Privacy Policy

VergeLink - Industrial Data Acquisition > Privacy Policy

We are very pleased about your interest in our company. Data protection is of a particularly high priority for the management of VergeLink GmbH. The use of the Internet pages of the VergeLink GmbH is possible without any indication of personal data. However, if a data subject wants to use special services of our enterprise via our website, processing of personal data could become necessary. If processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, 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 shall always be in line with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to the VergeLink GmbH. By means of this data protection declaration, our enterprise would like to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed of their rights by means of this data protection declaration.

As the controller, the VergeLink GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, Internet-based data transmissions can always be vulnerable to security risks, 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

The data protection declaration of VergeLink GmbH is based on the terms used by the European Directive and Ordinance when issuing the General Data Protection Regulation (DS-GVO). Our data protection declaration should be easy to read and understand for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terminology used in advance.

We use the following terms, among others, in this data protection declaration:

  • a) Personal dataPersonal 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 subjectData subject means any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data are processed by the controller.
  • c) ProcessingProcessing means any operation or set of operations which is performed upon personal data, whether or not by automatic means, such as collection, recording, organization, filing, 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 processingRestriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their future processing.
  • e) ProfilingProfiling is any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects relating to that natural person’s job performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or change of location.
  • f) PseudonymizationPseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a way 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 separate and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
  • g) Controller or data controllerThe controller or data processor 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 determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its designation may be provided for under Union or Member State law.
  • h) ProcessorProcessor means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
  • i) RecipientRecipient means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body to whom personal data are disclosed, whether or not a third party. However, public authorities that may receive personal data in the context of a specific investigative task under Union or Member State law shall not be considered as recipients.
  • j) Third PartyThird party means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body other than the Data Subject, the Controller, the Processor and the persons authorized to process the Personal Data under the direct responsibility of the Controller or the Processor.
  • k) ConsentConsent shall mean any indication of intention given voluntarily by the data subject for the specific case in an informed and unambiguous manner in the form of a statement or any other unambiguous affirmative act by which the data subject indicates that he or she consents to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and address of the controller

The 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 with data protection character is:

VergeLink GmbH

Jahnstrasse 23

89168 Niederstotzingen

Germany

Tel.: 00491732778439

E-mail: info@vergelink.io

Website: www.vergelink.io

3. Cookies

The internet pages of VergeLink GmbH use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored on a computer system via an Internet browser.

Numerous Internet pages 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 Internet pages and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the visited Internet pages and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognized and identified via the unique cookie ID.

Through the use of cookies, the GmbH can provide the users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the cookie setting.

By means of a cookie, the information and offers on our website can be optimized for the user. Cookies enable us, as already mentioned, to recognize the users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter his or her access data each time he or she visits the website, because this is handled by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online store. The online store 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. Furthermore, 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 deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be fully usable.

4. Collection of general data and information

The website of the VergeLink GmbH collects a series of general data and information with each call-up of the website by a data subject or automated system. This general data and information is stored in the log files of the server. The following data may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system accesses our website (so-called referrer), (4) the sub-websites that 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 that serve to avert danger in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, the VergeLink GmbH does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed (1) to deliver the contents of our website correctly, (2) to optimize the contents of our website and the advertising for these, (3) to ensure the long-term functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) to provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyber attack. Therefore, the VergeLink GmbH analyzes anonymously collected data and information on one hand, and on the other hand, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise so that we can ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from any personal data submitted by a data subject.

5. Registration on our website

The data subject has the possibility to register on the website of the controller by providing personal data. Which personal data is transmitted to the controller in the process results from the respective input mask used for the registration. The personal data entered by the data subject are collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for its own purposes. The controller may arrange for the data to be transferred to one or more processors, for example a parcel service provider, who will also use the personal data exclusively for an internal use attributable to the controller.

