PRIVACY POLICY

INTRODUCTION

With the following data protection declaration, we would like to inform you about the types of your data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") that we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. The data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both as part 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").


Status: 08 Sep. 2021


RESPONSIBLE
Verena Krenn Events, Otto-Bauer-Gasse 25/41, 1060 Vienna


Authorized representatives: Verena Krenn
E-mail address: office@vk-events.com
Phone: +43 (0) 664 6365 556

Imprint: https://vk-events.com/impressum


PROCESSING OVERVIEW
The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.


TYPES OF DATA PROCESSED:
• Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses).
• Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
• Contact details (e.g. email, phone numbers).
• Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
• Usage data (e.g. web pages visited, interest in content, access times).
• Location data (data indicating the location of an end user's terminal device).
• Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
• Payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history).

CATEGORIES OF AFFECTED PERSONS
• Business and Contractual Partners.
• Interested parties.
• Communication partner.
• Customers.
• Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).


PROCESSING PURPOSES
• Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
• Visit Action Evaluation.
• Office and organizational procedures.
• Cross-device tracking (processing of user data across devices for marketing purposes).
• Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal mail).
• Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
• Interest-based and behavioral marketing.
• Contact requests and communication.
• Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures).
• Profiling (creation of user profiles).
• Remarketing.
• Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors).
• Safety measures.
• Tracking (e.g., interest/behavioral profiling, use of cookies).
• Contractual benefits and service.
• Managing and responding to inquiries.
• Target group formation (determination of target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other output of content).

RELEVANT LEGAL BASES
In the following, we share the legal basis of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) based on which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, the national data protection provisions in your or our country of residence and domicile may apply. Furthermore, should more specific legal bases be relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.

• Consent (Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a DSGVO) - The data subject has given his/her consent to the processing of personal data relating to him/her for a specific purpose or purposes.
• Contract performance and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO) - Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the performance of pre-contractual measures taken at the data subject's request.
• Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. c. DSGVO) - Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
• Protection of vital interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. d. DSGVO) - Processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO) - Processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party unless such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Austria: In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, national regulations on data protection apply in Austria. These include, in particular, the Federal Act on the Protection of Individuals in the Processing of Personal Data (Data Protection Act - DSG). In particular, the Data Protection Act contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to rectification or erasure, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission, and automated decision-making in individual cases.


SECURITY MEASURES
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk by 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.

The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as the access, input, transfer, safeguarding of availability, and its separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subjects' rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data compromise. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software, and processes by the principle of data protection, through technology design and data protection-friendly default settings.

Shortening of the IP address: If we can do so or if it is not necessary to store the IP address, we shorten or have your IP address shortened. In the case of IP address shortening, also known as "IP masking", the last octet, i.e., the last two numbers of an IP address, is deleted (in this context, the IP address is an identifier individually assigned to an Internet connection by the online access provider). The purpose of IP address shortening is to prevent or make it significantly more difficult to identify a person by their IP address.

SSL encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our online offer, we use SSL encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.


TRANSFER AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL DATA
In the course of our processing of personal data, the data may be transferred to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units, or persons. Recipients of this data may include, for example, payment institutions in the context of payment transactions, service providers commissioned with IT tasks, or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we observe the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.

Data transfer within the group of companies: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of companies or grant them access to this data. Insofar as this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of the data is based on our legitimate corporate and business interests or takes place insofar as it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract-related obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or legal permission exists.


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 the processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, entities or companies, this is only done by the legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or contractually or legally required transfer, we only process or have data processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, which includes US processors certified under the "Privacy Shield", or based on special guarantees, such as contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, the existence of certifications or binding internal data protection regulations (Art. 44 to 49 DSGVO, information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de ).


COOKIES USE
Cookies are text files that contain data from visited websites or domains and are stored by a browser on the user's computer. A cookie is primarily used to store information about a user during or after his visit within an online offer. The stored information may include, for example, language settings on a website, login status, a shopping cart, or where a video was watched. The term cookies also includes other technologies that perform the same functions as cookies (e.g., when user information is stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also referred to as "user IDs").

