Privacy Statement for the Website and the ABCD Study
July 2025
Introduction
Stichting (hereinafter: “AMSTERDAM UMC”, “we” or “us”) is located at De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV in Amsterdam and is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 64156338. AMSTERDAM UMC’s objectives are: providing medical care, conducting scientific research, and offering education. AMSTERDAM UMC attaches great importance to safeguarding the privacy of patients, employees, students, (website) visitors, and other relations. Therefore, we are committed to collecting and using your personal information (referred to as “personal data”) carefully and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable privacy and health regulations. Personal data refers to information that can be traced back to an individual, such as your name, place of residence, or email address.
In this privacy statement, we inform you about how we process your personal data when you participate as a research participant in the ABCD study of Amsterdam UMC and when you visit our website. We explain what your rights are and how you can exercise them.
1. Controller of the personal data
Under the GDPR, AMSTERDAM UMC is the data controller with respect to your personal data that we collect and further process in the ABCD study and through this website.
2. Personal data, purposes, and retention periods related to the ABCD study
Years ago, Amsterdam UMC initiated the ABCD study among pregnant women in the Amsterdam region. The aim of the ABCD study is to investigate which factors during pregnancy influence the health of the children and the now-adult children later in life. The ABCD study consists of various phases and sub-studies, some of which have already been completed, some are currently underway, and some will take place in the future. This means that parents and their children participate in the ABCD study during early childhood and later as adults.
If you are participating or have participated in the ABCD study of Amsterdam UMC, you are or have been a research participant in the ABCD study. To conduct the ABCD study, Amsterdam UMC has collected personal data from you. Amsterdam UMC uses this personal data to carry out the ABCD study. Before collecting and using your personal data for the ABCD study, you provided explicit written consent to Amsterdam UMC at the start of your participation, by signing and returning the consent form you received from Amsterdam UMC.
In the consent form you received from Amsterdam UMC, we explained, among other things, the purpose of the ABCD (sub)study, which personal data Amsterdam UMC collects and uses for that purpose, how Amsterdam UMC ensures careful handling of your personal data, and how long Amsterdam UMC retains your personal data. Via this link, you can access the ABCD study webpage where you can read which sub-studies are part of the ABCD study. Depending on the phase or sub-study in which you participate or have participated, you can also read on the ABCD Study webpage which personal data Amsterdam UMC processes about you and how Amsterdam UMC handles it. For information about your rights and the security of your personal data, you can read sections 5 and 7 of this privacy statement, as well as the information you received in the information letter when you provided consent. If you wish to exercise your rights, you may submit a written request to AMSTERDAM UMC via privacy@amsterdamumc.nl.
3. Personal data, purposes, and retention periods when using this website
AMSTERDAM UMC only collects personal data through this website when necessary to enable your use of the website. We do not use your personal data for purposes other than those for which you provided it to us, unless we have obtained your consent, we need your data to comply with legal obligations, or we need your personal data to protect our legitimate interests.
AMSTERDAM UMC collects the following personal data through this website for the purposes described below (in dutch):
4. Cookies or similar technologies
To collect and analyze information about the use of the website, Amsterdam UMC uses so‑called “cookies” or similar technologies. A cookie is a small piece of text that a website places in the internet browser of the device you use to visit the website (e.g., a computer or smartphone). These cookies allow us to recognize your device and are used for various purposes.
We use different types of cookies for the following purposes:
Technically or functionally necessary cookies:
We use functionally necessary cookies. These cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the website and are sometimes also called technically necessary cookies. For example, we use them to ensure that forms work correctly and to keep the website connected to the same server during your visit. This ensures your website experience runs as smoothly as possible. Only limited use of your data is made with these cookies.
The legal basis for using these cookies is the legitimate interest in offering a properly functioning website. Because these cookies do not affect your privacy, no consent is required for their use.
Analytical cookies:
Analytical cookies are used to collect and analyze data about visits to the website, so that we can, for example, improve the findability of information on our website.
The legal basis for using these cookies is the legitimate interest in making information on our website accessible and improving it. No consent is required for these cookies, because they are used solely to provide an efficient and well-functioning website and have minimal impact on your privacy.
Our cookies on ABCD Amsterdam UMC
Here you will find a list of the types of cookies used on our website.
