Data protection declaration

With the following data protection declaration, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as „data“) that we process, for what purposes and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of the provision of our services and, in particular, on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as „online offer“).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: 13. May 2025
Disclaimer: This text was translated from German to English with the assistance of an AI and may contain translation inaccuracies.

Controller

Bernadette Siebers
bewithbalance
Holsterhauser Stra&szlig 127
45147 Essen, Germany

E-mail address: connect@bewithbalance.com

Phone: +49 171 1990846

Imprint: https://bewithbalance.com/legal-notice/

&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 data.
  • Location data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data.
  • Image and/or video recordings.
  • Sound recordings.
  • Event data (Facebook).
  • Log data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Service recipients and clients.
  • Employees.
  • Interested parties.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Business and contractual partners.
  • Participants.
  • Designated persons.
  • Third parties.

Purposes of processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Business and organizational procedures.
  • Remarketing.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Click tracking.
  • Target group formation.
  • Affiliate tracking.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Surveys and questionnaires.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Cross-device tracking.
  • Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Financial and payment management.
  • Public relations.
  • Sales promotion.
  • Business processes and business management procedures.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI).

Mandatory legal bases

Mandatory legal bases under the GDPR: The following is an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or domicile. Should more specific legal bases also apply in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.
  • Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and data transfer as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.</p

Note on the applicability of the GDPR and Swiss FADP: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss FADP and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to their broader application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms „processing“ of „personal data“, „overriding interest“ and „particularly sensitive personal data“ used in the Swiss DPA, 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 in accordance with the Swiss DPA within the scope of application of the Swiss DPA.</p

Security measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons;The controller shall implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, taking into account the state of the art, taking into account the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as the access, input, disclosure, safeguarding of availability and its separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data breaches. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or 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 using 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), protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions comply with 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.

&transmission of personal data

When we process personal data, it may be transmitted to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we observe the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

Data transfer within the group of companies: Data transfer within the group of companies: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of companies or grant them access to it. This data transfer is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests. This includes, for example, the improvement of business processes, ensuring efficient and effective internal communication, the optimal use of our human and technological resources and the ability to make informed business decisions. In certain cases, the transfer of data may also be necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations, or it may be based on the consent of the data subjects or legal permission.

<p

International data transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we transfer data to a third country (i.e. outside of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) If we transfer data to a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this is done in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies (which can be recognized by the postal address of the respective provider or if the data protection declaration expressly refers to the transfer of data to third countries), this is always done in accordance with the legal requirements.

For data transfers to the USA, we rely primarily on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a secure legal framework by an adequacy decision of the EU Commission of 10.07.2023. In addition, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with the respective providers that comply with the requirements of the EU Commission and define contractual obligations to protect your data.</p

This dual protection ensures comprehensive protection of your data: The DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as additional security. Should there be any changes to the DPF, the standard contractual clauses act as a reliable fall-back option. In this way, we ensure that your data always remains adequately protected, even in the event of any political or legal changes.

We will inform you at the individual service providers whether they are certified in accordance with the DPF and whether standard contractual clauses are in place. Further information on the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.

For data transfers to other third countries, appropriate security measures apply, in particular standard contractual clauses, express consent or legally required transfers. Information on third country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

General information on data storage and deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or there is no further legal basis for the processing. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require the data to be stored or archived for a longer period of time.

In particular, data that must be stored for reasons of commercial or tax law or whose storage is necessary for legal prosecution or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our data protection information contains additional information on the storage and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing operations.

If there is more than one information on the retention period or deletion periods of a date, the longest period is always decisive.

If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and lasts for at least one year, it shall automatically start at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in the context of which data is stored, the event triggering the time limit is the time at which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect.

Data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose, but due to legal requirements or other reasons, will only be processed for the reasons that justify its storage.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Retention and deletion of data: The following general time limits apply to retention and archiving under German law:
    • 10 years – retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (§ 147 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. para. 3 AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 i.V.m. para. 4 HGB).
    • 8 years – accounting documents, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. para. 3 sentence 1 AO and § 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para.
    • 6 years – Other business documents: commercial or business letters received, reproductions of commercial or business letters sent, other documents, insofar as they are of significance for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating documents, etc. e.g. hourly wage slips, company accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, but also payroll accounting documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register strips (§ 147 para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 25 AO). Para. 3 AO, § 257 Para. 1 No. 2 and 3 in conjunction with Para. para. 4 HGB).
    • 3 years – Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related requests based on previous business transactions;

Rights of data subjects

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

  • Right to object: You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
  • Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with the statutory provisions.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to demand that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, in accordance with the legal requirements, to demand the restriction of processing. alternatively, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request that the processing of the data be restricted.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to request its transmission to another controller, in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Complaint to the supervisory authority: In accordance with the statutory provisions and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State in which you are habitually resident;the supervisory authority of your place of work or of the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Business processes and procedures

Personal data of service recipients and clients – including customers, clients or, in special cases, clients, patients or business partners as well as other third parties – are processed within the scope of contractual and comparable legal relationships and pre-contractual measures such as the initiation of business relationships. This data processing supports and facilitates business processes in areas such as customer management, sales, payment transactions, accounting and project management.

The data collected is used to fulfill contractual obligations and efficiently design operational processes. This includes the processing of business transactions, the management of customer relationships, the optimization of sales strategies and the assurance of internal accounting and financial processes. In addition, the data supports the protection of the rights of the controller and facilitates administrative tasks and the organization of the company.

