Privacy Policy (English)

Privacy Policy

As of: May 31, 2025

Table of Contents

Person responsible

Linus Härle, Bayerische Str. 15, 10707, Berlin, Germany

E-mail address:l.haerle@icloud.com

Phone: +49 17685611900

Imprint:https://linushaerle.com/

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.
  • Location data.
  • Contact details.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data.
  • Event data (Facebook).
  • Log data.

Special categories of data

  • Health data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Service recipient and client.
  • Interested parties.
  • Communication partner.
  • Users.
  • Sweepstakes and competition participants.
  • Business and contractual partners.
  • Participant.

Purposes of processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Target group formation.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Conducting prize draws and competitions.
  • Firewall.
  • Feedback.
  • Surveys and questionnaires.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Public relations.
  • Sales promotion.
  • Business processes and business procedures.

Relevant legal bases

Relevant legal bases under the GDPR:Below you will find an overview of the GDPR legal bases on which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the GDPR regulations, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or domicile. Should more specific legal bases apply in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

  • Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR)– The data subject has given his or her consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for one or more specific purposes.
  • Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR)– Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR)– Processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR)– processing is necessary to safeguard the legitimate interests of the controller or of a third party, provided that the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data do not override them.

National data protection regulations in Germany:In addition to the data protection provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). The BDSG contains, in particular, special provisions on the right to information, the right to erasure, 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. Furthermore, state data protection laws of individual federal states may apply.

Reference to the validity of GDPR and Swiss DSG:This privacy policy serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that, due to their broader geographical application and clarity, the terms of the GDPR are used. In particular, instead of the terms „processing“ of „personal data,“ „overriding interest,“ and „particularly sensitive personal data“ used in the Swiss Data Protection Act, the terms „processing“ of „personal data,“ „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 Data Protection Act within the scope of the Swiss Data Protection Act.

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 organisational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

These 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, and transfer of data, ensuring its availability, and segregation. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects‘ rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we consider the protection of personal data right from the development and selection of hardware, software, and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design, and through data protection-friendly default settings.

Securing online connections with TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect user data transmitted via our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user’s browser (or between two servers), thereby protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions meet the highest security standards. If a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is signaled by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is being transmitted securely and encrypted.

General information on data storage and deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there are no further legal grounds for processing. This applies to cases where the original processing purpose no longer applies or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of the data.

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 multiple details regarding the retention period or deletion period for a given date, the longest period always applies.

If a period does not explicitly 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 which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the effective date of the termination or other termination of the legal relationship.

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 deadlines 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 necessary for their understanding (Section 147 (1) No. 1 in conjunction with Section 3 AO, Section 14b (1) UStG, Section 257 (1) No. 1 in conjunction with Section 4 HGB).
    • 8 years – accounting documents, such as invoices and cost receipts (Section 147 Paragraph 1 No. 4 and 4a in conjunction with Paragraph 3 Sentence 1 AO and Section 257 Paragraph 1 No. 4 in conjunction with 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 statements, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register slips (Section 147 (1) Nos. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with Section 3 AO, Section 257 (1) Nos. 2 and 3 in conjunction with Section 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 common industry practices, will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of data subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right of objection: You have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you based on 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 is processed for direct marketing purposes, 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 marketing.
  • Right of withdrawal for consents:You have the right to revoke 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 obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the statutory requirements.
  • Right to rectification:In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be corrected.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing:In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that data concerning you be deleted 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 provided 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 the 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 infringes 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 as well as related 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 obligation to provide the agreed services, any update obligations, and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. Furthermore, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations, as well as for corporate organization. Furthermore, we process the data based on our legitimate interests in proper and efficient business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse and the 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 contractual partners‘ data to third parties to the extent necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed of other forms of processing, such as for marketing purposes, in this privacy policy.

We will 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 data after the expiration 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 retained for legal archiving reasons (e.g., for tax purposes, usually ten years). We delete data 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, residential 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., contract subject matter, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., page views and length of stay, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Affected persons:Service recipients and clients; interested parties; business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing:Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; security measures; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and operational 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 (1) (b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Online shop, order forms, e-commerce and delivery:We process our customers‘ data to enable them to select, purchase, or order the selected products, goods, and related services, as well as to pay for and deliver them or execute them. If necessary to execute an order, we use service providers, in particular postal, forwarding, and shipping companies, to carry out the delivery or execution for our customers. We use the services of banks and payment service providers to process payment transactions. The required information is marked as such within the order or similar purchase process and includes the information needed for delivery, provision, and billing, as well as contact information for any follow-up questions. Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
  • Event management:We process the data of participants in the events, activities and similar activities we offer or organize (hereinafter referred to collectively as „participants“ and „events“) in order to enable them to participate in the events and to use the services or promotions associated with their participation.

