The Blue Azores Programme is developed under a co-responsibility framework between institutional partners.

 

1. DATA CONTROLLER

 

The personal data collected through the website www.blueazores.org is processed within the scope of the Blue Azores Programme by joint controllers, pursuant to Article 26 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), under a co-responsibility arrangement between its institutional partners, namely the Government of the Azores, Fundação Oceano Azul, and the Waitt Institute, all of whom have established the protection of personal data as a priority.

 

For the purposes of exercising rights related to data protection, as well as requesting any information deemed necessary regarding the processing of their data, users may use the contact details indicated in this policy.
 

2. CATEGORIES OF PERSONAL DATA COLLECTED

 

We may collect:

• Name

• Email address

• Information submitted through contact forms and newsletter subscription forms (where applicable)

• Website browsing and usage data (including cookies and IP address)

• Any information necessary to process the request and the content of communications voluntarily submitted by the user​
   

3. PURPOSE AND LEGAL BASIS OF PROCESSING

 

The data is used for:

• Responding to contact requests

• Sending newsletters (through the independent platform Campaign Monitor)

• Website analysis and improvement

 

If you contact us, namely to request information or clarification through the email address provided on our website, we will process your personal data in order to respond to your request. This processing is based on our legitimate interest in managing the contact established and ensuring appropriate follow-up to the request submitted, as well as, where applicable, the performance of pre-contractual measures at the request of the data subject or the consent provided by you.

 

Additionally, users may choose to subscribe to newsletters through which institutional communications, promotional content, and information relating to events and services that may be of interest, promoted by the Blue Azores Programme or its partners, will be sent to the respective email address.

 

The processing of personal data associated with these activities is based on the legitimate interest in facilitating access to information and ensuring the sharing of content according to the user’s request, as well as on the execution of pre-contractual, contractual, or post-contractual measures, and also on the express consent provided by the user when subscribing to the newsletter.​
 

4. DATA SHARING

 

The Blue Azores Programme may disclose your personal data to third parties whenever necessary for the provision of the services made available, namely service providers supporting the operation of the website and digital communication, including analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) and newsletter distribution services (such as Campaign Monitor), for statistical purposes or for compliance with legal obligations to which it is subject.

 

Whenever personal data from website users is shared with external service providers, as well as with public authorities in the context of compliance with legal obligations, the Blue Azores Programme undertakes to previously assess the level of data protection ensured by those entities and, where applicable, to enter into the respective data protection agreements, in accordance with the GDPR.

 

The Blue Azores Programme also warns that the website may contain links (hyperlinks) to other third-party websites, products, or services that are not covered by this Privacy Policy. Therefore, the Blue Azores Programme cannot be held responsible, under any circumstances, for the content, accuracy, truthfulness, or legitimacy of those websites or for the misuse of data collected or processed through them.

 

This website may contain links to social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, among others, owned by third parties, which include buttons allowing messages to be sent to the corresponding social network for various purposes, such as evaluation, recommendation, or content sharing. The legal basis for the transmission of data in this case is the legitimate interest of the Blue Azores Programme in promoting its services. The relevant service providers are responsible for ensuring that the processing of transmitted personal data complies with privacy requirements.

 

Data subjects are expressly warned that by disclosing personal data on public platforms of the Blue Azores Programme, such as its Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn pages, such information may be viewed and used by third parties.

 

Some of these service providers may be located outside the European Economic Area, with appropriate safeguards being ensured for the protection of personal data, in accordance with the GDPR.

 

5. USERS’ RIGHTS

 

Users have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to processing, and portability of their personal data, as well as the right to withdraw consent and lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

 

You may exercise your rights freely and free of charge by sending us a communication to the contact address indicated below. For this purpose, we may request information proving that you are the data subject seeking to exercise such rights.

​
6. DATA RETENTION

 

Personal data will only be retained for the period necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or until the user withdraws their consent, where applicable, unless continued storage of the data is required by law or by a competent authority, or is necessary for the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest vested in the Blue Azores Programme or its partners.

​​

7. CONTACT

 

• Email:
  info@blueazores.org

• Address:
  Regional Environmental Inspection Building – São Miguel Inspection Unit
  Av. Antero de Quental nº51 – 2nd Floor
  9500-160 Ponta Delgada, Azores

​