Personal data may be passed on to third parties if this is necessary to fulfill the stated purposes or legal obligations. The data will be deleted after expiry of statutory retention periods or if the purpose of the processing no longer applies. This also includes data that must be stored for longer due to tax and legal obligations to provide evidence.</p

  • 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); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time). e.g. information on authorship or time of creation); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times); 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 data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Service recipients and clients; interested parties; communication partners; business and contractual partners; third parties; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Employees (e.g. employees, applicants, temporary staff and other staff).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and performance of contractual obligations; Office and organizational procedures; Business processes and business administration procedures; Communication; Marketing; Sales promotion; Public relations; Financial and payment management. Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical equipment (computers, servers, etc.)).
  • Storage and erasure: erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Contact management and contact maintenance: Procedures that are necessary for the organization, maintenance and backup of contact information (e.g. the establishment and maintenance of a central contact database, regular updates of contact information, monitoring of data integrity, implementation of data protection measures, ensuring access controls, performing backups and restores, etc.);backups and restores of contact data, training of employees in the effective use of contact management software, regular review of communication history and adaptation of contact strategies); Legal bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • General payment transactions: Procedures required for the execution of payment transactions, the monitoring of bank accounts and the control of payment flows (e.g. creation and verification of payment data). e.g. creation and checking of bank transfers, processing of direct debits, checking of account statements, monitoring of incoming and outgoing payments, direct debit management, account reconciliation, cash management); legal basis: performance of contracts and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable: Procedures required for the recording, processing and control of business transactions in the area of accounts payable and accounts receivable (e.g. Preparation and checking of incoming and outgoing invoices, monitoring and management of open items, execution of payment transactions, processing of dunning procedures, account reconciliation in the context of receivables and payables, accounts payable and accounts receivable); legal basis: performance of contracts and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Financial accounting and taxes: Procedures necessary for the recording, administration and control of financially relevant business transactions as well as for the calculation, reporting and payment of taxes (e.g. account assignment and posting of business transactions). Account assignment and posting of business transactions, preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements, execution of payment transactions, processing of dunning procedures, account reconciliation, tax advice, preparation and submission of tax returns, processing of tax matters); legal basis: performance of contracts and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Marketing, advertising and sales promotion: Processes that are necessary in the context of marketing, advertising and sales promotion (e.g. market analysis and target group determination, development of marketing, advertising and sales promotion). Market analysis and target group identification, development of marketing strategies, planning and implementation of advertising campaigns, design and production of advertising materials, online marketing including SEO and social media campaigns, event marketing and trade fair participation, customer loyalty programs, sales promotion measures, performance measurement and optimization of marketing activities, budget management and cost control); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • &public relations work: Procedures that are necessary in the context of public relations work and public relations (e.g. Development and implementation of communication strategies, planning and implementation of PR campaigns, preparation and distribution of press releases, maintenance of media contacts, monitoring and analysis of media response, organization of press conferences and public events, crisis communication, creation of content for social media and company websites, support of corporate branding); Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)

.

Use of online platforms for offer and sales purposes

We offer our services on online platforms operated by other service providers. In this context, the data protection notices of the respective platforms apply in addition to our data protection notices. This applies in particular with regard to the execution of the payment process and the procedures used on the platforms to measure reach and for interest-based marketing.

<p

  • 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) postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, 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 process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons affected: Service recipients and clients; business and contractual partners. Interested parties.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; marketing; business processes and business management procedures; conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Digistore24: Automation of sales and billing processes, provision of affiliate marketing tools, management of customer relationships, processing of payments; Service provider: Digistore24 GmbH, St.-Godehard-Straße 32, 31139 Hildesheim, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.digistore24.com/. Privacy Policy: https://www.digistore24.com/de/home/extern/cms/page/frontend/legal/privacy.
  • ablefy: Provision and sale of digital products and online services, checkout system, payment processing services and analysis functions; Service provider: Elopage GmbH, Potsdamer Straße 125, 10783 Berlin, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://ablefy.io/. Data protection declaration: https://myablefy.com/privacy?locale=de.

Providers and services used as part of our business activities

We use additional services, platforms, interfaces or plug-ins from third-party providers („services“ for short) as part of our business activities in compliance with legal requirements. Their use is based on our interests in the proper, lawful and economic management of our business operations and our internal organization.

  • 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); Data subject data (e.g. name, address, telephone number, email address). contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Persons concerned: Service recipients and clients; interested parties. Business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; Office and organizational procedures. Business processes and business management procedures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Payment methods

In the context of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer data subjects efficient and secure payment methods and use other service providers in addition to banks and credit institutions (collectively „payment service providers“) for this purpose.

The data processed by the payment service providers includes inventory data, such as the name and address, bank data, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums, as well as contract, total and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed by the payment service providers and stored by them. This means that we do not receive any account or credit card-related information, but only information with confirmation or negative information about the payment. Under certain circumstances, the data may be transmitted by the payment service providers to credit agencies. The purpose of this transmission is to check identity and creditworthiness. Please refer to the payment service provider’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.</p

For payment transactions, the terms and conditions and the data protection notices of the respective payment service providers apply, which can be accessed on the respective websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and the assertion of rights of revocation, information and other rights of data subjects.</p

  • 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); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); usage data (e.g. page views and visits to the website); data subject of the contract (e.g. name, address, contact information). 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 data, identification numbers, persons involved). Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers).
  • Affected persons: Service recipients and clients; business and contractual partners. Interested parties.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations. Business processes and business management procedures.
  • Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal bases: Performance of contracts and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Apple Pay: Payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: Apple Inc, Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal basis: Fulfilment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com/de/apple-pay/. Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
  • PayPal: Payment services (technical connection of online payment methods) (e.g. PayPal, PayPal Plus, Braintree); Service provider: PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg; Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR); Website: https://www.paypal.com/de. Privacy Policy: https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full.
  • Stripe: Payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: Stripe, Inc, 510 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://stripe.com; Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/de/privacy. Basic third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Provision of online services and web hosting

We process user data in order to provide 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 end device.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and duration of visit, 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 data, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Provision of online services on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called „web host“); Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called „server log files“. The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further retention is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally resolved.
  • STRATO: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacity). storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: STRATO AG, Pascalstraße 10,10587 Berlin, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.strato.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/. Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider.

