Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy of Thumm Technologie GmbH - Gartenmetall

We are very pleased that you have shown an interest in our company. Data protection is of particularly high importance to the management of Gartenmetall. The use of the Gartenmetall website is generally possible without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to make use of particular services provided by our company via our website, the processing of personal data may become necessary. Where the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, email address or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with the country-specific data protection provisions applicable to Gartenmetall. By means of this Privacy Policy, our company wishes to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, this Privacy Policy informs data subjects of the rights to which they are entitled.

As the controller, Gartenmetall has implemented numerous technical and organisational measures to ensure the most complete protection possible of personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, Internet-based data transmissions may in principle have security vulnerabilities, meaning that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to provide personal data to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.

1. Definitions

The Privacy Policy of Gartenmetall is based on the terminology used by the European legislator when adopting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our Privacy Policy is intended to be easy to read and understand both for the general public and for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would first like to explain the terminology used. In this Privacy Policy, we use, among others, the following terms:

a) Personal data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as the “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.

b) Data subject

A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

c) Processing

Processing means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing

Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its processing in the future.

e) Profiling

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

f) Pseudonymisation

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

g) Controller or controller responsible for the processing

The controller or controller responsible for the processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of processing personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union law or the law of Member States, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union law or the law of Member States.

h) Processor

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

i) Recipient

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

j) Third party

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

k) Consent

Consent means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which they, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signify agreement to the processing of personal data relating to them.

2. Name and Address of the Controller

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

Thumm Technologie GmbH
represented by Dr.-Ing. Claus Thumm
In der Au 14
72622 Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 70 22 / 92 76 -0
Email: info@gartenmetall.de
Website: https://www.gartenmetall.de/

3. Name and Address of the Data Protection Officer

The Data Protection Officer of the controller is:

Michael Layer
External Data Protection Officer
changetec GmbH
Sulzbacher Str. 6
71720 Oberstenfeld
Mobile: +49 (0)1622654232
Telephone / Phone: +49 (0)7062 9794362
Fax: +49 (0)7062 9794361
Email: m.layer@changetec.de
Website: www.changetec.de
Managing Director: Michael Layer
HRB Stutgart: 792714

Any data subject may contact our Data Protection Officer directly at any time with any questions or suggestions concerning data protection.

4. Cookies

The Gartenmetall website uses cookies. Cookies are text files which are placed and stored on a computer system via an Internet browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain what is known as a cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a sequence of characters through which websites and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the websites and servers visited to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers containing different cookies. A particular Internet browser can be recognised and identified using the unique cookie ID.

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

Cookies allow the information and offers on our website to be optimised in the interests of the user. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognise users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to enter their access details again each time they visit the website because this is handled by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the cookie used for a shopping basket in an online shop. The online shop remembers the items that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping basket by means of a cookie.

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

5. Collection of General Data and Information

Whenever the Gartenmetall website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system, the website collects a range of general data and information. This general data and information is stored in the server log files. The following may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrers), (4) the sub-pages accessed on our website by an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system and (8) other similar data and information used for security purposes in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, Gartenmetall does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimise the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the long-term functionality of our information technology systems and website technology and (4) provide law-enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyberattack.

Gartenmetall therefore evaluates this anonymously collected data and information statistically and with the aim of increasing data protection and data security within our company, ultimately ensuring an optimum level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data contained in the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

6. Subscription to Our Newsletter

On the Gartenmetall website, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our company newsletter. The input form used for this purpose determines which personal data is transmitted to the controller when the newsletter is ordered.

Gartenmetall regularly informs its customers and business partners about company offers by means of a newsletter. Our company newsletter may generally only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers to receive the newsletter.

For legal reasons, a confirmation email using the double opt-in procedure will be sent to the email address entered by a data subject for the first time for newsletter delivery. This confirmation email is used to verify whether the owner of the email address, as the data subject, has authorised receipt of the newsletter.

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

The personal data collected as part of newsletter registration is used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Newsletter subscribers may also be informed by email where this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or registration for it, for example in the event of changes to the newsletter offering or changes to technical circumstances.

Personal data collected as part of the newsletter service will not be passed on to third parties. The data subject may cancel their newsletter subscription at any time. Consent to the storage of personal data provided to us by the data subject for newsletter distribution may be withdrawn at any time. A corresponding link for withdrawing consent can be found in every newsletter. It is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the controller’s website or to notify the controller of this by other means.

7. Newsletter Tracking

The Gartenmetall newsletters contain tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in emails sent in HTML format in order to enable log-file recording and log-file analysis. This allows statistical analysis of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns.

