Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 2026
1. Introduction
Costa Laughs International Comedy Festival ("Costa Laughs", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data.This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal data when you visit our website, contact us, submit an application, request a partnership or otherwise interact with the Costa Laughs website.
2. Data Controller
The controller responsible for the processing of personal data on this website is:
Dietmar Naffin
c/o Steinberg
Lausitzer Str. 9
10999 Berlin
Germany
Email: info@costalaughs.com
At present, Costa Laughs is operated by Dietmar Naffin and is not operated through a separate registered company.There is currently no separate Data Protection Officer appointed for Costa Laughs.
3. What Personal Data We Collect
Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect the following personal data: name and surname email address telephone number postal address company or organisation name website address information contained in messages and enquiries information submitted through artist applications stage name or artist name biography and information about your performances links to YouTube videos and other performance material photographs or press photos uploaded through our forms information relating to potential partnerships or sponsorships information contained in correspondence with us technical information necessary for the secure operation of the websiteWe only collect information that you voluntarily provide to us through our forms or communications, or information that is technically necessary for operating and securing the website.
4. Contact and Application Forms
Our website contains several forms, including forms for: artist applications partnership and sponsorship enquiries general contact enquiries other enquiries relating to Costa LaughsWhen you submit a form, we process the information you provide in order to respond to your enquiry, evaluate your application or discuss a potential partnership.At present, form submissions are sent to: dietmar@dietmarnaffin.de
This email address may be used for receiving and processing website enquiries until a dedicated Costa Laughs email infrastructure is established.The information submitted through forms is not used for unrelated purposes.
5. Artist Applications
If you apply to perform at Costa Laughs, you may voluntarily provide additional information such as your artist name, biography, performance description, website, YouTube links, other performance links and an artist or press photograph.This information is processed for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating your application and communicating with you regarding potential participation in Costa Laughs events.Uploaded photographs and other materials may be viewed by the Costa Laughs team for this purpose.Submission of an artist application does not guarantee selection or participation in the festival.
6. Partnership and Sponsorship Enquiries
If you contact us regarding a partnership, sponsorship or other business cooperation, we may process information such as your name, company or organisation, contact details, website, telephone number and the contents of your enquiry.This information is used solely for communicating with you and evaluating or managing the proposed partnership or business relationship.
7. Legal Bases for Processing
Where applicable, we process personal data on the following legal bases under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – where you have given your consent to the processing of your personal data.
Article 6(1)(b) GDPR – where processing is necessary to take steps at your request or to enter into or perform a contract.
Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, such as operating, securing and maintaining our website and responding to enquiries.
Article 6(1)(c) GDPR – where processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation.Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before the withdrawal.
8. Hosting by STRATO
Our website is hosted by STRATO GmbH.STRATO provides the technical infrastructure required to operate our website. In connection with hosting, technical information such as IP addresses, access data, server log information and other data technically required for operating and securing the website may be processed.STRATO states that its relevant hosting infrastructure is operated within Germany / the European Union.Where required under applicable data protection law, we have or will have the necessary data processing agreement with our hosting provider.More information about STRATO's data protection practices can be found in STRATO's own privacy information.
9. Server Log Files
When you visit our website, technical information may be automatically processed by our hosting provider.This may include: IP address date and time of access requested page or resource browser type and version operating system referrer URL technical information necessary to maintain website security and functionalityServer log data is processed primarily for the secure and reliable operation of the website and to detect and prevent technical problems, misuse and attacks.
10. Google reCAPTCHA
Our website uses Google reCAPTCHA v2 Checkbox to protect forms against spam, automated submissions and abuse.reCAPTCHA is provided by Google. Google explains that reCAPTCHA v2 uses a risk analysis and may set the _GRECAPTCHA cookie when the service is executed.When reCAPTCHA is loaded and used, information may be transmitted to Google for the purpose of determining whether a submission is being made by a human user or by an automated system.The use of reCAPTCHA is limited to protecting our forms against spam, abuse and fraudulent activity.Further information can be found in Google's Privacy Policy and reCAPTCHA documentation.
11. Social Media Links
Our website contains links to our social media profiles, including platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.These are currently provided as ordinary external links.We do not currently embed social media feeds or social media tracking plugins directly into the website.When you click a social media link, you leave the Costa Laughs website and are subject to the privacy policy and terms of the respective social media provider.
12. Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies that are technically necessary for the operation, security and functionality of the website.Third-party services used on the website may also place cookies where technically required. For example, Google reCAPTCHA may use the _GRECAPTCHA cookie.Where legally required, non-essential cookies and similar technologies will only be used after obtaining the required consent.You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie consent mechanism provided on our website.
13. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the respective purpose or as required by applicable law.Information submitted through contact, artist or partnership forms may be retained for as long as necessary to:
respond to the enquiry;
evaluate an application;
manage a potential or existing partnership;
maintain relevant business correspondence;
or comply with legal obligations.
Once personal data is no longer required, it will be deleted or securely disposed of where technically and legally possible.
14. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent or otherwise commercially trade personal data.Personal data may be processed by service providers where this is necessary to operate the website or provide requested services. This currently includes our hosting provider and the providers of technical services used to protect our forms, such as Google reCAPTCHA.We may also disclose personal data where required by law or where disclosure is necessary to protect our legal rights.
15. International Data Transfers
Where third-party services process personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the applicable requirements of the GDPR concerning international data transfers will be observed.The specific third-party services currently used on the website are described in this Privacy Policy.
15. Your Rights
Under applicable data protection law, you may have the following rights:
the right to request access to your personal data;
the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
the right to request deletion of your personal data;
the right to request restriction of processing;
the right to object to certain processing;
the right to data portability where applicable;
the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise your rights, please contact:
info@costalaughs.com
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority if you believe that your personal data has been processed unlawfully.
17. Data Secutity
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against accidental loss, destruction, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.The website is hosted using infrastructure provided by STRATO and uses HTTPS/SSL encryption for the transmission of data.STRATO states that its data centres use security measures and are certified according to ISO/IEC 27001.However, no transmission or storage system on the internet can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
18. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our website, services, technology or applicable legal requirements.The latest version will always be published on this page.
Last updated: August 2026
19. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact:
Dietmar Naffin
c/o Steinberg
Lausitzer Str. 9
10999 Berlin
Germany
Email: info@costalaughs.com
