This English version is provided for convenience only. In the event of any discrepancy, the German version shall prevail.

Introduction

With this privacy policy we would like to inform you which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to briefly 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 course of providing our services and, in particular, on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as “online offering”).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Last updated: 18 March 2022

Table of contents

Controller

Fullstop Public Relations GmbH
Liselotte-Hermann-Straße 11
10407 Berlin

Authorised representative: Nikolaus Pjeta

Email address: office@fullstoppr.com

Legal notice: https://www.fullstoppr.com/impressum/

Overview of processing operations

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

Types of data processed

  • Master data.
  • Payment data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta/communication data.
  • Applicant data.
  • Event data (Facebook).

Special categories of data

  • Health data.
  • Data concerning sex life or sexual orientation.
  • Religious or philosophical beliefs.
  • Data revealing racial and ethnic origin.

Categories of data subjects

  • Clients.
  • Employees.
  • Prospective clients.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Applicants.
  • Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of processing

  • Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Contact requests and communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Office and organisational procedures.
  • Remarketing.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Target group formation.
  • Management and handling of enquiries.
  • Application procedure.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Target group formation.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.

Relevant legal bases

Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on which we process personal data. Please note that, in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your country or in ours. Where more specific legal bases are applicable in an individual case, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (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 prior to entering into a contract at the request of the data subject.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6 (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 (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.
  • Application procedure as a pre-contractual or contractual relationship (Art. 9 (2) lit. b GDPR) – Where special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 (1) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severe disability status or ethnic origin) are requested from applicants in the course of the application procedure so that the controller or the data subject can exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations under employment law and the law of social security and social protection, such data is processed pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. b GDPR; in the case of protecting the vital interests of applicants or other persons, pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. c GDPR; or, for the purposes of preventive health care or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, for medical diagnosis, the provision of care or treatment in the health or social sector, or for the management of systems and services in the health or social sector, pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. h GDPR. Where special categories of data are communicated on the basis of voluntary consent, they are processed on the basis of Art. 9 (2) lit. a GDPR.

In addition to the data protection provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include in particular the Federal Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (German Federal Data Protection Act, BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special provisions on the right of access, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, transmission, and automated individual decision-making including profiling. It also regulates data processing for the purposes of the employment relationship (Section 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, performance or termination of employment relationships and the consent of employees. Furthermore, the state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Security measures

In accordance with the statutory requirements, and taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the varying likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, disclosure and separation of the data, and by ensuring its availability. We have also established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects’ rights, the deletion of data and responses to threats to the data. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account already when developing or selecting hardware, software and procedures, in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.

Shortening of the IP address: Where IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used, and the processing of a complete IP address is not necessary, the IP address is shortened (also referred to as “IP masking”). In this process, the last two digits, or the last part of the IP address after a full stop, are removed or replaced by placeholders. The shortening of the IP address is intended to prevent, or substantially hinder, the identification of a person by means of their IP address.

SSL encryption (https): To protect the data you transmit via our online offering, we use SSL encryption. You can recognise such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.

Transmission of personal data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it happens that data is transmitted to, or disclosed to, other bodies, companies, legally independent organisational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that is embedded in a website. In such cases we comply with the statutory requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

Data transmission within the organisation: We may transmit personal data to other departments within our organisation or grant them access to this data. Where this disclosure takes place for administrative purposes, it is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests, or takes place where it is necessary for the performance of our contractual obligations or where the consent of the data subjects or a statutory permission exists.

Data processing in third countries

Where we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or where processing takes place in the context of using third-party services or disclosing or transmitting data to other persons, bodies or companies, this only takes place in accordance with the statutory requirements.

Subject to express consent or a transmission required by contract or by law, we process the data, or have it processed, only in third countries with a recognised level of data protection, on the basis of contractual obligations through so-called standard data protection clauses of the EU Commission, where certifications exist, or on the basis of binding internal data protection rules (Art. 44 to 49 GDPR, information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de).

Deletion of data

The data processed by us is deleted in accordance with the statutory requirements as soon as the consents permitting its processing are revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g. if the purpose of processing the data has ceased to apply or the data is not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because it is required for other, legally permissible purposes, its processing is restricted 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 commercial or tax law reasons, or whose storage is necessary for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

In the context of our data protection notices, we may provide users with further information on the deletion and retention of data that applies specifically to the respective processing operations.