By registering on the website of the controller, the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) of the data subject, the date as well as the time of registration are also stored. The storage of this data takes place against the background that only in this way can the misuse of our services be prevented and, if necessary, this data makes it possible to clarify committed crimes. In this respect, the storage of this data is necessary for the protection of the data controller. As a matter of principle, this data is not passed on to third parties unless there is a legal obligation to pass it on or the passing on serves the purpose of criminal prosecution.

The registration of the data subject by voluntarily providing personal data serves the purpose of the controller to offer the data subject content or services which, due to the nature of the matter, can only be offered to registered users. Registered persons are free to modify the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have it completely deleted from the data stock of the controller.

The controller shall provide any data subject at any time upon request with information about what personal data is stored about the data subject. Furthermore, the controller shall correct or delete personal data at the request or indication of the data subject, provided that this does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations. The entire staff of the controller shall be available to the data subject as contact persons in this context.

6. Subscription to our newsletter

On the website of the VergeLink GmbH, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our enterprise’s newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the controller when the newsletter is subscribed to is specified in the input mask used for this purpose.

The VergeLink GmbH informs its customers and business partners at regular intervals by means of a newsletter about enterprise offers. The newsletter of our enterprise can basically only be received by the data subject, if (1) the data subject has a valid e-mail address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter mailing. For legal reasons, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address entered by a data subject for the first time for newsletter dispatch using the double opt-in procedure. This confirmation e-mail serves to verify whether the owner of the e-mail address as the data subject has authorized the receipt of the newsletter.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address of the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP), as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to be able to trace the (possible) misuse of the e-mail address of a data subject at a later point in time and therefore serves the legal protection of the controller.

The personal data collected in the context of a registration for the newsletter are used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers to the newsletter could be informed by e-mail if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or a related registration, as could be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offer or changes in the technical circumstances. No personal data collected as part of the newsletter service will be passed on to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter can be cancelled by the data subject at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data that the data subject has given us for the newsletter mailing can be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revoking consent, a corresponding link can be found in each newsletter. Furthermore, it is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter mailing directly on the website of the controller at any time or to notify the controller of this in another way.

7. Newsletter tracking

The newsletters of VergeLink GmbH contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic that is embedded in such emails that are sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and log file analysis. This enables a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the VergeLink GmbH may see if and when an e-mail was opened by a data subject, and which links in the e-mail were called up by the data subject.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixel contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimize the newsletter dispatch and to better tailor the content of future newsletters to the interests of the data subject. This personal data will not be disclosed to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to revoke the separate declaration of consent given in this regard via the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation, this personal data will be deleted by the controller. The VergeLink GmbH automatically regards a withdrawal from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.

8. Contact possibility via the website

Based on statutory provisions, the website of the VergeLink GmbH contains information that enables a quick electronic contact to our enterprise, as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by e-mail or by using a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject will be stored automatically. Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the controller will be stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no disclosure of this personal data to third parties.

9. Comment function in the blog on the Internet site

The VergeLink GmbH offers users the possibility to leave individual comments on individual blog contributions on a blog, which is on the website of the controller. A blog is a portal maintained on a website, usually publicly viewable, in which one or more persons, called bloggers or web bloggers, can post articles or write down thoughts in so-called blogposts. The blogposts can usually be commented on by third parties.

If a data subject leaves a comment on the blog published on this website, in addition to the comments left by the data subject, information on the time of comment entry and the user name (pseudonym) chosen by the data subject will be stored and published. Furthermore, the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) of the person concerned is also logged. This storage of the IP address is done for security reasons and in case the data subject violates the rights of third parties by posting a comment or posts illegal content. The storage of this personal data is therefore in the controller’s own interest, so that the controller could exculpate itself if necessary in the event of an infringement. There is no disclosure of this collected personal data to third parties, unless such disclosure is required by law or serves the legal defense of the controller.

10. Subscription of comments in the blog on the internet page

The comments made in the blog of VergeLink GmbH can generally be subscribed to by third parties. In particular, it is possible for a commentator to subscribe to the comments following his or her comment on a specific blog post.

