Terms of Service

Welcome to sperm-donor.org! By using our platform, you agree to the following Terms of Service as well as the separately listed Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully.

1. Scope and Acceptance of the Terms of Service

1.1 Scope of the Terms of Service
These terms of service govern the use of the private, non-commercial online platform “sperm-donor.org” (hereinafter referred to as the “platform”). The platform is operated by the person responsible as stated in the imprint (hereinafter referred to as the “operator”).

1.2 Purpose of the Platform
The platform serves exclusively to technically facilitate a private exchange between adult, consenting individuals (hereinafter referred to as “users”) who are interested in non-commercial private sperm donation agreements.

1.3 Acceptance of the Terms of Service
By accessing or using the platform, you agree to these Terms of Service as well as the separate Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use the platform.

1.4 Language Binding
These Terms of Service are provided in multiple languages to facilitate understanding. However, only the English version is legally binding. In case of discrepancies or conflicts between the English version and any translation, the English original shall prevail. This is the legally binding English version.

2. Use of the Platform

2.1 Purpose of the Platform and Role of the Operator
This platform serves exclusively for private, non-commercial contact between adult, consenting individuals interested in private sperm donation agreements. The operator solely provides the technical infrastructure (e.g., profile system and messaging function) but does not engage in any mediation, verification, or organization of donations, medical procedures, or legal agreements.

2.2 No Advice or Medical Services
The operator does not provide any medical, legal, or psychological advice. Users are solely responsible for informing themselves about the health, legal, social, and emotional aspects of private sperm donations – in particular regarding:

• Legal parenthood and potential child support or custody claims
• Medical risks (e.g., risk of infection, genetic disorders)
• Psychological and social effects on donors, recipients, and children

2.3 Responsibility of Users
All agreements, medical procedures, or meetings take place solely under the responsibility of the users. The operator assumes no responsibility for actions, content, or arrangements between users – including those outside the platform.

The operator assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of information provided by users, for the trustworthiness or suitability of other users, or for the outcomes of offline interactions or agreements. All interactions and agreements are made solely at the users own risk.

Each user is solely responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable laws and regulations, especially those governing private sperm donation in their country or jurisdiction.

2.4 Permitted and Prohibited Content and Conduct
The platform may only be used for lawful purposes. The following are expressly prohibited:

• Harassment, threats, discrimination, or other harm to other users
• Publication or distribution of false, defamatory, obscene, or pornographic content
• Violation of privacy or third-party rights (e.g., copyright infringement)
• Identity falsification or deception about one’s own person
• Commercial use of the platform without explicit permission
• Uploading, distributing, or providing images or videos depicting minors (children)
• Distribution of content that violates applicable laws, particularly content glorifying violence, inciting crimes, or containing hate speech
• Any form of spam, unsolicited advertising, or automated mass messaging (e.g., bots)
• Technical disruptions, sabotage, or attempts to manipulate or unauthorizedly use the platform or its services

In the event of a violation of these Terms of Service or upon justified suspicion of misuse, the operator reserves the right to remove user content without prior notice, temporarily or permanently suspend or terminate the user account, and, if necessary, initiate legal proceedings. The operator is under no obligation to inform the user about the removal of content or actions such as suspensions or terminations.

2.5 Security and Responsible Use
Users should not share sensitive information (e.g., address, financial data) without having established trust. For personal meetings, it is recommended to meet in a public, safe environment. Legal and medical advice should always be sought before a donation. Strong passwords and the protection of account data are the responsibility of the users.

2.6 Monitoring and Reporting
To ensure safety, the operator reserves the right to review individual messages or profiles upon reports of violations. Suspicious or harmful activities may be investigated and appropriate measures taken. Violations can be reported here.

2.7 Consequences of Misuse
Violations of the platform rules may result in the following measures:

• Warning or temporary suspension of the account
• Permanent termination of the user account
• Legal action in case of criminal conduct

There is no entitlement to use the platform. Even without a specific violation, an account may be suspended at the operator’s discretion.

