Privacy policy

Introduction

With the following data protection declaration, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data" for short) that we process, for what purposes and to what extent. The data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both as part 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 the "Online Offer").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: 14. February 2020

Table of contents

Person responsible

Realizas GmbH
Meinhard Schnelle

Im Löken 18
44339 Dortmund
Germany

E-mail address: kontakt@schnelle-messtechnik.de

Imprint: http://www.schnelle-messtechnik.de/en/legal.html

Overview of processing operations

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing, and refers to the data subjects.

Types of processed data

Special categories of data

Categories of data subjects

Purposes of processing

Relevant legal basis

In the following, we share the legal basis of the Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the basis of which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the regulations of the DSGVO, the national data protection regulations in your or our country of residence and domicile may apply. Furthermore, should more specific legal bases be relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on 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, it regulates data processing for employment purposes (Section 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, implementation or termination of employment relationships as well as the consent of employees. 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 access to, input of, disclosure of, assurance of availability of and segregation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subjects' rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data compromise. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software as well as procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

SSL encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our online offer, we use SSL encryption. You will recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address line of your browser.

Transmission and disclosure of personal data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it may happen that the data is transmitted to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. Recipients of this data may include, for example, payment institutions in the context of payment transactions, 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 appropriate contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.

Data transfer within the group of companies: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of companies or grant them access to this data. Insofar as this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of the data is based on our legitimate corporate and business interests or is carried out insofar as it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract-related obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or a legal permission is available.

Data transfer within the organization: We may transfer or provide access to personal data to other entities within our organization. Where this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of data is based on our legitimate corporate and business interests or is made where it is necessary for the performance of our contract-related obligations or where consent of the data subjects or legal permission has been obtained.

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, entities or companies, this is only done in accordance with the legal requirements.

Subject to explicit consent or transfer required by contract or law, we only process or allow data to be processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, which includes U.S. processors certified under the "Privacy Shield", or on the basis of special guarantees, such as a contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, the existence of certifications or binding internal data protection regulations (Art. 44 to 49 DSGVO, information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de ).

Use of cookies

Cookies are text files that contain data from visited websites or domains and are stored by a browser on the user's computer. The primary purpose of a cookie is to store information about a user during or after their visit within an online site. Stored information may include, for example, language settings on a website, login status, a shopping cart, or where a video was watched. We further include in the term cookies other technologies that perform the same functions as cookies (e.g., when user details are stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also referred to as "user IDs")

The following cookie types and functions are distinguished:

Notes on legal basis: On which legal basis we process your personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask you for consent. If this is the case and you consent to the use of cookies, the legal basis for processing your data is your declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the business operation of our online offer and its improvement) or, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Depending on whether the processing is based on consent or legal permission, you have the option at any time to revoke any consent you have given or to object to the processing of your data by cookie technologies (collectively referred to as "opt-out"). You can initially declare your objection by means of your browser settings, e.g. by deactivating the use of cookies (whereby this may also restrict the functionality of our online offer). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be declared by means of a variety of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/. In addition, you can obtain further objection notices as part of the information on the service providers and cookies used.

Processing of cookie data based on consent: Before we process or have processed data in the context of the use of cookies, we ask users for consent that can be revoked at any time. Before the consent has not been expressed, cookies are used at most, which are necessary for the operation of our online offer. Their use is based on our interest and the interest of users in the expected functionality of our online offering.

Commercial and 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 as well as related measures and in the context of communication with contractual partners (or pre-contractual), e.g.., to answer inquiries.

We process this data to fulfill our contractual obligations, to secure our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with this information as well as the corporate organization. Within the framework of the applicable law, we only disclose the data of the contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or for the fulfillment of legal obligations or with the consent of the contractual partners (e.g. to participating telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). The contractual partners will be informed about further forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the framework of this data protection declaration.

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

Insofar as we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and data protection notices of the respective third-party providers or platforms shall apply in the relationship between the users and the providers.

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

Economic analyses and market research.

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

Education and training services: We process the data of participants in our education and training services (uniformly referred to as "trainees") in order to provide our training services to them. The data processed in this context, the nature, scope, purpose and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual and training relationship. The forms of processing also include the performance assessment and evaluation of our services and those of the teachers.

In the course of our activities, we may also process special categories of data, in particular data relating to the health of the trainees, as well as data revealing ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs. For this purpose, we obtain the explicit consent of the trainees, if required, and otherwise process the special categories of data only if it is necessary for the provision of the training services, for the purposes of health care, social protection or the protection of vital interests of the trainees.