The following cookie types and functions are distinguished:

• Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offer and closed his browser.
• Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the browser is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the interests of users used for reach measurement or marketing purposes can be stored in such a cookie.
• First-party cookies: First-party cookies are set by us.
• Third-party cookies (also: third-party cookies): Third-party cookies are mainly used by advertisers (so-called third parties) to process user information.
• Necessary (also: essential) cookies: Cookies may be necessary for the operation of a website (e.g. to store logins or other user inputs or for security reasons).
• Statistics, marketing, and personalization cookies: Furthermore, cookies are generally also used in the context of range measurement and when a user's interests or behavior (e.g. viewing certain content, using functions, etc.) on individual websites are stored in a user profile. Such profiles are used, for example, to show users content that matches their potential interests. This process is also referred to as "tracking", i.e., following up on the potential interests of users. Insofar as we use cookies or "tracking" technologies, we will inform you separately in our privacy policy or in the context of obtaining consent.

Notes on legal bases: The legal basis on which we process your data using cookies depends on whether we ask you for consent. If this is the case and you consent to the use of cookies, the legal basis for processing your data is your declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed based on our legitimate interests (e.g. in a business operation of our online offer and its improvement) or, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Depending on whether the processing is based on consent or legal permission, you have the option at any time to revoke any consent you have given or to object to the processing of your data by cookie technologies (collectively referred to as "opt-out"). You can initially declare your objection using your browser settings, e.g. by deactivating the use of cookies (whereby this may also restrict the functionality of our online offer). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be declared using a variety of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/. In addition, you can obtain further instructions on how to object in the context of the information on the service providers and cookies used.

Processing of cookie data based on consent: Before we process or have data processed within the scope of the use of cookies, we ask users for consent that can be revoked at any time. Before consent has not been expressed, cookies are used at most, which are necessary for the operation of our online offer. Their use is based on our interest and the interest of users in the expected functionality of our online offer.

Cookie settings/opposition:

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES
We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners") in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as related measures and in the context of communication with contractual partners (or pre-contractual), e.g. to answer inquiries.

We process this data for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, to secure our rights, and for the administrative tasks associated with this information as well as the entrepreneurial organization. Within the framework of applicable law, we only disclose the data of the contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or the fulfillment of legal obligations or with the consent of the contractual partners (e.g. to participating telecommunications, transport, and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). The contractual partners will be informed about further forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope of this data protection declaration.

We inform the contractual partners which data are required for the aforementioned purposes before or in the course of data collection, e.g. in online forms, using special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiry of legal warranty and comparable obligations, i.e., in principle after 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g., as long as it must be retained for legal archiving reasons (e.g., for tax purposes usually 10 years). We delete data disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order by the specifications of the order, generally after the end of the order.

Insofar as we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and data protection notices of the respective third-party providers or platforms shall apply in the relationship between the users and the providers.

Consulting: We process the data of our clients, customers as well as interested parties, and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") to be able to provide them with our consulting services. The data processed, the type, scope, purpose, and necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

If it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or required by law, or if we have the consent of the client, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, subcontractors or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law.

Travel-related services: We process the data of our customers and prospective customers (uniformly referred to as "customers") by the underlying contractual relationship. We may also process information about the characteristics and circumstances of persons or things belonging to them if this is necessary in the context of the contractual relationship. This can be, for example, information about personal circumstances, mobile material goods, and the financial situation.

Within the scope of our commissioning, it may be necessary for us to process special categories of data within the meaning of Art. 9 (1) DSGVO, in particular information on the health of a person. The processing is done to protect the health interests of the customers and otherwise only with the consent of the customers.

If required for the fulfillment of the contract or required by law, or consented to by customers or based on our legitimate interests, we disclose or transfer the data of customers, for example, to the service providers involved in the performance of travel services.

Events: We process the data of the participants of the events offered or hosted by us, events, and similar activities (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "Participants" and "Events") to enable them to participate in the events and to benefit from the services or promotions associated with participation.

If we process health-related data, religious, political, or other special categories of data in this context, then this is done within the scope of disclosure (e.g. for thematically oriented events or serves health care, security, or is done with the consent of the data subjects).

The required information is identified as such in the context of the order, purchase order, or comparable contract conclusion and includes the information required for the provision of services and billing as well as contact information to be able to hold any consultations. Insofar as we obtain access to information of the end customers, employees, or other persons, we process this by the legal and contractual requirements.

• Types of data processed: inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
• Affected persons: Interested parties, business and contractual partners, customers.
• Purposes of processing: contractual performance and service, contact requests and communication, office and organizational procedures, management, and response to requests.
• Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO), Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. c. DSGVO), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

BLOGS AND PUBLICATION MEDIA
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data is processed for the publication medium only to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium within the scope of this data protection notice.