2.8 Limitation of Liability
The operator is liable only in cases of intent or gross negligence. In cases of slight negligence in the violation of essential contractual obligations, liability is limited to the typical, foreseeable contractual damage. Liability for damages to life, body, or health remains unaffected. In particular, liability is excluded for:

• The success or failure of a donation agreement
• Misrepresentations or conduct of other users
• Offline contacts or private arrangements
• Legal or financial consequences of pregnancy or parenthood

2.9 Legal Notice Regarding Sperm Donation
Private sperm donations outside of medical institutions may, under German law, result in the donor being recognized as the legal father – with all rights and obligations (e.g., child support). Private agreements alone do not provide legal certainty. Legal advice prior to a donation is expressly recommended.

2.10 No Commercial Mediation Through the Platform
The platform is provided exclusively as a private, non-commercial contact platform. Any financial arrangements between users are solely their responsibility and lie outside the control or responsibility of the operator.

3. Account Creation

3.1 Registration and Information
To use certain features of our platform, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information during registration. This includes, in particular, username, date of birth, contact information, and other required data.

3.2 Responsibility for Data
You are required to promptly update any changes to your account information to ensure its accuracy. False, incomplete, or misleading information may result in suspension or termination of your account.

3.3 Access Credentials and Security
You are solely responsible for keeping your access credentials (e.g., email address, password) confidential. Do not share your credentials with third parties and use strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access. You are liable for all activities carried out under your account unless you can prove misuse.

3.4 Use of the Account
Your account is intended solely for your personal use. Transfer or disclosure to third parties is prohibited. Violations may result in immediate suspension or deletion of the account.

3.5 Age Verification
To use the platform, you must be at least 18 years old. By registering, you confirm that you have reached this minimum age and meet the legal minimum age in your jurisdiction, if a higher age is required there. We reserve the right to request proof of age verification at any time (e.g., by presenting a valid official identification document). In cases of doubt or discrepancies regarding age, access to the platform may be temporarily restricted or permanently blocked.

3.6 Consequences of False Information
If you provide false or incomplete information during registration or do not meet the minimum age requirement, we reserve the right to suspend or delete your account. Further use of the platform is prohibited in such cases.

4. Termination of Account

4.1 By the User
You may terminate your account at any time without providing a reason. This can be done via the account settings in your user profile or alternatively by sending us a written notice through the contact form or email. Upon termination, your access to the platform will be revoked, and your personal data will be deleted or anonymized in accordance with our Privacy Policy, unless legal retention obligations prevent this.

4.2 By the Platform Operator
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time without prior notice, especially if:

• You violate these Terms of Service or applicable law,
• You post content or engage in behavior that contradicts the purpose of the platform or endangers other users,
• There is suspicion of misuse, manipulation, or fraudulent behavior,
• Your behavior jeopardizes the reputation or integrity of the platform.

Accounts with no activity for a period of 12 months may be terminated or deleted by the operator. Prior to deletion, the operator will usually send an automated notification to the last registered email address of the user and allow a response period of 5 days. The user is responsible for keeping their email address current and accessible. Deletion may also occur if the notification could not be delivered due to technical reasons.

4.3 Consequences of Account Termination
After termination of your account, access to the platform will be permanently disabled. All content and data you have uploaded may be deleted or anonymized. Restoration of the account after complete deletion will no longer be possible. Any statutory claims remain unaffected.

5. Responsibility for User-Generated Content

5.1 User’s Own Responsibility
Each user is solely responsible for the content they post, upload, publish, or transmit on sperm-donor.org. This includes, in particular, texts, images, profile information, messages, and other contributions.
You warrant that you hold all necessary rights to the content you submit and do not infringe any third-party rights (especially copyrights, personality rights, or trademark rights).

5.2 No Obligation to Review User Content
sperm-donor.org is not obligated to review user-generated content prior to publication. However, upon becoming aware of unlawful content or violations of these Terms of Service, the operator will promptly take appropriate measures, including removing content or suspending accounts.

5.3 Indemnification
The user agrees to indemnify sperm-donor.org, its operators, and appointed third parties from all claims asserted by third parties due to content posted by the user. This also includes the costs of necessary legal defense (including court and attorney fees).

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Ownership Rights
All content on the sperm-donor.org platform — including but not limited to texts, images, graphics, logos, audio, video elements, and software — is the property of sperm-donor.org or properly licensed and is protected by German and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

6.2 License to Use
Users are granted a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license limited to the intended use of the platform. This license does not permit:

• Reproduction, distribution, public display, or modification of the content without prior explicit written permission,
• Commercial use or reuse outside of the platform,
• Use of automated systems (such as bots, scrapers, etc.) to extract content.

