Data protection

We are very pleased that you are interested in our company. Data protection is a top priority for the management at “Frank Rechsteiner.” In general, you can use the “Frank Rechsteiner” website without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use specific services offered by our company via our website, the processing of personal data may be necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data—such as a data subject’s name, address, email address, or phone number—is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to “Frank Rechsteiner.” Through this privacy policy, our company aims to inform the public about the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use, and process. Furthermore, this privacy policy informs data subjects of their rights.

As the data controller, “Frank Rechsteiner” has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most comprehensive protection possible of the personal data processed through this website. However, internet-based data transmissions may generally involve security vulnerabilities, meaning that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, any data subject is free to provide personal data to us via alternative means, such as by telephone.

1. definitions

The privacy policy of “Frank Rechsteiner” is based on the terminology used by European legislators and regulators when enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy is intended to be easy to read and understand for the general public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terminology used in advance.

We use the following terms, among others, in this privacy policy:

a) Personal data
Personal data refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”). A natural person is considered identifiable if they can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by association with an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject
A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller.

c) Processing
Processing means any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, distribution, or any other form of making available, the alignment or combination, restriction, erasure, or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing refers to the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its future processing.

e) Profiling
Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements of that natural person.

f) Pseudonymization
Pseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures that ensure the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller
A 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. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

(h) Data processor
A data processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.

(i) Recipient
A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body to whom personal data is disclosed, regardless of whether or not that entity is a third party. However, public authorities that may receive personal data in the course of a specific investigation mandate under Union law or the law of the Member States shall not be considered recipients.

j) Third party
A third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor, and the persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or the processor, are authorized to process the personal data.

k) Consent
Consent means any freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes, expressed in the form of a statement or by a clear affirmative action, by which the data subject indicates that he or she consents to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. name and address of the controller

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union, and other provisions relating to data protection is:

Frank Rechsteiner
Oberer Sandberg 9
88477 Schönebürg
Germany

Phone: 49 (0)151 / 29 12 81 57
Email: info@frankrechsteiner.de
Website: https://frankrechsteiner.de

3. cookies

The “Frank Rechsteiner” website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are placed and stored on a computer system via a web browser.
Many websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that allows websites and servers to associate the specific web browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the visited websites and servers to distinguish the data subject’s individual browser from other web browsers that contain different cookies. A specific web browser can be recognized and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, “Frank Rechsteiner” can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the use of cookies.
Cookies allow us to optimize the information and offers on our website to better serve the user. As mentioned earlier, cookies enable us to recognize users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to navigate our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter their login credentials every time they visit the website, as this information is retrieved by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the shopping cart cookie in an online store. The online store uses a cookie to remember the items a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting of the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common Internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be fully usable.

4. collection of general data and information

The “Frank Rechsteiner” website collects a range of general data and information each time a data subject or an automated system accesses the website. This general data and information is stored in the server’s log files. The following may be recorded: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrer), (4) the subpages accessed on our website via an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information that serve to prevent threats in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, “Frank Rechsteiner” does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) to optimize the content of our website as well as the advertising for it, (3) to ensure the continued functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) to provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyberattack. This anonymously collected data and information is therefore evaluated by “Frank Rechsteiner” both statistically and with the aim of enhancing data protection and data security within our company, ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data from the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

5. Registration on our website

The data subject has the option to register on the data controller’s website by providing personal data. The specific personal data transmitted to the data controller in this process is determined by the respective input form used for registration. The personal data entered by the data subject is collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the data controller and for its own purposes. The data controller may arrange for the transfer of such data to one or more processors, such as a parcel delivery service, which will also use the personal data exclusively for internal purposes attributable to the data controller.

When a user registers on the data controller’s website, the IP address assigned by the user’s Internet service provider (ISP), as well as the date and time of registration, are also stored. This data is stored because it is the only way to prevent misuse of our services, and this data enables us to investigate criminal offenses if necessary. In this respect, the storage of this data is necessary to protect the data controller. This data is generally not disclosed to third parties, unless there is a legal obligation to do so or the disclosure serves the purposes of criminal prosecution.

The data subject’s registration, which involves the voluntary provision of personal data, enables the data controller to offer the data subject content or services that, by their very nature, can only be made available to registered users. Registered users are free to modify the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have it completely deleted from the data controller’s database.

