Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process, for what purposes and to what extent. 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: September 19, 2024

 

Table of contents

– Preamble
– Controller
– Contact data protection officer
– Overview of the processing operations
– Relevant legal bases
– Security measures
– Transfer of personal data
– International data transfers
– General information on data storage and erasure
– Rights of the data subjects
– Business services
– Provision of the online offering and web hosting
– Use of cookies
– Contact and request management
– Chatbots and chat functions
– Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
– Presence in social networks (social media)
– Modification and updating
– Definitions of terms

 

Person responsible

AI Business Expert
Ekkehard Schmider
Am Neubruch 10
82284 Grafrath

E-mail address: ekkehard@www.ai-business-expert.com

Phone: +49 162 83 24 799

Imprint: https://www.ai-business-expert.com/imprint

 

Contact Data Protection Officer

AI Business Expert
Ekkehard Schmider
Am Neubruch 10
82284 Grafrath
ekkehard@www.ai-business-expert.com
+49 162 83 24 799

 

Overview of the 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 and process data.
Log data.

 

Categories of data subjects

Service recipients and clients.
Interested parties.
Communication partners.
Users.
Business and contractual partners.
Purposes of the processing
Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
Communication.
Security measures.
Range measurement.

Office and organizational procedures.
Organizational and administrative procedures.
Feedback.
Profiles with user-related information.
Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
Information technology infrastructure.
Public relations.
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 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.

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. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may 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 the access, input, disclosure, safeguarding of availability and its separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we already take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

 

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

 

Transmission of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may be transmitted 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.

 

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 transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this only takes place in accordance with the legal requirements. If the level of data protection in the third country has been recognized by means of an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Otherwise, data will only be transferred if the level of data protection is otherwise ensured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 para. 2 lit. c) GDPR), express consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transfer (Art. 49 para. 1 GDPR). In addition, we will inform you of the basis for third country transfers with the individual providers from the third country, whereby the adequacy decisions take precedence. Information on third country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de. As part of the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection for certain companies from the USA as secure as part of the adequacy decision of 10.07.2023. 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/. As part of the data protection information, we will inform you which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

 

General information on data storage and deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or there is no further legal basis for processing. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer required. There are exceptions to this rule if legal obligations or special interests require longer storage or archiving of the data.

 

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

 

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

 

If more than one retention period or deletion period is specified for a date, the longest period shall always apply.

 

If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically starts 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 deadline is the date on which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect.

 

We only process data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose, but due to legal requirements or other reasons, for the reasons that justify its storage.

 

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

 

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to retention and archiving under German law:

10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet and the work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding, accounting vouchers and invoices (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 1, 4 and 4a AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 and 4, para. 4 HGB).

6 years – Other business documents: commercial or business letters received, reproductions of commercial or business letters sent, other documents insofar as they are of significance for taxation, e.g. Hourly wage slips, company accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, but also payroll accounting documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register strips (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3, para. 4 HGB).

3 years – Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related inquiries based on past business experience and standard industry practices are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (Sections 195, 199 BGB).

 

Rights of the data subjects

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

 

Right to object: You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.

Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.

Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.

Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with the legal requirements.

Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to demand that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the legal requirements.

Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request its transmission to another controller.

Complaint to the supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the provisions of the GDPR.

 

Business services

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

We use this data 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 use the data to safeguard our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the company organization. We also process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests both in the proper and efficient management of our business 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. to involve 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, such as 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 four 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 ten years). We delete data disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order.

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 email addresses or telephone numbers). Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).

Data subjects: Service recipients and clients; interested parties. Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfilment 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: Contract fulfillment 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).

 

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

 

Project and development services: We process the data of our customers and clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as “customers”) in order to enable them to select, purchase or commission the selected services or works and associated activities as well as their payment and provision or execution or performance.

 

The required information is identified as such in the context of the conclusion of the contract, order or comparable contract and includes the information required for the provision of services and billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations. Insofar as we receive access to information from end customers, employees or other persons, we process this in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

 

Provision of the online offering and web hosting

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

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).

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 deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.

Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

 

Provision of online offer on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called “web host”); legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is recorded in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

 

Use of cookies

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

 

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. 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 users with a telemedia service they have expressly requested (i.e. our online offering). The revocable consent is clearly communicated to you and contains information on the respective use of cookies.

 

Information on the legal basis under data protection law: The legal basis under data protection law on which we process users’ personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask for their consent. If users accept, the legal basis for processing their data is their declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed using cookies will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the commercial operation of our online offering and the improvement of its usability) or, if this is done in the context of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We will explain the purposes for which we use 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 log-in status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used to measure reach.If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that they are permanent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out):Users can revoke the consents they have given at any time and also declare an objection to processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including by means of their browser’s privacy settings.