6.3 Protection Against Infringements
Any unauthorized use of the content constitutes a violation of the rights of sperm-donor.org or third parties and may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution.

6.4 Notice of Copyright Infringements (Notice Procedure)
If you believe that your copyrighted works or trademarks are infringed by content on this platform, please contact us immediately via contact form or email, providing the following information:

• a description of the protected work or right,
• the exact location on the platform,
• your full contact details (including proof of your authorization),
• a sworn statement that the information provided is true.

We will promptly review reported infringements and, if necessary, remove the respective content or block access to it. This will be done in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and relevant regulations. Where personal data is affected, we also comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), especially the right to erasure under Article 17 GDPR.

7. Liability

7.1 Limitation of Liability
Use of the platform is at your own risk. sperm-donor.org does not guarantee the continuous availability, accuracy, completeness, or security of the offered content and functions.
We are not liable for material or immaterial damages resulting from the use or inability to use the platform, including data loss, technical failures, malfunctions, unauthorized third-party access, or transmission errors — unless caused by intentional or grossly negligent conduct on our part.

7.2 Third-Party Content
We assume no responsibility for content posted by users or accessible via external links. The respective user or provider is solely responsible for content that violates applicable law or third-party rights. See also Section 5 "Responsibility for User-Generated Content".

8. Donations (Gifts according to § 516 BGB)

8.1 Voluntary Contributions
Payments made on this website are voluntary gifts within the meaning of § 516 BGB. They are explicitly not fees or consideration for services, content, or functions of the platform. Users who make payments do so voluntarily and without any contractual obligation.

8.2 Donation Recipients
Donations are directed to the operator of the website sperm-donor.org, who is named in the Imprint with full name and address. The gift is therefore made to a natural person.

8.3 Use of Donations
Donations serve to support the operation of the website, in particular to cover general operating costs (e.g., hosting, domain, maintenance). However, there is no earmarking – the operator may decide on the use at their own discretion.

8.4 Tax Information
Donations up to an amount of €20,000 per donor within ten years are exempt from gift tax under German law (§ 13 para. 1 no. 12 ErbStG).
The responsibility to check any tax reporting obligations lies with the donor.
Donations are not tax-deductible.

8.5 No Consideration, No Refund Claims
Donations do not entitle donors to exclusive content, features, or other benefits.
There is no contractual agreement with the operator.
Refunds are generally excluded. Recurring (monthly) donations can be cancelled at any time.

8.6 Payment Processing and Fees
Donations made through this website are processed by third-party payment service providers such as PayPal or Stripe. These services charge processing, transaction, and, if applicable, currency conversion fees, which are automatically deducted from the donation amount. The amount received by the website operator is the net amount after deduction of these fees.

For donations made in currencies other than Euro, conversion is performed at the exchange rate applicable at the time of the transaction. The actual amount received in Euros may therefore vary. Donors should be aware of possible additional currency conversion fees charged by the payment service provider.

By making a donation, you agree to the terms and conditions of the respective payment provider used (e.g., PayPal or Stripe). It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with their fee structures and terms of use in advance: PayPal User Agreement and Stripe Terms of Service .

Depending on the payment method chosen (e.g., credit card, international bank transfer, currency conversion), additional bank fees may apply (e.g., credit card transaction fees or foreign transaction fees). These are not part of the standard fees charged by Stripe or PayPal and are entirely the responsibility of the donor.

If you want to ensure that the full donation amount reaches sperm-donor.org, you may choose to increase your donation manually to cover the fees. Your support is genuinely appreciated!

8.7. Recurring Donations
Recurring donations are voluntary, automatic payments that are charged monthly to your chosen payment method to continuously support the work of sperm-donor.org. You can cancel your recurring donation at any time. After cancellation, no further payments will be charged. However, donations already made are generally non-refundable.

How to cancel your recurring donation:
Recurring donations are processed through the payment provider Stripe. After setting up your recurring donation, you will receive a confirmation email from Stripe with a link titled “Manage Subscription.” You can use this link to independently cancel your recurring donation. If you cannot find this email or experience difficulties canceling, please feel free to contact us. We will assist you with canceling your recurring donation via Stripe. For further questions about Stripe payments, please visit the Stripe Support Page.

