Privacy Policy
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.
As of 30. January 2025
Table of contents
- Person responsible
- Overview of processing
- Relevant legal bases
- Security measures
- Transmission of personal data
- International data transfers
- General information on data storage and deletion
- Business services
- Business processes and procedures
- Provision of the online offer and web hosting
- Use of cookies
- Blogs and publication media
- Contact and request management
- Newsletter and electronic notifications
- Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
- Customer reviews and evaluation process
- Presence in social networks (social media)
- Plug-ins and embedded functions and content
- Change and update
- Definitions of terms
Person responsible
Hunter Parks
505 Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94111
Authorized representatives: Hunter Parks
E-mail address: h.parks@localpano.com
Imprint: https://localpano.com/imprint
Overview of processing
The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.
Types of data processed
- File dates.
- Payment data.
- Location data.
- Contact details.
- Content data.
- Contract data.
- Usage data.
- Meta, communication and process data.
- Image and/or video recordings.
- Sound recordings.
- Log data.
- Creditworthiness data.
Categories of affected persons
- Beneficiaries and clients.
- Employees.
- Interessenten.
- Communication partner.
- Users.
- Business and contractual partners.
- Third parties.
- Customers.
Purposes of the processing
- Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
- Communication.
- Security measures.
- Direct marketing.
- Reach measurement.
- Tracking.
- Office and organizational procedures.
- Organizational and administrative procedures.
- Feedback.
- Marketing.
- Profiles with user-related information.
- Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
- Assessment of creditworthiness and credit standing.
- Information technology infrastructure.
- Financial and payment management.
- Public relations.
- Sales promotion.
- Business processes and business management procedures.
Relevant legal bases
Relevant legal bases according to 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. 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 one or more specific purposes.
- Contract fulfillment 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) - The processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
- Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) - processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.
National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. The data protection laws of the individual federal states may also apply.
Relevant legal basis according to the Swiss Data Protection Act:If you are located in Switzerland, we process your data on the basis of the Federal Act on Data Protection ("Swiss FADP" for short). Unlike the GDPR, for example, the Swiss FADP does not generally require that a legal basis for the processing of personal data be specified and that the processing of personal data be carried out in good faith, lawfully and proportionately (Art. 6 para. 1 and 2 of the Swiss FADP). In addition, personal data will only be obtained by us for a specific purpose that is recognizable to the data subject and will only be processed in a manner that is compatible with this purpose (Art. 6 para. 3 of the Swiss FADP).
Reference to validity of GDPR and Swiss DPA: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, please note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader geographical application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms "processing" of "personal data", "overriding interest" and "sensitive personal data" used in the Swiss DPA, the terms "processing" of "personal data", "legitimate interest" and "special categories of data" used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined in accordance with the Swiss DPA within the scope of application of the Swiss DPA.
Security measures
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of security 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 the access, input, disclosure, safeguarding of availability and its separation. Furthermore, we have set up procedures to ensure that data subjects' rights are exercised, that data is deleted and that we respond to data being compromised. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and processes, in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and data protection-friendly default settings.
Truncation of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used and the processing of a complete IP address is not required, the IP address will be truncated (also referred to as “IP masking”). In this process, the last two digits, or the last part of the IP address after a dot, are removed or replaced by placeholders. The purpose of truncating the IP address is to prevent or significantly impede the identification of a person based on their IP address.
Securing online connections using TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): We use TLS/SSL encryption technology to protect user data transmitted via our online services from unauthorized access. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission over the internet. These technologies encrypt the information that is transmitted between the website or app and the user's browser (or between two servers), thus protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transfers meet the highest security standards. When a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is signaled by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is being transmitted securely and encrypted.
Transfer of personal data
As part of our processing of personal data, it may be necessary to transfer or disclose such data to other departments, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers contracted to perform 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.
Data transmission within the organization: We may transfer personal data to or grant access to other departments or units within our organization. If the data transfer is carried out for administrative purposes, it is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests or if it is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or legal permission has been obtained.