The data controller shall, upon request, provide any data subject at any time with information regarding which personal data concerning the data subject has been stored. Furthermore, the data controller shall correct or delete personal data at the request or upon notification by the data subject, provided that no statutory retention obligations preclude such action. All employees of the data controller are available to the data subject as points of contact in this regard.

6. Contact options via the website

In accordance with legal requirements, the “Frank Rechsteiner” website contains information that enables users to quickly contact our company electronically and communicate directly with us, including a general email address. If a data subject contacts the controller via email or a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted voluntarily by a data subject to the controller is stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. This personal data is not disclosed to third parties.

7. Comment feature on the blog section of the website

“Frank Rechsteiner” offers users the opportunity to leave individual comments on specific blog posts on a blog located on the data controller’s website. A blog is a portal maintained on a website, typically accessible to the public, where one or more individuals—known as bloggers or web bloggers—can post articles or share their thoughts in so-called blog posts. These blog posts can generally be commented on by third parties.

If a data subject leaves a comment on the blog published on this website, in addition to the comments left by the data subject, information regarding the time the comment was posted and the username (pseudonym) chosen by the data subject will also be stored and published. Furthermore, the IP address assigned by the data subject’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) is also logged. This storage of the IP address is carried out for security reasons and in the event that the data subject infringes the rights of third parties through a comment posted or publishes unlawful content. The storage of this personal data is therefore in the data controller’s own interest, so that the data controller may, if necessary, exculpate itself in the event of a legal violation. This collected personal data is not disclosed to third parties unless such disclosure is required by law or serves the legal defense of the data controller.

8. Routine Deletion and Blocking of Personal Data

The controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.

If the storage purpose no longer applies or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.

9. Rights of the Data Subject

a) Right to Confirmation
Every data subject has the right, granted by European legislation, to request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning them is being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to confirmation, they may contact a representative of the controller at any time.

b) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)
Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by European legislation, to request that the controller erase personal data concerning them without undue delay, provided that one of the following grounds applies and provided that the processing is not necessary:

– The personal data was collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which it is no longer necessary.

– The data subject withdraws the consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR, and there is no other legal basis for the processing.

– The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
– The personal data has been processed unlawfully.

– The erasure of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.

– The personal data was collected in connection with information society services offered in accordance with Article 8(1) of the GDPR.
If any of the above reasons apply and a data subject wishes to request the deletion of personal data stored by “Frank Rechsteiner,” they may contact an employee of the data controller at any time. The employee of “Frank Rechsteiner” will ensure that the request for erasure is complied with without delay.

If the personal data of “Frank Rechsteiner” has been made public and our company, as the controller, is obligated under Article 17(1) of the GDPR to erase the personal data, “Frank Rechsteiner” shall take appropriate measures, including technical measures, taking into account available technology and implementation costs, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested that these other data controllers delete all links to this personal data or copies or replicas of this personal data, provided that the processing is not necessary. The employee of “Frank Rechsteiner” will take the necessary steps on a case-by-case basis.

e) Right to restriction of processing
Any data subject whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by European legislation, to request that the controller restrict the processing if any of the following conditions are met:

– The data subject disputes the accuracy of the personal data, for a period sufficient to allow the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
– The processing is unlawful, the data subject objects to the erasure of the personal data, and instead requests the restriction of the use of the personal data.

– The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject needs it to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
– The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR, and it has not yet been determined whether the controller’s legitimate grounds override those of the data subject.

If any of the above conditions are met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by “Frank Rechsteiner,” they may contact a representative of the data controller at any time. The employee of “Frank Rechsteiner” will arrange for the restriction of processing.

f) Right to data portability
Any data subject whose personal data is being processed has the right, as granted by European legislation, to receive the personal data concerning them—which they have provided to a controller—in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. They also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, provided that the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) of the GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, when exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, provided this is technically feasible and does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
To exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact a representative of “Frank Rechsteiner” at any time.

g) Right to object
Any data subject whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning them that is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

“Frank Rechsteiner” will no longer process personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

If “Frank Rechsteiner” processes personal data for the purpose of direct marketing, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data for such marketing purposes. This also applies to profiling, insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to “Frank Rechsteiner” regarding the processing for direct marketing purposes, “Frank Rechsteiner” will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning him or her that is carried out by “Frank Rechsteiner” for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the GDPR, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of “Frank Rechsteiner” or another employee directly. The data subject is also free, in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise their right to object by means of automated procedures that use technical specifications.

