Privacy Policy & Legal Notice

Valid from:
September 2025 (compliant with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the EU GDPR)

1. Controller/Website Owner:
The controller responsible for data processing on this website is:
Daria Startseva, Designer
Zurich, Switzerland
If you have any questions, please contact me via the Contact Form.

2. General Information on Data Processing

We process personal data in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and – where applicable – the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual, such as name, address, email, IP address, or user behavior.

3. Data We Collect and Purposes

We may collect and process the following categories of data:

  • Automatically collected data: IP address, device type, browser type, date/time of access, pages visited (server logs).

  • Cookies & tracking technologies: technical/necessary cookies, functional cookies (e.g. language settings), analytics cookies (Squarespace Analytics).

  • Contact details: name, email, and message (when you use the contact form or email us directly).

  • Newsletter (if applicable): name and email address.

Purposes:

  • Operating and securing the website

  • Improving user experience (analytics/statistics)

  • Responding to contact requests

  • Marketing and reach measurement (with consent only)

4. Legal Basis

We rely on the following legal bases:

  • Consent (Art. 6 FADP / Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) – e.g. for cookies, newsletters.

  • Contractual necessity – e.g. when responding to your inquiry.

  • Legitimate interest – e.g. for website operation, IT security, optimization.

5. Cookies & Tracking

Our website is hosted and operated via Squarespace. Squarespace uses cookies and similar technologies.

  • Necessary cookies: required for the proper functioning of the site.

  • Analytics/performance cookies: help us understand how visitors use our site.

  • Marketing cookies: set only with your explicit consent.

When you first visit, a cookie banner appears that allows you to consent or decline. You can change your settings at any time via the banner.

6. Use of Third-Party Services

We use the following services:

  • Hosting & platform: Squarespace (Squarespace Ireland Ltd., Dublin, Ireland; parent company Squarespace Inc., USA).

  • Data may be transferred to the USA. Squarespace ensures adequate safeguards through Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC).

  • Web analytics: Squarespace Analytics (active when cookies are accepted).

  • Email communication: Google Workspace.

If we use further services (e.g. Google Analytics, newsletter tools, social media plugins), these will be added to this Privacy Policy.

7. Data Transfers Abroad

Your personal data may be transferred to countries outside Switzerland/EU (such as the USA, when using Squarespace services).
In such cases, we ensure an adequate level of protection through contractual and technical safeguards (e.g. SCC).

8. Storage Period

We store personal data only as long as necessary:

  • Contact requests: until processing is completed.

  • Newsletter: until you unsubscribe.

  • Server logs: usually no longer than 30 days.

  • Contract-related data: as required by Swiss law (generally 10 years).

9. Your Rights

You have the following rights under applicable law:

  • Access to your stored data

  • Rectification of incorrect data

  • Deletion (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Restriction of processing

  • Data portability (where technically feasible)

  • Withdrawal of consent at any time with future effect

To exercise your rights, please contact us at the address above.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures (e.g. SSL/TLS encryption, access controls, regular updates) to protect your data against loss, misuse, and unauthorized access.

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. The current version is always available on this website.

12. Supervisory Authority

For Switzerland, the competent authority is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).

13. Copyright & Intellectual Property

All artworks, photographs, texts, and designs displayed on this website are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.
Any use, reproduction, distribution, or modification of these materials – in whole or in part – without prior written permission from the author (Daria Startseva) is strictly prohibited.
Commercial use or reproduction of artworks and images requires a written license agreement.