If it is necessary for our contractual performance, for the protection of vital interests or required by law, or if we have the consent of the trainees, we disclose or transfer the data of the trainees to third parties or agents, such as public authorities or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law.

Coaching: We process the data of our clients as well as prospective clients and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") in order to be able to provide our services to them. The data processed, the type, scope, purpose and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

In the course of our activities, we may also process special categories of data, in this case in particular information on the health of clients, possibly with reference to their sex life or sexual orientation, as well as data revealing racial and ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or ideological beliefs or trade union membership. For this purpose, we obtain explicit consent from clients where necessary and otherwise process the special categories of data where this serves the health of clients, the data are public or other legal permissions exist.

If it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or required by law, or if we have the consent of the clients, we disclose or transfer the data of the clients to third parties or agents, such as public authorities, billing offices and in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law.

Consulting: We process the data of our clients, customers as well as interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "Clients") in order to be able to provide our consulting services to them. The data processed, the type, scope, purpose and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

If it is necessary for our contractual performance, for the protection of vital interests or required by law, or if we have the consent of the client, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third parties or agents, such as public authorities, subcontractors or in the area of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law.

Project and development services: We process the data of our customers as well as clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "Customers") in order to enable them to select, acquire or commission the selected services or works as well as related activities as well as to pay for them and make them available or execute or provide them.

The required information is identified as such in the context of the order, purchase order or comparable contract conclusion 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 are given access to information of end customers, employees or other persons, we process this information in accordance with legal and contractual requirements.

Technical Services: We process the data of our customers as well as clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "Customers") in order to enable them to select, acquire or commission the selected services or works as well as related activities as well as to pay for and make available or perform or provide them.

The required information is identified as such in the context of the order, purchase order or comparable contract conclusion 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 obtain access to information of end customers, employees or other persons, we process this information in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements.

Referral services: We process the information provided by interested parties as part of the mediation request for the purposes of establishing, implementing and, if necessary, terminating a contract for the mediation of offers from providers of the products or services requested on their part.

We use the contact data of interested parties to specify their request by means of the agreed or otherwise permitted communication channel (e.g., telephone or e-mail) and to propose suitable providers or offers to them based on the specified request. In addition, we may ask interested parties at a later date, in accordance with legal requirements, queries about the success of our mediation service.

We process the data of the interested parties as well as of the providers for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, in order to link the inquiry of the interested parties submitted to us with the offers of the providers matching it and to forward it to corresponding providers, or to suggest the providers.

We may log the entries made in the online form sent by interested parties in order to be able to prove the existence of the contractual relationship and consents of the interested parties in accordance with the legal accountability obligations (Art. 5 para. 2 DSGVO). This information is stored for a period of three to four years in case we need to prove the original request (e.g., to prove the authorization to contact the interested parties).

Contacting

When contacting us (e. e.g. by contact form, email, telephone or via social media), the information provided by the inquiring persons is processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact requests and any measures requested.

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

Online conferences, meetings and webinars

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as "Third Party Providers") for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings. In selecting Third-Party Providers and their services, we comply with legal requirements.

In this context, data of the communication participants are processed and stored on the servers of the third-party providers, insofar as these are part of communication processes with us. This data may include, in particular, registration and contact data, visual as well as vocal contributions, as well as entries in chats and shared screen content.

Insofar as users are referred to the third-party providers, or their software or platforms, in the course of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party providers may process usage data and metadata for security, service optimization or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to observe the data protection notices of the respective third party providers.

Notes on legal basis: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis of the processing is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the third-party providers has been agreed within this framework. Otherwise, the users' data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners. In this context, we would also like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection statement.

Services used and service providers:

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

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

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

Email sending and hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the sending, receiving as well as storing of e-mails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders as well as further information regarding the e-mail dispatch (e.g. the providers involved) and the contents of the respective e-mails are processed. The aforementioned data may also be processed for SPAM detection purposes. Please note that e-mails are generally not sent encrypted on the Internet. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted in transit, but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We can therefore not assume any responsibility for the transmission path of the e-mails between the sender and the reception on our server.

Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on each access to the server (so-called server log files). The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type along with 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 may be used, on the one hand, for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overload (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and, on the other hand, to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability.

Content-Delivery-Network: We use a "content delivery network" (CDN). A CDN is a service with the help of which the content of an online offer, especially large media files, such as graphics or program scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet.