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 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 take place in accordance with the legal requirements. Insofar as 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 will only take place if the level of data protection is otherwise ensured, in particular by standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 (2) (c) GDPR), express consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transfer (Art. 49 (1) GDPR). We will also provide you with the basis for third-country transfers for the individual providers from the third country, with the adequacy decisions taking precedence as the basis. Information on third-country transfers and the relevant adequacy decisions can be found on the European Commission's website: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de. Within the framework of the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized as secure for certain companies from the USA as part of the adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies and further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/. We will inform you in the data protection notice which of our service providers are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.
Disclosure of personal data abroad: Pursuant to the Swiss Data Protection Act, we only disclose personal data abroad if the data subjects are guaranteed an adequate level of protection (Art. 16 of the Swiss Data Protection Act). If the Federal Council has not determined an adequate level of protection (list: https://www.bj.admin.ch/bj/de/home/staat/datenschutz/internationales/anerkennung-staaten.html), we will take alternative security measures. These may include international agreements, specific guarantees, data protection clauses in contracts, standard data protection clauses approved by the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), or internal company data protection rules that have been approved in advance by the FDPIC or a competent data protection authority in another country. According to Art. 16 of the Swiss Data Protection Act, exceptions for the disclosure of data abroad may be permitted if certain conditions are met, including the consent of the data subject, performance of a contract, public interest, protection of life or physical integrity, publicly disclosed data or data from a legally provided register. These disclosures are always made in accordance with the legal requirements. Under the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), Schweizer has recognized the level of data protection for certain companies in the USA as secure within the framework of the adequacy decision of June 7, 2024. The list of certified companies and further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/. We will inform you in the context of the data protection notice which of our service providers are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.
General information on data storage and deletion
We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there is no further legal basis for the processing. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of the processing no longer applies or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule exist when legal obligations or special interests require longer storage or archiving of the data.
In particular, data that must be stored for commercial or tax reasons or that must be stored for legal prosecution or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.
Our data protection notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data that specifically applies to certain processing operations.
If there is more than one retention period or deletion period for a date, the longest period always applies.
If a period does not explicitly begin on a specific date and is at least one year long, it automatically begins at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in the context of which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the point in time at which the termination or other ending of the legal relationship takes effect.
Data that is no longer needed for the originally intended purpose but is stored due to legal requirements or other reasons will be processed exclusively for the reasons that justify its storage.
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Storage and deletion of data: The following general time limits apply to storage and archiving under German law:
- 10 years – retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet, as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents necessary for their understanding (Section 147 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with (3) AO, Section 14b (1) UStG, Section 257 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
- 8 years – accounting records, such as invoices and cost documents (section 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. 3 sentence 1 AO and section 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
- 6 years - other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll accounting documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register tapes (§ 147 para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
- 3 years - Data required to take into account potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as to process related requests, based on previous business experience and common industry practices, will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (sections 195, 199 BGB).
- Data Retention and Erasure: The following general retention and archiving periods apply under Swiss law:
- 10 years – Retention period for books and records, financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, accounting vouchers and invoices, as well as any required operating instructions and other organizational documents (Art. 958f of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO)).
- 10 years – Data necessary to take into account potential claims for damages or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as for processing related inquiries, based on previous business experience and common industry practices, are stored for the statutory limitation period of ten years, unless a shorter period of five years, which is relevant in certain cases (Art. 127, 130 OR). After five years, claims for rent, lease and capital interest as well as other periodic payments, from the delivery of food, for meals and for inn debts, as well as from craft work, retail sale of goods, medical care, professional work by lawyers, legal agents, procurators and notaries and from the employment relationship of employees become time-barred (Art. 128 OR).
Business services
We process data from our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and prospects (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as related measures and with regard to communication with contractual partners (or pre-contractual), for example to answer inquiries.
We use this data to fulfil our contractual obligations. These include, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedies in the event of breaches of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations, as well as for company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and business management and security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangering 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 limits of applicable law, we only disclose the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. The contractual partners will be informed about further forms of processing, such as for marketing purposes, within the scope of this data protection declaration.
