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Datenschutz

Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to briefly as “data”) we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. This privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in connection with 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 the “online offering”).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Last updated: January 14, 2026

Table of Contents

Controller

Akros Energy GmbH
Hans-Adam-Allee 1
18299 Rostock-Laage

Represented by:
Johannes Emigholz / CEO

Email address: click here

Phone: +49 381 799902 0
Fax: +49 381 79 99 02 123

Legal notice: Legal Notice

Contact for the Data Protection Officer

click here

Overview of Processing Activities

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

Types of Data Processed

  • Location data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data.
  • Log data.

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Communication partners.
  • Users.

Purposes of Processing

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

Relevant Legal Bases

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

  • Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one specific purpose or several specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR) – processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject requiring protection of personal data do not override those interests.

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

Security Measures

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

These measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to it, its input, its disclosure, ensuring its availability, and its segregation. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data, and responses to any risks to the data. We also take the protection of personal data into account already at the stage of developing or selecting hardware, software and procedures, in accordance with the principle of data protection through technology design and through privacy-friendly default settings.

Shortening of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used, and processing of the full IP address is not required, the IP address is shortened (also referred to as “IP masking”). In this process, the last two digits, or the last part of the IP address after a dot, are removed or replaced with placeholders. Shortening the IP address is intended to prevent, or substantially impede, the identification of a person based on their IP address.

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

International Data Transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we transfer data to a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or if this occurs in connection with the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies (which becomes apparent from the postal address of the respective provider, or where the privacy policy explicitly refers to the transfer of data to third countries), this is always done in accordance with legal requirements.

For data transfers to the USA, we primarily rely on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a secure legal framework by an adequacy decision of the EU Commission dated 10 July 2023. In addition, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with the respective providers, which comply with the requirements of the EU Commission and establish contractual obligations to protect your data.

This two-fold safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: the DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as an additional safeguard. Should changes occur within the framework of the DPF, the standard contractual clauses serve as a reliable fallback option. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected at all times, even in the event of political or legal changes.

For each individual service provider, we inform you whether they are certified under the DPF and whether standard contractual clauses are in place. Further information on the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English).

For data transfers to other third countries, corresponding safeguards apply, in particular standard contractual clauses, explicit consent, or transfers required by law. Information on third-country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or no other legal grounds for processing exist. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule apply where legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of the data.

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

Our privacy notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing activities.

Where multiple retention periods or deletion deadlines are specified for a given piece of data, the longest period always applies. Data that is no longer retained for its originally intended purpose, but rather due to legal requirements or other reasons, is processed by us exclusively for the reasons that justify its retention.

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply for retention and archiving under German law:

  • 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet, as well as the working instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (Section 147 (1) No. 1 in conjunction with (3) of the German Fiscal Code (AO), Section 14b (1) of the German VAT Act (UStG), Section 257 (1) No. 1 in conjunction with (4) of the German Commercial Code (HGB)).
  • 8 years – Accounting vouchers, such as invoices and cost receipts (Section 147 (1) No. 4 and 4a in conjunction with (3) sentence 1 AO, and Section 257 (1) No. 4 in conjunction with (4) HGB).
  • 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, other documents insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labelling, but also payroll documents insofar as they are not already accounting vouchers, and cash register tapes (Section 147 (1) No. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with (3) AO, Section 257 (1) No. 2 and 3 in conjunction with (4) HGB).
  • 3 years – Data required to take into account potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights, and to process related inquiries, based on past business experience and common industry practice, is stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (Sections 195, 199 of the German Civil Code (BGB)).

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

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, arising in particular from Articles 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right to object: You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6 (1)(e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. Where personal data concerning you is processed for the purposes of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent given at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed, and to access this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to demand that data concerning you be deleted without delay, or, alternatively, in accordance with legal requirements, to demand a restriction of the processing of the data.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have provided to us, in accordance with legal requirements, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, or to request that it be transmitted to another controller.
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the requirements of the GDPR.

