Privacy policy

Privacy statement

The providers of this website take your privacy very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance both with this privacy statement and with data protection laws.

Notice concerning the party responsible for this website

The party responsible for processing data on this website is:

RALF SCHMITZ GmbH
Moorenring 29
47906 Kempen
Germany
Telephone: +49 2152 91770
E-Mail: Datenschutz@ralfschmitz.com

The responsible party is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (names, email addresses, etc.).

Statutory data protection officer

To ensure the best possible protection of personal data, we have appointed a dedicated external data protection officer for our company:

Dr. Heiko Haaz
UIMC Dr. Voßbein GmbH & Co KG
Otto-Hausmann-Ring 113
42115 Wuppertal
Germany
Telefon: +49 202 946 7726 200
E-Mail: datenschutz.ralfschmitz@uimc.de

Encryption

Please note that data transmitted via the internet (e.g. via email communication) may be subject to security breaches. Complete protection of your data from third-party access is not possible, although we aim to provide accurate and current measures for the protection.

This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and for the protection of the transmission of confidential content, such as the inquiries you send to us as the site operator. You can recognize an encrypted connection in your browser’s address line when it changes from “http://” to “https://” and the lock icon is displayed in your browser’s address bar.

Data collection on our website

Contact and request forms

The usage of this website is not generally conditional upon the provision of personal details.

Should you send us questions or information requests via forms on this site or by email, we will collect the data entered on the form, including the contact details you provide, to answer your question or request and any follow-up questions. We do not share this information without your permission.

We will, therefore, process any data you enter onto the forms only with your consent per Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR. You may revoke your consent at any time. An informal email to datenschutz@ralfschmitz.com making this request is sufficient. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

We will retain the data you provide on the contact form until you request its deletion, revoke your consent for its storage, or the purpose for its storage no longer pertains (e.g. after fulfilling your request). Any mandatory statutory provisions, especially those regarding mandatory data retention periods, remain unaffected by this provision.

Newsletter

If you would like to receive our newsletter, we require a valid email address as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and that you agree to receive this newsletter. No additional data is collected or is only collected on a voluntary basis. We only use this data to send the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties.

We will, therefore, process any data you enter onto the contact form only with your consent per Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR. You can revoke consent to the storage of your data and email address as well as their use for sending the newsletter at any time, e.g. through the “unsubscribe” link in the newsletter. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

The data provided when registering for the newsletter will be used to distribute the newsletter until you cancel your subscription when said data will be deleted. Data we have stored for other purposes remain unaffected.

Job applications

Data processing

In case you send us an application by email or conventional mail, we process your personal data with regard to the application process and to assess a potential work-related applicability.

We process the data you provide us with for the purpose of a substantiated decision concerning a job opening based on Art. 6 Abs. 1 S. 1 I lit. b GDPR / Art. 26 Abs. 1 BDSG.  Assessments by objective, non-discriminating critera may be additionally stored. As far as feasible on a case-by-case basis, publicly available personal data related to you may be additionally stored.

Transfer / Service providers

In part, external service providers may gain access to your data, e.g. for supervised service operations, for a test payroll calculation or legal advice. In any case, these service providers will be bound by data processing agreement according to Art 28 GDPR.

Storage and deletion of application-data

Your information concerning your application is stored as long as necessary for the purpose of the application process. If you object to our processing of this data during the application process, your data will be deleted – should there be no compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

The information is deleted after the application process is completed and if no compelling legitimate grounds exist for the further processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or if the information is still needed for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims. Application data may be kept further if you explicitly provide your consent that we may use it for additional job openings.

Speculative (unsolicited) applications are stored at the most until an objection by you is received or for two years and then deleted afterwards.

Transfer of personal data

In general your personal data is not shared with third parties for commercial or non-commercial purposes without your expressed consent. We only pass your personal data to third parties if legally permitted (e.g. on account of Art. 6 GDPR) or required. In part, we use service providers for data processing. For example, our web site is hosted by Strato AG [external site]; the sending of newsletters is performed by MailChimp (see below) and for Customer Relationship Management we rely on the services of Propstack [external site]. If you request information on one of our properties, we may pass your data to our external sales agency (bound by data processing agreements) to fulfill your request. In addition, we make use of external tools and plugins on our web presence. Please see the explanations below for further detail.

