Data protection declaration

Preamble

With the following data protection declaration we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process for what purposes and to what extent. This data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as. our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as “online offer”).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

As of: January 19, 2025

Table of contents

Person responsible

Behar Rexhaj

E-mail address: info@rexaad.com

Imprint: https://rexaad.com/imprint/

Contact Data Protection Officer

Behar Rexhaj
info@rexaad.com

Representative in the European Union

Behar Rexhaj
behar.rexhaj@rexaad.com
Deshmoret e Jabllanices se Vogel,pn
Peje
Kosova

Overview of processing

The following overview summarises the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the persons concerned.

Types of data processed

  • Inventory data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and process data.
  • Protocol data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Communication partner.
  • User.

Purposes of processing

  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Target group formation.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Public relations.

Relevant legal bases

Relevant legal bases under the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or domicile. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.

  • Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given his or her consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
  • Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) – The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – The processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data do not prevail.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law on protection against misuse of personal data in data processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special regulations on the right to information, the right to deletion, the right of objection, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases including profiling. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Note on the validity of the GDPR and the Swiss DSG: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss DSG and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader spatial application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms “processing” of “personal data”, “overriding interest” and “personal data requiring particular protection” used in the Swiss DSG, the terms “processing” of “personal data” as well as “legitimate interest” and “special categories of data” used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined according to the Swiss DSG within the scope of the validity of the Swiss DSG.

Security measures

In accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

The measures include in particular ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as the access, input, transfer, securing availability and separation of data. Furthermore, we have set up procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects’ rights, the deletion of data and reactions to threats to data. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

Shortening of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used and the processing of a complete IP address is not necessary, the IP address is shortened (also known as “IP masking”). The last two digits or the last part of the IP address after a period are removed or replaced by placeholders. The shortening of the IP address is intended to prevent or significantly complicate the identification of a person based on their IP address.

Securing online connections through TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect user data transmitted through our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the Internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user’s browser (or between two servers), protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the advanced and more secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions meet the highest security standards. When a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is signaled by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator for users that their data is being transmitted securely and encrypted.

Transfer of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may happen that this data is transmitted to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

Data transfer within the organization: We may transmit personal data to other departments or units within our organization or grant them access to it. If the data is passed on for administrative purposes, it is based on our legitimate entrepreneurial and business interests or takes place if it is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations or if the consent of the data subject or legal permission is available.

International data transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place as part of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only be done in accordance with the legal requirements. If the data protection level in the third country has been recognized by means of an adequacy decision (Article 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Otherwise, data transfers only take place if the data protection level is otherwise secured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Article 46 (2) (c) GDPR), express consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transmission (Article 49 (1) GDPR). Otherwise, we will inform you of the basis for third-country transfers from the individual providers from the third country, with the adequacy decisions taking priority. Information on third country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission:https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de. As part of the so-called “Data Privacy Framework” (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection as secure for certain companies from the USA as part of the adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). In the privacy policy we will inform you which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

General information on data storage and deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there are no further legal bases for the processing. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require the data to be stored or archived for a longer period.

In particular, data that must be stored for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal proceedings or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our data protection information contains additional information on the storage and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing processes.

If there are several details on the storage period or deletion periods for a date, the longest period always applies.

If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically starts at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in the context of which data is stored, the event triggering the deadline is the time at which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect.

We process data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons, only for the reasons that justify its storage.

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Storage and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to storage and archiving under German law:
    • 10 years – retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets and the work instructions and other organizational documents required to understand them (Section 147 Paragraph 1 No. 1 in conjunction with Paragraph 3 AO, Section 14b Paragraph 1 UStG, Section 257 Paragraph 1 No. 1 in conjunction with Paragraph 4 HGB).
    • 8 years – accounting documents, such as invoices and cost receipts (Section 147, Paragraph 1, No. 4 and 4a in conjunction with Paragraph 3, Sentence 1 AO and Section 257, Paragraph 1, No. 4 in conjunction with Paragraph 4 HGB).
    • 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of commercial or business letters sent, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register slips (Section 147, Paragraph 1, No. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with Paragraph 3 AO, Section 257, Paragraph 1, No. 2 and 3 in conjunction with Paragraph 4 HGB).
    • 3 years – Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights as well as to process related inquiries based on previous business experience and standard industry practices will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of data subjects

Rights of the data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right to object: You have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR, for reasons related to your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed in order to conduct direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct advertising.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw consent given at any time.
  • Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to request information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that incorrect data concerning you be corrected.
  • Right to deletion and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be deleted immediately or, alternatively, to request that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have made available to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request that it be transmitted to another responsible party.
  • Complaint to a supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you violates the provisions of the GDPR.