We will notify our contractual partners of the data required for the aforementioned purposes before or during the data collection process, e.g. in online forms, by means of special labels (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.
We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. in principle after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. as long as it has to be kept for legal archiving reasons (usually ten years for tax purposes). We delete data that has been disclosed to us by the contractual partner in the context of an order in accordance with the specifications and, in principle, after the end of the order.
- Processed data types: inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person); content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); image and/or video recordings (e.g. photographs or video recordings of a person). Sound recordings.
- Data subjects: Beneficiaries and clients; interested parties. Business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and business management procedures.
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 sec. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Marketing and advertising: We process the data of our customers and clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as “customers”) in order to offer marketing services such as market research, advertising campaigns, content creation and
social media management. The required information is marked as such when the order is placed and includes the information needed for service provision and billing, as well as contact information for possible follow-up. If we obtain access to information
about end customers, employees or other persons, we process this information in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements.
Procedures that are necessary in the context of marketing and advertising measures include the creation of marketing strategies and campaigns, the design of advertising materials and content, the selection of advertising channels and platforms, the performance of market analyses and target target group surveys, as well as measuring and analyzing the success of marketing measures. They also include the administration and maintenance of customer and prospective customer data, the segmentation of target groups, the sending of newsletters and advertising e-mails, the tracking of online marketing activities and the cooperation with external service providers in the field of marketing and advertising.
These procedures serve to develop effective marketing strategies for our customers, to design advertising measures that are appropriate for the target group, to measure and analyze the success of marketing activities, and to ensure efficient management of customer contacts and information; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Article 6 ( 1 S. 1 lit. f) DSGVO). - Photography: Processing in the context of photography includes the selection, acquisition or commissioning of desired works, images and video recordings or related services, as well as the associated activities, payments, deliveries and executions. This includes the capture of recognizable images of persons, accompanying circumstances and, in the case of videos, moving images and sound. If necessary, the time and place of recording may also be captured and processed. Information that is required in the context of order or similar contract conclusions is marked as such. This includes information necessary for delivery and billing, as well as contact information for possible queries; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Business processes and procedures
Personal data of beneficiaries and clients – including customers, clients or, in special cases, patients or business partners and other third parties – are processed in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships and pre-contractual measures such as the initiation of business relationships. This data processing supports and facilitates business processes in areas such as customer management, sales, payment transactions, accounting and project management.
The data collected is used to fulfill contractual obligations and to make operational processes efficient. This includes the processing of business transactions, the management of customer relationships, the optimization of sales strategies, and the guarantee of internal accounting and financial processes. In addition, the data supports the protection of the rights of the person responsible and promotes administrative tasks as well as the organization of the company.
Personal data may be passed on to third parties if this is necessary to fulfill the stated purposes or legal obligations. After expiry of legal retention periods or if the purpose of the processing no longer applies, the data will be deleted. This also includes data that has to be stored for a longer period of time due to tax and legal obligations to provide evidence.
- Processed data types: inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts and the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or the time of creation); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); protocol data (e.g. log files regarding logins or the retrieval of data or access times); usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used types and operating systems, interactions with content and functions); creditworthiness data (e.g. credit score obtained, estimated probability of default, risk classification based on this, historical payment behavior). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
- Data subjects: Beneficiaries and clients; interested parties; communication partners; business and contractual partners; third parties; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); employees (e.g. employees, applicants, temporary staff). Customers.
- Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; office and organizational procedures; business processes and business management procedures; communication; marketing; sales promotion; public relations; assessment of creditworthiness and solvency; finance and payment management. Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)).
- Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
- Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 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, procedures and services:
- Customer management and customer relationship management (CRM): Procedures that are necessary in the context of customer management and customer relationship management (CRM) (e.g. customer acquisition in compliance with data protection requirements, measures to promote customer loyalty and retention, effective customer communication, complaint management and customer service with due regard for data protection, data management and analysis to support customer relations, management of CRM systems, secure account management, customer segmentation and target group formation); legal bases: performance of a contract and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Contact management and maintenance: Procedures necessary to organize, maintain and secure contact information (e.g., establishing and maintaining a central contact database, regularly contact information updates, monitoring data integrity, implementing data protection measures, ensuring access controls, performing backups and restorations of contact data, training employees in the effective use of contact management software, regularly reviewing communication history and adapting contact strategies); legal bases: performance of a contract and prior requests (Art. 6 sec. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- General payment transactions: Procedures necessary for the execution of payment transactions, monitoring of bank accounts and control of payment flows (e.g. creation and verification of transfers, processing of direct debits, control of account statements, monitoring of incoming and outgoing payments, return debit note management, account reconciliation, cash management); legal bases: performance of a contract and prior requests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable: Procedures required for recording, processing and controlling business transactions in the area of accounts payable and accounts receivable (e.g. creating and checking incoming and outgoing invoices, monitoring and managing open items, executing payment transactions, processing dunning, account reconciliation in the context of claims and liabilities, accounts payable and accounts receivable accounting); legal bases: performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Financial accounting and taxes: Procedures that are necessary for the recording, administration and control of financially relevant business transactions and for the calculation, reporting and payment of taxes (e.g. account allocation and booking of business transactions, preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements, execution of payment transactions, processing of reminders , tax advice, preparation and submission of tax returns, tax processing); legal bases: performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (1) (f) GDPR).
- Marketing, advertising and sales promotion: Procedures required in connection with marketing, advertising and sales promotion (e.g. market analysis and target group identification, development of marketing strategies, planning and execution of advertising campaigns, design and production of advertising materials, online marketing including SEO and social media campaigns, event marketing and trade fair participations, customer loyalty programs, sales promotion measures, performance measurement and optimization of marketing activities, budget management and cost control); legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Public relations: Procedures that are necessary in the context of public relations and public relations (e.g. developing and implementing communication strategies, planning and executing PR campaigns, creating and distributing press releases, maintaining media contacts, monitoring and analyzing media response, organizing press conferences and public events, crisis communication, creating content for social media and corporate websites, managing corporate branding); legal basis: legitimate (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Provision of online services and web hosting
We process user data in order to provide our online services. To do this, we process the user's IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user's browser or device.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and time spent on the page, click paths, frequency and intensity of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved ); protocol data (e.g. log files regarding logins or the retrieval of data or access times). Content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts, as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or the time of creation).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
- Storage and erasure: Erasure as described in the section “General information on data storage and erasure”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services services:
- Provision of online services on rented storage space: To provide our online services, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also known as a “web host”); legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online services is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files may include the address and name of the accessed websites and files, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, a notification of successful access, the browser type and version, the user's operating system, the 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 case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes are excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
- Hetzner: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities); service provider: Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91710 Gunzenhausen, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hetzner.com; Privacy Policy : https://www.hetzner.com/de/rechtliches/datenschutz; Data processing agreement: https://docs.hetzner.com/de/general/general-terms-and-conditions/data-privacy-faq/. Basis for third-country transfers: Switzerland – adequacy decision (Germany).
- W3 Total Cache: Caching and loading optimization – functions that are used to store certain website content so that it can be loaded more quickly during repeated access. This reduces loading times and improves the user experience; Service provider: Execution on servers and/or computers under their own data protection responsibility; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR). Website: https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/.
Use of cookies
The term “cookies” refers to functions that store and read information on users' end devices. Furthermore, cookies can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to generate visitor flow analyses. We use cookies in accordance with legal requirements. To do this, we obtain the consent of the user in advance if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, saving settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online services. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of this and which cookies are used.
Notes on the legal basis under data protection law: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent has been provided, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.
Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, the following types of cookies are distinguished:
- Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offer and closed his terminal device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
- manent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device has been closed. This means, for example, that the login status can be stored and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the user data collected using cookies can be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information about the type and duration of storage of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.