Use of cookies

The term „cookies“ refers to functions that store information on users‘ end devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, for example to improve the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to analyze visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. If necessary, we obtain the user’s consent in advance. If consent is not required, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential in order to be able to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, 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 and which cookies are used.

To manage the cookies and similar technologies used (e.g. tracking pixels, web beacons) and the related consents, we use the consent tool “Real Cookie Banner.” You can find details on how “Real Cookie Banner” works at https://devowl.io/de/rcb/datenverarbeitung/.

The legal bases for processing personal data in this context are Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR and Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest lies in the management of the cookies and similar technologies used and the related consents.

The provision of personal data is neither legally nor contractually required, nor is it necessary to enter into a contract. You are not obliged to provide your personal data. However, if you do not provide the data, we will not be able to manage your consents.

Notes on legal bases under data protection law: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent has been given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and processes.

Storage period: A distinction is made between the following types of cookies with regard to the storage period:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online service and closes their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device has been closed. For example, the log-in status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage duration 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 declare an objection to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements, also by means of the privacy settings of their browser.

  • Types of data processed: Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a consent management solution in which the consent of users to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers mentioned in the consent management solution is obtained. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users‘ end devices. As part of this procedure, user consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option to manage and withdraw their consent. The declarations of consent are stored in order to avoid a new request and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with the legal requirements. The storage takes place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information on the providers of consent management services is available, 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 on the browser, system and end device used; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 and their processing; Service provider: Execution on servers and/or computers under their own responsibility under data protection law; Website: https://complianz.io/; Privacy Policy: https://complianz.io/legal/. Further information: An individual user ID, language and types of consent and the time they were given are stored on the server and in the cookie on the user’s device.

Blogs and publication media

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

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions); Data subject data (e.g. e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc.). content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online services and user-friendliness; security measures. Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Comments and contributions: If users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and posts (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves may be prosecuted for the comment or post and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.

    We also reserve the right to process user data for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests.

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

    The personal information provided in the comments and contributions, any contact and website information as well as the content information will be permanently stored by us until the user objects; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

  • Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies: Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies – Within our WordPress blog, graphic emojis (or smilies) are used for the purpose of efficient integration of content elements, i.e., small graphic files that express emotions, are used, obtained from external servers. The providers of the servers collect the IP addresses of the users. 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 (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy; 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 – We use the „Akismet“ service on the basis of our legitimate interests. With the help of Akismet, comments from real people are distinguished from spam comments. For this purpose, all comments are sent to a server in the USA, where they are analyzed and stored for four days for comparison purposes. If a comment has been classified as spam, the data is stored beyond this period. This information includes the name entered, the email address, the IP address, the comment content, the referrer, details of the browser used and the computer system and the time of the entry.

    Users are welcome to use pseudonyms or not enter their name or email address. You 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 just 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/; 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).

  • Profile pictures from Gravatar: Profile pictures – We use the Gravatar service within our online offer and especially in the blog.

    Gravatar is a service where users can register and store profile pictures and their e-mail addresses. If users leave posts or comments on other online presences (especially blogs) with the respective e-mail address, their profile pictures can be displayed next to the posts or comments. For this purpose, the e-mail address provided by the users is transmitted to Gravatar in encrypted form for the purpose of checking whether a profile is stored for them. This is the sole purpose of the transmission of the e-mail address. It is not used for other purposes, but is deleted afterwards.

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

    By displaying the images, Gravatar learns the IP address of the users, as this is necessary for communication between a browser and an online service.

    If users do not want a user image linked to their email address at Gravatar to appear in the comments, they should use an email address that is not stored at Gravatar to comment. We would also like to point out that it is also possible to use an anonymous e-mail address or no e-mail address at all if users do not want their own e-mail address to be sent to Gravatar. Users can completely prevent the transmission of data by not using our commenting system; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd, Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy; Processing Agreement: Provided by the service provider. Basic 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).

  • UpdraftPlus: Backup software and backup storage; Service provider: Simba Hosting Ltd, 11, Barringer Way, St. Neots, Cambs, PE19 1LW, UK; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://updraftplus.com/. Data protection declaration: https://updraftplus.com/data-protection-and-privacy-centre/.

Contact and request management

When contacting us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and in the context of existing user and business relationships, the data of the inquiring persons are processed insofar as this is necessary to answer the contact requests and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions); Data subject data (e.g. email addresses, telephone numbers, etc.). content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR). Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When you contact us via our contact form, by email or other communication channels, we process the personal data provided to us to answer and process the respective request. This generally includes details such as name, contact information and any other information that is provided to us and is required for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of establishing contact and communication; legal basis: performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • WPForms: Creation of online forms, collection of user input, transfer of data to the server, storage and management of submitted information; Service provider: Execution on servers and/or computers under own responsibility under data protection law; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://wpforms.com/. Further information: https://wpforms.com/introducing-new-gdpr-enhancements-for-your-wordpress-forms/.

Communication via Messenger

We use Messenger for communication purposes and therefore ask you to observe the following information on the functionality of Messenger, encryption, the use of communication metadata and your options to object.

<p

You can also contact us by alternative means, e.g. by telephone or email. Please use the contact options provided to you or the contact options provided within our online offering.

<p

In the case of end-to-end encryption of content (i.e. the content of your message and attachments), we would like to point out that the communication content (i.e. the content of the message and attached images) is encrypted from end to end. This means that the content of the messages cannot be viewed, not even by the messenger providers themselves. You should always use an up-to-date version of the messenger with encryption enabled to ensure that the message content is encrypted.