Provision of the online offering and web hosting

We process user data in order to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the user’s IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user’s browser or device.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved). Protocol data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files can include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and is then deleted or anonymized. Data that needs to be retained for evidentiary purposes will not be deleted until the incident in question has been finally resolved.

Use of cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store and read information on users’ end devices. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as the functionality, security and convenience of online services and the creation of analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. To do so, we obtain the user’s consent in advance if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential in order to be able to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, storing settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online service. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of this and which cookies are used.

Notes on legal bases under data protection law: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

Storage period: With regard to the storage period, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the log-in status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected using cookies can also be used to measure reach. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage period of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also object to processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including by means of the privacy settings of their browser.

  • Types of data processed: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution that obtains users’ consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers named in the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers named in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid repeated queries and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The consent is stored for a period of up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the end device used; Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR).

Contact and inquiry management

When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the person making the inquiry will be processed to the extent that this is necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
  • Affected persons: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Contact form: When you contact us via our contact form, by email or other means of communication, we process the personal data sent to us in order to answer and process the respective request. This usually includes details such as name, contact information and, if applicable, other information that is communicated to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analysis (also known as “reach measurement”) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and can include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or encourage reuse. It is also possible for us to understand which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a device and then read out. The information collected includes in particular websites visited and elements used there, as well as technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have given their consent to us or the providers of the services we use collecting their location data, the processing of location data is also possible.

In addition, the IP addresses of the users are stored. However, we use an IP masking process (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective processes.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is their consent. Otherwise, the user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the “General information on data storage and deletion” section. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to a device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, accessed them again or interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers. Pseudonimous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, and cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU traffic, the IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before being immediately deleted. It is not logged, is not accessible and is not used for any other purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de,Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (Types of processing and data processed).
  • Jetpack (WordPress Stats): Jetpack offers analysis functions for WordPress software; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Presences in social networks (social media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

In addition, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on the user’s usage behavior and resulting interests. The latter may in turn be used to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the user’s interests. Cookies are therefore usually stored on users’ computers in which the user’s usage behavior and interests are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles regardless of the devices used by the users (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

For a detailed description of the respective processing methods and the options for opting out, please refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

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

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Instagram: Social network, enables sharing of photos and videos, commenting and favorites of posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page (so-called “fan page”). This data includes information about the types of content that users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see “Things you and others do and provide” in the Facebook data policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/), and information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see “Device Information” in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under “How do we use this information?”, Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services called “Page Insights” to page operators so that they can gain insights into how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook (“Page Insights Information”, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum),which in particular regulates which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to comply with the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the responsible supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the “Information on Page Insights” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transmission of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, in particular the transmission of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • LinkedIn: Social Network – We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for collecting (but not further processing) visitor data that is used to create the “Page Insights” (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, and the actions they take. It also collects details about the devices used, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings and cookie data, as well as information from user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have entered into a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”, https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum),which regulates in particular which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfil the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, address information or deletion requests directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transmission of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option:https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • X: Social network; service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://x.com. Privacy Policy: https://x.com/de/privacy.
  • YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
  • Xing: Social network; Service provider: New Work SE, Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.xing.com/. Privacy Policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

Plug-ins and embedded functions and content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offering that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as “third-party providers”). These can be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter referred to uniformly as “content”).