Server log files

In general

The website provider automatically collects and stores information that your browser automatically transmits to us in “server log files”, where individual users are treated anonymously. These log files contain:

  • Referrer URL (the web page that led you to our website)
  • Search terms (in case of referring search engines)
  • Anonymized IP-address (to determine the originating country and provider)
  • Anonymized Hostname
  • Browser, operating system, installed plug-ins and display resolution
  • Time spend on pages

The basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR, which allows the processing of data necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests. Our legitimate purposes are to

  • ensure smooth connection to our web presence,
  • ensure a comfortable usage of our web presence,
  • evaluation of system safety and stability as well as
  • further administrative purposes.

This data cannot be associated with specific individuals and we will not combine it with data from any other sources. We reserve the right to check this data after capture should signs of illegal activity be found. The log data is deleted after stated purposes, at the latest after six months.

Our web hoster, Strato AG [external site], collects IP-addresses of visitors for the detection and defense of attacks and stores this information for seven days at the most in separate log files.

Analytical plugins and tools from third parties

When you access our web site your surfing behavior can be analyzed statistically. This is mostly achieved by using Cookies or analytical programs. In general, these analyses are performed anonymously and your surfing behaviour cannot be traced back to you. You may revoke your consent to these analyses or prevent their usage by certain tools. Please see the information provided below for details.

Cookies

Some of our web pages use cookies. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer and saved by your browser. They do not harm your computer and do not contain any viruses. Cookies help make our website more user-friendly, efficient, and secure.

Most of the cookies we use are so-called “session cookies.” They are automatically deleted after your visit. Other cookies remain in your device’s memory until you delete them. These cookies make it possible to recognize your browser on your next visit of our web services.

You may configure your browser to inform you about the use of cookies so that you can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept or reject a cookie. Alternatively, your browser can be configured to automatically accept cookies under certain conditions or to always reject them, or to automatically delete cookies when closing your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

Cookies which are necessary to allow electronic communications or to provide certain functions you wish to use are stored pursuant to Art. 6 paragraph 1, letter f of GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the storage of cookies to ensure an optimized service provided free of technical errors. If other cookies (such as those used to analyze your surfing behavior) are also stored, they will be treated separately in this privacy policy.

Polylang Cookie

Our website uses the Polylang plugin from WP SYNTEX, 8, rue Joseph Cugnot 38307 Bourgoin Jallieu, France, to offer our website in multiple languages. For this purpose, a cookie “pll_language” is stored which saves your language setting. This data is not transferred to the manufacturer of the plugin. You can find more information about Polylang’s data protection and privcy policy at: https://polylang.pro/privacy-policy/ [external site]

Consent with Borlabs Cookie

Our website uses the Borlabs consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies in your browser or for the use of certain technologies and for their data privacy protection compliant documentation. The provider of this technology is Borlabs GmbH, Rübenkamp 32, 22305 Hamburg, Germany (hereinafter referred to as Borlabs).

Whenever you visit our website, a Borlabs cookie will be stored in your browser, which archives any declarations or revocations of consent you have entered. These data are not shared with the provider of the Borlabs technology.

The recorded data shall remain archived until you ask us to eradicate them, delete the Borlabs cookie on your own or the purpose of storing the data no longer exists. This shall be without prejudice to any retention obligations mandated by law. To review the details of Borlabs’ data processing policies, please visit https://de.borlabs.io/kb/welche-daten-speichert-borlabs-cookie/ [external site]

We use the Borlabs cookie consent technology to obtain the declarations of consent mandated by law for the use of cookies. The legal basis for the use of such cookies is Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR.

Adobe typekit

For uniform and appealing representation of fonts this web site uses web fonts provided by the Typekit service of Adobe, Adobe Systems Incorporated: 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, California 95110-2704, USA. These fonts are downloaded by your browser from the Adobe servers when you access our web site.