h) Automated decisions in individual cases including profiling
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her, or similarly significantly affects him or her, provided that the decision (1) is not necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent, “Frank Rechsteiner” shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data subject, which shall include, at a minimum, the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to present one’s own point of view, and to challenge the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the rights concerning automated individual decision-making, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

(i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law
Any individual whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by European legislation, to withdraw their consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the right to withdraw the consent, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

10. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Facebook

On this website, the controller has integrated components of the enterprise Facebook. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is a social meeting place operated on the Internet, an online community that generally enables users to communicate with each other and interact in virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences or enable the Internet community to provide personal or company-related information. Facebook allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos and network via friend requests, among other things.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. If a data subject lives outside the USA or Canada, the controller for the processing of personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to download a display of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook through the Facebook component. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be accessed at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE. During the course of this technical procedure, Facebook is made aware of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting each time the data subject accesses our website and for the entire duration of the respective stay on our website. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Facebook buttons integrated on our website, for example the “Like” button, or if the data subject makes a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the personal Facebook user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.

Facebook always receives information via the Facebook component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the same time as accessing our website; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Facebook, they can prevent the transmission by logging out of their Facebook account before accessing our website.

The data policy published by Facebook, which is available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains the setting options Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, various applications are available that make it possible to suppress the transmission of data to Facebook. Such applications can be used by the data subject to suppress data transmission to Facebook.

11. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Google Analytics (with Anonymization Feature)

The controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymization function) on this website. Google Analytics is a web analysis service. Web analysis is the collection, gathering and evaluation of data about the behavior of visitors to websites. Among other things, a web analysis service collects data on the website from which a data subject came to a website (so-called referrer), which subpages of the website were accessed or how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analysis is mainly used to optimize a website and for the cost-benefit analysis of Internet advertising.

The operating company of the Google Analytics component is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The data controller uses the “_gat._anonymizeIp” parameter for web analytics via Google Analytics. This suffix causes Google to truncate and anonymize the IP address of the data subject’s Internet connection when accessing our website from a member state of the European Union or from another signatory state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze visitor traffic on our website. Google uses the data and information collected, among other things, to evaluate the use of our website, to compile online reports for us that show the activity on our website, and to provide other services related to the use of our website.

Google Analytics places a cookie on the data subject’s IT system. What cookies are has already been explained above. By setting the cookie, Google is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website is accessed, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Google Analytics component has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Google Analytics component to transmit data to Google for the purpose of online analysis. During the course of this technical procedure, Google gains knowledge of personal information, such as the IP address of the data subject, which serves Google, inter alia, to understand the origin of visitors and clicks, and subsequently create commission settlements.

The cookie is used to store personal information, such as the access time, the location from which access was made and the frequency of visits to our website by the data subject. Each time our website is visited, this personal data, including the IP address of the Internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may pass on this personal data collected via the technical process to third parties.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the web browser used and thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from placing a cookie on the data subject’s IT system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to and preventing the collection of data generated by Google Analytics relating to the use of this website and the processing of this data by Google. To do this, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on from the link https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data and information about visits to websites may be transmitted to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-on is considered an objection by Google. If the data subject’s IT system is deleted, formatted or reinstalled at a later date, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on in order to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or another person who is attributable to their sphere of control, it is possible to reinstall or reactivate the browser add-on.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google may be retrieved under https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and under http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail at this link https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

12. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Google

The data controller has integrated the Google button as a component on this website. Google is a so-called social network. A social network is a social meeting place operated on the Internet, an online community that generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enable the online community to share personal or business-related information. Among other things, Google allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos, and connect with others through friend requests.
Google is operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

Each time a user visits one of the individual pages of this website—which is operated by the data controller and on which a Google button has been integrated— the web browser on the data subject’s computer system is automatically prompted by the respective Google button to download a display of the corresponding Google button from Google. As part of this technical process, Google learns which specific subpage of our website is being visited by the data subject. More detailed information about Google is available at https://developers.google.com/.

