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Data protection

preamble

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

The terms used are not gender specific.

As of: March 6, 2024

Table of contents

Responsible

Dr. Florian Kleinau
To Seekamper Lake 11
23823 Seedorf Email address: hello@squared-away.de Imprint: www.sqaured-away.de/Impressum

Overview of processing

The following overview summarises the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the persons concerned.

Types of data processed

  • Inventory data.
  • Payment details.
  • Location data.
  • Contact details.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Interested persons.
  • communication partner.
  • users.
  • Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations.
  • Contact requests and communication.
  • Safety measures.
  • direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Server monitoring and error detection.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.

Relevant legal bases

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

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for a specific purpose or for several specific purposes.
  • Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Legal obligation (Article 6 paragraph 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or of 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 regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law on protection against misuse of personal data in data processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special regulations on the right to information, the right to deletion, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases including profiling. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Reference to the validity of GDPR and Swiss DSG: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (Swiss DSG) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader spatial application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms "processing" of "personal data", "overriding interest" and "personal data requiring particular protection" used in the Swiss DSG, the terms "processing" of "personal data" as well as "legitimate interest" and "special categories of data" used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined according to the Swiss DSG within the scope of the validity of the Swiss DSG.

Safety measures

In accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

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

Transmission of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may happen that the data is transmitted to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons or that it is disclosed to them. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International data transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only be done in accordance with the legal requirements. If the level of data protection in the third country has been recognized by means of an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Otherwise, data transfers only take place if the level of data protection is otherwise ensured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 Para. 2 lit. c) GDPR), express consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transmission (Art. 49 Para. 1 GDPR). Furthermore, we will inform you of the basis for third-country transfers from the individual providers from the third country, with the adequacy decisions taking priority as the basis. Information on third country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

EU-US Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework: As part of the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection as secure for certain companies from the USA as part of the adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). As part of the data protection information, we inform you which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

Rights of the data subjects

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

  • Right to object: You have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR, for reasons related to your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed in order to conduct direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct advertising.
  • Right of revocation for consent: You have the right to revoke your consent at any time.
  • Right of providing information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether or not data concerning you is being processed and to obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be corrected.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that data concerning you be deleted immediately or, alternatively, to request that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you that you have made available to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request that it be transmitted to another responsible party.
  • Complaint to the supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the provisions of the GDPR.

Use of cookies

Cookies are small text files or other storage notes that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to store the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online service. Cookies can also be used for different purposes, e.g. to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to create analyses of visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. We therefore obtain prior consent from users, unless this is not required by law. Consent is not necessary in particular if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide users with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e. our online offering). Strictly necessary cookies generally include cookies with functions that serve to display and operate the online offering, load balancing, security, storing user preferences and choices, or similar purposes related to the provision of the main and secondary functions of the online offering requested by users. Revocable consent is clearly communicated to users and contains information about the respective cookie usage.

Notes on data protection legal bases: The legal basis under data protection law on which we process users' personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask users for consent. If users consent, the legal basis for processing their data is their declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the commercial operation of our online offering and improving its usability) or, if this is done as part of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We will explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this data protection declaration or as part of our consent and processing processes.

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

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offering and closed his or her device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Persistent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected using cookies can also be used to measure reach. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage period of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (so-called “opt-out”): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements. To do so, users can, among other things, restrict the use of cookies in the settings of their browser (although this may also limit the functionality of our online offering). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be made via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/ be explained.

  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution that obtains users' consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers named in the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users' end devices. As part of this procedure, users' consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers named in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid further queries and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The consent is stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the device used; Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Business Services

We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners") within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and associated measures and within the framework of communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), e.g. to answer inquiries.

We process this data in order to fulfil our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and economical business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfil legal obligations. The contractual partners are informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, in the context of this data protection declaration.

We inform our contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and similar obligations, i.e. generally after 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. as long as it must be kept for legal archiving reasons. The statutory retention period is ten years for documents relevant to tax law as well as for commercial books, inventories, opening balance sheets, annual financial statements, the work instructions required to understand these documents and other organizational documents and accounting documents, and six years for received commercial and business letters and reproductions of the commercial and business letters sent. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the last entry was made in the book, the inventory, opening balance sheet, annual financial statements or management report was drawn up, the commercial or business letter was received or sent, or the accounting document was created, the recording was made or the other documents were created.

To the extent that we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and data protection notices of the respective third-party providers or platforms apply to the relationship between the users and the providers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. contract subject, term, customer category).
  • Affected people: Interested parties, business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; contact requests and communication; office and organizational procedures. Administration and response to inquiries.
  • Legal basis: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Agency services: We process our customers’ data as part of our contractual services, which may include, for example, conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development/consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes, handling, server administration, data analysis/consulting services and training services; Legal basis: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

We process user data in order to be able to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the user's IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user's browser or end device.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Affected people: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); Security measures; Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures). Server monitoring and error detection.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Provision of online offering on rented storage space: To provide our online service, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent from a corresponding server provider (also called “web host”) or otherwise obtain; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (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 can 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 (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and, on the other hand, to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (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 that needs to be retained for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally resolved.
  • Email sending and hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the sending, receiving and storing of emails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders as well as other information regarding the email sending (e.g. the providers involved) and the contents of the respective emails are processed. The aforementioned data may also be processed for the purposes of detecting SPAM. Please note that emails are generally not sent encrypted on the Internet. Emails are usually encrypted during transport, but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We cannot therefore accept any responsibility for the transmission path of emails between the sender and the recipient on our server; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Squarespace: Squarespace offers software as a service for building and hosting websites; Service provider: Squarespace Ireland Ltd., Le Pole House, Ship Street Great, Dublin 8, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.squarespace.com; Data protection: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://www.squarespace.com/dpa. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or similar means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent that it is necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in the context of this data protection notice.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
  • Affected people: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; Security measures. Administration and response to inquiries.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

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

    Furthermore, we reserve the right to process user information for the purpose of spam detection based on our legitimate interests.

