1. Use of the search function

The Google Custom Search Engine (Google CSE) is used as the primary search service on the website of Freie Universität Berlin. The integrated search service provides a full-text search for content of the official website of Freie Universität Berlin. This search function can be accessed via the search box integrated in the header of each web page.

Users are informed of this service via the search box at the top of the website of Freie Universität labeled “Search with Google™.” If a user selects and enters a keyword in the input field of the search box, an additional link will appear just below (“Information about Using Google Search™”), which refers to the data protection policy that applies to Google CSE.

Users can activate the search function by entering a search term in the search box and pressing “Enter” or the search icon (magnifying glass icon). Via a plugin provided by Google, the search results page automatically reloads with the appropriate search results. Data are transferred to the search engine during this process.

Users can choose between a search within the currently displayed domain or the entire website of Freie Universität Berlin.

2. Data processing and using the search function

The plugin that is developed and made available by Google (Google Custom Search Engine Google, CSE) is integrated on an “as-is” (unchanged) basis by the operator of the official website of Freie Universität Berlin as a software module in the search results page. The plugin allows for automated communication (data exchange) between the retrieved search results page and the Google service, if the search results page is called up. The use of the Google-powered search function comprises a dynamic transfer of data by the service provider (Google) to the search results page.

Data are only transferred to Google when a user activates the search box, starts a full-text search, and thus retrieves the search results page. Data are simultaneously transmitted to Google when the search function is used within the search results page. No data are transmitted to the search engine (Google) when official websites of Freie Universität Berlin that incorporate the Google Search Engine are visited. An exception occurs when users directly reference a search results page.

By using the full-text search and the resulting request to view the search results page, you are agreeing to the transmission of data to Google. This includes, for example, the search terms you enter and the IP address of the device you are using.

If you are logged into Google at the same time, the Google service will be able to assign information directly to your user profile. You should therefore log out if you wish to prevent the collection of your personal profile information.

Please note that the principles relating to the processing of personal data outlined in this data protection policy only apply to the website of Freie Universität Berlin and do not refer to Google. We expressly bring to your attention that the operator of the website of Freie Universität Berlin has no influence over the type and volume of data transmitted to Google and that the processing of data, in particular, the storage, erasure, and use of personal data that may be transmitted to the provider of the search engine are entirely the responsibility of the external service provider, in this case, Google.

For more information on Google’s privacy policy and how Google handles user data, please visit: http://www.google.com/intl/de/policies/privacy.