This privacy policy explains the nature, scope, and purpose of the processing of personal data (hereinafter referred to as „data“) within our online offering and the associated websites, functions, and content, as well as external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as the „online offering“). Regarding the terms used, such as „processing“ or „controller,“ we refer to the definitions in Article 4 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Person responsible
Peter Ladkani

Kazmairstr. 39, 80339 Munich

+49 89 34 02 09 27

+49 89 34 02 09 27 86



peter.ladkani@web.de

Managing Director/Owner: Peter Ladkani

Link to the imprint page: Imprint page

Types of data processed:
– Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses).



– Contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers).



– Content data (e.g., text entries, photographs, videos).



– Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times).



– Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).

Categories of data subjects
Visitors and users of the online offer (hereinafter we refer to the data subjects collectively as “users”).

Purpose of processing

– Providing the online service, its functions, and content.



– Responding to contact requests and communicating with users.



– Security measures.



– Reach measurement/marketing.

Terms used
“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as “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. a cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.





“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 covers virtually any type of data handling.





“Pseudonymisation” means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that this additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.





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





“Controller” is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.





“Processor” is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.



Relevant legal bases
In accordance with Art. 13 GDPR, we will inform you of the legal basis for our data processing. If the legal basis is not stated in the privacy policy, the following applies: The legal basis for obtaining consent is Art. 6 (1) (a) and Art. 7 GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfill our services and implement contractual measures as well as to answer inquiries is Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfill our legal obligations is Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR, and the legal basis for processing to protect our legitimate interests is Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 (1) (d) GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Security measures
In accordance with Art. 32 GDPR, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk, taking into account the state of the art, implementation costs, the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.





These measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical access to the data, as well as access, input, and transmission, ensuring availability, and segregating it. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subjects‘ rights, the deletion of data, and the response to data threats. Furthermore, we consider the protection of personal data right from the development or selection of hardware, software, and processes, in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and through data protection-friendly default settings (Art. 25 GDPR).



Cooperation with processors and third parties
If, as part of our processing, we disclose data to other persons and companies (contract processors or third parties), transmit it to them or otherwise grant them access to the data, this will only be done on the basis of legal permission (e.g. if transmission of the data to third parties, such as payment service providers, is necessary to fulfill the contract in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR), you have consented, a legal obligation stipulates this or on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. when using agents, web hosts, etc.).

If we commission third parties to process data on the basis of a so-called „contract processing agreement“, this is done on the basis of Art. 28 GDPR.

Transfers to third countries
If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs as part of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to third parties, this will only occur if it is necessary to fulfill our (pre-)contractual obligations, on the basis of your consent, due to a legal obligation or on the basis of our legitimate interests. Subject to statutory or contractual permissions, we will only process or have data processed in a third country if the special requirements of Art. 44 ff. GDPR are met. This means that processing is carried out, for example, on the basis of special guarantees, such as the officially recognized determination of a data protection level equivalent to that of the EU (e.g. for the USA through the “Privacy Shield”) or compliance with officially recognized special contractual obligations (so-called “standard contractual clauses”).

Rights of data subjects
You have the right to request confirmation as to whether or not data concerning you is being processed, and to request information about this data, as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR.





According to Art. 16 GDPR, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be corrected.





According to Art. 17 GDPR, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be deleted immediately, or alternatively, according to Art. 18 GDPR,



you have the right to request that the processing of the data be restricted. You have the right to receive the data concerning you that you have provided to us in accordance with Art. 20 GDPR and to request that this data be transmitted to other responsible parties.





Furthermore, according to Art. 77 GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

Right of withdrawal
You have the right to revoke consent given in accordance with Art. 7 (3) GDPR with effect for the future

Right of objection
You may object to the future processing of your data at any time in accordance with Art. 21 GDPR. In particular, you may object to processing for direct marketing purposes.

Cookies and right to object to direct advertising
“Cookies” are small files that are stored on users’ computers. Different types of information can be stored within cookies. A cookie is primarily used to save information about a user (or the device on which the cookie is stored) during or after their visit to an online service. Temporary cookies, or “session cookies” or “transient cookies” are cookies that are deleted after a user leaves an online service and closes their browser. Such a cookie can store, for example, the contents of a shopping cart in an online shop or a login status. “Permanent” or “persistent” cookies are cookies that remain stored even after the browser is closed. For example, the login status can be saved if users visit the website several days later. Likewise, the interests of users can be saved in such a cookie and used for reach measurement or marketing purposes. “Third-party cookies” are cookies offered by providers other than the controller operating the online service (otherwise, if they are only their cookies, they are referred to as “first-party cookies”).





We may use temporary and permanent cookies and explain this in our privacy policy.





If users do not want cookies to be stored on their computer, they are asked to deactivate the corresponding option in their browser settings. Stored cookies can be deleted in the browser settings. Excluding cookies may lead to functional restrictions of this online service.





A general objection to the use of cookies used for online marketing purposes can be declared for a variety of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the US website http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or the EU website http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ . Furthermore, the storage of cookies can be achieved by deactivating them in the browser settings. Please note that in this case, not all functions of this website may be available.

Deletion of data
The data we process will be deleted or restricted in accordance with Articles 17 and 18 of the GDPR. Unless expressly stated in this privacy policy, the data stored by us will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for its intended purpose and there are no statutory retention periods that prevent deletion. If the data is not deleted because it is required for other legally permissible purposes, its processing will be restricted. This means that the data will be blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons.





According to legal requirements in Germany, storage takes place for 10 years in accordance with Sections 147 (1) AO, 257 (1) Nos. 1 and 4, and 4 HGB (books, records, management reports, accounting documents, commercial ledgers, documents relevant for taxation, etc.) and 6 years in accordance with Section 257 (1) Nos. 2 and 3, and 4 HGB (commercial letters).





