Privacy Policy
Preamble
With the following privacy policy we would like to inform you which types of your personal data (hereinafter also abbreviated as «data») we process for which purposes and in which scope. The privacy statement applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as «online services»).
The terms used are not gender-specific.
Last Update: 20. July 2023
Table of contents
Controller
Wolfgang Dauser
Sea-Help GmbH
Röschenweg 5
4801 Traunkirchen
Austria
Authorised Representatives:
Wolfgang Dauser
E-mail address:
dsgvo@sea-help.eu
Phone:
+43 (0) 6133 6272 10
Legal Notice:
https://www.sea-help.eu/en/imprint/
Relevant legal bases according
Relevant legal bases according to the GDPR: In the following, you will find an overview of the legal basis of the GDPR on which we base the processing of personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection provisions of your or our country of residence or domicile may apply. If, in addition, more specific legal bases are applicable in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.
- Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes.
- Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR) – Performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
- Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
- Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.
National data protection regulations in Austria: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations apply to data protection in Austria. This includes in particular the Federal Act on the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data (Data Protection Act – DSG). In particular, the Data Protection Act contains special provisions on the right of access, rectification or cancellation, processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission and automated decision making in individual cases.
Reference to the applicability of the GDPR and the Swiss DPA: These privacy notices serve both to provide information in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (Swiss DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Overview of processing operations
The following table summarises the types of data processed, the purposes for which they are processed and the concerned data subjects.
Categories of Processed Data
- Inventory data.
- Payment Data.
- Location data.
- Contact data.
- Content data.
- Contract data.
- Usage data.
- Meta, communication and process data.
- Images and/ or video recordings.
- Event Data (Facebook).
Categories of Data Subjects
- Customers.
- Employees.
- Prospective customers.
- Communication partner.
- Users.
- Business and contractual partners.
- Participants.
- Persons depicted.
Purposes of Processing
- Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Contact requests and communication.
- Security measures.
- Direct marketing.
- Web Analytics.
- Targeting.
- Office and organisational procedures.
- Conversion tracking.
- Affiliate Tracking.
- A/B Tests.
- Managing and responding to inquiries.
- Firewall.
- Feedback.
- Marketing.
- Profiles with user-related information.
- Provision of our online services and usability.
- Information technology infrastructure.
Security Precautions
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.
The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, transmission, securing and separation of the data. In addition, we have established procedures to ensure that data subjects’ rights are respected, that data is erased, and that we are prepared to respond to data threats rapidly. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and service providers, in accordance with the principle of privacy by design and privacy by default.
TLS encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our online services, we use TLS encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.
Transmission of Personal Data
In the context of our processing of personal data, it may happen that the data is transferred to other places, companies or persons or that it is disclosed to them. Recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are embedded in a website. In such cases, the legal requirements will be respected and in particular corresponding contracts or agreements, which serve the protection of your data, will be concluded with the recipients of your data.
Telephone calls: I agree that telephone calls to the HelpLine, Membership Administration, and Directory Assistance may be recorded for training purposes.
Data Transmission within the Group of Companies: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of companies or otherwise grant them access to this data. Insofar as this disclosure is for administrative purposes, the disclosure of the data is based on our legitimate business and economic interests or otherwise, if it is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or otherwise a legal permission is present.
International data transfers
If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or the processing takes place in the context of the use of third party services or disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only take place in accordance with the legal requirements.
Subject to express consent or transfer required by contract or law, we process or have processed the data only in third countries with a recognised level of data protection, on the basis of special guarantees, such as a contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission or if certifications or binding internal data protection regulations justify the processing (Article 44 to 49 GDPR, information page of the EU Commission:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en).
Data Processing in Third Countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place within the scope of using services of third parties or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this only occurs in compliance with legal requirements.
Subject to explicit consent or contractually or legally required transmission (see Art. 49 GDPR), we process or have the data processed only in third countries with a recognized level of data protection (Art. 45 GDPR), when contractual obligations are observed and adhered to by so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission (Art. 46 GDPR) or when certifications or binding internal data protection regulations exist (see Art. 44 to 49 GDPR, Information page of the EU Commission:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en).
Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TADPF): As part of the so-called «Data Privacy Framework» (TADPF), the EU has also recognized the data protection level for certain companies from the USA. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). Information in German and other languages can be found on the EU Commission’s website:
https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/eu-us-data-transfers_en. We also inform you about the companies we use that are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.
Disclosure of Personal Data Abroad: In accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG), we only disclose personal data abroad when an appropriate level of protection for the affected persons is ensured (Art. 15 Swiss DSG). If the Federal Council does not determine that there is an adequate level of protection, we implement alternative security measures. These measures may include international agreements, specific guarantees, data protection clauses in contracts, standard data protection clauses approved by the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), or internal company data protection regulations previously recognised by the FDPIC or a competent data protection authority of another country.
Under Art. 16 of the Swiss DSG, exceptions can be made for the disclosure of data abroad if certain conditions are met, including the consent of the affected person, contract execution, public interest, protection of life or physical integrity, publicly made data or data from a legally provided register. Such disclosures always comply with the legal requirements.
Erasure of data
The data processed by us will be erased in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as their processing is revoked or other permissions no longer apply (e.g. if the purpose of processing this data no longer applies or they are not required for the purpose). If the data is not deleted because they are required for other and legally permissible purposes, their processing is limited to these purposes. This means that the data will be restricted and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be stored for commercial or tax reasons or for which storage is necessary to assert, exercise or defend legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person. In the context of our information on data processing, we may provide users with further information on the deletion and retention of data that is specific to the respective processing operation.
Rights of Data Subjects
Rights of the Data Subjects under the GDPR: As data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 21 of the GDPR:
- Right to Object: You have the right, on grounds arising from your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of your personal data which is based on letter (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of the personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
- Right of withdrawal for consents: You have the right to revoke consents at any time.
- Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question will be processed and to be informed of this data and to receive further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the provisions of the law.
- Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with the law, to request the completion of the data concerning you or the rectification of the incorrect data concerning you.
- Right to Erasure and Right to Restriction of Processing: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to demand that the relevant data be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
- Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you which you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements, or to request its transmission to another controller.
- Complaint to the supervisory authority: In accordance with the law and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State where you habitually reside, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.
Rights of the data subjects under the Swiss DPA:
You have the following rights as an affected individual in accordance with the provisions of the Swiss DSG:
- Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to receive the information necessary for you to assert your rights under this law and to ensure transparent data processing (Art. 25 to 27 Swiss DSG).
- Right to data disclosure or transfer: You have the right to request the disclosure of your personal data that you have provided to us in a commonly used electronic format (Art. 28 to 29 Swiss DSG).
- Right to file a complaint: You have the right to file a complaint to protect your personality rights (Art. 32 para. 2 to para. 4 Swiss DSG).
- Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with Art. 32 Swiss DSG, to request the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you. If it is not possible to determine the accuracy or inaccuracy of the data, you have the right to attach a statement of disagreement (Art. 32 para. 1 and 3 Swiss DSG).
- Right to prohibition of processing: You have the right to request a prohibition or restriction of the processing of the data (Art. 32 para. 2 lit a. Swiss DSG).
- Right to prohibition of disclosure to third parties: You have the right to request that a specific disclosure of data concerning you to third parties be prohibited (Art. 32 para. 2 lit b. Swiss DSG).
- Right to deletion, destruction: You have the right to request the immediate deletion and destruction of data concerning you, or alternatively (Art. 32 para. 2 lit c. Swiss DSG).
- Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent with effect for the future.
Use of Cookies
Cookies are small text files or other data records that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to store the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the contents accessed or the functions used. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. for purposes of functionality, security and convenience of online offers as well as the creation of analyses of visitor flows.
Information on consent: We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. Therefore, we obtain prior consent from users, except when it is not required by law. In particular, consent is not required if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is strictly necessary in order to provide an information society service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user. Essential cookies usually include cookies with functions related to the display and operability of the onlineservice, load balancing, security, storage of users’ preferences and choices or similar purposes related to the provision of the main and secondary functions of the onlineservice requested by users. The revocable consent will be clearly communicated to the user and will contain the information on the respective cookie use.
Information on legal bases under data protection law: The legal basis under data protection law on which we process users’ personal data with the use of cookies depends on whether we ask users for consent. If users consent, the legal basis for processing their data is their declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in a business operation of our online services and improvement of its usability) or, if this is done in the context of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. For which purposes the cookies are processed by us, we do clarify in the course of this privacy policy or in the context of our consent and processing procedures.
Retention period: With regard to the retention period, a distinction is drawn between the following types of cookies:
- Temporary cookies (also known as «session cookies»): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed his or her end device (i.e. browser or mobile application).
- Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the terminal device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved, or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, user data collected with the help of cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., as part of obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.
General notes on revocation and objection (so-called «Opt-Out»): Users can revoke the consents they have given at any time and object to the processing in accordance with legal requirements. Users can restrict the use of cookies in their browser settings, among other options (although this may also limit the functionality of our online offering). A objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be made through the websites
https://optout.aboutads.info and
https://www.youronlinechoices.com/.
Cookie Settings/ Opt-Out:
[borlabs-cookie type=»btn-cookie-preference» title=»Cookie settings» element=»link»/]
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Processing Cookie Data on the Basis of Consent: We use a cookie management solution in which users’ consent to the use of cookies, or the procedures and providers mentioned in the cookie management solution, can be obtained, managed and revoked by the users. The declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be retrieved again and the consent can be proven in accordance with the legal obligation. Storage can take place server-sided and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-out cookie or with the aid of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or and/or his/her device. Subject to individual details of the providers of cookie management services, the following information applies: The duration of the storage of the consent can be up to two years. In this case, a pseudonymous user identifier is formed and stored with the date/time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) as well as the browser, system and used end device; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- BorlabsCookie: Cookie-Consent Manager; Service provider: Hosted locally on our server, no data transfer to third parties; Website: https://borlabs.io/borlabs-cookie/; Further Information: An individual user ID, language as well as types of consent and the time of their submission are stored on the server and in the cookie on the user’s device.
Rights of the member & contractual partner for the respective areas of application
The member has the right:
- to be informed at any time about personal data concerning him/her;
- the rectification or completion of inaccurate data concerning him;
- deletion of the data concerning him under the conditions of Art. 17 GDPR;
- restriction of the processing under the conditions of Art 18 GDPR;
- to obtain a copy of the processed data and to request the transfer of the data to a new responsible person under the conditions of Art 20 GDPR;
- to revoke the consent to data processing at any time;
- to lodge a complaint with the data protection authority regarding breaches of data protection provisions.
The corresponding contractual partners which are responsible for respective areas of applicationspan:
- Sea-Help Insurance Broker GmbH
Röschenweg 5, 4801 Traunkirchen, Austira+43 6133627215insurance@sea-help.eu
- Sea-Help Adria d.o.o.
Obala 68, 51521 Punat, Croatia+385 51855742service@sea-help.eu
- SeaHelp Services Baleares S.L.
Calle Ramon de Montcada 17, 07180 Santa Ponsa, Spain+34 646086090mallorca@sea-help.eu
- SeaHelp Ostsee GmbH
Blankwasserweg 125, 23743 Grömitz, Germany+49 1724784534ostsee@sea-help.eu
- Sea-Help Office Ost
Veleslavinska 150, 16200 Prag, Czech+42 0602325956office-ost@sea-help.eu
- SeaHelp Ladislav Celestina s.p.
Seca 109, 6320 Portoroz, Slovenia+386 56958000portoroz@sea-help.eu
- SeaHelp Italia sas
Via Monte Ortigara 3/L c/o Marina Punta Faro, 33054 Lignano, Italyitaly@sea-help.eu
Business services
We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as «contractual partners») within the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as associated actions and communication with the contractual partners or pre-contractually, e.g. to answer inquiries.
