Privacy policy

CUSTOMERs privacy policy is based on the terminology used by European legislators and regulators in 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 in this privacy policy, among others:

a) Personal data
Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as "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 special characteristics that express the physical, physiological, genetic, psychological, 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 which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, distribution or other forms of provision, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.

e) Profiling
Profiling is 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 analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person's performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements.

f) Pseudonymisation
Pseudonymisation is 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 such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller or processor
The controller or processor 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. 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) Processor
A processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient
A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body to which personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.

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

k) Consent
Consent is any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.
 

The responsible party 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 of a data protection nature is:

Schwarm24
Bernhard Klotz
Huben 24a
6444 Längenfeld

The CUSTOMER website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored on a computer system via an internet browser.

Numerous 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 be assigned to the specific internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the websites and servers visited to distinguish the individual browser of the person concerned from other internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific internet browser can be recognised and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, CUSTOMER can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the use of cookies.

Cookies enable us to optimise the information and offers on our website for the benefit of the user. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognise users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, users of a website that uses cookies do not have to re-enter their access data each time they visit the website, as this is done by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. Another example is the cookie for a shopping basket in an online shop. The online shop uses a cookie to remember the items that a customer has placed in their virtual shopping basket.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in 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 programmes. 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.

The CUSTOMER's website collects a range of general data and information each time the website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system. This general data and information is stored in the server 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 sub-websites that are accessed via an accessing system on our website, (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 serves to avert danger in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, the CUSTOMER does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimise the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the long-term functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyber attack. This anonymously collected data and information is therefore evaluated by CUSTOMER on the one hand statistically and on the other hand with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company in order to ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data in the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

On the CUSTOMER's website, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our company's newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the controller when ordering the newsletter is determined by the input mask used for this purpose.

CUSTOMER informs its customers and business partners at regular intervals about the company's offers by means of a newsletter. The newsletter of our company can only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter. For legal reasons, a confirmation email is sent to the email address entered by a data subject for the first time for the newsletter dispatch in a double opt-in procedure. This confirmation email serves to verify that the owner of the email address has authorised the receipt of the newsletter as the data subject.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) to the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to be able to trace any (possible) misuse of the data subject's email address at a later date and therefore serves to provide legal protection for the controller.

The personal data collected in the context of registering for the newsletter will be used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by email if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or for registration in this regard, as may be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offer or changes to the technical conditions. The personal data collected as part of the newsletter service will not be passed on to third parties. The data subject can cancel their subscription to our newsletter at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data that the data subject has given us for the purpose of sending the newsletter can be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revoking consent, a corresponding link is provided in each newsletter. Furthermore, it is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the website of the controller or to inform the controller in another way.

The newsletters from CUSTOMER contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic that is embedded in emails sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and log file analysis. This allows a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns to be carried out. The embedded tracking pixel enables CUSTOMER to recognise whether and when an email has been opened by a data subject and which links in the email have been accessed by the data subject.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters is stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimise the newsletter dispatch and to better tailor the content of future newsletters to the interests of the data subject. This personal data is not passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled to revoke their separate declaration of consent given via the double opt-in procedure at any time. After revocation, this personal data will be deleted by the controller. The CUSTOMER automatically interprets unsubscribing from the newsletter as revocation.

Due to legal requirements, the CUSTOMER's website contains information that enables quick electronic contact with our company and direct communication with us, which also includes a general address for so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by e-mail or via 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 passed on to third parties.

The controller processes and stores personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the storage purpose or as provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the purpose of storage 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.

a) Right to confirmation
Every data subject has the right granted by European directives and regulations 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 an employee of the controller at any time.

b) Right to information
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by European directives and regulations to obtain from the controller, at any time and free of charge, information about the personal data stored about them and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European Directive and Regulation has granted the data subject access to the following information:

- the purposes of the processing
- the categories of personal data that are being processed
- the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations
- where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
- the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data concerning them or restriction of processing or to object to such processing
- the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
- if the personal data is not collected from the data subject: all available information about the origin of the data
- the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

Furthermore, the data subject has the right to obtain information as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to obtain information about the appropriate safeguards in connection with the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

c) Right to rectification
Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by European directives and regulations to request the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Furthermore, the data subject has the right to request the completion of incomplete personal data, taking into account the purposes of the processing, including by means of a supplementary statement.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of rectification, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to request that the controller erase personal data concerning them without undue delay, provided that one of the following reasons applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

- The personal data has been collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which it is no longer necessary.
- The data subject withdraws their consent on which the processing was based in accordance with Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) 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 unlawfully processed.
- The erasure of the personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
- The personal data has been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

If one of the above reasons applies and a data subject wishes to have personal data stored by CUSTOMER deleted, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The CUSTOMER employee will ensure that the deletion request is complied with immediately.

