Standard Contractual Clauses (Processors)

Version 31th January, 2024

For the purposes of Article 26(2) of Directive 95/46/EC for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries which do not ensure an adequate level of data protection

Subscriber (the data exporter)

And

Groove Networks, LLC.

(the data importer)

each a ‘party’; together ‘the parties’,

HAVE AGREED on the following Contractual Clauses (the Clauses) in order to adduce adequate safeguards with respect to the protection of privacy and fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals for the transfer by the data exporter to the data importer of the personal data specified in Appendix 1.

Clause 1

Definitions

For the purposes of the Clauses:

(a) ‘personal data’, ‘special categories of data’, ‘process/processing’, ‘controller’, ‘processor’, ‘data subject’ and ‘supervisory authority’ shall have the same meaning as in Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data;

(b) ‘the data exporter’ means the controller who transfers the personal data;

(c) ‘the data importer’ means the processor who agrees to receive from the data exporter personal data intended for processing on his behalf after the transfer in accordance with his instructions and the terms of the Clauses and who is not subject to a third country’s system ensuring adequate protection within the meaning of Article 25(1) of Directive 95/46/EC;

(d) ‘the sub-processor’ means any processor engaged by the data importer or by any other sub-processor of the data importer who agrees to receive from the data importer or from any other sub-processor of the data importer personal data exclusively intended for processing activities to be carried out on behalf of the data exporter after the transfer in accordance with his instructions, the terms of the Clauses and the terms of the written subcontract;

(e) ‘the applicable data protection law’ means the legislation protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and, in particular, their right to privacy with respect to the processing of personal data applicable to a data controller in the Member State in which the data exporter is established;

(f) ‘technical and organisational security measures’ means those measures aimed at protecting personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access, in particular where the processing involves the transmission of data over a network, and against all other unlawful forms of processing.

Clause 2

Details of the transfer

The details of the transfer and in particular the special categories of personal data where applicable are specified in Appendix 1 which forms an integral part of the Clauses.

Clause 3

Third-party beneficiary clause

  1. The data subject can enforce against the data exporter this Clause, Clause 4(b) to (i), Clause 5(a) to (e), and (g) to (j), Clause 6(1) and (2), Clause 7, Clause 8(2), and Clauses 9 to 12 as third-party beneficiary.
  2. The data subject can enforce against the data importer this Clause, Clause 5(a) to (e) and (g), Clause 6, Clause 7, Clause 8(2), and Clauses 9 to 12, in cases where the data exporter has factually disappeared or has ceased to exist in law unless any successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter by contract or by operation of law, as a result of which it takes on the rights and obligations of the data exporter, in which case the data subject can enforce them against such entity.
  3. The data subject can enforce against the sub-processor this Clause, Clause 5(a) to (e) and (g), Clause 6, Clause 7, Clause 8(2), and Clauses 9 to 12, in cases where both the data exporter and the data importer have factually disappeared or ceased to exist in law or have become insolvent, unless any successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter by contract or by operation of law as a result of which it takes on the rights and obligations of the data exporter, in which case the data subject can enforce them against such entity. Such third-party liability of the sub-processor shall be limited to its own processing operations under the Clauses.
  4. The parties do not object to a data subject being represented by an association or other body if the data subject so expressly wishes and if permitted by national law.

Clause 4

Obligations of the data exporter

The data exporter agrees and warrants:

(a) that the processing, including the transfer itself, of the personal data has been and will continue to be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the applicable data protection law (and, where applicable, has been notified to the relevant authorities of the Member State where the data exporter is established) and does not violate the relevant provisions of that State;

(b) that it has instructed and throughout the duration of the personal data-processing services will instruct the data importer to process the personal data transferred only on the data exporter’s behalf and in accordance with the applicable data protection law and the Clauses;

(c) that the data importer will provide sufficient guarantees in respect of the technical and organisational security measures specified in Appendix 2 to this contract;

(d) that after assessment of the requirements of the applicable data protection law, the security measures are appropriate to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access, in particular where the processing involves the transmission of data over a network, and against all other unlawful forms of processing, and that these measures ensure a level of security appropriate to the risks presented by the processing and the nature of the data to be protected having regard to the state of the art and the cost of their implementation;

(e) that it will ensure compliance with the security measures;

(f) that, if the transfer involves special categories of data, the data subject has been informed or will be informed before, or as soon as possible after, the transfer that its data could be transmitted to a third country not providing adequate protection within the meaning of Directive 95/46/EC;

(g) to forward any notification received from the data importer or any sub-processor pursuant to Clause 5(b) and Clause 8(3) to the data protection supervisory authority if the data exporter decides to continue the transfer or to lift the suspension;

(h) to make available to the data subjects upon request a copy of the Clauses, with the exception of Appendix 2, and a summary description of the security measures, as well as a copy of any contract for sub-processing services which has to be made in accordance with the Clauses, unless the Clauses or the contract contain commercial information, in which case it may remove such commercial information;

(i) that, in the event of sub-processing, the processing activity is carried out in accordance with Clause 11 by a sub-processor providing at least the same level of protection for the personal data and the rights of data subject as the data importer under the Clauses; and

(j) that it will ensure compliance with Clause 4(a) to (i).