If a data subject opts for the option to subscribe to comments, the controller will send an automatic confirmation e-mail in order to verify in a double opt-in procedure that the owner of the specified e-mail address has indeed opted for this option. The option to subscribe to comments can be terminated at any time.

11. Routine deletion and blocking of personal data

The controller processes and stores personal data of the data subject only for the period of time necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or if this has been provided for by the European Directive and Regulation or other legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the storage purpose ceases to apply or if a storage period prescribed by the European Directive and Regulation Maker or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.

12. Rights of the data subject

  • a) Right to obtain confirmationEach data subject shall have the right, granted by the European Directive and Regulation, to obtain confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
  • b) Right of accessEvery data subject concerned by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European Directive and Regulation to obtain at any time from the controller, free of charge, information about the personal data stored about him or her, and a copy of that information. In addition, the European Directive and Regulation Legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:
    • the purposes of processing
    • the categories of personal data processed
    • the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular in the case of recipients in third countries or international organizations
    • if possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored or, if this is not possible, the criteria for determining this duration
    • the existence of a right to obtain the rectification or erasure of personal data concerning him or her, or to obtain the restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing
    • the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority
    • if the personal data are not collected from the data subject: Any available information about the origin of the data
    • the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information about the logic involved and the scope and intended effects of such processing for the data subject.
  • Furthermore, the data subject shall have the right to obtain information as to whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to obtain information about the appropriate safeguards in connection with the transfer.If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, he or she may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
  • c) Right of rectificationEvery data subject concerned by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European Directive and Regulation to obtain the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, the data subject has the right, taking into account the purposes of the processing, to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including by means of a supplementary declaration.If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of rectification, he or she may, at any time, contact an employee of the controller.
  • d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)Any person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European Directive and Regulation to obtain from the controller the erasure without delay of personal data concerning him or her, where one of the following grounds applies and to the extent that processing is no longer necessary:
    • The personal data were collected or otherwise processed for such purposes for which they are no longer necessary.
    • The data subject revokes his or her consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) DS-GVO or Art. 9(2)(a) DS-GVO and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
    • The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) DS-GVO and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) DS-GVO.
    • The personal data have been processed unlawfully.
    • The erasure of the personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
    • The personal data has been collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Article 8(1) DS-GVO.
  • If one of the aforementioned reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to arrange for the deletion of personal data stored by the VergeLink GmbH, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. The employee of the VergeLink GmbH shall arrange for the deletion request to be complied with immediately. If the personal data was made public by the VergeLink GmbH and our company is responsible for it pursuant to Art. 17 Para. 1 DS-GVO, VergeLink GmbH shall implement reasonable measures, including technical measures, to compensate other data controllers for processing the personal data published, taking into account the available technology and the cost of implementation, in order to inform the data subject that he or she has requested from those other data controllers to erase all links to or copies or replications of the personal data, unless the processing is necessary. The employee of the VergeLink GmbH will arrange the necessary in individual cases.
  • e) Right to restriction of processingEach data subject concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European Directive and the Regulation, to obtain from the controller the restriction of processing where one of the following conditions applies:
    • The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
    • The processing is unlawful, the data subject objects to the erasure of the personal data and requests instead the restriction of the use of the personal data.
    • The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but the data subject needs it for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims.
    • The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21 (1) of the GDPR and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.
  • If one of the aforementioned conditions is met, and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by the VergeLink GmbH, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. The employee of the VergeLink GmbH will arrange the restriction of the processing.
  • f) Right to data portabilityEach data subject of the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European Directive and Regulation to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which have been provided by the data subject to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she also has the right to transmit such 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) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR and the processing is carried out by automated means, unless the processing is 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 has the right to obtain that the personal data be directly transferred from one controller to another controller where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of other individuals.In order to assert the right to data portability, the data subject may at any time contact any employee of the VergeLink GmbH.
  • g) Right to objectEach data subject concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European Directives and Regulations, to object at any time, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to processing of personal data concerning him or her carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the DS-GVO. This also applies to any profiling based on these provisions.VergeLink GmbH shall no longer process the personal data in the event of the objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims. If the VergeLink GmbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data processed for such marketing. This also applies to the profiling, insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to the VergeLink GmbH to the processing for direct marketing purposes, the VergeLink GmbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.In addition, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to object to processing of personal data concerning him or her which is carried out by the VergeLink GmbH for scientific or historical research purposes, or for statistical purposes pursuant to Art. 89 (1) of the German Data Protection Act (DS-GVO), unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.In order to exercise the right to object, the data subject may directly contact any employee of the VergeLink GmbH or another employee. The data subject is also free to exercise his/her right to object by means of automated procedures using technical specifications in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC.
  • h) Automated decisions on a case-by-case basis, including profilingEvery data subject concerned by the processing of personal data shall have the right, granted by the European Directive and Regulation, 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 entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is permitted by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and that law contains suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent. If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the data controller, or (2) it is made with the data subject’s explicit consent, the VergeLink GmbH shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, which include at least the right to obtain the data subject’s involvement on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and contest the decision. If the data subject wishes to exercise the rights concerning automated decisions, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
  • i) Right to withdraw consent granted under data protection lawEach data subject concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European Directives and Regulations, to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.If the data subject wishes to exercise the right to withdraw consent, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

