03.07.2025
Dear user, 
While you are signing up as a Local Food Producer (LFP) to the LOFT Platform (hereinafter “the Platform”), we must first inform you about some privacy issues. In order to make you benefit from the Platform, we need to process some specific personal data of yours. Please read following information contained herein.

1. Data Controller & Legal Framework

We are the LOFT Project Consortium consisting of the Governorship of Kocaeli Bureau for External Relations and European Union Affairs (Türkiye), CDE PETRA Patrimonia Agriculture Cooperative (France), University of Bologna Faculty of Agriculture (Italy), University of Zaragoza IA2 Research Institute (Spain) and Gebze Technical University (Türkiye).
Gebze Technical University (GTÜ), Türkiye acts as the Data Controller for all personal data collected via the LOFT Platform. This data is processed in compliance with:
    •    EU GDPR (Regulation 2016/679) for users in Italy, Spain, France, and other EU countries
    •    Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK, Law No. 6698) for users in Türkiye

2. Categories of Users & Data Processing Activities

A. General Platform Users
    •    Who you are: Anyone who registers on the LOFT Platform without selecting the “Local Food Producer” role. This includes consumers, administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders.
    •    What we collect: Full name, email, country, phone number, and optionally business or affiliation.
    •    Purpose:
    •    To create and maintain your account
    •    To provide access to Platform content and features
    •    To communicate updates or necessary information
    •    Visibility: Your data remains private and visible only to you and system administrators.

B. Local Food Producer (LFP) Registrants
    •    Who you are: Users who choose to register as a Local Food Producer (by selecting the relevant option or completing the specific LFP form).
    •    What we collect in addition: Business details, production location, product types, operational hours—information you explicitly provide in the LFP form.
    •    Purpose:
    •    To support promotion, interaction, and networking among producers and consumers
    •    To publicly list your location and relevant production info on the LOFT map
    •    Visibility: Your LFP profile—including business name, location, production type, public contact channels, and map pin—is openly displayed online.

3. Explicit Consent & Visibility

By registering as an LFP, you explicitly acknowledge and agree that:
    •    Your additional data submitted via the LFP form will be published on the internet, accessible through the LOFT website and interactive maps.
    •    These data are shared only to enhance public visibility and connectivity; no other third-party transfers occur without your separate consent.

4. Data Collection & Processing Methods
    •    Collection method: Via automated online forms completed on computers or mobile devices.
    •    Cookie usage: Only essential cookies necessary for Platform functionality are used. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.

5. Legal Basis for Processing
    •    GDPR (Article 6(1)(a)) and KVKK (Article 5/1) – All data processing is based on your explicit consent.
    •    For LFP registrants, publication and map visibility are also based on your explicit consent at registration.

6. Data Recipients & Transfers
    •    General Users: Data is used internally and is not shared.
    •    LFP Registrants: Selected data are made visible to platform visitors. No onward transfers to unrelated third parties.

7. Your Rights

Under GDPR & KVKK, you have the right to:
    1.    Access your personal data
    2.    Rectify incorrect or incomplete data
    3.    Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”) when processing isn’t legally required
    4.    Request restriction of processing
    5.    Object to processing based solely on automated decisions
    6.    Know third parties using your data
    7.    Port your data (GDPR; where applicable)
    8.    Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
    9.    Receive compensation for unlawful processing

8. Exercising Your Rights
    •    How to contact us: Submit a written or electronic request including your name, nationality, ID/passport number, address, and request details.
    •    Response time: Within 30 days, per GDPR & KVKK deadlines.
    •    Fees: May be charged per relevant regulations. If processing errors originate with us, no fees apply.

9. Data Retention & Deletion
    •    Your personal data are kept as long as necessary for account maintenance, legal compliance, or until you request deletion.
    •    If you request deletion and no legal obligation requires retention, your account and related data (including LFP profile) will be permanently removed.

10. Updates to This Notice

We may revise this notice to comply with legal changes or for clarity. All updates will be posted on the Platform, with a revision date.