Use of cookies

Cookies are small text files, or other storage notes, that store information on end devices and read information from end devices. For example, they can store the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping basket in an online shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online offering. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. for the functionality, security and convenience of online offerings and for creating analyses of visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. We therefore obtain users’ prior consent, except where this is not required by law. Consent is in particular not necessary where the storage and reading of the information, including cookies, is strictly necessary in order to provide users with a telemedia service (i.e. our online offering) that they have expressly requested. The revocable consent is clearly communicated to users and contains the information on the respective cookie use.

Notes on data protection legal bases: The data protection legal basis on which we process users’ personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask users for consent. If users consent, the legal basis for the processing of your data is the consent given. Otherwise, the data processed using cookies is 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, where this takes place in the context of fulfilling our contractual obligations, where the use of cookies is necessary to fulfil those obligations. We explain the purposes for which we process the cookies in the course of this privacy policy or as part of our consent and processing procedures.

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

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

General notes on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consents they have given at any time and can also object to the processing in accordance with the statutory requirements in Art. 21 GDPR (further information on the right to object is provided in this privacy policy). Users can also declare their objection by means of their browser settings.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure, within which users’ consent to the use of cookies, or to the processing operations and providers named within the cookie consent management procedure, is obtained and can be managed and revoked by users. The declaration of consent is stored so that the query does not have to be repeated and so that the consent can be proven in accordance with the statutory obligation. Storage can take place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie, or by means of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following notes apply: The consent can be stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) and the browser, system and end device used.
  • BorlabsCookie: Cookie consent management; Service provider: Borlabs; Website: https://de.borlabs.io/borlabs-cookie/; Further information: An individual user ID, language, the types of consent and the time at which it was given are stored on the server side and in the cookie on the user’s device.

Business services

We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. clients and prospective clients (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships and related measures, and in the context of communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), e.g. to answer enquiries.

We process this data in order to fulfil our contractual obligations. These include in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any duties to update, and remedies in the event of warranty claims and other performance disruptions. In addition, we process the data to safeguard our rights and for the administrative tasks associated with these obligations as well as for company organisation. Furthermore, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and economically sound business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse and from endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisers, payment service providers or financial authorities). Within the scope of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfil legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed of further forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope 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 special marking (e.g. colours) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

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

Where we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy notices of the respective third-party providers or platforms apply in the relationship between users and the providers.

Agency services

We process the data of our clients in the context of our contractual services, which may include, for example, conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development/consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes, handling, server administration, data analysis/consulting services and training services.

Coaching

We process the data of our coaching clients as well as prospective clients and other principals or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as “clients”) in order to be able to provide our services to them. The data processed, the nature, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

In the course of our work, we may also process special categories of data, in particular information on the health of clients, possibly relating to their sex life or sexual orientation, as well as data revealing racial and ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs or trade union membership. For this purpose, we obtain the express consent of clients where required and otherwise process the special categories of data only where this serves the health of the clients, the data is public or other statutory permissions exist.

Where necessary for the performance of our contract, to protect vital interests or by law, or where the clients’ consent exists, we disclose or transmit the clients’ data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, billing agencies and providers of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with professional regulations.

Consulting

We process the data of our clients, mandants as well as prospective clients and other principals or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as “clients”) in order to be able to provide our consulting services to them. The data processed, the nature, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

Where necessary for the performance of our contract, to protect vital interests or by law, or where the clients’ consent exists, we disclose or transmit the clients’ data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, subcontractors or providers of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with professional regulations.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g. names, addresses); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Special categories of personal data: Health data (Art. 9 (1) GDPR); data concerning sex life or sexual orientation (Art. 9 (1) GDPR); religious or philosophical beliefs (Art. 9 (1) GDPR); data revealing racial and ethnic origin.
  • Data subjects: Prospective clients; business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; contact requests and communication; office and organisational procedures; management and handling of enquiries.
  • Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Provision of the online offering and web hosting

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

The data processed in the course of providing the hosting service may include all information relating to the users of our online offering that arises in the course of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary to deliver the content of online offerings to browsers, and all entries made within our online offering or on websites.

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

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on every access to the server (so-called server log files). The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the page previously visited) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used, on the one hand, for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (in particular in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and, on the other hand, to ensure the load and stability of the servers; Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymised. Data whose further retention is necessary for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
  • HostEurope: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: Host Europe GmbH, Hansestrasse 111, 51149 Cologne, Germany; Website: https://www.hosteurope.de; Privacy policy: https://www.hosteurope.de/AGB/Datenschutzerklaerung; Data processing agreement: https://www.hosteurope.de/Dokumente/.