9. Indemnification and Hold Harmless

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless sperm-donor.org, its subsidiaries, employees, agents, and partners from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising directly or indirectly from your use of the platform or any violation of these Terms of Service, the Privacy Policy, or any other applicable provisions.
This includes, in particular, claims resulting from:

• Your breach of these Terms of Service or other policies;
• Your violation of applicable laws or the rights of third parties, including other users;
• The publication, transmission, or distribution of content (e.g., texts, images) that infringes the rights of third parties or is unlawful.

An indemnification obligation exists only insofar as the user acts culpably. You agree to promptly notify us in writing as soon as you become aware of any claim, demand, or legal proceeding that could trigger this indemnification obligation. You also agree to reasonably assist us in defending such claims and to provide all necessary information.

You are responsible for all costs arising in connection with the defense against claims based on your conduct or your content.

The user indemnifies the operator against all third-party claims arising from a breach of these Terms of Service by the user or from actions of the user that violate applicable law. This includes the costs of a reasonable legal defense.

Furthermore, we reserve the right, and where legally required, to disclose your data (in particular registration and usage data) to competent authorities or third parties in cases of legal violations or official orders, provided that this is necessary and permitted by law for the investigation or prosecution of such violations.

10. Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law
These Terms of Service shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and the rules of private international law (conflict of laws).

10.2 Jurisdiction
To the extent legally permissible, the place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms of Service shall be the domicile of the website operator (sperm-donor.org). If the user is a merchant, a legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law, the exclusive place of jurisdiction shall be Germany.

10.3 Dispute Resolution and Mediation
In the event of disputes arising from or in connection with the use of the platform, the parties agree to initially seek an amicable solution. If this is not possible, mediation through a recognized mediation institution, such as the German Mediation Association (Deutsche Mediationsgesellschaft e.V.), shall be sought before initiating legal proceedings.

10.4 Arbitration
If no agreement is reached, the dispute may be resolved through arbitration in accordance with the applicable German arbitration rules. The arbitration proceedings shall take place in Germany.

10.5 Consumer Rights and ODR Platform
Users who are consumers within the meaning of Section 13 of the German Civil Code (BGB) may also resolve disputes via the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform (ODR) .

10.6 Costs for Frivolous Claims
In the case of unfounded or abusive claims, the user agrees to bear the resulting costs within the legally permissible scope.

11. International Provisions

11.1 Accessibility and Compliance with Local Laws
sperm-donor.org is accessible worldwide. Users are obligated to comply with all laws and regulations applicable in their country of residence or stay, especially regarding sperm donation, data protection, privacy, and medical regulations. It is your responsibility to verify before using the platform whether its use is legal and permitted in your country. We assume no liability for users violations of local laws.

11.2 Data Protection and Data Transfers
For users located in the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies. Users outside the EU are subject to their respective national data protection laws, which may be less strict in some cases.
By using the platform, you agree that personal data may be transferred to countries outside your country of residence, including third countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), and processed there. For these data transfers, we implement recognized protective measures, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or comparable legal mechanisms, to ensure adequate data protection.
Please note that we cannot guarantee data protection standards in countries with lower levels of data protection.

11.3 Jurisdiction and Applicable Law
These Terms of Service are subject to German law, excluding conflict of law provisions.
All disputes arising from or in connection with the use of the platform shall generally be heard by the competent courts in Germany, unless mandatory statutory consumer protection rights dictate otherwise. Users who qualify as consumers under German law retain their statutory rights.
By using the platform, you agree to this choice of law and jurisdiction.

11.4 Restrictions and Availability of Services
Certain features or services of sperm-donor.org may be restricted or unavailable in specific countries due to legal limitations or technical conditions. It is your responsibility to inform yourself before use whether and to what extent the platform may be used in your country. We accept no liability for restrictions, interruptions, or blocks caused by local laws or authorities.

11.5 Language Versions of the Platform
The platform has been primarily developed in English. Other language versions (including translations of content, user interface, and communication) serve solely as support and information. No guarantee is given for the accuracy or completeness of these translations. In case of discrepancies or ambiguities, the English version shall prevail.

