Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about what types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of 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 offer”).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

As of: July 13, 2024

Responsible Party

Carsten Hack
Weinbergstrasse 15a
16225 Eberswalde
Germany

Email: info@bhdd.info

Imprint: https://bhdd.info/impressum/

Overview of Processing

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

Types of processed data

Inventory data.
Employee data.
Location data.
Contact data.
Content data.
Usage data.
Meta, communication, and procedural data.
Log data.

Categories of affected persons

Employees.
Communication partners.
Users.

Purposes of processing

Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
Communication.
Security measures.
Reach measurement.
Tracking.
Conversion measurement.
Audience building.
Organizational and administrative procedures.
Feedback.
Marketing.
Profiles with user-related information.
Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
Establishment and implementation of employment relationships.
Information technology infrastructure.
Public relations.
Business processes and economic procedures.

Relevant Legal Bases

Relevant legal bases under the GDPR: The following provides 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 or our country of residence or domicile. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given their consent to the processing of personal data concerning them for one or more specific purposes.
Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) – The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) – The processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – The 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 the protection of personal data.
Processing of special categories of personal data in relation to healthcare, profession, and social security (Art. 9 para. 2 lit. h) GDPR) – The processing is necessary for the purposes of preventive or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, for medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment, or the management of health or social care systems and services on the basis of Union or Member State law or a contract with a health professional.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. This includes, in particular, the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). The BDSG contains special regulations 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, and the transmission and automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Security Measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs, and the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of the processing, as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

These measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as the access, input, transfer, availability, and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subjects’ rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data threats. Additionally, we consider the protection of personal data in the development or selection of hardware, software, and procedures according to the principle of data protection through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

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

Transfer of Personal Data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it may happen that this data is transmitted to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units, or persons or disclosed to them. The recipients of this data may include service providers tasked with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International Data Transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, entities, or companies, this is only done in accordance with legal requirements. Provided that the level of data protection in the third country is recognized by an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Otherwise, data transfers only take place if the data protection level is otherwise ensured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 para. 2 lit. c) GDPR), explicit consent, or in the case of contractual or legally required transmission (Art. 49 para. 1 GDPR). Otherwise, we inform you of the basis for the third-country transfer in the case of individual providers from the third country, with adequacy decisions taking priority. Information on third-country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found on the EU Commission’s information page: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

EU-US Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework: Under the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection for certain companies from the USA as secure under the adequacy decision of 10.07.2023. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). We inform you within the scope of the data protection notices which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or no other legal grounds for processing exist. This applies to cases where the original purpose of processing ceases to apply or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of the data.

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

Our data protection notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data, which apply specifically to certain processing processes.

In the case of multiple indications of retention periods or deletion deadlines for a date, the longest period always applies.

If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically starts at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in which data is stored, the triggering event for the period is the effective date of termination or other termination of the legal relationship.

Data that is no longer needed for the originally intended purpose but is retained due to legal requirements or other reasons is processed solely for the reasons that justify its retention.

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply for retention and archiving under German law:
- 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, and the working instructions and other organizational documents necessary for their understanding, accounting records, and invoices (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 1, 4 and 4a AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 and 4, para. 4 HGB).
- 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, other documents relevant to taxation, e.g., hourly wage records, operating cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting records and cash register strips (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3, para. 4 HGB).
- 3 years – Data necessary to consider potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights and related inquiries, based on previous business experience and common industry practices, are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which are particularly derived from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

Right to object: You have the right, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you, which is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e or f GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If 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 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 consents granted at any time.
Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion or rectification of data concerning you that is inaccurate in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to deletion and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to request that data concerning you be deleted without delay, or alternatively, to request restriction of processing of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, in accordance with legal requirements, or to request its transfer to another controller.
Complaint to supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the requirements of the GDPR.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

Our data protection notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data, which apply specifically to certain processing processes.

In the case of multiple indications of retention periods or deletion deadlines for a date, the longest period always applies.

Data that is no longer needed for the originally intended purpose but is retained due to legal requirements or other reasons is processed solely for the reasons that justify its retention.