General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also object object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including by means of the privacy settings of their browser.
- Processed data types: Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution to obtain users' consent to the use of cookies or to the 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 process, users' consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management process. Users also have the option to manage and revoke their consent. The declarations of consent are stored in order to avoid having to request them again and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The information is stored on the server and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The duration of the storage of the consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored together with the time of consent, the information on the scope of consent (e.g. categories of cookies and/or service providers concerned) and information on the browser, the system and the end device used; legal basis: consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
- BorlabsCookie: Consent management: procedure for obtaining, logging, managing and withdrawing consent, in particular for the use of cookies and similar technologies for storing, reading and processing information on users' end devices and processing that information; service provider: execution on servers and/or computers under their own data protection responsibility; website: > https://de.borlabs.io/borlabs-cookie/. Additional information: An individual user ID, language, types of consent and the time of their submission are stored on the server and in the cookie on the user's device.
Blogs and publication media
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter “publication medium”). Readers' data is processed for the purposes of the publication medium only to the extent necessary for its presentation and for communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For further information, please 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. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact information (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and time spent on the page, click paths, frequency and intensity of use, types of device and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
- Storage and erasure: Erasure as described in the section “General information on data storage and erasure”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Gravatar profile pictures: profile pictures – We use the Gravatar service within our online offering and in particular in the blog.
Gravatar is a service where users can register and store profile pictures and their email addresses. If users leave posts or comments with their respective email addresses on other online presences (especially in blogs), their profile pictures can be displayed next to the posts or comments. For this purpose, the email address provided by the users is encrypted and transmitted to Gravatar to check whether a profile has been stored for it. This is the only purpose of transmitting the email address. It is not used for any other purpose and is deleted afterwards.
The use of Gravatar is based on our legitimate interests, as we use Gravatar to offer contributors and commentators the opportunity to personalize their contributions with a profile picture.
By displaying the images, Gravatar learns the IP address of the user, as this is necessary for communication between a browser and an online service.
If users do not want an image associated with their email address to appear in comments, they should use an email address that is not associated with Gravatar to comment. We would also like to point out that it is also possible to use an anonymous or no e-mail address if users do not want their own e-mail address to be sent to Gravatar. Users can completely prevent the transfer of data by not using our comment system; service provider: Aut O'Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); < Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy. Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - adequacy decision (Ireland).
Contact and enquiry management
When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and as part of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the enquiring persons is processed to the extent necessary to answer contact enquiries and any requested measures.
- Processed data types: inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact information (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
- Data subjects: Communication partners.
- Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
- Storage and erasure: Erasure as described in the section “General information on data storage and erasure”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Contact form: When you contact us using our contact form, by email or other means of communication, we process the personal data transmitted to us in order to answer and process the respective request. This usually includes information such as your name, contact information and, if applicable, other information that is provided to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of establishing contact and communication; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR).
- Contact Form 7: Contact request and communication management; Service provider: Rock Lobster, LLC; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://contactform7.com/. Additional information: Operation within a dedicated hosting environment.
Newsletter and electronic notifications
We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) exclusively with the consent of the recipients or on the basis of a legal basis. If the contents of the newsletter are mentioned in the context of registration, these contents are decisive for the consent of the users. To subscribe to our newsletter, it is normally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, in order to provide you with a personalized service, we may ask you to provide your name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter or provide further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.
Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove a previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that at the same time the former existence of a consent is confirmed. In the event of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address in a block list (so-called “block list”) for this purpose alone.
The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it has been carried out properly. Insofar as we commission a service provider to send e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.
Contents:Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.
- Processed data types: inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact information (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); metadata, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved). Usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
- Data subjects: 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).
- Opt-out: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options given above, preferably by email.