13. Data protection during applications and the application process

The controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of handling the application procedure. The processing may also take place electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits relevant application documents to the controller by electronic means, for example by e-mail or via a web form located on the website. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the transmitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with the statutory provisions. If the controller does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted two months after notification of the rejection decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller conflict with such deletion. Other legitimate interest in this sense is, for example, a duty to provide evidence in proceedings under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

14. Privacy policy on the use of Meta Pixel for Facebook

This website uses the visitor action pixel from Facebook for conversion measurement. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. However, according to Facebook, the data collected is also transferred to the USA and other third countries.

This allows the behavior of page visitors to be tracked after they have been redirected to the provider’s website by clicking on a Facebook ad. This allows the effectiveness of the Facebook ads to be evaluated for statistical and market research purposes and future advertising measures to be optimized.

The collected data is anonymous for us as the operator of this website, we cannot draw any conclusions about the identity of the users. However, the data is stored and processed by Facebook, so that a connection to the respective user profile is possible and Facebook can use the data for its own advertising purposes, in accordance with the Facebook Data Use Policy. This allows Facebook to enable the placement of advertisements on Facebook pages as well as outside of Facebook. This use of the data cannot be influenced by us as the site operator.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Facebook and https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381.

Insofar as personal data is collected on our website with the help of the tool described here and forwarded to Facebook, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 DSGVO). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its forwarding to Facebook. The processing by Facebook that takes place after the onward transfer is not part of the joint responsibility. The obligations incumbent on us jointly have been set out in a joint processing agreement. The text of the agreement can be found at: Facebook According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing the privacy information when using the Facebook tool and for the privacy-secure implementation of the tool on our website. Facebook is responsible for the data security of the Facebook products. You can assert data subject rights (e.g., requests for information) regarding data processed by Facebook directly with Facebook. If you assert the data subject rights with us, we are obliged to forward them to Facebook.

You can find further information on protecting your privacy in Facebook’s privacy policy: Meta Privacy Policy – How Meta collects and uses user data.

You can also disable the Custom Audiences remarketing feature in the Ads Settings section under About the Ads You See From Facebook. To do this, you must be logged into Facebook.
If you do not have a Facebook account, you can opt out of Facebook’s usage-based advertising at the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/de/praferenzmanagement/.

15. Privacy policy on the use and application of Adobe Analytics (Omniture) / Adobe Marketing Cloud

The controller has integrated components of the company Adobe on this website. Adobe Analytics (Omniture) or the Adobe Marketing Cloud (hereinafter referred to as “Omniture”) is a tool that enables more efficient online marketing as well as web analysis. Omniture is a part of the Adobe Marketing Cloud. Adobe Marketing Cloud enables real-time analytics of website visitor traffic. The real-time analytics include project reports and allow ad-hoc analysis of website visitors. Customer interactions are presented in a way that gives the controller a better view of the online activities of the users of that website by displaying the data in simple and interactive dashboards and turning it into reports. This enables the Controller to receive real-time information and to identify problems that may arise more quickly.