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply for retention and archiving under German law:
- 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, and the working instructions and other organizational documents necessary for their understanding, accounting records, and invoices (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 1, 4 and 4a AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 and 4, para. 4 HGB).
- 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, other documents relevant to taxation, e.g., hourly wage records, operating cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting records and cash register strips (§ 147 para. 3 in conjunction with para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3, para. 4 HGB).
- 3 years – Data necessary to consider potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights and related inquiries, based on previous business experience and common industry practices, are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which are particularly derived from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

Right to object: You have the right, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you, which is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e or f GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If 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 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 consents granted at any time.
Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion or rectification of data concerning you that is inaccurate in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to deletion and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to request that data concerning you be deleted without delay, or alternatively, to request restriction of processing of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, in accordance with legal requirements, or to request its transfer to another controller.
Complaint to supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the requirements of the GDPR.

Provision of the Online Offer and Web Hosting

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

Types of processed data: Usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Log data (e.g., log files related to logins or data retrieval or access times).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures; provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Provision of online offer on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity, and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called “web hoster”); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offer is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. Server log files may include the address and name of the accessed web pages and files, date and time of access, transferred data volumes, message about successful retrieval, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. Server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overloads (especially in the case of abusive attacks, such as DDoS attacks), and to ensure server utilization and stability; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data that needs to be retained for evidence purposes is excluded from deletion until the final clarification of the respective incident.
1&1 IONOS: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g., storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: 1&1 IONOS SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur, Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.ionos.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.ionos.de/terms-gtc/terms-privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.ionos.de/hilfe/datenschutz/allgemeine-informationen-zur-datenschutz-grundverordnung-dsgvo/auftragsverarbeitung/.

Use of Cookies

Cookies are small text files or other storage markers that store information on end devices and read information from them. For example, to store the login status in a user account, a shopping cart content in an e-shop, the accessed content, or used functions of an online offer. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as ensuring the functionality, security, and comfort of online offers and creating analyses of visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Therefore, we obtain prior consent from users, unless it is not required by law. Permission is not necessary in particular if storing and reading the information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary to provide users with a telemedia service (i.e., our online offer) that they have expressly requested. The revocable consent is clearly communicated to them and contains information on the respective cookie use.

Notes on legal bases for data protection: The legal basis on which we process the personal data of users using cookies depends on whether we ask them for consent. If users agree, the legal basis for processing their data is the declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed using cookies is based on our legitimate interests (e.g., in the economic operation of our online offer and its improvement) or, if necessary, to fulfill our contractual obligations when the use of cookies is required. We clarify the purposes for which cookies are used in this privacy policy or in the context of our consent and processing procedures.

Retention period: Regarding the retention period, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offer and closed their end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved and preferred content displayed directly when the user revisits a website. Likewise, the user data collected with the help of cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and retention period of cookies (e.g., in the context of obtaining consent), users should assume that these are permanent and that the retention period can be up to two years.

General notes on withdrawal and objection (opt-out): Users can withdraw their given consents at any time and also object to processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including through their browser’s privacy settings.

Types of processed data: Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution to obtain user consent for the use of cookies or for the procedures and providers mentioned in the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, document, manage, and revoke consents, particularly concerning the use of cookies and similar technologies used to store, read, and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consents for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management process, are obtained. Users also have the option to manage and revoke their consents. The consent declarations are stored to avoid repeated requests and to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage is server-side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. Unless there are specific indications regarding the providers of consent management services, the following general notes apply: The duration of the storage of consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g., categories of cookies and/or service providers), and information on the browser, system, and end device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Blogs and Publication Media

We use blogs or similar 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 communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. Otherwise, we refer to the information on processing visitors of our publication medium within this privacy policy.

Types of processed data: Inventory data (e.g., full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., textual or image messages and contributions as well as the related information, such as authorship details or creation time); usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; security measures; organizational and administrative procedures.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Comments and contributions: When users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored based on our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In such cases, we may be held liable for the comment or contribution and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.

Furthermore, we reserve the right to process users’ data for spam detection based on our legitimate interests.