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

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

Contact and inquiry management

When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the person making the inquiry will be processed to the extent necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
  • Affected people: communication partner.
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; administration and response to requests; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Contact form: If users contact us via our contact form, e-mail or other communication channels, we process the data communicated to us in this context to process the communicated request; Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Newsletters and electronic notifications

We only send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletters") with the consent of the recipient or with legal permission. If the contents of the newsletter are specifically described when registering for the newsletter, they are decisive for the user's consent. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.

To subscribe to our newsletter, it is generally sufficient to provide your email address. However, we may ask you to provide a name for the purpose of addressing you personally in the newsletter or other information if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double opt-in procedure: Registration for our newsletter is always carried out using a so-called double opt-in process. This means that after registration you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register using someone else's email address. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the time of registration and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the shipping service provider are also logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We can store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before we delete them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called "block list") for this purpose alone.

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

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Affected people: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post). Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • Opt-out option: You can cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Measuring open and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called "web beacon", i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a shipping service provider, from their server. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, are initially collected.

    This information is used to technically improve our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their access locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or the access times. This analysis also includes determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until they are deleted. The evaluations help us to recognize the reading habits of our users and adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users.

    The measurement of the opening rates and the click rates as well as storage of the measurement results in the user profiles – This text area must be activated with a premium license. – premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext ; Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • Prerequisites for using free services: Consent to the sending of mailings can be made dependent on the use of free services (e.g. access to certain content or participation in certain promotions). If users would like to use the free service without registering for the newsletter, please contact us.

Advertising communication via email, post, fax or telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of advertising communication, which can take place via various channels, such as e-mail, telephone, post or fax, in accordance with legal requirements.

The recipients have the right to revoke their consent at any time or to object to promotional communications at any time.

After revocation or objection, we store the data required to prove previous authorization for contacting or sending for up to three years after the end of the year of revocation or objection on the basis of our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. On the basis of the legitimate interest in permanently respecting the user's revocation or objection, we also store the data required to avoid further contact (e.g., depending on the communication channel, the email address, telephone number, name).

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers).
  • Affected people: communication partner.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analysis (also known as "reach measurement") is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and can include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what time our online offering or its functions or content are most frequently used or invite reuse. We can also understand which areas require optimization.

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

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a device and read from it. The information collected includes in particular websites visited and elements used there as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have consented to us or the providers of the services we use collecting their location data, location data can also be processed.

The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use an IP masking process (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but rather pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
  • Affected people: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Safety measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to a device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, accessed these again or interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as are the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers.
    This involves creating pseudonymous profiles of users with information from their use of different devices and may use cookies. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics does provide rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU traffic, IP address data is used solely for this derivation of geolocation data before being immediately deleted. It is not logged, is not accessible, and is not used for any further purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Safety measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Data protection: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: 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. Additional Information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (Types of processing and data processed).

Presences in social networks (social media)

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

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

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

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

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

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
  • Affected people: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Marketing.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • LinkedIn: Social network; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Data protection: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out; Additional Information: Together with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, we are responsible for collecting (but not further processing) visitor data for the purposes of creating “Page Insights” (statistics) for our LinkedIn profiles.
    This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with or the actions they take, as well as information about the devices users use (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data) and information from users' profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on how LinkedIn processes user data can be found in LinkedIn's privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
    We have entered into a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum (the ‘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 fulfil the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the responsible supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection of data by and transmission to Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular the transmission of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA.

Plugins 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 include, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter referred to uniformly as "content").

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or functions. We endeavor to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third-party providers can also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. The "pixel tags" can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information can also be stored in cookies on the user's device and can contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, the time of visit and other information about the use of our online offer, as well as be linked to such information from other sources.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms). Location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person).
  • Affected people: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

Changes and updates to the privacy policy

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

If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and please check the information before contacting us.

Definitions

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

  • Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement (also known as "visit action evaluation") is a process that can be used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. This usually involves storing a cookie on the user's device within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieving it on the target website. For example, this allows us to see whether the ads we have placed on other websites were successful.
  • Personal data: “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. a cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information", or "profiles" for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of this personal data to analyze, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include different information relating to demographics, behavior and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as the content of websites. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offerings can, for example, recognize at what time users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better adapt the content of the websites to the needs of their visitors. For the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Server monitoring and error detection: With the help of server monitoring and error detection, we ensure the availability and integrity of our online offering and use the processed data to technically optimize our online offering. Performance, utilization and comparable technical values are processed, which provide information about the stability and any abnormalities of our online offering. In the event of errors and abnormalities, individual requests from users of our online offering are recorded in order to identify and resolve sources of problems.
  • Location data: Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for location determination) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN or similar technical means and functions for location determination. Location data is used to indicate the geographically definable position on earth in which the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
  • Responsible: The “controller” means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Processing: “Processing” is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers practically every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion.