Privacy policy
Updated on 2 February 2026
1. Parties and purpose
CIAUD vzw (hereinafter “A” or the “Controller”) Ernest Allardstraat 21/3, 1000 Brussels
VAT: 0413.518.522
Email: office@a-plus.be
Telephone: 32 (0)2 490 56 76 43
A has drawn up this Privacy Policy with the aim of informing Users of the website hosted at the following address: www.a-plus.be, (hereinafter the “Site”), in a transparent manner about the way in which personal data is collected and processed by A .
The term “User” refers to any user, whether a natural or legal person, who visits the Site or comes into contact with it in any way.
In this context, A determines all technical, legal and organisational means and purposes of the processing of users’ personal data. To this end, A undertakes to take all necessary measures to ensure that personal data is processed in accordance with the Act of 30 July 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data (hereinafter “the Act”) and the European Regulation of 26 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (hereinafter “the Regulation”).
A is free to choose any natural or legal person who processes the personal data of Users at its request and on its behalf (hereinafter the “Subcontractor”). Where applicable, A undertakes to select a Subcontractor that offers sufficient guarantees with regard to the technical and organisational security measures for the processing of personal data, in accordance with the Act and the Regulation.
2. Processing of personal data
The use of the Site by Users may lead to the communication of personal data. The processing of such data by A, in its capacity as Data Processor, or by service providers acting in the name and on behalf of A, will be in accordance with the Act and the Regulation.
Personal data will be processed by A in accordance with the purposes set out below, by means of:
Subscription form or purchase form for a magazine or publication
Registration form for an activity or event
Newsletter registration form
Contact form
Survey or questionnaire form
Project submission form for the editorial team
Use of cookies
3. Purpose of the processing of personal data
In accordance with Article 13 of the Regulation, the purposes of the processing of personal data are communicated to the User and are as follows:
To ensure the performance of the services offered and agreed upon on the Site and to monitor their performance
To carry out marketing activities and promotional information with the prior consent of the User and until such consent is revoked
To respond to the User’s questions
To produce statistics to improve the Site, the services offered and the internal organisation of its operation.
To improve the quality of the Site and the products and services offered.
To enable better identification of the User’s areas of interest.
4. Personal data that may be processed
By visiting and using the Site, the User agrees that A may collect and process the following personal data, in accordance with the methods and principles described in this Privacy Policy:
Information provided by Users for contractual purposes and to enable the proper performance of mutual obligations, namely surname, first name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, company number, IBAN number and bank details, etc., and more generally any information voluntarily provided by the User.
User information provided by filling in forms or by contacting us by telephone or electronically, for example name, address, email address or telephone number.
For each visit by the User to the Site, the following information is automatically collected: IP address, browser type and model, time zone, operating system, all information about the pages consulted by the User on the Site (e.g. URL, browsing time, etc.).
5. Consent
By accessing and using the Site, the User declares that they are aware of and freely consent to the processing of personal data concerning them, in particular, consciously and unambiguously. This agreement relates to the content of this Privacy Policy.
Consent is given by the positive action of the User ticking the box containing the privacy policy proposal in the hyperlink. This consent is an essential condition for performing certain actions on the Site or for enabling the User to enter into a contractual relationship with A. Any contract between A and a User relating to the services and goods offered on the Site is subject to the User’s acceptance of the Privacy Policy.
The User agrees that the Data Processor may process and collect his/her personal data communicated on the Website or in the context of the services offered by A, in accordance with the methods and principles set out in this Privacy Policy, for the purposes indicated above.
The User has the right to withdraw his/her consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent given prior to its withdrawal.
6. Storage period of users’ personal data
In accordance with Article 13(2) of the Regulation and the Act, the controller shall keep personal data only for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes for which they are processed.
This period shall in any case be less than: 10 years
7. Recipients of data and disclosure to third parties
Personal data may be transferred to A’s employees, staff, subcontractors or suppliers who provide sufficient guarantees for the security of the data and who cooperate with A in the context of marketing products or providing services. They act under the direct authority of A and are responsible in particular for collecting, processing or outsourcing such data.
In all cases, the recipients of the data and those to whom the data has been provided must comply with the content of this Privacy Policy. A assures that it will only process this data for the intended purposes, in a discreet and secure manner.
