR – consent
More information:
https://leafletjs.com
VIII. Rights of the Data Subjects
You have the following rights under the GDPR:
Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7 GDPR)
Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR)
IX. Contact for Data Protection Inquiries
Email: rother@lfi.rwth-aachen.de