Privacy Policy
1. Data Protection at a Glance
General Information
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data refers to any data that can personally identify you. For detailed information on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy listed below this text.
Data Collection on this Website
Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
The data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the “Controller” section of this privacy policy.
How do we collect your data?
Your data is collected when you provide it to us. This can include data you enter into a contact form, for example.
Other data is automatically collected or obtained with your consent when you visit the website, through our IT systems. These are primarily technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of page access). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.
What do we use your data for?
Some of the data is collected to ensure the proper functioning of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.
What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right to request free information about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data at any time. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given consent for data processing, you can revoke that consent at any time in the future. Additionally, under certain circumstances, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.
For this and any other questions related to data protection, please feel free to contact us.
Analysis Tools and Third-Party Tools
During your visit to this website, your browsing behavior may be statistically analyzed. This is primarily done using analytical programs.
For detailed information about these analytical programs, please refer to the following privacy policy.
2. Hosting
We host the content of our website with the following provider:
Strato
The provider is Strato AG, Otto-Ostrowski-Straße 7, 10249 Berlin (hereinafter referred to as “Strato”). When you visit our website, Strato collects various log files, including your IP addresses.
For further information, please refer to Strato’s privacy policy: https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/.
The use of Strato is based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring a reliable presentation of our website. If consent is requested, the processing is carried out solely on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25(1) of the TTDSG, to the extent that the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.
3. General Information and Mandatory Information
Data Protection
The operators of these pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the legal data protection regulations and this privacy policy.
When you use this website, various personal data is collected. Personal data is information that can personally identify you. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this happens.
We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating by email) may have security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.
Controller’s Contact Information
The controller for data processing on this website is:
Nikolaus Drozdowski
Bülowstr. 20
50733 Cologne, Germany
+49 163 1645437
The controller is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g., names, email addresses, etc.).
Storage Duration
Unless a specific storage period is mentioned within this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing ceases to exist. If you make a legitimate request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted, provided we have no other legally permissible grounds for retaining your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial retention periods); in the latter case, deletion will occur once these grounds no longer apply.
General Information on Data Processing Legal Bases on this Website
If you have given your consent for data processing, we process your personal data based on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR if special categories of data are processed according to Article 9(1) of the GDPR. In the case of explicit consent for the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also based on Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. If you have given consent for the storage of cookies or access to information on your device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing additionally takes place based on § 25(1) of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary for the performance of a contract or for pre-contractual measures, we process your data based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if it is required to fulfill a legal obligation based on Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. Data processing may also occur based on our legitimate interests under Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The relevant legal bases for data processing in individual cases are explained in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.
Note on Data Transfer to Data Protection-Unsecured Third Countries and Transfer to Non-DPF Certified US Companies
We use tools from companies located in data protection-unsecured third countries and US-based tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in these states. We would like to emphasize that in data protection-unsecured third countries, a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU cannot be guaranteed.
We note that the USA is generally considered a safe third country, and it maintains a data protection level comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the USA is permissible if the recipient holds certification under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF) or has suitable additional safeguards in place. Information regarding data transfers to third countries, including data recipients, can be found in this privacy policy.
Recipients of Personal Data
In the course of our business activities, we collaborate with various external entities. In some cases, it is necessary to transfer personal data to these external entities. We only share personal data with external entities when it is necessary for contractual fulfillment, when we are legally obligated to do so (e.g., sharing data with tax authorities), when we have a legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR in the transfer, or when another legal basis permits data transfer. When using data processors, we only transfer personal data of our customers based on a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is established.
Revoking Your Consent to Data Processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your explicit consent. You can revoke consent that has already been given at any time. The legality of data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.
Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Competent Supervisory Authority
In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, especially in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work, or the place of the alleged infringement. The right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.
Right to Data Portability
You have the right to receive the data we process based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, in a commonly used and machine-readable format, and to have this data transferred to yourself or to a third party, where technically feasible, upon your request for direct transfer to another controller.
Information, Correction, and Deletion
Within the framework of applicable legal provisions, you have the right to free information about your stored personal data, their origin, recipients, and the purpose of data processing, as well as the right to correction or deletion of this data. For this purpose, as well as for any further questions regarding personal data, you can contact us at any time.