We process this data in order to fulfill our contractual obligations. These include, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any update obligations and remedies in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to protect our rights and for the purpose of administrative tasks associated with these obligations and company organization. Furthermore, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and economical business management as well as security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only disclose the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed about further forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope of this privacy policy.
Which data are necessary for the aforementioned purposes, we inform the contracting partners before or in the context of the data collection, e.g. in online forms by special marking (e.g. colors), and/or symbols (e.g. asterisks or the like), or personally.
We delete the data after expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. in principle after expiry of 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account or must be kept for legal reasons of archiving. The statutory retention period for documents relevant under tax law as well as for commercial books, inventories, opening balance sheets, annual financial statements, the instructions required to understand these documents and other organizational documents and accounting records is ten years and for received commercial and business letters and reproductions of sent commercial and business letters six years. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the last entry was made in the book, the inventory, the opening balance sheet, the annual financial statements or the management report was prepared, the commercial or business letter was received or sent, or the accounting document was created, furthermore the record was made or the other documents were created.
If we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective third-party providers or platforms shall apply in the relationship between the users and the providers.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category).
- Data subjects: Prospective customers; Business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Contact requests and communication; Office and organisational procedures; Managing and responding to inquiries.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act); Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6(1)(1)(c) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Agents and Brokerage Services: We process the data of our customers, clients and interested parties (uniformly referred to as «customers») in accordance with the underlying assignment of the customers. Furthermore, we may process information on the characteristics and circumstances of persons or items belonging to them if this is part of our assignment. These can be, for example, information on personal circumstances, mobile or immovable assets and financial situation.Insofar as this is necessary for the performance of our assignment or required by law, we disclose or transmit customer data within the scope of cover requests, the conclusion and execution of contracts to providers of the brokered services/properties, 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, social insurance institutions, tax authorities, tax consultants, legal advisors, auditors, insurance ombudsmen and a Financial Supervisory Authority. Furthermore, we may, subject to other agreements, commission subcontractors; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Payment Procedure
Within the framework of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer data subjects efficient and secure payment options and use other service providers for this purpose in addition to banks and credit institutions (collectively referred to as «payment service providers»).
The data processed by the payment service providers includes inventory data, such as the name and address, bank data, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums, as well as the contract, total and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed by the payment service providers and stored with them. I.e. we do not receive any account or credit card related information, but only information with confirmation or negative information of the payment. Under certain circumstances, the data may be transmitted by the payment service providers to credit agencies. The purpose of this transmission is to check identity and creditworthiness. Please refer to the terms and conditions and data protection information of the payment service providers.
The terms and conditions and data protection information of the respective payment service providers apply to the payment transactions and can be accessed within the respective websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and the assertion of revocation, information and other data subject rights.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Customers; Prospective customers.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Stripe: Payment-Service-Provider (technical integration of online-payment-methods); Service provider: Stripe, Inc., 510 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://stripe.com/de; Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/en-de/privacy.
Provision of online services and web hosting
We process user data in order to be able to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the IP address of the user, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user’s browser or terminal device.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Information technology infrastructure (Operation and provision of information systems and technical devices, such as computers, servers, etc.).); Security measures; Firewall.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Collection of Access Data and Log Files: The access to our online services is logged in the form of so-called «server log files». Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a general rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.
The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure the stability and optimal load balancing of the servers; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Retention period: Log file information is stored for a maximum period of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data, the further storage of which is necessary for evidence purposes, are excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
- E-mail Sending and Hosting: The web hosting services we use also include sending, receiving and storing e-mails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders, as well as other information relating to the sending of e-mails (e.g. the providers involved) and the contents of the respective e-mails are processed. The above data may also be processed for SPAM detection purposes. Please note that e-mails on the Internet are generally not sent in encrypted form. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted during transport, but not on the servers from which they are sent and received (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used). We can therefore accept no responsibility for the transmission path of e-mails between the sender and reception on our server; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Content-Delivery-Network: We use a so-called «Content Delivery Network» (CDN). A CDN is a service with whose help contents of our online services, in particular large media files, such as graphics or scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Mittwald: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KG, Königsberger Straße 4-6, 32339 Espelkamp, Germany; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.mittwald.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.mittwald.de/datenschutz; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.mittwald.de/faq/service-informationen/faq/datenschutz-alles-wichtige-zur-dsgvo.
- Wordfence: firewall and security and error detection functions to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts as well as technical vulnerabilities that could enable such access. For these purposes, cookies and similar storage procedures required for this purpose may be used and security logs may be created during testing and, in particular, in the event of unauthorized access. In this context, the IP addresses of the users, a user identification number and their activities, including the time of access, are processed and stored and compared with the data provided by the provider of the firewall and security function and transmitted to the latter; Service provider: Defiant, Inc., 800 5th Ave Ste 4100, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.wordfence.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.wordfence.com/privacy-policy/; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.wordfence.com/standard-contractual-clauses/; Further Information: https://www.wordfence.com/help/general-data-protection-regulation/.
Purchase of applications via Appstores
The purchase of our apps is done via special online platforms operated by other service providers (so-called «appstores»). In this context, the data protection notices of the respective appstores apply in addition to our data protection notices. This applies in particular with regard to the methods used on the platforms for webanalytics and for interest-related marketing as well as possible costs.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
- Data subjects: Customers; Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Marketing.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
Blogs and publication media
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter «publication medium»). Readers’ data will only be processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium within the scope of this privacy policy.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Provision of our online services and usability.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- WordPress emojis and smilies: WordPress emojis and smilies – Within our WordPress blog, graphic emojis (or smilies), i.e. small graphic files that express feelings, that are obtained from external servers, are used for the efficient integration of content elements. Here the providers of the servers collect the IP addresses of the users. This is necessary so that the emoji files can be transmitted to the browsers of the users; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Communication via Messenger
We use messenger services for communication purposes and therefore ask you to observe the following information regarding the functionality of the messenger services, encryption, use of the metadata of the communication and your objection options.
