Data Protection Declaration
Preamble
With the following data protection declaration, we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process, for what purposes and to what extent. The data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as “online offer”).
The terms used are not gender-specific.
As of: December 24, 2024
Table of Contents
- Preamble
- Person responsible
- Overview of processing
- Relevant legal bases
- Security measures
- Transmission of personal data
- International data transfers
- General information on data storage and deletion
- Rights of the data subjects
- Business services
- Payment methods
- Provision of the online offer and web hosting
- Use of cookies
- Registration, login and user account
- Blogs and publication media
- Contact and inquiry management
- Newsletter and electronic notifications
- Advertising communication via email, post, fax or telephone
- Surveys and surveys
- Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
- Online marketing
- Affiliate programs and affiliate links
- Presences in social networks (social media)
- Plug-ins and embedded functions and content
Responsible Person
Ugur Ipek / iDesign GmbHHarburger Straße 47-5121614, Buxtehude, Germany
Email address: info@uguripek.com
Overview of Processing
The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the persons concerned.
Types of data processed
- Inventory data.
- Payment data.
- Contact data.
- Content data.
- Contract data.
- Usage data.
- Meta, communication and process data.
- Protocol data
Categories of data subjects
- Service recipients and clients.
- Interested parties.
- Communication partners.
- Users.
- Business and contractual partners.
- Participants.
Purposes of processing
- Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
- Communication.
- Security measures.
- Direct marketing.
- Area measurement.
- Tracking.
- Office and organizational procedures.
- Target group formation.
- Affiliate tracking.
- Organizational and administrative procedures.
- Feedback.
- Surveys and questionnaires.
- Marketing.
- Profiles with user-related information.
- Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
- Information technology infrastructure.
- Public relations.
- Sales promotion.
- Business processes and business management procedures.
Relevant Legal Bases
Relevant legal bases under the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or domicile. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.
- Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given his or her consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
- Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) – The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject.
- Legal obligation (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) – The processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
- Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – The processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data do not prevail.
National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law on protection against misuse of personal data in data processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special regulations on the right to information, the right to deletion, the right of objection, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases including profiling. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.
Note on the validity of the GDPR and the Swiss DSG: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss DSG and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader spatial application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms “processing” of “personal data”, “overriding interest” and “personal data requiring particular protection” used in the Swiss DSG, the terms “processing” of “personal data” as well as “legitimate interest” and “special categories of data” used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined according to the Swiss DSG within the scope of the validity of the Swiss DSG.
Security Measures
In accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.
The measures include in particular ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as the access, input, transfer, securing availability and separation of data. Furthermore, we have set up procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects’ rights, the deletion of data and reactions to threats to data. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.
Transmission of Personal Data
As part of our processing of personal data, it may happen that these are transmitted to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.
International Data Transfers
Data processing in third countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only be done in accordance with the legal requirements. If the level of data protection in the third country has been recognized by means of an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Otherwise, data transfers only take place if the level of data protection is otherwise ensured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 Para. 2 lit. c) GDPR), express consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transmission (Art. 49 Para. 1 GDPR). In addition, we will inform you of the basis for third-country transfers for the individual providers from the third country, with the adequacy decisions taking priority as the basis. Information on third country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission:
https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de. As part of the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection as secure for certain companies from the USA as part of the adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). In the privacy policy we will inform you which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.
General Information on Data Storage and Deletion
We delete personal data that we process in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there are no further legal bases for the processing. This applies to cases in which the original processing purpose no longer applies or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require the data to be stored or archived for a longer period.
In particular, data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal proceedings or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.
Our privacy policy contains additional information on the retention and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing operations.
If there are several specifications regarding the retention period or deletion period for a date, the longest period always applies.
If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically begins at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in the context of which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the time at which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect.
We process data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons, only for the reasons that justify its storage.
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Storage and deletion of data: The following general time limits apply to storage and archiving under German law:
- 10 years – retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents, accounting documents and invoices required for their understanding (Section 147 Paragraph 3 in conjunction with Paragraph 1 Nos. 1, 4 and 4a AO, Section 14b Paragraph 1 UStG, Section 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 1 and 4, Paragraph 4 HGB).
- 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register slips (Section 147 Paragraph 3 in conjunction with Paragraph 1 Nos. 2, 3, 5 AO, Section 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 and 3, Paragraph 4 HGB).
- 3 years – Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights as well as to process related inquiries based on previous business experience and standard industry practices will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).
Rights of the Data Subjects
Rights of the data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:
- Right to object: You have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR, for reasons related to your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed in order to conduct direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct advertising.
- Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
- Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to request information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
- Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with the statutory provisions, to request that the data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be rectified.
- Right to erasure and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with the statutory provisions, to request that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, to request that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
- Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you that you have made available to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request that it be transmitted to another controller.
- Complaint to a supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you violates the provisions of the GDPR.
Business Services
We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and associated measures and with regard to communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), for example to answer inquiries.
We use this data to fulfill our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and economical business management and security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. The contractual partners are informed about other forms of processing, such as for marketing purposes, in this data protection declaration.
We inform our contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.
We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and similar obligations, i.e. generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. for as long as it must be kept for legal archiving reasons (e.g. for tax purposes, usually ten years). We delete data that was disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order.
- Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, term, customer category).
- Affected persons: service recipients and clients; interested parties; business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and commercial procedures.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Payment Methods
We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and associated measures and with regard to communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), for example to answer inquiries.
We use this data to fulfill our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and economical business management and security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. The contractual partners are informed about other forms of processing, such as for marketing purposes, in this data protection declaration.
We inform our contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.
We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and similar obligations, i.e. generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. for as long as it must be kept for legal archiving reasons (e.g. for tax purposes, usually ten years). We delete data that was disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order.
- Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, term, customer category).
- Affected persons: service recipients and clients; interested parties; business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and commercial procedures.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Amazon Payments: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Amazon Payments Europe S.C.A. 38 avenue J.F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://pay.amazon.de/. Privacy Policy: https://pay.amazon.de/help/201212490.
- American Express: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: American Express Europe S.A., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.americanexpress.com/de/. Privacy Policy: https://www.americanexpress.com/de-de/firma/legal/datenschutz-center/online-datenschutzerklarung/.
- Apple Pay: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com/de/apple-pay/. Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
- Google Pay: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://pay.google.com/intl/de_de/about/. Privacy Policy: https://pay.google.com/intl/de_de/about/.
- Klarna: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Klarna Bank AB (publ), Sveavägen 46, 111 34 Stockholm, Sweden; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.klarna.com/de. Privacy Policy: https://www.klarna.com/de/datenschutz.
- Mastercard: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Mastercard Europe SA, Chaussée de Tervuren 198A, B-1410 Waterloo, Belgium; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Website: https://www.mastercard.de/de-de.html. Privacy Policy: https://www.mastercard.de/de-de/datenschutz.html.
- PayPal: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods) (e.g. PayPal, PayPal Plus, Braintree); Service Provider: PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.paypal.com/de. Privacy Policy: https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full.
- Visa: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service Provider: Visa Europe Services Inc., London branch, 1 Sheldon Square, London W2 6TT, GB; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Website: https://www.visa.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.visa.de/nutzungsbedingungen/visa-privacy-center.html. Basis for third country transfers: Adequacy decision (GB).
Provision of the Online Offer and Web Hosting
We process user data in order to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the user’s IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user’s browser or device.
- Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved). Protocol data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
- Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.).). Security measures.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files can include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data that needs to be retained for evidentiary purposes will not be deleted until the incident in question has been finally resolved.
Use of Cookies
The term “cookies” refers to functions that store information on users’ end devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as the functionality, security and convenience of online services and the creation of analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. If necessary, we obtain the user’s consent in advance. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential in order to be able to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, the storage of settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online service. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of this and which cookies are used.
Notes on legal bases under data protection law: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.
Storage period: With regard to the storage period, the following types of cookies are distinguished:
- Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
- Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the log-in status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected using cookies can also be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information about the type and storage period of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.
General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also object to processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including by means of the privacy settings of their browser.
- Types of data processed: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
- Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution that obtains users’ consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers named in the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers named in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid repeated queries and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The consent is stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the end device used; Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR).
Registration, Login and User Account
Users can create a user account. During registration, users are provided with the required mandatory information and processed for the purposes of providing the user account on the basis of contractual obligations. The data processed includes in particular the login information (user name, password and an email address).
When using our registration and login functions and using the user account, we save the IP address and the time of the respective user action. The storage is based on our legitimate interests as well as those of the users in protection against misuse and other unauthorized use. This data is generally not passed on to third parties unless it is necessary to pursue our claims or there is a legal obligation to do so.
Users can be informed by email about processes that are relevant to their user account, such as technical changes.
- Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Protocol data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
- Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations; Security measures; Organisational and administrative procedures. Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”. Deletion after termination.
- Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Setting the visibility of profiles: Users can use settings to determine the extent to which their profiles are visible or accessible to the public or only to certain groups of people; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).
Blogs and Publication Media
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter “publication medium”). Readers’ data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent that it is necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in the context of this data protection notice.
Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; security measures. Organizational and administrative procedures.
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
Comments and contributions: When users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses can be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves can be held liable for the comment or contribution and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.
Furthermore, we reserve the right to process the user’s information for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests.
On the same legal basis, in the case of surveys, we reserve the right to store the IP addresses of users for the duration of their survey and to use cookies to avoid multiple voting.
The personal information provided in the comments and contributions, any contact and website information as well as the content information will be stored by us permanently until the user objects; Legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Contact and Inquiry Management
When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the person making the inquiry will be processed to the extent that this is necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.
- Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
- Affected persons: Communication partners.
- Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Contact form: When you contact us via our contact form, by email or other means of communication, we process the personal data sent to us in order to answer and process the respective request. This usually includes details such as name, contact information and, if applicable, other information that is communicated to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Newsletters and Electronic Notifications
We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) only with the consent of the recipient or on the basis of a legal basis. If the contents of the newsletter are mentioned when registering for the newsletter, these contents are decisive for the consent of the user. To register for our newsletter, it is usually sufficient to provide your email address. However, in order to be able to offer you a personalized service, we may ask you to provide your name so that you can be addressed personally in the newsletter or for further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.
Deletion and restriction of processing: We can store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called “block list”) for this purpose alone.
The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it was carried out correctly. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure shipping system.
Contents:
Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.
Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
Affected persons: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR).
Opt-out option: You can cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Measurement of opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called “web beacon”, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or its server when the newsletter is opened, if we use a shipping service provider. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, are initially collected. This information is used to technically improve our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or the access times. This analysis also includes determining whether and when the newsletters are opened and which links are clicked. The information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until it is deleted. The evaluations are used to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. The measurement of opening rates and click rates as well as the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles and their further processing are based on the user’s consent.
- Unfortunately, a separate revocation of the success measurement is not possible; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted.
- Types of data processed: inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
- Persons affected: communication partners, users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: direct marketing (e.g. by email or post), reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors), conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures), profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
- Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a. GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f. GDPR).
- Opt-out option: you can cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.
Services and service providers used:
Google Analytics: measuring the success of email campaigns and creating user profiles with a storage period of up to two years;
Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/;
Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy;
Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de,
Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
Advertising communication Via Email, Post, Fax or Telephone
We process personal data for the purposes of advertising communication, which can take place via various channels, such as e-mail, telephone, post or fax, in accordance with legal requirements.
The recipients have the right to revoke consent granted at any time or to object to advertising communication at any time.
After revocation or objection, we store the data required to prove the previous authorization for contacting or sending for up to three years after the end of the year of revocation or objection on the basis of our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. On the basis of the legitimate interest in permanently respecting the user’s revocation or objection, we also store the data required to avoid further contact (e.g. depending on the communication channel, the e-mail address, telephone number, name).
Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as information concerning them, such as details of authorship or time of creation).
Data subjects: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post); Marketing. Sales promotion.
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Surveys and Polls
We conduct surveys and questionnaires to collect information for the respective communicated survey or questionnaire purpose. The surveys and questionnaires we conduct (hereinafter “surveys”) are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed to the extent that this is necessary for the provision and technical implementation of the surveys (e.g. processing the IP address in order to display the survey in the user’s browser or to enable the survey to be resumed using a cookie).
Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
Affected persons: Participants.
Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Surveys and questionnaires (e.g. surveys with input options, multiple-choice questions).
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Google form: creation and evaluation of online forms, surveys, feedback forms, etc.; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.google.de/intl/de/forms; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
Web analysis (also known as “reach measurement”) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and can include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or encourage reuse. It is also possible for us to understand which areas require optimization.
In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a device and then read out. The information collected includes in particular websites visited and elements used there, as well as technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have given their consent to us or the providers of the services we use collecting their location data, the processing of location data is also possible.
In addition, the IP addresses of users are stored. However, we use an IP masking process (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective processes.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to use third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
- Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
- Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Range measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the “General information on data storage and deletion” section. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
- Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to a device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, accessed them again or interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers.
Pseudonimous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU traffic, the IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before being immediately deleted. It is not logged, is not accessible and is not used for any other purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and data processed).
Online Marketing
We process personal data for the purpose of online marketing, which may include in particular the marketing of advertising space or the presentation of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as “content”) based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.
For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (the so-called “cookie”) or similar procedures are used by means of which the information about the user relevant to the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. This may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners and technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this can also be processed.
In addition, the IP addresses of the users are stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of the online marketing process, but pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the online marketing process know the actual user identity, but only the information stored in their profiles.
