We are very pleased about your interest in our company. Data protection is of particular importance to our management. The use of our websites is generally possible without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to take advantage of special services of our company via our website, the processing of personal data may become necessary. If the processing of personal data is required and no legal basis for such processing exists, we will generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in compliance with the applicable national data protection regulations. With this privacy statement, our company would like to inform the public about the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use, and process. In addition, data subjects are informed about their rights.

We, as the data controller, have implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure as complete a protection as possible of the personal data processed via this website. Nevertheless, data transmissions over the Internet can in principle have security gaps, so that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.

1. Definitions

This privacy statement is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy statement shall be easy to read and understand for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. In order to ensure this, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.

Among other things, we use the following terms in this privacy statement:

• a) Personal Data

  Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter "data subject"). An identifiable natural person is one 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 or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

• b) Data Subject

  A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the data controller.

• c) Processing

  Processing means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

• d) Restriction of Processing

  Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.

• e) Profiling

  Profiling means any type of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements.

• f) Pseudonymization

  Pseudonymization means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

• g) Controller or Data Controller

  The controller or data 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. Where the purposes and means of such processing are laid down by Union or Member State law, the controller or controllers may be determined by reference to criteria laid down in Union or Member State law.

• h) Processor

  A processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

• i) Recipient

  A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, irrespective of whether it is a third party. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.

• j) Third Party

  A third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and the persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.

• k) Consent

  Consent means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and Address of the Data Controller

The data controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union, and other provisions on data protection of a similar nature is:

3. Cookies

The websites use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored and saved on a computer system via an internet browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a string of characters by which websites and servers can be assigned to the specific internet browser in which the cookie is stored. This enables the visited websites and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other browsers that contain different cookies. A specific internet browser can be recognized and identified by the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, we can provide users of our website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the setting of cookies.

With the help of a cookie, the information and offers on our website can be optimized in the interests of the user. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognize the users of our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to enter his login details every time he visits the website, because this is taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the shopping cart cookie in an online shop. The online shop remembers the items that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart via a cookie.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. In addition, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common internet browsers. If the data subject disables the setting of cookies in the internet browser used, it may not be possible to use all functions of our website to the full extent.

4. Collection of General Data and Information

With each call to the website by a data subject or an automated system, the website collects a series of general data and information. These general data and information are stored in the server’s log files. The following may be recorded: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reached our website (so-called referrers), (4) the sub-pages which are accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of an access to the website, (6) an internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information which are used for the purpose of preventing attacks on our information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, no conclusions are drawn about the data subject. These data are needed to (1) deliver the contents of our website correctly, (2) optimize the contents of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the continuous functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities, in the event of a cyber attack, with the necessary information for prosecution. The anonymously collected data and information are therefore evaluated by us statistically and also with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company in order to ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data from the server log files are stored separately from any personal data provided by a data subject.

5. Contact Possibility via the Website

Due to legal provisions, the website contains information that allows for quick electronic contact with our company as well as immediate communication with us, which also includes a general address for so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the data controller by e-mail or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Such personal data, provided on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the data controller, are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. These personal data will not be passed on to third parties.

6. Routine Deletion and Blocking of Personal Data

The data controller processes and stores personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or as provided by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the data controller is subject.

If the purpose of storage ceases to exist or a retention period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the legal regulations.

7. Rights of the Data Subject

• a) Right to Confirmation

  Every data subject has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to obtain confirmation from the data controller as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to confirmation, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time.

• b) Right to Access

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to obtain free information from the data controller about the personal data concerning him or her and a copy of that information at any time. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject the right to information regarding the following:

  • the purposes of the processing
  • the categories of personal data that are processed
  • the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations
  • if possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored, or if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
  • the existence of the right to request rectification or deletion of the personal data concerning the data subject or restriction of processing of the personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing
  • the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
  • if the personal data are not collected from the data subject: all available information about their source
  • the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, in accordance with Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

  Furthermore, the data subject has the right to know whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. Where this is the case, the data subject shall have the right to obtain information about the appropriate safeguards relating to such transfers.