Clause 5

Obligations of the data importer

The data importer agrees and warrants:

(a) to process the personal data only on behalf of the data exporter and in compliance with its instructions and the Clauses; if it cannot provide such compliance for whatever reasons, it agrees to inform promptly the data exporter of its inability to comply, in which case the data exporter is entitled to suspend the transfer of data and/or terminate the contract;

(b) that it has no reason to believe that the legislation applicable to it prevents it from fulfilling the instructions received from the data exporter and its obligations under the contract and that in the event of a change in this legislation which is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the warranties and obligations provided by the Clauses, it will promptly notify the change to the data exporter as soon as it is aware, in which case the data exporter is entitled to suspend the transfer of data and/or terminate the contract;

(c) that it has implemented the technical and organisational security measures specified in Appendix 2 before processing the personal data transferred;

(d) that it will promptly notify the data exporter about:(i)any legally binding request for disclosure of the personal data by a law enforcement authority unless otherwise prohibited, such as a prohibition under criminal law to preserve the confidentiality of a law enforcement investigation;
(ii)any accidental or unauthorised access; and
(iii)any request received directly from the data subjects without responding to that request, unless it has been otherwise authorised to do so;

(e) to deal promptly and properly with all inquiries from the data exporter relating to its processing of the personal data subject to the transfer and to abide by the advice of the supervisory authority with regard to the processing of the data transferred;

(f) at the request of the data exporter to submit its data-processing facilities for audit of the processing activities covered by the Clauses which shall be carried out by the data exporter or an inspection body composed of independent members and in possession of the required professional qualifications bound by a duty of confidentiality, selected by the data exporter, where applicable, in agreement with the supervisory authority;

(g) to make available to the data subject upon request a copy of the Clauses, or any existing contract for sub-processing, unless the Clauses or contract contain commercial information, in which case it may remove such commercial information, with the exception of Appendix 2 which shall be replaced by a summary description of the security measures in those cases where the data subject is unable to obtain a copy from the data exporter;

(h) that, in the event of sub-processing, it has previously informed the data exporter and obtained its prior written consent;

(i) that the processing services by the sub-processor will be carried out in accordance with Clause 11;

(j) to send promptly a copy of any sub-processor agreement it concludes under the Clauses to the data exporter.

Clause 6

Liability

  1. The parties agree that any data subject, who has suffered damage as a result of any breach of the obligations referred to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11 by any party or sub-processor is entitled to receive compensation from the data exporter for the damage suffered.
  2. If a data subject is not able to bring a claim for compensation in accordance with paragraph 1 against the data exporter, arising out of a breach by the data importer or his sub-processor of any of their obligations referred to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11, because the data exporter has factually disappeared or ceased to exist in law or has become insolvent, the data importer agrees that the data subject may issue a claim against the data importer as if it were the data exporter, unless any successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter by contract of by operation of law, in which case the data subject can enforce its rights against such entity.The data importer may not rely on a breach by a sub-processor of its obligations in order to avoid its own liabilities.
  3. If a data subject is not able to bring a claim against the data exporter or the data importer referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, arising out of a breach by the sub-processor of any of their obligations referred to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11 because both the data exporter and the data importer have factually disappeared or ceased to exist in law or have become insolvent, the sub-processor agrees that the data subject may issue a claim against the data sub-processor with regard to its own processing operations under the Clauses as if it were the data exporter or the data importer, unless any successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter or data importer by contract or by operation of law, in which case the data subject can enforce its rights against such entity. The liability of the sub-processor shall be limited to its own processing operations under the Clauses.
  4. The parties agree that if one party is held liable for a violation of the clauses committed by the other party, the latter will, to the extent to which it is liable, indemnify the first party for any cost, charge, damages, expenses or loss it has incurred.

Indemnification is contingent upon:

(a) the data exporter promptly notifying the data importer of a claim; and

(b) the data importer being given the possibility to cooperate with the data exporter in the defence and settlement of the claim

Clause 7

Mediation and jurisdiction

  1. The data importer agrees that if the data subject invokes against it third-party beneficiary rights and/or claims compensation for damages under the Clauses, the data importer will accept the decision of the data subject:

    (a) to refer the dispute to mediation, by an independent person or, where applicable, by the supervisory authority;

    (b) to refer the dispute to the courts in the Member State in which the data exporter is established.