11.6 Language Versions of the Terms of Service
These Terms of Service are available in multiple languages. The English version is the legally binding original. All other language versions are translations and serve for informational purposes only. In case of discrepancies or interpretation issues, this English version shall prevail.

11.7 Cultural and Ethical Considerations
We ask all users to respect cultural, ethical, and legal particularities regarding sperm donation, the handling of genetic and personal data, as well as online communication. Users are responsible for complying with the ethical standards and laws applicable in their country. We promote respectful and responsible use of the platform.

12. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations caused by unforeseeable events beyond its control. This includes, but is not limited to, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, governmental actions, pandemics, strikes, power outages, sabotage, technical failures, or unforeseeable personal circumstances affecting the website operator (e.g., illness, accident, family emergencies), provided that no reasonable substitute can be arranged.

The affected party shall promptly inform the other party of the event and make reasonable efforts to mitigate the damage. If the event lasts longer than 30 days, either party may terminate the agreement without liability.

13. Contact Conditions

The following provisions govern the binding conditions for contacting the operator of this website. By using this website and contacting us via the provided channels, the user agrees to the following terms.

13.1. Preferred Method of Communication
The operator of this website provides an electronic contact form for inquiries. Alternatively, contact can be made via email or postal mail. An obligation to respond exists only if there is a legitimate interest or a legal basis.

13.2. Binding Language of Communication
All communication with the operator shall be conducted exclusively in English. Inquiries in other languages may remain unanswered without content review. This applies in particular to general inquiries, user communications, and voluntary correspondence without legal delivery effect.

13.3. Legally Relevant Correspondence
Correspondence with legal or official content that is not submitted in English shall be deemed improperly submitted unless there is a legal obligation to accept it in another language. If a translation is required, all costs for translating both the submitted documents and any response letters must be borne by the sender in advance. Processing will only take place after full payment of the estimated costs.

13.4. Form of Response
All responses from the operator will be provided exclusively in English. There is no entitlement to a translation of the response.

13.5. Processing Fees for Postal Correspondence
For inquiries sent by postal mail, processing fees may be charged to cover administrative, printing, and shipping costs. The amount depends on the actual effort and is at least 20 EUR. Processing may be delayed or refused for unclear, untranslated, or incomplete correspondence. As free alternatives, please use our contact form or email.

13.6. Delivery Address
The address stated in the imprint is exclusively for general correspondence. Formal delivery with legal effect is only permitted upon prior written agreement and explicit confirmation by the operator. Attempts to deliver without such confirmation have no legal effect.
Please note that contacting us via the contact form or email does not trigger an automatic receipt confirmation, and no binding deadlines arise from receipt of the message unless explicitly agreed otherwise. It is recommended to send important communications additionally by registered mail to provide proof of receipt.

13.7. Non-Processing of Non-Compliant Inquiries
Inquiries that do not comply with these contact conditions, especially those not written in English, will not be processed or reviewed. There is no entitlement to a response or further communication regarding such inquiries.

14. Third-Party Services and Links

14.1 External Links and Disclaimer of Liability
sperm-donor.org may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by us. We assume no responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or actions of these third-party providers. Users should carefully review the terms of use and privacy policies of these third-party websites. We do not endorse or guarantee any products, services, or information provided by third parties linked through our platform.

14.2 OpenStreetMap (OSM) and License Terms
Our website uses map data from OpenStreetMap , which is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) . By using this website, you agree to these license terms. The source of the map data is clearly credited (e.g., "© OpenStreetMap contributors"). This attribution must not be removed or obscured. For further information on the OpenStreetMap license, please refer to the Open Database License (ODbL) .

14.3 Leaflet and Map Providers
To display the maps, we use Leaflet , an open-source JavaScript library licensed under the MIT License . Our map tiles are sourced from third-party providers, such as OpenStreetMap , and are subject to their respective licensing terms. Users should observe the terms of use of the respective map providers, particularly concerning usage limits and fees.

14.4 Google Services
This website integrates Google services, including Google reCAPTCHA to ensure security and the Google Places API for address auto-completion and geocoding (converting addresses into geographical coordinates like latitude and longitude). By using these services, data such as IP address and usage information may be transmitted to Google and processed in accordance with Google's privacy policy. Users should review Google's Privacy Policy to obtain information about Google's processing of their data.