Comments and contributions: When users leave comments or other posts, their IP addresses may be stored based on our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves unlawful content in comments and posts (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we can be prosecuted for the comment or post and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.

Furthermore, we reserve the right to process the user's data for spam detection based on our legitimate interests.

On the same legal basis, in the case of surveys, we reserve the right to store the IP addresses of users for their duration and to use cookies to avoid multiple votes.

The personal information provided in the context of comments and contributions, any contact and website information as well as the content-related information will be stored permanently by us until the user objects.

Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies: Within our WordPress blog, graphical emojis (or smilies), i.e., small graphic files expressing emotions, are used for efficient integration of content elements, obtained from external servers. The providers of the servers collect the IP addresses of the users. This is necessary so that the emoji files can be transmitted to the users' browsers.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text entries, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Contractual performance and service, feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form), security measures, managing and responding to requests.
• Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO), Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Protection of Vital Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. d. DSGVO).

Services used and service providers:

• Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies: Retrieval of WordPress emojis and smilies; Service provider: Automattic Inc, 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; Website: https://automattic.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/privacy.

COMMUNICATION VIA MESSENGER
We use messengers for communication purposes and therefore ask you to observe the following information on the functionality of the messengers, on encryption, on the use of the metadata of the communication, and your objection options.

You can also contact us by alternative means, e.g. via telephone or e-mail. Please use the contact options provided to you or the contact options specified within our online offer.

In the case of end-to-end encryption of content (i.e., the content of your message and attachments), please note that the communication content (i.e., the content of the message and attached images) is encrypted from end to end. This means that the content of the messages cannot be viewed, not even by the messenger providers themselves. You should always use an up-to-date version of Messenger with encryption enabled to ensure that message content is encrypted.

However, we additionally point out to our communication partners that the providers of the messengers cannot view the content, but can learn that when communication partners communicate with us as well as technical information about the device used by the communication partners and, depending on the settings of their device, also location information (the so-called metadata) is processed.

Notes on the legal basis: If we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via Messenger, the legal basis for our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not ask for consent and they contact us on their own initiative, for example, we use Messenger in the relationship with our contractual partners as well as in the context of contract initiation as a contractual measure and in the case of other interested parties and communication partners based on our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and meeting the needs of our communication partners in communication via Messenger. Furthermore, we would like to point out that we do not transmit the contact data provided to us to the messengers for the first time without your consent.

Revocation, objection, and deletion: You can revoke any consent given and object to communication with us via Messenger at any time. In the case of communication via Messenger, we delete the messages by our general deletion guidelines (i.e., e.g., as described above, after the end of contractual relationships, in the context of archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any information provided by the communication partners, if no reference to a previous conversation is to be expected and the deletion does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations.

Reservation of reference to other communication channels: Finally, we would like to point out that, for reasons of your security, we reserve the right not to answer inquiries via Messenger. This is the case if, for example, contractual internals require special confidentiality or an answer via Messenger does not meet formal requirements. In such cases, we will refer you to more adequate communication channels.

Skype: Skype's end-to-end encryption requires its activation (if it should not be activated by default).

• Types of data processed: contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
• Affected persons: Communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: contact requests and communication, direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal mail).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

Services used and service providers:

• Facebook Messenger: Facebook Messenger with end-to-end encryption (Facebook Messenger's end-to-end encryption requires activation if it should not be activated by default); Service provider: https://www.facebook.com, Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, parent company: Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active; Opt-out: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads.
• Skype: Skype Messenger with end-to-end encryption; Service provider: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; website: https://www.skype.com/de/; privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, security information: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active.
• Telegram Broadcasts: Telegram Broadcasts - messenger with end-to-end encryption; service provider: Telegram, Dubai; website: https://telegram.org/; privacy policy: https://telegram.org/privacy.
• WhatsApp: WhatsApp Messenger with end-to-end encryption; service provider: WhatsApp Inc. WhatsApp Legal 1601 Willow Road Menlo Park, California 94025, USA; website: https://www.whatsapp.com/; privacy policy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TSnwAAG&status=Active.

VIDEO CONFERENCING, ONLINE MEETINGS, WEBINARS, AND SCREEN SHARING
We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as "third-party providers") to conduct video and audio conferences, webinars, and other types of video and audio meetings. When selecting third-party providers and their services, we observe the legal requirements.

