Privacy policy

Reading version. This English text helps you understand the German original. Only the German version is legally binding: Datenschutzerklärung (German).

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process, for which purposes and to what extent. This privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the course 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.

Table of contents

Controller

Tim Bökemeier
Dornberger Straße 37a
33615 Bielefeld

Contact

Overview of processing

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.

Types of data processed

  • Master data.
  • Payment data.
  • Location data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication and process data.
  • Image and/or video recordings.
  • Audio recordings.
  • Log data.

Categories of data subjects

  • Service recipients and clients.
  • Prospective customers.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Business and contract partners.
  • Participants.
  • Persons depicted.
  • Third parties.

Purposes of processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Tracking.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Conversion measurement.
  • Click tracking.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Surveys and questionnaires.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Public relations.
  • Business processes and business management procedures.

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 rules may apply in your or our country of residence or registered office. If, in individual cases, more specific legal bases are relevant, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR): The data subject has given consent to the processing of personal data concerning them for one or more specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (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.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR): Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR): Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, provided that the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data do not override them.

National data protection rules in Germany: In addition to the data protection rules of the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in Germany. These include in particular the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz, BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special rules on the right of access, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transfer, as well as automated individual decision-making including profiling. In addition, the data protection laws of the individual German federal states may apply.

Note on the application of the GDPR and the Swiss DSG: This privacy information serves to provide information under the Swiss DSG as well as under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, please note that the terms of the GDPR are used because of their broader territorial application and understandability. In particular, instead of the terms used in the Swiss DSG, “processing” (Bearbeitung) of “personal data” (Personendaten), “overriding interest” and “particularly sensitive personal data”, the terms used in the GDPR, “processing” (Verarbeitung) of “personal data” (personenbezogene Daten), “legitimate interest” and “special categories of data”, are used. However, within the scope of the Swiss DSG, the legal meaning of the terms continues to be determined by the Swiss DSG.

Security measures

In accordance with the legal requirements, and 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 varying likelihood and severity of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

These measures include in particular safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, disclosure, securing of availability and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to threats to the data. In addition, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and procedures, in line with the principle of data protection by design and by data protection-friendly default settings.

Securing online connections with TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect the data of users transmitted via our online services against unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user’s browser (or between two servers), which protects the data against unauthorized access. TLS, as the more 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 HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator for users that their data is transmitted securely and in encrypted form.

Transfer of personal data

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

Data transfer within the group of companies: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of companies or grant them access to it. This data transfer is based on our legitimate business and economic interests. By this we mean, for example, improving business processes, ensuring efficient and effective internal communication, making optimal use of our human and technological resources, and being able to make well-founded business decisions. In certain cases, the data transfer may also be necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations, or it may be based on the consent of the data subjects or on a legal permission.

General information on data storage and deletion

We delete the personal data that we process in accordance with the legal provisions as soon as the underlying consents are withdrawn or there are no further legal bases for the processing. This applies to cases in which the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of the data.

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

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

If there are several statements on the retention period or deletion deadlines for a data item, the longest period always applies. Data that is no longer retained for its originally intended purpose, but because of legal requirements or other reasons, is processed by us exclusively for the reasons that justify its retention.

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

  • 10 years: retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets and the work instructions and other organizational documents required to understand them (§ 147 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with (3) AO, § 14b (1) UStG, § 257 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with (4) HGB).
  • 8 years: accounting vouchers, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147 (1) no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with (3) sentence 1 AO and § 257 (1) no. 4 in conjunction with (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, for example hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting vouchers, and cash register receipts (§ 147 (1) no. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with (3) AO, § 257 (1) no. 2 and 3 in conjunction with (4) HGB).
  • 3 years: data required to take into account potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related inquiries, based on previous business experience and common industry practice, is stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Period starting at the end of the year: If a period does not expressly start on a specific date and is at least one year, it starts automatically 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 is the time at which the termination or other ending of the legal relationship takes effect.

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 Art. 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 (1) (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 the purpose of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to access this data, as well as to 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 the data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be deleted without delay or, alternatively, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request a restriction of the processing of the data.
  • 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 in accordance with the legal requirements, or to request its transfer to another controller.
  • Complaint to a supervisory authority: In accordance with the legal requirements and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the member state of your habitual residence, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you believe that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.