You can also contact us by alternative means, e.g. telephone or e-mail. Please use the contact options provided to you or use the contact options provided within our online services.
In the case of encryption of content (i.e. the content of your message and attachments), we point out that the communication content (i.e. the content of the message and attachments) is encrypted end-to-end. This means that the content of the messages is not visible, not even by the messenger service providers themselves. You should always use a current version of the messenger service with activated encryption, so that the encryption of the message contents is guaranteed.
However, we would like to point out to our communication partners that although messenger service providers do not see the content, they can find out that and when communication partners communicate with us and process technical information on the communication partner’s device used and, depending on the settings of their device, also location information (so-called metadata).
Information on Legal basis: If we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via messenger services, the legal basis of our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not request consent and you contact us, for example, voluntarily, we use messenger services in our dealings with our contractual partners and as part of the contract initiation process as a contractual measure and in the case of other interested parties and communication partners on the basis of our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and meeting the needs of our communication partners for communication via messenger services. We would also like to point out that we do not transmit the contact data provided to us to the messenger service providers for the first time without your consent.
Withdrawal, objection and deletion: You can withdraw your consent or object to communication with us via messenger services at any time. In the case of communication via messenger services, we delete the messages in accordance with our general data retention policy (i.e. as described above after the end of contractual relationships, archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any information provided by the communication partners, if no reference to a previous conversation is to be expected and there are no legal obligations to store the messages to prevent their deletion.
Reservation of reference to other means of communication: Finally, we would like to point out that we reserve the right, for reasons of your safety, not to answer inquiries about messenger services. This is the case if, for example, internal contractual matters require special secrecy or if an answer via the messenger services does not meet the formal requirements. In such cases we refer you to more appropriate communication channels.
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
- Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Instagram: Messaging via the social network Instagram; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
- Facebook-Messenger: Facebook-Messenger with end-to-end encryption (the end-to-end Facebook Messenger encryption requires activation, unless enabled by default); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp Messenger with end-to-end encryption; Service provider: WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, D02 KH28, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/; Privacy Policy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Push notifications
With the consent of the users, we can send the users so-called «push notifications». These are messages that are displayed on users’ screens, devices or browsers, even if our online services are not being actively used.
In order to sign up for push messages, users must confirm that their browser or device has requested to receive push messages. This approval process is documented and stored. The storage is necessary to recognize whether users have consented to receive the push messages and to be able to prove their consent. For these purposes, a pseudonymous identifier of the browser (so-called «push token») or the device ID of a terminal device is stored.
The push messages may be necessary for the fulfilment of contractual obligations (e.g. technical and organisational information relevant for the use of our online offer) and will otherwise be sent, unless specifically mentioned below, on the basis of user consent. Users can change the receipt of push messages at any time using the notification settings of their respective browsers or end devices.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal); Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities); Affiliate Tracking; Marketing.
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Analysis and performance measurement: We statistically evaluate push messages and can thus identify if and when push messages were displayed and clicked on. This information is used for the technical improvement of our push messages based on technical data or target groups and their retrieval behavior or retrieval times. This analysis also includes determining whether the push messages are opened, when they are opened and whether users interact with their content or buttons. For technical reasons, this information can be assigned to individual push message recipients. However, it is neither our intention nor, if used, that of the push message service provider to monitor individual users. Rather, the evaluations serve to identify the usage habits of our users and to adapt our push messages to them or to send different push messages according to the interests of our users.The evaluation of the push messages and the measurement of performance are based on the consent of the users, which is given with their permission to receive the push messages. Users can object to the analysis and performance measurement by unsubscribing from the push messages. Unfortunately, it is not possible to cancel the analysis and performance measurement separately; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- CleverPush: Sending and managing push notifications; Service provider: CleverPush GmbH, Nagelsweg 22, 20097 Hamburg, Germany; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://cleverpush.com; Privacy Policy: https://cleverpush.com/en/privacy/; Data Processing Agreement: Provided by the service provider.
Video Conferences, Online Meetings, Webinars and Screen-Sharing
We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as «Conference Platforms») for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as «Conference»). When using the Conference Platforms and their services, we comply with the legal requirements.
Data processed by Conference Platforms: In the course of participation in a Conference, the Data of the participants listed below are processed. The scope of the processing depends, on the one hand, on which data is requested in the context of a specific Conference (e.g., provision of access data or clear names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of conducting the conference, participants’ Data may also be processed by the Conference Platforms for security purposes or service optimization. The processed Date includes personal information (first name, last name), contact information (e-mail address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the internet access, information on the participants’ end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and linguistic settings, information on the content-related communication processes, i.e. entries in chats and audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If participants are registered as users with the Conference Platforms, then further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective Conference Provider.
Logging and recording: If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) as well as video or audio recordings are recorded, this will be transparently communicated to the participants in advance and they will be asked – if necessary – for their consent.
Data protection measures of the participants: Please refer to the data privacy information of the Conference Platforms for details on the processing of your data and select the optimum security and data privacy settings for you within the framework of the settings of the conference platforms. Furthermore, please ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a Conference (e.g., by notifying roommates, locking doors, and using the background masking function, if technically possible). Links to the conference rooms as well as access data, should not be passed on to unauthorized third parties.
Notes on legal bases: Insofar as, in addition to the Conference Platforms, we also process users’ data and ask users for their consent to use contents from the Conferences or certain functions (e.g. consent to a recording of Conferences), the legal basis of the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of reprocessing of Conference results, etc.). Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); Persons depicted.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Contact requests and communication; Office and organisational procedures.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
Cloud Services
We use Internet-accessible software services (so-called «cloud services», also referred to as «Software as a Service») provided on the servers of its providers for the storage and management of content (e.g. document storage and management, exchange of documents, content and information with certain recipients or publication of content and information).