 

Processed data types: Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).

Data subjects:Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).

Otherwise, the data processed using cookies will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the commercial operation of our online offering and the improvement of its usability) or, if this is done in the context of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.

We will explain the purposes for which we use 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 

Execution on servers and/or computers under its own responsibility under data protection law; Website: https://complianz.io/; Privacy Policy: https://complianz.io/legal/. Further information: An individual user ID, language and types of consent and the time of their submission are stored on the server and in the cookie on the user’s device.

 

Contact and request management

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

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, 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 deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.

Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

 

Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, by e-mail or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us to answer and process the respective request. This generally includes details such as name, contact information and any other information that is provided to us and is required for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of establishing contact and communication; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

 

Chatbots and chat functions

We offer online chats and chatbot functions as a means of communication (collectively referred to as “chat services”). A chat is an online conversation conducted with a certain degree of timeliness. A chatbot is software that answers users’ questions or informs them about messages. If you use our chat functions, we may process your personal data.

If you use our chat services within an online platform, your identification number will also be stored within the respective platform. We may also collect information about which users interact with our chat services and when. Furthermore, we store the content of your conversations via the chat services and log registration and consent processes in order to be able to prove these in accordance with legal requirements.

 

We would like to point out to users that the respective platform provider may find out that and when users communicate with our chat services and may collect technical information about the user’s device and, depending on the settings of their device, location information (so-called metadata) for the purpose of optimizing the respective services and for security purposes. The metadata of communication via chat services (i.e., for example, information about who has communicated with whom) may also be used by the respective platform providers for marketing purposes or to display advertising tailored to users in accordance with their provisions, to which we refer for further information.

 

If users declare their willingness to a chatbot to activate information with regular messages, they have the option to unsubscribe from the information for the future at any time. The chatbot informs users how and with which terms they can unsubscribe from the messages. When users unsubscribe from the chatbot messages, their data is deleted from the list of message recipients.

 

We use the aforementioned data to operate our chat services, e.g. to address users personally, to answer their queries, to transmit any requested content and also to improve our chat services (e.g. to “teach” chatbots answers to frequently asked questions.

Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or – This text area must be activated with a premium license; content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship – This text area must be activated with a premium license. Usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with.

Affected persons: Communication partner.

Purposes of processing: Communication.

Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.

Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective procedures.

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

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).

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).

Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years).

 

Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).

Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

 

Presence 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, it could make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).

Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).

Purposes of Processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations work.

 

Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.

Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

 

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

 

Instagram: Social network, allows you to share photos and videos, comment on and favorite posts, send messages, subscribe to profiles and pages; service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

LinkedIn: Social network – We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors that are created for the purpose of creating the “page insights” (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles.

This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take, as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data) and information from users’ profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

 

https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Option to object (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

 

Changes and updates

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

 

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

 

Definitions of terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Insofar as the terms are defined by law, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding.

 

Inventory data: Inventory data includes essential information that is necessary for the identification and management of contractual partners, user accounts, profiles and similar assignments. This data may include personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses), dates of birth and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between people and services, facilities or systems by enabling clear 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 texts, images, videos, audio files and other multimedia content published on 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

Contact data: Contact data is essential information that enables communication with individuals or organizations. It includes telephone numbers, postal addresses and email addresses, as well as communication tools such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.

Meta, communication and procedural data: Meta, communication and procedural data are categories that contain information about the way in which 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. It can include information on file size, creation date, the author of a document and change histories. Communication data records the exchange of information between users via various channels, such as e-mail traffic, call logs, messages in social networks and chat histories, including the persons involved, time stamps and transmission paths. Process Data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review 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 stay on certain pages and which paths they navigate through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information and location data. It is particularly valuable for analysing user behaviour, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences and potential problem areas within digital offerings

Personal data: “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. 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 various information relating to demographics, behavior and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.

Log data: Log data is information about events or activities that have been logged in a system or network. This data typically contains 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 flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offers can, for example, recognize at what time users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This allows them to better adapt the content of their websites to the needs of their visitors, for example. For the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offer.

Controller: “Controller” means 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, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers practically every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion.

Contract data: Contract data is specific information that relates to the formalization of an agreement between two or more parties. It documents the conditions under which services or products are provided, exchanged or sold. This category of data is essential for the management and fulfillment of contractual obligations and includes both the identification of the contracting parties 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, price agreements, 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 the clarification of rights and obligations, the enforcement of claims and the resolution of disputes.

Payment data: Payment data includes all information needed to process payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This data is crucial for e-commerce, online banking and any other form of financial transaction. It includes details such as credit card numbers, bank details, payment amounts, transaction dates, verification numbers and billing information. Payment data can also include information about payment status, chargebacks, authorizations and fees.