    If we process health-related data, religious, political or other special categories of data in this context, this is done within the scope of publicity (e.g. at thematically oriented events or for health care, security or with the consent of the data subject).

    The required information is marked as such within the context of the order, purchase order, or similar contract conclusion and includes the information required for service provision and billing, as well as contact information for any follow-up consultations. To the extent we receive access to information from end customers, employees, or other persons, we process it in accordance with legal and contractual requirements; the legal basis is contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).

Provision of the online service and web hosting

We process user data 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 procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved). Protocol data (e.g., log files regarding 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 offering and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures. Firewall.
  • Storage and deletion:Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis:Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (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.“ Server log files may include the address and name of the accessed web pages and files, 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. Server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overload (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure server utilization and stability. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (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.
  • netcup:Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g., storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: netcup GmbH, Daimlerstraße 25, D-76185 Karlsruhe, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.netcup.de/; Privacy Policy:https://www.netcup.de/kontakt/datenschutzerklaerung.php. Data processing agreement:https://helpcenter.netcup.com/de/wiki/general/avv/.
  • Wordfence:Firewall and security functions as well as error detection functions to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts as well as technical vulnerabilities that could enable such access. For these purposes, cookies and similar storage methods required for this purpose may be used, and security logs may be created during the check and in particular in the event of unauthorized access. In this context, the IP addresses of users, a user identification number and their activities, including the time of access, are processed and stored, compared with the data provided by the provider of the firewall and security function and transmitted to them. Service provider: Defiant, Inc., 800 5th Ave Ste 4100, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.wordfence.com; Privacy Policy:https://www.wordfence.com/privacy-policy/; Basis for third country transfers: standard contractual clauses (https://www.wordfence.com/standard-contractual-clauses/), standard contractual clauses (https://www.wordfence.com/standard-contractual-clauses/). Further information:https://www.wordfence.com/help/general-data-protection-regulation/.

Use of cookies

The term „cookies“ refers to functions that store and retrieve information from users‘ end devices. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as ensuring the functionality, security, and convenience of online offerings, as well as creating analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Where necessary, we obtain user consent in advance. If consent is not required, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when storing and retrieving information is essential to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, saving settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of cookies and which cookies are used.

Information on data protection legal bases: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 relevant services and processes.

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 offering and closed their device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Persistent cookies:Persistent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the user data collected using cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., when obtaining consent), they should assume that they 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 legal requirements, including through the privacy settings of their browser.

  • Types of data processed:Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Affected persons:Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis:Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 (1) (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 within the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage, and revoke consent, particularly with regard to the use of cookies and similar technologies 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 operations and providers named in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. Consent declarations are saved to avoid repeated queries and to provide evidence of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using similar technologies in order to be able to assign consent to a specific user or their device. Unless specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: 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 consent (e.g., relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers), and information about the browser, system, and device used. Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).
  • Compliance:Consent management: Procedures for obtaining, logging, managing, and revoking consent, in particular for the use of cookies and similar technologies for storing, reading, and processing information on users‘ end devices, as well as their processing; Service provider: Execution on servers and/or computers under their own data protection responsibility; Website:https://complianz.io/; Privacy Policy:https://complianz.io/legal/Further information: An individual user ID, language, types of consent, and the time of their submission are stored on the server and in the cookie on the user’s device.

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or similar means of online communication and publication (hereinafter „publication medium“). Readers‘ data is processed for the purposes of the publication medium only to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers, or for security reasons. Furthermore, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in this privacy policy.

  • 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 related information, such as 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, persons involved).
  • Affected persons:Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms); provision of our online offering 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 (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Comments and contributions:When users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored based on our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments or contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves may 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 user information for the purpose of spam detection based on our legitimate interests.

    On the same legal basis, we reserve the right to store users‘ IP addresses for the duration of surveys and to use cookies to avoid multiple voting.

    The personal information, any contact and website information, as well as the content information provided in comments and posts will be permanently stored by us until the user objects; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Accessing WordPress emojis and smileys:Access to WordPress emojis and smileys – Within our WordPress blog, graphic emojis (or smileys), i.e., small graphic files that express emotions, are used for the purpose of efficiently integrating content elements. These files are obtained from external servers. The server providers collect the users‘ IP addresses. This is necessary so that the emoji files can be transmitted to the users‘ browsers. Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy:https://automattic.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider).
  • Akismet anti-spam check:Akismet Anti-Spam Check – Based on our legitimate interests, we use the service „Akismet.“ Akismet helps distinguish between real comments and spam comments. All comment data is sent to a server in the US, where it is analyzed and stored for comparison purposes for four days. If a comment is classified as spam, the data is stored beyond this time. This information includes the name entered, the email address, the IP address, the comment content, the referrer, information about the browser and computer system used, and the time of the comment.