  2. The parties agree that the choice made by the data subject will not prejudice its substantive or procedural rights to seek remedies in accordance with other provisions of national or international law.

Clause 8

Cooperation with supervisory authorities

1. The data exporter agrees to deposit a copy of this contract with the supervisory authority if it so requests or if such deposit is required under the applicable data protection law.

2. The parties agree that the supervisory authority has the right to conduct an audit of the data importer, and of any sub-processor, which has the same scope and is subject to the same conditions as would apply to an audit of the data exporter under the applicable data protection law.

3. The data importer shall promptly inform the data exporter about the existence of legislation applicable to it or any sub-processor preventing the conduct of an audit of the data importer, or any sub-processor, pursuant to paragraph 2. In such a case the data exporter shall be entitled to take the measures foreseen in Clause 5(b).

Clause 9

Governing law

The Clauses shall be governed by the law of the Member State in which the data exporter is established.

Clause 10

Variation of the contract

The parties undertake not to vary or modify the Clauses. This does not preclude the parties from adding clauses on business related issues where required as long as they do not contradict the Clause.

Clause 11

Sub-processing

  1. The data importer shall not subcontract any of its processing operations performed on behalf of the data exporter under the Clauses without the prior written consent of the data exporter. Where the data importer subcontracts its obligations under the Clauses, with the consent of the data exporter, it shall do so only by way of a written agreement with the sub-processor which imposes the same obligations on the sub-processor as are imposed on the data importer under the Clauses. Where the sub-processor fails to fulfil its data protection obligations under such written agreement the data importer shall remain fully liable to the data exporter for the performance of the sub-processor’s obligations under such agreement.
  2. The prior written contract between the data importer and the sub-processor shall also provide for a third-party beneficiary clause as laid down in Clause 3 for cases where the data subject is not able to bring the claim for compensation referred to in paragraph 1 of Clause 6 against the data exporter or the data importer because they have factually disappeared or have ceased to exist in law or have become insolvent and no successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter or data importer by contract or by operation of law. Such third-party liability of the sub-processor shall be limited to its own processing operations under the Clauses.
  3. The provisions relating to data protection aspects for sub-processing of the contract referred to in paragraph 1 shall be governed by the law of the Member State in which the data exporter is established.
  4. The data exporter shall keep a list of sub-processing agreements concluded under the Clauses and notified by the data importer pursuant to Clause 5(j), which shall be updated at least once a year. The list shall be available to the data exporter’s data protection supervisory authority.

Clause 12

Obligation after the termination of personal data-processing services

  1. The parties agree that on the termination of the provision of data-processing services, the data importer and the sub-processor shall, at the choice of the data exporter, return all the personal data transferred and the copies thereof to the data exporter or shall destroy all the personal data and certify to the data exporter that it has done so, unless legislation imposed upon the data importer prevents it from returning or destroying all or part of the personal data transferred. In that case, the data importer warrants that it will guarantee the confidentiality of the personal data transferred and will not actively process the personal data transferred anymore.
  2. The data importer and the sub-processor warrant that upon request of the data exporter and/or of the supervisory authority, it will submit its data-processing facilities for an audit of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.

Appendix 1

to the Standard Contractual Clauses]

This Appendix forms part of the Clauses and must be completed and signed by the parties

The Member States may complete or specify, according to their national procedures, any additional necessary information to be contained in this Appendix

Data exporter

The data exporter is a Subscriber to Groove LLC product which a web application for help desk support.

Data importer

The data importer is Groove Networks, LLC which develops and maintains web application for help desk support.

Data subjects

The personal data transferred concern the following categories of data subjects: the Data Exporter’s end users including employees and contractors; the personnel of the Data Exporter’s customers, suppliers and subcontractors; and any other person who transmits data via the “Services” (as defined in the Data Processing Agreement) including individuals collaborating and communicating with the Data Exporter’s end users.

Categories of data

The personal data transferred concern the following categories of data: personal data submitted, stored, sent or received by the Data Exporter or its end users via the Services including user IDs, emails, documents, presentations, images, calendar entries, tasks and other data submitted, stored, sent or received by end users via the Services.

Special categories of data (if appropriate)

The personal data transferred concern the following special categories of data: data submitted, stored, sent or received by end users via the Services.

Processing operations

The personal data transferred will be subject to the following basic processing activities:

Scope of Processing.

The Clauses reflect the parties’ agreement with respect to the processing and transfer of personal data specified in this Appendix pursuant to the provision of the Services.

Personal data may be processed for the following purposes: to provide the Services and related technical support services.

The Data Exporter instructs the Data Importer to process personal data in countries in which the Data Importer or any of its Subprocessors maintains facilities.

Term of Data Processing.