Blogs and publication media

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

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); security measures; management and handling of enquiries.
  • Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Comments and posts: When users leave comments or other posts, their IP addresses may be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security, in case someone leaves unlawful content in comments and posts (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves can be held liable for the comment or post and are therefore interested in the identity of the author. Furthermore, we reserve the right to process users’ details for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests. On the same legal basis, we reserve the right, in the case of surveys, to store users’ IP addresses for the duration of the survey and to use cookies to avoid multiple votes. The personal information provided in comments and posts, any contact and website information as well as the substantive content are stored by us permanently until users object.
  • Wordfence: Firewall and security as well as error detection functions; Service provider: Defiant, Inc., 800 5th Ave Ste 4100, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Website: https://www.wordfence.com; Privacy policy: https://www.wordfence.com/privacy-policy/; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring a level of data protection for processing in third countries): https://www.wordfence.com/standard-contractual-clauses/.

Contact and enquiry management

When contacting us (e.g. via contact form, email, telephone or social media) and in the context of existing user and business relationships, the details of the persons making the enquiry are processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact requests and any measures requested.

Responding to contact requests and managing contact and enquiry data in the context of contractual or pre-contractual relationships takes place in order to fulfil our contractual obligations or to answer (pre-)contractual enquiries and otherwise on the basis of legitimate interests in responding to enquiries and maintaining user and business relationships.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: If users contact us via our contact form, by email or by other means of communication, we process the data communicated to us in this context in order to handle the matter raised. For this purpose, we process personal data in the context of pre-contractual and contractual business relationships, to the extent necessary for their performance, and otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests and the interests of the communication partners in having their concerns answered, as well as our statutory retention obligations.

Communication via messenger

We use messengers for communication purposes and therefore ask you to note the following information on how messengers work, on encryption, on the use of communication metadata and on your options to object.

You can also contact us by alternative means, e.g. by telephone or email. Please use the contact options provided to you or those stated within our online offering.

In the case of end-to-end encryption of content (i.e. the content of your message and attachments), we point out that the communication content (i.e. the content of the message and attached images) is encrypted from end to end. This means that the content of the messages cannot be viewed, not even by the messenger providers themselves. You should always use a current version of the messenger with encryption activated so that the encryption of the message content is ensured.

However, we also point out to our communication partners that although the messenger providers cannot view the content, they can find out that and when communication partners communicate with us, and technical information on the communication partners’ device used and, depending on the settings of their device, location information (so-called metadata) is also processed.

Notes on legal bases: Where we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via messenger, the legal basis for our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not ask for consent and they contact us of their own accord, for example, we use messengers in relation to our contractual partners and in the context of contract initiation as a contractual measure and, in the case of other prospective clients and communication partners, on the basis of our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and in meeting the needs of our communication partners for communication via messenger. We also point out that we will not transmit the contact data communicated to us to the messengers for the first time without your consent.

Revocation, objection and deletion: You can revoke any consent given at any time and object to communication with us via messenger at any time. In the case of communication via messenger, we delete the messages in accordance with our general deletion guidelines (i.e., for example, as described above, after the end of contractual relationships, in the context of archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any information requests from the communication partners, if no reference to a previous conversation is to be expected and there are no statutory retention obligations preventing deletion.

Reservation of the right to refer to other means of communication: Finally, we would like to point out that, for reasons of your security, we reserve the right not to answer enquiries made via messenger. This is the case, for example, where contract details require particular confidentiality or where a reply via messenger does not meet formal requirements. In such cases, we refer you to more suitable means of communication.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Push notifications

With users’ consent, we can send users so-called “push notifications”. These are messages that are displayed on users’ screens, end devices or in their browsers, even when our online service is not currently in active use.

To register for push notifications, users must confirm their browser’s or end device’s prompt to receive push notifications. This consent process is documented and stored. Storage is necessary to recognise whether users have agreed to receive push notifications and to be able to prove consent. For these purposes, a pseudonymous identifier of the browser (so-called “push token”) or the device ID of an end device is stored.

