DATA PROTECTION

With the following data protection declaration, we would like to explain to you which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process for which purposes and to what extent. The data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both as part 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”). ).

OVERVIEW OF PROCESSING

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.

TYPES OF DATA PROCESSED

  • inventory data
  • payment details
  • contact details
  • content data
  • contract data
  • usage data
  • Meta/Communication Data
  • Event Dates (Facebook)

CATEGORIES OF DATA SUBJECTS

  • Customers
  • communication partner
  • user

PURPOSES OF PROCESSING

  • Provision of contractual services and customer service
  • Contact Requests and Communication
  • direct marketing
  • range measurement
  • remarketing
  • conversion measurement
  • target group building
  • Affiliate Tracking
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN)
  • feedback
  • marketing
  • Profiles with user-related information
  • target group building
  • Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness

RELEVANT LEGAL BASES

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 them in the data protection declaration.

  • Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR) – The person concerned has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
  • Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. DSGVO) – The processing is necessary for the fulfillment of a contract to which the data subject is a party, or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, which are required at the request of the data subject take place.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. c. GDPR) – The processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the person responsible is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR) – Processing is necessary to safeguard the legitimate interests of the person responsible or a third party, unless the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject, which protect personal Data require prevail.

In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law on the protection against misuse of personal data in data processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, 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. Furthermore, it regulates data processing for the purposes of the employment relationship (§ 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, implementation or termination of employment relationships and the consent of employees.

SAFETY MEASURES

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the type, 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 to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

The measures include, in particular, securing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access, input, disclosure, securing availability and their separation. Furthermore, we have set up procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and reactions to data threats. Furthermore, we already take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

Shortening of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used and the processing of a complete IP address is not necessary, the IP address will be shortened (also referred to as “IP masking”). The last two digits or the last part of the IP address after a point are removed or replaced by placeholders. The purpose of shortening the IP address is to prevent or make it much more difficult to identify a person based on their IP address.

SSL encryption (https): In order to protect your data transmitted via our online offer, we use SSL encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address line of your browser.

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 the processing within the framework of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies takes place, this is only done in accordance with the legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or contractually or legally required transmission, we only process or have the data processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, if there are certifications or binding internal data protection regulations (Art. 44 to 49 DSGVO, Information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de ).

DELETION OF DATA

The data processed by us will be deleted in accordance with the legal requirements as soon as your consent to processing is revoked or other permissions are no longer applicable (e.g. if the purpose of processing this data no longer applies or it is not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because it is required for other, legally permissible purposes, its processing will be limited to these purposes. This means that the data will be blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be stored for commercial or tax reasons or whose storage is necessary to assert, exercise or defend legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

As part of our data protection information, we can provide users with further information on the deletion and storage of data that applies specifically to the respective processing.

USE OF COOKIES

Cookies are small text files or other memory notes that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to save the login status in a user account, the content of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online offer. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. for purposes of functionality, security and comfort of online offers as well as the creation of analyzes of visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Therefore, we obtain prior consent from users, except where not required by law. In particular, consent is not necessary if the storage and reading of the information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide the users with a telemedia service (i.e. our online offer) that they have expressly requested. The revocable consent is clearly communicated to the users and contains the information on the respective cookie use. You can revoke your consent here at any time.

Notes on data protection legal bases:The data protection legal basis on which we process the personal data of users with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask users for their consent. If the users consent, the legal basis for the processing of your data is the declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the commercial operation of our online offer and improving its usability) or, if this is done in the context of fulfilling our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to enable our to fulfill contractual obligations. For what purposes the cookies are processed by us,

Storage period: With regard to the storage period, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offer and closed his end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the user data collected with the help of cookies can be used to measure reach. Unless we provide users with explicit information on the type and storage period of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and 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 the processing in accordance with the legal requirements in Art. 21 DSGVO (further information on the objection is provided in this data protection declaration). Users can also declare their objection using the settings in their browser.

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent:We use a procedure for cookie consent management, as part of which the consent of the user to the use of cookies or the processing and providers mentioned in the context of the cookie consent management procedure is obtained and managed and revoked by the user can become. The declaration of consent is stored here so that the query does not have to be repeated and to be able to prove the consent in accordance with the legal obligation. The storage can take place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie, or with the help of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or his device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following notices apply: The duration of the storage of the consent can be up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored with the time of the consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) and the browser, system and end device used.

PROVISION OF THE ONLINE OFFER AND WEB HOSTING

In order to be able to provide our online offer securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers from whose servers (or servers managed by them) the online offer can be accessed. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, as well as security and technical maintenance services.