    Users are welcome to use pseudonyms or refrain from entering their name or email address. They can completely prevent the transmission of data by not using our comment system. That would be a shame, but unfortunately, we do not see any alternatives that work as effectively. Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy:https://automattic.com/privacy/; Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider).
  • Gravatar profile pictures:Profile pictures – We use the Gravatar service within our online offering and especially in the blog.

    Gravatar is a service that allows users to register and upload profile pictures and email addresses. When users post or comment on other online sites (especially blogs) using their email address, their profile pictures may be displayed next to the posts or comments. For this purpose, the email address provided by the user is transmitted in encrypted form to Gravatar to check whether a profile has been saved for that user. This is the sole purpose of transmitting the email address. It will not be used for any other purpose and will be deleted afterward.

    The use of Gravatar is based on our legitimate interests, as with the help of Gravatar we offer the authors of posts and comments the opportunity to personalise their posts with a profile picture.

    By displaying the images, Gravatar obtains the user’s IP address, as this is necessary for communication between a browser and an online service.

    If users do not want a user image linked to their Gravatar email address to appear in comments, they should use an email address that is not stored with Gravatar. We would also like to point out that it is also possible to use an anonymous email address or no email address at all if users do not wish their email address to be sent to Gravatar. Users can completely prevent the transmission of data by not using our comment system. Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy:https://automattic.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider).

Contact and inquiry management

When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) as well as within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the person making the inquiry will be processed to the extent 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 related information, such as 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, persons involved).
  • Affected persons:Communication partner.
  • Purposes of processing:Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms). Provision of our online offering 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 (1) (f) GDPR). Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Contact form:When you contact us via our contact form, by email, or other communication channels, we process the personal data you provide to answer and process your request. This generally includes information such as your name, contact information, and, if applicable, other information that is provided to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; legal bases: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Audio content

We use hosting services from service providers to offer our audio content for listening and downloading. We use platforms that enable the uploading, storage, and distribution of audio material.

  • 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, persons involved). Protocol data (e.g., log files regarding logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Affected persons:Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: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). Provision of our online offering 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 (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

Newsletters and electronic notifications

We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter „newsletters“) exclusively with the consent of the recipients or based on a legal basis. If the newsletter content is mentioned when registering for the newsletter, this content is decisive for the user’s consent. Providing your email address is normally sufficient to register for our newsletter. However, in order to offer you a personalized service, we may ask you to provide your name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter or for further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of potentially defending against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous 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 on a block list (so-called „block list“) for this purpose alone.

The registration process is logged based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of demonstrating its proper execution. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done based on our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure delivery 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 procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved); usage data (e.g., page views and length of stay, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Special categories of personal data:Health data.
  • Affected persons:Communication partner.
  • Purposes of processing:Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Legal basis:Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Opt-out option:You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or by using one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Measuring open and click rates:The newsletters contain so-called „web beacons,“ i.e., a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or, if we use a mailing service provider, its server when the newsletter is opened. During this retrieval, technical information, such as details about your browser and 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 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 deleted. The evaluations serve to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content based on the interests of our users. The measurement of opening and click rates as well as the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles – this text area must be activated with a premium license. – premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext ; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • CleverReach:Email sending and automation services; Service provider: CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG, //CRASH Building, Schafjückenweg 2, 26180 Rastede, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.cleverreach.com/de; Privacy Policy:https://www.cleverreach.com/de/datenschutz/. Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider.
  • Mailchimp:Email marketing, automation of marketing processes, collection, storage, and management of contact data, measurement of campaign performance, recording and analysis of recipient interaction with content, personalization of content; Service provider: Rocket Science Group, LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://mailchimp.com; Privacy Policy:https://mailchimp.com/legal/; Data processing agreement:https://mailchimp.com/legal/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (provided by the service provider), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) Standard Contractual Clauses (provided by the service provider). Further information: Special security measures:https://mailchimp.com/de/help/mailchimp-european-data-transfers/.
  • Mailjet:Email sending and email sending and automation services; Service provider: Mailjet SAS, 13-13 bis, rue de l’Aubrac, 75012 Paris, France; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.mailjet.de. Privacy Policy:https://www.mailjet.de/privacy-policy.
  • Rapidmail:Email sending and automation services; Service provider: rapidmail GmbH, Augustinerplatz 2, 79098 Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.rapidmail.de; Privacy Policy:https://www.rapidmail.de/datenschutz. Data processing agreement:https://www.rapidmail.de/hilfe/datenschutzvertrag-nach-eu-dsgvo-abschliessen.

Advertising communication via email, post, fax or telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of advertising communication, which can be carried out via various channels, such as email, telephone, mail or fax, in accordance with legal requirements.

Recipients have the right to revoke consent given at any time or to object to advertising communication at any time.