Provision of the Online Offering and Web Hosting

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

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of visit, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (e.g. logfiles regarding logins, data retrieval, or access times.).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical equipment (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

  • Provision of the online offering on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offering, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also referred to as a “web host”); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).
  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful retrieval, the browser type and version, the user’s operating system, the referrer URL (the previously visited page), and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. Server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (particularly in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Logfile information is stored for a maximum period of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further retention is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been conclusively clarified.
  • Mittwald: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KG, Königsberger Straße 4-6, 32339 Espelkamp, Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.mittwald.de; Privacy policy: https://www.mittwald.de/datenschutz. Data processing agreement: https://www.mittwald.de/faq/service-informationen/faq/datenschutz-alles-wichtige-zur-dsgvo.

Use of Cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store information on users’ devices and read information from them. Cookies can also be used for a variety of purposes, such as the functionality, security and convenience of online offerings, as well as the creation of analyses of visitor traffic. We use cookies in accordance with legal requirements. Where necessary, we obtain the prior consent of users. If consent is not required, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies where the storage and reading of information is essential in order to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, the storage of settings as well as ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. We provide clear information about its scope and which cookies are used.

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

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

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

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

  • Types of data processed: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (a) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a consent management solution to obtain users’ consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers named within the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage and withdraw consents, in particular relating to the use of cookies and comparable technologies used to store, read and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consents for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing operations and providers named in the consent management procedure, are obtained. Users also have the option of managing and withdrawing their consents. Consent declarations are stored in order to avoid repeated queries and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage takes place server-side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies, in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. Unless specific information on the providers of consent management services is available, the following general information applies: consent is stored for up to two years. In this process, a pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g. the categories of cookies and/or service providers concerned), and information about the browser, system and end device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (a) GDPR).
  • BorlabsCookie: Storage and management of consents (consent to cookies and data processing), logging of user decisions, display of information on data protection and cookies, enabling users to withdraw or adjust consents; Service provider: executed on servers and/or computers under our own data protection responsibility; Website: https://de.borlabs.io/borlabs-cookie/. Further information: An individual user ID, language, as well as the types of consent given and the time they were given, are stored server-side and in a cookie on the user’s device.

Contact and Inquiry Management

When contacting us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media), as well as in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the inquiring parties is processed insofar as this is necessary to respond to the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via an online form). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR). Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (b) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, by email, or through other means of communication, we process the personal data transmitted to us in order to respond to and process the respective inquiry. This generally includes details such as name, contact information and, where applicable, further information communicated to us that is required for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of making contact and communication; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).

Web Analytics, Monitoring and Optimization

Web analytics (also referred to as “reach measurement”) is used to evaluate the visitor flows of our online offering and may include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, determine at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or invite renewed use. We are also able to identify which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analytics, we may also use testing procedures, for example to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles – i.e. data combined in relation to a usage process – may be created for these purposes, and information may be stored in, and subsequently read from, a browser or end device. The information collected includes in particular the websites visited and the elements used there, as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used, and information on usage times. Where users have consented to the collection of their location data, either to us or to the providers of the services we use, the processing of location data is also possible.

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

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

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of visit, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors). Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

  • Matomo (without cookies): Matomo is a privacy-friendly web analytics software that is used without cookies and in which the recognition of returning users takes place with the help of a so-called “digital fingerprint,” which is stored in anonymized form and changed every 24 hours; with the “digital fingerprint,” user movements within our online offering are recorded using pseudonymized IP addresses in combination with the user’s browser settings in such a way that conclusions about the identity of individual users are not possible. Data collected as part of the use of Matomo is processed only by us and is not shared with third parties; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR); Website: https://matomo.org/. Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).