When the font download occurs, Adobe may collect information about the fonts being used on our web site. This information is used for the purposes of billing us and for compliance. Included are served fonts, our user account at Adobe as well as information on our domain, required times for font downloading and whether an ad blocker is installed to help identify if this affects accurate pageview tracking.

If your browser does not support web fonts or if a Do-Not-Track setting is signaled by your browser, local standard fonts are used instead of web fonts.

The usage of Adobe Typekit Web Fonts is done in the interest of a uniform and attractive presentation of our website. This constitutes a justified interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.

Further information about Adobe Typekit Web Fonts and on Adobe’s privacy can be found at https://fonts.adobe.com/ [external site] and at https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/policies/adobe-fonts.html [external site], respectively.

Google maps

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

To use Google Maps, it is necessary to save your IP address. This information is generally transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence on this data transfer.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of making our website appealing and to facilitate the location of places specified by us on the website. This constitutes a justified interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.

Further information about the Terms of service of Google at https://www.google.com/intl/en_en/help/terms_maps/ [external site].

Further information about handling user data can be found data protection declaration of Google at https://www.google.de/intl/en/policies/privacy/ [external site].

By using this service, you agree to the collection, processing and use of the data collected and entered by you, such as I agree to your IP address by Google. This information is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and saved there. The provider of this site has no influence on this data transfer. You can find the terms of use for Google Maps at https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/help/terms_maps/ [external page]. You can find more information on handling user data in Google’s data protection declaration: https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ [external page].

Google analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service. It is operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google Analytics uses so-called “cookies”. These are text files that are stored on your computer and that allow an analysis of the use of the website by you. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

Google Analytics cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

IP anonymization

We have activated the IP anonymization feature on this website. Your IP address will be shortened by Google within the European Union or other parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area prior to transmission to the United States. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address sent to a Google server in the US and shortened there. Google will use this information on behalf of the operator of this website to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services regarding website activity and Internet usage for the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with any other data held by Google.

Browser plugin

You can prevent these cookies being stored by selecting the appropriate settings in your browser. However, we wish to point out that doing so may mean you will not be able to enjoy the full functionality of this website. You can also prevent the data generated by cookies about your use of the website (incl. your IP address) from being passed to Google, and the processing of these data by Google, by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en [external site].

Objecting to the collection of data

You can prevent the collection of your data by Google Analytics by clicking on the following link. An opt-out cookie will be set to prevent your data from being collected on future visits to this site: [google_analytics_optout]Disable Google Analytics[/google_analytics_optout]

For more information about how Google Analytics handles user data, see Google’s privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en [external site].

Outsourced data processing

We have entered into an agreement with Google for the outsourcing of our data processing and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Google analytics remarketing

Our websites use the features of Google Analytics Remarketing combined with the cross-device capabilities of Google AdWords and DoubleClick. This service is provided by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

This allows to link target audiences for promotional marketing created with Google Analytics Remarketing to the cross-device capabilities of Google AdWords and Google DoubleClick. This allows advertising to be displayed based on your personal interests, identified based on your previous usage and surfing behavior on one device (e.g. your mobile phone), on other devices (such as a tablet or computer).

Once you have given your consent, Google will associate your web and app browsing history with your Google Account for this purpose. That way, any device that signs in to your Google Account can use the same personalized promotional messaging.

To support this feature, Google Analytics collects Google-authenticated IDs of users that are temporarily linked to our Google Analytics data to define and create audiences for cross-device ad promotion.

You can permanently opt out of cross-device remarketing/targeting by turning off personalized advertising in your Google Account; follow this link: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated?hl=en [external site].

The aggregation of the data collected in your Google Account data is based solely on your consent, which you may give or withdraw from Google per Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR. For data collection operations not merged into your Google Account (for example, because you do not have a Google Account or have objected to the merge), the collection of data is based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing anonymous user behavior for promotional purposes.

For more information and the Google Privacy Policy, go to: https://www.google.com/policies/technologies/ads/ [external site].

Google AdWords and Google conversion-tracking

This website uses Google AdWords. AdWords is an online advertising program from Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States (“Google”).

