Last Updated: 5 May 2026

PRIVACY NOTICE: DEMOCRACY HACKATHON

“Hack the Hate – Renew Democracy”

Last Updated: 5 May 2026

This privacy notice explains how the Council of Europe and Kreativdistrikt S.r.l. (collectively referred to as “we”) process your data when you participate in the Democracy Hackathon organised by the Council of Europe as part of the New Democratic Pact for Europe. Please see the Hackathon Terms and Conditions.

1. Who is responsible for data processing?

• The Data Controller: The Council of Europe has decision-making power concerning data processing. Processing is governed by the Council of Europe's Regulations on the Protection of Personal Data adopted on 15 June 2022.
• The Data Processor: Kreativdistrikt S.r.l. (“KDKT”) manages the online hackathon platform and processes data on behalf of the Council of Europe.

2. What data do we process and for what purpose? 

We process personal data received through your registration and participation for the following purposes:

1. a) Participant Administration & Selection: We collect your name, email address, phone number, and a description of your previous experience/academic background to manage the competitive selection of the 80 participants and participation in the Hackathon of those selected.

Your name and surname may also be processed if they are provided in a declaration of interests by a prospective judge. In such cases, we may also process additional information related to the declared conflict of interest (see below).

1. b) Mentors and Judges: For professionals in these roles, we process your name, e- mail address, telephone number, professional position, and photographs. Some of this information will be also published on the Hackathon website for the purpose transparency (see Section 4 below).

Before being confirmed as a judge, you will be asked to complete a declaration of interests by answering "yes" or "no" to questions about any potential connections with participants, financial interests in a participant's venture, or public statements made about a participant. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, you will need to provide the participant's name. In such cases, we may request additional information from you. Any information received in relation to the declaration of interests will be processed solely for the purpose of assessing your eligibility as a judge.

1. c) Publication in participant lists: As part of the Hackathon documentation, we draw up a list of participants, that will also include the judges and mentors. The list will contain your name, surname and e-mail address. If you do not wish for particular data to be included in the list of participants, please contact us via emails indicated below.
2. d) Travel and Accommodation Assistance: In additional to data listed in (a) and (b) above respectively, we process details of your identity document (Passport/ID card) to issue flight or train tickets and book accommodation.
3. e) Multimedia and Visibility: We record team presentations (Dragon’s Den) and take photographs and video recordings to capture the atmosphere of the event for the use for promotional purposes on the internet, social networks and other forms of public communication of the Council of Europe.
4. f) Follow-up Communication: We may use your email address to provide information about future activities related to the New Democratic Pact unless you withdraw consent.

3. What is the legal basis for our processing of your data?

We process personal data necessary for the selection of candidates, your participation in the Hackathon, follow-up communication, taking and using photos and videos recordings on the basis of your consent.

4. Who has access to your data?

• Internal Staff: Only persons within the Council of Europe and KDKT who are responsible for the event. Where travel or accommodation assistance will be provided, your personal data will be processed by KDKT.

• Third-Party Providers: Only the minimum necessary data (name/details of ID document) is shared with airlines and hotels to provide travel and accommodation assistance.

• The Public: Names, positions and photographs of judges/mentors will be published worldwide on the Hackathon website for transparency, unless you request us not to publish particular data. Photos and video of the Hackathon, including video recordings of team presentations, will be published for promotional purposes on the Council of Europe website, its social media platforms and other forms of public communication of the Council of Europe.

5. How do we store your data?

• Location: Data is stored electronically on the Council of Europe and KDKT’s encrypted servers located within the European Union.
• Security: We implement appropriate measures to prevent accidental loss, unauthorised access, or disclosure.

6. How long will your data be stored?

• Active Period: Personal information is stored for the duration of the preparation, conduct, and follow-up of the Hackathon (estimated completion: December 2026).
• Deletion: Once follow-up is complete, we will only retain your contact details for future engagement unless you request otherwise, and delete the rest of your personal data.

7. What are your data protection rights?

You have the right to request access to your information, the correction of inaccuracies, or deletion when there is no valid reason to keep such information, or withdraw consent at any time.

8. Contacts

If you wish to exercise the above rights, or for any queries, concerns, or requests you may have in connection with the way your data is collected and used, please contact

• Event Coordination: [email protected]
• Council of Europe DPO: [email protected]

If you feel that we have not adequately responded to your request and consider that your data protection rights have been violated as a result of our processing of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Council of Europe Data Protection Commissioner by sending an e-mail to [email protected].