By means of the embedded tracking pixel, Gartenmetall can determine whether and when an email was opened by a data subject and which links contained in the email were accessed by the data subject.

Personal data collected through the tracking pixels contained in newsletters is stored and analysed by the controller in order to optimise newsletter distribution and to tailor the content of future newsletters even more closely to the interests of the data subject. This personal data is not passed on to third parties.

Data subjects are entitled at any time to withdraw the separate declaration of consent given in this regard through the double opt-in procedure. Following withdrawal, this personal data will be deleted by the controller. Gartenmetall automatically regards unsubscribing from the newsletter as a withdrawal of consent.

8. Contact via the Website

Due to statutory requirements, the Gartenmetall website contains information that enables quick electronic contact with our company as well as direct communication with us, including a general email address.

If a data subject contacts the controller by email or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is stored automatically. Such personal data voluntarily transmitted by a data subject to the controller is stored for the purposes of processing the enquiry or contacting the data subject. This personal data is not passed on to third parties.

9. Subscription to Comments on the Website Blog

Comments made on the Gartenmetall blog may generally be subscribed to by third parties. In particular, a commenter has the option of subscribing to comments subsequently made on a particular blog post.

If a data subject chooses the option to subscribe to comments, the controller sends an automatic confirmation email in order to verify, by means of the double opt-in procedure, whether the owner of the specified email address actually chose this option. The option to subscribe to comments may be cancelled at any time.

10. Routine Erasure and Blocking of Personal Data

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

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

11. Rights of the Data Subject

a) Right to confirmation

Every data subject has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning them is being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to confirmation, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

b) Right of access

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller, free of charge and at any time, information about the personal data stored concerning them and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

• the purposes of the processing;
• the categories of personal data concerned;
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data has been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations;
• where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
• the existence of a right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data concerning the data subject, restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
• the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
• where the personal data is not collected from the data subject, any available information as to its source;
• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, as referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

Furthermore, the data subject has a right to obtain information as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. Where this is the case, the data subject also has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

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

c) Right to rectification

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Furthermore, taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject has the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

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

d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning them without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

• The personal data was collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which it is no longer necessary.
• The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, and there is no other legal ground for the processing.
• The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.
• The personal data has been unlawfully processed.
• The personal data must be erased in order to comply with a legal obligation under Union law or the law of Member States to which the controller is subject.
• The personal data was collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR.

If one of the above-mentioned grounds applies and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by Gartenmetall, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The Gartenmetall employee will arrange for the erasure request to be complied with without undue delay.

Where Gartenmetall has made the personal data public and our company, as controller, is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR to erase the personal data, Gartenmetall shall, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data, insofar as processing is not required. The Gartenmetall employee will arrange the necessary measures in the individual case.

e) Right to restriction of processing

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following conditions applies:

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

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

f) Right to data portability

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. They also have the right to transmit that data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data was provided, where the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, in exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

In order to exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact an employee of Gartenmetall at any time.

g) Right to object

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning them which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on those provisions.

In the event of an objection, Gartenmetall will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or unless the processing is for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

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

Furthermore, on grounds relating to their particular situation, the data subject has the right to object to the processing of personal data concerning them by Gartenmetall for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of Gartenmetall or another employee directly. Furthermore, in connection with the use of information society services and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject is free to exercise their right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affects them, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller or (2) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent, Gartenmetall shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, including at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express their point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise rights relating to automated decision-making, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

i) Right to withdraw data protection consent

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

12. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Facebook

The controller has integrated components of the company Facebook into this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community which generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space. A social network may serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enable the online community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Facebook enables users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photographs and connect with others through friend requests.

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

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) is accessed, the relevant Facebook component automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be accessed at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE.

As part of this technical process, Facebook becomes aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject. If the data subject is logged into Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognises, each time our website is accessed by the data subject and throughout the duration of their visit to our website, which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the data subject’s respective Facebook account.

If the data subject clicks one of the Facebook buttons integrated into our website, for example the “Like” button, or leaves a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the data subject’s personal Facebook user account and stores this personal data.

Facebook receives information via the Facebook component whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into Facebook at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component.

If the data subject does not wish such information to be transmitted to Facebook, they can prevent this transmission by logging out of their Facebook account before accessing our website.

Facebook’s published data policy, available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains which settings Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, various applications are available which make it possible to suppress the transmission of data to Facebook. Such applications may be used by the data subject to prevent data from being transmitted to Facebook.

13. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Google Analytics (with Anonymisation Function)

The controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymisation function) into this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering and analysis of data concerning the behaviour of visitors to websites.

