The MasterCard International group of companies, which includes MasterCard Europe sprl and Maestro International in Europe , has long recognized the importance of consumer privacy. Our basic approach to privacy is outlined in MasterCards Privacy Position. It provides guidelines that can be adapted to new technologies, such as the Internet, and also to varying legal requirements and consumer expectations around the world regarding privacy.

This European Website Privacy Policy explains how the MasterCard International group collects and uses information concerning visitors to our websites that are directed to Europeans. In addition, where applicable, we will place more specific information and, where appropriate, tick boxes or option buttons to express your preferences on those web pages where we request personal information from you. Please consider carefully this European Website Privacy Policy and the specific privacy information and options we present on our European websites. By using this website and providing information about yourself, you indicate your consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information according to this European Website Privacy Policy and the specific information and options indicated on the pages you visit.

Statistical Information about Your Visit

On many of our websites, we use common Internet technologies such as “cookies” and web server logs to collect information about how our websites are used, such as how many people visit or return to our sites, how they got to our sites, which pages they visit, and how many go on to visit other sites operated or promoted by the MasterCard International group. This information helps us manage site capacity and make improvements in our websites. We do not keep this information in a form that identifies you personally. We may also use such techniques as “session cookies” to help you navigate from one page to another during your visit, but we do not keep this information after your visit.

Information You Choose To Provide

On some of our websites, you have the opportunity to request further service or information, participate in contests, submit employment applications, or communicate by e-mail with us. We will inform you in those cases what personal information is mandatory or optional, how it will be used, and how you can contact us for further information or to request access, correction, or suppression of your personal data.

Using and Sharing Your Personal Information

When you provide us with personal information through one of our European Websites, you authorize us to use that information for the indicated purposes, to disclose it to contractors, which are further specified in each particular case of data gathering on our websites, or members of the MasterCard International group of companies for those purposes, and to retain the information as long as necessary for those purposes.

In addition, we may use, share, and retain the information as required by law or to ensure the security of the data, protect you and ourselves against fraud and other abuses, or in connection with legal claims or obligations.

In many cases, your information will be processed at MasterCard or contractors facilities located outside your country, and by providing the information you authorize us to transfer it to such facilities.  Some of these facilities are located in countries, including the United States, that do not have data protection laws that provide the same protections as the laws in your country.  However, your information will be handled at each location with appropriate security and in compliance with this European Website Privacy Policy, applicable laws, and any other specific information or preferences that apply to the data in question.

We will only use your personal information for direct marketing purposes if you have specifically provided your consent for such.  Once indicated your consent to such, you will have the possibility to contact us in case you no longer want us to use your personal information for those purposes.

Updates to this Policy

This European Website Privacy Policy will be updated from time to time, and we invite you to check this page each time you provide us with personal information.

Contact Us

Unless otherwise indicated on a specific web page, the controller of any personal data we obtain from or about you through our European websites is:

MasterCard Europe sprl
Chausée de Tervuren, 198A
B-1410 Waterloo
Belgium
Attn: Data Protection Manager

If you have questions about our privacy practices, or if you wish to access, correct, or suppress the information that we have concerning you, you may contact us at the above address or by e-mailing privacy_europe@mastercard.com.