In this context, data of the communication participants is processed and stored on the servers of the third-party providers, insofar as these are part of communication processes with us. This data may include, in particular, registration and contact data, visual and vocal contributions as well as entries in chats and shared screen content.

If users are referred to third-party providers or their software or platforms in the course of communication, business, or other relationships with us, the third-party providers may process usage data and metadata for security purposes, service optimization, or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to observe the data protection notices of the respective third-party providers.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers or certain functions (e.g., consent to a recording of calls), the legal basis of the processing is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the third-party providers has been agreed upon within this framework. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners. In this context, we would additionally like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text entries, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
• Data subjects: Communication partners, users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: contractual performance and service, contact requests and communication, office and organizational procedures, and direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal mail).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Contract performance and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).
Services used and service providers:

• Google Hangouts / Meet: messenger and conferencing software; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://hangouts.google.com/; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active.
• Skype: messenger and conferencing software; service provider: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; website: https://www.skype.com/de/; privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, security notices: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter; Privacy Shield (ensuring level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active.
• Zoom: video conferencing, web conferencing, and webinars; service provider: Zoom Video Communications, Inc, 55 Almaden Blvd, Suite 600, San Jose, CA 95113, USA; Website: https://zoom.us; Privacy Policy: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html; Privacy Shield (ensuring a level of data protection for processing in the US): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt00000008TN8AAM&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses (ensuring a level of data protection for processing in a third country): https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html (Designated Global DPA).

PROVISION OF THE ONLINE OFFER AND WEB HOSTING
To provide our online offer securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers from whose servers (or servers managed by them) the online offer can be accessed. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space, and database services, as well as security services and technical maintenance services.

The data processed as part of the provision of the hosting offer may include all information relating to the users of our online offer, which is generated as part of the use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary to be able to deliver the contents of online offers to browsers, and all entries made within our online offer or from websites.

Collection of access data and log files: We (or our web hosting provider) collect data on each access to the server (so-called server log files). The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type, and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.

The server log files may be used, on the one hand, for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overload (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and, on the other hand, to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability.

• Types of data processed: Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. web pages visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

PROMOTIONAL COMMUNICATION VIA E-MAIL, MAIL, FAX, OR TELEPHONE
We process personal data for promotional communication, which may take place via various channels, such as e-mail, telephone, mail, or fax, by legal requirements.

Recipients have the right to revoke consent given at any time or to object to promotional communications at any time.

After revocation or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting it. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers).
• Affected persons: Communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal mail).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

ONLINE MARKETING
We process personal data for online marketing purposes, which may include, in particular, marketing advertising space or displaying promotional and other content (collectively, "Content") based on users' potential interests and measuring its effectiveness.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called "cookie"), or similar procedures are used, using which the information about the user relevant to the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners, and technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used, and information on usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this may also be processed.

The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of the users (such as e-mail addresses or names) are stored in the context of the online marketing process, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of the online marketing procedures, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles.

The information in the profiles is usually stored in the cookies or using similar procedures. These cookies can later generally also be read on other websites that use the same online marketing procedure and analyzed to display content as well as supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing procedure provider.

Exceptionally, clear data may be associated with the profiles. This is the case if, for example, the users are members of a social network whose online marketing procedures we use and the network links the users' profiles with the aforementioned data. We ask that you note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, e.g., by giving their consent as part of the registration process.

In principle, we only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, as part of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing methods have led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to a contract being concluded with us. The conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, we ask you to assume that the cookies used will be stored for two years.

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

Facebook pixel: With the help of the Facebook pixel, Facebook can determine the visitors to our online offering as the target group for the display of ads (so-called "Facebook ads"). Accordingly, we use the Facebook pixel to display the Facebook ads placed by us only to those users on Facebook and within the services of partners cooperating with Facebook (so-called "Audience Network" https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/ ) who have also shown an interest in our online offer or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interest in certain topics or products, which are evident from the web pages visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called "Custom Audiences"). With the help of the Facebook pixel, we also want to ensure that our Facebook ads correspond to the potential interest of users and do not have a harassing effect. Furthermore, with the help of the Facebook pixel, we can track the effectiveness of the Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (so-called "conversion measurement").