The operator of these services is Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited, 4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland.

Omniture sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject (cookies have already been explained in advance; the corresponding information can be found above). The controller ensures through a server setting that the tracking data records transmitted to the Adobe data center are anonymized before geolocation. Anonymization is implemented by replacing the last part of the IP address. The controller has implemented server-side settings that anonymize the data subject’s IP address independently before any respective processing for geolocation and reach measurement. Adobe will, on behalf of the controller, use the data and information obtained via our website to evaluate the user behavior of the data subject. Furthermore, Adobe will use the data to generate reports on user activity on our behalf and to provide other services for our company in connection with the use of our website. The IP address of the data subject will not be merged with other personal data by Adobe.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website, as already described above, at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Omniture from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, the cookies already set by Omniture can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the possibility to object to and prevent the collection of data generated by the Adobe cookie and related to a use of this website as well as the processing of such data by Adobe. To do so, the data subject must press the unsubscribe button under the link http://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/opt-out.html, which sets an opt-out cookie. The opt-out cookie set with the objection is stored on the information technology system used by the data subject. If the cookies on the system of the data subject are deleted after an objection, the data subject must call up the link again and set a new opt-out cookie.

However, with the setting of the opt-out cookie, there is the possibility that the internet pages of the controller are no longer fully usable for the data subject.

The applicable Adobe privacy policy can be found at http://www.adobe.com/de/privacy.html.

16. Privacy policy on the use and application of Google AdSense

The controller has integrated Google AdSense on this website. Google AdSense is an online service that enables the placement of advertisements on third-party sites. Google AdSense is based on an algorithm that selects the advertisements displayed on third-party sites to match the content of the respective third-party site. Google AdSense allows interest-based targeting of Internet users, which is implemented by generating individual user profiles.

The operating company of the Google AdSense component is Alphabet Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of the Google-AdSense component is to integrate advertisements on our website. Google-AdSense sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. What cookies are has already been explained above. By setting the cookie, Alphabet Inc. is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the data controller is called up, on which a Google AdSense component has been integrated, the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically triggered by the respective Google AdSense component to transmit data to Alphabet Inc. for the purpose of online advertising and commission accounting. Within the scope of this technical procedure, Alphabet Inc. obtains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the data subject, which Alphabet Inc. uses, among other things, to track the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently to enable commission settlements.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website, as already described above, at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Alphabet Inc. from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, a cookie already set by Alphabet Inc. can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

Google AdSense also uses so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic that is embedded in Internet pages to enable log file recording and log file analysis, whereby a statistical evaluation can be performed. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the Alphabet Inc. may see if and when a website was opened by a data subject, and which links were clicked by the data subject. Among other things, tracking pixels are used to evaluate the flow of visitors to a website.

Via Google AdSense, personal data and information, which also includes the IP address and is necessary for the collection and billing of the displayed advertisements, is transferred to Alphabet Inc. in the United States of America. This personal data is stored and processed in the United States of America. Alphabet Inc. may pass on this personal data collected via the technical process to third parties.

Google-AdSense is explained in more detail under this link https://www.google.de/intl/de/adsense/start/.

17. Privacy policy on the use and application of Google Remarketing

The controller has integrated Google Remarketing services on this website. Google Remarketing is a function of Google AdWords that allows a company to display advertisements to Internet users who have previously visited the company’s website. The integration of Google Remarketing thus allows a company to create user-related advertisements and consequently to display interest-relevant advertisements to the Internet user.

The operating company of the Google Remarketing services is Google Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google Remarketing is the display of interest-relevant advertising. Google Remarketing enables us to display advertisements via the Google advertising network or to have them displayed on other Internet pages that are tailored to the individual needs and interests of Internet users.