According to legal requirements in Austria, storage takes place for 7 years in accordance with Section 132 (1) BAO (accounting documents, receipts/invoices, accounts, vouchers, business papers, statements of income and expenditure, etc.), for 22 years in connection with real estate and for 10 years for documents related to electronically provided services, telecommunications, radio and television services that are provided to non-entrepreneurs in EU member states and for which the Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) is used.

Business-related processing
In addition, we process



– Contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category)



– Payment data (e.g., bank details, payment history)



from our customers, prospective customers, and business partners for the purpose of providing contractual services, service and customer care, marketing, advertising, and market research.

Agency services
We process our customers‘ data as part of our contractual services, which include conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development/consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes/handling, server administration, data analysis/consulting services, and training services.





In doing so, we process inventory data (e.g., customer master data such as names or addresses), contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers), content data (e.g., text entries, photographs, videos), contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term), payment data (e.g., bank details, payment history), usage and metadata (e.g., in the context of evaluating and measuring the success of marketing measures). We generally do not process special categories of personal data unless these are part of a commissioned processing operation. Those affected include our customers, interested parties and their customers, users, website visitors or employees, as well as third parties. The purpose of the processing is the provision of contractual services, billing, and our customer service. The legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR (contractual services) and Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (analysis, statistics, optimization, security measures). We process data that is necessary to establish and fulfill the contractual services and indicate the necessity of providing it. Disclosure to external parties only occurs if it is required within the scope of an order. When processing data provided to us within the scope of an order, we act in accordance with the client’s instructions and the statutory requirements for order processing pursuant to Art. 28 GDPR and do not process the data for any purposes other than those specified in the order.

We delete the data after statutory warranty and similar obligations have expired. The necessity of retaining the data is reviewed every three years; in the case of statutory archiving obligations, deletion occurs after these have expired (6 years, according to Section 257 (1) HGB, 10 years, according to Section 147 (1) AO). In the case of data that was disclosed to us by the client as part of an order, we delete the data in accordance with the specifications of the order, generally after the end of the order.

Brokerage services
We process the data of our customers, clients, and interested parties (collectively referred to as „customers“) in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR in order to provide them with our contractual or pre-contractual services. The data processed, the type, scope, purpose, and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying order. This generally includes customer inventory and master data (name, address, etc.), as well as contact details (email address, telephone, etc.), contract data (content of the order, fees, terms, information on the brokered companies/insurers/services), and payment data (commissions, payment history, etc.). We may also process information on the characteristics and circumstances of individuals or items belonging to them if this is part of the subject matter of our order. This may include, for example, information on personal circumstances or mobile or immovable property.



As part of our commission, it may also be necessary for us to process special categories of data according to Art. 9 (1) GDPR, in particular information about a person’s health. To do so, we will obtain an explicit consent from the customer where necessary in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a), Art. 7, Art. 9 (2) (a) GDPR.



If required for the performance of the contract or by law, we will disclose or transmit customer data as part of coverage inquiries, conclusion and processing of contracts to providers of the brokered services/objects, insurers, reinsurers, broker pools, technical service providers, other service providers such as cooperating associations, as well as financial service providers, credit institutions and investment companies as well as social insurance providers, tax authorities, tax consultants, legal advisors, auditors, insurance ombudsmen and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). We may also commission subcontractors, such as sub-agents. We obtain customer consent if this is required for disclosure/transmission (which may be the case, for example, in the case of special categories of data pursuant to Art. 9 GDPR).



Data will be deleted after the expiration of statutory warranty and similar obligations, with the necessity of retaining the data being reviewed every three years; otherwise, statutory retention periods apply.



In the case of statutory archiving obligations, deletion occurs after their expiration. In particular, under German law in the insurance and financial sector, consultation minutes are required to be retained for five years, broker contract notes for seven years, and brokerage contracts for five years. Generally, documents relevant to commercial law must be retained for six years and documents relevant to tax law for ten years.



Contractual services
We process the data of our contractual partners and interested parties as well as other clients, customers, clients, or contractual partners (collectively referred to as „contractual partners“) in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR in order to provide them with our contractual or pre-contractual services. The data processed in this process, the type, scope, purpose, and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual relationship.





The data processed includes the master data of our contractual partners (e.g., names and addresses), contact data (e.g., email addresses and telephone numbers), contract data (e.g., services used, contract content, contractual communication, names of contact persons), and payment data (e.g., bank details, payment history).





We generally do not process special categories of personal data unless these are components of commissioned or contractually agreed processing.





We process data that is necessary to establish and fulfill the contractual services and point out the necessity of providing this data if this is not obvious to the contractual partners. Disclosure to external persons or companies only occurs if it is necessary within the framework of a contract. When processing the data provided to us within the framework of an order, we act in accordance with the instructions of the client and the legal requirements.





When using our online services, we may save the IP address and the time of the respective user action. This storage is based on our legitimate interests, as well as the interests of the users in protection against misuse and other unauthorized use. This data is generally not passed on to third parties unless it is necessary to pursue our claims according to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR or there is a legal obligation to do so according to Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR.





The data is deleted when the data is no longer required to fulfill contractual or statutory duties of care or to deal with any warranty or similar obligations. The necessity of retaining the data is reviewed every three years; otherwise, the statutory retention periods apply.



Administration, financial accounting, office organization, contact management
We process data as part of administrative tasks and to organize our operations, financial accounting and comply with legal obligations, such as archiving.

