Privacy Statement
By means of this Data Privacy Statement, we inform you about the nature, scope and purpose of the collection, storage, use and processing of personal data (hereinafter referred to as “Data”) collected or communicated within our online offering and the websites, functions and contents associated with it, as well as external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Online Services”). With regard to terms used, such as “processing” or “controller”, we refer to the definitions in Art. 4 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Controller
metas GmbH
Am Nossbacher Weg 2
53179 Bonn, Germany
Managing directors: Norbert Wessel and Mark Krake
Link to imprint page: https://metasfresh.com/en/impressum/
For data protection matters:
Email address: privacy[-at-]metasfresh.com
Categories of Processed Data
- Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses)
- Contact data (e.g. email addresses, telephone numbers)
- Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos)
- Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times)
- Metadata / Communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses)
Data Subjects
Data subjects within the meaning of the GDPR are visitors and users of our Online Services (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Users”).
Purpose of Data Processing
- Making available the Online Services, its functions and contents
- Answering contact requests and communicating with Users
- Security measures
- Audience reach measurement / Marketing
Terms Used
“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter 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 (e.g. cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
“Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed on Data or on sets of Data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broadly defined and covers practically every handling of Data.
“Pseudonymisation” means the processing of Data in such a manner that the 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 Data are not attributed to a Data Subject.
“Profiling” means any form of automated processing of Data consisting of the use of such Data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements.
“Controller” 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 Data.
“Processor” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes Data on behalf of the controller.
Legal Basis for the Processing of Data
In accordance with Art. 13 GDPR, we inform you about the legal basis of our Data processing. Unless the legal basis is mentioned in this Data Privacy Statement, the following applies: The legal bases for obtaining the consent of the Data Subject are Arts 6(1) lit. a and 7 GDPR. The legal basis for the necessary processing for the performance of our services or in order to take steps at the request of the Data Subject prior to entering into a contract is Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR. The legal basis for the necessary processing for compliance with our legal obligations is Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR. And the legal basis for the necessary processing for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by us is Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. In the event that vital interests of the Data Subject or another natural person necessitate the processing of Data, Art. 6(1) lit. d GDPR will serve as the legal basis.
Security Measures
In accordance with Art. 32 GDPR, taking into account the state of the art, the cost of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing as well as the risks of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.
Such measures include, in particular, ensuring the ongoing confidentiality, integrity and availability of Data by controlling physical access to the Data as well as logical access to, inputting, disclosure of such Data and ensuring their availability and separation. We have also established procedures to ensure the exercise of the rights of Data Subjects, the erasure of Data and the response to risks for data protection. Furthermore, we take the protection of Data into account at the time of development or selection of hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default (Art. 25 GDPR).
Cooperation with Processors and Third Parties
If, within the scope of our processing, we disclose Data to other persons and companies (processors or third parties), transfer them to them or otherwise grant them access to the Data, this shall only take place on the basis of legal permission (e.g. if a transfer of the Data to a third party, such as a payment service provider, is necessary for the performance of a contract as set out in Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR), your consent, a legal obligation or on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. when using agents, web hosting services, etc.)
If we commission a third party with the processing of Data on the basis of a so-called “order processing contract” (hereinafter “OPC”), this shall occur in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR.
Transfer of Data to Third Countries
If we process Data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this is done in the context of the use of third-party services, or the disclosure or transfer of Data to a third party, this shall only take place if it is necessary for the fulfilment of our (pre-)contractual obligations, or if it occurs on the basis of your consent, a legal obligation or our legitimate interests. The processing of Data in a third country by us or a third party shall take place, subject to legal or contractual permissions, only in the presence of the special requirements of Arts 44 et seq. GDPR. This means that processing is carried out, for example, on the basis of specific safeguards, such as the officially recognised assessment of an adequate level of data protection corresponding to the EU (e.g. for the USA by the “Privacy Shield”) or the compliance with officially recognised special contractual obligations (so-called “standard contractual clauses”).
Rights of Data Subjects
Pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR, you shall have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether or not Data concerning yourself are being processed. Where that is the case, you shall also have the right to obtain access to the Data as well as further information and a copy of the Data.
Pursuant to Art. 16 GDPR, you shall have the right to obtain the rectification of inaccurate Data concerning yourself, or the right to have incomplete Data completed.
Pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR, you shall have the right to obtain the erasure of Data concerning yourself without undue delay or, alternatively, pursuant to Art. 18 GDPR, you shall have the right to obtain restriction of processing of the Data.
Pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR, you shall have the right to receive the Data concerning yourself, which you have provided to us, as well as the right to request their transmission to other controllers.
Pursuant to Art. 77 GDPR, you shall also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.
Right to Withdraw Consent
You shall have the right to withdraw any given consent pursuant to Art. 7(3) GDPR at any time with effect for the future.
Right to Object
You shall have the right to object at any time to future processing of Data concerning yourself as set out in Art. 21 GDPR. You may object in particular to the processing of your Data for direct marketing purposes.
Cookies and the Right to Object to Direct Marketing
“Cookies” are small text files that are stored on the device of a user. Different information can be stored within the cookies. A cookie is primarily used to store information about a user (or the device on which the cookie is stored) during or also after the user’s visit to an online service.
Temporary cookies (“session cookies” or “transient cookies”) are cookies that are automatically deleted as soon as a user leaves an online offer and closes his/her browser. Possible information stored in such a cookie may be, for example, the content of a shopping cart in an online shop or a login status.
Cookies are called “permanent” or “persistent” when they remain stored even after the browser is closed. This way, for example, the saved login status can be called up again when a user returns to an online service after a longer period of time. Likewise, the interests of a user can be stored in such a cookie, which are used for audience reach measurement or marketing purposes.
“Third-party cookies” are cookies that are offered by providers other than the controller who operates the online service (otherwise, if they are only the latter’s cookies, they are called “first-party cookies”).
We may use temporary and permanent cookies and will inform you about this within the framework of our Data Privacy Statement.
If you do not want cookies to be stored on your device, please disable the corresponding option in your browser’s system settings. Stored cookies can also be deleted there. Please note that disabling cookies may, under circumstances, lead to functional restrictions of our Online Services.
You may submit a general objection to the use of cookies that are employed for online marketing purposes with a variety of services, particularly in the case of tracking, via the US website http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or the EU website http://www.youronlinechoices.com/.
Erasure of Data
The Data processed by us will be erased or their processing restricted as set out in Arts 17 and 18 GDPR. Unless expressly stated within this Data Privacy Statement, the Data stored by us will be erased as soon as they are no longer required for their intended purpose and their erasure does not conflict with any legal obligations to retain them. Where no Data are erased due to their requirement for other and legally permissible purposes, their processing will be restricted. This means that the Data are blocked and not processed for any other purposes. This applies, for example, to any Data that must be retained for commercial or tax reasons.
According to legal requirements in Germany, Data are retained in particular for ten years in accordance with Sec. 147(1) of the Fiscal Code of Germany and Sec. 257(1) nos 1 and 4, para. 4 of the German Commercial Code (books of account, records, management reports, accounting records, commercial books, for the taxation of relevant documents, etc.), and for six years in accordance with Sec. 257(1) nos 2 and 3, para. 4 of the German Commercial Code (commercial letters).
According to legal requirements in Austria, Data are retained in particular for seven years in accordance with Sec. 132(1) of the Austrian Federal Fiscal Code (accounting documents, receipts/invoices, accounts, supporting documentation, business papers, statement of expenditure and revenue, etc.), for 22 years in connection with real estate, and for ten years for documents in connection with electronically provided services, telecommunications, radio and television services that are provided to non-entrepreneurs in EU Member States and for which the “Mini one-stop shop” (MOSS) is used.
Agency Services
We process the Data of our customers within the scope of our contractual services, which include conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development/consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes/handling, server administration, data analysis/consulting services and training services.
For this purpose, we process inventory data (e.g. customer master data, such as names or addresses), contact data (e.g. email addresses, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text entries, photographs, videos), contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, duration of the contract), payment data (e.g. bank account details, payment history), usage and metadata (e.g. as part of the evaluation and performance measurement of marketing activities).
In principle, we do not process special categories of Data unless they are part of commissioned data processing. The Data Subjects include our customers and interested parties as well as their customers, users, website visitors or employees, and third parties.
The purpose of processing is to provide contractual services, invoicing and our customer service. The legal basis for processing results from Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR (contractual services) and Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR (analysis, statistics, optimisation, security measures). We process Data which are necessary for the justification and fulfilment of the contractual services and point out the necessity of their disclosure. Disclosure to external parties shall only take place if it is necessary under an OPC. When processing the Data provided to us within the framework of an order, we shall act in accordance with the instructions of the contracting entities and the legal requirements for order processing pursuant to Art. 28 GDPR and shall process the Data for no other purposes than those stipulated in the order.
We will erase the Data after expiry of statutory obligations arising from a guarantee and comparable obligations. The necessity of retaining the Data is reviewed every three years. In the event of statutory archiving obligations, the Data will be erased after their expiry (six years pursuant to Sec. 257(1) of the German Commercial Code, ten years pursuant to Sec. 147(1) of the Fiscal Code of Germany). In the case of Data which have been disclosed to us by the contracting entity within the scope of order processing, we will erase the Data according to the specifications of the order, in principle after completion of the order.
Contractual Services
We process the Data of our contractual partners and interested parties as well as other contracting entities, customers, clients or contractual partners (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Contractual Partners”) in accordance with Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR, in order to provide them with our contractual or pre-contractual services. The Data processed, the nature, scope and purpose as well as the necessity of their processing are determined in accordance with the underlying contractual relationship.
The processed Data include master data of our Contractual Partners (e.g. names, addresses) as well as contact data (e.g. email addresses, telephone numbers), contract data (e.g. services used, contract contents, contractual communication, names of contact persons) and payment data (e.g. bank account details, payment history).
In principle, we do not process special categories of Data unless they are part of commissioned data processing or contractual processing.
We process Data which are necessary for the justification and fulfilment of contractual services and point out the necessity of their disclosure where it is not evident for the contracting party. Disclosure to external parties shall only take place if it is necessary under an OPC. When processing the Data provided to us within the framework of an order, we act in accordance with the instructions of the contracting entities and the legal requirements.
As part of the use of our Online Services, we may store the IP address and the time of each User action. The storage is based on both our legitimate interests as well as the User’s interest in the protection against misuse and other unauthorized usage. These Data shall not be transferred to any third party unless this is necessary for the prosecution of our claims pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR or if there is a legal obligation to do so pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR.
The Data will be erased if they are no longer required for the fulfilment of contractual or legal duties of care nor for dealing with any obligations arising from a guarantee and comparable obligations, taking into account that the necessity of Data retention is reviewed every three years. In all other respects, the legal requirements for retention apply.
Administration, Financial Accounting, Office Organisation, Contact Management
We process Data in the context of administrative tasks and the organisation of our business, financial accounting and compliance with legal obligations, such as archiving. In doing so, we process the same Data that we process within the scope of providing our contractual services. The legal bases for processing Data are Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR and Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. The persons affected by the processing are our customers, interested parties, business partners and website visitors. The purpose and our interest in processing lies in the administration, financial accounting, office organisation and archiving of Data, i.e. tasks that serve to maintain our business activities, perform our duties and provide our services. The erasure of the Data in terms of contractual services and contractual communication corresponds to the specifications present in these processing activities.
We disclose or transmit Data to financial authorities, consultants, such as tax consultants or auditors, as well as other fee offices and payment service providers.
Furthermore, based on our business interests, we store information about suppliers, organisers and other business partners, e.g. for the purpose of establishing contact at a later date. In principle, these Data, which are mainly company-related, are stored permanently by us.
Business Analyses and Market Research
In order to operate our business economically, to identify market trends and respond to the expressed needs of our Contractual Partners and Users, we analyse the Data made available to us regarding business transactions, contracts, requests, etc. In doing so, we process inventory data, communication data, contract data, payment data, usage data and metadata on the basis of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR, taking into account that the Data Subjects include contractual partners, interested parties, customers, visitors and users of our Online Services.
The analyses are carried out for the purposes of business assessment, marketing and market research. In doing so, we may take into account the profiles of the registered Users that include information, e.g. on the services they have used. The analyses enable us to improve user-friendliness as well as to optimise our services and business efficiency. The analyses are used solely by us and are not disclosed to any third party unless they are anonymous analyses with summarised values.
Where these analyses or profiles are of a personal nature, they will be erased or anonymised upon termination by the User, or otherwise after two years from the conclusion of the contract. In all other respects, the macroeconomic analyses and general trend determinations are compiled anonymously wherever possible.
User Registration and Login Feature
Users can set up a user account. During registration, the required mandatory information is communicated to the Users and the entered Data are processed on the basis of Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR for the purpose of providing the user account. The processed Data include, in particular, the login information (name, password and an email address). The Data entered during registration are used for the purpose of using the user account and for the purpose thereof.