We would also like to point out to our communication partners that although the messenger providers cannot view the content, they can find out that and when communication partners communicate with us and that technical information about the device used by the communication partners and, depending on their device settings, location information (so-called metadata) is processed.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via Messenger, the legal basis for our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not ask for consent and you contact us, for example, on your own initiative, we use Messenger in our relationship with our contractual partners and in the context of contract initiation as a contractual measure and, in the case of other interested parties and communication partners, on the basis of our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and meeting the needs of our communication partners in communication via Messenger. We would also like to point out that we will not send the contact data provided to us to the messengers for the first time without your consent.

Revocation, objection and deletion: You can revoke your consent at any time and object to communication with us via Messenger at any time. In the case of communication via Messenger, we delete the messages in accordance with our general deletion guidelines (i.e. e.g, as described above, after the end of contractual relationships, in the context of archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any information provided by the communication partners, if no reference to a previous conversation is to be expected and the deletion does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations.

Reservation of reference to other communication channels: To ensure your security, we ask for your understanding that we may not be able to answer inquiries via Messenger for certain reasons. This applies to situations in which, for example, contract details need to be treated with particular confidentiality or a reply via Messenger does not meet the formal requirements. In these cases, we recommend that you use more suitable communication channels.

<p

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: communication. Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); performance of the contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Apple iMessage: Send and receive text messages, voice messages and video calls. Have group conversations. Share files, photos, videos and locations. Secure communication with end-to-end encryption. Synchronization of messages across multiple devices; Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com/de/. Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
  • Instagram: Messaging via the social network Instagram; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com. Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.
  • Slack: Team communication and collaboration, real-time messaging, file and document sharing, integration with third-party tools, video and voice calls, channels for topic-specific discussions, search function for messages and files; Service provider: Slack Technologies, Inc, 500 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://slack.com/intl/en-en/; Data protection declaration: https://slack.com/intl/de-de/legal; Order processing contract: https://slack.com/intl/en/terms-of-service/data-processing; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://slack.com/intl/de-de/terms-of-service/data-processing), Data Privacy Framework (DPF)Standard Contractual Clauses (https://slack.com/intl/de-de/terms-of-service/data-processing). Further information: Security measures: https://slack.com/intl/de-de/security-practices.
  • Telegram: Sending and receiving messages, voice calls and video calls; creating groups and channels; sharing files and media; using bots for automation; end-to-end encryption for secret chats; synchronization across multiple devices; Service provider: Representative in the European Union: European Data Protection Office (EDPO), Avenue Huart Hamoir 71, 1030 Brussels, Belgium; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://telegram.org/. Privacy Policy: https://telegram.org/privacy/de.
  • Threema: Encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, file and media sharing, surveys and polls, group chat functionality, contact verification via QR codes, no phone number or email address requirement; Service provider: Threema GmbH, Churerstrasse 82, 8808 Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://threema.ch/en. Privacy Policy: https://threema.ch/de/privacy.
  • WhatsApp: Text messages, voice and video calls, sending images, videos and documents, group chat function, end-to-end encryption for enhanced security; Service provider: WhatsApp Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/; Privacy Policy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Artificial intelligence (AI)

We use artificial intelligence (AI), whereby personal data is processed. The specific purposes and our interest in using AI are set out below. By AI, we understand the term „AI system“ in accordance with Article 3 no. 1 of the AI Regulation, „AI system“ means a machine-learning system that is designed to operate autonomously to varying degrees, can be adaptable after implementation and produces results such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions from the input received that can influence physical or virtual environments.

Our AI systems are used in strict compliance with legal requirements. These include both specific regulations for artificial intelligence and data protection requirements. In particular, we adhere to the principles of legality, transparency, fairness, human control, purpose limitation, data minimization, integrity and confidentiality. We ensure that the processing of personal data always takes place on a legal basis. This can be either the consent of the data subjects or legal permission.</p

When using external AI systems, we carefully select their providers (hereinafter „AI providers“). In accordance with our legal obligations, we ensure that the AI providers comply with the applicable provisions. We also observe the obligations incumbent on us when using or operating the AI services obtained. The processing of personal data by us and the AI providers takes place exclusively on the basis of consent or legal authorization. We attach particular importance to transparency, fairness and the preservation of human control over AI-supported decision-making processes.

We implement appropriate and robust technical and organizational measures to protect the processed data. These ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the processed data and minimize potential risks. We ensure ongoing compliance with current legal and ethical standards through regular audits of AI providers and their services.

<p

  • Types of data processed: Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Third parties.
  • Purposes of processing: Artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • ChatGPT: AI-based service designed to understand and generate natural language and related input and data, analyze information and make predictions („AI“, i.e. „artificial intelligence“). i.e. „artificial intelligence“, is to be understood in the respective applicable legal sense of the term); Service provider: OpenAI Ireland Ltd, 117-126 Sheriff Street Upper, D01 YC43 Dublin 1, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://openai.com/product; Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/de/policies/eu-privacy-policy. Opt-out option: https://privacy.openai.com/policies?modal=select-subject.
  • DeepL: Ütranslation of texts into different languages and provision of synonyms and context examples. Support for the correction and improvement of texts in different languages; Service provider: DeepL SE, Maarweg 165, 50825 Köln, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.deepl.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.deepl.com/de/privacy. Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider.

Video conferences, online meetings, webinars and screen sharing

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as „conference platforms“) for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as „conference“). When selecting the conference platforms and their services, we observe the legal requirements.

Data processed by conference platforms: In the context of participation in a conference, the conference platforms process the personal data of the participants listed below. The scope of the processing depends on which data is required in the context of a specific conference (e.g. specification of access data or clear names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of holding the conference, the conference platforms may also process participants‘ data for security purposes or service optimization. The processed data includes personal data (first name, surname), contact information (e-mail address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the Internet access, information on the participants‘ end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and language settings, information on the content of the communication processes, i.e. entries in chats as well as the language settings. i.e. entries in chats and audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If the participants are registered as users with the conference platforms, further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective conference provider.