Data processing will be for the period specified in the Data Processing Agreement. Such period will automatically terminate upon the deletion by the Data Importer of all data as described in the Data Processing Agreement.

Data Deletion.

During the term of the Services Agreement, the Data Importer will provide the Data Exporter with the ability to delete the Data Exporter’s personal data from the Services on demand. After termination or expiry of the Services Agreement, the Data Importer will delete the Data Exporter’s personal data in accordance with the Data Processing Agreement.

Access to Data

During the term of the Services Agreement, the Data Importer will provide the Data Exporter with access to and the ability to rectify, restrict processing of and export the Data Exporter’s personal data from the Services in accordance with the Terms of Service.

Subprocessors

The Data Importer may engage Subprocessors to provide parts of the Services and related technical support services. The Data Importer will ensure Subprocessors only access and use the Data Exporter’s personal data to provide the Services and related technical support services and not for any other purpose.

Appendix 2

to the Standard Contractual Clauses]

Description of the technical and organisational security measures implemented by the data importer in accordance with Clauses 4(d) and 5(c) (or document/legislation attached):

The Data Importer currently takes and implements the security standards in this Appendix 2. The Data Importer may update or modify these security standards from time to time provided such updates and modifications will not result in a degradation of the overall security of the Services during the term of the Services Agreement.

(i) Data Centers

  • We utilize Amazon Web Services data centers for our hosting, which use a multi-level approach to security and reliability.
  • As AWS explains, the first layer includes a number of security features depending on the location, such as security guards, fencing, security feeds, intrusion detection technology, and other security measures.
  • The second layer is the data center building and the equipment and systems that keep it running. Components like back-up power equipment, the HVAC system, and fire suppression equipment are all part of the Infrastructure Layer. These devices and systems help protect servers and ultimately your data.
  • The third layer is the most critical point of protection because it is the only area that holds customer data. Protection begins by restricting access and maintaining a separation of privilege for each layer. In addition, we deploy threat detection devices, video surveillance and system protocols, further safeguarding this layer.
  • The fourth layer is dedicated to environmental considerations from site selection and construction to operations and sustainability.
  • AWS carefully chooses our data center locations to mitigate environmental risk, such as flooding, extreme weather, and seismic activity.

(ii) Networks & Transmission

All data is always encrypted during transit using SSL, we use 2048 bit SSL certificates which are renewed annually.

  • Data Transmission.
    • We use ssl certificates (2048 bit or higher)
    • Certificates are renewed annually
  • External Attack Surface.
    • Key infrastructure with access to sensitive or confidential information is secured by a vpc
    • Access to data inside of the VPC is exposed via load balancers which only makes specific ports available.
    • When the need arises for servers in different datacenters to communicate outside of the vpc, it is secured using a firewall whitelist

(iii) Access Control

  • Any system that handles valuable or confidential information must be protected by a password or bio-metrics and two factor -based access control system.
  • Mandatory access controls should be in place to regulate access by process operating on behalf of users.
  • Access to resources should be granted on a per-group basis rather than on a per-user basis.
  • Access shall be granted under the principle of “least privilege”, i.e., each identity should receive the minimum rights and access to resources needed for them to be able to perform successfully their business functions.
  • Whenever possible, access should be granted to centrally defined and centrally managed identities.
  • Users should refrain from trying to tamper or evade the access control in order to gain greater access than they are assigned.
  • Automatic controls, scan technologies and periodic revision procedures must be in place to detect any attempt made to circumvent controls.

(iv) Data Storage

  • Information in the Organization is classified according to its security impact. The current categories are: confidential, sensitive, shareable, public and private.
  • Sensitive information (like passwords, access tokens) is stored encrypted in the database
  • Confidential and private information is stored on non internet accessible databases. All access to these databases are secured by per user credentials and access is logged

(v) Encryption Key Management

  • We use Amazon KMS to encryption key management
  • Key rotation is managed by Amazon KMS and done once a year or on demand if required. Rotation schedules are specified and managed by AWS KMS for individual keys. The configuration scripts for encryption are stored in terraform configuration scripts in GitHub and requires key administrators to signoff changes before changes may be committed.
  • Currently, only select employees have access to key administration in KMS. It is limited to the Chief Technology Offer and DevOps engineers. It is controlled via AWS IAM configuration.

(vi) Incident Response

  • Groove has a detailed incident response plan.
  • Incident response place are implemented for the following types of incidents
    • Breach of personal information
    • Denial of service/Distributed denial of service
    • Excessive port scans
    • Firewall breach
    • Virus outbreak

(vii) Subprocessor Security

Before onboarding Subprocessors, Groove conducts an audit of the security and privacy practices of Subprocessors to ensure Subprocessors provide a level of security and privacy appropriate to their access to data and the scope of the services they are engaged to provide.

The list of subprocessor you can find here.