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Measuring opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called “web beacon” , i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or its server, if we use a mailing service provider, when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information such as details of the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of the retrieval, are initially collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether and when the newsletters are opened and which links are clicked. The information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until deletion. The evaluations serve to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. The measurement of opening and click rates and the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles and their further processing are based on the consent of the users. Unfortunately, it is not possible to separately revoke the performance measurement; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information is deleted; legal basis: consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
- Reminder e-mails for the ordering process: If users do not complete an ordering process, we can remind them by e-mail of the ordering process and send them a link to continue the process. This function can be useful, for example, if the purchase process could not be continued due to a browser crash, mistake or forgetting. The dispatch is based on consent, which users can revoke at any time; legal basis: consent (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. a) GDPR).
Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
The web analysis (also referred to as “reach measurement”) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and may include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what times our online services or their functions or content are most frequently used, or invite reuse. It also enables us to understand which areas require optimization.
In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data combined into a single usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a terminal device and then read out. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and the elements used there, as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on times of use. If users have agreed to the collection of their location data vis-à-vis us or vis-à-vis the providers of the services we use, the processing of location data is also possible.
In addition, the IP addresses of users are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but pseudonyms are. This means that we and the providers of the software used do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective procedure.
Notes on the legal basis: If we ask users for their consent to use the third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is their consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economic 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.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and time spent on the page, click paths, frequency and intensity of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
- 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 (creation of user profiles). Tracking (e.g. interest/behavioral profiling, use of cookies).
- Storage and erasure: Erasure as described in the section “General information on data storage and erasure”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for a period of two years).
- Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- WP Statistics: WP Statistics is a privacy-friendly web analytics software that does not use cookies and recognizes returning users with the help of a so-called “digital fingerprint print” that is stored anonymously and changes every 24 hours; with the ‘digital fingerprint’, user movements within our online offer are recorded with the help of pseudonymized IP addresses in combination with user-side browser settings in such a way that it is not possible to draw conclusions about the identity of individual users. This collection/storage is only for the purpose of a site analysis. The evaluations are based on log data (see server log files). These are necessary for the connection between the web browser and the web server. All IP addresses and data collected by WP Statistics are stored completely anonymously on this web server. Cookies are not set by WP Statistics. The user data collected by WP Statistics is only processed by us and is not passed on to third parties. The protection of your privacy and your personal data is our top priority when using WP Statistics. WP Statistics itself does not collect any further visitor data. A personal identification of a visitor does not take place here; service provider: Execution on servers and/or computers under own data protection responsibility; legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) DSGVO). Website: https://veronalabs.com/.
- PostHog Cloud EU: Web analysis and reach measurement – collection of information about the use of the online offering by users in relation to its functions, content and duration of use; service provider: PostHog Inc , 261 Market St., #4008, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://posthog.com/; < strong>Privacy Policy: https://posthog.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://posthog.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: strong>EU/EEA - Standard Contractual Clauses (https://posthog.com/privacy (part of the data processing agreement)), Switzerland - Standard Contractual Clauses (https://posthog.com/privacy (part of the data processing contract)). Additional information: Operation on EU servers.
Customer reviews and rating procedures
We participate in review and rating procedures to evaluate, optimize and promote our services. If users rate us or otherwise provide feedback via the participating rating platforms or processes, the general terms and conditions and the data protection notices of the providers also apply. As a rule, rating also requires registration with the respective providers.
In order to ensure that the persons evaluating have actually used our services, we transmit the necessary data with regard to the customer and the service used to the respective evaluation platform (including name, e-mail address and order number or article number) with the consent of the customer. These data are used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.
- Processed data types: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
- Data subjects: Beneficiaries and clients. Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Marketing.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Google Customer Reviews: Service for obtaining and/or displaying customer satisfaction and customer opinions; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); website: https://www .google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - Angemessenheitsbeschluss (Ireland); More information: As part of the process of obtaining customer reviews, an identification number and the time of the transaction to be evaluated are processed, along with the customer's email address and their country of residence in the case of review requests sent directly to customers, as well as the review details themselves. Further information on the types of processing and the processed data: https:// business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on the services, data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
- Trustpilot: review platform; service provider: Trustpilot A/S , Pilestræde 58, 5, 1112 Copenhagen, Denmark; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) DSGVO); Website: https://de.trustpilot.comPrivacy Policy: https://de.legal.trustpilot.com/for-reviewers/end-user-privacy-terms.