On the same legal basis, we reserve the right, in the case of surveys, to store users’ IP addresses for their duration and to use cookies to avoid multiple votes.

The information provided within the comments and contributions regarding the person, any contact and website information, as well as the content details, will be permanently stored by us until the users object; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Fetching WordPress emojis and smilies: Fetching WordPress emojis and smilies – Within our WordPress blog, graphical emojis (or smilies), i.e., small graphical files expressing emotions, are used for the efficient integration of content elements, obtained from external servers. The providers of the servers collect users’ IP addresses. This is necessary for the emoji files to be transmitted to the users’ browsers; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Gravatar profile pictures: Profile pictures – We use the Gravatar service within our online offer and especially in the blog.

Gravatar is a service where users can register and store profile pictures and their email addresses. When users leave contributions or comments on other online presences (especially blogs) with the respective email address, their profile pictures can be displayed next to the contributions or comments. For this purpose, the email address provided by users is encrypted and transmitted to Gravatar for verification if a profile is stored with it. This is the sole purpose of transmitting the email address. It is not used for other purposes and is deleted afterward.

The use of Gravatar is based on our legitimate interests, as we use Gravatar to offer contributors and comment authors the opportunity to personalize their contributions with a profile picture.

By displaying the images, Gravatar learns the users’ IP addresses, as this is necessary for communication between a browser and an online service.

If users do not want a user image linked to their Gravatar email address to appear in the comments, they should use an email address for commenting that is not stored at Gravatar. We also point out that it is possible to use an anonymous or no email address at all if users do not wish their email address to be sent to Gravatar. Users can completely prevent the transmission of data by not using our commenting system; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
UpdraftPlus: Backup software and backup storage; Service provider: Simba Hosting Ltd., 11, Barringer Way, St. Neots, Cambs., PE19 1LW, GB; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://updraftplus.com/; Privacy Policy: https://updraftplus.com/data-protection-and-privacy-centre/. Basis for third country transfers: Adequacy decision (GB).

Contact and Inquiry Management

When contacting us (e.g., by post, contact form, email, phone, or via social media) and within the scope of existing user and business relationships, the information of the requesting persons is processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact inquiries and any requested actions.

Types of processed data: Inventory data (e.g., full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., textual or image messages and contributions as well as the related information, such as authorship details or creation time); usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
Affected persons: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, email, or other communication channels, we process the personal data provided to us to respond to and handle the respective inquiry. This typically includes information such as name, contact information, and any other information provided to us that is necessary for appropriate handling. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Chatbots and Chat Functions

We offer online chats and chatbot functions as a means of communication (collectively referred to as “chat services”). A chat is an online conversation conducted in real-time. A chatbot is software that answers users’ questions or provides them with information via messages. When you use our chat functions, we may process your personal data.

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

We inform users that the respective platform provider can learn that and when users communicate with our chat services, as well as technical information about the users’ device and, depending on their device settings, also location information (so-called metadata) for purposes of optimizing the respective services and for security purposes. The metadata of communication via chat services (i.e., the information about who communicated with whom) could also be used by the respective platform providers for marketing purposes or to display user-targeted advertising, according to their policies, to which we refer for further information.

If users agree to activate information via regular messages from a chatbot, they can unsubscribe from this information at any time in the future. The chatbot informs users how and with which terms they can unsubscribe from the messages. Upon unsubscribing from chatbot messages, users’ data is deleted from the list of message recipients.

We use the aforementioned information to operate our chat services, for example, to address users personally, to respond to their inquiries, to deliver any requested content, and also to improve our chat services (e.g., to teach chatbots answers to frequently asked questions).

Types of processed data: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., textual or image messages and contributions, as well as the related information, such as authorship details or creation time); usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
Affected persons: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Communication.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Web Analysis, Monitoring, and Optimization

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

In addition to web analysis, we may use testing procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offer or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles (i.e., data summarized into a usage process) may be created for these purposes, and information may be stored and read in a browser or device. The collected information includes, in particular, visited websites and used elements 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 to us or the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.