Within this framework, personal data may be processed and stored on the provider’s servers insofar as this data is part of communication processes with us or is otherwise processed by us in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of data subjects, data on processes, contracts, other proceedings and their contents. Cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata that they use for security and service optimization purposes.
If we use cloud services to provide documents and content to other users or publicly accessible websites, forms, etc., providers may store cookies on users’ devices for web analysis or to remember user settings (e.g. in the case of media control).
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Images and/ or video recordings (e.g. photographs or video recordings of a person).
- Data subjects: Customers; Employees (e.g. Employees, job applicants); Prospective customers; Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Office and organisational procedures; Information technology infrastructure (Operation and provision of information systems and technical devices, such as computers, servers, etc.).); Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Applications and cloud storage for photo editing, video editing, graphic design, and web development; Service provider: Adobe Systems Software Ireland Companies, 4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html; Privacy Policy: https://www.adobe.com/privacy.html; Data Processing Agreement: Provided by the service provider; Standard Contractual Clauses: Inclusion in the Data Processing Agreement.
- Apple iCloud: Cloud storage service; Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.apple.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/.
- Google Cloud Services: Cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://cloud.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further Information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
- Google Cloud Storage: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://cloud.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further Information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
- Google Workspace: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://workspace.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further Information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
Newsletter and Electronic Communications
We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic communications (hereinafter referred to as «newsletters») only with the consent of the recipient or a legal permission. Insofar as the contents of the newsletter are specifically described within the framework of registration, they are decisive for the consent of the user. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.
In order to subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to enter your e-mail address. We may, however, ask you to provide a name for the purpose of contacting you personally in the newsletter or to provide further information if this is required for the purposes of the newsletter.
Double opt-in procedure: The registration to our newsletter takes place in general in a so-called Double-Opt-In procedure. This means that you will receive an e-mail after registration asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with external e-mail addresses.
The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process according to the legal requirements. This includes storing the login and confirmation times as well as the IP address. Likewise the changes of your data stored with the dispatch service provider are logged.
Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them to provide evidence of prior consent. The processing of these data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of a consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of an obligation to permanently observe an objection, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address solely for this purpose in a blocklist.
The logging of the registration process takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper course. If we commission a service provider to send e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.
Contents:
News, information about us, our services, promotions and offers.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal); Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities); Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Opt-Out: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can otherwise use one of the contact options listed above, preferably e-mail.
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Measurement of opening rates and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called «web-beacon», i.e. a pixel-sized file, which is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a mailing service provider, from its server. Within the scope of this retrieval, technical information such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and time of retrieval are first collected.This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter on the basis of technical data or target groups and their reading behaviour on the basis of their retrieval points (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until the profiles are deleted. The evaluations serve us much more to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users.The measurement of opening rates and click rates as well as the storage of the measurement results in the profiles of the users and their further processing are based on the consent of the users.A separate objection to the performance measurement is unfortunately not possible, in this case the entire newsletter subscription must be cancelled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Mailchimp: Email distribution and email marketing platform; Service provider: Rocket Science Group, LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE #5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://mailchimp.com; Privacy Policy: https://mailchimp.com/legal/; Data Processing Agreement: https://mailchimp.com/legal/data-processing-addendum/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: Inclusion in the Data Processing Agreement; Further Information: Special safety measures: https://mailchimp.com/help/Mailchimp-european-data-transfers/.
- Google Analytics: Measuring the success of email campaigns and building user profiles with a storage period of up to two years based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or various usage processes, which search terms they have used, have accessed again or have interacted with our online services. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online services and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. In the process, pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. In Analytics, higher level geographic location data is provided by collecting the following metadata based on IP search: «city» (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), «continent», «country», «region», «subcontinent» (and the ID-based equivalents). To ensure the protection of user data in the EU, Google receives and processes all user data via domains and servers within the EU. The IP address of users is not logged and is shortened by the last two digits by default. The shortening of the IP address takes place on EU servers for EU users. In addition, all sensitive data collected from users in the EU is deleted before it is collected via EU domains and servers; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further Information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
Commercial communication by E-Mail, Postal Mail, Fax or Telephone
We process personal data for the purposes of promotional communication, which may be carried out via various channels, such as e-mail, telephone, post or fax, in accordance with the legal requirements.
The recipients have the right to withdraw their consent at any time or to object to the advertising communication at any time.
After revocation or objection, we store the data required to prove the past authorization to contact or send up to three years from the end of the year of revocation or objection on the basis of our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. Based on the legitimate interest to permanently observe the revocation, respectively objection of the users, we further store the data necessary to avoid a renewed contact (e.g. depending on the communication channel, the e-mail address, telephone number, name).
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
- Purposes of Processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Surveys and Questionnaires
We conduct surveys and interviews to gather information for the survey purpose communicated in each case. The surveys and questionnaires («surveys») carried out by us are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed insofar as this is necessary for the provision and technical execution of the survey (e.g. processing the IP address to display the survey in the user’s browser or to enable a resumption of the survey with the aid of a cookie).
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Participants.
- Purposes of Processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
Web analysis is used to evaluate the visitor traffic on our website and may include the behaviour, interests or demographic information of users, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of web analysis we can e.g. recognize, at which time our online services or their functions or contents are most frequently used or requested for repeatedly, as well as which areas require optimization.
In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures, e.g. to test and optimize different versions of our online services or their components.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data aggregated for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a terminal device and read from it. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and elements used there as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have agreed to the collection of their location data from us or from the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, that is data summarized for a usage process or user, may be created for these purposes and stored in a browser or terminal device (so-called «cookies») or similar processes may be used for the same purpose. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and elements used there as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data or profiles to us or to the providers of the services we use, these may also be processed, depending on the provider.
The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use any existing IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect the user. In general, within the framework of web analysis, A/B testing and optimisation, no user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of the software used, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); Customers.
- Purposes of Processing: Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles); Provision of our online services and usability; Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies); Affiliate Tracking; A/B Tests; Marketing.