Users may be informed by email about any information relevant to their user account, such as technical alterations. If a User terminates his/her user account, his/her account-related Data will be erased, subject to legal requirements for Data retention. It shall be the User’s responsibility to secure his/her Data after termination and before the end of the contract. We are entitled to irretrievably erase all User Data stored during the term of the contract.
As part of the use of our user registration and login features as well as the user account, we store the IP address and the time of each User action. The storage is based on both our legitimate interests as well as the User’s interest in the protection against misuse and other unauthorized usage. These Data shall not be transferred to any third party unless this is necessary for the prosecution of our claims pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR or if there is a legal obligation to do so pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR. The IP addresses will be erased or anonymised within seven days.
Retrieving Profile Pictures from Gravatar
We use the service Gravatar of Automattic Inc., 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA within our Online Services and, in particular, in our blog.
Gravatar is a service that enables Users to register and submit profile pictures and their email addresses. Thus, whenever a User leaves a post or comment on other online presences (especially in blogs) using his/her respective email address, his/her profile picture can be displayed next to the post or comment. To this end, the email address provided by the User is transmitted to Gravatar in encrypted form for the purpose of checking whether it is linked to a stored profile. This is the sole purpose of transmitting the email address and it will not be used for any other purposes, but removed thereafter.
Our use of Gravatar is based on our legitimate interests within the meaning of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. Through the use of Gravatar, we offer the authors the opportunity to personalise their posts and comments with a profile picture.
By displaying the images, Gravatar obtains the User’s IP address, as this is necessary for a communication between a browser and an online service. For more information on Gravatar’s collection and use of Data, please refer to the Automattic Inc. Privacy Policy.
If a User does not want a user image associated with his/her Gravatar email address to appear in the comments, he/she should use a non-Gravatar email address to comment. We would further like to point out that it is also possible to use an anonymous email address or even no email address at all, if a User does not wish his/her own email address to be transmitted to Gravatar. A User can prevent the transmission of Data entirely by not using our commenting system.
Data Processing when Contacting Us
When contacting us (e.g. via contact form, email, telephone or social media), the User’s details are processed for the purpose of processing and handling the contact request in accordance with Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR. The User’s details may be stored in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system or in comparable request management systems.
We shall delete the requests if they are no longer required. We shall review their necessity every two years. Furthermore, the statutory archiving obligations apply.
Newsletter
The following information will inform you about the contents of our newsletter, the subscription and distribution processes, statistical analysis procedures and your rights of objection. By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to its receipt as well as to the procedures described below.
Content of the Newsletter: We send out newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications containing promotional information (hereinafter “Newsletter”) only with the recipient’s consent or a legal permission. Where, in connection with a subscription to a Newsletter, its contents are described in precise terms, they shall be decisive for the User’s consent. In addition, our Newsletter includes information about our services and us.
Double Opt-In and Logging: The subscription to our Newsletter takes place in a so-called “double opt-in procedure”. This means that following the subscription, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. This confirmation is necessary in order to prevent a third party from subscribing with external email addresses. The subscriptions to the Newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the subscription process according to the legal requirements. This includes storing both the time of subscription and of confirmation as well as the IP address. Likewise, any changes to your Data stored with the email service provider are logged.
Subscription Data: For the Newsletter subscription, it is sufficient to provide your email address. Optionally, we ask you to specify a name in the Newsletter for the purpose of addressing you personally.
The Newsletter distribution and the performance measurement associated with it are based on the consent of the recipient pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. a, Art. 7 GDPR in conjunction with Sec. 7(2)(3) of the German Act Against Unfair Competition or, if consent is not necessary, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR in conjunction with Sec. 7(3) of the German Act Against Unfair Competition.
Logging of the subscription process is based on our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. Our interest is directed towards the use of a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that serves our business interests, meets the expectations of the Users and also allows us to document consent.
Cancellation / Revocation: You may cancel your subscription to our Newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent. You will find a link to cancel your subscription at the end of each Newsletter. On the basis of our legitimate interests, we may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years before deleting them in order to be able to prove previously given consent. The processing of these Data is limited to the purpose of a possible defence against claims. An individual request for cancellation may be submitted at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.
Newsletter – Mailchimp
The Newsletter is distributed by the email service provider (ESP) “MailChimp”, a newsletter distribution platform of the US provider The Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. You may review the ESP’s privacy policy here. The Rocket Science Group LLC d/b/a MailChimp is certified under the EU-US Data Protection Agreement “Privacy Shield” and is thus committed to complying with EU data protection regulations. The use of the ESP is based on our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR and an OPC pursuant to Art. 28(3) sentence 1 GDPR.