The data processed as part of the provision of the hosting offer may include all information relating to the users of our online offer that arises in the context of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary in order to be able to deliver the content of online offers to browsers, and all entries made within our online offer or on websites.

  • Types of data processed: content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; Content Delivery Network (CDN).
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Email delivery and hosting:The web hosting services we use also include sending, receiving and storing emails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders as well as other information regarding the e-mail dispatch (e.g. the providers involved) and the content of the respective e-mails are processed. The aforementioned data can also be processed for SPAM detection purposes. We ask you to note that e-mails are generally not sent in encrypted form on the Internet. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted during transport, but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received.
  • Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data for every access to the server (so-called server log files). The address and name of the retrieved websites and files, date and time of retrieval, amounts of data transferred, notification of successful retrieval, 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 belong.The server log files can be used on the one hand for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the server (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and on the other hand to ensure server utilization and stability; Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or made anonymous. Data whose further storage is required for evidence purposes are excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
  • HostEurope: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: Host Europe GmbH, Hansestrasse 111, 51149 Cologne, Germany; Website: https://www.hosteurope.de ; Data protection declaration: https://www.hosteurope.de/AGB/Datenschutzerklaerung ; Order processing contract: https://www.hosteurope.de/Documents/ .
  • Cloudflare: Content Delivery Network (CDN) – service with the help of which the content of an online offer, in particular large media files such as graphics or program scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; Service Provider: Cloudflare, Inc., 101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; Website: https://www.cloudflare.com ; Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/ ; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.cloudflare.com/gdpr/introduction/ .

SPECIAL NOTES ON APPLICATIONS (APPS)

We process the data of the users of our application insofar as this is necessary in order to be able to provide the application and its functionalities to the users, to monitor their security and to be able to develop them further. We can also contact users in compliance with legal requirements if communication is required for administration or use of the application. In addition, with regard to the processing of user data, we refer to the data protection information in this data protection declaration.

Legal bases:The processing of data required to provide the functionalities of the application serves to fulfill contractual obligations. This also applies if the provision of the functions requires user authorization (e.g. approval of device functions). If the processing of data is not necessary for the provision of the functionalities of the application, but serves the security of the application or our business interests (e.g. collection of data for the purpose of optimizing the application or security purposes), it is carried out on the basis of our legitimate interests Interests. If users are expressly asked for their consent to the processing of their data, the data covered by the consent will be processed on the basis of the consent.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Commercial use: We process the data of the users of our application, registered users and any test users (hereinafter referred to as “users”) in order to be able to provide them with our contractual services and on the basis of legitimate interests to ensure the security of our application and to develop it further to be able to The required information is marked as such within the framework of the conclusion of the use, order, order or comparable contract and may include the information required for the provision of services and for any billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations.
  • Device authorizations for access to functions and data: The use of our application or its functionalities may require user authorizations to access certain functions of the devices used or to the data stored on the devices or accessible using the devices. By default, these permissions must be granted by the users and can be revoked at any time in the settings of the respective devices. The exact process for controlling app permissions may vary depending on users’ device and software. If you need clarification, users can contact us. We would like to point out that the refusal or revocation of the respective authorizations can affect the functionality of our application.

OBTAINING APPLICATIONS FROM APP STORES

Our application is obtained via special online platforms operated by other service providers (so-called “app stores”). In this context, the data protection notices of the respective app stores apply in addition to our data protection notices. This applies in particular with regard to the methods used on the platforms for measuring reach and for interest-based marketing as well as any liability to pay.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact information (e.g. email, phone numbers); Contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, term, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data Subjects: Customers.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

CONTACT AND REQUEST MANAGEMENT

When contacting us (e.g. via contact form, e-mail, telephone or via social media) as well as in the context of existing user and business relationships, the details of the requesting person are processed to the extent necessary to answer the contact request and any requested measures.

The answering of contact inquiries as well as the administration of contact and inquiry data within the framework of contractual or pre-contractual relationships takes place to fulfill our contractual obligations or to answer (pre)contractual inquiries and otherwise on the basis of the legitimate interests in answering the inquiries and maintenance of User or Business Relationships.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact information (e.g. email, phone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Affected persons: communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: contact requests and communication; Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. c. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: If users contact us via our contact form, e-mail or other communication channels, we process the data communicated to us in this context to process the communicated request. For this purpose, we process personal data within the framework of pre-contractual and contractual business relationships, insofar as this is necessary for their fulfillment and otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests and the interests of the communication partners in answering the concerns and our legal storage obligations.