- Security measures: IP Masking (Pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to perform measurement and analysis of the use of our online services by users based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or various usage processes, which search terms they have used, have accessed again or have interacted with our online services. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online services and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. In the process, pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. In Google Analytics, higher level geographic location data is processed by collecting the following metadata based on IP search: «city» (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), «continent», «country», «region», «subcontinent» (and the ID-based equivalents). To ensure the protection of user data in the EU, Google receives and processes all user data via domains and servers within the EU. The IP address of users is not logged and is shortened by the last two digits by default. The shortening of the IP address takes place on EU servers for EU users. In addition, all sensitive data collected from users in the EU is deleted before it is collected via EU domains and servers; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further Information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
- Google Tag Manager: Google Tag Manager is a solution with which we can manage so-called website tags via an interface and thus integrate other services into our online services (please refer to further details in this privacy policy). With the Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags), for example, no user profiles are created or cookies are stored. Google only receives the IP address of the user, which is necessary to run the Google Tag Manager; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.
- VG Word / Scalable Central measurement method: VG Word / Scalable Central measurement method – We use «session cookies» from VG Wort, Munich, to measure access to texts in order to determine the probability of their being copied. Session cookies are small units of information that a provider stores in the main memory of the visitor’s computer. A randomly generated unique identification number, a so-called session ID, is stored in a session cookie. In addition, a cookie contains information about its origin and the period of storage. Session cookies cannot store other data. These measurements are carried out by Kantar Germany GmbH according to the Scalable Central Measuring Method (SZM). They help to determine the copy probability of individual texts for remuneration of legal claims of authors and publishers. We do not collect personal data via cookies.
With the Scalable Central Measurement Method, anonymous measurement values are collected. The access number measurement uses alternatively a session cookie or a signature, which is created from various automatically transmitted information of your browser, for the recognition of computer systems. IP addresses are only processed in anonymised form. The procedure was developed in compliance with data protection. The sole aim of the procedure is to determine the probability of individual texts being copied. At no time are individual users identified. Their identity always remains protected. USers will not receive any advertising via the system; Service provider: Verwertungsgesellschaft WORT (VG WORT), Untere Weidenstraße 5, 81543 Munich, Germany; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.vgwort.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.vgwort.de/hilfsseiten/datenschutz.html.
- Google Analytics: Web AnalyticsWe use Google Analytics to perform measurement and analysis of the use of our online services by users based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or various usage processes, which search terms they have used, have accessed again or have interacted with our online services. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online services and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. In the process, pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. In Analytics, higher level geographic location data is provided by collecting the following metadata based on IP search: «city» (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), «continent», «country», «region», «subcontinent» (and the ID-based equivalents). To ensure the protection of user data in the EU, Google receives and processes all user data via domains and servers within the EU. The IP address of users is not logged and is shortened by the last two digits by default. The shortening of the IP address takes place on EU servers for EU users. In addition, all sensitive data collected from users in the EU is deleted before it is collected via EU domains and servers; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further Information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to perform measurement and analysis of the use of our online services by users based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or various usage processes, which search terms they have used, have accessed again or have interacted with our online services. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online services and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. In the process, pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. In Analytics, higher level geographic location data is provided by collecting the following metadata based on IP search: «city» (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), «continent», «country», «region», «subcontinent» (and the ID-based equivalents). To ensure the protection of user data in the EU, Google receives and processes all user data via domains and servers within the EU. The IP address of users is not logged and is shortened by the last two digits by default. The shortening of the IP address takes place on EU servers for EU users. In addition, all sensitive data collected from users in the EU is deleted before it is collected via EU domains and servers; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/en/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further Information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
Online Marketing
We process personal data for the purposes of online marketing, which may include in particular the marketing of advertising space or the display of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as «Content») based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.
For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called «cookie») or similar procedure in which the relevant user information for the display of the aforementioned content is stored. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, communication partners and technical information such as the browser used, computer system used and information on usage times and used functions. If users have consented to the collection of their sideline data, these can also be processed.
The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use provided IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to ensure the protection of the user’s by using a pseudonym. In general, within the framework of the online marketing process, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is secured, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of online marketing procedures, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles.
The information in the profiles is usually stored in the cookies or similar memorizing procedures. These cookies can later, generally also on other websites that use the same online marketing technology, be read and analyzed for purposes of content display, as well as supplemented with other data and stored on the server of the online marketing technology provider.
Exceptionally, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if the users are members of a social network whose online marketing technology we use and the network links the profiles of the users in the aforementioned data. Please note that users may enter into additional agreements with the social network providers or other service providers, e.g. by consenting as part of a registration process.
As a matter of principle, we only gain access to summarised information about the performance of our advertisements. However, within the framework of so-called conversion measurement, we can check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e. to the conclusion of a contract with us. The conversion measurement is used alone for the performance analysis of our marketing activities.
Unless otherwise stated, we kindly ask you to consider that cookies used will be stored for a period of two years.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies); Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles); Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities); Affiliate Tracking; Provision of our online services and usability.
- Security measures: IP Masking (Pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Opt-Out: We refer to the privacy policies of the respective service providers and the possibilities for objection (so-called «opt-out»). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, it is possible to deactivate cookies in the settings of your browser. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered collectively for each area:a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.
b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.
c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices.
d) Cross-regional: https://optout.aboutads.info.
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Facebook Ads: Placement of ads within the Facebook platform and analysis of ad results; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: Wir verweisen auf die Datenschutz- und Werbeeinstellungen im Profil des Nutzers auf der Facebook-Plattform sowie auf das Einwilligungsverfahren von Facebook und die Kontaktmöglichkeiten von Facebook zur Ausübung von Informations- und sonstigen Betroffenenrechten in der Datenschutzerklärung von Facebook; Further Information: User event data, i.e. behavioral and interest data, is processed for the purposes of targeted advertising and audience building on the basis of the joint controllership agreement («Controller Addendum», https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transfer of the data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company located in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which concerns in particular the transfer of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.).