Presence on Social Networks (Social Media)

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

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

Furthermore, the data of users within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles may be created based on usage behavior and the resulting interests of users. These profiles may in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For this purpose, cookies are generally stored on users’ computers, in which the usage behavior and interests of users are stored. In addition, data may also be stored in usage profiles independently of the devices used by users (particularly if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the objection options (opt-out), please refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

Even in the case of requests for information and the exercise of data subject rights, we point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data in each case and can take appropriate measures directly and provide information. Should you nevertheless require assistance, you can contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of visit, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via an online form). Public relations.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

  • LinkedIn: Social network – We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for the collection (but not the further processing) of visitor data used to create the “Page Insights” (statistics) for our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, as well as the actions they take. Details about the devices used are also collected, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings and cookie data, as well as information from user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Privacy information regarding LinkedIn’s processing of user data can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy notices: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have entered into a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland (the “Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”, https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures LinkedIn must observe, and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfil the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, submit requests for information or deletion directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. The joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transmission of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), standard contractual clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa). Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
  • YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Plug-ins and Embedded Functions and Content

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

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

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

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of visit, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, persons involved). Location data (information on the geographic position of a device or a person).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g. interest-/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); audience formation. Marketing.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information provided in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years.).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing activities, procedures and services:

Changes and Updates

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

Where we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that addresses may change over time, and we ask that you verify the details before making contact.

Definitions

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Insofar as the terms are legally defined, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding.

  • Content data: Content data comprises information generated in the course of creating, editing and publishing content of all kinds. This category of data may include text, images, videos, audio files and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content itself, but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information and publication dates
  • Contact data: Contact data is essential information that enables communication with individuals or organizations. It includes, among other things, telephone numbers, postal addresses and email addresses, as well as means of communication such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data: Meta, communication and procedural data are categories that contain information about the manner in which data is processed, transmitted and managed. Metadata, also known as data about data, comprises information describing the context, origin and structure of other data. It may include details such as file size, creation date, the author of a document, and revision history. Communication data records the exchange of information between users through various channels, such as email correspondence, call logs, messages on social networks and chat histories, including the persons involved, timestamps and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and workflows within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review processes.
  • Usage data: Usage data refers to information that records how users interact with digital products, services or platforms. This data encompasses a wide range of information showing how users use applications, which functions they prefer, how long they spend on certain pages, and the paths they take through an application. Usage data may also include the frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information and location data. It is particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences and potential problem areas within digital offerings
  • Personal data: “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); a natural person is considered identifiable who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. a cookie), or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiles with user-related information: The processing of “profiles with user-related information,” or “profiles” for short, encompasses any type of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may involve different information relating to demographics, behavior and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website, or location). Cookies and web beacons are frequently used for profiling purposes.
  • Log data: Log data is information about events or activities that have been logged in a system or network. This data typically includes information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data is often used to analyze system problems, for security monitoring, or to create performance reports.
  • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the visitor flows of an online offering and may include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offerings can, for example, determine at what time users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This allows them, for example, to better adapt website content to the needs of their visitors. For the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are frequently used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more accurate analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Location data: Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical prerequisites for location determination) connects to a cell tower, WLAN, or similar technical means and functions for location determination. Location data serves to indicate the geographically determinable position on Earth at which the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
  • Tracking: “Tracking” refers to the ability to trace the behavior of users across multiple online offerings. As a rule, behavioral and interest information relating to the online offerings used is stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of the tracking technologies (so-called profiling). This information can subsequently be used, for example, to show users advertisements that are likely to correspond to their interests.
  • Controller: “Controller” refers to 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” is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers virtually any handling of data, whether collecting, evaluating, storing, transmitting or deleting it.
  • Audience formation: Audience formation (in English “custom audiences”) refers to the determination of target groups for advertising purposes, e.g. for the display of advertisements. For example, based on a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the internet, it can be inferred that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or for the online shop in which they viewed the products. “Lookalike audiences” (or similar target groups), in turn, refers to content deemed suitable being shown to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are generally used for the purposes of creating custom audiences and lookalike audiences.