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. web pages visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), location data (data indicating the location of an end user's terminal device).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services), interested parties.
• Purposes of processing: tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies), remarketing, visit action evaluation, interest-based and behavior-based marketing, profiling (creation of user profiles), conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures), reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors), targeting (determination of target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other output of content), cross-device tracking (cross-device processing of user data for marketing purposes).
• Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).
• Possibility of objection (opt-out): We refer to the data protection notices of the respective providers and the objection options given to the providers (so-called \"opt-out\"). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of switching off cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered in summary for the respective areas: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-territory: https://optout.aboutads.info.
Services used and service providers:

• Google Analytics: online marketing and web analytics; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (ensuring the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active; opt-out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

Deactivate Google Analytics
• Google Ads and conversion measurement: We use the online marketing method "Google Ads" to place ads in the Google advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on web pages, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. Furthermore, we measure the conversion of the ads. However, we only learned the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page tagged with a so-called "conversion tracking tag". However, we do not receive any information that can be used to identify users. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active.
• Facebook Pixel: Facebook Pixel; Service provider: https://www.facebook.com, Facebook Ireland Ltd, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, Parent company: Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; website: https://www.facebook.com; privacy policy:


• https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active; Opt-out: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads.

PRESENCE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS
We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context to communicate with 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, for example, it could make it more difficult to enforce users' rights. With regard to U.S. providers that are certified under the Privacy Shield or offer comparable guarantees of a secure level of data protection, we point out that they thereby undertake to comply with the data protection standards of the EU.

Furthermore, user data is usually processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on the usage behavior and resulting interests of the users. The usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the users' computers, in which the usage behavior and interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data independent of the devices used by the users may also be stored in the usage profiles (especially if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in to them).

For a detailed presentation of the respective forms of processing and the options to object (opt-out), we refer to the privacy statements 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 providers have access to the users' data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text entries, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: contact requests and communication, tracking (e.g. interest/behavioral profiling, use of cookies), remarketing, reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors).
• Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO).

Services used and service providers:

• Instagram: Social network; Service provider: Instagram Inc, 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; website: https://www.instagram.com; privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
• Facebook: Social network; service provider: Facebook Ireland Ltd, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, parent company: Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active; Opt-out: Settings for advertisements: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads; Additional information on data protection: Agreement on joint processing of personal data on Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum, Data protection information for Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data.
• LinkedIn: social network; service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; website: https://www.linkedin.com; privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000L0UZAA0&status=Active; opt-out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
• Pinterest: Social network; Service provider: Pinterest Inc, 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA, Website: https://www.pinterest.com; Privacy policy: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy; Opt-out: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.
• Xing: Social network; Service provider: XING AG, Dammtorstraße 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany; website: https://www.xing.de; privacy policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

PLUGINS AND EMBEDDED FUNCTIONS AND CONTENT
We integrate functional and content elements into our online offer 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 social media buttons and posts (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "content").

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since without the IP address they could not send the content to their browser. The IP address is thus required for the presentation of this content or function. We strive to use only such content whose respective providers use the IP address only for the delivery of the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. The "pixel tags" can be used to analyze 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, time of visit, and other information about the use of our online offer as well as 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 processing data is consent. Otherwise, users' data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical, and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), location data (data indicating the location of an end user's terminal device), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), inventory data (e.g. names, addresses).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services), communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness, contractual performance and service, contact requests and communication, direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal mail), tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies), interest-based and behavioral marketing, profiling (creation of user profiles), feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form), security measures, administration and response to requests.
• Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. f. DSGVO), consent (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a DSGVO), contract performance and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. b. DSGVO).

Services used and service providers:

• Google Fonts: We integrate the fonts ("Google Fonts") of the provider Google, whereby the user data is used solely to display the fonts in the user's browser. The integration is based on our legitimate interests in a technically secure, maintenance-free, and efficient use of fonts, and their uniform display, and taking into account possible licensing restrictions for their integration. Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://fonts.google.com/; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active.
• Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the service "Google Maps" of the provider Google. The data processed may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of the users, which, however, are not collected without their consent (usually executed as part of the settings of their mobile devices); service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TRkEAAW&status=Active; opt-out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
• Instagram Plugins and Content: Instagram plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons that allow users to share content from this online offering within Instagram. Service provider: https://www.instagram.com, Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
• Pinterest Plugins and Content: Pinterest Plugins and Content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons that allow users to share content from this online offering within Pinterest. Service provider: Pinterest Inc, 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA, Website: https://www.pinterest.com; Privacy Policy: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.
• Shariff: We use the privacy-safe "Shariff" buttons. "Shariff" was developed to allow more privacy on the net and to replace the usual "share" buttons of social networks. In this case, it is not the user's browser that establishes a connection with the server of the respective social media platforms, but the server on which this online offer is located, and queries the number of likes, for example. The user remains anonymous. More information about the Shariff project can be found at the developers of the magazine c't: https://www.heise.de/ct/artikel/Shariff-Social-Media-Buttons-mit-Datenschutz-2467514.html; Service provider: Heise Medien GmbH & Co. KG, Karl-Wiechert-Allee 10, 30625 Hannover, Germany; website: https://www.heise.de/ct/artikel/Shariff-Social-Media-Buttons-mit-Datenschutz-2467514.html; privacy policy: https://www.heise.de/Datenschutzerklaerung-der-Heise-Medien-GmbH-Co-KG-4860.html.
• YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://www.youtube.com; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Privacy Shield (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active; opt-out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

DATA DELETION
The data processed by us will be deleted by the legal requirements as soon as their consents permitted for processing are revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g. if the purpose of processing this data has ceased to apply or it is not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing is limited to these purposes. I.e., the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for reasons of commercial or tax law or whose storage is necessary for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person.

Further information on the deletion of personal data can also be found in the individual data protection notices of this data protection declaration.


MODIFICATION AND UPDATE OF THE PRIVACY POLICY
We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We adapt the data protection declaration as soon as the changes in the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy statement, please note that the addresses may change over time and please check the information before contacting us.


DEFINITIONS
This section provides you with an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Many of the terms are taken from the law and defined primarily in Art. 4 of the GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding. The terms are sorted alphabetically.

• Conversion tracking: "Conversion tracking" refers to a method of determining the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the user’s devices within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites have been successful).
• Cross-device tracking: Cross-device tracking is a form of tracking in which user behavior and interest information are recorded across devices in so-called profiles by assigning users an online identifier. This allows user information to be analyzed for marketing purposes, irrespective of the browsers or devices used (e.g. cell phones or desktop computers). For most providers, the online identifier is not linked to clear data such as names, postal addresses, or e-mail addresses.
• IP masking: "IP masking" refers to a method in which the last octet, i.e., the last two numbers of an IP address, is deleted so that the IP address can no longer be used to uniquely identify a person. Therefore, IP masking is a means of pseudonymizing processing procedures, especially in online marketing
• Interest-based and behavioral marketing: Interest-based and/or behavioral marketing is when users' potential interests in ads and other content are determined as precisely as possible. This is done based on information about their previous behavior (e.g., visiting and staying on certain websites, purchasing behavior, or interaction with other users), which is stored in a so-called profile. Cookies are generally used for these purposes.
• Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement is a method used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the user’s devices within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites have been successful.
• Personal data: "Personal data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter "data subject"); an identifiable natural person can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
• Profiling: "Profiling" is any form of automated processing of personal data that involves the use of personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include information relating to age, gender, location data, and movement data, interaction with websites and their content, shopping behavior, social interactions with other people) (e.g., interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
• Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include visitors' behavior or interests in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can see, for example, at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better adapt the content of the website to the needs of their visitors. For 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 offer.
• Remarketing: "Remarketing" or "retargeting" is when, for example, for advertising purposes, a note is made of which products a user was interested in on a website to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g. in advertisements.
• Tracking: Tracking is when the behavior of users can be traced across several online services. As a rule, behavioral and interest information is stored in cookies or on servers of the providers of the tracking technologies with regard to the online offers used (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to match their interests.
• Controller: a "controller" is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
• Processing: "Processing" means any operation or set of operations that is performed upon personal data, whether or not by automatic means. The term is broad and includes virtually any handling of data, be it collection, analysis, storage, transmission, or deletion.
• Target group formation: We speak of target group formation (or "custom audiences") when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g., insertion of 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 store where the user viewed the products. In turn, we speak of "lookalike audiences" (or similar target groups) when the content deemed suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were formed. Cookies and web beacons are generally used to create Custom Audiences and Lookalike Audiences.


 
Categories of data subjectsBusiness and contractual partners.
Interested parties.Communication partners.Customers.Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).