14.5 Font Awesome Icons
The icons used on this website are sourced from Font Awesome and are licensed under the Creative Commons License CC BY 4.0 .

15. Changes to the Terms of Service

We reserve the right to amend or update these Terms of Service at any time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements.

All changes will be published on this page. For significant changes, we will also inform you via email or through the platform.

Please review these Terms of Service regularly to stay informed. Your continued use of the platform after the publication of changes will be deemed as acceptance of the updated terms.

16. Severability Clause

Should individual provisions of these Terms of Service be or become wholly or partially invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision whose effects come closest to the economic objective that the contracting parties pursued with the invalid or unenforceable provision. The above provisions shall apply accordingly in the event that these Terms of Service prove to be incomplete.

v1.0

Privacy Policy

Introduction

At sperm-donor.org, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect your data and how we comply with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applicable in the European Union, as well as other international data protection laws.

By using our platform, you agree to the collection and processing of your personal data as described in this Privacy Policy. Please read this policy carefully.

Validity of Language Versions

This Privacy Policy is provided in multiple languages to facilitate understanding. However, only the English version is legally binding. In case of any discrepancies or conflicts between the English version and a translation, the original English version shall prevail. This is the legally binding English version.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal data when you use our website and services:

• Personal Information: Name, email address, date of birth, and any other identifying information you provide when creating an account or interacting with other users.
• Profile Information: Information you voluntarily share in your profile, such as your preferences, images, and text descriptions.
• Communication Data: Messages, interactions, or communications sent between users.
• Technical Information: Log data such as IP address, browser type, device information, and your Browse behavior on our platform.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Account Management: To create, manage, and display your user profile according to your privacy settings.
• Communication: To enable messaging and interaction between users, and to respond to your inquiries and support requests.
• Platform Improvement: To analyze usage trends, monitor platform performance, and improve functionality and user-friendliness.
• Security and Fraud Prevention: To detect and prevent fraud, misuse, unauthorized access, and other illegal activities, and to protect our platform and users.
• Technical Administration: To monitor and log technical operations, troubleshoot errors, perform system maintenance, diagnose issues, and manage IT infrastructure, including the processing of IP addresses and other technical metadata.
• Legal Compliance: To fulfill legal obligations, respond to government requests, and defend our rights in legal matters.
• Personalization: To tailor platform content and features to your preferences.
• Automated Decision-Making and Profiling: We do not use automated decision-making, including profiling, as defined by Art. 22 GDPR, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you. Your personal data is not processed on the basis of automated procedures to make personal decisions.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

We process your personal data in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the basis of the following legal grounds:

• Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR): If you give us your explicit consent to process certain data, for example, when creating an account or agreeing to the Terms of Service.
• Contract Performance (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR): Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you, for example, to provide you with access to our platform and services.
• Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR): To protect our legitimate interests, such as improving and securing our services, fraud prevention, and technical administration of the platform, provided your interests or fundamental rights do not override these interests.
• Fulfillment of Legal Obligations (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR): To comply with legal obligations, such as data retention requirements or responding to requests from authorities.

4. Data Security

We implement a variety of security measures to protect the data you share with us. This includes the use of encryption, secure servers, and other technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to your personal data.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and while we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. We recommend that you keep your login credentials safe and do not share them with third parties.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal data to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following cases:

• With other users: To enable you to interact with other users on the platform, your profile data and messages may be visible to them, based on your privacy settings.
• Service Providers: We may share your data with third-party providers who assist us in managing the website, such as hosting providers, payment processors, or email communication services. These service providers process personal data exclusively on our behalf and are contractually obligated to comply with data protection regulations. Data is only transmitted to the extent necessary to fulfill the respective service.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose your data to comply with a legal obligation, enforce our Terms of Service, or protect the rights, property, or safety of sperm-donor.org, our users, or others.

6. International Data Transfers

As our website is globally accessible, your data may be transferred to and stored in locations outside your country of residence, including outside the European Union.
When we transfer your data internationally, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, for example, by using EU Commission Standard Contractual Clauses or other legal mechanisms, to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

7. Retention of Your Data

We retain your personal data as long as your account is active or as long as necessary to provide the services. Afterward, the data will be deleted or anonymized, unless there are legal retention obligations.

