Privacy policy

Privacy Policy

 

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of personal data (hereinafter also referred to as ‘data’) we process, for what purposes and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and, in particular, on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘online offering’).

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: 7 June 2025

Table of contents

Responsible

Michael Kirklies

Elbchaussee 272a

22605 Hamburg

Email address: discover@exploringartist.blog

Imprint

Overview of processing

The following overview summarises the types of data processed and the purposes for which they are processed and refers to the data subjects.

Types of data processed

  • Inventory 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.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Target group formation.
  • Organisational 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 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. If more specific legal bases are applicable in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the 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 him or her for one or more specific purposes.
  • Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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 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, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains, in particular, special provisions on 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 transfer, as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Reference to the applicability of the GDPR and the Swiss DSG: This privacy policy serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss DSG and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, please note that the terms used in the GDPR are used due to their broader geographical application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms ‘processing’ of ‘personal data’, ‘overriding interest’ and ‘sensitive personal data’ used in the Swiss Data Protection Act, the terms “processing” of ‘personal data’, ‘legitimate interest’ and ‘special categories of data’ used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined in accordance with the Swiss DSG within the scope of its applicability.

Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of the processing as well as the likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

These measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, transfer, security of availability and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure that data subjects can exercise their rights, that data is deleted and that responses are provided in the event of a threat to the data. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account during the development and selection of hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technical design and data protection-friendly default settings.

Securing online connections with TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): We use TLS/SSL encryption technology to protect user data transmitted via our online services from unauthorised access. 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), protecting the data from unauthorised access. TLS, as the advanced and more 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 encrypted.

Transfer of personal data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it may happen that this data is transferred to other bodies, companies, legally independent organisational units or persons or disclosed to them. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data to ensure that your data is protected.

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 the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, organisations or companies (which can be identified by the postal address of the respective provider or if the data protection declaration expressly refers to the transfer of data to third countries), this is done in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations. transferring data to other persons, bodies or companies (which can be identified by the postal address of the respective provider or if the privacy policy expressly refers to the transfer of data to third countries), this is always done in accordance with the legal requirements.

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

This double safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: The DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as additional security. Should changes arise within the framework of the DPF, the standard contractual clauses will serve 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.

We will inform you whether individual service providers 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).

Appropriate security measures, in particular standard contractual clauses, express consent or transfers required by law, apply to data transfers to other third countries. Information on transfers to third countries 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 the statutory provisions as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there are no further legal grounds for processing. 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 apply if legal obligations or special interests require longer storage or archiving of the data.

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

Our privacy policy contains additional information on the storage and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing operations.

If there are several specifications regarding the storage period or deletion periods for a piece of data, the longest period shall always apply.

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

Data that is no longer required for the original purpose but is retained due to legal requirements or other reasons will be processed by us exclusively for the reasons that justify its retention.

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

  • Storage and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to storage and archiving in accordance with German law:
    • 10 years – retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets and the work instructions and other organisational documents necessary for their understanding (Section 147 (1) No. 1 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, Section 14b para. 1 UStG, Section 257 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
    • 8 years – Accounting documents, such as invoices and expense receipts (Section 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. 3 sentence 1 AO and § 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
    • 6 years – Other business documents: commercial or business letters received, copies of commercial or business letters sent, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. e.g. hourly wage slips, operating statements, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, unless they are already accounting documents, and cash register receipts (Section 147 (1) Nos. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with (3) AO, Section 257 (1) Nos. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
    • 3 years – Data that is necessary to consider potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related enquiries, based on previous business experience and customary industry practices, will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (Sections 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of data subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which arise 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 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 marketing; this also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
  • Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: In accordance with the 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 request that data concerning you be deleted immediately or, alternatively, in accordance with legal requirements, to request that the processing of the data be restricted.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to request that it be transferred to another controller in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority: 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 relating to you infringes the provisions of the GDPR, without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy.

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

We process user data in order to provide our online services to users. 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 dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data 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 in the section ‘General information on data storage and deletion’.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing, procedures and services:

  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called ‘server log files’. The server log files may include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to prevent server overload (especially in the case of malicious attacks, known as DDoS attacks), and to ensure server utilisation and stability. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum period of 30 days and then deleted or anonymised. Data that must be retained for further storage for evidence purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

Use of cookies

The term ‘cookies’ refers to functions that store information on users’ end devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to analyse visitor traffic. We use cookies in accordance with the legal requirements. To do this, we obtain the consent of users in advance, if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and retrieval of information is essential in order to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, the storage of settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of cookies and which cookies are used.

Information on the legal basis for data protection: 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 the storage duration, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies:

  • Temporary cookies (also known as session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online offer and closes their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. This allows, for example, the login status to be stored and preferred content to be displayed directly when the user revisits a website. The user data collected using cookies may also 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), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.

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

  • Types of data processed: Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis: 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 processes, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution that obtains the consent of users for the use of cookies or for the procedures and providers specified in the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and similar technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers specified in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The declarations of consent 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 on the server side and/or in a cookie (known as an opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information about the providers of consent management services is available, the following general information applies: The consent is stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information about the scope of consent (e.g. categories of cookies and/or service providers concerned) and information about the browser, the system and the end device used; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or similar means of online communication and publication (hereinafter referred to as ‘publication media’). Readers’ data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For further information, please refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in this privacy policy.