In doing so, we process the same data that we process as part of providing our contractual services. The processing bases are Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR and Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. Customers, interested parties, business partners and website visitors are affected by the processing. The purpose of and our interest in the processing lies in administration, financial accounting, office organization and data archiving, i.e. tasks that serve to maintain our business activities, perform our tasks and provide our services. The deletion of data with regard to contractual services and contractual communication corresponds to the information stated in these processing activities.



In doing so, we disclose or transmit data to the tax authorities, consultants such as tax consultants or auditors as well as other fee offices and payment service providers.





Furthermore, we store information on suppliers, event organizers and other business partners on the basis of our business interests, e.g. for the purpose of later contact. We generally store this data, which is mostly company-related, permanently.



Business analyses and market research
In order to operate our business economically and to identify market trends and the wishes of our contractual partners and users, we analyze the data available to us on business transactions, contracts, inquiries, etc. We process inventory data, communication data, contractual data, payment data, usage data, and metadata on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR, whereby the data subjects include contractual partners, interested parties, customers, visitors, and users of our online offering.





The analyses are carried out for the purposes of business evaluations, marketing, and market research. We may take into account the profiles of registered users with information, e.g., on the services they have used. The analyses help us increase user-friendliness, optimize our offering, and improve business efficiency. The analyses serve us solely and are not disclosed externally unless they are anonymous analyses with summarized values.





If these analyses or profiles are personal, they are deleted or anonymized upon termination of the user’s contract, otherwise after two years from the conclusion of the contract. Otherwise, the overall business analyses and general trend determinations are created anonymously wherever possible.



Participation in affiliate partner programs
Within our online offering, we use industry-standard tracking measures based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering) in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR, insofar as these are necessary for the operation of the affiliate system. Below we will inform users about the technical background.





The services offered by our contractual partners can also be advertised and linked on other websites (so-called affiliate links or after-buy systems, when, for example, links or services from third parties are offered after a contract has been concluded). The operators of the respective websites receive a commission when users follow the affiliate links and subsequently take advantage of the offers.





In summary, it is necessary for our online offering that we can track whether users who are interested in affiliate links and/or the offers available from us subsequently take advantage of the offers at the instigation of the affiliate links or our online platform. For this purpose, the affiliate links and our offers are supplemented with certain values that can be part of the link or set otherwise, e.g. in a cookie. The values include in particular the source website (referrer), time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offer, an online identifier of the user, as well as tracking-specific values such as advertising material ID, partner ID and categorizations.





The online identifiers of users we use are pseudonymous values. This means that the online identifiers themselves do not contain any personal data such as names or email addresses. They only help us to determine whether the same user who clicked on an affiliate link or showed interest in an offer via our online offer has accepted the offer, i.e. has concluded a contract with the provider. The online identifier is, however, personal insofar as the partner company and we have the online identifier together with other user data. This is the only way the partner company can tell us whether the user has accepted the offer and whether we can, for example, pay out the bonus.



Amazon Affiliate Program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the Amazon EU affiliate program. This program was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to Amazon.de (so-called affiliate system). This means that as an Amazon partner, we earn from qualified purchases.





Amazon uses cookies to trace the origin of orders. Among other things, Amazon can recognize that you clicked on the affiliate link on this website and subsequently purchased a product from Amazon.





Further information on data usage by Amazon and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201909010 .





Note: Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or one of its affiliates.

Booking.com Affiliate Program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the Booking.com partner program. This program was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to Booking.com (a so-called affiliate system). Booking.com uses cookies to trace the origin of bookings. Among other things, Booking.com can recognize that you clicked on the partner link on this website and subsequently made a booking with Booking.com.





Further information on data usage by Booking.com and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.booking.com/content/privacy.de.html .

Agoda.com Affiliate Program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the Agoda.com partner program. This program was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to Agoda.com (so-called affiliate system). Agoda.com uses cookies to trace the origin of bookings. Among other things, Agoda.com can recognize that you clicked on the partner link on this website and subsequently concluded a contract on or via Agoda.com.




Further information on data usage by Agoda.com and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.agoda.com/de-de/info/agoda-privacy.html .

AWIN partner program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the partner program of AWIN AG, Eichhornstraße 3, 10785 Berlin, Germany, which was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to AWIN (so-called affiliate system). AWIN uses cookies to trace the origin of the contract. Among other things, AWIN can recognize that you clicked on the partner link on this website and subsequently concluded a contract with or through AWIN.





Further information on data usage by Awin and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.awin.com/de/rechtliches .

Digistore24 partner program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the partner program of Digistore24 GmbH, St.-Godehard-Straße 32, 31139 Hildesheim, Germany, which was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to Digistore24 (so-called affiliate system). Digistore24 uses cookies to trace the origin of the contract. Among other things, Digistore24 can recognize that you clicked on the partner link on this website and subsequently concluded a contract with or through Digistore24.





Further information on data usage by Digistore24 and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.digistore24.com/page/privacyl .

Affilinet affiliate program
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we participate in the partner program of affilinet GmbH, Sapporobogen 6-8, 80637 Munich, Germany, which was designed to provide a medium for websites through which advertising costs can be earned by placing advertisements and links to Affilinet (so-called affiliate system). Affilinet uses cookies to trace the origin of the contract. Among other things, Affilinet can recognize that you clicked on the partner link on this website and subsequently concluded a contract with or through Affilinet.





Further information on data usage by Affilinet and options for objection can be found in the company’s privacy policy: https://www.affili.net/de/footeritem/datenschutz .

Data protection information in the application process
We process applicant data only for the purpose and within the scope of the application process in accordance with legal requirements. Applicant data is processed to fulfill our (pre)contractual obligations within the scope of the application process within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR if data processing is necessary for us, for example, in the context of legal proceedings (in Germany, Section 26 BDSG also applies).