Business services

We process data of our contract and business partners, for example customers and prospective customers (collectively referred to as “contract partners”), in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships and related measures and with regard to communication with the contract partners (or pre-contractually), for example to answer inquiries.

We use this data to fulfill our contractual obligations. These include in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any update obligations and remedies in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the organization of the company. We also process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests both in proper and business-like management and in security measures to protect our contract partners and our business operations against misuse and threats to their data, secrets, information and rights (for example for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contract partners to third parties insofar as this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contract partners are informed about other forms of processing, for example for marketing purposes, within the scope of this privacy policy.

We inform the contract partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, for example in online forms, by special marking (for example colors) or symbols (for example asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, that is, generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, for example as long as it must be retained for legal archiving reasons (for example for tax purposes, usually ten years). Data that the contract partner has disclosed to us in the context of an order is deleted by us in accordance with the requirements and generally after the end of the order.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (for example full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (for example bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); contract data (for example subject matter of the contract, term, customer category). Usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Service recipients and clients; prospective customers. Business and contract partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures; business processes and business management procedures. Conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures).
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR); legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Broker and intermediary services: We process the data of our customers, clients and prospective customers (uniformly referred to as “customers”) in accordance with the underlying order of the customers. We may also process information about the characteristics and circumstances of persons or of things belonging to them if this is part of the subject matter of our order. This may include, for example, information on personal circumstances, movable or immovable property and the financial situation. Insofar as this is necessary for the performance of the contract or required by law, or approved by the customers, or based on our legitimate interests, we disclose or transfer the customers’ data in the context of coverage inquiries, conclusions and the handling of contracts to providers of the brokered services/objects, insurers, reinsurers, broker pools, technical service providers, other service providers such as cooperating associations, as well as financial service providers, credit institutions and investment companies, social insurance institutions, tax authorities, tax advisors, legal advisors, auditors, insurance ombudsmen and the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin). Furthermore, subject to other agreements, we may commission subcontractors, such as sub-brokers; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
  • Financial services: We process the data of our customers to enable us to provide them with advice, brokerage and the conclusion of financial transactions and related services. The required information is marked as such in the context of the advice, brokerage or comparable conclusion of a contract and includes the information required to provide and invoice the service as well as contact information so that any consultations can be held. Insofar as we gain access to information of the customers or other persons, we process it in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Brokerage services: We process the information provided by prospective customers in their brokerage request for the purposes of establishing, carrying out and, if applicable, ending a contract for the brokerage of offers from providers of the products or services they have requested. We use the contact details of prospective customers to specify their request via the agreed or otherwise permitted communication channel (for example phone or email) and to suggest suitable providers or offers to them based on the specified request. In addition, we may, in accordance with legal requirements, ask prospective customers at a later date about the success of our brokerage service. We process the data of both the prospective customers and the providers to fulfill our contractual obligations, in order to match the request of the prospective customers with the suitable offers of the providers and to forward it to the relevant providers, or to suggest the providers. We may log the entries in the online form submitted by prospective customers in order to be able to prove the existence of the contractual relationship and the consent of the prospective customers in accordance with the legal accountability obligations (Art. 5 (2) GDPR). This information is stored for a period of three to four years in case we have to prove the original request (for example to be able to prove the authorization to contact the prospective customers); Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).

Provision of the online offering and web hosting

We process users’ data in order to be able to provide our online services to them. 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 users’ browser or device.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (for example log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Data subjects: Users (for example 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 devices (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures. Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Provision of the online offering on rented storage space: To provide our online offering, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called a “web host”); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages 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, the referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. Server log files can be used for security purposes, for example to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization and stability of the servers; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further retention is necessary for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
  • 1&1 IONOS: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and related services (for example storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: 1&1 IONOS SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur, Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.ionos.de; Privacy policy: https://www.ionos.de/terms-gtc/terms-privacy. Data processing agreement: https://www.ionos.de/hilfe/datenschutz/allgemeine-informationen-zur-datenschutz-grundverordnung-dsgvo/vereinbarung-zur-auftragsverarbeitung-avv-mit-ionos-abschliessen/.