Logging and recordings: If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) and video or audio recordings are logged, this will be communicated transparently to the participants in advance and they will be asked for their consent where necessary.

Participants‘ data protection measures: Please note the details of the processing of your data by the conference platforms in their data protection notices and select the optimal security and data protection settings for you within the framework of the conference platform settings. Please also ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a video conference (e.g. by notifying roommates, locking doors and using the background masking function where technically possible). Links to the conference rooms and access data may not be passed on to unauthorized third parties.

Notes on legal bases: If, in addition to the conference platforms, we also process users‘ data and ask users for their consent to the use of the conference platforms or certain functions (e.g. consent to the recording of conferences), the legal basis for the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of processing of discussion results, etc.). Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or the time of posting). B. information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); image and/or video recordings (e.g. photographs or video recordings of a person); sound recordings. Log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Persons concerned: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Data subjects:
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; Communication. Office and organizational procedures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

.

Cloud services

We use software services (so-called „cloud services“, also referred to as „software as a service“) that are accessible via the Internet and run on the servers of their providers for the storage and management of content (e.g. document storage and management). e.g. document storage and management, exchange of documents, content and information with certain recipients or publication of content and information).

<p

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of the providers, insofar as these are part of communication processes with us or are otherwise processed by us as set out in this privacy policy. This data may include, in particular, master data and contact data of users, data on transactions, contracts, other processes and their content. Cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata that they use for security purposes and to optimize their services.</p

If we use the cloud services to provide other users or publicly accessible websites with forms or other documents and content, the providers may store cookies on the users‘ devices for web analysis purposes or to remember user settings (e.g. in the case of media control).

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Persons concerned: Interested parties; communication partners. Business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Office and organizational procedures. Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)).
  • Storage and erasure: erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Newsletters and electronic notifications

We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter „newsletter“) exclusively with the consent of the recipients or on the basis of a legal basis. If the contents of the newsletter are mentioned in the context of a registration, these contents are decisive for the user’s consent. To subscribe to our newsletter, it is normally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, in order to be able 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 to provide further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove a previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual request for erasure is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the event of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a blocklist for this purpose alone.

<p

The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of verifying that it is carried out properly. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.

<p
Content:

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Persons concerned: Communication partners; service recipients and clients; interested parties. Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post); Marketing. Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Option to object (opt-out): 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 you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Measurement of opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called „web beacon“, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or its server, if we use a mailing service provider, when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as details of the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval are collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or the access times. This analysis also includes determining whether and when the newsletters are opened and which links are clicked on. The information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until deletion. The evaluations are used to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. The measurement of the opening and click rates and the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles and their further processing are carried out on the basis of the user’s consent. Unfortunately, it is not possible to revoke the performance measurement separately; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • Prerequisite for the use of free services: Consent to the sending of mailings can be made a prerequisite for the use of free services (e.g. access to certain content or participation in certain campaigns). If users wish to take advantage of the free service without subscribing to the newsletter, please contact us.
  • Mailchimp: Email marketing, automation of marketing processes, collection. Storage and management of contact data, measurement of campaign performance, recording and analysis of recipients‘ 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://mailchimp.com; Privacy Policy: https://mailchimp.com/legal/; 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/.
  • Zapier: Automation of processes, consolidation of various services, import and export of personal and contact data as well as analyses of these processes; Service provider: Zapier, Inc, 548 Market St #62411, San Francisco, California 94104, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://zapier.com; Data protection declaration: https://zapier.com/privacy; Order processing contract: https://zapier.com/legal/data-processing-addendum. Basic third country transfers: standard contractual clauses (https://zapier.com/legal/standard-contractual-clauses), standard contractual clauses (https://zapier.com/legal/standard-contractual-clauses).

.

Surveys and interviews

We conduct surveys and interviews in order to collect information for the communicated purpose of the survey or interview. The surveys and questionnaires (hereinafter „surveys“) we conduct are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed insofar as this is necessary for the provision and technical implementation of the surveys (e.g. processing of the IP address in order to display the survey in the user’s browser or to enable the survey to be resumed with the help of a cookie).

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Persons concerned: Participants.
  • Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Surveys and questionnaires (e.g. surveys with input options, multiple choice questions).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analysis (also referred to as „reach measurement“) is used to evaluate the visitor flows of our online offer and may include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, recognize at what time our online offer or its functions or content are most frequently used, or invite visitors to reuse them. We are also able to understand which areas require optimization.

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

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or end device and then read out. The information 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 from us or from the providers of the services we use, the processing of location data is also possible.

In addition, the IP addresses of users are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored for web analysis, A/B testing and optimization purposes, but pseudonyms. This means that we and the providers of the software used do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective processes.</p

