Definitions
This section defines key terms used in the policy. Definitions help clarify the scope of the data processed and the roles of the parties involved.
- Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, including name, contact details, identification numbers, address information and other information that can be reasonably linked to an individual.
- Processing refers to any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, including collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure, erasure and destruction.
- User refers to any individual who interacts with EstateRGuard services, requests information, receives advice, or otherwise provides personal data in relation to apartment purchase support.
- Service refers to the information, advisory, document review and coordination activities provided by EstateRGuard in connection with apartment purchases in Switzerland.
- Cookies are small text files placed on a user device by a website to store preferences or track activity. This policy covers cookies and similar local storage mechanisms used on EstateRGuard web resources.
What data we collect
We collect limited categories of data to provide legal information and advisory services, communicate with users, and comply with legal and regulatory obligations. Data collection is proportionate to the purpose and limited to what is necessary.
Data you provide directly
When you contact us or use our services, you may provide the following categories of information so we can respond and assist with apartment purchase matters.
- Identity data: full name, date of birth where required for identification.
- Contact data: email address, postal address, telephone number.
- Transaction data: property address, contract drafts, purchase offers, funding information.
- Supporting documents: proof of identity, notarial documents, title or registry extracts when necessary for review.
- Communications: messages you send to our team, including questions and clarifications.
- Preferences: language preference and communications consent choices.
Data collected automatically
Certain information is collected automatically when you visit our website or use our online resources to help maintain service performance, security and usability.
- Device and browser information such as browser type, operating system and device model.
- Usage data including pages visited, time on site and interactions with site elements.
- IP address and approximate location derived from IP to support security and detect suspicious activity.
- Cookie identifiers and similar local storage values.
- Technical logs used for diagnosing and resolving technical issues.
- Network and device data: IP address, approximate geolocation derived from IP, device type, browser and operating system details, screen resolution and language settings. EstateRGuard collects these technical attributes automatically to support site functionality, maintain security, detect and mitigate fraudulent activity related to apartment purchases, adapt content to regional settings applicable in Switzerland, and provide accurate presentation of property information. Processing is carried out under EstateRGuard’s legitimate interest in platform integrity and, where required, on the basis of consent or other applicable legal grounds. Collected data is kept only for the period necessary to achieve these operational and legal purposes and is anonymized or aggregated for analytics when individual identification is no longer needed, in accordance with Swiss data protection requirements.
Data from third parties
In some situations we may receive data about you from third parties where it is necessary to provide the service or fulfill legal obligations. This happens only when justified for the stated purposes.
- Data from public registries or land title offices when verifying property information.
- Information from notaries or other professionals retained for a transaction when coordinating services.
- Data from payment processors for billing and invoicing purposes.
Purposes of processing
We process personal data for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes. Processing is limited to what is necessary for those purposes.
- To provide legal information, review documents and deliver advisory services related to apartment purchases.
- To communicate with users about service status, requests and procedural steps.
- To coordinate with notaries, registries and third-party professionals involved in a transaction.
- To perform identity verification where required by legal or procedural obligations.
- To maintain and improve website functionality, user experience and security.
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, including tax, anti-funds laundering and record-keeping duties.
- To send administrative messages about updates to terms, privacy practices or service availability.
- To retain records necessary to defend legal rights or address disputes arising from services provided.
Legal bases for processing
Processing is carried out on appropriate legal bases depending on the purpose, such as performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, legitimate interests and consent where applicable.
- Performance of a contract: processing necessary to provide the requested advisory services.
- Legal obligation: processing required to comply with statutory duties (e.g. record-keeping, anti-funds laundering checks).
- Legitimate interests: processing for security, fraud prevention and service improvement where such interests are not overridden by data subject rights.
- Consent: for optional marketing communications and certain cookie categories when explicit consent is obtained.
Data protection and applicable standards
Although EstateRGuard operates in Switzerland, we follow recognized data protection standards and provide information about rights commonly associated with European data protection frameworks.
- Right of access: you can request confirmation of processing and a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: you may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Right to erasure: where legally permissible, you may request deletion of personal data we no longer need for stated purposes.
- Right to restriction of processing: you can request limitation of processing in certain circumstances.
- Right to data portability: where applicable, you may request a machine-readable copy of data you provided to us.
- Right to object: you may object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing where applicable.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enable basic site functionality, improve usability and support analytics. Cookie use is explained so you can manage preferences.
Cookies used include strictly necessary cookies for site operation, functional cookies to remember preferences, performance cookies for analytics and optional targeting cookies if consent is provided.