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, for example, the enforcement of user rights could be made more difficult.
Furthermore, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on user behavior and the resulting interests of users. The latter may in turn be used to place advertisements inside and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. Therefore, cookies are usually stored on the users' computers, in which the usage behavior and the interests of the users are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by the users (in particular if they are members of the respective platforms and logged in there).
For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the opt-out options, we refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.
We would also like to point out that, in the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. However, should you require assistance, you can contact us.
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or pictorial messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and duration of visit, click paths, frequency and intensity of use, types of device and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Communication; Feedback (e. e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.
- Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and erasure”.
- Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Instagram: social network, enables the sharing of photos and videos, commenting on and favoriting posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; < strong>Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) DSGVO); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https ://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - adequacy decision (Ireland).
- Facebook pages: Profiles within the Facebook social network - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not further processing) of data from visitors to our Facebook page (so-called “fan page”). This data includes information about the types of content that users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see “Things you and others have done and provided” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see “Device Information” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under “How do we use this information?”, Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as “Page Insights”, to page administrators so that they can understand how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook (“Information on Page Insights”, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which specifically governs the security measures that Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, request information or deletion directly from Facebook). The rights of users (in particular with regard to information, deletion, objection and complaints to the relevant regulatory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Information on Page Insights” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, in particular with regard to the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 f) GDPR); website: https://www.facebook.com; privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - adequacy decision (Ireland).
- LinkedIn: Social network - We share joint responsibility with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for the collection (but not further processing) of visitor data used to create the “Page Insights” (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles
. This data includes information about the types of content that users view or interact with, as well as the actions they take. In addition, details about the devices used are recorded, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language
settings and cookie data, as well as information from the user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be
found in LinkedIn's data protection information: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
We have entered into a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”, https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint- controller-addendum), which in particular regulates which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfill the rights of the data subjects (i.e. users can address requests for information or deletion directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the relevant regulatory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. The joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transfer of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) DSGVO); website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third-country transfers: EU/ EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - adequacy decision (Ireland). Opt-out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
Plug-ins and embedded functions and content
We embed 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”). These may be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as “content”).
The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since they would not be able to send the content to the user's browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required for the presentation of this content or these functions. We endeavor to use only content from providers who use the IP address solely for the purpose of delivering the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. Pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user's device and may include, but is not limited to, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information regarding the use of our online services. This information may also be linked to information from other sources.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to use third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economic 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.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and time spent on the page, click paths, frequency and intensity of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved ). Location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
- Storage and erasure: Erasure in accordance with the information in the “General Information on data storage and deletion“. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for a period of two years).
- Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) DSGVO). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Further information on processing, procedures and services:
- Google Fonts (obtained from Google server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to up-to-dateness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible license restrictions. The IP address of the user is communicated to the provider of the fonts so that the fonts can be made available in the user's browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) are transmitted, which are necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data may be processed on a server of the font provider in the United States. When you visit our online offering, the user's browser sends its HTTP request to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e., a software interface for retrieving fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) of Google Fonts and then the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the respective user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent that describes the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the reference URL (i.e. the website on which the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent and referrer URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wishes to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. The Google Fonts Web API requires the user agent to customize the font generated for each browser type. The user agent is primarily logged for debugging and used to generate aggregated usage statistics that measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the “Analytics” page of Google Fonts. Finally, the reference URL is logged so that the data can be used to maintain production and generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to Google, it does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to display targeted ads; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 sec. 1 p. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland – adequacy decision (Ireland). More information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
- Google Maps: We integrate maps from the “Google Maps” service provided by Google. The data processed may include, in particular, users' IP addresses and location data; service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; legal basis: consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) DSGVO); website: ; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy. Basis for third-country transfers: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - adequacy decision (Ireland).