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 on the basis of 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 process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Remarketing; target group formation; reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users‘ devices for a period of two years.
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering on the basis of 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 an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, which they have accessed again or which they have interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of the users who refer to our online offer and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers.
    Pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, whereby cookies can be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: City (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), Continent, Country, Region, Subcontinent (and ID-based items). For EU traffic, IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before it is immediately deleted. They are not logged, are not accessible and are not used for other purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing contract: 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 plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and data processed).
  • Google as the recipient of consent: The consent given by users in the context of a consent dialog (also known as „cookie opt-in/consent“, ‚cookie banner‘, etc.) serves several purposes. On the one hand, it serves to fulfill our obligation to obtain consent to the storage and reading of information on and from the user’s end device (in accordance with the ePrivacy Guidelines). On the other hand, it covers the processing of users‘ personal data in accordance with data protection regulations. In addition, this consent also applies to Google, as the company is obliged under the Digital Markets Act to obtain consent for personalized services. We therefore share the status of the consents given by users with Google. Our consent management software informs Google whether consent has been granted or not. The aim is to ensure that the consents given or not given by users are taken into account when using Google Analytics and when integrating functions and external services. In this way, user consents and their revocation in the context of Google Analytics and other Google services in our online offering can be adapted dynamically and depending on the user selection; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9976101?hl=de. Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • Google Analytics (server-side use): We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online services by users. Although user data is processed, it is not transmitted directly from the user’s end device to Google. In particular, the user’s IP address is not transmitted to Google. Instead, the data is first transmitted to our server, where the user’s data is assigned to our internal user identification number. The subsequent transmission from our server to Google only takes place in this pseudonymized form. The identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or e-mail addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content the users have called up within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, which they have called up again or which they have interacted with our online offer. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of the users that refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. Pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, whereby cookies can be used. Analytics provides geographic location data at a higher level by collecting the following metadata from IP searches: „City“ (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), „Continent“, „Country“, „Region“, „Subcontinent“ (and the ID-based equivalents); Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing contract: 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/). Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and data processed).
  • Google Signals (Google Analytics function): Google signals are session data from websites and apps that Google associates with users who have signed in to their Google accounts and activated ad personalization. This association of data with these logged-in users is used to enable cross-site reporting, cross-site remarketing and cross-site conversion measurement. This includes: Cross-platform reporting – linking data across devices and activities from different sessions using your User ID or Google Signals data, providing an understanding of user behavior at every step of the conversion process, from first contact to conversion and beyond; Remarketing with Google Analytics – Create remarketing audiences from Google Analytics data and share these audiences with linked advertising accounts; Demographics and interests – Google Analytics collects additional information about demographics and interests of users who are signed in to their Google Accounts and have ad personalization enabled; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Basic 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). Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and data processed).
  • Targeting with Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to target ads placed via Google’s advertising services and those of its partners to those users who have already shown an interest in our online offering or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interests in specific topics or products determined based on the websites they visit). We transmit this data to Google as part of so-called „remarketing“ or „Google Analytics audiences“. The aim of using remarketing audiences is to ensure that our ads match the potential interests of users as closely as possible; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Legal basis: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing contract: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; 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 for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.
  • No collection of detailed location and device data (Google Analytics function): No detailed location and device data is collected (further information: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/12017362).
  • Google Tag Manager: We use Google Tag Manager, a software from Google that enables us to manage so-called website tags centrally 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 to improve our website and the content offered on it. Google Tag Manager itself does not create any user profiles, does not store any cookies with user profiles and does not carry out any independent analyses. Its function is limited to simplifying the integration and management of tools and services that we use on our website and making them more efficient. Nevertheless, when using the Google Tag Manager, the IP address of the user is transmitted to Google, which 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 takes place if services are integrated via the Tag Manager. For more detailed information on 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing contract:
    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).

.

Online marketing

We process personal data for the purpose of online marketing, which may include in particular the marketing of advertising spaces or the presentation of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as „content“) based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.

.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (the so-called „cookie“) or similar procedures are used, by means of which the user data relevant for the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. This may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners and technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this can also be processed.

<p

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

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

Exceptionally, it is possible to assign clear data to the profiles, primarily if, for example, the users are members of a social network whose online marketing process we use and the network links the user profiles with the aforementioned data. Please note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, for example by giving their consent during registration.

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

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

<p

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of 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 data protection notices of the respective providers and the opt-out options provided by the providers. If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of deactivating cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore also recommend the following opt-out options, which are summarized in the respective areas:

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

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

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

d) Cross-territory: https://optout.aboutads.info.

  • Types of data processed: Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and dwell times) Page views and duration of visit, 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 data, identification numbers, persons involved). Event data (Facebook) („Event data“ is information that is sent to the provider Meta via Meta pixels (whether via apps or other channels), for example, and relates to persons or their actions. This data includes, for example, details of website visits, interactions with content and functions, 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 comments written, login information or contact information such as names, email addresses or telephone numbers. „Event data“ is deleted by Meta after a maximum of two years, and the target groups formed from it disappear with the deletion of our Meta user accounts).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning users). Access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g. interest/behavioral profiling, use of cookies); conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures); target group formation; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles); provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; remarketing; click tracking. Cross-device tracking (cross-device processing of user data for marketing purposes).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users‘ devices for a period of two years.
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Meta pixels and target group formation (custom audiences): With the help of the meta pixel (or comparable functions, for the transmission of event data or contact information via interfaces in apps), it is possible for Meta to determine the visitors of our online offer as a target group for the display of advertisements (so-called „meta ads“). Accordingly, we use the meta pixel to display the meta ads placed by us only to those users on Meta platforms and within the services of partners cooperating with Meta (so-called „Audience Network“ https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/ ) who have also shown an interest in our online offering or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interest in certain topics or products that can be seen from the websites visited) that we transmit to Meta (so-called „Custom Audiences“). With the help of the meta pixel, we also want to ensure that our meta ads correspond to the potential interest of users and are not annoying. With the help of the meta pixel, we can also track the effectiveness of the meta ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a meta ad (so-called „conversion measurement“); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Data protection declaration: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/; Order processing contract: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing; Basic 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); Further information: Users‘ event data, i.e. behavioral and interest data, is processed for the purposes of targeted advertising and targeting on the basis of the joint controllership agreement („Joint Controllership Addendum“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). The joint controller is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of the standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.)
  • Facebook Ads: Placement of ads within the Facebook platform and analysis of the ad results; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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); Opt-out option: We refer to the data protection and advertising settings in the user’s profile on the Facebook platforms as well as to Facebook’s consent procedures and contact options for exercising information and other data subject rights, as described in Facebook’s privacy policy; Further information: Event data of the users, i.e. behavioral and interest data of the users. .i.e. behavioral and interest data, is processed for the purposes of targeted advertising and targeting on the basis of the joint controllership agreement („Controller Addendum“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). The joint controller is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of the standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.
  • Google Ad Manager: We use the „Google Ad Manager“ service to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.). Google Ad Manager is characterized by the fact that ads are displayed in real time based on the presumed interests of users. This allows us to display ads for our online offering to users who may have a potential interest in our offering or have previously shown an interest in it, and to measure the success of the ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for transfers to third countries: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF); More information: Types of processing and data processed: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/; Data processing conditions for Google advertising products: Information on the services Data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms. if Google acts as a processor, data processing terms for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.
  • Google Ads and conversion measurement: Online marketing processes for the purpose of placing content and ads within the service provider’s advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. In addition, we measure the conversion of the ads, i.e. whether users have taken them as an opportunity to interact with the ads 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for transfers to third countries: 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 transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
  • Google Ads Remarketing: Google Remarketing, also known as retargeting, is a technology that allows users who use an online service to be added to a pseudonymous remarketing list so that users can be shown ads on other online offers based on their visit to the online service; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) 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 transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
  • Instagram ads: Placement of ads within the Instagram platform and evaluation of the ad results; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) 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); Opt-out option: We refer to the data protection and advertising settings in the user’s profile on the Instagram platform as well as in the context of Instagram’s consent procedure and Instagram’s contact options for exercising information and other data subject rights in Instagram’s data protection declaration; Further information: Event data of the users, i.e. behavioral and interest data. .i.e. behavioral and interest data, is processed for the purposes of targeted advertising and targeting on the basis of the joint controllership agreement („Controller Addendum“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). The joint controller is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of the standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.)
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag: Code that is loaded when a user visits our online offering and tracks the user’s behavior and conversions and stores them in a profile (possible purposes: Measurement of campaign performance, optimization of ad delivery, creation of user-defined and similar target groups); Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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; Cookie-Processing-Contract: 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.
  • Pinterest Tag: Interest and behavior-based measurement and analysis of users‘ interaction with our online services (in particular page visits, search entries, transactions, video and page views as well as time and period) for the purpose of creating target groups for the display of content and advertising content within the Pinterest platform and the partners participating in its advertising network; Service provider: Pinterest Europe Limited, 2nd Floor, Palmerston House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://help.pinterest.com/en/business/article/track-conversions-with-pinterest-tag; Privacy Policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy; Option to object (opt-out): https://help.pinterest.com/de/article/personalized-ads-on-pinterest. Further information: Agreement on joint controllership in the „Pinterest Advertising Services Agreement, Appendix B: Pinterest Appendix for Joint Controllers“ https://business.pinterest.com/de/pinterest-advertising-services-agreement/.