| Type of Cookie | Cookie Name | What and Why | Retention Period | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Necessary | CookieConsent | A tool that complies with the GDPR and manages cookie consent. | 6 months | Amsterdam UMC abcd.amsterdamumc.nl |
| Necessary | __cf_bm | Used to read and filter requests from bots. | Session | Vimeo vimeo.com |
| Necessary | _cfuvid | Tool to limit the number of requests and regulate traffic from the same IP address. | Session | Vimeo vimeo.com |
| Necessary | rc::a | Used to filter bots. | Session | Google gstatic.com |
| Necessary | rc::c | Used to filter bots. | Session | Google gstatic.com |
| Necessary | pll_language | Saves the language settings. | Permanent | Amsterdam UMC abcd.amsterdamumc.nl |
| Analytical | p.gif | This cookie tracks which special fonts are used on the website for internal research. It does not store visitor data. | Session | Adobe typekit.net |
| Analytical | NID | Assigns a unique ID to your browser to remember your preferences and settings, such as language and number of search results per page. | 6 months | Google google.com |
| Video | __Secure-ROLLOUT_TOKEN | Used to track how a user interacts with embedded content. | 180 days | Google youtube.com |
| Video | __Secure-YEC | Prevents fraud and abuse, such as bot traffic. | 13 months | Google youtube.com |
| Video | LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY | Tracks user interaction with embedded content. | Permanent | Google youtube.com |
| Video | LogsDatabaseV2:V#||LogsRequestsStore | A cookie used to store log data or requests in a database for error detection. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | remote_sid | Enables the basic functions of YouTube videos. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | TESTCOOKIESENABLED | Tracks user interaction with embedded content. | 1 day | Google youtube.com |
| Video | VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Tracks user information to improve the user experience and show targeted ads. | 6 months | Google youtube.com |
| Video | YSC | Remembers what the user enters and links this to user actions. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY | Saves the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Permanent | Google youtube.com |
| Video | YtIdbMeta#databases | Tracks user interaction with embedded content. | Permanent | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-cast-available | Saves the user’s preferences for the casting function. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-cast-installed | Saves the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-connected-devices | Saves preferences for watching videos. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-device-id | Saves the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-fast-check-period | Manages the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-session-app | Saves the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Session | Google youtube.com |
| Video | yt-remote-session-name | Saves the user’s preferences for the embedded video player. | Session | Google youtube.com |
Refusing and deleting cookies
Although internet browsers usually accept cookies automatically, you can adjust your browser settings so that you are notified when cookies are placed. You can also block third‑party cookies. Please note that if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to experience the full functionality of websites.
5. Your rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data that we collect through this website:
- Right to information: you have the right to clear, transparent, and easily understandable information about how we handle your data;
- Access: you may ask AMSTERDAM UMC to view the personal data that AMSTERDAM UMC processes about you and to receive a copy of it;
- Rectification: if the personal data that AMSTERDAM UMC processes about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask AMSTERDAM UMC to correct it;
- Erasure: you may ask AMSTERDAM UMC to delete your personal data if you no longer agree with its processing by AMSTERDAM UMC, if you believe the processing is no longer necessary for the purpose for which you provided it, or if the data is being processed unlawfully;
- Restriction: if you dispute the accuracy of your personal data or have objected to its processing, you may request AMSTERDAM UMC to refrain from doing anything with the data other than storing it during the period of dispute or objection;
- Objection: if you doubt whether your data is being processed lawfully by AMSTERDAM UMC, you may object to the processing of your personal data;
- Data portability: if data has been provided to us digitally with your consent (or under an agreement) and is processed automatically, you may request us to make this data available to you in a structured, commonly used, and machine‑readable format;
- Right to lodge a complaint: we do everything we can to keep your data safe. However, if you are not fully satisfied, you may file a complaint about how we handle your data. You may also submit your complaint to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens). We hope this will not be necessary, but in the most extreme case, you may take the matter to court;
To exercise any of the above rights, you may submit a written request to AMSTERDAM UMC via privacy@amsterdamumc.nl. AMSTERDAM UMC will respond within the legally required period of one month. We do not charge any fees for exercising these rights.
6. Sharing and transferring your personal data
AMSTERDAM UMC does not provide (access to) personal data to third parties without your prior consent, unless:
(1) it is necessary for the provision of a service you receive from AMSTERDAM UMC;
(2) it is necessary for the protection of a legitimate interest of AMSTERDAM UMC, in which case you will have been informed beforehand;
(3) the law requires AMSTERDAM UMC to do so;
(4) it concerns a supplier of AMSTERDAM UMC and only insofar as necessary for the support services that the supplier provides to AMSTERDAM UMC. In this last case, AMSTERDAM UMC ensures that a data processing agreement is concluded with the supplier, guaranteeing that your personal data is appropriately secured. AMSTERDAM UMC takes the necessary measures when transferring your personal data to organizations outside the European Economic Area, where data protection may be less robust. This ensures that your personal data is processed in accordance with European privacy regulations.
7. Confidentiality and security
AMSTERDAM UMC always ensures appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against loss, unauthorized access, or unlawful processing. Despite AMSTERDAM UMC’s extensive efforts, not all threats can be completely prevented. To the best of our ability, we limit access to your personal data to those who, on behalf of AMSTERDAM UMC, are involved in providing services to you and who are otherwise authorized under privacy and health regulations. Through confidentiality agreements, we ensure that employees with access to your personal data handle it confidentially.
8. Links to other websites
Please be aware that AMSTERDAM UMC websites may contain links to websites of organizations to which this privacy statement does not apply. We recommend consulting the privacy statement of those websites before providing any personal data.
9. Valid version?
AMSTERDAM UMC may amend this privacy statement if deemed necessary. The most current version of the AMSTERDAM UMC privacy statement can be found on our website. We recommend checking the privacy statement regularly so that you remain informed of any changes.
10. Questions, complaints, comments, and objections
If you have any questions, complaints, or comments about this privacy statement, or if you object to the processing of your personal data, please contact the Data Protection Officer of AMSTERDAM UMC at privacy@amsterdamumc.nl. We are committed to assisting you as best as possible.