After revocation or objection, we will store the data required to prove previous authorization for contacting or sending for up to three years after the end of the year of revocation or objection based on our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. Based on our legitimate interest in permanently respecting the user’s revocation or objection, we also store the data necessary to avoid further contact (e.g., depending on the communication channel, the email 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 posts as well as related information, such as authorship or time of creation).
  • Affected persons:Communication partner.
  • Purposes of processing:Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail); 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 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Sweepstakes and competitions

We only process personal data of participants in prize draws and competitions in compliance with the relevant data protection regulations, provided that the processing is contractually necessary for the provision, implementation and processing of the prize draw, the participants have consented to the processing or the processing serves our legitimate interests (e.g. in the security of the prize draw or the protection of our interests against misuse through the possible collection of IP addresses when submitting prize draw entries).

If entries from participants are published as part of the competition (e.g., as part of a vote or presentation of the competition entries or winners, or in the reporting on the competition), we would like to point out that the names of the participants may also be published in this context. Participants can object to this at any time.

If the competition takes place within an online platform or social network (e.g., Facebook or Instagram, hereinafter referred to as the „Online Platform“), the terms of use and privacy policy of the respective platform also apply. In these cases, we point out that we are responsible for the information provided by participants during the competition, and any inquiries regarding the competition should be directed to us.

Participants‘ data will be deleted as soon as the prize draw or competition has ended and the data is no longer required to inform the winners or because no further queries regarding the prize draw are expected. Participants‘ data will generally be deleted no later than six months after the end of the prize draw. Winners‘ data may be retained for longer, for example, to answer queries about the prizes or to fulfill the prize-winning services. In this case, the retention period depends on the type of prize and is up to three years for items or services, for example, in order to process warranty claims. Participants‘ data may also be stored for longer, for example, in the form of competition reporting in online and offline media.

If data was collected for other purposes as part of the competition, its processing and retention period are governed by the data protection information for this use (e.g. in the case of registration for the newsletter as part of a competition).

  • 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 posts as well as related information, such as authorship or time of creation).
  • Affected persons:Sweepstakes and competition participants.
  • Purposes of processing:Conducting prize draws and competitions.
  • Storage and deletion:Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis:Contractual fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (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 processed only to the extent necessary for the provision and technical implementation of the surveys (e.g., processing the IP address to display the survey in the user’s browser or to enable resumption of the survey 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 posts, as well as related information, such as 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:Participant.
  • Purposes of processing:Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via an 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 (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analytics (also known as „reach measurement“) is used to evaluate visitor traffic to our online offering and may include behavior, interests, or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. Using reach analysis, we can, for example, identify when our online offering or its features or content are most frequently used, or encourage reuse. It also enables us to understand which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use testing 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, may be created for these purposes, and information may be stored in a browser or on a device and then read out. The data collected includes, in particular, websites visited and the 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 consented to the collection of their location data by us or by the providers of the services we use, the processing of location data is also possible.

In addition, users‘ IP addresses are stored. However, we use an IP masking process (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. Generally, no real user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored for web analysis, A/B testing, and optimization; instead, pseudonyms are used. 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 the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economical, and user-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 procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons 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); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion:Deletion as described in the „General Information on Data Storage and Deletion“ section. Cookies are stored for up to two 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).
  • Legal basis:Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Adobe Analytics:Adobe Analytics; Service provider: Adobe Systems Software Ireland, 4-6, Riverwalk Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Brownsbarn, Dublin 24, D24 DCW0, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://business.adobe.com/de/products/analytics/adobe-analytics.html; Privacy Policy:https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy.html. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • 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 used, accessed these again, or interacted with our online offering. The time and duration of use are also stored, as are the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers. Pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used for this purpose. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics does provide 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, 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 purpose. 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 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement:https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms); Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in:https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for displaying advertisements:https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information:https://business.safety.google/adsservices/(Types of processing and data processed).
  • Google Tag Manager:We use Google Tag Manager, a software from Google that allows us to centrally manage so-called website tags via a user interface. Tags are small code elements on our website that are used to record and analyze visitor activity. This technology helps us improve our website and the content offered on it. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, does not store cookies with user profiles, and does not perform any independent analyses. Its function is limited to simplifying and making the integration and management of tools and services that we use on our website more efficient. Nevertheless, when Google Tag Manager is used, the user’s IP address is transmitted to Google; this is necessary for technical reasons in order to implement the services we use. Cookies may also be set in the process. However, this data processing only occurs if services are integrated via Tag Manager. For more detailed information about these services and their data processing, please refer to the further sections of this privacy policy; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement:
    https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms).
  • Jetpack (WordPress Stats):Jetpack offers analytics features for WordPress software; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy:https://automattic.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider).

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 potential user interests and the measurement of its effectiveness.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (the so-called „cookie“) or similar procedures are used to store the user information relevant to the presentation of the aforementioned content. 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, as well as information on usage times and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this may also be processed.

