Thank you for visiting the website World Meeting for Women in Mathematics - (WM)², a satellite event of the ICM 2026 run by the Committee for Women in Mathematics (CWM) of the International Mathematical Union (IMU). The IMU is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization, with the purpose of promoting international cooperation in mathematics. The IMU's permanent office (IMU Secretariat) is based in Berlin, Germany, at the Weierstrass Institute (WIAS), where the web-server is also hosted.
Overview
We run our website in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). When you visit our website or utilize the functions of a particular page, certain data - defined as personal data by the GDPR - is collected and processed.
Some data collection is automatic, such as the data that is logged when someone visits our webpages (see Sections III-IV). This data log is required to ensure the functionality of our website and is subsequently deleted within a set timeframe. Such data logs are never stored together with other personal data concerning the user.
Other data may be collected by consent for specific purposes, such as subscription to newsletters or webform submissions. The purpose for which the data is collected is clearly stated on the submission form. The data is only ever used for that specific purpose (see Section II). Prior to submission, users are also informed if data transmission to a third party is required (for example, to a partner organization involved in the assessment of a particular grant application) and asked to give their consent (see Section VI).
In summary, we only process personal data concerning our users where necessary in order to provide a functional website and to offer our content and services. We will not publish your data. We will not disclose your data to any third parties without authorization, unless such disclosure is required by law.
If at anytime you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your data or you want to exercise a right according to the GDPR (see Section VII), please contact privacy@mathunion.org.
The above is intended as a brief overview of how we collect and use personal data. In the following sections, we explain in more detail what data we collect when you visit our website and exactly how this data is used.
I. Responsible entity
The IMU's responsible entity regarding the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is:
International Mathematical Union (IMU)
Secretariat
Hausvogteiplatz 11A
10117 Berlin, Germany
imu.info@mathunion.org
+49 30 2037 2430
represented by:
IMU Secretary General, Christoph Sorger
Head of the IMU Secretariat, Dietmar Hömberg
Questions or concerns about how we handle your data or requests to exercise a right according to the GDPR (see Section VII), should be sent to privacy@mathunion.org.
II. General information about data processing
a. Scope of personal data processing
As a general rule, we only process personal data concerning our users where necessary in order to provide a functional website and to provide our content and services. Personal data concerning our users will only be processed regularly if the user has given his or her consent. An exemption applies in such cases where it is impossible, for reasons of fact, to gain prior consent and the processing of data is permitted by law.
b. Legal basis for personal data processing
Where we obtain the consent of the data subject for processing procedures, Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis.
When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, Article 6(1)(b) GDPR serves as the legal basis. The same applies for processing procedures that are necessary in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract.
Where it is necessary to process personal data for compliance with a legal obligation that the IMU must meet, Article 6(1)(c) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
In the event that the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person require the processing of personal data, Article 6(1)(d) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
If processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the IMU or by a third party and if the aforementioned interests are not overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject, then Article 6(1)(f) GDPR serves as the legal basis for processing.
c. Erasure of data and storage period
The personal data concerning the data subject will be erased or made unavailable as soon as the purpose of storage ceases to apply. Data may also be stored where provision has been made for this by European or national legislators in Union regulations, laws or other provisions to which the IMU is subject. Data will also be made unavailable or erased where a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned legislation expires, unless there is a need for the further retention of the data for the purpose of entering into or performing a contract.
III. Provision of the website and creation of log files
Every time our website is visited, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the requesting computer in so-called log files.
The following data is collected in this connection and stored in our systems’ log files:
- Date and time of access
- User’s IP address
- Websites called up from the user’s system via our website
- Websites from which the user’s system reached our website
- Information about the browser type and version
- Information about the user’s operating system
This data will not be stored together with other personal data concerning the user.
Data is stored in log files in order to ensure the functionality of the website. In addition, the data serves the purpose of optimizing the website, of eliminating any possible malfunctions and of preserving the security of our information technology systems.
Data is deleted as soon as it is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the provision of the website, this occurs at the end of the session.
Log file data is usually deleted after 30 days at the latest. If the IMU has to store log file data for a longer period due to technical requirements or security aspects, users’ IP addresses are deleted or modified to prevent their identification.
Such storage is essential and cannot be objected to by the user.
The legal basis for the storage of data and log files is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.
IV. Use of cookies
a. Description and scope of data processing
Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the internet browser or by the internet browser on the user’s computer system. When a user requests a website, a cookie can be stored on the user’s operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string that enables the browser to be uniquely identified when you next visit the website.
b. Essential cookies
We use cookies to make our website more user-friendly. Some elements of our website require that the requesting browser can also be identified after changing to a different website.
In the process, the cookies store and transmit the following data:
- Language settings
- Log-in information (session data)
These two cookies are deleted when you close the session. No user profiles are created by essential cookies. The legal basis for the use of such cookies can be found in Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.
c. Non-essential cookies
Our organization does not analyse a user’s surfing behavior. Therefore we do not use non-essential cookies.
V. Web analytics
When requesting our webpages, our server will not store any data concerning you whatsoever. In particular we do not analyze your browsing behavior (e.g. no web analytics).
VI. Data transmission
a. Newsletters
When you subscribe to our newsletter, you will be asked to provide your email. We use the email you provide on the subscription form to send you the newsletter and provide updates on our activities. We use an external service provider in order to collect, store and process your data for this purpose.
b. Webforms
We use webforms to collect data from participants that register to the event (WM)². Each webform only collects as much data as necessary for the related purpose. The data from webforms is stored on our local servers and processed by us in order to deliver the outcome(s) of the specific purpose. At no time do we use the data for any purpose other than that for which it was collected.
VII. Rights of the data subject
If personal data concerning you is processed, you are the data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and have the following rights vis-à-vis the controller – unless statutory exceptions apply in specific cases:
- Withdrawal of consent (Article 7(3) GDPR)
- Access (Article 15 GDPR)
- Rectification (Article 16 GDPR)
- Erasure (Article 17(1) GDPR)
- Restriction of processing (Article 18 GDPR)
- Data portability (Article 20 GDPR)
- Objection to processing (Article 21 GDPR)
- Lodging of a complaint with the supervisory authority (Article 77 GDPR)
The supervisory authority is: The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Friedrichstr. 219, 10969 Berlin, Germany.