- Google Ads and Conversion Tracking: Online marketing process for purposes of placing content and advertisements within the provider’s advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on web pages, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. Furthermore, we measure the conversion of the ads, i.e. whether the users took them as a reason to interact with the ads and make use of the advertised offers (so-called conversion). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act), Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further Information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Google Ads Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
- Google Tag Manager: Google Tag Manager is a solution with which we can manage so-called website tags via an interface and thus integrate other services into our online services (please refer to further details in this privacy policy). With the Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags), for example, no user profiles are created or cookies are stored. Google only receives the IP address of the user, which is necessary to run the Google Tag Manager; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Further Information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
- Twitter Ads: Placement of ads within the Twitter platform and analysis of ad results; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Irland, Mutterunternehmen: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://ads.twitter.com/; Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization); Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Customer Reviews and Ratings
We participate in review and rating procedures to evaluate, optimise and advertise our performance. If users rate us via the participating rating platforms or methods or otherwise provide feedback, the General Terms and Conditions of Business or Use and the data protection information of the providers also apply. As a rule, the rating also requires registration with the respective provider.
In order to ensure that the evaluators have actually made use of our services, we transmit, with the consent of the customer, the necessary data relating to the customer and the service or products used to the respective rating platform (this includes the name, e-mail address, order number or article number). This data is used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.
- Processed data types: Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Customers; Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Google Customer Reviews: Service for obtaining and/or displaying customer satisfaction and customer opinions; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Terms & Conditions: https://support.google.com/merchants/topic/7259129?hl=de&ref_topic=7257954; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further Information: In the context of obtaining customer reviews, an identification number and time for the business transaction to be evaluated, in the case of review requests sent directly to customers, the customer’s e-mail address and its country of residence information as well as the review information itself are processed; Further information on types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Google Ads Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Profiles in Social Networks (Social Media)
We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.
We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may entail risks for users, e.g. by making it more difficult to enforce users’ rights.
In addition, user data is usually processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created on the basis of user behaviour and the associated interests of users. The user profiles can then be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks which are presumed to correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the user’s computer, in which the user’s usage behaviour and interests are stored. Furthermore, data can be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if the users are members of the respective networks or will become members later on).
For a detailed description of the respective processing operations and the opt-out options, please refer to the respective data protection declarations and information provided by the providers of the respective networks.
Also in the case of requests for information and the exercise of rights of data subjects, we point out that these can be most effectively pursued with the providers. Only the providers have access to the data of the users and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. If you still need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Instagram: Social network; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
- Facebook-Seiten: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible (so called «joint controller») with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see «Things that you and others do and provide» in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), and information about the devices used by users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie information; see «Device Information» in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under «How we use this information?» Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as «page insights,» to site operators to help them understand how people interact with their pages and with content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook («Information about Page-Insights», https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of the persons concerned (i.e. users can send information access or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to access to information, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the «Information about Page Insights» (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further Information: Joint Controllership Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transfer of the data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company located in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which concerns in particular the transfer of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.).
- Twitter: Social network; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization); Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
Plugins and embedded functions and content
Within our online services, we integrate functional and content elements that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as «third-party providers»). These may, for example, be graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as «Content»).
The integration always presupposes that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since they could not send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required for the presentation of these contents or functions. We strive to use only those contents, whose respective offerers use the IP address only for the distribution of the contents. Third parties may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as «web beacons») for statistical or marketing purposes. The «pixel tags» can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may include technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times and other information about the use of our website, as well as may be linked to such information from other sources.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Location data (Information on the geographical position of a device or person); Event Data (Facebook) («Event Data» is data that can be transmitted from us to Facebook, e.g. via Facebook pixels (via apps or other means) and relates to persons or their actions; the data includes, for example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, installations of apps, purchases of products, etc.; Event data is processed for the purpose of creating target groups for content and advertising information (Custom Audiences); Event Data does not include the actual content (such as written comments), login information, and Contact Information (such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers). Event Data is deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years, the Custom Audiences created from them with the deletion of our Facebook account).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Provision of contractual services and customer support; Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Integration of third-party software, scripts or frameworks: We incorporate into our online services software which we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries which we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our online services). The respective providers collect the user’s IP address and can process it for the purposes of transferring the software to the user’s browser as well as for security purposes and for the evaluation and optimisation of their services; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Facebook plugins and contents: Facebook Social Plugins and contents – This can include content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Facebook. The list and appearance of the Facebook Social Plugins can be viewed here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ – We are jointly responsible (so-called «joint-controllership») with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or transmission (but not further processing) of «Event Data» that Facebook collects or receives as part of a transmission using the Facebook Social Plugins that run on our website for the following purposes: a) displaying content advertising information that matches users’ presumed interests; b) delivering commercial and transactional messages (e.g. b) delivering commercial and transactional messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving ad delivery and personalizing features and content (e.g., improving recognition of which content or advertising information is believed to be of interest to users). We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook («Controller Addendum», https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which specifically addresses the security measures that Facebook must take (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to comply with the rights of data subjects (i.e., users can, for example, submit information access or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measurements, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain information on individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing is not carried out within the scope of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a DPA («Data Processing Terms», https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing/update), the «Data Security Conditions» (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and, with regard to processing in the USA, on the basis of Standard Contractual Clauses («Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to access to information, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Irland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- Google Fonts (Provision on own server): Provision of font files for the purpose of a user-friendly presentation of our online services; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to Google; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Google Fonts (from Google Server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to timeliness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible restrictions under licensing law. The provider of the fonts is informed of the user’s IP address so that the fonts can be made available in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) are transmitted which are necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data may be processed on a server of the provider of the fonts in the USA – When visiting our online services, users’ browsers send their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API. The Google Fonts Web API provides users with Google Fonts’ cascading style sheets (CSS) and then with the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by each user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent describing the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the referral URL (i.e., the web page where the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are not logged or stored on Google servers and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent, and referring URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. With the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must match the font that is generated for the particular browser type. The user agent is logged primarily for debugging purposes and is used to generate aggregate usage statistics that measure the popularity of font families. These aggregate usage statistics are published on Google Fonts’ Analytics page. Finally, the referral URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregate report on top integrations based on the number of font requests. Google says it does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to profile end users or serve targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further Information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=en.