The application process requires applicants to provide us with their applicant data. The necessary applicant data is marked if we offer an online form; otherwise it can be found in the job descriptions and generally includes personal information, postal and contact addresses and the documents belonging to the application, such as cover letter, CV and references. Applicants can also voluntarily provide us with additional information.





By submitting their application to us, applicants agree to the processing of their data for the purposes of the application process in accordance with the manner and scope set out in this data protection declaration.





If special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 (1) GDPR are voluntarily disclosed as part of the application process, these will also be processed in accordance with Art. 9 (2) (b) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severe disability or ethnic origin). If special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 (1) GDPR are requested from applicants as part of the application process, these will also be processed in accordance with Art. 9 (2) (a) GDPR (e.g. health data if this is necessary for the exercise of the profession).





If made available, applicants can submit their applications to us using an online form on our website. The data will be transmitted to us in encrypted form in accordance with the state of the art.



Applicants can also send us their applications via email. However, we ask you to note that emails are generally not sent encrypted and applicants must ensure that they are encrypted themselves. We therefore cannot assume any responsibility for the transmission path of the application between the sender and its receipt on our server. Therefore, we recommend using an online form or sending it by mail. Instead of applying via the online form and email, applicants still have the option of sending us their application by mail.





The data provided by applicants may be further processed by us for the purposes of the employment relationship in the event of a successful application. Otherwise, if the application for a job offer is unsuccessful, the applicants‘ data will be deleted. Applicants‘ data will also be deleted if an application is withdrawn, which applicants are entitled to do at any time.





Subject to a legitimate revocation by the applicant, deletion will occur after a period of six months so that we can answer any follow-up questions regarding the application and fulfill our documentation obligations under the Equal Treatment Act. Invoices for any reimbursement of travel expenses will be archived in accordance with tax law requirements.



Talent pool
As part of the application process, we offer applicants the opportunity to be included in our talent pool for a period of two years based on consent within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (b) and Art. 7 GDPR.

Application documents in the talent pool will be processed solely for future job advertisements and the recruitment process and will be destroyed at the latest after this period. Applicants are informed that their consent to inclusion in the talent pool is voluntary, has no influence on the current application process, and that they can revoke this consent at any time for the future and object within the meaning of Art. 21 GDPR.

Registration function
Users can create a user account. During registration, the required mandatory information is communicated to users and processed on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR for the purpose of providing the user account. The data processed includes, in particular, login information (name, password, and email address). The data entered during registration is used for the purposes of using the user account and its purpose.





Users can be informed by email about information relevant to their user account, such as technical changes. If users cancel their user account, their data relating to the user account will be deleted, subject to any statutory retention periods. It is the user’s responsibility to back up their data before the end of the contract upon termination. We are entitled to irretrievably delete all user data stored during the term of the contract.





When using our registration and login functions as well as when using the user account, we save the IP address and the time of the respective user action. This data is stored based on our legitimate interests, as well as the user’s interest in protecting against misuse and other unauthorized use. This data will generally not be shared with third parties unless it is necessary to pursue our claims or there is a legal obligation to do so pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR. IP addresses are anonymized or deleted after 7 days at the latest.



DISQUS comment function
Based on our legitimate interests in efficient, secure, and user-friendly comment management pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR, we use the DISQUS comment service, offered by DISQUS, Inc., 301 Howard St, Floor 3, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. DISQUS is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus guarantees compliance with European data protection law: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TRkEAAW&status=Active .





To use the DISQUS comment function, users can log in using their own DISQUS user account or an existing social media account (e.g., OpenID, Facebook, Twitter, or Google). DISQUS obtains user login data from the platforms. It is also possible to use the DISQUS comment function as a guest, without creating or using a user account with DISQUS or one of the specified social media providers.





We simply embed DISQUS and its functions into our website, whereby we can influence user comments. However, users enter into a direct contractual relationship with DISQUS, within the framework of which DISQUS processes user comments and is the contact person for any deletion of user data. We refer to the DISQUS privacy policy: https://help.disqus.com/terms-and-policies/disqus-privacy-policy and also point out to users that they can assume that DISQUS stores not only the comment content but also their IP address and the time of the comment, as well as storing cookies on users‘ computers and using them to display advertising. Users can, however, object to the processing of their data for the purpose of displaying advertisements: https://disqus.com/data-sharing-settings .



Comments and contributions
When users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored for 7 days based on our legitimate interests within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves can be held liable for the comment or contribution and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.



Furthermore, we reserve the right, based on our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR, to process user information for the purpose of spam detection.



On the same legal basis, we reserve the right, in the case of surveys, to store users‘ IP addresses for the duration of the survey and to use cookies to prevent multiple voting.



The data provided in the comments and contributions will be stored by us permanently until the user objects.

Soundcloud
Our podcasts are stored on the “Soundcloud” platform, offered by SoundCloud Limited, Rheinsberger Str. 76/77, 10115 Berlin, Germany, and are played back from this platform.



For this purpose, we integrate so-called Soundcloud widgets into our website. These are playback software that users can use to play the podcasts. Soundcloud can measure which podcasts are listened to and to what extent and process this information pseudonymously for statistical and business purposes. For this purpose, cookies can be stored in users’ browsers and processed to create user profiles, e.g. for the purpose of displaying advertisements that correspond to the potential interests of users. In the case of users who are registered with Soundcloud, Soundcloud can assign the listening information to their profiles.



The use is based on our legitimate interests, i.e. interest in the secure and efficient provision, analysis and optimization of our audio offering in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.



Further information and options for objection can be found in Soundcloud’s privacy policy: https://soundcloud.com/pages/privacy .

