Effective Date: November 1, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how Seiler & Partners - Consulting und Treuhand ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, processes, and protects your personal data in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and professional confidentiality.

1. Data Controller

Legal Name: Seiler & Partners - Consulting und Treuhand

Address: Kronenstrasse 15, 8840 Einsiedeln, Switzerland

Managing Director: Theo Seiler

Email: tse@seiler-partners.ch

Phone: +41 76 249 8606

Data Protection Contact: office@seiler-partners.ch

2. Scope and Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data processed through our website (www.seiler-partners.ch) and in connection with our fiduciary and consulting services. For clients who have entered into a formal service agreement, additional privacy terms may apply as outlined in your contract.

3. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

A. Contact and Inquiry Data
  • Name and surname
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Company name and position
  • Inquiry details and messages
B. Website Usage Data
  • IP address (anonymized after 90 days)
  • Browser type and version
  • Device information (type, operating system)
  • Date and time of access
  • Pages visited and referral sources
  • Language preferences
C. Cookies and Tracking Data
  • Cookie consent preferences
  • Language selection cookies
  • Session cookies for website functionality

For detailed information about our cookie usage, please see our Cookie Policy.

D. Client Service Data (for established clients only)
  • Financial records and accounting documents
  • Tax-related information
  • Payroll and employment data
  • Company formation and registration documents
  • Communication records (emails, meeting notes)

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under Swiss FADP Article 6:

Consent

When you submit contact forms, subscribe to updates, or accept cookies, you provide explicit consent for data processing.

Contract Performance

Processing is necessary to provide our fiduciary and consulting services as outlined in service agreements.

Legitimate Interest

We process data to improve our services, ensure website security, and conduct business communications.

Legal Obligation

Swiss commercial and tax laws require us to retain certain records (e.g., accounting documents for 10 years).

5. How We Use Your Data

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • Responding to your inquiries about our services
  • Providing fiduciary, accounting, tax, and consulting services
  • Communicating with you regarding service delivery and updates
  • Improving our website functionality and user experience
  • Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
  • Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
  • Maintaining professional records as required by Swiss law
  • Analyzing website traffic to optimize our digital presence

6. Third-Party Service Providers and Data Transfers

We work with trusted third-party service providers to operate our website and deliver our services. These providers may process your data on our behalf:

Service Provider Purpose Data Location Safeguards
EmailJS Contact form email delivery USA Standard Contractual Clauses
Google Fonts Website font delivery USA/Ireland Google Privacy Shield successor framework
Bootstrap CDN Website framework delivery Global CDN Cloudflare privacy controls
Font Awesome Icon library delivery Global CDN Cloudflare privacy controls
Web Hosting Provider Website hosting and data storage Switzerland/EU ISO 27001 certified, Swiss data centers
Cross-Border Data Transfers: Some of our service providers are located outside Switzerland and the European Economic Area (EEA), particularly in the United States. We ensure that adequate safeguards are in place through Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). You have the right to request information about these safeguards and to object to specific transfers.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Data Security and Protection Measures

We implement comprehensive technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data:

Technical Measures
  • SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
  • Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent XSS attacks
  • Secure server infrastructure with firewalls
  • Regular security updates and patches
  • Encrypted data storage for sensitive information
  • Automated backup systems
Organizational Measures
  • Access controls and authentication requirements
  • Employee training on data protection
  • Confidentiality agreements with all staff
  • Data processing inventories and documentation
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures
  • Regular security audits and assessments

While we implement industry-standard security measures, please note that no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data to the fullest extent possible.

8. Professional Secrecy for Fiduciary Services

As a Swiss fiduciary and consulting firm, we are bound by strict professional secrecy obligations under Swiss law. This includes:

  • Confidentiality requirements under the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO)
  • Professional standards for trustees and tax advisors
  • Banking secrecy principles where applicable
  • Attorney-client privilege for legal consulting services

These professional obligations provide an additional layer of protection beyond standard data protection laws. All client information is treated with the utmost confidentiality and is never disclosed without explicit authorization, except where required by law.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality and improve user experience. We use the following types of cookies:

  • Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality (login sessions, security)
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences (language selection, cookie consent)
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website (anonymized data)

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or by visiting our Cookie Policy page. Disabling cookies may affect some website features but will not prevent you from contacting us.

10. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

We do not use automated decision-making, AI-based profiling, or algorithmic processing that produces legal effects or significantly affects you. All client service decisions and assessments are made by qualified human professionals. Website analytics are used only for aggregate statistical purposes and do not involve individual profiling.

11. Your Rights Under Swiss Law

Under the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

You have the right to request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and to obtain a copy of that data. We will provide this information free of charge within 30 days of your request.

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data. We will update your information promptly upon verification.

You may request deletion of your personal data when it is no longer necessary for the purposes collected, you withdraw consent, or you object to processing. Please note that legal retention obligations (e.g., 10-year accounting records) may prevent immediate deletion.

You can request your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format (e.g., CSV, JSON, PDF) for transfer to another service provider.

You may object to data processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. We will cease processing unless we have compelling legitimate grounds that override your interests.

Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

If you believe we have not handled your data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC):

FDPIC (Eidgen�ssischer Datenschutz- und �ffentlichkeitsbeauftragter)

Feldeggweg 1, 3003 Bern, Switzerland

Phone: +41 58 462 43 95

Website: www.edoeb.admin.ch

Exercising Your Rights: To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at office@seiler-partners.ch or call +41 76 249 8606. We will respond to your request within 5 business days and fulfill it within 30 days. There is no fee for exercising your rights unless requests are manifestly unfounded or excessive.

12. Data Retention Periods

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by Swiss law:

Data Type Retention Period Legal Basis
Contact form submissions (no client relationship) 6 months Business necessity
Client files and accounting records 10 years after service end Swiss CO Art. 958f (commercial law requirement)
Website server logs and IP addresses 90 days (anonymized thereafter) Security and technical necessity
Cookie data and preferences 12 months User convenience and consent management
Email communications Duration of relationship + 1 year Documentation and liability protection
Tax-related documents 10 years Swiss tax law requirements
Payroll and personnel records 10 years Swiss employment and social security law

After the retention period expires, personal data is securely deleted or anonymized unless ongoing legal proceedings or regulatory investigations require continued retention.

13. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for business clients and professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under the age of 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately at office@seiler-partners.ch, and we will delete such information.

14. Data Breach Notification Procedures

In the event of a data breach that poses a high risk to your rights and freedoms, we will:

  • Notify the Swiss FDPIC within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach (as required by FADP)
  • Inform affected individuals without undue delay if the breach is likely to result in high risk
  • Provide details about the nature of the breach, potential consequences, and mitigation measures
  • Take immediate steps to contain and remediate the breach
  • Document the incident and our response for regulatory review

If you become aware of any potential security incident or unauthorized access to your data, please report it immediately to security@seiler-partners.ch or call +41 76 249 8606.

15. Links to External Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources (e.g., regulatory bodies, professional associations, client portals). We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or data protection standards of these external sites. We strongly encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, legal requirements, or technological developments. Any material changes will be prominently posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." For significant changes that affect your rights, we will provide advance notice via email (if we have your contact information) or through a website notice. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your data.

17. Contact Information and Data Protection Inquiries

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data protection practices, please contact us:

Data Protection Contact

Seiler & Partners - Consulting und Treuhand

Contact Person: Theo Seiler (Managing Director)

Address: Kronenstrasse 15, 8840 Einsiedeln, Switzerland

General Email: tse@seiler-partners.ch

Privacy Email: office@seiler-partners.ch

Phone: +41 76 249 8606

Response Time: We will acknowledge your inquiry within 5 business days and provide a substantive response within 30 days.

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy and all data processing activities are governed by:

  • The Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP / revFADP, effective September 1, 2023)
  • The Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection Ordinance (DPO)
  • The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where applicable for EU residents
  • Swiss professional secrecy and fiduciary regulations

Any disputes arising from this Privacy Policy or our data processing practices shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Canton Schwyz, Switzerland.

Acknowledgment

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and processing of your personal data as described herein. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our website or services.