- Font Awesome (Provision on own server): Display of fonts and symbols; Service provider: The Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to the provider of Font Awesome; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the service «Google Maps» from the provider Google. The data processed may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of users; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- Google Maps APIs and SDKs: Interfaces to the map and location services provided by Google, which, for example, allow the addition of address entries, location determinations, distance calculations or the provision of supplementary information on locations and other places; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
- Instagram plugins and contents: Instagram plugins and contents – This can include content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Instagram . – We are jointly responsible (so-called «joint-controllership») with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or transmission (but not further processing) of «Event Data» that Facebook collects or receives as part of a transmission using Instagram functions that run on our website for the following purposes: a) displaying content advertising information that matches users’ presumed interests; b) delivering commercial and transactional messages (e.g. b) delivering commercial and transactional messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving ad delivery and personalizing features and content (e.g., improving recognition of which content or advertising information is believed to be of interest to users). We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook («Controller Addendum», https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which specifically addresses the security measures that Facebook must take (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to comply with the rights of data subjects (i.e., users can, for example, submit information access or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measurements, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain information on individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing is not carried out within the scope of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a DPA («Data Processing Terms», https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing/update), the «Data Security Conditions» (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and, with regard to processing in the USA, on the basis of Standard Contractual Clauses («Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to access to information, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
- OpenStreetMap: We integrate the maps of the service «OpenStreetMap», which are offered based on the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF). OpenStreetMap uses user data exclusively for the purpose of displaying map functions and temporarily storing the selected settings. This data may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of users, which are not collected without their consent (usually within the context of the settings of their mobile devices); Service provider: OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF); Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.openstreetmap.de; Terms & Conditions: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy; Privacy Policy: https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy.
- Twitter plugins and contents: Twitter plugins and buttons – This can include content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Twitter; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://twitter.com; Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization).
- YouTube videos: Video contents; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, , parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
- Font Awesome (from the server of the provider): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to timeliness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible restrictions under licensing law. The provider of the fonts is informed of the user’s IP address so that the fonts can be made available in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) are transmitted which are necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment; Service provider: Fonticons, Inc. ,6 Porter Road Apartment 3R, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://fontawesome.com/; Privacy Policy: https://fontawesome.com/privacy.
Management, Organization and Utilities
We use services, platforms and software from other providers (hereinafter referred to as » third-party providers») for the purposes of organizing, administering, planning and providing our services. When selecting third-party providers and their services, we comply with the legal requirements.
Within this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of third-party providers. This may include various data that we process in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of users, data on processes, contracts, other processes and their contents.
If users are referred to the third-party providers or their software or platforms in the context of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party provider processing may process usage data and metadata that can be processed by them for security purposes, service optimisation or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to read the data protection notices of the respective third party providers.
- Processed data types: Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Provision of contractual services and customer support; Office and organisational procedures.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- WeTransfer: Transferring files over the Internet; Service provider: WeTransfer BV, Oostelijke Handelskade 751, Amsterdam, 1019 BW, Netherlands; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://wetransfer.com; Privacy Policy: https://wetransfer.com/legal/privacy.
Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy
We kindly ask you to inform yourself regularly about the contents of our data protection declaration. We will adjust the privacy policy as changes in our data processing practices make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.
If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, we ask you to note that addresses may change over time and to verify the information before contacting us.
Terminology and Definitions
In this section, you will find an overview of the terminology used in this privacy policy. Where the terminology is legally defined, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, however, are primarily intended to aid understanding.
- A/B Tests: A/B tests are designed to improve the usability and performance of online services. For example, users are presented with different versions of a website or its elements, such as input forms, on which the placement of the contents or labels of the navigation elements can differ. The behaviour of users, e.g. prolonged visits to the site or more frequent interaction with the elements, can then be used to determine which of these sites or elements are more responsive to users’ needs.
- Affiliate Tracking: Custom Audiences refers to the process of determining target groups for advertising purposes, e.g. the display of advertisements. For example, a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the Internet may be used to conclude that the user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online store in which the user viewed the products. «Lookalike Audiences» is the term used to describe content that is viewed as suitable by users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. For the purposes of creating custom audiences and lookalike audiences, cookies and web beacons are typically used.
- Controller: «Controller» means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
- Conversion tracking: Conversion tracking is a method used to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the devices of the users within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then called up again on the target website (e.g. we can thus trace whether the advertisements placed by us on other websites were successful).
- Firewall: A firewall is a security system that protects a computer network or a single computer from unwanted network access.
- Location data: Location data is created when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for a location determination) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN or similar technical means and functions of location determination. Location data serve to indicate the geographically determinable position of the earth at which the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other information dependent on a location.
- Personal Data: «personal data» means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person («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 or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
- Processing: The term «processing» covers a wide range and practically every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or erasure.
- Profiles with user-related information: The processing of «profiles with user-related information», or «profiles» for short, includes any kind of automated processing of personal data that consists of using these personal data to analyse, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include different information concerning demographics, behaviour and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behaviour on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
- Targeting: «Tracking» is the term used when the behaviour of users can be traced across several websites. As a rule, behavior and interest information with regard to the websites used is stored in cookies or on the servers of the tracking technology providers (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users presumably corresponding to their interests.
- Web Analytics: Web Analytics serves the evaluation of visitor traffic of online services and can determine their behavior or interests in certain information, such as content of websites. With the help of web analytics, website owners, for example, can recognize at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This allows them, for example, to optimize the content of the website to better meet the needs of their visitors. For purposes of web analytics, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are frequently used in order to recognise returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online service.