Contact us
When you contact us (e.g., via contact form, email, telephone, or social media), the user’s information will be processed to process the contact request and its handling in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (b) (within the framework of contractual/pre-contractual relationships) and Art. 6 (1) (f) (other inquiries) GDPR. User information may be stored in a customer relationship management system („CRM system“) or a comparable inquiry organization.



We delete inquiries if they are no longer required. We review their necessity every two years; statutory archiving obligations also apply.

Newsletter
With the following information we inform you about the contents of our newsletter as well as the registration, dispatch and statistical evaluation procedures as well as your right of objection. By subscribing to our newsletter you agree to receive it and to the procedures described.



Content of the newsletter: We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications with advertising information (hereinafter „newsletter“) only with the consent of the recipient or legal permission. If the content of the newsletter is specifically described when registering for the newsletter, this is decisive for the user’s consent. Otherwise our newsletters contain information about our services and us.



Double opt-in and logging: Registration for our newsletter is carried out using a so-called double opt-in process. This means that after registration you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary to ensure that no one can register using someone else’s email address. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes saving the time of registration and confirmation, as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the shipping service provider are also logged.



Registration data: To register for the newsletter, it is sufficient if you provide your email address. Optionally, we ask you to provide a name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter.



The newsletter is sent and the associated success measurement is based on the consent of the recipient in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a), Art. 7 GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 (2) No. 3 UWG or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 (3) UWG.



The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. Our interest is in using a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that serves our business interests and meets the expectations of users, while also allowing us to verify consent.



Cancellation/Revocation – You can cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent. A link to unsubscribe from the newsletter can be found at the end of each newsletter. We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.
Newsletter
With the following information we inform you about the contents of our newsletter as well as the registration, dispatch and statistical evaluation procedures as well as your right of objection. By subscribing to our newsletter you agree to receive it and to the procedures described.



Content of the newsletter: We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications with advertising information (hereinafter „newsletter“) only with the consent of the recipient or legal permission. If the content of the newsletter is specifically described when registering for the newsletter, this is decisive for the user’s consent. Otherwise our newsletters contain information about our products and accompanying information (e.g. safety instructions), offers, promotions and our company.



Double opt-in and logging: Registration for our newsletter is carried out using a so-called double opt-in process. This means that after registration you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary to ensure that no one can register using someone else’s email address. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes saving the time of registration and confirmation, as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the shipping service provider are also logged.



Registration data: To register for the newsletter, it is sufficient if you provide your email address. Optionally, we ask you to provide a name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter.



The newsletter is sent and the associated performance measurement is based on the consent of the recipient in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a) and Art. 7 GDPR in conjunction with Section 107 (2) TKG or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR in conjunction with Section 107 (2) and (3) TKG.



The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. Our interest is in using a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that serves our business interests and meets the expectations of users, while also allowing us to verify consent.



Cancellation/Revocation – You can cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent. A link to unsubscribe from the newsletter can be found at the end of each newsletter. We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.





Newsletter – Mailchimp
The newsletter is sent via the shipping service provider „MailChimp,“ a newsletter distribution platform of the US provider Rocket Science Group, LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. You can view the shipping service provider’s privacy policy here: https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/ . The Rocket Science Group LLC d/b/a MailChimp is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection standards ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TO6hAAG&status=Active ). The shipping service provider is used on the basis of our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR and a data processing agreement pursuant to Art. 28 (3) (1) GDPR.



The shipping service provider may use the recipients‘ data in pseudonymous form, i.e., without assigning it to a specific user, to optimize or improve its own services, e.g., to technically optimize the delivery and presentation of the newsletter or for statistical purposes. However, the shipping service provider does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to contact them directly or to pass the data on to third parties.

Newsletter – Newsletter2Go
The newsletter is sent via the shipping service provider Newsletter2Go GmbH, Köpenicker Str. 126, 10179 Berlin, Germany. You can view the data protection regulations of the shipping service provider here: https://www.newsletter2go.de/datenschutz/ . The shipping service provider is used on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR and a data processing agreement in accordance with Art. 28 (3) (s) 1 GDPR.



The shipping service provider can use the recipients‘ data in pseudonymous form, i.e. without assignment to a user, to optimise or improve its own services, e.g. for the technical optimisation of the dispatch and presentation of the newsletter or for statistical purposes. However, the shipping service provider does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to write to them directly or to pass the data on to third parties.

Newsletter – Rapidmail
The newsletter is sent via the shipping service provider rapidmail GmbH, Augustinerplatz 2, 79098 Freiburg i.Br., Germany. You can view the data protection regulations of the shipping service provider here: https://www.rapidmail.de/datenschutzbestimmungen . The shipping service provider is used on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR and a data processing agreement in accordance with Art. 28 (3) (s) 1 GDPR.



The shipping service provider can use the recipients‘ data in pseudonymous form, i.e. without assignment to a user, to optimise or improve its own services, e.g. for the technical optimisation of the dispatch and presentation of the newsletter or for statistical purposes. However, the shipping service provider does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to write to them directly or to pass the data on to third parties.

Newsletter – Shipping service provider
The newsletter is sent via the shipping service provider [NAME, ADDRESS, COUNTRY]. You can view the shipping service provider’s data protection regulations here: [LINK TO THE DATA PRIVACY POLICY]. The shipping service provider is used on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR and a data processing agreement in accordance with Art. 28 (3) (S. 1) GDPR.



The shipping service provider can use the recipients‘ data in pseudonymous form, i.e. without assignment to a user, to optimise or improve its own services, e.g. for the technical optimisation of the dispatch and presentation of the newsletter or for statistical purposes. However, the shipping service provider does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to write to them directly or to pass the data on to third parties.
Newsletter – Measuring Success
The newsletters contain a so-called „web beacon“, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a shipping service provider, from that service provider’s server. During this retrieval, technical information such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, is initially collected.