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

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

Types of processed data: Usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles); provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for up to two years).
Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offer based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to a device to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, re-accessed, or interacted with our online offer. The time of use and its duration, as well as the sources of users who refer to our online offer and the technical aspects of their devices and browsers, are also stored.
Pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, with cookies possibly being used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides coarse geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU data traffic, IP address data is used solely for deriving geolocation data before being immediately deleted. They are not logged, are not accessible, and are not used for further purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded for processing to Analytics servers; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and processed data).
Google Tag Manager: We use Google Tag Manager, a software from Google, which allows us to manage so-called website tags centrally via a user interface. Tags are small code elements on our website that serve to capture and analyze visitor activities. This technology helps us improve our website and the content offered on it. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, store cookies with user profiles, or conduct independent analyses. Its function is limited to facilitating the integration and management of tools and services we use on our website more easily and efficiently. However, when using Google Tag Manager, users’ IP addresses are transmitted to Google, which is necessary for technical reasons to implement the services we use. Cookies may also be set. However, this data processing only occurs when services are integrated via the Tag Manager. For more detailed information on these services and their data processing, we refer to the further sections of this privacy policy; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Online Marketing

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

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

In addition, the IP addresses of the users are stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect the users. In general, no clear data of the users (such as email addresses or names) are stored within the framework of the online marketing procedure, but pseudonyms. This means that we and 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 and supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing procedure provider.

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

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

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

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

Notes on withdrawal and objection:

We refer to the privacy policies of the respective providers and the objection options provided to the providers (so-called “opt-out”). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of disabling cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore additionally recommend the following opt-out options, which are offered collectively for respective areas:

a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu

b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices

c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices

d) Cross-territory: https://optout.aboutads.info

Types of processed data: Usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g., interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles); conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures).
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for up to two years).
Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Google Ads and Conversion Measurement: Online marketing procedure for the purpose of placing content and advertisements within the provider’s advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who presumably have an interest in the advertisements. In addition, we measure the conversion of the ads, i.e., whether the users have taken the ads as an opportunity to interact with the ads and use the advertised offers (so-called conversions). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and processed data: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Google Adsense with personalized ads: We integrate the Google Adsense service, which allows personalized ads to be placed within our online offer. Google Adsense analyzes user behavior and uses this data to deliver targeted advertising tailored to the interests of our visitors. For each ad display or other use of these ads, we receive financial compensation; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and processed data: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing conditions for Google advertising products: Information on the services data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Google Adsense with non-personalized ads: We use the Google Adsense service to place non-personalized ads within our online offer. These ads are not based on individual user behavior but are selected based on general characteristics such as the content of the page or the user’s approximate geographical location. For displaying or otherwise using these ads, we receive financial compensation; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and processed data: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing conditions for Google advertising products: Information on the services data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.

Presence in Social Networks (Social Media)

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

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

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

For a detailed description of the respective processing forms and the opt-out options, we refer to the privacy policies 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 most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the providers have access to the users’ data and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. Should you still need help, you can contact us.

Types of processed data: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., textual or image messages and contributions as well as the related information, such as authorship details or creation time); usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Communication; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); public relations.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Instagram: Social network, enables sharing photos and videos, commenting and favoriting posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Facebook Pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data from visitors to our Facebook page (so-called “fanpage”). This data includes information about the types of content that users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see “Things done and provided by you and others” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/), as well as information about the devices used by the users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see “Device Information” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under “How do we use this information?”, Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as “page insights,” to page operators so that they can gain insights into how people interact with their pages and with the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook (“Page Insights Information,” https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which specifically addresses what security measures Facebook must take and where Facebook has agreed to fulfill the data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, direct requests for information or deletion directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular, to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Page Insights Information” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). The joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which particularly concerns the transmission of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
X: Social network; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://x.com; Privacy policy: https://x.com/de/privacy.
YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Plug-ins and Embedded Functions as well as Content

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

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of these contents or functions. We strive to use only such content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the delivery of the content. Third-party providers can 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 the user’s device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times, as well as other information about the use of our online offer, and may also be linked to such information from other sources.

