Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also briefly referred to as "data") that 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 the context of providing our services and especially on our websites, in mobile applications, as well as 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.

Status: May 6, 2026

Table of Contents

Controller

Till Hagen Hoffmann, Unter St. Clemens 2/4, 42651 Solingen

Phone: 015756324059

Email address: info@tillhagenhoffmann.de

Phone: 015756324059

Legal notice: https://tillhagenhoffmann.de/impressum.php

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 Processed Data

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

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Employees.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Third parties.
  • Whistleblowers.

Purposes of Processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Target group formation.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Whistleblower protection.
  • 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 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 establishment. Furthermore, should more specific legal bases be applicable in individual cases, we will inform you of these in this privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR) - The data subject has given consent to the processing of personal data concerning them for one or more specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR) - Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c GDPR) - Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 the 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. These include in particular the Act on Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special provisions on the right of access, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission, as well as automated decision-making in individual cases including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Security Measures

In accordance with the legal requirements and taking into account the state of the art, implementation costs, and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we implement 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 concerning the data, its input, transfer, securing availability and separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. In addition, we already consider the protection of personal data during the development or selection of hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection through technology design and privacy-friendly default settings.

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

Transfer of Personal Data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may occur that such data is transferred to or disclosed to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units or individuals. Recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers entrusted with IT tasks or providers of services and content integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

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 as part of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, entities or companies (which can be identified by the postal address of the respective provider or if the privacy policy explicitly refers to data transfers to third countries), this is always carried out in accordance with the legal requirements.

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

This dual safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: the DPF constitutes the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as an additional safeguard. Should any changes occur within the framework of the DPF, the standard contractual clauses act as a reliable fallback option. In this way, we ensure that your data remains adequately protected even in the event of political or legal changes.

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

For data transfers to other third countries, appropriate safeguards apply, in particular standard contractual clauses, explicit consent or legally required transfers. Information on third-country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the European 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 the legal provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or no further legal basis for the processing exists. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of the data.

In particular, data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal prosecution or for the protection of the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

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

If several retention periods or deletion deadlines are specified for a particular date, the longest period shall always apply. Data that is no longer retained for the originally intended purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons will only be processed for the reasons that justify its retention.

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

  • 10 years - Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, as well as work instructions and other organizational documents necessary for their understanding (§ 147 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 8 years - Accounting documents, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. 3 sentence 1 AO as well as § 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 6 years - Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, other documents relevant for taxation, such as wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents insofar as they are not already accounting records, and cash register receipts (§ 147 para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related inquiries, based on previous business experience and common industry practices, are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Beginning of the period at the end of the year: If a period does not explicitly begin on a specific date and is at least one year long, it automatically starts at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships within which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the time at which the termination or other ending of the legal relationship becomes effective.

Rights of Data Subjects

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

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

Provision of the Online Offering and Web Hosting

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

  • Types of Processed Data: Usage data (e.g. page views and duration of visits, 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, involved persons); log data (e.g. log files concerning logins or access to data or access times). Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as related information, such as details about authorship or the time of creation).
  • Data Subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing and Legitimate Interests: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices such as 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further Information on Processing Operations, Procedures and Services:

  • Provision of 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 retrieved web pages and files, date and time of retrieval, transferred data volumes, notification of successful retrieval, browser type and version, the users operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), and usually IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, known as DDoS attacks), and on the other hand to ensure the utilization and stability of the servers; Legal Bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Deletion of Data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further retention is required for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
  • Email Dispatch and Hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the sending, receiving and storage of emails. For these purposes, the addresses of recipients and senders as well as further information concerning email dispatch (e.g. the involved providers) and the contents of the respective emails are processed. The aforementioned data may also be processed for the purpose of detecting SPAM. Please note that emails on the Internet are generally not sent encrypted. As a rule, emails are encrypted during transmission, but (unless end-to-end encryption is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. Therefore, we cannot assume responsibility for the transmission path of emails between the sender and receipt on our server; Legal Bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
  • Checkdomain: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities); Service Provider: checkdomain GmbH, a dogado group company, Große Burgstraße 27/29, 23552 Lübeck, Germany; Legal Bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.checkdomain.de/; Privacy Policy: https://www.checkdomain.de/agb/datenschutz/. Data Processing Agreement: Provided by the service provider.

Use of Cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store information on users’ end devices and read information from them. Cookies may also be used for various purposes, such as ensuring the functionality, security, and convenience of online services as well as creating analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Where required, we obtain users’ consent in advance. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when the storage and reading of information is essential in order to provide explicitly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, storing settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering. Consent may be revoked at any time. We clearly inform users about its scope and which cookies are used.

Information 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, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

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

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

General Information on Revocation and Objection (Opt-out): Users may revoke the consent they have given at any time and may also object to processing in accordance with legal requirements, including via the privacy settings of their browser.

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

Further Information on Processing Operations, Procedures and Services:

  • Processing of Cookie Data Based on Consent: We use a consent management solution through which users’ consent for the use of cookies or the procedures and providers specified within the consent management solution is obtained. This procedure serves the purpose of obtaining, logging, managing and revoking consent, particularly in relation to the use of cookies and comparable technologies used for storing, reading and processing information on users’ end devices. Within the scope of this procedure, users’ consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing operations and providers named within the consent management procedure. Users also have the option to manage and revoke their consent. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid repeated requests and 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 assign the consent to a specific user or their device. Unless specific information about the providers of consent management services is available, the following general information applies: The storage duration of the consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored together with the time of consent, information about the scope of the consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers), as well as information about the browser, system and device used; Legal Bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR).