As part of Google AdWords, we use so-called conversion tracking. When you click on an ad served by Google, a conversion tracking cookie is set. Cookies are small text files that your internet browser stores on your computer. These cookies expire after 30 days and are not used for personal identification of the user. Should the user visit certain pages of the website and the cookie has not yet expired, Google and the website can tell that the user clicked on the ad and proceeded to that page.

Each Google AdWords advertiser has a different cookie. Thus, cookies cannot be tracked using the website of an AdWords advertiser. The information obtained using the conversion cookie is used to create conversion statistics for the AdWords advertisers who have opted for conversion tracking. Customers are told the total number of users who clicked on their ad and were redirected to a conversion tracking tag page. However, advertisers do not obtain any information that can be used to personally identify users. If you do not want to participate in tracking, you can opt-out of this by easily disabling the Google Conversion Tracking cookie by changing your browser settings. In doing so, you will not be included in the conversion tracking statistics.

Conversion cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

For more information about Google AdWords and Google Conversion Tracking, see the Google Privacy Policy: https://www.google.de/policies/privacy/ [external site].

You can configure your browser to inform you about the use of cookies so that you can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept or reject a cookie. Alternatively, your browser can be configured to automatically accept cookies under certain conditions or to always reject them, or to automatically delete cookies when closing your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

Google Tag Manager

We use the Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland

The Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to integrate tracking or statistical tools and other technologies on our website. The Google Tag Manager itself does not create any user profiles, does not store cookies, and does not carry out any independent analyses. It only manages and runs the tools integrated via it. However, the Google Tag Manager does collect your IP address, which may also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the United States.

The Google Tag Manager is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and uncomplicated integration and administration of various tools on his website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar the consent includes the storage of cookies or the access to information in the user’s end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active [external site]

Microsoft Advertising (formerly Bing Ads)

The website operator uses Microsoft Advertising. Microsoft Advertising is an online advertising program of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA.

Microsoft Advertising enables us to display advertisements in the Bing search engine or on third-party websites when the user enters certain search terms into Bing (keyword targeting). Furthermore, targeted advertisements can be displayed based on the user data available at Microsoft (e.g., location data and interests) (target group targeting). As the website operator, we can evaluate this data quantitatively by analyzing, for example, which search terms led to the display of our advertisements and how many advertisements led to the corresponding clicks.

We use universal event tracking (UET) from Microsoft Advertising on this site. Pseudonymized data is collected to track the actions you take on our websites after you have clicked on an advertisement of Microsoft Advertising. UET collects your IP address (anonymized), device identifiers, information about device and browser settings, Microsoft Click ID (stored in cookie), time spent on the website, which areas of the website were accessed, which advertisement brought you to the website and which keyword you clicked on.

The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the US is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. You can find details here: https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/compliance/regulatory/offering-eu-model-clauses [external site]

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active [external site]

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that guarantees that they process personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

Usage of Sizmek Versa tag

To present optimized and relevant advertising, this site makes use of Cookies by Sizmek, Inc., Brandstwiete 1,Neuer Dovenhof, 20457 Hamburg, Germany.

Sizmek collects and utilizes IP-addresses (anonymized), data usage and geographic location of the web site use to enhance the choice of displayed advertisements. Cookies are stored for up to 90 days after the last interaction.

The cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

You can prevent the usage of Sizmek Versa Tag Cookies by setting opt-out options in the according section on their website: https://www.sizmek.com/privacy-policy/optedin/#options [external site].

Further information on the Sizmek privacy policy can be found at: https://www.sizmek.com/privacy-policy/optedin/ [external site].

Usage of Light Reaction

For purposes of marketing and optimization of user experience we partly make use of technologies by Light Reaction Germany GmbH, Derendorfer Allee 4, 40476 Düsseldorf, Germany. They are used to provision our content, perform and analyze online marketing campaigns. For example, Light Reaction cookies can be used to ensure that you are displayed varying advertisements from us instead of repeatedly the same one.

Information is collected through the use of cookies, pixels and similar technologies.  A cookie is a file on your browser that uniquely identifies your browser and computer.  A pixel is a line of code that is used by a website or third party to assign online activities to a computer or browser.  The use of a pixel allows websites and Light Reaction to record, for example, that a user has visited a particular website.  Additional information from an earlier period or interaction may be included in the pixel.  Obtained IP-addresses are not stored in full length.