Should your account be inactive for a longer period (12 months), we reserve the right to automatically delete it to protect your data and keep the platform clean. We may also retain and use your information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

If you choose to delete your account, we will remove your profile data from our platform within a reasonable timeframe. Please note that certain data may remain in backup systems for a limited time due to legal or technical reasons.

Should your account be suspended (e.g., due to a violation of our Terms of Service), we reserve the right to continue storing certain personal data, especially your email address. This is done exclusively to protect our platform and users, for instance, to prevent misuse or to prevent re-registration with suspended credentials. Storage will only occur to the necessary extent and for as long as required.

8. Email Notifications

You will receive essential emails from us related to your account, such as verifications, password resets, or deletion confirmations. These are necessary to provide secure and reliable services.
Additionally, you may receive optional notifications and informational emails (e.g., about new messages or important updates), which you can activate or deactivate at any time in your profile settings. By default, these optional notifications are enabled.

9. Your Rights

Under the GDPR and other applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You can update or correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions (e.g., to comply with legal obligations or to prevent misuse).
• Right to Restriction of Processing: You can request that we restrict the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your data for marketing purposes or other legitimate interests.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent to data processing that is based on your voluntary consent (e.g., for optional notifications) at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. The processing of personal data based on contractual or legal grounds is not affected by this.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority: You have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority regarding our processing of your personal data, especially if you believe that the processing violates applicable data protection law.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us here. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They enable the website to store certain information, such as user settings or session status.
Our website exclusively uses technically necessary cookies and services that are required for the secure and functional operation of the site. These measures serve, for example, session management (e.g., to stay logged in), security (e.g., to protect against bots or misuse), and improvement of usability (e.g., for address auto-completion). Since these are technically necessary cookies, their use occurs without separate consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.
Specifically, we use the following third-party services:

• Google Places API: We use the Google Places API to convert address data into geographical coordinates (geocoding). Requests are transmitted to Google's servers, whereby the IP address, in particular, may be processed. The use of this service is necessary to provide central functions of our website. Data transfer can also take place to the USA. Without this service, meaningful use of the site is not possible. Further information on how Google handles such data can be found in the Google Privacy Policy, the information on Google's handling of location data, and the Google Places API Terms of Use.


• Google reCAPTCHA: We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect our website from abusive access by automated programs (bots). This helps ensure the security of forms and user accounts. In doing so, Google may analyze personal data such as IP address, mouse movements, or user behavior. Data processing is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) in securing our services. The obligation to ensure data security arises from § 32 of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) in conjunction with Art. 5 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Data transfer can also take place to the USA. Further information on reCAPTCHA can be found in the Google Privacy Policy, the Google Terms of Service, and the Google reCAPTCHA documentation.


• OpenStreetMap: To display interactive maps on our website, we use the open-source maps from OpenStreetMap. The map data (tiles) are loaded directly from the OpenStreetMap servers. When loading the maps, data, particularly your IP address, is transmitted to OpenStreetMap's servers. OpenStreetMap is a community-driven open-source platform that offers a privacy-friendly alternative to commercial map services. This service is necessary for the map function. Further information on data processing by OpenStreetMap can be found in the OpenStreetMap Privacy Policy.

We use these services exclusively to ensure the functionality of our website and not for profiling or advertising. The cookies and tools used are considered technically necessary within the meaning of the GDPR. You can manage the use of cookies via your browser settings. Please note that deactivating technically necessary cookies or functions may significantly impair the use of our website.

We reserve the right to update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our technical processes or legal requirements. If you have any questions about this policy or the technologies used, please contact us here.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time. All changes will be published on this page, and if the changes are significant, we will notify you by email or through the platform. Please review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how your data is protected.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact us here. Please note that our Terms of Service apply to all contact. Further information about the operator of this website can be found in our Imprint.

13. Severability Clause

Should individual provisions of these Privacy Policy be or become wholly or partially invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision whose effects come closest to the economic objective that the parties pursued with the invalid or unenforceable provision. The foregoing provisions shall apply accordingly in the event that the policy proves to be incomplete.

Consent to the Privacy Policy

By using our platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms, please refrain from using our services.

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