PUSH MESSAGES

With the consent of the users, we can send the users so-called “push notifications”. These are messages that are displayed on the screens, end devices or in the browsers of the users, even if our online service is not currently being actively used.

In order to register for the push notifications, users must confirm the request from their browser or end device to receive the push notifications. This approval process is documented and saved. The storage is necessary in order to recognize whether users have consented to receiving the push notifications and to be able to prove their consent. For these purposes, a pseudonymous identifier of the browser (so-called “push token”) or the device ID of an end device is stored.

On the one hand, the push messages may be necessary for the fulfillment of contractual obligations (e.g. technical and organizational information relevant to the use of our online offer) and are otherwise, unless specifically mentioned below, sent on the basis of the user’s consent. Users can change the receipt of push messages at any time using the notification settings of their respective browsers or end devices.

  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR).

NEWSLETTERS AND ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATIONS

We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) only with the consent of the recipient or legal permission. If the contents of the newsletter are specifically described when registering for the newsletter, they are decisive for the consent of the user. Our newsletter also contains information about our services and us.

In order to register for our newsletters, it is generally sufficient if you enter your e-mail address. However, we may ask you to provide a name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter, or other information if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double opt-in procedure: Registration for our newsletter takes place in a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after registration you will receive an e-mail in which you will be asked to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that nobody can register with someone else’s e-mail address. The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with the legal requirements. This includes storing the time of registration and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the shipping service provider are also logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We can store the unsubscribed e-mail addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete them in order to be able to prove a previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible 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 contradictions, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address in a block list (so-called “block list”) solely for this purpose.

The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it was carried out properly. 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.

Notes on the legal basis: The newsletter is sent on the basis of the consent of the recipient or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing, if and to the extent that this is permitted by law, e.g. in the case of advertising for existing customers. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure delivery. The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests to demonstrate that it has been carried out in accordance with the law.

Content:

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact information (e.g. email, phone numbers); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Affected persons: communication partners; Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: direct marketing (e.g. by email or post); Range measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures); Profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).
  • Possibility of objection (opt-out): You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, ie 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 given above, preferably e-mail.

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Measurement of opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called “web beacon”, ie a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a shipping service provider, from their server. 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, is 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 the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until they are deleted. The evaluations help us 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 the 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 consent of the user.

    Unfortunately, a separate revocation of the performance 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.

  • Google Analytics: Measurement of the success of email campaigns and creation of 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 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/ ; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy ; Objection option (opt-out): opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de , settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ;Further information: Types of processing and the data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices ; Data processing terms for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third-country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms .
  • Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES): cloud-based service for sending emails; Service Provider: Amazon Web Services, Inc., 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle WA 98109, USA; Website: https://aws.amazon.com/de/ses/ ; Privacy Policy: https://d1.awsstatic.com/legal/privacypolicy/AWS_Privacy_Notice__German_Translation.pdf ; Standard contractual clauses (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing in third countries): part of the order processing contract; Order processing agreement: https://d1.awsstatic.com/legal/aws-gdpr/AWS_GDPR_DPA.pdf ; Further information: Special security measures:https://aws.amazon.com/compliance/gdpr-center/ .

WEB ANALYSIS, MONITORING AND OPTIMIZATION

The web analysis (also referred to as “reach measurement”) serves to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offer and can include behavior, interests or demographic information about the visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of the range analysis, we can, for example, identify the time at which our online offer or its functions or content are used most frequently or invite users to reuse them. We can also understand which areas need optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures, for example to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, ie data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a terminal device and read from it. 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 to collect their location data, location data can also be processed.

The IP addresses of the users are also saved. However, we use an IP masking process (ie pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (e.g. e-mail addresses or names) are stored in the context of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but pseudonyms. This means that we and the providers of the software used do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective process.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (ie 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. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • 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 (creating user profiles).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

ONLINE MARKETING

We process personal data for online marketing purposes, 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 (so-called “cookie”) or similar processes are used, by means of which the user information relevant for the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. This information can 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.

The IP addresses of the users are also saved. However, we use available IP masking procedures (ie pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) are stored as part of the online marketing process, but pseudonyms. This means that we and the providers of the online marketing process do not know the actual identity of the users, only the information stored in their profiles.

The information in the profiles is usually stored in the cookies or by means of similar processes. These cookies can later generally also be read on other websites that use the same online marketing process and analyzed for the purpose of displaying content, as well as supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing process provider.