Registration, Login and User Account

Users may create a user account. During registration, users are informed about the required mandatory information, which is processed for the purpose of providing the user account on the basis of contractual obligations. The processed data particularly includes login information (username, password and an email address).

Within the scope of using our registration and login functions as well as the use of the user account, we store the IP address and the time of the respective user action. The storage takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests as well as those of the users in protection against misuse and other unauthorized use. As a rule, this data is not disclosed to third parties unless it is necessary for the enforcement of our claims or there is a legal obligation to do so.

Users may be informed via email about processes relevant to their user account, such as technical changes.

  • Types of Processed Data: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as related information, such as details about authorship or the time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and duration of visits, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Log data (e.g. log files concerning logins or access to data or access times).
  • Data Subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing and Legitimate Interests: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; security measures; organizational and administrative procedures. 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". Deletion after termination.
  • Legal Bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further Information on Processing Operations, Procedures and Services:

  • Registration with Pseudonyms: Users may use pseudonyms instead of real names as usernames; Legal Bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
  • User Profiles Are Not Public: User profiles are not publicly visible or accessible.
  • Deletion of Data After Termination: If users terminate their user account, their data relating to the user account will be deleted, subject to legal permission, obligation or user consent; Legal Bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
  • No Obligation to Retain Data: Users are responsible for securing their data before the end of the contract after termination. We are entitled to irretrievably delete all data stored during the contract period; Legal Bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).

Contact and Inquiry Management

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

  • Types of processed data: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or the time of creation). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing and legitimate interests: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, by email or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us for the purpose of responding to and handling the respective request. This generally includes information such as name, contact information and, if applicable, further information communicated to us and required for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 most frequently used or encourage reuse. Likewise, we are able to identify which areas require optimization.

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

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

In addition, users IP addresses are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) are stored within the framework 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 purpose of the respective procedures.

Information 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. interest in efficient, economical and user-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 processed data: Usage data (e.g. page views and duration of stay, 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, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing and legitimate interests: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users devices for a period of two years).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering on the basis of a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage processes, which search terms they used, accessed again or interacted with our online offering. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online offering and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers.
    Pseudonymous user profiles are created using information from the use of various devices, whereby cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU data traffic, IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before being immediately deleted. It is not logged, accessible or used for any other purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms); Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, ad display settings: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and processed data).

Presences 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.

Please note that user data may be processed outside the territory of the European Union. This may result in risks for users, as for example the enforcement of user rights could become more difficult.

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

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the objection options (opt-out), we 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 assertion of data subject rights, we would like to point out that these can most effectively be exercised with the providers themselves. Only the latter have access to the user data and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. Should you still require assistance, you may contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details regarding authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and duration of visits, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, 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 and legitimate interests: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online forms). Public relations.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion".
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Instagram: Social network enabling the sharing of photos and videos, commenting and liking posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Facebook Pages: Profiles within the Facebook social network - The controller is jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection and transfer of data from visitors to our Facebook page ("Fanpage"). This includes in particular information about user behavior (e.g. viewed or interacted content, actions taken) and device information (e.g. IP address, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data). Further details can be found in Facebooks Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Facebook also uses this data to provide us with statistical evaluations via the "Page Insights" service, which provide information about how people interact with our page and its content. The basis for this is an agreement with Facebook ("Page Insights Information": https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates, among other things, security measures and the exercise of data subject rights. Further information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. Users may therefore direct requests for information or deletion directly to Facebook. The rights of users (in particular access, deletion, objection, complaint to a supervisory authority) remain unaffected. Joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of data by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (EU). Further processing, including any transfer to Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA, is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum).
  • 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) of our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, and 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 LinkedIns processing of user data can be found in LinkedIns privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have concluded a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland ("Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum", https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfil the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send access or deletion requests directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to access, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transfer 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, particularly with regard to the transfer of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 as well as 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 city maps (hereinafter collectively referred to as “content”).

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the users IP addresses, since without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to the users browsers. The IP address is therefore required for the display of this content or these functions. We strive to use only such content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for delivering 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. Through these “pixel tags”, information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website can be analyzed. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the users devices and may include, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and further details regarding the use of our online offering, and may also be linked with such information from other sources.

Information 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. interest in efficient, economical and user-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. page views and duration of visits, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing and legitimate interests: 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); Target group formation. Marketing.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users devices for a period of two years.).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Google Fonts (hosted on own server): Provision of font files for a user-friendly presentation of our online offering; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transferred to Google; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
  • OpenStreetMap: We integrate the maps of the "OpenStreetMap" service, which are offered by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) on the basis of the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL). User data is used by OpenStreetMap exclusively for the purpose of displaying the map functions and temporarily storing selected settings. This data may include in particular users IP addresses and location data, which are not collected without their consent (usually as part of the settings of their devices or browsers); Service provider: OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.openstreetmap.de. Privacy Policy: https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy.
  • YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Ad settings: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.
  • YouTube videos: Videos stored on YouTube are embedded within our online offering. The integration of these YouTube videos takes place via a special domain using the “youtube-nocookie” component in the so-called “enhanced privacy mode”. In “enhanced privacy mode”, only information including your IP address as well as details about your browser and device may be stored on your device in cookies or by comparable methods before the video is started, which YouTube requires for displaying, controlling and optimizing the video display. Once you play the videos, additional information for analyzing usage behavior as well as storage in user profiles and personalization of content and advertisements by YouTube may be processed. The storage duration for cookies may be up to two years; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780?hl=de-DE#zippy=%2Cturn-on-privacy-enhanced-mode%2Cerweiterten-datenschutzmodus-aktivieren.

Changes and Updates

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the contents of our privacy policy. We adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing activities carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require any action on your part (e.g. consent) or any other individual notification.

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