If the personal data has been made public by CUSTOMER and our company is obliged to delete the personal data as the controller in accordance with Art. 17 (1) GDPR, CUSTOMER shall take appropriate measures, including technical measures, taking into account the available technology and implementation costs, to inform other controllers who process the published personal data that the data subject has requested these other data controllers to delete all links to this personal data or copies or replications of this personal data, unless processing is necessary. The employee of CUSTOMER will take the necessary steps in each individual case.

e) Right to restriction of processing
Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to request the controller to restrict processing if one of the following conditions applies:

- The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
- The processing is unlawful, the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of use of the personal data instead.
- The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but the data subject needs it for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
- The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the above conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by CUSTOMER, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The CUSTOMER employee will arrange for the restriction of processing.

f) Right to data portability

Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, 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) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR and the processing is carried out using automated means, unless the processing is 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) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

To assert their right to data portability, the data subject may contact a KUNDE employee at any time.

g) Right to object

Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to object at any time, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning them which 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.

In the event of an objection, CUSTOMER will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.

If CUSTOMER processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, 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 the processing for direct marketing purposes, CUSTOMER will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning them carried out by CUSTOMER for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89(1) 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 CUSTOMER or another employee directly. The data subject is also free to exercise their right to object in relation to the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, by means of automated procedures using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Any person affected by the processing of personal data has 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, unless the decision (1) is not necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorised 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 entering into, or performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is based on the data subject's explicit consent, the CUSTOMER shall implement appropriate measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, which shall include at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express their point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to assert rights in relation to automated decisions, they may contact an employee of the controller responsible for processing at any time.

i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law
Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by European directives and regulations to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

The controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of handling the application process. Processing may also be carried out electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits the relevant application documents to the controller electronically, for example by e-mail or via a web form on the website. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the data transmitted will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with the statutory provisions. If the controller does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted two months after notification of the rejection decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller prevent deletion. Other legitimate interests in this sense include, for example, the burden of proof in proceedings under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

The controller has integrated components from the company Facebook on this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is a social meeting place operated on the Internet, an online community that generally allows users to communicate with each other and interact in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging 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 responsible for processing personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller is accessed, on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a representation of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be found at developers.facebook.com. As part of this technical process, Facebook receives information about which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognises 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 their 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 into our website, for example the ‘Like’ button, or if the data subject posts a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the data subject's personal Facebook user account 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 into Facebook at the same time as visiting our website; this occurs 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 visiting our website.

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

The controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymisation function) into this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering and evaluation of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. Among other things, a web analysis service collects data about which website a data subject came to a website from (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 optimise a website and for 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 controller uses the addition ‘_gat._anonymizeIp’ for web analysis via Google Analytics. This addition is used by Google to shorten and anonymise the IP address of the data subject's Internet connection if access to our website is made from a Member State of the European Union or from another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyse visitor traffic on our website. Google uses the data and information obtained to evaluate the use of our website, to compile online reports for us showing the activities on our website, and to provide other services related to the use of our website.

Google Analytics places a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. What cookies are has already been explained above. By placing the cookie, Google enables an analysis of the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and on which a Google Analytics component has been integrated is accessed, 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. As part of this technical process, Google obtains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the data subject, which Google uses, among other things, to track the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently enable commission settlements.

The cookie stores personal information, such as the time of access, the location from which access originated 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.

As already explained above, the data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a cookie on the data subject's information technology system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programmes.

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 tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data and information relating to visits to websites may be transmitted to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-on is considered by Google to be an objection. If the data subject's information technology system is deleted, formatted or reinstalled at a later date, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or another person within their sphere of control, it is possible to reinstall or reactivate the browser add-on.

Further information and Google's applicable data protection provisions can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail at this link: www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.
 

The controller has integrated Google Remarketing services into this website. Google Remarketing is a feature of Google AdWords that enables a company to display advertisements to Internet users who have previously visited the company's website. The integration of Google Remarketing therefore allows a company to create user-related advertising and consequently display interest-relevant advertisements to the internet user.

The operating company of Google Remarketing services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google Remarketing is to display interest-based advertising. Google Remarketing enables us to display advertisements via the Google advertising network or on other websites that are tailored to the individual needs and interests of Internet users.

Google Remarketing places a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. What cookies are has already been explained above. By placing the cookie, Google is able to recognise visitors to our website when they subsequently visit websites that are also members of the Google advertising network. Each time a website is accessed on which the Google Remarketing service has been integrated, the data subject's internet browser automatically identifies itself to Google. As part of this technical process, Google obtains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address or the user's surfing behaviour, which Google uses, among other things, to display interest-based advertising.

The cookie stores personal information, such as the websites visited by the data subject. 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 pass on this personal data collected via the technical process to third parties.

As already explained above, the data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a cookie on the data subject's information technology system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programmes.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to interest-based advertising by Google. To do this, the data subject must call up the link www.google.de/settings/ads from each of the Internet browsers they use and make the desired settings there.

Further information and Google's applicable data protection regulations can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.
 