Google Remarketing sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. What cookies are has already been explained above. By setting the cookie, Google is enabled to recognize the visitor to our website when he or she subsequently visits websites that are also members of the Google advertising network. Each time a website is accessed on which the Google Remarketing service has been integrated, the Internet browser of the person concerned automatically identifies itself to Google. Within the scope of this technical procedure, Google obtains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address or the user’s surfing behavior, which Google uses, among other things, to display interest-relevant advertising.

By means of the cookie, personal information, for example the Internet pages visited by the person concerned, is stored. Each time the data subject visits our website, personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may disclose this personal data collected via the technical procedure to third parties.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website, as already described above, at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to interest-based advertising by Google. To do this, the data subject must call up the link www.google.de/settings/ads from any of the internet browsers he or she uses and make the desired settings there.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

18. Data protection provisions on the use and application of Google AdWords

The controller has integrated Google AdWords on this website. Google AdWords is an Internet advertising service that allows advertisers to place ads in Google’s search engine results as well as in the Google advertising network. Google AdWords allows an advertiser to specify certain keywords in advance, by means of which an ad is displayed in Google’s search engine results exclusively when the user retrieves a keyword-relevant search result using the search engine. In the Google advertising network, the ads are distributed on topic-relevant websites by means of an automatic algorithm and in compliance with the previously defined keywords.

The operating company of the Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google AdWords is to advertise our website by displaying interest-relevant advertising on the websites of third-party companies and in the search engine results of the Google search engine and to display third-party advertising on our website.

If a data subject accesses our website via a Google advertisement, a so-called conversion cookie is stored by Google on the data subject’s information technology system. What cookies are has already been explained above. A conversion cookie loses its validity after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. The conversion cookie is used to track whether certain subpages, for example the shopping cart from an online store system, have been called up on our website, provided the cookie has not yet expired. Through the conversion cookie, both we and Google can track whether a data subject who arrived at our website via an AdWords ad generated a sale, i.e. completed or cancelled a purchase of goods.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie are used by Google to compile visit statistics for our website. These visit statistics are in turn used by us to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords ads, i.e. to determine the success or failure of the respective AdWords ad and to optimize our AdWords ads for the future. Neither our company nor other advertisers of Google AdWords receive information from Google by means of which the data subject could be identified.

By means of the conversion cookie, personal information, for example the Internet pages visited by the data subject, is stored. Each time the data subject visits our website, personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may disclose this personal data collected via the technical procedure to third parties.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website, as already described above, at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a conversion cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to interest-based advertising by Google. To do this, the data subject must call up the link www.google.de/settings/ads from any of the internet browsers he or she uses and make the desired settings there.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

19. Privacy policy on the use and application of Instagram

The controller has integrated components of the service Instagram on this website. Instagram is a service that qualifies as an audiovisual platform and allows users to share photos and videos and, moreover, to redistribute such data in other social networks.

The operating company of the Instagram services is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14 First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.

Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller is called up and on which an Instagram component (Insta button) has been integrated, the internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically caused by the respective Instagram component to download a representation of the corresponding component from Instagram. Within the scope of this technical procedure, Instagram receives knowledge about which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in to Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognizes which specific sub-page the data subject is visiting each time the data subject calls up our website and for the entire duration of the respective stay on our website. This information is collected by the Instagram component and assigned by Instagram to the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject activates one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, the data and information thus transmitted will be assigned to the personal Instagram user account of the data subject and stored and processed by Instagram.

Instagram always receives information via the Instagram component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is simultaneously logged into Instagram at the time of calling up our website; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Instagram component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Instagram, he or she can prevent the transmission by logging out of his or her Instagram account before accessing our website.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Instagram can be found at https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

20. Privacy policy on the use and application of YouTube

The controller has integrated YouTube components on this website. YouTube is an Internet video portal that allows video publishers to post video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate and comment on them, also free of charge. YouTube allows the publication of all types of videos, which is why complete film and TV shows, but also music videos, trailers or videos made by users themselves can be accessed via the Internet portal.