Right to Restriction of Processing
You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You can contact us at any time for this purpose. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:
- If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we usually need time to verify this. During the verification period, you have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data.
- If the processing of your personal data is unlawful, and you oppose the deletion of your data and instead request the restriction of its use.
- If we no longer need your personal data, but you require it for the exercise, defense, or assertion of legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data instead of deletion.
- If you have filed an objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it is not yet clear whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of processing of your personal data.
If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data—except for storage—may only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims, or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.
SSL/TLS Encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator, this site uses SSL/TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock symbol in your browser line.
When SSL/TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.
Objection to Promotional Emails
The use of contact data published in the context of the imprint obligation for sending unsolicited advertising and information materials is hereby objected to. The operators of these pages expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of unsolicited promotional information, such as spam emails, being received.
4. Data Collection on This Website
Cookies
Our websites use so-called “cookies.” Cookies are small data packets that do not harm your device. They are either stored temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or until automatic deletion by your web browser.
Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services from third-party companies within websites (e.g., cookies for payment processing).
Cookies serve various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary because certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies may be used for analyzing user behavior or for advertising purposes.
Cookies that are necessary for electronic communication processes, for providing certain desired functions (e.g., shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring web audiences) are stored based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent for the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out solely on the basis of this consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25(1) of the TTDSG); consent can be revoked at any time.
You can configure your browser to notify you about the setting of cookies and allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, to accept cookies for certain cases or to exclude them in general, as well as to enable automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.
You can find information about which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.
For managing the cookies and similar technologies (tracking pixels, web beacons, etc.) used and the respective consents, we use the consent tool “Real Cookie Banner”. Details about the functionality of “Real Cookie Banner” can be found at https://devowl.io/de/rcb/datenverarbeitung/
The legal bases for the processing of personal data in this context are Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR and Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Our legitimate interest is the management of the cookies and similar technologies used and the respective consents.
The provision of personal data is neither contractually required nor necessary for the conclusion of a contract. You are not obliged to provide the personal data. If you do not provide the personal data, we cannot manage your consents.
Contact Form
If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your data from the inquiry form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and for follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent.
The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, insofar as your request is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries sent to us (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR) if this has been requested; consent can be revoked at any time.
The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to store it, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially retention periods – remain unaffected.
Inquiry via Email, Phone, or Fax
When you contact us via email, phone, or fax, your inquiry, including all related personal data (such as your name and inquiry details), will be stored and processed for the purpose of addressing your request. We do not share this data without your consent.
The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if your inquiry is related to fulfilling a contract or for the performance of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in effectively handling inquiries directed to us (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR), if it has been requested. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
The data you provide to us via contact inquiries will remain with us until you request its deletion, withdraw your consent for storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer exists (e.g., after the completion of addressing your inquiry). Mandatory legal provisions, especially statutory retention periods, remain unaffected.
5. Social Media
This website incorporates elements of the Facebook social network. The service provider for this feature is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, located at 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. According to Facebook, the collected data is also transmitted to the USA and other third countries.
You can find an overview of the Facebook social media elements here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and Facebook’s servers. Facebook thereby receives information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click the Facebook “Like” button while logged into your Facebook account, you can link the content of this website to your Facebook profile. This allows Facebook to associate your visit to this website with your user account. Please note that as the provider of this website, we have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by Facebook. For more information, please refer to Facebook’s privacy policy at: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.
If consent (consent) has been obtained, the use of the above-mentioned service is based on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25 of the TTDSG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. If no consent has been obtained, the service is used based on our legitimate interest in achieving the broadest possible visibility on social media.
Regarding the data transfer to the USA, this is based on the standard contract clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum, https://www.facebook.com/help/566994660333381, and https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. Further information can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active.
This website includes features of the Twitter service, provided by Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and Twitter’s servers. Twitter receives information about your visit to this website. By using Twitter and the “Re-Tweet” function, the websites you visit are linked to your Twitter account and shared with other users. Please note that as the provider of this website, we have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by Twitter. For more information, please refer to Twitter’s privacy policy at: https://twitter.com/en/privacy.