Affiliate programs and affiliate links

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

In order to be able to track whether the users have taken up the offers of an affiliate link used by us, it is necessary for the respective third-party providers to know that the users have followed an affiliate link used within our online offer. The assignment of the affiliate links to the respective business transactions or other actions (e.g. purchases) serves the sole purpose of commission settlement and is canceled as soon as it is no longer required for this purpose.

For the purposes of the aforementioned assignment of affiliate links, the affiliate links can be supplemented by certain values that are part of the link or can be stored elsewhere, e.g. in a cookie. The values may include, in particular, the source website (referrer), the time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offer, the type of link used, the type of offer and an online identifier of the user.

<p

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the processing of data is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of 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: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, 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 process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons concerned: Interested parties. Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Affiliate tracking.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Amazon Affiliate Program: Affiliate Partner Program (Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or one of its affiliates); Service provider: Amazon EU S.à r.l. (Société à responsabilité limitée), 38 avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.amazon.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201909010. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Digistore24 partner program: Affiliate marketing partner program; Service provider: Digistore24 GmbH, St.-Godehard-Straße 32, 31139 Hildesheim, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.digistore24.com. Data protection declaration: https://www.digistore24.com/page/privacy.

Customer reviews and rating procedures

We participate in review and rating procedures in order to evaluate, optimize and promote our services. If users rate us or otherwise provide feedback via the participating rating platforms or procedures, the General Terms and Conditions of Business or Terms of Use and the providers‘ data protection notices also apply. As a rule, the evaluation also requires registration with the respective providers.

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

<p

  • Types of data processed: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, 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 process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Persons affected: 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 (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Presences in social networks (social media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users, for example because it could make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

Furthermore, user data is generally processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on user behavior and the resulting interests of users. The latter may in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. Cookies are therefore generally stored on the user’s computer, in which the user’s usage behavior and interests are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles regardless of the devices used by the users (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).</p

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the opt-out options, please refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

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

<p

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Persons concerned: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
  • Storage and erasure: erasure in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and erasure“.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Instagram: Social network, allows you to share photos and videos, comment on and favorite posts, send messages, subscribe to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of 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 under „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 under „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, known as „Page Insights“, for page operators to provide them with insights into how people interact with their pages and with the content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Information on Page Insights“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the „Information on Page Insights“ (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). The joint responsibility is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basic 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).
  • Facebook groups: We use the „Groups“ function of the Facebook platform to create interest groups within which Facebook users can get in touch with each other or with us and exchange information. In doing so, we process personal data of the users of our groups insofar as this is necessary for the purpose of group use and moderation. Our guidelines within the groups may contain further specifications and information on the use of the respective group. This data includes information on first and last names, as well as published or privately shared content, as well as values on the status of group membership or group-related activities, such as joining or leaving, as well as the time details for the aforementioned data. We also refer to the processing of user data by Facebook itself. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see under „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 under „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, known as „Insights“, to group operators to provide them with insights into how people interact with their groups and with the content associated with them; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) 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).
  • Facebook events: Event profiles within the social network Facebook – We use the „Events“ function of the Facebook platform to draw attention to events and dates and to get in touch with users (participants and interested parties) and to exchange information. We process the personal data of users of our event pages insofar as this is necessary for the purpose of the event page and its moderation. This data includes information on first and last names, published or privately shared content, as well as values on the status of participation and the time details for the aforementioned data. We also refer to the processing of user data by Facebook itself. 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 under „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, known as „Insights“, to event providers to help them understand how people interact with their event pages and the content associated with them; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) 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).
  • LinkedIn: Social network – We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for the collection (but not the further processing) of visitors‘ data used to create the „page insights“ (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with and the actions they take. In addition, details are collected about the devices used, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings and cookie data, as well as information from the user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have concluded a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland („Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum“, https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfill the rights of the data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send requests for information or deletion directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. The joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transfer of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transfer of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for transfers to third countries: 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.
  • Pinterest: Social network, allows you to share photos, comment, favorite and curate posts, send messages, subscribe to profiles; Service provider: Pinterest Europe Limited, 2nd Floor, Palmerston House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.pinterest.com. Privacy Policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.
  • Vimeo: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Vimeo Inc, Attention: Legal Department, 555 West 18th Street New York, New York 10011, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://vimeo.com. Privacy Policy: https://vimeo.com/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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Reason for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Option to object (opt-out): https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Plug-ins and embedded functions and content