If the data subject is logged into Google at the same time, Google will recognize which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting each time the data subject accesses our website and throughout the entire duration of their visit to our website. This information is collected via the Google button and assigned by Google to the data subject’s respective Google account.

If the data subject clicks one of the Google buttons integrated into our website and thereby submits a Google+ recommendation, Google associates this information with the data subject’s personal Google account and stores this personal data. Google stores the data subject’s Google 1 recommendation and makes it publicly accessible in accordance with the terms and conditions accepted by the data subject in this regard. A Google+ recommendation submitted by the data subject on this website is subsequently stored and processed in other Google services, together with other personal data such as the name of the Google+ account used by the data subject and the photo stored in that account, such as the search results of the Google search engine, the data subject’s Google Account, or in other locations, such as on websites or in connection with advertisements. Furthermore, Google is able to link the visit to this website with other personal data stored by Google. Google also records this personal information for the purpose of improving or optimizing the various Google services.

Whenever a user visits our website, Google receives information via the Google button that the user has visited our website, provided the user is logged into Google at the time of visiting our website; this occurs regardless of whether the user clicks the Google button or not.

If the data subject does not wish for their personal data to be transmitted to Google, they can prevent such transmission by logging out of their Google account before visiting our website.

For more information and Google’s applicable privacy policy, visit https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/. For additional information from Google regarding the Google 1-Button, visit https://developers.google.com//web/buttons-policy.

13. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Google AdWords

The data controller has integrated Google AdWords into this website. Google AdWords is an online advertising service that allows advertisers to place ads both in Google’s search results and on the Google Display Network. Google AdWords enables an advertiser to specify certain keywords in advance, through which an ad is displayed in Google’s search engine results only when the user retrieves a keyword-relevant search result using the search engine. Within the Google Display Network, ads are distributed across thematically relevant websites using an automated algorithm and in accordance with the previously defined keywords.
The operator of Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google AdWords is to promote our website by displaying interest-based ads on third-party websites and in Google search results, as well as by displaying third-party ads on our website.

If a data subject arrives at our website via a Google ad, Google places a so-called conversion cookie on the data subject’s computer system. We have already explained what cookies are above. A conversion cookie expires after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. Provided the cookie has not yet expired, the conversion cookie is used to track whether certain subpages—such as the shopping cart of an online store system—have been accessed on our website. The conversion cookie allows both us and Google to track whether a data subject who arrived at our website via an AdWords ad generated a sale—that is, completed or abandoned a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie are used by Google to generate visitor statistics for our website. We, in turn, use these visitor statistics to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords ads, i.e., to assess the success or failure of the respective AdWords ad and to optimize our AdWords ads for the future. Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertisers receive information from Google that could be used to identify the data subject.

The conversion cookie is used to store personal information, such as the web pages visited by the data subject. Consequently, each time our website is visited, personal data—including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject—is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may, under certain circumstances, disclose this personal data collected through technical means to third parties.

As described above, the data subject may prevent our website from setting cookies at any time by adjusting the settings of the web browser being used, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the web browser would also prevent Google from setting a conversion cookie on the data subject’s computer system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the web browser or other software programs.

In addition, the data subject has the option to opt out of Google’s interest-based advertising. To do so, the data subject must visit the link www.google.de/settings/ads from each of the web browsers they use and adjust the settings there as desired.

For more information and to view Google’s privacy policy, please visit https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

14. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Twitter

The data controller has integrated Twitter components on this website. Twitter is a multilingual, publicly accessible microblogging service on which users can publish and disseminate so-called tweets, i.e. short messages limited to 280 characters. These short messages can be accessed by anyone, including people who are not registered with Twitter. However, the tweets are also displayed to the so-called followers of the respective user. Followers are other Twitter users who follow a user’s tweets. Twitter also makes it possible to address a broad audience via hashtags, links or retweets.

The operating company of Twitter is Twitter, Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

Each time one of the individual pages of this website is accessed, which is operated by the controller and on which a Twitter component (Twitter button) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Twitter component to download a representation of the corresponding Twitter component from Twitter. Further information about the Twitter buttons is available at https://about.twitter.com/de/resources/buttons. During the course of this technical procedure, Twitter gains knowledge of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject. The purpose of the integration of the Twitter component is to enable our users to redistribute the contents of this website, to make this website known in the digital world and to increase our visitor numbers.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Twitter, Twitter recognizes with each call-up to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of his or her stay on our Internet site, which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject. This information is collected by the Twitter component and assigned by Twitter to the respective Twitter account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Twitter buttons integrated on our website, the data and information transmitted with it is assigned to the personal Twitter user account of the data subject and stored and processed by Twitter.