The personal data collected on this website is stored on the host’s servers. This includes the automatically collected and stored log files (see below for details) as well as all other data that website visitors provide.

External hosting is carried out for the purpose of a secure, fast and reliable provision of our website and, in this context, serves the performance of contracts with our potential and existing customers. The legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 (1) (a), (b) and (f) GDPR, as well as § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar as consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information in the device of the website visitor or user within the meaning of the TDDDG.

Our host only processes data that is necessary to fulfill its service obligations and acts as our processor, which means it is subject to our instructions. We have concluded a corresponding data processing agreement with our host. We use the following host: 1&1 IONOS SE, whose details are listed above.

Use of cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store information on users’ devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, for example for the functionality, security and convenience of online offerings and for the analysis of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with the legal provisions. Where necessary, we obtain the users’ consent in advance for this. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading 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 withdrawn at any time. We provide clear information about its scope and which cookies are used.

Notes on legal bases under data protection law: Whether we process personal data with the help of 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 period: With regard to the storage period, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offering and closed their device (for example browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the login status can be stored and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used for reach measurement. If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage period of cookies (for example when obtaining consent), they should assume that the cookies are permanent and that the storage period can be up to two years.

General information on withdrawal and objection (opt-out): Users can withdraw the consents they have given at any time and can also object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including by means of the privacy settings of their browser.

Cookie settings/options to object:

  • Types of data processed: Meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (for example website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a consent management solution that obtains users’ consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers named within the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage and withdraw consents, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users’ devices. As part of this procedure, users’ consents are obtained for the use of cookies and the related processing of information, including the specific processing operations and providers named in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option to manage and withdraw their consents. The declarations of consent are stored in order to avoid asking again and to be able to prove consent in accordance with the legal requirements. Storage takes place on the server side and/or in a cookie (a so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information on the providers of consent management services is available, the following general information applies: The consent is stored on this website for 180 days. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (for example the relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).
  • Klaro: To obtain, manage and withdraw consents, we use the open-source solution Klaro. It runs on our own server; no third-party service is embedded. Your decision is stored on your device in a cookie named pkv_consent, and the storage period is 180 days. No user identifier is transmitted to third parties. You can change or withdraw your selection at any time via the link in the footer of this website; Legal bases: Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) (c) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://klaro.org.

Contact and inquiry management

When you contact us (for example by post, contact form, email, phone or via social media) and in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information provided by the persons making the inquiry is processed insofar as this is necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (for example full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (for example text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation); usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners. Users (for example website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (for example collecting feedback via an online form); provision of our online offering and user-friendliness. Office and organizational procedures.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, 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 transmitted to us in order to answer and handle the respective request. This usually includes information such as name, contact information and, if applicable, other information that is communicated to us and is necessary for appropriate handling. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
  • Referral form: On the “Your referral” page, you can name a person to us for whom advice may be suitable. We process your own contact details as well as the name and contact details of the person you recommend and, if provided, your voluntary message. The information is transmitted to us exclusively by email and is not stored on the web server. We use it solely to contact the recommended person and to assign your referral. Please only name a person to us if they agree to this. The recommended person is informed about the origin of their data when we first contact them and can object to further processing at any time; Data processed: Name, email address and phone number of the referring and the recommended person as well as a voluntary message; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), taking steps prior to entering into a contract (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
  • Calendly (appointment booking): We operate the appointment calendar on this website ourselves. The calendar and form are delivered from our server; no Calendly window is embedded in the page. Your browser therefore does not establish a connection to Calendly. Only when you submit an appointment do we transmit the information you entered from our server to Calendly so that the appointment can be created and confirmed. Data processed: Name, email address, phone number, occupational group, desired time and, if provided, your voluntary message; Purpose: Arranging, confirming and managing an advice appointment; Service provider: Calendly LLC., 271 17th St NW, Ste 1000, Atlanta, Georgia, 30363, USA; Legal bases: Taking steps prior to entering into a contract at your request (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR); Website: https://calendly.com/de; Privacy policy: https://calendly.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://calendly.com/dpa. Basis for third-country transfers: Standard contractual clauses (https://calendly.com/dpa).