The controller has integrated Google AdWords into this website. Google AdWords is an internet advertising service that allows advertisers to place ads in Google search engine results and on the Google advertising network. Google AdWords enables an advertiser to specify certain keywords in advance, which are used to display an ad in Google's search engine results only when the user enters a keyword-relevant search result in the search engine. In the Google advertising network, the ads are distributed to relevant websites using an automatic algorithm and taking into account the previously specified keywords. The operating company of Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA. The purpose of Google AdWords is to advertise our website by displaying interest-relevant advertising on the websites of third-party companies and in the search engine results of the Google search engine, and to display third-party advertising on our website. If a data subject accesses our website via a Google ad, Google places a so-called conversion cookie on the data subject's information technology system. What cookies are has already been explained above. A conversion cookie loses its validity after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. The conversion cookie is used to track whether certain subpages, for example the shopping basket of an online shop system, have been accessed on our website, provided that the cookie has not yet expired. The conversion cookie allows both us and Google to track whether a data subject who has reached our website via an AdWords ad has generated a sale, i.e. completed or cancelled a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie is used by Google to compile visit statistics for our website. We in turn use these visit statistics to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords ads, i.e. to determine the success or failure of the respective AdWords ad and to optimise 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 stores personal information, such as the websites visited by the data subject. 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 pass on this personal data collected via the technical process to third parties.

As already explained above, the data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a conversion cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programmes.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to interest-based advertising by Google. To do this, the data subject must access the link www.google.de/settings/ads from each of the Internet browsers they use and make the desired settings there.

Further information and Google's applicable data protection provisions can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

The controller has integrated components of the Instagram service into this website. Instagram is a service that qualifies as an audiovisual platform and allows users to share photos and videos and also to redistribute such data on other social networks.

The operating company of Instagram's services is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14 First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller is accessed, on which an Instagram component (Insta button) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Instagram component to download a representation of the corresponding component from Instagram. As part of this technical process, Instagram receives information about which specific subpage of our website is being visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognises which specific subpage the data subject is visiting each time the data subject accesses our website and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Instagram component and assigned by Instagram to the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, the data and information transmitted with it will be assigned to the personal Instagram user account of the data subject and stored and processed by Instagram.

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

Further information and the applicable data protection regulations of Instagram can be found at instagram.com.
 

The controller has integrated components from Twitter on this website. Twitter is a multilingual, publicly accessible microblogging service on which users can publish and distribute so-called tweets, i.e. short messages limited to 280 characters. These short messages are accessible to everyone, including people who are not registered with Twitter. However, the tweets are also displayed to the respective user's followers. Followers are other Twitter users who follow a user's tweets. Furthermore, Twitter enables a broad audience to be addressed 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 operated by the controller is accessed 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 on Twitter buttons is available at about.twitter.com/en/resources/buttons. As part of this technical process, Twitter receives information about which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject. The purpose of integrating the Twitter component is to enable our users to disseminate the content of this website, to make this website known in the digital world and to increase our visitor numbers.

If the data subject is logged into Twitter at the same time, Twitter recognises which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject accesses our website and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Twitter component and assigned by Twitter to the data subject's respective Twitter account. If the data subject clicks on one of the Twitter buttons integrated into our website, the data and information transmitted will be assigned to the data subject's personal Twitter user account 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 into Twitter at the same time as visiting our website; This occurs 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 visiting our website.

The applicable data protection provisions of Twitter are available at twitter.com/privacy.

The controller has integrated components from YouTube into this website. YouTube is an internet video portal that allows video publishers to upload video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate and comment on them, also free of charge. YouTube permits the publication of all types of videos, which is why complete films and television programmes, as well as music videos, trailers or videos created by users themselves, can be accessed via the internet portal.

YouTube is operated by 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 operated by the controller is accessed, 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 www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. As part of this technical process, YouTube and Google become aware of which specific subpage of our website is being visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into YouTube at the same time, YouTube recognises which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting when they call up a subpage that contains a YouTube video. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.

YouTube and Google receive information via the YouTube component that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is logged into YouTube at the same time as visiting our website; this occurs 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 visiting our website.

The privacy policy published by YouTube, which is available at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

Art. 6 I lit. a GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company for processing operations in 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, with processing operations necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or consideration, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. b GDPR. The same applies to processing operations that are necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of enquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation that requires the processing of personal data, such as for the fulfilment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor to our premises were injured and their name, age, health insurance details or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. In this case, the processing would be based on Art. 6 I lit. d GDPR. Finally, processing operations could be based on Art. 6 I lit. f GDPR. Processing operations that are not covered by any of the above 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 regard, the legislator took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, sentence 2 of the GDPR).

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, our legitimate interest is the performance of our business activities for the benefit of all our employees and shareholders.

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

We would like to point out that the provision of personal data is in some cases required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data in order to conclude a contract, which we must then process. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with them. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will explain to the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of 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 of not providing the personal data would be.

As a responsible company, we refrain from automated decision-making or profiling.