This information is used to technically improve the services based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or the access times. The statistical surveys also include determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. For technical reasons, this information can be assigned to individual newsletter recipients. However, it is neither our aim nor, if used, that of the shipping service provider, to observe individual users. The evaluations serve us much more to recognize the reading habits of our users and adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users.



Unfortunately, a separate revocation of the performance measurement is not possible; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled.

Hosting and email sending
The hosting services we use serve to provide the following services: infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, email delivery, security services, and technical maintenance services, which we use to operate this website.



We, or our hosting provider, process inventory data, contact data, content data, contract data, usage data, metadata, and communication data of customers, interested parties, and visitors to this website based on our legitimate interest in the efficient and secure provision of this website in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR in conjunction with Art. 28 GDPR (conclusion of a data processing agreement).

Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is a solution that allows us to manage website tags via a single interface (and thus integrate Google Analytics and other Google marketing services into our online offering). The Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags) does not process any personal user data. Regarding the processing of user personal data, please refer to the following information on Google services. Terms of Use: https://www.google.com/intl/de/tagmanager/use-policy.html .



Google Analytics
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google LLC (“Google”). Google uses cookies. The information generated by the cookie about the use of the online offering by users is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active ).



Google will use this information on our behalf to evaluate the use of our online offering by users, to compile reports on activities within this online offering and to provide us with other services related to the use of this online offering and internet usage. In doing so, pseudonymous user profiles of users may be created from the processed data.



We only use Google Analytics with activated IP anonymization. This means that the user’s IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there.



The IP address transmitted by the user’s browser will not be merged with other Google data. Users can prevent cookies from being saved by setting their browser software accordingly; users can also prevent Google from collecting the data generated by the cookie and relating to their use of the website and from processing this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available under the following link:  http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de .



Further information on Google’s data usage, settings, and opt-out options can be found in Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of Google ads (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).



Users‘ personal data is deleted or anonymized after 14 months.

Google Universal Analytics
We use Google Analytics in the form of “ Universal Analytics .“ „Universal Analytics“ refers to a Google Analytics process in which user analysis is based on a pseudonymous user ID, thus creating a pseudonymous user profile with information from the use of various devices (so-called „cross-device tracking“).

Target group building with Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to display ads placed within Google’s and its partners‘ advertising services only to users who have also shown an interest in our online offering or who exhibit certain characteristics (e.g., interests in specific topics or products determined based on the websites visited) that we transmit to Google (so-called „remarketing“ or „Google Analytics audiences“). With the help of remarketing audiences, we also want to ensure that our ads correspond to the potential interests of users.



Google Adsense with personalized ads
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use the services of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, („Google“).



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee to comply with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active ).



We use the AdSense service, with the help of which advertisements are displayed on our website and we receive remuneration for their display or other use. For these purposes, usage data such as the click on an advertisement and the user’s IP address are processed, whereby the IP address is truncated by the last two digits. Therefore, user data is processed pseudonymously.



We use Adsense with personalized ads. Google draws conclusions about users‘ interests based on the websites they visit or apps they use and the user profiles they create. Advertisers use this information to tailor their campaigns to these interests, which is beneficial for both users and advertisers. Google considers ads to be personalized when collected or known data determines or influences ad selection. This includes, among other things, previous searches, activities, website visits, app usage, demographic and location information. In detail, this includes: demographic targeting, targeting based on interest categories, remarketing, and targeting based on customer match lists and audience lists uploaded to DoubleClick Bid Manager or Campaign Manager. For



more information about Google’s use of data, settings, and opt-out options, please see Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and the settings for displaying ads by Google (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).



Google Adsense with non-personalized ads
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use the services of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, („Google“).



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active).



We use the AdSense service, with the help of which advertisements are displayed on our website and we receive remuneration for their display or other use. For these purposes, usage data such as the click on an advertisement and the user’s IP address are processed, whereby the IP address is truncated by the last two digits. Therefore, user data is processed pseudonymously.



We use Adsense with non-personalized ads. Ads are not displayed based on user profiles. Non-personalized ads are not based on previous user behavior. Targeting uses contextual information, including rough (e.g., at the location level) geographic targeting based on the current location, the content on the current website or app, and current search terms. Google prohibits any personalized targeting, including demographic targeting and targeting based on user lists. For



more information about Google’s use of data, settings, and opt-out options, see Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and the settings for displaying ads by Google (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).

Google AdWords and conversion measurement
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use the services of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, („Google“).



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active).



We use the online marketing process Google „AdWords“ to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. This allows us to display ads for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner in order to present users only with ads that potentially correspond to their interests. If, for example, a user is shown advertisements for products in which they were interested on other online offerings, this is referred to as „remarketing“. For these purposes, when our website and other websites on which the Google advertising network is active are visited, Google code is immediately executed and so-called (re)marketing tags (invisible graphics or code, also known as „web beacons“) are integrated into the website. With the help of these tags, an individual cookie, i.e. a small file, is stored on the user’s device (similar technologies can also be used instead of cookies). This file records which websites the user visited, which content they were interested in and which offers the user clicked on, as well as technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of the online offering.



We also receive an individual „conversion cookie“. The information obtained with the help of the cookie is used by Google to compile conversion statistics for us. However, we only receive the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. We do not receive any information that could personally identify users.



User data is processed pseudonymously within the Google advertising network. This means that Google does not, for example, store and process the name or email address of users, but processes the relevant data cookie-related within pseudonymous user profiles. This means that from Google’s perspective, the ads are not managed and displayed for a specifically identified person, but for the cookie owner, regardless of who this cookie owner is. This does not apply if a user has expressly allowed Google to process the data without this pseudonymization. The information collected about users is transmitted to Google and stored on Google’s servers in the USA.



