Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 21, 2026

  1. Introduction

    The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany ("the Consulate") is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all Users of the Filipino Societies, Individuals, Businesses, Organizations, and Leaders (SIBOL) in Germany ("the System"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal data in compliance with the Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012) of the Philippines, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and, to the extent applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).

    By using the System, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and consent to the data processing practices described in this Privacy Policy.

  2. Data Controller

    The data controller responsible for the personal data processed through the Filipino SIBOL is:

    Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt

    WestendCarree, 1st Floor, Grüneburgweg 16-18, 60322, Frankfurt , Germany

    Email: info@filipinosibol.de | info.frankfurtpcg@dfa.gov.ph

    Telephone: +49 69 8700 66900

  3. Personal Data We Collect

    3.1 Information Provided During Registration

    When you create an account on the Filipino SIBOL, we collect the following personal data:

    • Full legal name (of business owner or organization leader and/or representative)
    • Contact information, including email address and contact number
    • Address in Germany
    • Sex

    3.2 Additional Information for Business Registrations

    Only businesses that are duly registered in Germany may register as a business on SIBOL. To verify eligibility, the following information is required during registration:

    • VAT identification number of the registered business as proof of business registration in Germany.

    The VAT identification number provided during the business’ registration will be displayed in its listing on SIBOL.

    3.3 Additional Information for Organization Registrations

    When registering a community organization, you will be asked to indicate whether the organization is a registered organization (eingetragener Verein) in Germany. If the organization is a registered association, the following additional information is required:

    • Place of registration (city and federal state / competent registry court)
    • Organization registration number

    This information is collected to verify the registration status of organizations claiming to have a registered organization status and to maintain the accuracy of the community registry.

    3.4 User-Generated Content

    When you upload images, post events, or submit promotions through the System, we process:

    • Images and photographs you choose to upload
    • Details of events or promotions you post, which may incidentally include personal information
    • Any other information you voluntarily include in your postings

    3.5 Automatically Collected Data

    When you access and use the System, certain technical data may be automatically collected, including:

    • Pages visited and features used within the System
    • Date and time of access
    • IP Address

  4. Legal Basis for Processing

    We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

    • Consent: Where you have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose (e.g., account registration and use of System features).
    • Legitimate Interests: For the purposes of improving the System, ensuring security, and maintaining the integrity of the Filipino SIBOL community database, where such processing does not override your fundamental rights.
    • Legal Obligation: Where processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the Consulate is subject, including obligations under Philippine law and applicable German or EU regulations.
    • Public Task: Where processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest as part of the Consulate's official functions as a foreign service post.

    The provision of a tax/VAT identification number (for business registrations) and, where applicable, organization registration details, such as but not limited to, place of registration and registration number (for organizations claiming registered association status) is a mandatory eligibility requirement. Such data is processed on the basis of the Consulate's public task and legitimate interests as described above, and not on the basis of consent. If you do not wish to provide this information, you will not be able to complete the corresponding registration.

  5. Purposes of Data Processing

    Your personal data is collected and processed for the following purposes:

    • To create and manage your account on the Filipino SIBOL.
    • To maintain an accurate registry of Filipino-owned and Filipino-themed business, and Filipino Organization in Germany for the purposes of mapping.
    • To enable the upload and display of images and Content on the System.
    • To allow the posting and display of events and promotions within the Filipino community.
    • To ensure the security and integrity of the System and prevent unauthorized use or fraudulent activities.
    • To comply with applicable legal obligations, including data protection laws.
    • To improve the System's features and functionality based on User interactions.

  6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

    6.1 Within the Philippine Government

    Your personal data may be shared with other Philippine government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and relevant Philippine government instrumentalities, where necessary for the performance of official consular functions and public services.

    6.2 Third-Party Service Providers

    The Consulate may engage third-party service providers to assist in operating the System (e.g., web hosting, technical and administrative support). Such providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and are only permitted to process your data as necessary to provide their services to the Consulate.

    6.3 Legal Requirements

    We may disclose your personal data to law enforcement authorities, courts, or other government bodies in the Philippines, Germany, or the European Union if required to do so by applicable law, court order, or other legal process.

    6.4 User-Posted Content

    Please note that events, promotions, and images you choose to post publicly on the System may be visible to other registered Users and, depending on System settings, to the general public. You are solely responsible for the personal data you choose to include in publicly posted Content.

    6.5 No Sale of Personal Data

    The Consulate does not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to any commercial third party.

  7. Data Retention

    The Consulate will retain your personal data for as long as your account remains active or as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including compliance with legal, accounting, and reporting requirements. Upon deletion of your account, your personal data will be retained for a reasonable period as required by applicable Philippine and German/EU law, after which it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

    User-generated Content, including posted events and images, may be retained for archival purposes even after account deletion, unless you specifically request its removal and such removal is feasible and lawful.

  8. Data Security

    The Consulate implements appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, loss, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

    • Secure encrypted transmission using HTTPS/SSL protocols.
    • Access controls limiting data access to authorized Consulate personnel.
    • Regular security assessments and system audits.
    • Password hashing and other safeguards for account credentials.

    However, no data transmission over the internet or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, the Consulate will notify affected Users and relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

  9. Your Rights as a Data Subject

    Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights with respect to your personal data:

    • Right to Access: You have the right to request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and to obtain a copy of such data.
    • Right to Rectification: You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
    • Right to Erasure: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances (subject to legal retention obligations).
    • Right to Restriction: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
    • Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used format where processing is based on your consent.
    • Right to Object: You have the right to object to processing of your personal data where it is based on legitimate interests.
    • Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.

    To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 11 of this Privacy Policy.

  10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

    The System may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance User experience, maintain sessions, and analyze System usage. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You may configure your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies; however, doing so may affect the functionality of certain features of the System.

    By continuing to use the System, you consent to the use of cookies as described herein.

  11. Contact Information for Privacy and Data Protection Inquiries

    If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal data, or if you wish to exercise any of your data subject rights, please contact us at:

    Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt

    Attention: Data Privacy Officer / Filipino SIBOL Administrator

    WestendCarree, 1st Floor, Grüneburgweg 16-18, 60322, Frankfurt , Germany

    Email: info.filipinosibol.de | info.frankfurtpcg@dfa.gov.ph

    Telephone: +49 69 8700 66900

    Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CET/CEST)

    Subject Line: "Filipino SIBOL – Privacy Policy / Data Protection Inquiry"

  12. Amendments to this Privacy Policy

    The Consulate reserves the right to amend or update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on the System and the revised Privacy Policy will take effect upon posting. Users are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about how their data is being protected.

    Material changes to this Privacy Policy will be communicated to registered Users via the email address on file.

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