The operating company of YouTube is YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA. YouTube, LLC is a subsidiary of Google Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

By each call of one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically caused by the respective YouTube component to download a representation of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube. Further information on YouTube can be found at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. Within the scope of this technical procedure, YouTube and Google receive knowledge of which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into YouTube at the same time, YouTube recognizes which specific sub-page of our website the data subject is visiting by calling up a sub-page that contains a YouTube video. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.
YouTube and Google always receive information via the YouTube component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is simultaneously logged into YouTube at the time of calling up our website; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, he or she can prevent the transmission by logging out of his or her YouTube account before accessing our website.

The privacy policy published by YouTube, which can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

21. Privacy policy on the use and application of LinkedIn (Insight-Tag)

With your consent, we activate a cookie from LinkedIn when you visit our website (LinkedIn Ireland, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland).
The tag reports to LinkedIn what actions you have performed on our website and possibly identifying data about you.

With the data, LinkedIn can recognize that you have visited our website, what you have clicked on and if you have clicked on a link on LinkedIn that connects you to our website. This allows LinkedIn to show you interest-based content. LinkedIn may associate this data with your user account and use it for its own purposes. The processing of your data by Twitter is explained in the data protection information at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

We do not receive any data about you or other users from LinkedIn, but only statistics that show us, aggregated for all users in a certain period, how they have used our offers and ads on other LinkedIn platforms. This helps us to analyze which of our ads were successful and which were not.

22. Privacy policy on the use and application of Hotjar:

We use Hotjar in order to better understand our users’ needs and to optimize this service and experience. Hotjar is a technology service that helps us better understand our users’ experience (e.g. how much time they spend on which pages, which links they choose to click, what users do and don’t like, etc.) and this enables us to build and maintain our service with user feedback. Hotjar uses cookies and other technologies to collect data on our users’ behavior and their devices. This includes a device’s IP address (processed during your session and stored in a de-identified form), device screen size, device type (unique device identifiers), browser information, geographic location (country only), and the preferred language used to display our website. Hotjar stores this information on our behalf in a pseudonymized user profile. Hotjar is contractually forbidden to sell any of the data collected on our behalf.

For further details, please see the ‘about Hotjar’ section of Hotjar’s support site.

23. Legal basis of processing

Article 6 I lit. a DS-GVO serves as the legal basis for our company for processing operations in which we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations that are necessary for a delivery of goods or the provision of another service or consideration, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. b DS-GVO. The same applies to such processing operations that are necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation by which a processing of personal data becomes necessary, such as for the fulfillment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. c DS-GVO. In rare cases, the processing of personal data might become necessary to protect vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were to be injured on our premises and as a result his or her name, age, health insurance data or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. Then the processing would be based on Art. 6 I lit. d DS-GVO.
Finally, processing operations could be based on Art. 6 I lit. f DS-GVO. Processing operations that are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases are based on this legal basis if the processing is necessary to protect a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject are not overridden. Such processing operations are permitted to us in particular because they were specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, it took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, Sentence 2 DS-GVO).

24. Legitimate interests in the processing pursued by the controller or a third party

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6 I lit. f DS-GVO, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

25. Duration for which the personal data are stored

The criterion for the duration of the storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiry of the period, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, provided that it is no longer required for the fulfillment or initiation of the contract.

26. Legal or contractual requirements for the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of non-provision

We inform you that the provision of personal data is sometimes required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual regulations (e.g. information on the contractual partner).
Sometimes, in order to conclude a contract, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data that must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with him or her. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.
Before providing personal data by the data subject, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will explain to the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of the personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and what the consequences of not providing the personal data would be.

27. Existence of automated decision-making

As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.

This data protection declaration was created by the data protection declaration generator of DGD Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz GmbH, which acts as the External Data Protection Officer Nuremberg, in cooperation with the lawyer for IT and data protection law Christian Solmecke.

Last update: 28.03.2023