Data protection

Preamble

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

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: August 5, 2025

Table of Contents

Controller

Company GOLDLINE
Kanalstraße 2
32545 Bad Oeynhausen

Email address: info@med-goldline.de

Overview of Processing Activities

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

Types of Data Processed

  • Inventory data.
  • Payment data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Contract data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication, and process data.
  • Log data.

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Service recipients and clients.
  • Prospects.
  • Communication partners.
  • Users.
  • Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of Processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Reach measurement.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Marketing.
  • Profiles with user-related information.
  • Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Public relations.
  • Sales promotion.
  • Business processes and management procedures.

Relevant Legal Bases

Relevant Legal Bases according to the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or establishment. Should more specific legal bases be relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.

  • Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes.
  • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. This includes in particular the Act on Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special regulations on the right to access, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, and transmission, as well as automated individual decision-making, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Note on the applicability of the GDPR and Swiss FADP: This data protection notice serves to provide information both in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that due to the broader spatial application and comprehensibility, the terms of the GDPR are used. In particular, instead of the terms “processing” of “personal data”, “overriding interest” and “particularly sensitive personal data” used in the Swiss FADP, the terms used in the GDPR “processing” of “personal data”, “legitimate interest” and “special categories of data” are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms continues to be determined in accordance with the Swiss FADP within the scope of its application.

Security Measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs, and the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of the processing, as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

The 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, input, disclosure, ensuring availability, and their separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we already consider the protection of personal data during the development or selection of hardware, software, and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.

Transmission of Personal Data

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

International Data Transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we transfer data to a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs in the context of using third-party services or disclosing or transferring data to other persons, bodies, or companies (which is evident from the postal address of the respective provider or if the data protection declaration explicitly points out a data transfer to third countries), this is always done in accordance with the legal requirements.

For data transfers to the USA, we primarily rely on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a secure legal framework by an adequacy decision of the EU Commission on 07/10/2023. Additionally, we have concluded Standard Contractual Clauses with the respective providers, which comply with the requirements of the EU Commission and establish contractual obligations for the protection of your data.

This dual safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: The DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the Standard Contractual Clauses serve as an additional security measure. Should changes occur within the DPF framework, the Standard Contractual Clauses will serve as a reliable fallback option. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected even in the event of potential political or legal changes.

For individual service providers, we inform you whether they are certified under the DPF and whether Standard Contractual Clauses are in place. Further information on the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English).

For data transfers to other third countries, corresponding security measures apply, in particular Standard Contractual Clauses, explicit consent, or legally required transfers. Information on third country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with the legal provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or no other legal bases for the processing exist. This applies to cases where the original purpose of processing ceases to apply 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 the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our data protection notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data that apply specifically to certain processing processes.

If there are multiple specifications for the retention period or deletion deadlines for a date, the longest period always applies. Data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons is processed by us solely for the reasons that justify its retention.

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

  • 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets as well as the working instructions and other organizational documents necessary for their understanding (§ 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 receipts (§ 147 (1) no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with (3) sentence 1 AO as well as § 257 (1) no. 4 in conjunction with (4) HGB).
  • 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g., time sheets, operating statements, calculation documents, price lists, but also payroll accounting documents, provided they are not already accounting vouchers, and cash register strips (§ 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 that is necessary to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights as well as to process related inquiries, based on past business experience and common industry practices, is stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right to object: You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. e or f GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. Where personal data concerning you is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right of withdrawal for consents: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning you is being processed, and, where that is the case, access to the personal data and the information specified by law, as well as a copy of the data.
  • Right to rectification: You have the right to obtain the completion of incomplete data or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with the legal requirements, to demand the immediate erasure of personal data concerning you or, alternatively, to demand a restriction of the processing of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements, or to demand its transmission to another controller.
  • Complaint to supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Business Services

We process the data of our contractual and business partners, e.g., customers and prospects (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as associated measures and in the context of communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), for example to respond to inquiries.

We use this data to fulfill our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any update obligations, and remedies in the event of warranty and other performance disruptions. In addition, we use the data to safeguard our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations as well as business organization. Furthermore, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and businesslike management as well as security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information, and rights (e.g., 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 disclose the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope of this data protection declaration.

We inform the contractual partners about which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or in the course of data collection, e.g., in online forms, by special labeling (e.g., colors) or symbols (e.g., asterisks, etc.), or personally.