Further information on data use by Google, setting options and objection options can be found in Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of advertisements by Google (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).

Google DoubleClick
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use the services of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, („Google“).



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active).



We use the Google „DoubleClick“ online marketing process to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.). DoubleClick is characterized by the fact that ads are displayed in real time based on the presumed interests of users. This allows us to display ads for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner in order to present users only ads that potentially correspond to their interests. If, for example, a user is shown advertisements for products in which they were interested on other online offerings, this is referred to as „remarketing“. For these purposes, when you visit our website and other websites on which the Google advertising network is active, Google code is immediately executed and so-called (re)marketing tags (invisible graphics or code, also known as „web beacons“) are integrated into the website. With their help, an individual cookie, i.e. a small file, is stored on the user’s device (similar technologies can also be used instead of cookies). This file records which websites the user visited, which content they were interested in and which offers the user clicked on, as well as technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of the online offering.



The user’s IP address is also recorded. It is shortened within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases is it transmitted in full to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. Google may also combine the above-mentioned information with similar information from other sources. If the user subsequently visits other websites, ads tailored to their presumed interests based on their user profile may be displayed.



User data is processed pseudonymously within the Google advertising network. This means that Google does not, for example, store and process the name or email address of users, but processes the relevant data cookie-related within pseudonymous user profiles. This means that from Google’s perspective, the ads are not managed and displayed for a specifically identified person, but for the cookie owner, regardless of who this cookie owner is. This does not apply if a user has expressly allowed Google to process the data without this pseudonymization. The information collected about users by Google Marketing Services is transmitted to Google and stored on Google’s servers in the USA.



Further information on data use by Google, setting options and objection options can be found in Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of advertisements by Google (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).

Facebook Pixel, Custom Audiences and Facebook Conversion
Based on our legitimate interests in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering, and for these purposes, we use the so-called „Facebook Pixel“ of the social network Facebook, which is operated by Facebook Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA, or, if you are based in the EU, Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland („Facebook“).



Facebook is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus guarantees compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active ).



With the help of the Facebook Pixel, Facebook is able to determine visitors to our online offering as a target group for the display of advertisements (so-called „Facebook Ads“). Accordingly, we use the Facebook pixel to only display the Facebook ads we place to Facebook users who have also shown an interest in our online offering or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interests in certain topics or products determined based on the websites visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called “custom audiences”). With the help of the Facebook pixel, we also want to ensure that our Facebook ads correspond to the potential interests of users and do not appear annoying. With the help of the Facebook pixel, we can also track the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (so-called “conversion”).



The processing of data by Facebook takes place in accordance with Facebook’s data usage policy. Accordingly, general information on the display of Facebook ads can be found in Facebook’s data usage policy:  https://www.facebook.com/policy . Specific information and details about the Facebook pixel and how it works can be found in the Facebook help section: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/651294705016616 .



You can object to the collection of your data by the Facebook pixel and the use of your data to display Facebook ads. To control which types of ads are displayed to you within Facebook, you can visit the page set up by Facebook and follow the instructions there regarding usage-based advertising settings:  https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads . The settings are platform-independent, meaning they are applied to all devices, such as desktop computers and mobile devices.



You can also object to the use of cookies for reach measurement and advertising purposes via the Network Advertising Initiative deactivation page ( http://optout.networkadvertising.org/ ) and additionally the US website ( http://www.aboutads.info/choices ) or the European website ( http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices/ ).

Online presence in social media
We maintain online presences within social networks and platforms in order to communicate with customers, interested parties and users active there and to inform them about our services.



We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce user rights. With regard to US providers certified under the Privacy Shield, we would like to point out that they thereby undertake to comply with EU data protection standards.



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



The processing of users‘ personal data is based on our legitimate interests in effectively informing and communicating with users in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. If users are asked by the respective providers for consent to data processing (i.e., they declare their consent by ticking a checkbox or confirming a button), the legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) (a) and Art. 7 GDPR.



For a detailed description of the respective processing operations and the opt-out options, we refer to the information provided by the providers linked below.



We would also like to point out that requests for information and the assertion of user rights can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the providers have access to the user data and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. If you still need help, you can contact us.



- Facebook (Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland) – Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/ , Opt-Out: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads and http://www.youronlinechoices.com , Privacy Shield:https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active .



- Google/ YouTube (Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA) – Privacy Policy:   https://policies.google.com/privacy , Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated , Privacy Shield: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active .



- Instagram (Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA) – Privacy Policy/ Opt-Out: http://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/ .



- Twitter (Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA) – Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/de/privacy , Opt-Out: https://twitter.com/personalization , Privacy Shield: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TORzAAO&status=Active .



- Pinterest (Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA) – Privacy Policy/Opt-Out: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy .



- LinkedIn (LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland) – Privacy Policy https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy , Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out , Privacy Shield:  https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000L0UZAA0&status=Active .



- Xing (XING AG, Dammtorstraße 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany) – Privacy Policy/Opt-Out: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung .

Integration of third-party services and content
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use content or service offerings from third-party providers to integrate their content and services, such as videos or fonts (hereinafter collectively referred to as “content”).



This always requires that the third-party providers of this content perceive the user’s IP address, since without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content. We endeavor to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. “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, time of visit and other information about the use of our online service, as well as be linked to such information from other sources.