  • Types of data processed: 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 pictorial messages and contributions as well as information relating to them, such as information about authorship or the time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g. collection of feedback via online form); provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; security measures. Organisational and administrative procedures.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section ‘General information on data storage and deletion’.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Comments and contributions: If users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves may be prosecuted for the comment or contribution and are therefore interested in the identity of the author.
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  • Furthermore, we reserve the right to process user information for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests.
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  • On the same legal basis, we reserve the right to store the IP addresses of users for the duration of surveys and to use cookies to prevent multiple votes.
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  • The personal information provided in comments and posts, any contact and website information, as well as the content of the comments and posts, will be stored by us permanently until the user objects; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Contact and enquiry management

When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the person making the enquiry will be processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact enquiry and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: 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 pictorial messages and posts, as well as information relating to them, such as information about authorship or the time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organisational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collection of feedback via online form). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section ‘General information on data storage and deletion’.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When you contact us via our contact form, by email or other means of communication, we process the personal data you provide to respond to and process your enquiry. This usually includes information such as your name, contact details and, if applicable, other information that you provide to us and that is necessary for the appropriate processing of your enquiry. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of establishing contact and communication; Legal basis: Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Newsletter and electronic notifications

We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter referred to as ‘newsletters’) only with the consent of the recipient or on the basis of a legal basis. If the content of the newsletter is specified during registration, this content is decisive for the consent of the user. To subscribe to our newsletter, it is usually sufficient to provide your email address. However, in order to provide you with a personalised service, we may ask you to provide your name so that we can address you personally in the newsletter, or for further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the email addresses of unsubscribed users for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of potentially defending against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the event of obligations to permanently comply with objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called ‘block list’) for this purpose only.

The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it has been carried out correctly. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure delivery system.

Content:

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved). Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • Right to object (opt-out): You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Further information on processing, procedures and services:

  • Measurement of opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called ‘web beacon’, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or, if we use a mailing service provider, from their server when the newsletter is opened. During this retrieval, technical information such as information about your browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, are collected. This information is used to improve the technical performance of our newsletter based on technical data or the target groups and their reading behaviour based on their access locations (which can be determined using the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether and when the newsletters are opened and which links are clicked. The information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until deletion. The evaluations serve to identify the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. The measurement of opening and click rates and the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles – This text area must be unlocked with a Premium licence. – premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premiumtext premium Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Web analysis, monitoring and optimisation

Web analysis (also known as ‘reach measurement’) is used to evaluate visitor flows to our online offering and may include behaviour, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what times our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or invite users to reuse them. We can also identify areas that require optimisation.

In addition to web analysis, we may also use test procedures to test and optimise different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarised for a usage process, may be created for these purposes and information may be stored in a browser or on a device and then read. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and 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, the IP addresses of users are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analysis, A/B testing and optimisation, 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 data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, 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). Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Storage 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 specified, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymisation of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: 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 Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyse 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 a terminal device in order to recognise which content users have accessed within one or more usage sessions, which search terms they have used, whether they have accessed them again or interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their terminal devices and browsers.
  • Pseudonymous user profiles are created using information from the use of different devices, whereby cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographical 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 equivalents). For EU data traffic, IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before being deleted immediately. It is not logged, is not accessible and is not used for any other purpose. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymisation 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), Data Privacy Framework (DPF) standard contractual clauses ( https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms); Right to object (opt-out): Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertising: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and data processed).

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 offer information about us.

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

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on the usage behaviour and resulting interests of users. These may in turn be used to place advertisements within and outside the networks that are likely to correspond to the interests of users. For this reason, cookies are usually stored on users’ computers, in which the usage behaviour and interests of users are stored. In addition, data may also be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by users (in particular 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 options for objection (opt-out), we refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

In the event of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we would also like to point out that these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. However, if you require assistance, please contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact details (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 stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, types of devices 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. collection of feedback via online form). Public relations.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section ‘General information on data storage and deletion’.
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Instagram: Social network that allows users to share photos and videos, comment on and like posts, send messages, subscribe to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: 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), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

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 be graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter referred to uniformly as ‘content’).

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content or these functions. We endeavour to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the delivery of the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as ‘web beacons’) for statistical or marketing purposes. 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 technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of our online offer, but may also be linked to 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 length of stay, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; measurement of reach (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g. interest-based/behavioural profiling, use of cookies); target group formation. Marketing.
  • Storage 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 specified, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years).
  • Legal basis: 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 processes, procedures and services:

  • Google Fonts (obtained from Google Server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to topicality and loading times, their uniform display and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The IP address of the user is communicated to the font provider so that the fonts can be made available in the user’s browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment are transmitted. This data may be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA. When you visit our online offering, your browser sends HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e. a software interface for retrieving fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) from Google Fonts and then the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the respective user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent, which describes the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the referrer URL (i.e. the website on which the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers and are not analysed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of the HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent and referrer URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wishes to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. With the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must customise the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is primarily logged for debugging purposes and used to generate aggregated usage statistics that measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts ‘Analytics’ page. Finally, the referral URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests can be generated. According to its own information, Google does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to serve targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Further information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
  • YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: 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), Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Right to object (opt-out): Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Created with the free Datenschutz-Generator.de by Dr. Thomas Schwenke

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