Among other things, a web analytics service collects data about the website from which a data subject arrived at a website (known as the referrer), which sub-pages of the website were accessed, and how often and for how long a sub-page was viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimise a website and to carry out cost-benefit analyses of Internet advertising.

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

For web analytics using Google Analytics, the controller uses the "_gat._anonymizeIp" extension. By means of this extension, the IP address of the data subject’s Internet connection is shortened and anonymised by Google if access to our website takes place from a Member State of the European Union or from another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

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

Google Analytics places a cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. Cookies have already been explained above. Setting the cookie enables Google to analyse the use of our website.

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating a Google Analytics component is accessed, the respective Google Analytics component automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to transmit data to Google for the purposes of online analysis.

As part of this technical process, Google obtains knowledge of personal data such as the data subject’s IP address, which serves Google, among other things, to trace the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently enable commission settlements.

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

As described above, the data subject may prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by making the appropriate setting in the Internet browser used, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from placing a cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics may be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to the collection of data generated by Google Analytics relating to the use of this website and to the processing of this data by Google, and of preventing such collection and processing. To do so, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on from https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data or information concerning visits to websites may be transmitted to Google Analytics. Google regards the installation of the browser add-on as an objection. If the data subject’s information technology system is subsequently deleted, formatted or reinstalled, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on in order to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or disabled by the data subject or by another person attributable to their sphere of control, it can be reinstalled or reactivated.

Further information and Google’s applicable data protection provisions can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in greater detail at https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

As part of Google Analytics, we use the Google Signals extension, a service which enables so-called “cross-device tracking”, i.e. tracking across different end devices used by a user. For this purpose, Google uses data relating to users who, when visiting our websites, are simultaneously logged into a Google service and have activated the “personalised advertising” option in their Google Account settings, which can be disabled by the user at any time (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated).

The information accessed in this way may include the user’s location, search history, YouTube history and data from websites that work with Google, and is used to provide aggregated and anonymised insights into users’ cross-device behaviour.

Google Signals is used exclusively with IP anonymisation enabled. Google does not provide us with specific user profiles, but only with statistics based on logins and device types relating to all users who were logged into a Google Account and completed a conversion.

Further information on Google’s terms of use and data protection principles is available at http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html and https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/.

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) with Google for the use of Google Signals, which ensures that Google processes the personal data of visitors to our website only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

14. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Google+

The controller has integrated the Google+ button as a component on this website. Google+ is a so-called social network. A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community which generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space.

A social network may serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enable the online community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Google+ enables users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photographs and connect with others through friend requests.

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

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating a Google+ button is accessed, the Google+ button automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Google+ button from Google. As part of this technical process, Google becomes aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject.

More detailed information about Google+ is available at https://developers.google.com/+/.

If the data subject is logged into Google+ at the same time, Google recognises, each time our website is accessed by the data subject and throughout the duration of their visit to our website, which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits. This information is collected by the Google+ button and assigned by Google to the data subject’s respective Google+ account.

If the data subject clicks one of the Google+ buttons integrated into our website and thereby makes a Google+1 recommendation, Google assigns this information to the data subject’s personal Google+ user account and stores this personal data.

Google stores the data subject’s Google+1 recommendation and makes it publicly available in accordance with the terms accepted by the data subject in this regard. A Google+1 recommendation made by the data subject on this website is subsequently stored and processed together with other personal data, such as the name of the Google+1 account used by the data subject and the photograph stored in that account, in other Google services, such as Google search engine results, the data subject’s Google Account or elsewhere, for example on websites or in connection with advertisements.

Google is also able to link a visit to this website with other personal data stored by Google. Google also records this personal information for the purpose of improving or optimising its various services.

Google receives information via the Google+ button whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into Google+ at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Google+ button.

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

Further information and Google’s applicable data protection provisions can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/. Further information from Google concerning the Google+1 button is available at https://developers.google.com/+/web/buttons-policy.

15. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Google AdWords

The controller has integrated Google AdWords into this website. Google AdWords is an Internet advertising service that allows advertisers to place advertisements both in Google search engine results and within the Google advertising network.

Google AdWords enables an advertiser to define certain keywords in advance, by means of which an advertisement is displayed in Google search engine results only when the user uses the search engine to retrieve a keyword-relevant search result. Within the Google advertising network, advertisements are distributed to thematically relevant websites by means of an automated algorithm and taking into account the predefined keywords.

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

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

If a data subject reaches our website via a Google advertisement, Google places what is known as a conversion cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. Cookies have already been explained above. A conversion cookie expires after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject.