Communication via messenger

We use messengers for communication purposes and therefore ask you to note the following information on the functionality of the messengers, on encryption, on the use of the communication metadata and on your options to object.

You can also contact us by other means, for example by phone or email. Please use the contact options provided to you or the contact options stated within our online offering.

In the case of end-to-end encryption of content (that is, the content of your message and attachments), we point out that the communication content (that is, the content of the message and attached images) is encrypted from end to end. This means that the content of the messages cannot be viewed, not even by the messenger providers themselves. You should always use an up-to-date version of the messengers with encryption enabled so that the encryption of the message content is ensured.

However, we additionally point out to our communication partners that, although the messenger providers cannot view the content, they can find out that and when communication partners communicate with us, and that technical information on the device used by the communication partners and, depending on the settings of their device, also location information (so-called metadata) is processed.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via messenger, the legal basis for our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not ask for consent and they, for example, contact us on their own initiative, we use messengers in relation to our contract partners and in the context of initiating a contract as a contractual measure, and in the case of other prospective customers and communication partners on the basis of our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and in meeting the needs of our communication partners for communication via messenger. Furthermore, we point out that we do not transmit the contact details provided to us to the messengers for the first time without your consent.

Withdrawal, objection and deletion: You can withdraw any consent you have given at any time and object to communication with us via messenger at any time. In the case of communication via messenger, we delete the messages in accordance with our general deletion policies (that is, for example, as described above, after the end of contractual relationships, in the context of archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any inquiries from the communication partners, if no reference back to a previous conversation is to be expected and the deletion does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations.

Reservation of referral to other means of communication: To ensure your security, we ask for your understanding that, for certain reasons, we may not be able to answer inquiries via messenger. This applies to situations in which, for example, contract details must be treated with particular confidentiality or a reply via messenger does not meet the formal requirements. In these cases, we recommend that you use more suitable communication channels.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (for example text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation); usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication. Direct marketing (for example by email or post).
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • WhatsApp: Text messages, voice and video calls, sending of images, videos and documents, group chat function, end-to-end encryption for increased security; Service provider: WhatsApp Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/; Privacy policy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal. Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Video conferences, online meetings, webinars and screen sharing

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as “conference platforms”) for the purpose of holding video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as “conference”). When selecting the conference platforms and their services, we comply with the legal requirements.

Data processed by conference platforms: When participating in a conference, the conference platforms process the personal data of the participants listed below. The scope of the processing depends on which data is requested in the context of a specific conference (for example providing access data or real names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of holding the conference, the participants’ data may also be processed by the conference platforms for security purposes or service optimization. The data processed includes personal details (first name, last name), contact information (email address, phone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the internet access, information on the participants’ devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and language settings, information on the content of communication processes, that is, entries in chats as well as audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (for example surveys). The content of the communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If the participants are registered as users with the conference platforms, further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective conference provider.

Logging and recordings: If text entries, participation results (for example from surveys) or video or audio recordings are logged, this will be communicated transparently to the participants in advance and, where necessary, they will be asked for consent.

Data protection measures of the participants: For details of the processing of your data by the conference platforms, please refer to their privacy information and choose the security and privacy settings that are best for you within the settings of the conference platforms. Please also ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a video conference (for example by informing roommates, locking doors and using, where technically possible, the function for blurring the background). Links to the conference rooms and access data must not be passed on to unauthorized third parties.

Notes on legal bases: If, in addition to the conference platforms, we also process the users’ data and ask the users for their consent to the use of the conference platforms or certain functions (for example consent to a recording of conferences), the legal basis of the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations (for example in participant lists, in the case of reviewing the results of discussions, etc.). Otherwise, the users’ data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (for example full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (for example text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation); usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); image and/or video recordings (for example photographs or video recordings of a person); audio recordings. Log data (for example log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners; users (for example website visitors, users of online services). Persons depicted.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication. Office and organizational procedures.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Surveys and polls

We conduct surveys and polls in order to collect information for the survey or poll purpose communicated in each case. The surveys and polls we conduct (hereinafter “polls”) are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed insofar as this is necessary for the provision and technical implementation of the surveys (for example processing the IP address to display the survey in the user’s browser or using a cookie to allow the survey to be resumed).