Push notifications may be necessary for the fulfilment of contractual obligations (e.g. technical and organisational information relevant to the use of our online offering) and are otherwise, unless specifically stated below, sent on the basis of users’ consent. Users can change the receipt of push notifications at any time using the notification settings of their respective browsers or end devices.

  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).

Video conferences, online meetings, webinars and screen sharing

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as “conference platforms”) for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as “conference”). When selecting the conference platforms and their services, we comply with the statutory requirements.

Data processed by conference platforms: In the course of participating in a conference, the conference platforms process the personal data of participants listed below. The scope of processing depends, on the one hand, on which data is required in the context of a specific conference (e.g. provision of access data or real names) and which optional details are provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of conducting the conference, participants’ data may also be processed by the conference platforms for security purposes or service optimisation. The data processed includes personal data (first name, surname), contact information (email address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the internet connection, information on participants’ end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and language settings, information on the substantive communication processes, i.e. entries in chats as well as audio and video data, and the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If participants are registered as users with the conference platforms, further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective conference provider.

Logging and recordings: If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) and video or audio recordings are logged, participants will be informed of this transparently in advance and, where necessary, asked for their consent.

Data protection measures of the participants: For details on the processing of your data by the conference platforms, please refer to their privacy notices and select the security and privacy settings that are optimal for you within the settings of the conference platforms. Please also ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a video conference (e.g. by informing people you live with, locking doors and, where technically possible, using the function for blurring the background). Links to the conference rooms and access data must not be passed on to unauthorised third parties.

Notes on legal bases: Where we also process users’ data in addition to the conference platforms and ask users for their consent to the use of the conference platforms or certain functions (e.g. consent to a recording of conferences), the legal basis for the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary for the fulfilment of our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of processing conversation outcomes, etc.). Otherwise, users’ data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; contact requests and communication; office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Application procedure

The application procedure requires applicants to provide us with the data necessary for their assessment and selection. The information required is set out in the job description or, in the case of online forms, in the details given there.

In principle, the required information includes personal details such as name, address, a means of contact and proof of the qualifications necessary for a position. On request, we will also gladly let you know what information is needed.

Where provided, applicants can submit their applications to us by means of an online form. The data is transmitted to us in encrypted form in accordance with the state of the art. Applicants can also submit their applications to us by email. However, please note that emails are generally not sent encrypted over the internet. As a rule, emails are encrypted in transit, but not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We can therefore not assume any responsibility for the transmission path of the application between the sender and its receipt on our server.

For the purposes of searching for applicants, submitting applications and selecting applicants, we may, in compliance with the statutory requirements, use applicant management or recruitment software and platforms and services of third-party providers.

Applicants are welcome to contact us regarding the manner of submitting their application or to send their application to us by post.

Processing of special categories of data: Where special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 (1) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severe disability status or ethnic origin) are requested from applicants in the course of the application procedure so that the controller or the data subject can exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations under employment law and the law of social security and social protection, such data is processed pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. b GDPR; in the case of protecting the vital interests of applicants or other persons, pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. c GDPR; or, for the purposes of preventive health care or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, for medical diagnosis, for the provision of care or treatment in the health or social sector, or for the management of systems and services in the health or social sector, pursuant to Art. 9 (2) lit. h GDPR. Where special categories of data are communicated on the basis of voluntary consent, they are processed on the basis of Art. 9 (2) lit. a GDPR.

Deletion of data: The data provided by applicants may be further processed by us for the purposes of the employment relationship in the event of a successful application. Otherwise, if the application for a job offer is not successful, the applicants’ data is deleted. Applicants’ data is also deleted if an application is withdrawn, which applicants are entitled to do at any time. Subject to a legitimate revocation by the applicants, deletion takes place at the latest after a period of six months, so that we can answer any follow-up questions about the application and comply with our obligations to provide evidence under the regulations on the equal treatment of applicants. Invoices for any reimbursement of travel expenses are archived in accordance with tax law requirements.

Inclusion in an applicant pool: Inclusion in an applicant pool, where offered, takes place on the basis of consent. Applicants are informed that their consent to inclusion in the talent pool is voluntary, has no influence on the ongoing application procedure, and that they can revoke their consent at any time with effect for the future.