Where consent has been obtained, the use of the aforementioned service is based on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25 of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If consent has not been obtained, the service is used based on our legitimate interest in maximizing visibility on social media.
The transfer of data to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://gdpr.twitter.com/en/controller-to-controller-transfers.html.
You can change your privacy settings on Twitter in the account settings at https://twitter.com/account/settings.
This website includes features of the Instagram service, provided by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and Instagram’s servers. Instagram thereby receives information about your visit to this website.
If you are logged into your Instagram account, you can link the content of this website to your Instagram profile by clicking the Instagram button. Instagram can then associate your visit to this website with your user account. Please note that as the provider of the pages, we have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by Instagram.
Where consent has been obtained, the use of the aforementioned service is based on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25 of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If consent has not been obtained, the service is used based on our legitimate interest in maximizing visibility on social media.
Insofar as personal data is collected on our website and transmitted to Facebook or Instagram using the tool described here, 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 GDPR). Joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of data and its transmission to Facebook or Instagram. The processing by Facebook or Instagram following the transmission is not part of joint responsibility. The obligations jointly incumbent on us have been laid down in an agreement on joint processing. The wording of the agreement can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing data protection information when using the Facebook or Instagram tool and for implementing the tool on our website in compliance with data protection law. Facebook or Instagram is responsible for the data security of Facebook or Instagram products. Data subjects’ rights (e.g., requests for information) regarding data processed by Facebook or Instagram can be asserted directly with Facebook. If you assert data subjects’ rights with us, we are obliged to forward them to Facebook.
The transfer of data to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum, https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875, and https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.
You can find further information in Instagram’s privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to adhering to these data protection standards. Further information on this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active.
6. Newsletter
Newsletter Data
If you wish to subscribe to the newsletter offered on the website, we require your email address and information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the provided email address and that you consent to receiving the newsletter. Further data is not collected or is only collected on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively for sending the requested information and do not disclose it to third parties.
The processing of the data entered into the newsletter registration form is based exclusively on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the storage of the data, email address, and their use for sending the newsletter at any time, for example, via the “Unsubscribe” link in the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.
The data you provide for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter with us or the newsletter service provider and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe from the newsletter or the purpose ceases to apply. We reserve the right to delete or block email addresses from our newsletter distribution list at our own discretion within the scope of our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.
Data that has been stored by us for other purposes remains unaffected by this.
After you have been removed from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored in a blacklist with us or the newsletter service provider, if necessary, to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is used only for this purpose and is not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is not limited in time. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.
7. Plugins and Tools
Google Fonts
This page uses so-called Google Fonts for the uniform display of fonts, provided by Google. When you visit a page, your browser loads the required fonts into its browser cache to display text and fonts correctly.
For this purpose, the browser you use must establish a connection to Google’s servers. As a result, Google learns that this website has been accessed via your IP address. The use of Google Fonts is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the uniform presentation of the typeface on his website. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g., consent to the storage of cookies or access to device information), the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.
If your browser does not support Google Fonts, a standard font will be used by your computer.
For more information on Google Fonts, please visit: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA aimed at ensuring compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active
Google reCAPTCHA
We use “Google reCAPTCHA” (hereinafter referred to as “reCAPTCHA”) on this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
reCAPTCHA is used to check whether the data entered on this website (e.g., in a contact form) is entered by a human or by an automated program. To do this, reCAPTCHA analyzes the behavior of the website visitor based on various characteristics. This analysis starts automatically as soon as the website visitor enters the website. For the analysis, reCAPTCHA evaluates various information (e.g., IP address, duration of stay of the website visitor on the website, or mouse movements made by the user). The data collected during the analysis will be forwarded to Google.
The reCAPTCHA analyses run entirely in the background. Website visitors are not informed that an analysis is taking place.
The storage and analysis of the data is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in protecting his web offers against abusive automated spying and against SPAM. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g., consent to the storage of cookies or access to device information), the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.
For more information on Google reCAPTCHA, please refer to the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Use at the following links: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en and https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA aimed at ensuring compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active
Source: https://www.e-recht24.de