The ESP may use the recipient’s Data in pseudonymised form, i.e. without the Data being attributed to a User, to optimise or improve their own services, e.g. for the technical optimisation of distributing and displaying the Newsletter or for statistical purposes. However, the ESP will not use the Data of our Newsletter recipients to contact them themselves or to disclose the Data to a third party.
Newsletter – Performance Measurement
Included in the Newsletter is a so-called “web beacon”, i.e. a file the size of a pixel, which is retrieved from our server or, if we use an ESP, from their server when the Newsletter is opened. During this retrieval process, technical information is primarily collected, such as information about the User’s browser and operating system, as well as their IP address and the time of retrieval. This information is used to improve the technical performance of the services based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behaviour, which are based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or access times.
Statistical surveys also include determining whether Newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. For technical reasons, this information can be attributed to individual Newsletter recipients. However, it is neither our aim nor that of the ESP, if we use one, to monitor individual Users. The evaluations rather serve us to identify the reading habits of our Users and to adapt our content to them or send out different content corresponding to their interests.
A separate revocation of consent to the performance measurement is unfortunately not possible. In this case, the entire Newsletter subscription must be cancelled.
Hosting and Email Services
The hosting services we use are for the purpose of providing the following services: Infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, emailing, security services and technical maintenance services which we use for the purpose of operating our Online Services.
In this respect, we, or our hosting provider, process inventory data, contact data, content data, contract data, usage data, metadata and communication data of customers, interested parties and visitors to our Online Services on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure provision of these Online Services pursuant to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR in conjunction with Art. 28 GDPR (conclusion of an OPC).
Collection of Access Data and Log Files
We, or our hosting provider, collect Data on each access attempt to the server on which this service is located (so-called “server log files”) on the basis of our legitimate interests within the meaning of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. The access data include the name of the accessed web page, file, date and time of access, amount of data transferred, audit messages for successful access attempts, browser type and version, the User’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited web page), IP address and the requesting provider.
For security reasons (e.g. for the investigation of fraud or misuse), log file information is stored for a maximum of seven days and then erased. Data that need to be retained for a longer period of time for evidence purposes are excluded from erasure until final clearance of the respective incident.
Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is a solution that enables us to manage so-called “website tags” via an interface and thus integrate, for example, Google Analytics and other Google marketing services into our Online Services. The Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags) does not process any User Data. With regard to the processing of User Data, reference is made to the following information about Google’s services. For more information, please see the Google Tag Manager Use Policy.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA (“Google”), on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimisation and economic operation of our Online Services within the meaning of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR).
Google uses cookies. The information collected by the cookie about the User’s use of the Online Services is generally transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the USA.
Google is certified under the EU-US Data Protection Agreement “Privacy Shield” and is thus committed to complying with EU data protection regulations.
Google will use this information on our behalf to evaluate the use of our Online Services by the Users, to compile reports on activities within these Online Services, and to provide us with further services relating to the use of these Online Services and the Internet. In this respect, the processed Data may be used to create pseudonymised usage profiles of the Users.
We use Google Analytics only with activated IP anonymization. This means that the IP addresses of the Users are truncated by Google within member states of the EU or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the EEA. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there.
The IP address transmitted by the User’s browser will not be merged with any other Data held by Google. Users can prevent the storage of cookies by configuring their browser software accordingly. Users may also prevent Google from collecting and processing the Data collected by the cookie and relating to their use of the Online Services by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.
For further information about Google’s use of Data, configuration and opt-out options, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Ads Settings.
User Data will be erased or anonymised after 14 months.
Google Universal Analytics
We use Google Analytics in the design of “Universal Analytics“. Universal Analytics is a procedure provided by Google Analytics in which user analysis is performed on the basis of a pseudonymised user ID, which is then used to create a pseudonymised user profile with information from the use of various devices (so-called “cross-device tracking”).
Audience Targeting with Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to display advertisements placed by Google within its advertising services and those of its partners only to Users who have shown an interest in our Online Services or who have specific characteristics (e.g. interests in specific topics or products that are determined on the basis of the websites visited) which we transmit to Google (so-called „remarketing audiences“ or „Google Analytics audiences“). With the help of remarketing audiences, we also want to ensure that our ads match the potential interest of a User.