As an exception, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if the users are members of a social network whose online marketing process we use and the network connects the user’s profile with the aforementioned information. We kindly ask you to note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, e.g. by giving their consent during registration.

In principle, we only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, we can use so-called conversion measurements to check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e., to a contract with us, for example. The conversion measurement is only used to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, please assume that cookies used will be 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 processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (ie 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: Event data (Facebook) (“Event data” is data that can be transmitted by us to Facebook, e.g. via Facebook pixels (via apps or other means) and relates to people or their actions; Data includes, for example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, installation of apps, purchases of products, etc. The event data is processed in order to form target groups for content and advertising information (custom audiences); event data do not contain the actual content (such as comments written), no login information and no contact information (i.e. no names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers).Event data will be deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years formed target groups with the deletion of our Facebook account); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: remarketing; Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures); target group formation; Target group formation (determination of target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other output of content); Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).
  • Possibility of objection (opt-out): We refer to the data protection notices of the respective providers and the possibilities of objection (so-called “opt-out”) specified for the providers. If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you can turn off cookies in your browser settings. However, this can limit the 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 .

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Facebook pixel and target group formation (custom audiences): With the help of the Facebook pixel (or comparable functions, for the transmission of event data or contact information via interfaces in apps), it is possible for Facebook to use the visitors of our online offer as a target group for the To determine the display of advertisements (so-called “Facebook Ads”). Accordingly, we use the Facebook pixel so that the Facebook ads we have placed are only available to users on Facebook and within the services of the partners cooperating with Facebook (so-called “Audience Network” https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/) who have also shown an interest in our online offer or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interest in certain topics or products that can be seen from the websites visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called “Custom Audiences”). With the help of the Facebook pixel, we also want to ensure that our Facebook ads correspond to the potential interests of users and are not annoying. With the help of the Facebook pixel, we can also understand the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (so-called “conversion measurement”); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com ; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy ; Standard contractual clauses (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing in third countries): The “Facebook EU data transfer addendum” ( https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum ) applies in the case of order processing by Facebook as the basis for processing event data from EU citizens in the USA and inclusion in the “Facebook Platform Terms of Use” ( https://developers.facebook.com/terms) with regard to the independent processing of event data by Facebook in the context of ad placement; More information: The “Data Processing Terms” ( https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing/update ) apply with regard to event data that Facebook processes on behalf of companies to provide reports and analysis; Furthermore, the “Supplement for those responsible” applies as an agreement on joint responsibility (Art. 26 Para. 1 S. 3 DSGVO), which applies in the case of the independent processing of event data by Facebook for the purposes of targeting as well as improving and securing the Facebook products , is relevant.
  • Google Ad Manager: We use the “Google Marketing Platform” (and services such as “Google Ad Manager”) to place ads on the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.). The Google Marketing Platform is characterized by the fact that ads are displayed in real time based on users’ presumed interests. This allows us to display ads for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner in order to only present users with ads that potentially match their interests. If, for example, a user is shown ads for products that he was interested in on other online offers, this is referred to as “remarketing”; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com ; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy ; Further information: Types of processing and the data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices ; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on the services Data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third-country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms; if Google acts as a processor, data processing conditions for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third-country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms .
  • Google Ads and conversion measurement: We use the online marketing process “Google Ads” to place ads on the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads (so-called “conversion”). We also measure the conversion of the ads. However, we only find out the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were forwarded to a page with a so-called “conversion tracking tag”. However, we do not receive any information that could be used to identify users; Service provider:Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com ; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy ; Further information: Types of processing and the data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices ; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on the services Data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third-country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms .

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATE LINKS

We include so-called affiliate links or other references (which may include, for example, search masks, widgets or discount codes) to the offers and services of third parties in our online offer (collectively referred to as “affiliate links”). If users follow the affiliate links or subsequently take advantage of the offers, we may receive a commission or other benefits from these third-party providers (collectively referred to as “commission”).

In order to be able to track whether the users have taken advantage of the offers of an affiliate link used by us, it is necessary for the respective third-party providers to know that the users have followed an affiliate link used within our online offer. The assignment of the affiliate links to the respective business transactions or to other actions (e.g. purchases) serves solely the purpose of the commission statement 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 can be stored in some other way, e.g. in a cookie. The values ​​can include, in particular, the source website (referrer), the time, an online ID of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online ID 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 the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Furthermore, their use can be part of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of third-party providers has been agreed in this context. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (ie 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: contract data (e.g. subject matter of contract, term, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); Customers.
  • Purposes of processing: affiliate tracking; Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

PRESENCE 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 can be processed outside of the European Union. This can result in risks for the user, because it could make it more difficult to enforce the user’s rights, for example.

Furthermore, user data is usually processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created on the basis of usage behavior and the resulting interests of users. The usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements inside and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the user. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the users’ computers, in which the usage behavior and the interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data can also be stored in the usage profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in to them).

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the possibility of objection (opt-out), we refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

Also in the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we would like to point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the providers have access to the data of the users and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us.

  • Types of data processed: contact details (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: contact requests and communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Instagram: social network; Service Provider: Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; Website: https://www.instagram.com ; Privacy Policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy .
  • Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not further processing) of 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 Done and Provided by You and Others” in the Facebook Data Policy: https:// www.facebook.com/policy ), as well as information about the devices used by the users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see under “Device information” in the Facebook data policy:https://www.facebook.com/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, called “Page Insights,” to site operators so that they can gain insights into how people are using their Pages and interact with the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook (“Page Insights Information”, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), in which it is regulated in particular which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has declared its willingness to fulfill the rights of the data subject (i.e. users can, for example, send information or requests for deletion directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaints to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Information on page insights” ( https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data ); Service Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbor, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com ;Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy ; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum ; More information: Joint Controllership Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data .
  • Facebook events: Event profiles within the social network Facebook – We use the “Events” function of the Facebook platform to refer to events and appointments and to contact users (participants and interested parties) and to be able to exchange information. We process the personal data of the users of our event pages insofar as this is necessary for the purpose of the event page and its moderation. This data includes information on first and last names, as well as published or privately communicated content, as well as values ​​for the status of participation and the time information for the aforementioned data. We also refer to the processing of user data by Facebook itself. This data includes information on the types of content,https://www.facebook.com/policy ), as well as information about the devices used by the users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see under “Device information” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/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 called “Insights” to Event Providers to provide insights into how people are interacting with their Event Pages and with interact with the content associated with them; Service Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbor, Dublin 2, Ireland;Website: https://www.facebook.com ; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy ; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum ; Order processing contract: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing .
  • LinkedIn: social network; Service Provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.linkedin.com ; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy ; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa ; Objection option (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out ; Order processing contract: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa .
  • Pinterest: social network; Service Provider: Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA; Website: https://www.pinterest.com ; Data protection declaration: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy ; Further information: Pinterest Data Sharing Annex (APPENDIX A): https://business.pinterest.com/de/pinterest-advertising-services-agreement/ .
  • Twitter: social network; Service Provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, Parent Company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/privacy , (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization ).
  • Xing: social network; Service provider: XING AG, Dammtorstrasse 29-32, 20354 Hamburg,  declaration: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung .

PLUGINS AND EMBEDDED FUNCTIONS AND CONTENT

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offer that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as “third-party providers”). This can be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as “content”).

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since without the IP address they could not send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore required for the display of 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.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (ie 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. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected persons: users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a. GDPR); Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • YouTube videos: video content; YouTube videos are integrated via a special domain (recognizable by the “youtube-nocookie” component) in the so-called “extended data protection mode”, which means that no cookies are collected on user activities in order to personalize video playback. Nevertheless, information on the user’s interaction with the video (e.g. remembering the last playback point) can be saved; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://www.youtube.com ; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy .

CHANGE AND UPDATE OF THE PRIVACY POLICY

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our data protection declaration. We will adapt the data protection declaration as soon as the changes in the data processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this data protection declaration, please note that the addresses can change over time and ask you to check the information before contacting us.

RIGHTS OF DATA SUBJECTS

As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which result in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right of objection: You have the right, for reasons arising from your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of your personal data, which is based on Article 6 Paragraph 1 lit. e or f GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you is processed in order to operate direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is associated with such direct advertising.
  • Right of withdrawal for consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
  • Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question 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: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request the completion of the data concerning you or the correction of incorrect data concerning you.
  • Right to deletion and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request that data concerning you be deleted immediately, or alternatively to request a restriction of the processing of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data that you have provided to us in accordance with the legal requirements in a structured, common and machine-readable format or to request that it be transmitted to another person responsible.
  • Complaint to supervisory authority: In accordance with the legal requirements and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the member state in which you usually reside, the supervisory authority of your workplace or the place of the alleged infringement to lodge a complaint if you consider that the processing of your personal data infringes the GDPR.