Privacy Policy

01. Who is responsible for your data?

SMBS Online (smbs-online.com) provides information about online study opportunities and handles admissions enquiries connected with Swiss Montreux Business School. The contact for privacy matters relating to this website is:

Where a separate institution or organisation handles a later application, enrolment or educational service, additional privacy information from that organisation may apply.

02. What information do we collect?

When you submit an admissions enquiry, you may provide your name, selected field of study and academic level, country of residence, preferred study language, a message about your educational background or question, and your preferred contact method with the corresponding email address, telephone number or Telegram username. We also record the consent you give in the enquiry form.

As with most websites, technical information may be processed when you browse, such as IP address, browser and device characteristics, pages requested and the time of access. This helps deliver the website and maintain its security and reliability.

Please avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in the free-text message field.

03. Why do we use your information?

• To read and respond to your request about programmes, admissions or studying online.
• To identify the programme and academic level you are asking about.
• To pass your enquiry to the appropriate Swiss Montreux Business School admissions contact where needed.
• To keep a record of correspondence and follow up on the enquiry.
• To operate, maintain and protect this website and comply with applicable legal obligations.

Submitting an enquiry does not itself establish an enrolment agreement or payment obligation.

04. On what legal grounds is data processed?

Personal data is handled in accordance with applicable Swiss data protection law. Where the EU/EEA General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies, the legal grounds may include taking steps at your request before entering into a contract (Article 6(1)(b)), legitimate interests in answering enquiries and operating a secure website (Article 6(1)(f)), compliance with legal obligations (Article 6(1)(c)), and consent where consent is required or sought (Article 6(1)(a)).

The admissions form asks you to acknowledge that your enquiry information may be used for admissions purposes and shared with Swiss Montreux Business School. You may contact us at any time about your choices or to withdraw consent where processing relies on it. Withdrawal does not affect processing already lawfully carried out.

05. Who may receive your information?

Your enquiry may be accessed by SMBS Online personnel and shared with relevant Swiss Montreux Business School admissions staff for the purpose of responding and assessing the enquiry. Website hosting, email delivery, form administration, security and maintenance service providers may also process information to deliver those services.

If you choose to correspond through WhatsApp, Telegram or another external messaging platform, that platform may separately process communication data under its own privacy terms. We do not require you to use a particular third-party messenger; email is an alternative contact option.

06. International processing and disclosure

This website may be accessed internationally. Certain technical, email or communication services may involve processing or recipients outside Switzerland. Any international disclosure must follow the safeguards and other requirements of applicable Swiss data protection law and, where relevant, the GDPR.

For details about the destination countries and safeguards relevant to a particular enquiry or communication method, please contact admissions@smbs-online.com before providing your information.

07. How long is information kept?

We keep enquiry information for as long as reasonably necessary to answer the request, manage related correspondence and follow-up, and meet any applicable legal requirements. The applicable retention period depends on the nature of the enquiry and whether it leads to a separate application or contractual relationship.

You may ask us to review, correct or delete enquiry data, subject to applicable legal retention duties and other lawful grounds for continued processing.

08. Cookies and technical data

The website and its WordPress-based services may use cookies or similar storage mechanisms needed for functions such as security, preferences and form operation. Server-side technical records may also be created to help prevent misuse and troubleshoot problems.

If optional analytics, advertising or other non-essential technologies are introduced, their use and any consent requirements should be assessed and disclosed separately before activation. You can control or remove cookies using your browser settings, although blocking essential cookies may affect some site functions.

09. What are your privacy rights?

Depending on the law applicable to your situation, you may have rights to request access to your personal data, obtain correction of inaccurate data, request deletion or restriction, object to certain processing, receive information about international disclosures, and withdraw consent where applicable. Additional rights, including portability, may apply under the GDPR.

To make a request, write to admissions@smbs-online.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. You may also contact a competent supervisory authority, including the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) or, where applicable, an EU/EEA data protection authority.

10. Security and changes to this policy

We take reasonable organisational and technical steps intended to protect information handled through the website. However, no internet transmission or online storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

We may revise this policy to reflect changes in the website, its admissions processes or applicable requirements. The date shown at the top indicates the latest published version. Please revisit this page for updates.