Provided the conversion cookie has not yet expired, it is used to track whether certain sub-pages, for example the shopping basket of an online shop system, have been accessed on our website. Through the conversion cookie, both we and Google can determine whether a data subject who arrived at our website via an AdWords advertisement generated a sale, i.e. completed or abandoned a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie is used by Google to compile visitor statistics for our website. We in turn use these visitor statistics to determine the total number of users referred to us via AdWords advertisements, in other words to determine the success or failure of the respective AdWords advertisement and to optimise our AdWords advertisements for the future.

Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertising customers receive information from Google that could be used to identify the data subject.

The conversion cookie stores personal information, for example the websites visited by the data subject. Whenever our website is visited, personal data, including the IP address of the Internet connection used by the data subject, is therefore transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may pass this personal data collected through the technical process on to third parties.

As described above, the data subject may prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by making an appropriate setting in the Internet browser used, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from placing a conversion cookie on the data subject’s information technology system.

In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords may be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

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

Further information and Google’s applicable data protection provisions can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

16. Google Web Fonts

This site uses so-called Web Fonts provided by Google to ensure the consistent display of fonts. When a page is accessed, your browser loads the required Web Fonts into its browser cache in order to display text and fonts correctly.

For this purpose, the browser you use must establish a connection to Google’s servers. As a result, Google becomes aware that our website has been accessed via your IP address.

The use of Google Web Fonts is in the interest of ensuring a consistent and attractive presentation of our online services. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.

If your browser does not support Web Fonts, a standard font from your computer will be used.

Further information about Google Web Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s Privacy Policy at https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

17. Google Maps

This site uses the Google Maps map service via an API. The provider is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

In order to use Google Maps functions, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is generally transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence over this data transmission.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of providing an attractive presentation of our online services and making it easy to find the locations specified by us on the website. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR.

Further information on the handling of user data can be found in Google’s Privacy Policy at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

18. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Instagram

The controller has integrated components of the Instagram service into this website. Instagram is a service that can be described as an audiovisual platform and enables users to share photographs and videos and to redistribute such data on other social networks.

The operating company of Instagram services is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14 First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating an Instagram component (Insta button) is accessed, the relevant Instagram component automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Instagram component.

As part of this technical process, Instagram becomes aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject. If the data subject is logged into Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognises, each time our website is accessed by the data subject and throughout the duration of their visit to our website, which specific sub-page the data subject visits.

This information is collected by the Instagram component and assigned by Instagram to the data subject’s respective Instagram account. If the data subject clicks one of the Instagram buttons integrated into our website, the data and information transmitted in this way is assigned to the data subject’s personal Instagram user account and stored and processed by Instagram.

Instagram receives information via the Instagram component whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into Instagram at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Instagram component.

If the data subject does not wish such information to be transmitted to Instagram, they can prevent transmission by logging out of their Instagram account before accessing our website.

Further information and Instagram’s applicable data protection provisions can be accessed at https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

19. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of LinkedIn

The controller has integrated components of LinkedIn Corporation into this website. LinkedIn is an Internet-based social network which enables users to connect with existing business contacts and establish new business contacts.

More than 400 million registered people use LinkedIn in more than 200 countries. LinkedIn is therefore currently the largest platform for business contacts and one of the most frequently visited websites in the world.

The operating company of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. For data protection matters outside the USA, LinkedIn Ireland, Privacy Policy Issues, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, is responsible.

Whenever our website, which is equipped with a LinkedIn component (LinkedIn plug-in), is accessed, this component causes the browser used by the data subject to download a corresponding representation of the LinkedIn component.

Further information about LinkedIn plug-ins is available at https://developer.linkedin.com/plugins.

As part of this technical process, LinkedIn becomes aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject. If the data subject is logged into LinkedIn at the same time, LinkedIn recognises, each time our website is accessed by the data subject and throughout the duration of their visit to our website, which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits.

This information is collected by the LinkedIn component and assigned by LinkedIn to the data subject’s respective LinkedIn account. If the data subject clicks a LinkedIn button integrated into our website, LinkedIn assigns this information to the data subject’s personal LinkedIn user account and stores this personal data.

LinkedIn receives information via the LinkedIn component whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into LinkedIn at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the LinkedIn component.

If the data subject does not wish such information to be transmitted to LinkedIn, they can prevent transmission by logging out of their LinkedIn account before accessing our website.

At https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls, LinkedIn provides the option to unsubscribe from email messages, SMS messages and targeted advertisements and to manage advertisement settings.

LinkedIn also uses partners such as Quantcast, Google Analytics, BlueKai, DoubleClick, Nielsen, Comscore, Eloqua and Lotame, which may place cookies. Such cookies may be rejected at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.

