Privacy policy

D&B - An Industry Leader in Data Protection Practices

For more than 160 years, D&B has collected information on businesses to create products and services that assist its customers in critical buying and selling decisions.

Today, D&B is one of the world's leading providers of business-to-business credit, marketing and purchasing services. As a leader in the information industry, D&B developed data protection practices more than 20 years ago.

The fundamental principles of those data protection practices still apply to our traditional information products and services. To review those practices, click here.

Data protection practices for the Internet

Driven by requests from customers, D&B delivers products and services through the Internet faster and more efficiently than ever before. Many of the measurable benefits derived from D&B products and services are a result of the ability to freely move information. D&B recognizes that the free flow of information must be balanced against an individual's privacy interests. The company also believes the adoption of balanced data protection practices for the Internet makes good business sense. Therefore, D&B subscribes to the practices described below.

D&B data collection practices browsing a web site

Generally, a visitor to a D&B Web site does not have to reveal any individually identifiable information such as name, address or telephone number. On most sites, D&B does not require that a visitor provide individually identifiable information nor do we collect any through the use of technology. Some non-individually identifiable information is collected by Web site servers such as what browser is being used (e.g., Netscape) or the domain name from which a visitor entered the site (e.g., www.your company.com).

Use of Internet technology

We sometimes use an Internet device called a cookie to store login or other information on your computer. A cookie is a small amount of information that a web site transfers to your computer's hard drive. Many web sites use cookies to make your life as a web user easier and more engaging. We use cookies to simplify your access or to tailor our services to your needs and interests. Some pages within D&B sites require provision of individually identifiable information to order a product or to register with D&B. When this information is requested, you will know because you will be asked to complete a form and return it to us. The data requested may include your name, mailing and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers.

D&B collects this individually identifiable information to complete business transactions, deliver products and services, administer individual accounts, provide customer support and meet government regulatory requirements such as VAT collection. D&B does not store the information on its Web servers nor does the company sell or otherwise share the information externally. D&B does, however, from time to time compile online transaction and registration information for internal analyses such as researching and identifying market segments and needs.

Confidentiality and security safeguards

D&B takes technical, contractual, administrative and physical steps to protect against unauthorized access to and disclosure of individually identifiable information. If, during their employment, D&B associates acquire confidential or proprietary information belonging to D&B or its customers, such information will be handled in confidence and may not be disclosed to unauthorized third parties. D&B associates are also responsible for the internal security of such information. On some D&B sites, technology is used to further secure the information.

Data quality

Data quality is at the heart and soul of any successful information company. Working to ensure that data are up-to-date and accurate benefits the data subject and D&B. To help ensure quality data, D&B employs extensive measures, including direct contacts with businesses and quality review at both the point of collection and at the end of the data collection process.

Correction process

When we are contacted about a potential error in our report, we act promptly to address the concern and correct whatever errors are present.

The practices outlined above represent current data protection practices. To keep up with the rapidly evolving Internet environment, D&B will from time to time review and revise these practices and communicate any updates.

Data protection practices

For more than 160 years, D&B has collected information on businesses to create products and services that assist its customers in critical decisions. Today, D&B is one of the world's leading providers of business-to-business credit, marketing, purchasing and receivable management services.

Many of the measurable benefits derived from D&B products and services are a result of the ability to freely move information. Recognising that the free flow of the information must be balanced against an individual's privacy interests, D&B developed data protection practices more than 20 years ago. The fundamental principles of those data protection practices still apply to our traditional information products and services. The company also believes that employing balanced data protection practices makes good business sense. Therefore, D&B subscribes to the practices described below.

The data D&B collects

D&B’s global database contains more than  million business records from 209 countries. Up to 1,500 data items are collected on each business. While all of the data collected is business-related, some elements are specifically identifiable to the individual owners or principals of the business entity. Data collected about owners or principals is limited to information deemed relevant for making business decisions. D&B collects this information for purposes such as: giving trading partners a sense of who is responsible for the decisions that drive the business; providing the business qualifications of the business managers; and serving as a resource to assess the likelihood of a business' success. Such business uses represent non-personal interests, pertaining to a business enterprise for business-to-business commerce decisions, not the individual personally.

Sources of D&B's information

We invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in data collection activities. Our primary sources of information are the owners or principals of businesses and public records such as business registries, courts and bankruptcy filings.

Data quality

Data quality is at the heart and soul of any successful information company. Ensuring that data are as up-to-date and accurate as practicable benefits both the customer and D&B, and is also fair to the data subject. To ensure quality data, D&B takes exhaustive measures including direct contact with businesses and quality review at the point of collection instead of exclusively at the end of the data collection process.

Access and correction process

When a business owner or principal contacts D&B about a potential error, we act promptly to correct errors or misleading information whenever we learn of it.

Use limitations

A business may have its information removed from business marketing lists published by D&B. The removal must be requested by contacting CVR Registreret . After confirmed change notification by CVR your company will no longer be available on marketing lists.

Data security

D&B takes technical, contractual and administrative steps to control data in order to protect against unauthorized access to and disclosure of it. For example, D&B will not provide data to third parties without a contractual relationship. Our strict contractual processes stipulate valid / authorized uses of D&B data and bind our customers to relevant country laws.

D&B have policies and documented procedures associated with data collection, accuracy, quality, updating, notification, disclosure, privacy concerns and more. Employees are required not to discuss our information with non-business associates. The secrecy and professional conduct of the employees is of great importance to D&B, its customers and the data subjects.

Accountability

D&B is subjected to local Data Protection legislation and authority regulations in the countries where we operate. In every European D&B country or market there is at least one Data Protection Officer appointed. The Data Protection Officers are, among other things, responsible for monitoring compliance, legislative development and contacts with the local Data Protection Authorities.

Operationally, each issue above is covered by a senior manager and team, with audit tools to ensure full compliance with the practices. In addition, within our United States’ General Counsel's office is a designated lawyer with global responsibility for the company's data protection policies.