  • Types of data processed: Applicant data (e.g. personal details, postal and contact addresses, the documents belonging to the application and the information contained therein, such as cover letter, CV, references, as well as further information on their person or qualifications communicated by applicants with regard to a specific position or voluntarily).
  • Data subjects: Applicants.
  • Purposes of processing: Application procedure (establishment and any subsequent performance as well as possible subsequent termination of the employment relationship).
  • Legal bases: Application procedure as a pre-contractual or contractual relationship (Art. 9 (2) lit. b GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Cloud services

We use software services accessible via the internet and run 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, sending emails, spreadsheets and presentations, exchanging documents, content and information with specific recipients or publishing websites, forms or other content and information, as well as chats and participation in audio and video conferences.

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the providers’ servers, insofar as it forms part of communication processes with us or is otherwise processed by us as set out in this privacy policy. This data may include in particular users’ master data and contact data, data on transactions, contracts and other processes and their content. The providers of the cloud services also process usage data and metadata, which they use for security purposes and service optimisation.

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

Notes on legal bases: Where we ask for consent to the use of the cloud services, the legal basis for the processing is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre-)contractual services, where the use of the cloud services has been agreed in this context. Otherwise, users’ data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient and secure administration and collaboration processes)

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Clients; employees (e.g. staff, applicants, former employees); prospective clients; communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Newsletters and electronic notifications

We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) only with the consent of the recipients or a statutory permission. Where the content of the newsletter is specifically described when subscribing, it is decisive for users’ consent. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and about us.

To subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your email address. However, we may ask you to provide a name, for the purpose of addressing you personally in the newsletter, or further details, if these are required for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double opt-in procedure: Subscription to our newsletter generally takes place in a so-called double opt-in procedure. That is, after subscribing you receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. This confirmation is necessary so that nobody can subscribe using other people’s email addresses. Newsletter subscriptions are logged in order to be able to prove the subscription process in accordance with the legal requirements. This includes storing the time of subscription and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored with the mailing service provider are also logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them, in order to be able to prove consent previously given. The processing of this data is restricted to the purpose of a possible defence 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 case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address solely for this purpose in a blocklist.

The subscription procedure is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper course. Where we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure mailing system.

Notes on legal bases: Newsletters are sent on the basis of the recipients’ consent or, where consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing, provided and to the extent that this is permitted by law, e.g. in the case of advertising to existing customers. Where we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure dispatch. The registration procedure is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests in order to demonstrate that it was carried out in accordance with the law.

Content:

Information about us, our services, campaigns and offers.

  • Data types processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post); reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures); profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
  • Opt-out option: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. withdraw your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter, or you can otherwise use one of the contact options given above, preferably email.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Measurement of open rates and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called “web beacon”, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a dispatch service provider, from its server. As part of this retrieval, technical information such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, is first collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter based on the technical data or on the target groups and their reading behaviour, based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until they are deleted. The evaluations serve to help us recognise our users’ reading habits and adapt our content to them, or to send different content according to our users’ interests. The measurement of open rates and click rates, the storage of the measurement results in users’ profiles and their further processing are carried out on the basis of users’ consent. Unfortunately, it is not possible to withdraw consent to success measurement separately; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be cancelled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted.
  • Google Analytics: Measuring the success of email campaigns and creating user profiles with a storage period of up to two years; 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://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and of the data processed).
  • Mailchimp: Email dispatch and email marketing platform; Service provider: Rocket Science Group, LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA; Website: https://mailchimp.com; Privacy policy: https://mailchimp.com/legal/; Data processing agreement: https://mailchimp.com/legal/; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): Part of the data processing agreement; Further information: Special security measures: https://mailchimp.com/help/Mailchimp-european-data-transfers/.
  • SendinBlue: Email marketing platform; Service provider: SendinBlue SAS, 55, rue d’Amsterdam, 75008 Paris, France; Website: https://de.sendinblue.com/; Privacy policy: https://www.sendinblue.com/legal/privacypolicy/; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): Concluded with the provider.

Promotional communication via email, post, fax or telephone

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

Recipients have the right to withdraw their consent at any time or to object to promotional communication at any time.

After withdrawal or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting it. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defence 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.

  • Data types processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Web analytics, monitoring and optimisation

Web analytics (also referred to as “reach measurement”) serves to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and may include pseudonymous values relating to behaviour, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what times our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently or invite repeat use. Likewise, we can understand which areas require optimisation.

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

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

The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analytics, A/B testing and optimisation, but pseudonyms. That is, neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective procedures.