Google AdWords and Conversion Tracking
We use the services of Google on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimisation and economic operation of our Online Services within the meaning of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR).
Google is certified under the EU-US Data Protection Agreement “Privacy Shield” and is thus committed to complying with EU data protection regulations.
We use Google’s online advertising service “AdWords” to place ads within the Google advertising network (e.g. in search results, videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to Users who have an alleged interest in the ads. This allows us to display ads for and within our Online Services in a more targeted manner to present Users only with ads that potentially match their interests. If, for example, a User is shown ads for products for which he/she has shown interest on other online services, this is referred to as “remarketing”. For these purposes, when accessing our and other websites where the Google advertising network is active, a Google code will be executed directly by Google and so-called “(re)marketing tags” (invisible graphics or code, also known as “web beacons”) will be integrated into the web page. With their help, an individual cookie, i.e. a small file, is stored on the User’s device (comparable technologies may also be used instead of cookies). This file collects information on which web pages the User accessed, what content he/she was interested in and what offers he/she clicked on, as well as technical information on the browser and operating system, referring web pages, time spent on the web pages and other information regarding the use of the Online Service.
Furthermore, we receive an individual “conversion cookie”. The information obtained through this cookie is used by Google to compile conversion statistics for us. However, we only know the anonymous total number of Users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. We do not receive any information that could personally identify a User.
User Data are processed in pseudonymous form within the Google advertising network. This means, Google does not store and process, for example, the name or email address of a User, but processes the relevant Data cookie-related within pseudonymised User profiles. This means that, from Google’s point of view, the ads are not administered and displayed for a specifically identified person, but for the cookie owner, regardless of who that cookie owner is. This does not apply if a User has expressly authorised Google to process the Data without this pseudonymisation. The information collected about Users is transmitted to Google and stored on Google’s servers in the USA.
For further information about Google’s use of Data, configuration and opt-out options, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Ads Settings.
A/B Testing with Google Optimize
We use Google Optimize for so-called “A/B tests” in order to track the impact of various changes to the website on its use. In doing so, only pseudonymised User Data are processed.
Online Presences in Social Media
We maintain online presences within social networks and platforms in order to be able to communicate with customers, interested parties and Users active there and to inform them about our services. When accessing the respective networks and platforms, the terms and conditions and the data protection guidelines of their respective operators apply.
Unless otherwise stated within our Data Privacy Statement, we process the Data of Users where they communicate with us within social networks and platforms, e.g. by writing posts on our online presences or sending us messages.
Integration of Third-Party Services and Content
Within our Online Services, we make use of content or services offered by third-party providers on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimisation and economic operation of our Online Services within the meaning of Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR) in order to integrate their content and services, such as videos or fonts (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Content”).
This always presupposes that the third-party providers of this Content perceive the IP addresses of the User, since they would otherwise not be able to send the Content to the User’s browser. The IP address is therefore necessary for the presentation of this Content. We make every effort to only use Content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the delivery of the Content. Third-party providers may also use so-called “pixel tags” (invisible graphics, also referred to as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. Pixel tags can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymised information may also be stored in cookies on the User’s device and may include, but is not limited to, technical information on the browser and operating system, referring web pages, time spent on the web pages and other information regarding the use of our Online Services. It may also be associated to such information from other sources.
Vimeo
We integrate the videos of the platform “Vimeo” of the provider Vimeo Inc., 555 West 18th Street, New York City, NY 10011, USA.
Vimeo’s Privacy Policy: https://vimeo.com/privacy.
Please note that Vimeo may use Google Analytics. For further information about this, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and opt-out options for Google Analytics or Google’s Data usage preferences for marketing purposes.
YouTube
We integrate the videos of the platform “YouTube” of the provider Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
For more information, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Data usage preferences for marketing purposes.
Google Fonts
We integrate the fonts (“Google Fonts”) of the provider Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
For more information, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Data usage preferences for marketing purposes.
Google Maps
We integrate the geographical maps of the service “Google Maps” of the provider Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
Processed Data may in particular include, but are not limited to, IP addresses and location data of Users which, however, shall not be collected unless the Users have given their consent (this is usually done via their mobile device settings). The Data may be processed in the USA.
For more information, please see Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Data usage preferences for marketing purposes.
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Created by means of the Privacy Policy Generator of Dr. Thomas Schwenke (lawyer).
Edited by Webmaster.
German