Content-Delivery-Network: We use a "Content-Delivery-Network" (CDN).

Services and service providers used:

Cloud services

We use software services accessible via the Internet and running on the servers of their providers (so-called "cloud services", also referred to as "software as a service") for the following purposes: Document storage and management, calendar management, emailing, spreadsheets and presentations, sharing documents, content and information with specific recipients or publishing web pages, forms or other content and information, and chatting and participating in audio and video conferencing.

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of the providers to the extent that these are part of communication processes with us or are otherwise processed by us as set out in the context of this privacy policy. This data may include, in particular, master data and contact data of users, data on transactions, contracts, other processes and their contents. The cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata used by them for security purposes and service optimization.

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

Notes on legal bases: If we ask for consent to use the cloud services, the legal basis of the processing is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the cloud services has been agreed within this framework. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient and secure management and collaboration processes)

Services used and service providers:

Newsletter and broad communication

We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletter") only with the consent of the recipients or a legal permission. If the contents of the Newsletter are specifically described in the context of a registration, they are decisive for the consent of the users. For the rest, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.

In order to subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, we may ask you to enter a name for the purpose of personal address.

Double-Opt-In-Procedure: The registration for our newsletter is always done in a so-called Double-Opt-In-Procedure. This means that after registration you will receive an e-mail in which you are asked to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with other e-mail addresses. The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process according to the legal requirements. This includes the storage of the registration and confirmation time as well as the IP address. Likewise, any changes to your data stored with the dispatch service provider are logged.

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

The logging of the registration process takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purposes of proving its proper course. 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.

Notes on legal basis: Newsletters are sent on the basis of the recipients' consent or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing, if and to the extent that this is permitted by law, e.g. in the case of existing customer advertising. Insofar as we commission a service provider to send e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests. The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests to prove that it was carried out in accordance with the law.

Content: Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

Success measurement: The newsletters contain a so-called "web-beacon", i.e., a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened, or, if we use a shipping service provider, from their server. Within the scope of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about 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 the access times. This analysis also includes determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. For technical reasons, this information can indeed be assigned to individual newsletter recipients. However, it is neither our intention nor, if used, that of the dispatch service provider to observe individual users. Rather, the evaluations serve us 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 evaluation of the newsletter and the measurement of success are carried out, subject to the express consent of the users, on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of using a user-friendly as well as secure newsletter system, which serves both our business interests and meets the expectations of the users.

A separate revocation of the performance measurement is unfortunately not possible, in this case the entire newsletter subscription must be cancelled, or it must be contradicted.

Promotional communication via e-mail, post, fax or telephone

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

Recipients have the right to revoke consent given or to object to the promotional communication at any time.

After revocation or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting it. The processing of this data will be limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.

Online marketing

We process personal data for online marketing purposes, which may include, in particular, the marketing of advertising space or display of promotional and other content (collectively referred to as "content") based on potential user interests and the measurement of its effectiveness.

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

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

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

Exceptionally, clear data can be assigned to profiles. This is the case if, for example, the users are members of a social network whose online marketing procedure we use and the network links the users' profiles with the aforementioned data. We ask to note that users may make additional arrangements with the providers, e.g., by giving consent during registration.

In principle, we only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, in the context of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to a contract being concluded with us. The conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

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

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the processing of data is consent. Otherwise, users' 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

Services and service providers used:

Presence on social networks

We maintain online presences within social networks in order to communicate with users active there or to offer information about us there.

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

For a detailed presentation of the respective forms of processing and the options to object (opt-out), we refer to the privacy statements and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

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

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication, tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies), remarketing.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

Services and service providers used:

Plugins and embedded functions as well as content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offer that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as "third-party providers"). These can be, for example, graphics, videos or social media buttons as well as posts (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "content").

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

Notes on legal basis: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the processing of data is consent. Otherwise, users' 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness, contractual performance and service.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

Services and service providers used:

  • Google Fonts: We integrate the fonts ("Google Fonts") of the provider Google, whereby the user's data is used solely for the purpose of displaying the fonts in the user's browser. The integration is based on our legitimate interests in a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts, their uniform presentation, as well as taking into account possible licensing restrictions for their integration. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://fonts.google.com/; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (ensuring level of data protection when processing data in the US): https://www. privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000001L5AAI&status=Active.