LinkedIn’s applicable Privacy Policy is available at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy. LinkedIn’s Cookie Policy is available at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.

20. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Pinterest

The controller has integrated components of Pinterest Inc. into this website. Pinterest is a so-called social network.

A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community which generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space. A social network may serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enable the online community to provide personal or business-related information.

Among other things, Pinterest enables users of the social network to publish collections of images and individual images, as well as descriptions, on virtual pinboards (known as “pinning”), which can then be shared (“repinned”) or commented on by other users.

The operating company of Pinterest is Pinterest Inc., 808 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating a Pinterest component (Pinterest plug-in) is accessed, the relevant Pinterest component automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Pinterest component from Pinterest.

More information about Pinterest is available at https://pinterest.com/.

As part of this technical process, Pinterest becomes aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject. If the data subject is logged into Pinterest at the same time, Pinterest recognises, each time our website is accessed by the data subject and throughout the duration of their visit to our website, which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits.

This information is collected by the Pinterest component and assigned by Pinterest to the data subject’s respective Pinterest account. If the data subject clicks a Pinterest button integrated into our website, Pinterest assigns this information to the data subject’s personal Pinterest user account and stores this personal data.

Pinterest receives information via the Pinterest component whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into Pinterest at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Pinterest component.

If the data subject does not wish such information to be transmitted to Pinterest, they can prevent transmission by logging out of their Pinterest account before accessing our website.

Pinterest’s published Privacy Policy, available at https://about.pinterest.com/privacy-policy, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Pinterest.

21. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of YouTube

The controller has integrated YouTube components into this website. YouTube is an Internet video portal which allows video publishers to upload video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate and comment on them, also free of charge.

YouTube permits the publication of all types of videos, meaning that complete films and television programmes as well as music videos, trailers and videos created by users themselves can be accessed via the Internet portal.

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

Whenever one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and incorporating a YouTube component (YouTube video) is accessed, the relevant YouTube component automatically causes the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube.

Further information about YouTube is available at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/.

As part of this technical process, YouTube and Google become aware of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into YouTube at the same time, YouTube recognises, when a sub-page containing a YouTube video is accessed, which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the data subject’s respective YouTube account.

YouTube and Google receive information via the YouTube component whenever the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged into YouTube at the time they access our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video.

If the data subject does not wish such information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, they can prevent transmission by logging out of their YouTube account before accessing our website.

YouTube’s published data protection provisions, available at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provide information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

22. Data Protection Provisions Concerning the Use of Hotjar

We use Hotjar in order to better understand the needs of our users and to optimise the services and experience offered on this website.

With the help of Hotjar technology, we gain a better understanding of our users’ experiences (for example, how much time users spend on which pages, which links they click, what they like and dislike, etc.), and this helps us to align our services with feedback from our users.

Hotjar uses cookies and other technologies to collect data about the behaviour of our users and their devices, in particular the device’s IP address (which is collected and stored only in anonymised form while you use the website), screen size, device type (Unique Device Identifiers), information about the browser used, location (country only) and the preferred language for displaying our website.

Hotjar stores this information on our behalf in a pseudonymised user profile. Hotjar is contractually prohibited from selling the data collected on our behalf.

Further information can be found in the “About Hotjar” section of Hotjar’s help page.

23. Legal Basis for Processing

Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for processing operations for which our company obtains consent for a specific processing purpose.

If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations required for the supply of goods or the provision of another service or consideration, processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to processing operations that are necessary in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract, for example in cases involving enquiries concerning our products or services.

If our company is subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, for example in order to fulfil tax obligations, processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR.

In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured on our premises and their name, age, health insurance details or other vital information then had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. In such a case, processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR.

Finally, processing operations may be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. Processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases are based on this legal basis where processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject.

We are permitted to carry out such processing operations in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, the legislator took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed where the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, sentence 2 GDPR).

24. Legitimate Interests Pursued by the Controller or a Third Party

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

25. Period for Which Personal Data Is Stored

The criterion used to determine the period for which personal data is stored is the respective statutory retention period. Once this period has expired, the corresponding data is routinely erased, provided that it is no longer required for the performance of a contract or for entering into a contract.

26. Statutory or Contractual Requirements to Provide Personal Data

Requirement for the conclusion of a contract; obligation of the data subject to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide such data.

We would like to inform you that the provision of personal data is in part required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information relating to the contractual partner).

In some cases, in order for a contract to be concluded, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data which must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company enters into a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.

Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject, on a case-by-case basis, whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of a contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and what the consequences of failing to provide the personal data would be.

27. Existence of Automated Decision-Making

As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.

28. Communication via WhatsApp