Table of contents

  • Introduction
  • Responsible
  • Overview of processing operations
  • Relevant legal bases
  • Security measures
  • Transmission of personal data
  • Use of cookies
  • Business services
  • Provision of the online offer and web hosting
  • Blogs and publication media
  • Contact and request management
  • Newsletter and electronic notifications
  • Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
  • Online marketing
  • Presence in social networks (social media)
  • Plugins and embedded functions and content.

 

Introduction

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about what types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) 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: January 29, 2024

 

Responsible

Carsten Schmider Media Relations Publishing
Schöffenstrasse 17
D-50321 Brühl

Persons authorized to represent the company:
Carsten Schmider

E-mail address:
hello@schmider-report.com

Imprint:
www.schmider-report.de/imprint

 

Overview of processing operations

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.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta/communication data.

Special categories of data

  • Health data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Customers.
  • Interested parties.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of the processing

  • Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Contact requests and communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Range measurement.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Remarketing.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Target group formation.
  • Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.

 

Relevant legal bases

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

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a. GDPR) – The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract 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.

In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, 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 transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. It also regulates data processing for the purposes of the employment relationship (Section 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, implementation or termination of employment relationships and the consent of employees. The data protection laws of the individual federal states may also apply.

 

Security measures

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

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 access, input, disclosure, safeguarding availability and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

SSL encryption (https): We use SSL encryption to protect your data transmitted via our online offering. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.

 

Transfer of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, data may be transferred to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons or 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 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 organization: We may transfer personal data to other departments within our organization or grant them access to this data. If this transfer takes place for administrative purposes, the transfer of the data is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests or takes place if it is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or a legal permission exists.

 

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 of an online offer used. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to analyze 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. In particular, consent is not required if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide the user with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e. our online offering). The revocable consent is clearly communicated to the users and contains the information on the respective cookie use.
  • Information on legal bases under data protection law: 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 their consent. If users consent, the legal basis for processing their data is the consent they have given. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the business operation of our online offering and improving its usability) or, if this is done in the context of fulfilling our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We will explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this privacy policy or as part of our consent and processing procedures.
  • Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies:
    • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
    • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. 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), users should assume that cookies are permanent and can be stored for up to two years.
  • General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consents they have given at any time and also object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements in Art. 21 GDPR (further information on objection can be found in this data protection declaration). Users can also declare their objection using their browser settings.
  • Cookie settings / objection option:
    https://www.cookiebot.com/
  • Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:
    • Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure in which the consent of users to the use of cookies or the processing and providers mentioned in the cookie consent management procedure can be obtained, managed and revoked by users. The declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be requested again and the consent can be proven in accordance with the legal obligation. Consent can be stored on the server and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie or with the help of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following information applies: Consent may be stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) as well as the browser, system and end device used.

 

Business Services

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

We process this data in order to fulfill our contractual obligations. These include, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedies in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to safeguard our rights and for the purpose 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 efficient business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, threats to their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, as part of this privacy policy.

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

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. generally after 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. as long as it must be retained for legal archiving reasons (e.g. for tax purposes, generally 10 years). We delete data disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications of the order, generally after the end of the order.

Insofar as 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 in the relationship between the users and the providers.

 

Economic analyses and market research

For economic reasons and in order to be able to identify market trends and the wishes of contractual partners and users, we analyze the data we have on business transactions, contracts, inquiries, etc., whereby the group of data subjects may include contractual partners, interested parties, customers, visitors and users of our online offering.

The analyses are carried out for the purpose of business evaluations, marketing and market research (e.g. to determine customer groups with different characteristics). If available, we can take into account the profiles of registered users, including their details, e.g. on services used. The analyses serve us alone and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses with summarized, i.e. anonymized values. Furthermore, we take the privacy of users into consideration and process the data for analysis purposes as pseudonymously as possible and, where feasible, anonymously (e.g. as summarized data).

  • Processed data types: 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. subject matter of contract, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Interested parties; business and contractual partners; customers.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer
    Customer service; Contact requests and communication; Office and organizational procedures; Managing and responding to inquiries;
    Conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures);
    Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
  • Legal basis: Performance of a contract 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).

 

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

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

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

  • Processed data types: Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on every access to the server (so-called server log files). The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, date and time of access, data volumes 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; deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

 

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter “publication medium”). Readers’ data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. In addition, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in the context of this data protection notice.

  • Processed data types: 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Security measures; Managing and responding to inquiries.
  • 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).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Comments and contributions: When 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 if 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. Furthermore, we 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 users’ IP addresses for the duration of surveys and to use cookies in order to avoid multiple votes. The personal information provided as part of the comments and contributions, any contact and website information as well as the content information will be stored by us permanently until the user objects.
  • Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies: Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies – Graphic emojis (or smilies), i.e. small graphic files that express feelings, are used within our WordPress blog for the purpose of efficient integration of content elements, 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: Automattic Inc, 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy.

 

Contact and inquiry management

When contacting us (e.g. by 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 inquiries and any requested measures.

The response to contact inquiries and the management of contact and inquiry data in the context of contractual or pre-contractual relationships is carried out to fulfill our contractual obligations or to respond to (pre)contractual inquiries and otherwise on the basis of legitimate interests in responding to inquiries and maintaining user or business relationships.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual Requests (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 operations, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When users contact us via our contact form, email or other communication channels, we process the data provided to us in this context to process the communicated request. For this purpose, we process personal data in the context of pre-contractual and contractual business relationships, insofar as this is necessary for their fulfillment and otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests as well as the interests of the communication partners in responding to the concerns and our statutory retention obligations.