Twitter always receives information via the Twitter component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged in to Twitter at the same time as accessing our website; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Twitter component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Twitter, they can prevent the transmission by logging out of their Twitter account before accessing our website.

The applicable data protection provisions of Twitter may be retrieved under https://twitter.com/privacy?lang=de.

15. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Xing

The data controller has integrated Xing components on this website. Xing is an Internet-based social network that enables users to connect with existing business contacts and to make new business contacts. Individual users can create a personal profile for themselves on Xing. Companies can, for example, create company profiles or publish job offers on Xing.

The operating company of Xing is XING SE, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.

Each time one of the individual pages of this website is accessed, which is operated by the controller and on which a Xing component (Xing plug-in) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Xing component to download a representation of the corresponding Xing component from Xing. Further information about the Xing plug-ins may be accessed under https://dev.xing.com/plugins. As part of this technical process, Xing receives information about which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Xing, Xing recognizes with each call-up to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site, which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject. This information is collected by the Xing component and assigned by Xing to the respective Xing account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Xing buttons integrated on our website, for example the “Share” button, Xing assigns this information to the personal Xing user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.

Xing receives information via the Xing component whenever the data subject visits our website, provided that the data subject is logged into Xing at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Xing component or not. If the data subject does not wish for this information to be transmitted to Xing, they can prevent the transmission by logging out of their Xing account before visiting our website.
The privacy policy published by Xing, which is available at https://www.xing.com/privacy, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Xing. Furthermore, Xing has published privacy notices for the XING Share button at https://www.xing.com/app/share?op=data_protection.

16. Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of YouTube

The data controller has integrated YouTube components on this website. YouTube is an Internet video portal that allows video publishers to post video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate and comment on them, also free of charge. YouTube allows the publication of all types of videos, which is why complete film and television programs as well as music videos, trailers or videos made by users themselves can be accessed via the Internet portal.

The operating company of YouTube is YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA. YouTube, LLC is a subsidiary of Google Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

Each time one of the individual pages of this website is accessed, which is operated by the controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective YouTube component to download a representation of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube. Further information about YouTube can be found at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. During the course of this technical procedure, YouTube and Google gain knowledge of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in to YouTube at the same time, YouTube recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting when a subpage containing a YouTube video is accessed. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.

YouTube and Google always receive information via the YouTube component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged in to YouTube at the same time as accessing our website; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, they can prevent the transmission by logging out of their YouTube account before accessing our website.

The data protection provisions published by YouTube, which can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provide information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

17. Legal basis for processing

Art. 6 I lit. a GDPR serves our company as the legal basis for processing operations for which we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, as is the case, for example, when processing operations are necessary for the supply of goods or to provide any other service or consideration, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. b GDPR. The same applies to such processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation which requires the processing of personal data, such as for the fulfillment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may become necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured in our company and their name, age, health insurance data or other vital information would have to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. The processing would then be based on Art. 6 I lit. d GDPR. Ultimately, processing operations could be based on Art. 6 I lit. f GDPR. Processing operations that are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases are based on this legal basis if the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not prevail. We are permitted to carry out such processing operations in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, it took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47 Sentence 2 GDPR).

18. Legitimate interests in processing pursued by the controller or a third party

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6 I lit. f GDPR, our legitimate interest is the performance of our business activities for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

19. Length of time for which personal data is stored

The criterion for the duration of the storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After this period has expired, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, provided that it is no longer required for contract fulfillment or contract initiation.

20. Legal or contractual requirements regarding the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; the data subject’s obligation to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide such data

We would like to inform you that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual regulations (e.g. information on the contractual partner). Sometimes it may be necessary for a contract to be concluded for a data subject to provide us with personal data that must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before personal data is provided by the data subject, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of the personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and what the consequences would be if the personal data were not provided.

21. Use of automated decision-making

As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.
This privacy policy was created using the privacy policy generator provided by DGD Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz GmbH, which acts as our external data protection officer, in cooperation with data protection attorney Christian Solmecke.