  • Types of data processed: Master data (for example full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (for example text or image messages and posts as well as information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Participants.
  • Purposes of processing: Feedback (for example collecting feedback via an online form). Surveys and questionnaires (for example surveys with input options, multiple-choice questions).
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Web analytics, monitoring and optimization

Web analytics (also referred to as “reach measurement”) serves to evaluate the visitor flows of our online offering and may include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or invite visitors to use them again. It also allows us to understand which areas need optimization.

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

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, that is, data combined into a usage session, may be created for these purposes, and information may be stored in a browser or device and then read from it. 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 agreed 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 users’ IP addresses are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (that is, pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of the users (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analytics, A/B testing and optimization, but 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.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (that is, interest in efficient, economical and recipient-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 (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (for example website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (for example access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles); provision of our online offering and user-friendliness; tracking (for example interest-based or behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); click tracking; A/B tests. Heatmaps (mouse movements by users, which are combined into an overall picture).
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”. Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for a period of two years).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering on the basis of a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data such as names or email addresses. It serves to assign analysis information to a device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or more usage sessions, which search terms they have used, whether they have accessed content again or interacted with our online offering. The time and duration of use are also stored, as well as the sources of the users that refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers. Pseudonymous user profiles are created with information from the use of different devices, and cookies may be used in the process. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides rough geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU traffic, the 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 purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP lookups are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), standard contractual clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms); Option to object (opt-out): Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (types of processing and of the data processed).
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag: With the LinkedIn Insight Tag, we measure whether a visit to our website goes back to an ad or a post on LinkedIn and whether it leads to an appointment request. For this purpose, a script from LinkedIn is loaded that transmits the IP address in shortened form, information on the browser and device, the page accessed and the time of access to LinkedIn. LinkedIn matches this information with its own member data and provides us only with aggregated reports that cannot be attributed to any individual person. The tag is only loaded after you have agreed in the consent banner; you can withdraw your consent at any time via the link in the footer of this website; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), standard contractual clauses (https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa); Option to object (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

Presence on social networks (social media)

We maintain profiles on social networks and, in this context, process users’ data in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

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

Furthermore, users’ data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on users’ usage behavior and the resulting interests. These in turn may be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the users’ interests. For these reasons, cookies are usually stored on users’ computers, in which the usage behavior and interests of the users are stored.

We ask users who wish to obtain information or assert other data subject rights to contact the providers directly. Only the providers have access to the users’ data and can provide the relevant information directly and take the necessary measures. If you still need help, you can contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (for example postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (for example text or image messages and posts); usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths, intensity and frequency of use).
  • Data subjects: Users (for example website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; feedback (for example collecting feedback via an online form); public relations.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • LinkedIn: Social network with a professional focus, where we maintain a company profile; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Instagram: Social network, where we maintain a profile; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • YouTube: Video platform, where we maintain a channel; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: 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. These are exclusively videos. For this purpose, the users’ IP address must be transmitted to the provider, as no content can be sent to the browser without it.

Without your consent, no content is loaded from a third-party server. In place of the video, we initially only show a preview image that comes from our own server. Only when you have allowed the service in the consent banner and start the video is a connection to the provider established.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (for example page views and time spent, click paths); meta, communication and process data (for example IP addresses, time information, identification numbers).
  • Data subjects: Users (for example website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section “General information on data storage and deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • YouTube videos: We embed videos from our YouTube channel on individual pages. The embedding takes place in the privacy-enhanced mode via the domain youtube-nocookie.com, in which, according to the provider, no cookies for personalized advertising are set. The video is only loaded after you have agreed to the YouTube service in the consent banner and started playback. Until then, you see a locally stored preview image; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Option to object (opt-out): Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Changes and updates

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of this privacy policy. We adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes in the processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an action on your part (for example consent) or another individual notification.

Where we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time, and please check the information before contacting them.

Version of this privacy policy: September 17, 2026.