Types of processed data: Usage data (e.g., page views and duration, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons); inventory data (e.g., full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., textual or image messages and contributions as well as the related information, such as authorship details or creation time); location data (information about the geographical position of a device or a person).
Affected persons: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for up to two years).
Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Additional notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

Integration of third-party software, scripts, or frameworks (e.g., jQuery): We integrate software into our online offer that we retrieve from the servers of other providers (e.g., functional libraries that we use for the display or user-friendliness of our online offer). In this context, the respective providers collect the IP address of the users and can process it for the purposes of transmitting the software to the users’ browser and for security purposes, as well as for the evaluation and optimization of their offer; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Google Fonts (hosted on our server): Provision of font files for the purpose of a user-friendly display of our online offer; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to Google; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Google Fonts (retrieved from Google server): Retrieval of fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free, and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to updating and loading times, their uniform display, and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The provider of the fonts is informed of the IP address of the user so that the fonts can be provided in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, used hardware) are transmitted, which are necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the used devices and the technical environment. This data can be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA – When visiting our online offer, the users’ browsers send their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e., a software interface for retrieving the fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) of Google Fonts and then the fonts specified in the CSS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the respective user to access the internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent, which describes the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the referrer URL (i.e., the website on which the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers, and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of the HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent, and referrer URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. In the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must adapt the font generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is primarily logged and used for debugging and to generate aggregated usage statistics, with which the popularity of font families is measured. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the “Analytics” page of Google Fonts. Finally, the referrer URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to its own information, Google does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to display targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=en.
Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the service “Google Maps” from the provider Google. The processed data can include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of the users; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
OpenStreetMap: We integrate the maps of the service “OpenStreetMap”, which are offered on the basis of the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF). The data of the users is used by OpenStreetMap exclusively for the purpose of displaying the map functions and for caching the selected settings. This data can include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of the users, which, however, are not collected without their consent (usually performed within the settings of their devices or browsers); Service provider: OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.openstreetmap.de; Privacy policy: https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy.
YouTube Videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
YouTube Videos: Video content; YouTube videos are integrated via a special domain (recognizable by the component “youtube-nocookie”) in the so-called “enhanced data protection mode”, which means that no cookies are collected about user activities to personalize the video playback. Nevertheless, information about the interaction of the users with the video (e.g., remembering the last playback position) may be stored; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Processing of Data in the Context of Employment Relationships

In the context of employment relationships, the processing of personal data is carried out with the aim of effectively establishing, conducting, and terminating such relationships. This data processing supports various operational and administrative functions necessary for managing employee relations.

This data processing encompasses various aspects, ranging from contract initiation to contract termination. It includes the organization and management of daily working hours, the administration of access rights and permissions, as well as handling personnel development measures and employee evaluations. The processing also serves the purposes of payroll accounting and management of salary payments, which are critical aspects of contract execution.

Additionally, the data processing takes into account the legitimate interests of the responsible employer, such as ensuring workplace safety or recording performance data to assess and optimize business processes. Furthermore, the data processing involves the disclosure of employee data in the context of external communication and publication processes, where required for operational or legal purposes.

The processing of these data is always carried out in compliance with the applicable legal framework,

Processed Data Types: Employee data (information about employees and other persons in an employment relationship).
Affected Persons: Employees (e.g., employees, applicants, temporary workers, and others).
Purposes of Processing: Establishment and execution of employment relationships (processing of employee data within the scope of establishment and execution). Business processes and economic procedures.
Legal Bases: Fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Processing of special categories of personal data in relation to health care, occupation, and social security (Art. 9 para. 2 lit. h) GDPR).

Changes and Updates

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as the changes in the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as changes require your participation (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 we ask you to verify the information before contacting us.

Definitions

This section provides an overview of the terminology used in this privacy policy. As far as the terminology is legally defined, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations are intended primarily to aid understanding.