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

  • Data types processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Remarketing; reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymisation of the IP address).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Online marketing

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

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (a so-called “cookie”), or similar procedures are used, by means of which the information relevant to the display of the aforementioned content is stored about the user. 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 and functions used. If 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. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of online marketing procedures, but pseudonyms. That is, neither we nor the providers of the online marketing procedures know the actual identity of users, but only the information stored in their profiles.

The information in the profiles is usually stored in 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, analysed for the purposes of displaying content, supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing provider.

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

As a matter of principle, we only gain access to aggregated information about the success of our advertisements. However, within the framework of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing procedures have led to a so-called conversion, i.e. for example, to the conclusion of a contract with us. Conversion measurement is used solely to analyse the success of our marketing measures.

Unless stated otherwise, please assume that the cookies used are stored for a period of two years.

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

  • Data types processed: Event data (Facebook) (“event data” is data that we can transmit to Facebook, e.g. via the Facebook pixel (via apps or by other means), and that relates to persons or their actions; the data includes, for example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, installations of apps, purchases of products, etc.; the event data is processed for the purpose of creating target groups for content and advertising information (Custom Audiences); event data does not include the actual content (such as comments written), no login information and no contact information (i.e. no names, email addresses or telephone numbers). Event data is deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years, and the target groups created from it are deleted when our Facebook account is deleted); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Remarketing; conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures); target group creation; target group creation (determining target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other delivery of content); marketing; profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymisation of the IP address).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
  • Opt-out option: We refer to the privacy information of the respective providers and the opt-out options specified for the providers (so-called “opt-out”). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you can, firstly, deactivate cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict functions of our online offering. We therefore additionally recommend the following opt-out options, which are offered collectively for the respective regions: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-regional: https://optout.aboutads.info.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Facebook pixel and target group creation (Custom Audiences): With the help of the Facebook pixel (or comparable functions for transmitting event data or contact information via interfaces in apps), Facebook is able, firstly, to identify the visitors to our online offering as a target group for the display of advertisements (so-called “Facebook Ads”). Accordingly, we use the Facebook pixel to display the Facebook Ads placed by us only to those users on Facebook and within the services of partners cooperating with Facebook (the so-called “Audience Network” https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/ ) who have also shown an interest in our online offering or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interest in particular topics or products, which become apparent from the websites visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called “Custom Audiences”). With the help of the Facebook pixel, we also want to ensure that our Facebook Ads match users’ potential interests and do not appear intrusive. With the help of the Facebook pixel, we can also track the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (so-called “conversion measurement”); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): The “Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum) applies in the case of processing by Facebook on behalf of us as the basis for the processing of event data of EU citizens in the USA, as do the “Facebook Platform Terms” (https://developers.facebook.com/terms) with regard to Facebook’s processing of event data as a controller in connection with the placement of advertisements; Further information: The “Data Processing Terms” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing/update) apply with regard to event data that Facebook processes on behalf of businesses in order to provide them with reports and analyses. In addition, the “Controller Addendum” applies as an agreement on joint controllership (Art. 26 (1) sentence 3 GDPR), which is decisive where Facebook processes event data as a controller for the purposes of targeting and improving and securing Facebook products.
  • Google Ads and conversion measurement: We use the online marketing procedure “Google Ads” to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who are presumed to have an interest in the ads (so-called “conversion”). We also measure the conversion of the ads. However, we only learn the anonymous total number of users who have clicked on our ad and been redirected to a page tagged with a so-called “conversion tracking tag”. We ourselves do not receive any information that could be used to identify users; 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://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and of the data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: information on the services, data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third-country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
  • LinkedIn: Insights Tag / conversion measurement; Service provider: LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy, Cookie policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie_policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

Customer reviews and rating procedures

We participate in review and rating procedures in order to evaluate, optimise and promote our services. If users rate us or otherwise give feedback via the participating rating platforms or procedures, the general terms and conditions or terms of use and the privacy information of the providers also apply. As a rule, rating also requires registration with the respective providers.

To ensure that the persons submitting a review have actually used our services, with the customer’s consent we transmit the data required for this regarding the customer and the service used to the respective rating platform (including name, email address and order number or item number). This data is used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.

  • Data types processed: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Customers; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Presences on social networks (social media)

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

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

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

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the opt-out options, we refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

In the case of requests for information and the exercise of data subject rights as well, we point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the providers have access to users’ data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. Should you nevertheless need help, you can contact us.