Planning, Organization and Support Tools

We use services, platforms and software of other providers (hereinafter referred to as "Third Party Providers") for purposes of organizing, managing, planning as well as providing our services. When selecting the Third-Party Providers and their services, we observe the legal requirements.

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of the third-party providers. This may involve various data that we process in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include, in particular, master data and contact data of users, data on transactions, contracts, other processes and their contents.

If users are referred to the third-party providers or their software or platforms in the course of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party providers may process usage data and metadata for security purposes, service optimization or marketing purposes. We therefore request that you observe the privacy notices of the respective third-party providers.

Notes on legal basis: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the processing of data is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the third-party providers has been agreed within this framework. 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses), contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g., text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: communication partners, users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Contract performance and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

Deletion of data

The data processed by us will be deleted in accordance with legal requirements as soon as their consents permitted for processing are revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g.., if the purpose of processing this data has ceased to apply or it is not necessary for the purpose).

Unless the data is deleted because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing will be limited to these purposes. That is, the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for reasons of commercial or tax law or whose retention is necessary for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural person or legal entity.

Further information on the deletion of personal data can further be provided in the context of the individual data protection notices of this privacy policy.

Modification and updating of the data protection declaration

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our data protection declaration. We adapt the Privacy Policy as soon as the changes in the data processing carried out by us make it 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.

Rights of data subjects

As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 18 and 21 DSGVO:

  • Right of objection: you have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data relating to you which is carried out on the basis of Art. 6(1)(e) or (f) DSGVO; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you is processed for the purpose of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing; this also applies to profiling, insofar as 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 of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether 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 legal requirements.
  • Right of rectification: You have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to request that the data concerning you be completed or that incorrect data concerning you be corrected.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be erased without delay, or alternatively, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request restriction of the processing of the data.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data relating to you that you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements, or to request that it be transferred to another controller.
  • Complaint to supervisory authority: You also have the right, in accordance with the law, to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Supervisory authority responsible for us:

State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of North Rhine-Westphalia
Helga Block
P.O. Box 20 04 44
40102 Düsseldorf
Kavalleriestraße 2-4
40213 Düsseldorf

Phone: 02 11/384 24-0
Fax: 02 11/384 24-10

E-mail: poststelle@ldi.nrw.de
Homepage: https://www.ldi.nrw.de

Definitions of terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy statement. Many of the terms are taken from the law and defined primarily in Article 4 of the GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding. The terms are sorted alphabetically.

  • 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. e.g. cookie) or to one or more particular characteristics that are an expression of that natural person's physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity.
  • 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 upon personal data, whether or not by automatic means. The term is broad and includes virtually any handling of data, whether collecting, evaluating, storing, transmitting or erasing.
  • Visit action evaluation: "Visit action evaluation" (English "conversion tracking") refers to a procedure with which the effectiveness of marketing measures can be determined. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the users' devices within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites have been successful.)
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): A "Content Delivery Network" (CDN) is a service with the help of which the content of an online offering, in particular large media files such as graphics or program scripts, can be delivered more quickly and securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet.
  • Interest-based and behavioral marketing: Interest-based and/or behavioral marketing is when the potential interests of users in ads and other content are determined as precisely as possible. This is done on the basis of information about their previous behavior (e.g., visiting certain websites and staying on them, buying behavior or interaction with other users), which is stored in a so-called profile. Cookies are generally used for these purposes.
  • Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement is a method used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the users' devices within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites have been successful.
  • Profiling: "Profiling" is any form of automated processing of personal data which involves the use of personal data to analyze, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include information relating to age, gender, location data and movement data, interaction with websites and their content, shopping behavior, social interactions with other people). 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.
  • Remarketing: We speak of "remarketing" or "retargeting" when, for example, for advertising purposes, it is noted which products a user was interested in on a website in order to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g., in advertisements.
  • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also referred to as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and may include visitors' behavior or interests in certain information, such as web page content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can see, for example, at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better adapt the content of the website to the needs of their visitors. For reach analysis purposes, 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.
  • Tracking: We speak of "tracking" when the behavior of users can be traced across several online offers. As a rule, behavioral and interest information is stored in cookies or on servers of the providers of the tracking technologies with regard to the online offers used (so-called profiling). This information can subsequently be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to correspond to their interests.
  • IP masking: "IP masking" refers to a method in which the last octet, i.e., the last two numbers of an IP address, is deleted so that the IP address can no longer be used to uniquely identify a person. Therefore, IP masking is a means of pseudonymizing processing methods, especially in online marketing

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