If the data is provided to third parties for direct marketing or customer acquisition purposes, the User will be informed in advance so that they can give their consent to the use of this personal data.
8. User rights
The User may exercise his rights at any time by sending a message by e-mail to the following address: secretariaat@a-plus.be, or a letter by post, with a copy of his identity card, to the following address: Ernest Allardstraat 21/3, 1000 Brussels
a. Right of access
In accordance with Article 15 of the Regulation, A guarantees the User’s right to access their personal data. The user has the right to access this personal data and the following information:
the purposes of the processing;
the categories of personal data concerned;
the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations;
where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period; – the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) of the Regulation, and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject
The Data Processor may charge a reasonable fee based on administrative costs for any additional copies requested by the User.
When the User submits such a request electronically (e.g. via email), the information shall be provided in a commonly used electronic form, unless the User requests otherwise.
A copy of the User’s data will be communicated to the User within one month of receipt of the request.
b. Right to correction
A guarantees the User’s right to correct and delete personal data.
In accordance with Article 16 of the Regulation, incorrect, inaccurate or irrelevant data may be corrected or deleted at any time. The User shall first make the necessary changes to their user account/other account themselves, unless these cannot be made autonomously, in which case the request may be made to A.
In accordance with Article 19 of the Regulation, the controller shall communicate any rectification of personal data to each recipient to whom the personal data have been disclosed, unless such communication proves impossible or involves a disproportionate effort. The controller shall provide the data subject with information about these recipients if the data subject so requests.
c. Right to erasure
The User has the right to obtain the erasure of his/her personal data as soon as possible in the cases referred to in Article 17 of the Regulation.
Where the controller has made the personal data public and is obliged to erase it in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the controller, taking into account the available technologies and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform the other controllers processing such personal data that the data subject has requested their erasure. reasonable measures, including technical measures, to inform the other controllers processing such personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or reproduction of, such personal data.
The two preceding paragraphs shall not apply to the extent that such processing is necessary:
for the exercise of the right of freedom of expression and information;
for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
In accordance with Article 19 of the Regulation, the controller shall communicate any erasure of personal data or restriction of processing carried out to each recipient to whom the personal data have been disclosed, unless such communication proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort. The controller shall provide the data subject with information on these recipients if the data subject so requests.
d. Right to restriction of processing
The User has the right to obtain the restriction of the processing of his/her personal data in the cases referred to in Article 19 of the Regulation.
In accordance with Article 19 of the Regulation, the controller shall communicate any restriction of processing to each recipient to whom the personal data have been disclosed, unless such communication proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort. The controller shall inform the data subject of these recipients if the data subject requests it.
e. Right to data portability
In accordance with Article 20 of the Regulation, users have the right to receive their personal data from A in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. Users have the right to transmit such data to another controller without A hindering this in the cases specified in the Regulation.
When users exercise their right to data portability in accordance with the previous paragraph, they have the right to have their personal data transferred directly from one controller to another, insofar as this is technically possible.
The exercise of the right to data portability shall not affect the right to erasure. This right shall not apply to processing necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
The right to portability shall not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of third parties.
f. Right to object and automated individual decision-making
The User has the right to object at any time to the processing of his/her personal data on grounds relating to his/her particular situation, including the automation of the data by A. In accordance with Article 21 of the Regulation, A will no longer process personal data unless there are legitimate and compelling reasons for the processing that prevail over the interests and rights and freedoms of the User, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal rights.
Where personal data is processed for customer acquisition purposes, the User has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning him/her for such acquisition purposes, including profiling insofar as it relates to such acquisition.
If the data subject objects to processing for customer acquisition purposes, the personal data will no longer be processed for such purposes.
g. Right to complain
The User has the right to lodge a complaint about the processing of his/her personal data by A with the data protection authority competent for the Belgian territory. More information can be found on the website: https://www.gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit.be/burger
Complaints can be submitted to the following addresses:
Data Protection Authority
Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels
Telephone 32 2 274 48 00
Fax 32 2 274 48 35
Email: contact@apd-gba.be
The User may also submit a complaint to the Court of First Instance of their place of residence.