We incorporate 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 be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as „content“).

<p

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or function. 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. Pixel tags can be used to analyze 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, time of visit and other details about the use of our online offering, but may also be linked to such information from other sources.

<p

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of 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 duration of visit, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); metadata, communication data and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification data). IP addresses, time data, 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 to the provider Meta via Meta pixels (whether via apps or other channels), for example, and relates to persons or their actions. This data includes, for example, details of website visits, interactions with content and functions, 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 comments written, login information or contact information such as names, email addresses or telephone numbers. „Event data“ is deleted by Meta after a maximum of two years, and the target groups formed from it disappear with the deletion of our Meta user accounts); contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers). Content data (e.g. text or image messages and posts and the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Tracking (e.g. profiling based on interests and behavior, use of cookies); Custom Audiences; Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles). Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section „General information on data storage and deletion“. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users‘ devices for a period of two years).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Integration of third-party software, scripts or frameworks (e.g. jQuery): We integrate software into our online offer that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our online offer). The respective providers collect the IP address of the user and can process it for the purpose of transmitting the software to the user’s browser and for security purposes, as well as for the evaluation and optimization of their offer. – We integrate software into our online offering that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our online offering). The respective providers collect the IP address of the users and may process it for the purpose of transmitting the software to the user’s browser and for security purposes, as well as for the evaluation and optimization of their offer; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Facebook plugins and content: Facebook social plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offering 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 in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of „event data“ that Facebook collects by means of the Facebook social plugins (and embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online offer or receives in the context of a transmission for the following purposes: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g. (e.g. addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving ad delivery and personalization of features and content (e.g. improving the recognition of which content or advertising information is likely to match users‘ interests). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Addendum for Data Controllers“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measurements, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing is not carried out within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement („Data Processing Terms“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing) , the „Data Security Terms“ (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 Processing Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 offer; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to Google; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Google Fonts (obtained from the Google server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to up-to-dateness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The IP address of the user is communicated to the provider of the fonts 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) are transmitted which are necessary for the provision of 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 offer, 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 the 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 respective 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 the website visitors, as well as the referrer URL (i.e. the web page on which the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers and are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent and referrer URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. With the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must adapt the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is primarily logged for debugging and used to generate aggregated usage statistics to measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts „Analytics“ page. Finally, the referral URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to its own information, Google does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to place targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for transfers to third countries: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
  • Font Awesome (provision on own server): Display of fonts and icons; Service provider: The Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to the provider of Font Awesome; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the service „Google Maps“ of the provider Google. The processed data may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of the users; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy. Basic 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 text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Instagram. – Together with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, we are responsible for the collection or receipt in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of „event data“ that Facebook collects using Instagram functions (e.g. embedding functions for Instagram). We are jointly responsible for the collection or receipt of „event data“ that Facebook collects via Instagram functions (e.g. embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online offer or receives as part of a transmission for the following purposes: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g. addressing users via Instagram). (e.g. addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving ad delivery and personalization of features and content (e.g. improving the recognition of which content or advertising information is likely to match the interests of users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Addendum for Data Controllers“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measurement data, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing is not carried out within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement („Data Processing Terms“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing) , the „Data Security Terms“ (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 Processing Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offer within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 the font retrieval process the web font project identification number (anonymized), the URL of the licensed website 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.myfonts.co. Privacy Policy: https://www.myfonts.com/info/legal/#Privacy.
  • Pinterest plugins and content: Pinterest plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offer within Pinterest; Service provider: Pinterest Inc, 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 on the internet and to replace the usual „Share“ buttons of social networks. Instead of the user’s browser, the server on which this online service is located establishes a connection with the server of the respective social media platforms and queries the number of likes, for example. The user remains anonymous. You can find more information about the Shariff project 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 Hannover, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(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.
  • YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
  • YouTube videos: Within our online offer, videos are embedded that are 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 is started, only information including your IP address and details of the browser and your end device can be stored on your end device in cookies or by means of comparable procedures, which YouTube requires for the output, control and optimization of the video display. As soon as you play the videos, YouTube may also process information for the analysis of user behaviour and for storage in the user profile and for the personalization of content and ads. The storage period for cookies can be up to two years; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for transfers to third countries: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). More information: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780?hl=de-DE#zippy=%2Cturn-on-privacy-enhanced-mode%2Cerweiterten-datenschutzmodus-aktivieren.
  • 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 (Article 6(1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR); Website: https://vimeo.com; Data protection declaration: https://vimeo.com/privacy; Order processing contract: https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa. Basic third country transfers: standard contractual clauses (https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa), standard contractual clauses (https://vimeo.com/enterpriseterms/dpa).

.

&Amendment and updating

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We will amend 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 an act of cooperation on your part (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.

© 2025 - Bernadette Siebers - bewithbalance
WordPress Cookie Hinweis von Real Cookie Banner