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, since without an IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or functions. We endeavor to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third-party providers can also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. The “pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, the time of visit and other information about the use of our online offering, but may also be linked to such information from other sources.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to use third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is permission. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
  • Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation; marketing. Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Google Fonts (provision on own server): Provision of font files for the purpose of a user-friendly presentation of our online offer; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to Google; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
  • Google Fonts (obtained from Google server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to timeliness and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The provider of the fonts is informed of the user’s IP address so that the fonts can be made available in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) is transmitted that is necessary for making the fonts available depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data can be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA – When visiting our online offer, users’ browsers send their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e. a software interface for retrieving the fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) from Google Fonts and then the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent describing the browser and operating system versions of website visitors, and the referring URL (i.e., the web page where the Google font should be displayed). IP addresses are not logged or stored on Google servers, and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent, and referring URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. The Google Fonts Web API requires the user agent to customize the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is logged primarily for debugging purposes and is used to generate aggregated usage statistics that measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts Analytics page. Finally, the referring URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to Google, it does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to display targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information:https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
  • Font Awesome (provision on own server): display of fonts and symbols; service provider: the Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to the provider of Font Awesome; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Instagram plugins and content: Instagram plugins and content – This can include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this website within Instagram. – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt as part of a transmission (but not the further processing) of “event data” that Facebook collects using Instagram functions (e.g. embedding functions for content) that are carried out on our website or receives as part of a transmission for the following purposes: a) display of content and advertising information that correspond to the presumed interests of users; b) delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g. addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving ad delivery and personalization of functions and content (e.g. improving the recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook (“Addendum for Responsible Persons”). https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which specifically regulates which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to comply with the rights of those affected (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measurements, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain any information on individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing does not take place within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement (“Data Processing Conditions”, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing) , the “Data Security Conditions” (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses (“Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com. Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.
  • LinkedIn plugins and content: LinkedIn plugins and content – This can include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • X plugins and content: Plugins and buttons from the “X” platform – This can include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons that users can use to share content from this online offering within X; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://x.com/de; Privacy Policy: https://x.com/de/privacy, (Settings: https://x.com/personalization); Data processing agreement: https://privacy.x.com/en/for-our-partners/global-dpa. Basis for third country transfers: standard contractual clauses (https://privacy.x.com/en/for-our-partners/global-dpa).
  • YouTube-Videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website : https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
  • YouTube-Videos: Videos stored on YouTube are embedded in our online offering. These YouTube videos are integrated via a special domain using the “youtube-nocookie” component in the so-called “extended data protection mode”. In the “extended data protection mode”, only information that YouTube needs to output, control and optimize the video display, including your IP address and details about your browser and device, can be stored on your device in cookies or by means of comparable procedures until the video starts. As soon as you play the videos, additional information can be processed by YouTube to analyze usage behavior, to store it in the user profile and to personalize content and ads. The storage period for the cookies can be up to two years; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780?hl=de-DE#zippy=%2Cturn-on-privacy-enhanced-mode%2Cerweiterten-datenschutzmodus-aktivieren.
  • Xing plugins and buttons: Xing plugins and buttons – This can include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons with which users can share content from this online offer within Xing; Service provider: New Work SE, Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.xing.com. Privacy Policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

Change and update

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and ask you to check the information before contacting us.

Definitions of terms

This section provides you with an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. To the extent that the terms are defined by law, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, however, are primarily intended to aid understanding.

  • Inventory data: Inventory data includes essential information that is necessary for the identification and management of contractual partners, user accounts, profiles and similar assignments. This data can include, among other things, personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses), dates of birth and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between people and services, institutions or systems by enabling clear assignment and communication.
  • Content data: Content data includes information generated in the course of creating, editing and publishing content of all kinds. This category of data can include text, images, videos, audio files and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not only limited to the actual content, but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information and publication dates
  • Contact data: Contact data is essential information that enables communication with people or organizations. They include telephone numbers, postal addresses and email addresses, as well as communication tools such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data: Meta, communication and procedural data are categories that contain information about the way data is processed, transmitted and managed. Metadata, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin and structure of other data. It can include information about the file size, creation date, author of a document and change histories. Communication data records the exchange of information between users across different channels, such as email traffic, call logs, social media messages and chat histories, including the people involved, timestamps and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review operations.
  • Usage data: Usage data refers to information that records how users interact with digital products, services or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which functions they prefer, how long they stay on certain pages and which paths they use to navigate through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information and location data. It is particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences and potential problem areas within digital offerings
  • Personal data: “Personal data” means any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); A natural person is considered identifiable if he or she can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. a cookie) or to one or more special characteristics that express the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiles with user-related information: The processing of “profiles with user-related information”, or “profiles” for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of this personal data to analyse, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include different information relating to demographics, behaviour and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Log data: Log data is information about events or activities logged in a system or network. This data typically includes information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages, and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data is often used to analyze system problems, monitor security, or create performance reports.
  • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offerings can, for example, recognize when users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better adapt the content of the websites to the needs of their visitors. For the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Tracking: “Tracking” is when the behavior of users can be tracked across multiple online offerings. As a rule, behavior and interest information relating to the online offerings used is stored in cookies or on servers of the tracking technology providers (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to show users advertisements that are likely to correspond to their interests.
  • Responsible party: The “responsible party” is the natural or legal person, public authority, institution or other body that alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data.
  • Processing: “Processing” is any process or series of processes carried out with or without the aid of automated procedures in connection with personal data. The term is broad and covers practically every handling of data, be it the collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion.
  • Target group formation: Target group formation (English “custom audiences”) is when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g. displaying advertisements. For example, based on a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the Internet, it can be concluded that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online shop in which he viewed the products. “Lookalike audiences” (or similar target groups) are, in turn, when the content assessed as suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are generally used to create custom audiences and lookalike audiences.