9. Cookies
The Site uses cookies to distinguish Users of the Site. This helps to provide users with a better browsing experience and to improve the Site and its content. The objectives and modalities of the cookies are set out in this article.
a. General principles
A “Cookie” is a file that is placed temporarily or permanently on the User’s hard drive when consulting the Website, with a view to a later connection. Thanks to cookies, the server recognises the User’s computer.
Cookies may also be installed by third parties with whom A collaborates.
Some of the cookies used by A are necessary for the proper functioning of the Website, while others enable the User’s experience to be improved.
The User can personalise or disable cookies by configuring their browser settings.
By using the Website, the User expressly agrees to the management of cookies as described in this article.
b. Types of cookies and purposes
Various types of cookies are used by A on the Site:
Technical cookies: these are necessary for the functioning of the Website, enable the communication of the data entered and are intended to facilitate the User’s navigation;
Statistical and audience measurement cookies: these cookies enable the User to be recognised and are used to count the number of Users of the Website over a given period. As they also indicate browsing behaviour, they are an effective means of improving the User’s browsing experience by displaying suggestions and offers that may be of interest to him/her. They also allow A to identify and correct any bugs on the Website.
Functional cookies: these cookies facilitate the use of the Website by retaining certain choices made (e.g. the user name or language);
Tracking cookies: A uses tracking cookies via Google Analytics to measure Users’ interaction with the Website’s content and to produce anonymous statistics. These statistics enable A to improve the Website. Google explains these cookies at the following address: http://www.google.nl/intl/en_uk/policies/privacy/.
c. Cookie retention period
Cookies are retained for the time necessary to achieve the intended purpose. The cookies that may be stored on the user’s hard drive and their retention period are as follows: 1 year
d. Cookie management
If the User does not want the Website to place cookies on their hard drive, they can easily manage or delete them by adjusting their browser settings. The browser’s programming also allows the user to receive a notification or alert when a website uses cookies, allowing them to decide whether to accept or reject them.
If the User disables certain cookies, he/she accepts that the Website will not function optimally. It is therefore possible that certain parts of the Website will not be usable or will only be partially usable.
If the User wishes to manage and/or delete certain cookies in this way, he/she can do so via the following link(s):
For users with the following browser:
Internet Explorer: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/block-or-allow- cookies
Microsoft Edge: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/edge-privacy-faq
Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61416?hl=fr
Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/fr/kb/activer-desactiver-cookies-preferences
Safari: https://support.apple.com/kb/ph21411?locale=fr_CA
If the User refuses to allow the use of Google Analytics cookies, he/she is invited to set his/her browser accordingly on the following website: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
10. Limitation of the Data Processor’s liability
The Website may contain links to other websites owned by third parties and not related to A. The content of these sites and their compliance with the law and regulations are not the responsibility of A.
The holder of parental authority must give his or her express consent for a minor under the age of 16 to disclose personal information or data on the Website. A strongly recommends that persons exercising parental authority over minors promote responsible and safe use of the internet. The data controller cannot be held responsible
for the collection and processing of information and personal data from minors under the age of 16 whose consent is not effectively covered by that of their legal parents or for incorrect data – in particular with regard to age – entered by minors. Under no circumstances will personal data be processed by the data controller if the User indicates that he/she is under 16 years of age.
A is not responsible for the loss, corruption or theft of personal data, in particular due to the presence of viruses or as a result of computer attacks.
11. Security
The data controller implements organisational and technical measures to ensure an appropriate level of security for the processing and collection of data. These security measures depend on the cost of implementation in relation to the nature, context and purposes of the processing of personal data.
The Data Processor uses standard encryption technologies within the IT sector when transferring or collecting data on the Site.
12. Changes to the privacy policy
A reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy in order to comply with legal obligations in this regard. Users are therefore invited to consult the Privacy Policy regularly to be aware of any changes and amendments. Such changes will be posted on the Site or sent by e-mail for the sake of enforceability.
13. Applicable law and jurisdiction
This Privacy Policy is governed exclusively by Belgian law. Any dispute shall be submitted to the courts of the judicial district of the registered office of A.
14. Contact
For questions or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy, the User may contact the Data Processor at the following address: office@a-plus.be.