In addition, users‘ IP addresses are stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. Generally, no real user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of the online marketing process; instead, pseudonyms are used. This means that neither we nor the providers of the online marketing processes know the actual user identity, 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, analyzed for the purpose of displaying content, supplemented with additional data, and stored on the server of the online marketing process provider.

In exceptional cases, it is possible to assign clear data to profiles, primarily if, for example, the users are members of a social network whose online marketing methods we use and the network links the user profiles with the aforementioned information. Please note that users may enter into additional agreements with the providers, for example, by providing consent during registration.

We generally only receive access to aggregated information about the success of our advertisements. However, as part of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing processes led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to the conclusion of a contract with us. Conversion measurements are used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, we ask you to assume that cookies used will be stored for a period of two years.

Notes on legal basis:If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economical, and user-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.

Information on revocation and objection:

We refer to the privacy policies of the respective providers and the opt-out options provided for each provider. If no explicit opt-out option has been provided, you can disable cookies in your browser settings. However, this may limit the functionality of our online offering. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are summarized for each area:

a) Europe:https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.

b) Canada:https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.

c) USA:https://www.aboutads.info/choices.

d) Cross-regional: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, persons 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-/behavioral profiling, use of cookies); target group building; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures).
  • Storage and deletion:Deletion as described in the „General Information on Data Storage and Deletion“ section. Cookies are stored for up to two 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).
  • Legal basis:Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Google Ads and conversion measurement:Online marketing procedures for the purpose of placing content and advertisements within the service provider’s advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on web pages, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who are likely to be interested in the advertisements. In addition, we measure the conversion of the advertisements, i.e., whether users have used them as an opportunity to interact with the advertisements and use the advertised offers (so-called conversions). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed:https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country data transfers:https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag:Code that is loaded when a user visits our online offering and tracks the user’s behavior and conversions and saves them in a profile (possible purposes: measuring campaign performance, optimizing ad delivery, building user-defined and similar target groups); Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy:https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy, Cookie Policy:https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie_policy; Data processing agreement:https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa). Opt-out option:https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

Customer reviews and rating processes

We participate in review and rating processes to evaluate, optimize, and promote our services. If users rate us via the participating rating platforms or processes or otherwise provide feedback, the providers‘ general terms and conditions of use and privacy policies also apply. Typically, the rating also requires registration with the respective providers.

To ensure that the reviewers have actually used our services, we transmit, with the customer’s consent, the necessary data regarding the customer and the service used to the respective review platform (including name, email address, and order number or item number). This data is used solely to verify the user’s authenticity.

  • 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, persons involved).
  • Affected persons:Service recipients and clients. Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form). Marketing.
  • Legal basis:Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Rating widget:We integrate so-called „rating widgets“ into our online offering. A widget is a functional and content element integrated into our online offering that displays variable information. It can be displayed, for example, in the form of a seal or similar element, sometimes also called a „badge.“ Although the corresponding content of the widget is displayed within our online offering, it is retrieved at that moment from the servers of the respective widget provider. This is the only way to always display the most current content, especially the most recent rating. For this to happen, a data connection must be established from the website accessed within our online offering to the server of the widget provider, and the widget provider receives certain technical data (access data, including the IP address) necessary to deliver the widget content to the user’s browser. Furthermore, the widget provider receives information that users have visited our online offering. This information can be stored in a cookie and used by the widget provider to identify which online offerings participating in the rating process have been visited by the user. The information can be stored in a user profile and used for advertising or market research purposes; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (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 could pose risks for users, for example, because it could make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on user behavior and the resulting interests of users. These profiles may in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the users‘ interests. Therefore, cookies are generally stored on users‘ computers, in which the user behavior and interests are saved. Furthermore, user profiles can also store data independent of the devices used by users (particularly 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 objection (opt-out), we 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 like to point out that these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the latter have access to user data and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. Should you still need assistance, please 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 posts, as well as related information, such as 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 features).
  • 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 (Article 6 (1) (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 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy:https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Facebook pages:Profiles within the social network Facebook – We, together with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, are responsible 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 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 entered into a specific agreement with Facebook („Page Insights Information“,https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which specifically regulates the security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of those affected (i.e., users can, for example, submit information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Users‘ rights (in particular, the right 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 on Page Insights“ (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). Joint controllership 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 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy:https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum).
  • LinkedIn:Social network – We, together with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, are responsible for collecting (but not further processing) visitor data used to create „Page Insights“ (statistics) for our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, as well as the actions they take. We also collect details about the devices used, such as IP addresses, operating systems, browser types, 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 regarding LinkedIn’s processing of user data can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy:https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have entered into a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”,https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which specifically regulates the 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, address 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 controllership 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 (1) (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), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa). Opt-out option:https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • X:Social network; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://x.com. Privacy Policy:https://x.com/de/privacy.
  • YouTube:Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option:https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

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 may include, for example, graphics, videos, or city maps (hereinafter collectively referred to as „content“).

Integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the user’s IP address, 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 may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as „web beacons“) for statistical or marketing purposes. These „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 basis:If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economical, and user-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 procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved); location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person); Event Data (Facebook) („Event Data“ is information that is sent, for example, via meta pixels (whether via apps or other channels) to the provider Meta and relates to individuals or their actions. This data includes details about website visits, interactions with content and features, app installations, and product purchases. Event Data is processed with the aim of creating target groups for content and advertising messages (custom audiences). It is important to note that Event Data does not include actual content such as written comments, login information, or contact information such as names, email addresses, or phone numbers. „Event Data“ is deleted by Meta after a maximum of two years, and the resulting target groups disappear when our Meta user accounts are deleted.); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts, as well as related information, such as authorship or time of creation).
  • Affected persons:Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of recurring visitors); tracking (e.g., interest-/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles); feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form).
  • Storage and deletion:Deletion as described in the „General Information on Data Storage and Deletion“ section. Cookies are stored for up to two years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users‘ devices for a period of two years).
  • Legal basis:Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Integration of third-party software, scripts or frameworks (e.g. jQuery):We integrate software into our online offering that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use to display or user-friendliness our online offering). In doing so, the respective providers collect the IP address of the users and can process this for the purposes of transmitting the software to the user’s browser as well as for security purposes and to evaluate and optimize their offering. – We integrate software into our online offering that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use to display or user-friendliness our online offering). In doing so, the respective providers collect the IP address of the users and can process this for the purposes of transmitting the software to the user’s browser as well as for security purposes and to evaluate and optimize their offering; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Facebook plugins and content:Facebook social plugins and content – ​​This may include content such as images, videos, or text, and buttons that allow users to share content from this website within Facebook. The list and appearance of Facebook social plugins can be viewed here:https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/– We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt during transmission (but not the further processing) of „Event Data“ that Facebook collects or receives during transmission using the Facebook social plugins (and content embedding functions) running on our online offering for the following purposes: a) Displaying content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of users; b) Delivering commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) Improving ad delivery and personalizing features and content (e.g., improving the recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to users‘ interests). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Additional Data Controller“).https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which specifically regulates which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the data subject’s rights (i.e., users can, for example, submit information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with metrics, analyses, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing does not take place within the framework of joint controllership, but on the basis of a data processing agreement („Data Processing Terms“).https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the „Data Security Conditions“ (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses („Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum,https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). Users‘ rights (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy:https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Google Fonts (provision on own server):Provision of font files for the purpose of a user-friendly presentation of our online offering; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server; no data is transmitted to Google; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Google Fonts (sourced 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 consistent presentation, and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The font provider 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 providing the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data may be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA. When visiting our online offering, users‘ browsers send their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e., a software interface for retrieving fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with Google Fonts‘ Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) 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, which describes the browser and operating system versions of website visitors, and the referring URL (i.e., the web page where the Google font should be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor 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 tightly 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 generated for each browser type. The user agent is logged primarily for debugging purposes and 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 referring URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregated report on top integrations based on the number of font requests. Google states that it does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to build end-user profiles or to serve targeted ads. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis:Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information:https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
  • Font Awesome (deployment on your own server):Display of fonts and icons; Service provider: The Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server; no data is transmitted to the Font Awesome provider; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Google Maps:We integrate maps from the „Google Maps“ service provided by Google. The data processed may include, in particular, users‘ IP addresses and location data. Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland. Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Instagram plugins and content:Instagram Plugins and Content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or texts and buttons that allow users to share content from this online offering within Instagram. – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt during transmission (but not the further processing) of „Event Data“ that Facebook collects using Instagram functions (e.g., embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online offering or receives during transmission for the following purposes: a) Displaying content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of users; b) Delivering commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) Improving ad delivery and personalizing features and content (e.g., improving the recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Additional Data Controller“).https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which specifically regulates which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the data subject’s rights (i.e., users can, for example, submit information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with metrics, analyses, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing does not take place within the framework of joint controllership, but on the basis of a data processing agreement („Data Processing Terms“).https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the „Data Security Conditions“ (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses („Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum,https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). Users‘ rights (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.instagram.com. Privacy Policy:https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.
  • LinkedIn plugins and content:LinkedIn plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online service within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy:https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement:https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa). Opt-out option:https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • MyFonts:Fonts; data processed as part of font retrieval: the web font project identification number (anonymized), the URL of the licensed website, which is linked to a customer number to identify the licensee and the licensed web fonts, and the referrer URL; the anonymized web font project identification number is stored in encrypted log files with such data for 30 days to determine the monthly number of page views; after such extraction and storage of the number of page views, the log files are deleted; Service provider: Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc., 600 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.myfonts.co. Privacy Policy:https://www.myfonts.com/info/legal/#Privacy.
  • OpenStreetMap:We integrate maps from the „OpenStreetMap“ service, which are offered by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) on the basis of the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL). OpenStreetMap uses user data exclusively for the purpose of displaying map functions and temporarily storing selected settings. This data may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of users, which, however, are not collected without their consent (usually carried out as part of the settings of their end devices or browsers). Service provider: OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF); Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.openstreetmap.de. Privacy Policy:https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy.
  • Pinterest plugins and content:Pinterest plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Pinterest; Service provider: Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.pinterest.com. Privacy Policy:https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.
  • Shariff:We use the privacy-safe „Shariff“ buttons. „Shariff“ was developed to enable more privacy online and replace the usual „Share“ buttons on social networks. Instead of the user’s browser, the server hosting this online service establishes a connection with the server of the respective social media platform and queries, for example, the number of likes. The user remains anonymous. More information about the Shariff project can be found from the developers of c’t magazine:https://www.heise.de/hintergrund/Ein-Shariff-fuer-mehr-Datenschutz-2467514.html; Service provider: Heise Medien GmbH & Co. KG, Karl-Wiechert-Allee 10, 30625 Hanover, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.heise.de/ct/artikel/Shariff-Social-Media-Buttons-mit-Datenschutz-2467514.html. Privacy Policy:https://www.heise.de/Datenschutzerklaerung-der-Heise-Medien-GmbH-Co-KG-4860.html.
  • X-Plugins and Content:Plugins and buttons of the „X“ platform – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within X; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://x.com/de; Privacy Policy:https://x.com/de/privacy, (Settings:https://x.com/personalization); Data processing agreement:https://privacy.x.com/en/for-our-partners/global-dpa. Basis for third country transfers: Standard contractual clauses (https://privacy.x.com/en/for-our-partners/global-dpa), standard contractual clauses (https://privacy.x.com/en/for-our-partners/global-dpa).
  • YouTube videos:Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in:https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for displaying advertisements:https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
  • YouTube videos:Our online offering contains embedded videos stored on YouTube. These YouTube videos are integrated via a special domain using the „youtube-nocookie“ component in the so-called „extended data protection mode.“ In „extended data protection mode,“ until the video starts, only information such as your IP address, browser information, and device details can be stored on your device in cookies or similar processes. This information is required by YouTube for the delivery, control, and optimization of video displays. Once you play the videos, additional information can be processed by YouTube to analyze user behavior, store the information in your user profile, and personalize content and ads. Cookies can be stored for up to two years. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website:https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information:https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780?hl=de-DE#zippy=%2Cturn-on-privacy-enhanced-mode%2Cactivate-enhanced-privacy-mode.
  • Xing plugins and buttons:Xing plugins and buttons – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Xing; Service provider: New Work SE, Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.xing.com. Privacy Policy:https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.
  • Vimeo video player:Integration of a video player; Service provider: Vimeo Inc., Attention: Legal Department, 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://vimeo.com; Privacy Policy:https://vimeo.com/privacy; Data processing agreement:https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa. Basis for third country transfers: Standard contractual clauses (https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa), standard contractual clauses (https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa).