  If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time.

• c) Right to Rectification

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to have the personal data concerning him or her rectified without undue delay. In addition, the data subject has the right, considering the purposes of the processing, to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of a supplementary statement.

  If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to rectification, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time.

• d) Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to require that the personal data concerning him or her be erased without undue delay, provided that one of the following grounds applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

  • The personal data were collected for purposes for which they are no longer necessary.
  • The data subject withdraws his or her consent on which the processing is based under Article 6(1)(a) or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
  • The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
  • The personal data have been processed unlawfully.
  • The erasure of the personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of services of the information society as referred to in Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

  If one of the aforementioned reasons applies and a data subject wishes to initiate the deletion of personal data stored with us, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time. The data protection officer or another employee will ensure that the deletion request is complied with immediately.

  If the personal data have been made public and our company is obliged, as the controller, to erase the personal data in accordance with Article 17(1) of the GDPR, we will take appropriate measures, taking into account the available technology and the implementation costs, including technical measures, to inform other data controllers who process the published personal data that the data subject has requested the deletion of all links to these personal data or copies or replications of these personal data, insofar as the processing is not necessary. The data protection officer or another employee will arrange for the necessary measures on a case-by-case basis.

• e) Right to Restriction of Processing

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to require the controller to restrict the processing of personal data if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, and for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
  • The processing is unlawful, the data subject opposes the deletion of the personal data and requests instead the restriction of their use.
  • The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
  • The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

  If one of the above conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored with us, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time. The data protection officer or another employee will initiate the restriction of processing.

• f) Right to Data Portability

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. In addition, the data subject has the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data have been provided, provided that the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR and that the processing is carried out by automated means, insofar as the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

  Furthermore, when exercising the right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, insofar as this is technically feasible and provided that it does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of other persons.

  To exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact the designated data protection officer or any other employee at any time.

• g) Right to Object

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to object at any time, for reasons arising from his or her particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning him or her which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

  If the data subject objects to the processing, we will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing is for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

  If we process personal data for the purpose of direct marketing, the data subject shall have the right at any time to object to the processing of personal data for the purpose of such marketing, including profiling where it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to the processing for direct marketing purposes, we will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

  In addition, the data subject has the right, for reasons arising from his or her particular situation, to object to the processing of personal data concerning him or her which is carried out for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

  To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact the data protection officer or any other employee directly. In addition, the data subject is free to exercise his or her right to object through automated means in connection with the use of information society services, regardless of Directive 2002/58/EC, using technical specifications.

• h) Automated Individual Decision-Making, Including Profiling

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, unless the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

  If the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller or (2) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent, we will take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data subject, which shall include at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view, and to contest the decision.

  If the data subject wishes to assert rights in relation to automated decision-making, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time.

• i) Right to Withdraw a Data Protection Consent

  Every data subject whose personal data are processed has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to withdraw his or her consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

  If the data subject wishes to exercise his or her right to withdraw consent, he or she may contact our data protection officer or any other employee of the data controller at any time.

8. Data Protection Provisions Regarding the Use of Facebook

The data controller has integrated components of the company Facebook on this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community that generally enables users to communicate with each other and interact in the virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences or enable the online community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Facebook allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos, and connect through friend requests.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. For the processing of personal data, if a data subject lives outside the USA or Canada, the data controller is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With each call to an individual page of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) has been integrated, the data subject’s internet browser is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a representation of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be obtained at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE. In the context of this technical procedure, Facebook becomes aware of which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognizes with each call of our website by the data subject, and during the entire duration of the visit to our website, which specific subpage is being visited by the data subject. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Facebook buttons integrated on our website, for example the "Like" button, or leaves a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the data subject’s personal Facebook account and stores these personal data.