  • Data types processed: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Contact enquiries and communication; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); marketing.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Plug-ins and embedded functions and content

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

Integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the users’ IP address, as without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browsers. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content or these functions. We endeavour to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely to deliver the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also referred to as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. The “pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on users’ devices and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and the operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information on the use of our online offering, and may also be combined with such information from other sources.

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

  • Data types processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses); inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; provision of contractual services and customer service; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Integration of third-party software, scripts or frameworks (e.g. jQuery): We integrate software into our online offering that we retrieve from the servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use for the display or user-friendliness of our online offering). In doing so, the respective providers collect the users’ IP address and may process it for the purposes of transmitting the software to the users’ browser and for security purposes, as well as for evaluating and optimising their offering. – We integrate software into our online offering that we retrieve from the servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries that we use for the display or user-friendliness of our online offering). In doing so, the respective providers collect the users’ IP address and may process it for the purposes of transmitting the software to the users’ browser and for security purposes, as well as for evaluating and optimising their offering.
  • Google Fonts: We integrate the fonts (“Google Fonts”) of the provider Google, whereby users’ data is used solely for the purpose of displaying the fonts in the users’ browser. Integration takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests in a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts, their uniform display, and taking into account possible licensing restrictions on 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.
  • Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the “Google Maps” service of the provider Google. The data processed may include in particular IP addresses and location data of users, which, however, are not collected without their consent (generally given via the settings of their mobile devices); 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://cloud.google.com/maps-platform; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
  • Google Maps APIs and SDKs: Interfaces to Google’s map and location services, which allow, for example, the completion of address entries, location determination, distance calculations or the provision of supplementary information on locations and other places; 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://cloud.google.com/maps-platform; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • LinkedIn plug-ins and content: LinkedIn plug-ins and content – These may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content of this online offering within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring an adequate level of data protection for processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • reCAPTCHA: We integrate the “reCAPTCHA” function in order to be able to recognise whether entries (e.g. in online forms) are made by humans and not by automatically operating machines (so-called “bots”). The data processed may include IP addresses, information on operating systems, devices or browsers used, language settings, location, mouse movements, keystrokes, time spent on websites, previously visited websites, interactions with reCAPTCHA on other websites, possibly cookies, and results of manual recognition processes (e.g. answering questions asked or selecting objects in images). Data processing takes place on the basis of our legitimate interest in protecting our online offering from abusive automated crawling and spam; 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://www.google.com/recaptcha/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
  • YouTube videos: Video content; 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://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

Changes to and updating of the privacy policy

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 we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

Where we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organisations in this privacy policy, please note that addresses may change over time, and we ask you to check the information before making contact.

Rights of data subjects

As a data subject, you have 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 the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. e or f GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. Where personal data concerning you is processed for direct marketing purposes, 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 to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw consent you have given at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed, and to request access to this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the statutory requirements.
  • Right to rectification: In accordance with the statutory requirements, you have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the statutory requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be erased without undue delay or, alternatively, to request restriction of the processing of the data in accordance with the statutory 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 statutory requirements, or to request its transmission to another controller.
  • Complaint to a supervisory authority: In accordance with the statutory requirements, and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State where you habitually reside, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.

Definitions of terms

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

  • Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement (also referred to as “visit action evaluation”) is a procedure by which the effectiveness of marketing measures can be determined. For this purpose, a cookie is generally stored on 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 placed on other websites were successful.
  • 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 consisting in the use of this personal data to analyse, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may involve different information concerning demographics, behaviour and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.), for example interest in certain content or products, click behaviour on a website or location. Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also referred to as web analytics) serves to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behaviour or interests of visitors in certain information, such as the content of websites. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can, for example, recognise at what time visitors visit their website and which 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 the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognise returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Remarketing: “Remarketing” or “retargeting” is the term used when, for example for advertising purposes, a note is made of 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.
  • 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 virtually any handling of data, be it collecting, evaluating, storing, transmitting or deleting.
  • Target group creation: Target group creation (or “Custom Audiences”) is the term used when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g. the display of advertisements. For example, a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the internet can be used to infer that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or for the online shop in which they viewed the products. “Lookalike Audiences” (or similar target groups), in turn, is the term used when content deemed suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to those of the users for whom the profiles were created. For the purposes of creating Custom Audiences and Lookalike Audiences, cookies and web beacons are generally used.