Management, organization and support tools

We use services, platforms, and software from other providers (hereinafter referred to as „third-party providers“) for the purposes of organizing, managing, planning, and providing our services. We comply with legal requirements when selecting third-party providers and their services.

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of third-party providers. This may affect various data that we process in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include, in particular, user master data and contact details, data on transactions, contracts, other processes, and their content.

If users are referred to third-party providers or their software or platforms as part of their communication, business, or other relationships with us, these third-party providers may process usage data and metadata for security purposes, service optimization, or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to observe the privacy policies of the respective third-party providers.

  • Types of data processed: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, persons involved); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history). Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Affected persons:Communication partners; users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services). Interested parties.
  • Purposes of processing:Communication; provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; office and organizational procedures; marketing. Provision of our online offering 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 (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Basecamp:Project management, team communication, task allocation, scheduling, document and file storage, progress tracking; Service provider: 37signals LLC, 2045 W Grand Ave Ste B, PMB 53289, Chicago, IL 60612 USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://basecamp.com; Privacy Policy:https://37signals.com/policies/privacy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Doodle:Online appointment scheduling and appointment management; Service provider: Doodle AG, Werdstrasse 21, P.O. Box, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://doodle.com/de/. Privacy Policy:https://doodle.com/de/privacy-policy/.
  • GoFundMe:Internet and crowdfunding platform that can be used to collect donations and support campaigns, activities, or other charitable activities. Cookies are used to enable access and payment procedures, and the IP address, date, time, and other technical data about the Internet browser used, the operating system, as well as user inventory, contract, and payment data are processed. Service provider: GoFundMe, Inc., 855 Jefferson Avenue, PO Box 1329, Redwood City, CA 94063 USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://www.gofundme.com/. Privacy Policy:https://www.gofundme.com/de-de/c/privacy-2.
  • WeTransfer:Transfer of files over the Internet; Service provider: WeTransfer BV, Oostelijke Handelskade 751, Amsterdam, 1019 BW, Netherlands; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website:https://wetransfer.com. Privacy Policy:https://wetransfer.com/legal/privacy.