Category descriptions: necessary (essential site operation), functional (preferences), analytical (usage and performance) and marketing (where consented). Necessary cookies are not optional for core functionality.
You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings and, where presented, the cookie consent tool on our website. Disabling certain cookies may limit site functionality or personalized features.
Detailed cookie settings and policy
When we share data
EstateRGuard shares personal data only when required for service delivery, compliance with legal obligations, or when third-party processors are engaged under contract and confidentiality obligations.
- Notaries and registry offices to process registration and closing formalities.
- Trusted advisors or external counsel engaged to assist with transaction-related tasks.
- Payment processors and accounting service providers for billing and invoicing.
- Authorities where disclosure is required by law or to respond to legal process.
- Technical service providers that host or manage website and communication infrastructure under contractual safeguards.
- Third parties where you have explicitly consented to sharing for specific purposes.
International data transfers
Personal data may be processed or stored by service providers located outside Switzerland. When transfers occur, we apply contractual or other safeguards to ensure an adequate level of protection and limit transfers to jurisdictions with appropriate protections.
Safeguards include standard contractual clauses, data processing agreements that require appropriate technical and organizational measures, and assessment of the recipient's data protection practices before any transfer.
Data retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described, to comply with legal obligations, and to resolve disputes or enforce agreements. Retention periods depend on the type of data and the relevant legal requirements.
Account and client records are retained for a period consistent with contractual obligations and applicable Swiss retention rules; typically records related to transactions are retained for several years to satisfy auditing and tax obligations.
Communications and correspondence related to service provision are retained for a period necessary to document advice provided and to address follow-up questions or potential disputes.
Technical logs and security-related logs are retained for a limited period to support incident contribute and service reliability, after which they are deleted or anonymized where feasible.
When data are no longer necessary for the stated purposes and no legal requirement prevents deletion, EstateRGuard securely deletes or anonymizes personal data in accordance with internal procedures.
Data security and protection
EstateRGuard applies technical and organisational measures to protect personal data processed in connection with legal assistance for apartment purchases. Measures include secure transmission protocols, access controls, regular backups and staff training. Processing and storage are organised to reduce risks such as unauthorised access, accidental loss and unlawful disclosure while preserving records required for legal and regulatory compliance.
- Secure transmission and storage: TLS for data in transit and industry-standard encryption for stored files.
- Access management: role-based access controls and authentication for staff with need-to-know privileges only.
- Operational controls: routine backups, patch management and periodic security assessments.
Your rights
Individuals whose personal data we process have a range of rights under applicable Swiss data protection law and, where relevant, other regional rules. Rights may include access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability and objection to specific processing activities. Requests are handled according to identity verification and applicable legal limits.
- Right of access to personal data we hold about you and explanation of processing purposes.
- Right to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Right to request deletion of personal data when retention is no longer necessary or lawful limits do not require further storage.
- Right to request restriction of processing where accuracy or legality of processing is contested.
- Right to data portability for structured, commonly used and machine-readable personal data where applicable.
- Right to withdraw consent for processing activities based solely on consent, without affecting past processing lawfulness.
- Right to object to processing for direct marketing or processing based on our legitimate interests, subject to legal considerations.
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you consider processing breaches applicable data protection rules.
How to submit a rights request
To exercise any of the rights above, contact our data protection contact with a clear description of the request and supporting information to verify your identity. Include your full name, address and any reference number from prior communications. We may request additional details to locate records and to confirm your identity before fulfilling a request.
We aim to acknowledge requests promptly and to provide a substantive response within 30 days where practicable. Complex requests or those requiring verification may take longer; we will inform you if an extension is necessary.
Marketing communications
EstateRGuard may use contact details to provide information about services, legal updates and events related to apartment purchases if you opt in or where permitted by law. Communications are limited to relevant content and frequency proportional to the information requested.
You can opt out of marketing messages at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails, or by contacting our data protection contact. Opting out does not affect processing necessary for ongoing legal matters or service delivery.
Children's personal data
Our services are designed for adults and prospective property purchasers. We do not knowingly collect personal data of children under 16 in the course of providing legal assistance. If we become aware that we have collected such data without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete it in accordance with applicable law.
Third-party links and services
Our site and communications may contain links to third-party services, partners or information sources. EstateRGuard is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites. Review third-party privacy notices before providing personal data to another organisation.
Changes to this privacy information
We may update privacy information to reflect changes in services, legal requirements or operational practices. The effective date for the current terms is 18-02-2026. Material changes will be communicated via the website or direct contact where appropriate.