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e., generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g., as long as it must be kept for legal reasons of archiving (e.g., for tax purposes usually ten years). Data disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order will be deleted in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Service recipients and clients; Prospects. Business and contractual partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; Security measures; Communication; Office and organizational procedures; Organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and management procedures.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to information in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Online shop, order forms, e-commerce, and performance of services: We process our customers’ data to enable them to select, purchase, or order the chosen products, goods, and related services, as well as their payment and provision, or delivery, or execution. If necessary for the execution of an order, we use service providers, in particular postal, logistics, and shipping companies, to carry out the delivery or execution to our customers. For the processing of payment transactions, we use the services of banks and payment service providers. The required information is marked as such within the framework of the order or comparable purchase process and includes the information required for delivery, or provision and billing, as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Provision of the Online Offer and Web Hosting

We process users’ data in order to be able to provide them with our online services. 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 (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); Meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Log data (e.g., log files concerning logins or data retrieval or access times.).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; Information technology infrastructure (Operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to information in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offer is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files may include the address and name of the accessed web pages and files, date and time of access, amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used on the one hand for security purposes, e.g., to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and on the other hand to ensure server utilization and stability; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. 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 required for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

Use of Cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store and read information on users’ end devices. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g., for purposes of functionality, security, and convenience of online offers as well as for creating analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with the legal regulations. For this purpose, we obtain the consent of the users in advance if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when storing and reading information is essential to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, the storage of settings as well as ensuring the functionality and security of our online offer. Consent can be revoked at any time. We clearly inform about its scope and which cookies are used.

Notes on legal bases for data protection: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online offer and closes his or her end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the user data collected with the help of cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., as part of obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.

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

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

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution in which the user’s consent to the use of cookies or to the procedures and providers mentioned within the consent management solution is obtained. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage, and revoke consents, in particular related to the use of cookies and similar technologies used to store, read, and process information on users’ end devices. As part of this procedure, user consents for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management procedure, are obtained. Users also have the option to manage and revoke their consents. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid having to ask again and to be able to prove consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage takes place server-side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of similar technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or his/her device. If no specific information is available on the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The duration of storage of consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored together with the time of consent, details of the scope of consent (e.g., concerning categories of cookies and/or service providers), and information about the browser, system, and end device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Contact and Inquiry Management

When contacting us (e.g., by post, contact form, email, telephone, or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the information of the inquiring persons is processed to the extent necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation); Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; Organizational and administrative procedures; Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to information in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, email, or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us to answer and process the respective request. This typically includes information such as name, contact information, and, if applicable, further information that is communicated to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data solely for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Newsletter and Electronic Notifications

We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) only with the consent of the recipients or on a legal basis. If the contents of the newsletter are specified during registration, they are decisive for the users’ consent. To register for our newsletter, it is usually sufficient to provide your email address. However, in order to be able to offer you a personalized service, we may ask for your name for personal address in the newsletter or for further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove a previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address solely for this purpose in a blocklist (so-called “blocklist”).

The logging of the registration process is based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper course. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure shipping system.

Contents:

Information about us, our services, promotions, and offers.

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail).
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
  • Opt-out option: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent or object to further receipt. A link to cancel the newsletter can be found at the end of each newsletter, or you can use one of the contact options provided above, preferably email, for this purpose.

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

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

Promotional Communication via Email, Post, Fax, or Telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of promotional communication, which may take place via various channels, such as email, telephone, post, or fax, in accordance with the legal requirements.

Recipients have the right to withdraw given consent at any time or to object to promotional communication at any time.

After withdrawal or objection, we store the data required to prove the previous authorization for contact or dispatch for up to three years after the end of the year of withdrawal or objection based on our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. Based on the legitimate interest in permanently respecting the revocation or objection of users, we also store the data necessary to avoid renewed contact (e.g., depending on the communication channel, the email address, telephone number, name).

  • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail); Marketing. Sales promotion.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to information in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Web Analytics, Monitoring, and Optimization

Web analytics (also referred to as “reach measurement”) serves to evaluate the visitor flows of our online offer and may include behavior, interests, or demographic information about the visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. Using reach analysis, we can, for example, determine at what time our online offer or its functions or content are used most frequently or invite reuse. Likewise, we are able to trace which areas need optimization.

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

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e., data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes, and information can be stored in a browser or on an end device and then read out. The information collected includes in particular visited websites and elements used there as well as technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used, and information on usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data to us or to the providers of the services we use, the processing of location data is also possible.

Furthermore, the IP addresses of the users are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect the 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. That is, we as well as the providers of the software used do not 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 use third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economical, and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

  • Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to 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 can 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) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offer based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have accessed within one or several usage processes, which search terms they have used, have accessed them again, or have interacted with our online offer. Likewise, the time of use and its duration are stored, as well as the sources of users referring to our online offer and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers.
    Pseudonymous user profiles are created with information from the use of different devices, whereby cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides coarse 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 data traffic, IP address data is used solely for this derivation of geolocation data before it is immediately deleted. It is not logged, is not accessible, and is not used for further purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries 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) sentence 1 lit. 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; Order processing contract: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms); Opt-out option: Opt-Out-Plugin: 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 data processed).

Presence on Social Networks (Social Media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because, for example, the enforcement of user rights could be made more difficult.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on user behavior and the resulting interests of users. The latter may in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements inside and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. Therefore, cookies are usually stored on the users’ computers, in which the usage behavior and the interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data independent of the devices used by the users may also be stored in the usage profiles (especially if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

For a detailed presentation of the respective processing forms and the opt-out options, we refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

Also in the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures directly and provide information. Should you nevertheless need help, you can contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, types of devices and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to information in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Deletion”.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further notes on processing processes, procedures, and services:

  • Instagram: Social network, allows sharing of photos and videos, commenting and favoriting posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

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