 

Newsletter and electronic notifications

Newsletter and electronic notifications
We only send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter referred to as “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 newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, we may ask you to provide a name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter, or other information if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

  • Double opt-in process: Registration for our newsletter generally takes place using a so-called double opt-in process. This means that after registering you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can log in with someone else’s email address. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to provide evidence of the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the registration and confirmation times 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 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 event of obligations to permanently observe contradictions, we reserve the right to store the email address in a blacklist (so-called “blocklist”) solely for this purpose.

The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of providing evidence of its proper execution. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure shipping system.

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


Contents

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

  • Types of data processed: inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact details (e.g. email, telephone numbers); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Special categories of personal data: Health data (Art. 9 Para. 1 GDPR).
  • Affected persons: communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • 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 cancel your receipt of 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 processes, 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 when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a shipping service provider, from their server. As part of this retrieval, technical information is initially collected, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval. 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 access times. This analysis also includes determining if and when they will be opened.
  • Rapidmail: email marketing platform; Service provider: rapidmail GmbH, Augustinerplatz 2, 79098 Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Website: https://www.rapidmail.de; Data protection declaration: https://www.rapidmail.de/datenschutz; Order processing contract: https://www.rapidmail.de/hilfe/datenschutzvertrag-nach-eu-dsgvo-abgehen.

 

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

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

In addition to web analysis, we can also use testing 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 into a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a device and read out 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 about times of use. If users have agreed to the collection of their location data to us or to the providers of the services we use, location data can also be processed.

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

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data will be processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: 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 (creating user profiles).
  • 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 processes, procedures and services:

  • Google Analytics: web analysis, reach measurement and measurement of user flows; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.

 

Online marketing

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

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called “cookie”) or similar procedures are used, through which the user information relevant to the display of the aforementioned content is stored. This information 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 about times of use and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this can also be processed.

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

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

In exceptional cases, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if the users are members of a social network whose online marketing processes we use and the network connects the users’ profiles with the aforementioned information. We ask you to note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, e.g. by giving consent during registration.

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

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

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data will be processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: remarketing; Target group formation (determination of target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other output of content); Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles); Conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures).
  • 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).
  • Option to object (opt-out): We refer to the data protection information of the respective providers and the objection options specified for the providers (so-called “opt-out”). If no explicit opt-out option has been provided, you have the option of turning off cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offering. We therefore also recommend the following opt-out options, which are offered in summary for the respective areas: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-territorial: https://optout.aboutads.info.

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Google Ad Manager: We use the “Google Marketing Platform” (and services such as “Google Ad Manager”) to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.). The Google Marketing Platform is characterized by displaying ads in real time based on users’ presumed interests. This allows us to display advertisements for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner in order to only present users with advertisements that potentially match their interests. For example, if a user is shown ads for products that they were interested in on other online offerings, this is referred to as “remarketing”; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions for Google advertising products: Information about the services Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms; if Google acts as a processor, data processing conditions for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.
  • Google Ads and conversion measurement: We use the online marketing process “Google Ads” to place advertisements in the Google advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the advertisements (so-called “conversion”). We also measure the conversion of the ads. However, we only know the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page with a so-called “conversion tracking tag”. However, we ourselves do not receive any information that can be used to identify users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions for Google advertising products: Information about the services Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.

  • Google Adsense with non-personalized ads: We use the Google Adsense service with non-personalized ads, with which ads are displayed within our online offering and we receive compensation for their display or other use; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Google Ads Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.

  • Target group formation with Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to show the advertisements placed within the advertising services of Google and its partners only to those users who have also shown an interest in our online offering or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interests in certain topics or products , which are determined based on the websites visited), which we transmit to Google (so-called “remarketing” or “Google Analytics audiences”). With the help of remarketing audiences, we also want to ensure that our ads match the potential interest of users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Legal basis: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Order processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.

 

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 active users there or to offer information about us.

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

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

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

In the case of requests for information and the assertion of the rights of those affected, we would also like to point out that these can most effectively be asserted with the providers. Only the providers have access to 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 details (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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: contact requests and communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Instagram: social network; Service provider: Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; Website: https://www.instagram.com; Data protection declaration: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
  • Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – Together with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, we are responsible for the collection (but not further processing) of data from visitors to our Facebook page (so-called “fan page”). This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see “Things you and others do and provide” in the Facebook Data Policy: https:// www.facebook.com/policy), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see “Device information” in the Facebook data policy: https: //www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under “How do we use this information?”, Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services called “Page Insights” to site operators to help them understand how people engage with their Pages and interact 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 itself has agreed to fulfill the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the responsible supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Information on Page Insights” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); Service Provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Data protection declaration: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Standard contractual clauses (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further information: Joint Responsibility Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data.
    LinkedIn: social network; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Standard contractual clauses (guaranteeing data protection levels when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Option to object (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out; Order processing contract: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa.
  • TikTok: Social network/video platform; Service provider: musical.ly Inc., 10351 Santa Monica Blvd #310, Los Angeles, CA 90025 USA; Website: https://www.tiktok.com; Data protection declaration: https://www.tiktok.com/de/privacy-policy.
  • Twitter: social network; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Data protection declaration: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization).
  • YouTube: social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Option to object (opt-out): https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

 

Plugins and embedded functions and content

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

The integration always requires that the third party providers of this content process the users’ IP address, as 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 strive to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third parties may 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 may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of our online offering, as well as being linked to such information from other sources.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Otherwise, user data will be processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact details (e.g. email, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a. GDPR); Fulfillment of the contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b. GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Google Fonts: We integrate the fonts (“Google Fonts”) from the provider Google, whereby the user’s data is used solely for the purpose of displaying the fonts in the user’s browser. The integration is based on our legitimate interests in a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts, their uniform presentation and taking into account possible licensing restrictions for their integration; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • YouTube videos: video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Option to object (opt-out): Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertising: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.