The statements in the profiles are usually stored in cookies or using similar processes. These cookies can generally also be read later on other websites that use the same online marketing process and analyzed for the purpose of displaying content, supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing process provider.
In exceptional cases, it is possible to assign clear data to the profiles, primarily if the users are, for example, members of a social network whose online marketing process we use and the network links the user profiles with the aforementioned information. Please note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, for example by consenting during registration.
We generally only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, as part of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e. for example to the conclusion of a contract with us. The conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.
Unless otherwise stated, we ask you to assume that cookies used are stored for a period of two years.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, users’ data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.
Notes on revocation and objection:
We refer to the data protection information of the respective providers and the objection options specified for the providers (so-called “opt-out”). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you can deactivate cookies in the settings of your browser. However, this can restrict functions of our online offer. We therefore also recommend the following opt-out options, which are offered in summary for the respective areas:
a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.
b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.
c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices.
d) Cross-territory: https://optout.aboutads.info.
Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); Target group formation; Marketing. Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the “General information on data storage and deletion” section. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
Affiliate Programs and Affiliate Links
In our online offering, we include so-called affiliate links or other references (which may include search masks, widgets or discount codes, for example) to the offers and services of third parties (collectively referred to as “affiliate links”). If users follow the affiliate links or subsequently take advantage of the offers, we can receive a commission or other benefits from these third parties (collectively referred to as “commission”).
In order to be able to track whether users have taken advantage of the offers of an affiliate link used by us, it is necessary for the respective third parties to know that the users have followed an affiliate link used within our online offering. The assignment of the affiliate links to the respective business transactions or other actions (e.g. purchases) serves solely the purpose of commission accounting and is canceled as soon as it is no longer required for the purpose.
For the purposes of the aforementioned assignment of the affiliate links, the affiliate links can be supplemented with certain values that are part of the link or are otherwise, e.g. B. in a cookie. The values can include in particular the source website (referrer), the time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offer, the type of link used, the type of offer and an online identifier of the user.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to use third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, users’ data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
- Types of data processed: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
- Persons affected: Interested parties. Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Affiliate tracking.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the “General information on data storage and deletion” section.
- Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Presences in Social Networks (Social Media)
We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.
We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce user rights.
In addition, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on the user’s usage behavior and resulting interests. The latter may in turn be used to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the user’s interests. Cookies are therefore usually stored on users’ computers in which the user’s usage behavior and interests are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles regardless of the devices used by the users (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).
For a detailed description of the respective processing methods and the options for opting out, please refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.
In the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we would also like to point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us.
Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Instagram: Social network, enables sharing photos and videos, commenting and favorite posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for collecting (but not further processing) data from visitors to our Facebook page (so-called “fan page”). This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see “Things you and others do and provide” in the Facebook data policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see “Device information” in the Facebook data policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/). As explained in the Facebook data policy under “How do we use this information?”, Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, so-called “Page Insights”, to page operators so that they can gain insights into how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook (“Information about Page Insights”, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which in particular regulates which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the responsible supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Information about Page Insights” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, in particular the transmission of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- LinkedIn: Social Network – We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for collecting (but not further processing) visitor data used to create the “Page Insights” (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, and the actions they take. In addition, details about the devices used are collected, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings and cookie data, as well as information from user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
We have concluded a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”, https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which in particular regulates which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to comply with the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send requests for information or deletion directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transmission of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
Plug-ins and Embedded Functions and Content
We integrate functional and content elements into our online offering that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as “third-party providers”). These can be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter referred to uniformly as “content”).
The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, since without an IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or functions. We endeavor to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third-party providers can also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. The “pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, the time of visit and other information about the use of our online offering, but may also be linked to such information from other sources.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to use third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.
Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation. Marketing.
Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the “General information on data storage and deletion” section. Cookies are stored for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:
- Google Fonts (obtained from Google server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to timeliness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The provider of the fonts is informed of the user’s IP address so that the fonts can be made available in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) is transmitted that is necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data can be processed on a server of the provider of the fonts in the USA – When visiting our online offer, the user’s browser sends their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e. a software interface for retrieving the fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) from Google Fonts and then the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent describing the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, and the referring URL (i.e., the web page where the Google font should be displayed). IP addresses are not logged or stored on Google servers, and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of the HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent, and referring URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. The Google Fonts Web API requires the user agent to customize the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is logged primarily for debugging purposes and is used to generate aggregated usage statistics that measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts Analytics page. Finally, the referral URL is logged so that the data can be used to maintain production and generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to Google, it does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to display targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). More information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
- YouTube videos: video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Possibility of objection (opt-out): opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.