Amendments and updates
We kindly request that you regularly review the content of our data protection declaration. We will amend 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 an act of cooperation on your part (e.g. consent) or any other individual notification.
If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organizations in this data protection declaration, please note that the addresses may change over time and please check the information before contacting us.
Definitions of terms
This section provides an overview of the terms used in this data protection declaration. Insofar as the terms are legally defined, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, on the other hand, are intended primarily for comprehension.
- Employees: Employees are persons who are in an employment relationship, whether as staff, workers or in similar positions. An employment relationship is a legal relationship between an employer and an employee that is established by an employment contract or agreement. It includes the employer's obligation to pay the employee compensation while the employee performs his or her work. The employment relationship encompasses various phases, including the establishment of the employment contract, the execution of the contract, the performance of the employee's work, and the termination when the employment relationship ends, whether by notice of termination, termination agreement or otherwise. Employment data is all information relating to these individuals in the context of their employment. This includes aspects such as personal identification data, identification numbers, salary and bank details, working hours, vacation entitlements, health data and performance reviews.
- Inventory data: Inventory data includes essential information necessary for the identification and administration of contractual partners, user accounts, profiles and similar assignments. This data may include personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, phone numbers, email addresses), dates of birth and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between persons and services, facilities or systems by enabling unambiguous assignment and communication.
- Content data: Content data includes information generated in the course of creating, editing and publishing content of all kinds. This category of data can include text, images, videos, audio files, and other multimedia content published across various platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content, but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information, and publication dates. They include, among other things, telephone numbers, postal addresses and e-mail addresses, as well as means of communication such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
- Meta, communication and process data: Meta, communication and process data are categories that contain information about how data is processed, transmitted and managed. Meta data, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin and structure of other data. They may include details such as file size, creation date, document author, and change histories. Communication data captures the exchange of information between users across various channels, such as email traffic, call logs, social network messages, and chat histories, including the people involved, timestamps, and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, transaction and activity logs, and audit logs used to track and verify operations.
- Usage data: Usage data refers to information that captures how users interact with digital products, services or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which functions they prefer, how long they spend on certain pages and which paths they navigate through an application. Usage data may also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information and location data. They are particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences and possible problem areas within digital offerings.
- Personal data: “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. a cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
- Profiles with user-related information: The processing of “profiles with user-related information”, or “profiles” for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using 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 regarding demographics, behavior and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) to analyze, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (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.
- Log data: Log data is information about events or activities that have been logged in a system or network. This data typically includes information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data is often used to analyze system problems, for security monitoring or to create performance reports.
- Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the visitor flows of an online offering and may 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 services 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. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for the purposes of reach analysis in order to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online service.
- Location data: Location data is created when a mobile device (or another device with the technical capability to determine a location) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN or similar technical means and functions to determine a location. Location data is used to indicate the geographically identifiable position on earth of the respective device. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
- Tracking: Tracking refers to the process of tracing the behavior of users across multiple online services. As a rule, behavioral and interest information is stored in cookies or on the servers of the tracking technology providers with regard to the online offers used (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to correspond to their interests.
- Controller: The “controller” is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
- Processing: “Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses practically every handling of data, be it the collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion.
- Contract data: Contract data is specific information related to the formalization of an agreement between two or more parties. They document the terms and conditions under which services or products are provided, exchanged or sold. This category of data is essential for managing and fulfilling contractual obligations and includes both the identification of the parties to the contract and the specific terms and conditions of the agreement. Contract data may include start and end dates of the contract, the type of services or products agreed, pricing arrangements, payment terms, termination rights, renewal options, and special terms or clauses. They serve as the legal basis for the relationship between the parties and are crucial for clarifying rights and obligations, enforcing claims and resolving disputes.
- Payment data: Payment data includes all information needed to process payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This data is essential for e-commerce, online banking, and any other form of financial transaction. It includes details such as credit card numbers, bank account details, payment amounts, transaction dates, verification numbers, and billing information. Payment data may also include information about payment status, chargebacks, authorizations, and fees.