Change and update

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to 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 privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and ask you to check the information before contacting us.

Definitions of terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. To the extent that the terms are defined by law, the legal definitions apply. The following explanations, however, are intended primarily to facilitate understanding.

  • Inventory data:Inventory data includes essential information necessary for the identification and management of contractual partners, user accounts, profiles, and similar assignments. This data may include, among other things, personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, phone numbers, email addresses), dates of birth, and unique identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between individuals and services, institutions, or systems by enabling unambiguous assignment and communication.
  • Firewall:A firewall is a security system that protects a computer network or an individual computer from unwanted network access.
  • Content data:Content data encompasses information generated during the creation, editing, and publication of all types of content. This category of data can include text, images, videos, audio files, and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content itself; it also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information, and publication dates.
  • Contact details:Contact data is essential information that enables communication with individuals or organizations. It includes, among other things, telephone numbers, postal addresses, and email addresses, as well as communication tools such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
  • Conversion measurement:Conversion measurement (also known as „visit action analysis“) is a method used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. This typically involves storing a cookie on users‘ devices within the websites where the marketing measures are carried out and then retrieving it on the target website. For example, this allows us to understand whether the ads we place on other websites were successful.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data:Metadata, communication data, and procedural data are categories that contain information about how data is processed, transmitted, and managed. Metadata, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin, and structure of other data. It can include details about file size, creation date, document author, and change histories. Communication data captures the exchange of information between users across different channels, such as email traffic, call logs, social media messages, and chat histories, including the people involved, timestamps, and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review events.
  • Usage data:Usage data refers to information that captures how users interact with digital products, services, or platforms. This data encompasses a broad range of information, including how users use applications, which features they prefer, how long they stay on certain pages, and the paths they take through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information, and location data. It is particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. Furthermore, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences, and potential problem areas within digital offerings.
  • Personal data:„Personal data“ means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter „data subject“); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. a cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiles with user-related information:The processing of „profiles with user-related information,“ or „profiles“ for short, encompasses any type of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include different information relating to demographics, behavior, and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Log data:Log data is information about events or activities logged on a system or network. This data typically includes information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages, and other details about a system’s usage or operation. Log data is often used to analyze system problems, conduct security monitoring, or compile performance reports.
  • Reach measurement:Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate visitor traffic to an online offering and can include visitor behavior or interest in specific information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offerings can, for example, identify when users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This allows them to, for example, better adapt website content to the needs of their visitors. For reach analysis purposes, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Location data:Location data is generated when a mobile device (or other device with the technical capabilities for location determination) connects to a radio cell, a Wi-Fi network, or similar technical means and functions for location determination. Location data is used to indicate the geographically identifiable position of the respective device on Earth. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
  • Tracking:„Tracking“ occurs when user behavior can be tracked across multiple online offerings. Typically, behavioral and interest information related to the online offerings used is stored in cookies or on the servers of the tracking technology providers (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to correspond to their interests.
  • Responsible:The „controller“ is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Processing:„Processing“ is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses virtually any handling of data, whether it involves collecting, analyzing, storing, transmitting, or deleting.
  • Contract details:Contract data is specific information relating to the formalization of an agreement between two or more parties. It documents the terms and conditions under which services or products are provided, exchanged, or sold. This data category is essential for managing and fulfilling contractual obligations and includes both the identification of the contracting parties and the specific terms and conditions of the agreement. Contract data can include contract start and end dates, the type of agreed services or products, pricing agreements, payment terms, termination rights, renewal options, and special conditions or clauses. It serves as the legal basis for the relationship between the parties and is crucial for clarifying rights and obligations, enforcing claims, and resolving disputes.
  • Payment details:Payment data includes all information required to process payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This data is critical for e-commerce, online banking, and any other form of financial transaction. It includes details such as credit card numbers, bank details, payment amounts, transaction data, verification numbers, and billing information. Payment data may also include information about payment status, chargebacks, authorizations, and fees.
  • Target group formation:Custom audiences are defined when target groups are defined for advertising purposes, e.g., for displaying advertisements. For example, based on a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the internet, it can be concluded that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online shop in which they viewed the products. „Lookalike audiences“ (or similar target groups) are defined when content deemed suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are typically used to create custom audiences and lookalike audiences.

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