The information are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

Further details on the privacy policy of Light Reaction as well as a possibility to prevent the collection and storage of information by Light Reaction are explained at: http://lightreaction.com/en/policy_emea_apac/ [external site].

Privacy Statement for the use of Instagram

Our website provides a link to the social network Instagram, which is operated by Instagram LLC., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.

When logged into your Instagram account, you can instantly link content on our pages with your Instagram profile by clicking the Instagram button. Doing so allows Instagram to establish a connection between your user account and your visit to this website. We as the provider of these pages have no knowledge of what data is thus transmitted nor of how that data is used by Instagram.

For more information, please see Instagram’s privacy statement at https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875 [external site].

Privacy Statement for the use of Pinterest

Our website provides a link to the social network Pinterest which is operated by Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor,Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. When logged into your Pinterest account, you can instantly link content on our pages with your Instagram profile by clicking the Pinterest button. Doing so allows Pinterest to establish a connection between your user account and your visit to this website. We as the provider of these pages have no knowledge of what data is thus transmitted nor of how that data is used by Instagram.

For more information, please see Pinterest’s privacy statement at https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy  [external site].

Shortpixel CDN

We use the “Shortpixel” service provided by ID SCOUT SRL, Bucuresti, Str. Transilvaniei nr.2, Camera 5, Bl.5, Ap.19, Sector 1, 010798, Rumania (hereinafter referred to as “Shortpixel”).

Shortpixel offers a content delivery network with DNS that is available worldwide. As a result, the information transfer that occurs between your browser and our website is technically routed via Shortpixel’s network. This enables Shortpixel to analyze data transactions between your browser and our website and to work as a filter between our servers and potentially malicious data traffic from the Internet. In this context, Shortpixel may also use cookies or other technologies deployed to recognize Internet users, which shall, however, only be used for the herein described purpose.

The use of Shortpixel is based on our legitimate interest in a provision of our website offerings that is as error free and secure as possible (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

For more information on Shortpixel’s security precautions and data privacy policies, please follow this link: https://shortpixel.com/privacy#gdpr.

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that guarantees that they process personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

Cloudflare CDN

We use the “Cloudflare” service provided by Cloudflare Inc., 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. (hereinafter referred to as “Cloudflare”).

Cloudflare offers a content delivery network with DNS that is available worldwide. As a result, the information transfer that occurs between your browser and our website is technically routed via Cloudflare’s network. This enables Cloudflare to analyze data transactions between your browser and our website and to work as a filter between our servers and potentially malicious data traffic from the Internet. In this context, Cloudflare may also use cookies or other technologies deployed to recognize Internet users, which shall, however, only be used for the herein described purpose.

The use of Cloudflare is based on our legitimate interest in a provision of our website offerings that is as error free and secure as possible (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Data transmission to the US is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/ [external link].

For more information on Cloudflare’s security precautions and data privacy policies, please follow this link: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/ [external link].

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt0000000GnZKAA0&status=Active [external link]

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that guarantees that they process personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

MailChimp

This website uses the services of Mailchimp to send out its newsletters. The provider is the Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

Among other things, Mailchimp is a service that can be deployed to organize and analyze the sending of newsletters. Whenever you enter data for the purpose of subscribing to a newsletter (e.g. your e-mail address), the information is stored on Mailchimp servers in the United States.

With the assistance of the Mailchimp tool, we can analyze the performance of our newsletter campaigns. If you open an e-mail that has been sent through the Mailchimp tool, a file that has been integrated into the e-mail (a so-called web-beacon) connects to Mailchimp’s servers in the United States. As a result, it can be determined whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links the recipient possibly clicked on. Technical information is also recorded at that time (e.g. the time of access, the IP address, type of browser and operating system). This information cannot be allocated to the respective newsletter recipient. Their sole purpose is the performance of statistical analyses of newsletter campaigns. The results of such analyses can be used to tailor future newsletters to the interests of their recipients more effectively.

If you do not want to permit an analysis by Mailchimp, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter. We provide a link for you to do this in every newsletter message.