Employees: Employees are persons in an employment relationship, whether as employees, staff, or in similar positions. An employment relationship is a legal relationship between an employer and an employee established by a work contract or agreement. It involves the obligation of the employer to pay the employee compensation while the employee performs their work. The employment relationship includes various phases, including the establishment, where the work contract is concluded, the execution, where the employee performs their work activities, and the termination, when the employment relationship ends, whether through resignation, termination agreement, or otherwise. Employee data refers to all information relating to these persons in the context of their employment. This includes aspects such as personal identification data, identification numbers, salary and bank details, working hours, leave entitlements, health data, and performance evaluations.
Inventory Data: Inventory data includes essential information required for the identification and management of contract partners, user accounts, profiles, and similar associations. These data can include personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, phone numbers, email addresses), birthdates, and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between individuals and services, institutions, or systems, enabling unique assignment and communication.
Content Data: Content data includes information generated during the creation, editing, and publication of content of all kinds. This category of data can include texts, images, videos, audio files, and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not only limited to the actual content but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information, and publication dates.
Contact Data: Contact data are essential information that enables communication with individuals or organizations. They include phone numbers, postal addresses, email addresses, as well as communication means like social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
Conversion Measurement: Conversion measurement (also known as “visitor action evaluation”) is a process to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. Typically, a cookie is stored on the users’ devices within the websites where 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.
Meta, Communication, and Procedural Data: Meta, communication, and procedural data are categories containing information about how data is processed, transmitted, and managed. Meta-data, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin, and structure of other data. They can include details such as file size, creation date, author of a document, and change histories. Communication data captures the exchange of information between users over various channels, such as email traffic, call logs, messages on social networks, and chat logs, including the parties involved, timestamps, and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and workflows within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, transaction and activity logs, as well as audit logs used for tracking and verifying operations.
Usage Data: Usage data refers to information that captures how users interact with digital products, services, or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which features they prefer, how long they stay on certain pages, and through which paths they navigate an application. Usage data can also include the frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information, and location data. They are particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. Additionally, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences, and potential problem areas within digital offerings.
Personal Data: “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g., cookie), or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
Profiles with User-Related Information: The processing of “profiles with user-related information,” or simply “profiles,” involves any kind of automated processing of personal data that consists of using this personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this can include various information regarding demographics, behavior, and interests, such as interaction with websites and their contents, etc.), to analyze, or predict them (e.g., the interests in certain content or products, the click behavior on a website or the whereabouts). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
Log Data: Log data are information about events or activities recorded in a system or network. These data typically include information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages, and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data are often used to analyze system problems, monitor security, or generate performance reports.
Reach Measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) serves to evaluate the visitor flows of an online offer and can include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offers can, for example, recognize when users visit their websites and which content they are interested in. This enables them to better tailor the content of the websites to the needs of their visitors. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for reach analysis to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offer.
Location Data: Location data are generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for location determination) connects to a cell tower, WLAN, or similar technical means and functions of location determination. Location data serve to indicate at which geographically determinable position on the earth the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
Tracking: Tracking refers to the ability to trace the behavior of users across multiple online offers. Behavior and interest information is generally stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of tracking technologies concerning the online offers used (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are presumably of interest to them.
Controller: The “controller” is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
Processing: “Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses virtually any handling of data, be it collecting, analyzing, storing, transmitting, or deleting.
Audience Building: Audience building (also known as “custom audiences”) refers to the process of defining target audiences for advertising purposes, such as displaying advertisements. For example, based on a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the internet, it can be inferred that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online shop where they viewed the products. “Lookalike audiences” (or similar audiences) refers to showing suitable content to users whose profiles, or interests are presumed to match the users to whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are typically used for the purpose of building custom audiences and lookalike audiences.

Created with the free privacy policy generator from Dr. Thomas Schwenke

Preamble

Table of Contents

Responsible Party

Overview of Processing

Types of processed data

Categories of affected persons

Purposes of processing

Relevant Legal Bases

Security Measures

Transfer of Personal Data

International Data Transfers

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

Rights of Data Subjects

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

Rights of Data Subjects

Provision of the Online Offer and Web Hosting

Use of Cookies

Blogs and Publication Media

Contact and Inquiry Management

Chatbots and Chat Functions

Web Analysis, Monitoring, and Optimization

Online Marketing

Presence in Social Networks (Social Media)

Plug-ins and Embedded Functions as well as Content

Processing of Data in the Context of Employment Relationships

Changes and Updates

Definitions