Vimeo
We may embed videos from the „Vimeo“ platform provided by Vimeo Inc., Attention: Legal Department, 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011, USA. Privacy policy: https://vimeo.com/privacy . We point out that Vimeo may use Google Analytics and refer to the privacy policy ( https://www.google.com/policies/privacy ) as well as opt-out options for Google Analytics ( http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de ) or Google’s settings for data usage for marketing purposes ( https://adssettings.google.com/ ).

YouTube
We embed videos from the „YouTube“ platform, provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Privacy policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ , Opt-out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated .

Google Fonts
We integrate the fonts („Google Fonts“) of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Privacy policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ , Opt-out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated .

Google ReCaptcha
We integrate the function for detecting bots, e.g., when entering data into online forms („ReCaptcha“) from Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Privacy policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ , Opt-out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated .

Google Maps
We integrate maps from the „Google Maps“ service provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. The data processed may include, in particular, users‘ IP addresses and location data, which, however, will not be collected without their consent (usually via their mobile device settings). The data may be processed in the USA. Privacy Policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ , Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated .

Typekit fonts from Adobe
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use external „Typekit“ fonts from Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited, 4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland. Adobe is certified under the Privacy Shield Framework and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TNo9AAG&status=Active).

Use of Facebook social plugins
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use social plugins („plugins“) from the social network facebook.com, which is operated by Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland („Facebook“).

This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text, and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Facebook. The list and appearance of Facebook social plugins can be viewed here:  https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ .



Facebook is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement, thereby guaranteeing compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active ).



When a user accesses a function of this website that contains such a plug-in, their device establishes a direct connection to the Facebook servers. The content of the plug-in is transmitted from Facebook directly to the user’s device, which then integrates it into the website. User profiles can be created from the processed data. We therefore have no influence on the extent of the data that Facebook collects with the help of this plug-in and therefore inform users according to the best of our knowledge.



By integrating the plug-in, Facebook receives the information that a user has accessed the corresponding page of the website. If the user is logged in to Facebook, Facebook can assign the visit to their Facebook account. When users interact with the plug-ins, for example by clicking the Like button or leaving a comment, the corresponding information is transmitted directly from their device to Facebook and stored there. If a user is not a Facebook member, it is still possible that Facebook will learn and store their IP address. According to Facebook, only an anonymized IP address is stored in Germany.



The purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Facebook as well as the related rights and setting options for protecting the privacy of users can be found in Facebook’s privacy policy:  https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/ .



If a user is a Facebook member and does not want Facebook to collect data about them via this website and link it to their member data stored on Facebook, they must log out of Facebook and delete their cookies before using our website. Further settings and objections to the use of data for advertising purposes are available within the Facebook profile settings:  https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads  or via the US website  http://www.aboutads.info/choices/  or the EU website  http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ . The settings are platform-independent, meaning they are applied to all devices, such as desktop computers and mobile devices.

Twitter
Functions and content of the Twitter service, offered by Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA, may be integrated into our online offering. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Twitter.

If users are members of the Twitter platform, Twitter can assign the access to the above-mentioned content and functions to the users‘ profiles there. Twitter is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TORzAAO&status=Active ). Data protection declaration: https://twitter.com/de/privacy , Opt-out: https://twitter.com/personalization .

Instagram
Our online offering may incorporate features and content from the Instagram service, offered by Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text, and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Instagram. If users are members of the Instagram platform, Instagram can associate the access to the aforementioned content and features with their profiles there. Instagram’s privacy policy: http://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/ .

Pinterest
Our online offering may include features and content from the Pinterest service, offered by Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text, and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Pinterest. If users are members of the Pinterest platform, Pinterest can associate access to the aforementioned content and features with their profiles there. Pinterest’s privacy policy: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy .

Xing
Our online offering may incorporate functions and content from the Xing service, offered by XING AG, Dammtorstraße 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany. This may include content such as images, videos, or text, as well as buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Xing. If users are members of the Xing platform, Xing can associate access to the aforementioned content and functions with their profiles there. Xing’s privacy policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung .

LinkedIn
Functions and content of the LinkedIn service, offered by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, may be integrated into our online offering. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within LinkedIn. If users are members of the LinkedIn platform, LinkedIn can associate the access to the aforementioned content and functions with the users‘ profiles there. LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy . LinkedIn is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000L0UZAA0&status=Active ). Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy , Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out .

Google+
Functions and content from the Google+ platform, offered by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA (“Google”), may be integrated into our online offering. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within Google. If users are members of the Google+ platform, Google can associate the access to the aforementioned content and functions with the users’ profiles there.



Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thus offers a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law ( https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active ). For further information on data usage by Google, settings and objection options, please see Google’s privacy policy ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and the settings for the display of advertisements by Google (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).

Sharing features from AddThis
Within our online offering, the service „AddThis“ (1595 Spring Hill Rd Suite 300 Vienna, VA 22182, USA) is used to share content from this online offering within social networks (so-called sharing).



This use is based on our legitimate interests, i.e., interest in disseminating our online offering in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.



AddThis uses users‘ personal information to provide and execute the sharing functions. In addition, AddThis may use pseudonymous user information for marketing purposes. This data is stored on users‘ computers using so-called „cookie“ text files. Privacy policy: http://www.addthis.com/privacy , Opt-Out: http://www.addthis.com/privacy/opt-out .







Shariff sharing functions
We use the privacy-safe „Shariff“ buttons. „Shariff“ was developed to provide more privacy online and replace the usual „Share“ buttons on social networks. It is not the user’s browser, but the server on which this online service is located, that establishes a connection with the server of the respective social media platform and queries, for example, the number of likes, etc. The user remains anonymous. More information about the Shariff project can be found from the developers of c’t magazine : www.ct.de.
Created with Datenschutz-Generator.de by RA Dr. Thomas Schwenke