The data is processed based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You may revoke any consent you have given at any time by unsubscribing from the newsletter. This shall be without prejudice to the lawfulness of any data processing transactions that have taken place prior to your revocation.

The data deposited with us for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter or the newsletter service provider and deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Data stored for other purposes with us remain unaffected.

Data transmission to the US is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://mailchimp.com/eu-us-data-transfer-statement/ [external site] and https://mailchimp.com/legal/data-processing-addendum/#Annex_C_-_Standard_Contractual_Clauses [external site].

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your e-mail address may be stored by us or the newsletter service provider in a blacklist, if such action is necessary to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is used only for this purpose and not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with the legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is indefinite. You may object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

For more details, please consult the Data Privacy Policies of Mailchimp at: https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/ [external site].

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt0000000TXVKAA4&status=Active [external site]

Completion of a data processing agreement

We have entered into a data processing agreement with MailChimp, in which we require MailChimp to protect the data of our customers and not to disclose said data to third parties. This agreement may be viewed at the following link: https://mailchimp.com/legal/data-processing-addendum/ [external site].

Privacy Statement for the use of sharing buttons of Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn

Our website provides sharing links to services of Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter und LinkedIn. By clicking the sharing buttons the respective operator of the selected service my obtain knowledge of your visit of our website. As provider of this website we have no knowledge which data is transmitted nor of how that data is used by the respective service.

For more information please see the corresponding privacy statements of Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/legal/ [external link von Facebook, Facebook Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland], WhatsApp, https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/ [external link of WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand, Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland], respectively of Twitter, https://twitter.com/en/privacy [external link of Twitter International Company One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland] or https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy [external link of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland], respectively.

YouTube with expanded data protection integration

This website integrates videos from the YouTube website. The operator of the website is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit one of these websites on which YouTube is integrated, a connection to the YouTube servers is established. This tells the YouTube server which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable YouTube to assign your surfing behavior directly to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

We use YouTube in extended data protection mode. According to YouTube, videos that are played in extended data protection mode are not used to personalize browsing on YouTube. Ads that are played in extended data protection mode are also not personalized. No cookies are set in extended data protection mode. Instead, so-called local storage elements are stored in the user’s browser, which contain personal data similar to cookies and can be used for recognition. Details on the extended data protection mode can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780 [external link].

After activating a YouTube video, further data processing operations may be triggered over which we have no influence.

The use of YouTube is based on our interest in presenting our online content in an appealing manner. Pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, this is a legitimate interest. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar the consent includes the storage of cookies or the access to information in the user’s end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information on how YouTube handles user data, please consult the YouTube Data Privacy Policy under: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en [external link].

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780 [external link].

Your rights regarding your data

Information, blocking, deletion

As stated in Art. 15 ff. GDPR, you have the right to be provided at any time with information free of charge about any of your personal data that is stored as well as its origin, the recipient and the purpose for which it has been processed. By the same article, you have the right to have this data corrected, blocked or deleted. You can contact us at any time using the address given in our legal notice if you have further questions on the topic of personal data.

Revocation of your consent to the processing of your data

Many data processing operations are only possible with your expressed consent. You may revoke your consent at any time with future effect based on Art. 15 ff. GDPR. An informal email making this request is sufficient. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

Right to data portability

By Art. 15 ff. GDPR you have the right to receive data which we process based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract automatically delivered to yourself or to a third party in a standard, machine-readable format. If you require the direct transfer of data to another responsible party, this will only be done to the extent technically feasible.

Right to file complaints with regulatory authorities

If there has been a breach of data protection legislation, the person affected may file a complaint with the competent regulatory authorities on basis of Art. 77 GDPR. The competent regulatory authority for matters related to data protection legislation is the data protection officer of the German state in which our company is headquartered. A list of data protection officers and their contact details can be found at the following link: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html [external site].

Opposition to promotional emails

We hereby expressly prohibit the use of contact data published in the context of website legal notice requirements or this privacy policy with regard to sending promotional and informational materials not expressly requested. The website operator reserves the right to take specific legal action if unsolicited advertising material, such as email spam, is received.