Privacy Policy
Introduction
With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") that we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. This privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and particularly 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.
Telecommunications-Telemedia Data Protection Act (TTDSG)
The legal basis for the storage and retrieval of information on the end user's terminal device is consent pursuant to Section 25(1) sentence 1 TTDSG. This consent is requested when accessing the website. Pursuant to Section 25(2) No. 2 TTDSG, consent is not required if the storage of information on the end user's terminal device or access to information already stored on the end user's terminal device is strictly necessary to enable the provider of a telemedia service to provide a telemedia service expressly requested by the user. You can see from the consent settings which processing operations are classified as strictly necessary (often also referred to as "technically necessary cookies") and therefore fall under the exception provision of Section 25(2) TTDSG and thus do not require consent. Please note that the legal basis for the subsequent processing of personal data is derived from the GDPR. The relevant legal bases for the processing of personal data on this website are provided in the further course of this privacy policy.
Last updated: September 1, 2022
Table of Contents
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Promotional Communication via Email, Mail, Fax, or Telephone
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Google Ad Manager / Google Ad Exchange / Google Advertising Products (Google Ads)
Controller
Deep Content GmbH
Karl-Wiechert-Allee 10
30625 Hannover
Germany
Authorized Representatives:
Benjamin Danneberg, Matthias Bastian
Email Address:
Telephone:
+491717808216
Legal Notice:
https://the-decoder.de/impressum/
Overview of Processing Operations
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
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Master data.
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Payment data.
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Contact data.
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Content data.
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Contract data.
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Usage data.
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Meta/communication data.
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Event data (Facebook).
Categories of Data Subjects
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Customers.
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Employees.
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Prospective customers.
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Communication partners.
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Users.
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Sweepstakes and contest participants.
Purposes of Processing
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Provision of contractual services and customer service.
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Contact requests and communication.
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Security measures.
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Direct marketing.
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Reach measurement.
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Office and organizational procedures.
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Remarketing.
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Conversion measurement.
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Affiliate tracking.
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Management and response to inquiries.
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Conducting sweepstakes and contests.
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Feedback.
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Marketing.
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Profiles with user-related information.
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Provision of our Online Offering and user-friendliness.
Relevant Legal Bases
The following provides an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of 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 domicile. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.
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Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.
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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.
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Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
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Protection of vital interests (Art. 6(1)(d) GDPR) – Processing is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person.
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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, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.
In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. This includes in particular the Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special provisions 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 decision-making in individual cases including profiling. Furthermore, it regulates data processing for purposes of the employment relationship (Section 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, performance, or termination of employment relationships as well as the consent of employees. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.
Security Measures
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation, and the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of processing as well as the different likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.
The measures include in particular ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, disclosure, ensuring availability, and separation of data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account from the development or selection of hardware, software, and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.
SSL encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our Online Offering, we use SSL encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.
Transfer of Personal Data
In the course of our processing of personal data, data may be transferred to or disclosed to other entities, 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 in particular conclude appropriate contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.
Data transfer within the corporate group: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our corporate group or grant them access to this data. If this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of data is based on our legitimate business and operational interests or takes place if it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract-related obligations or if consent of the data subjects or legal permission exists.
Data Processing in Third Countries
If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, entities, or companies, this only takes place in accordance with the legal requirements.
Subject to express consent or contractually or legally required transfer, we only process or have data processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, in the presence of certifications, or binding internal data protection regulations (Art. 44 to 49 GDPR, EU Commission information page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de).
Deletion of Data
The data processed by us will be deleted in accordance with the legal requirements as soon as the consents permitted for processing are revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g., if the purpose of processing this data has ceased to apply or it is not required for the purpose).
If the data is not deleted because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing will be limited to these purposes. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to 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 another natural or legal person.
Within the scope of our privacy notices, we may provide users with further information on the deletion and retention of data that is specific to the respective processing operations.
Use of Cookies
Cookies are small text files or other storage notes that store information on end devices and read information from end devices. For example, to save the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the accessed content, or functions used in an Online Offering. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as for the functionality, security, and convenience of Online Offerings as well as for the creation of analyses of visitor flows.
Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal requirements. Therefore, we obtain prior consent from users, unless this is not required by law. Consent is in particular not necessary if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is strictly necessary to provide users with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e., our Online Offering). Revocable consent is clearly communicated to users and contains information on the respective cookie use.
Notes on data protection legal bases: The data protection legal basis on which we process users' personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask users for consent. If users consent, the legal basis for processing your data is the declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g., in the commercial operation of our Online Offering and improvement of its usability) or, if this takes place in the context of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this privacy policy or in the context of our consent and processing procedures.
Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, the following types of cookies are distinguished:
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Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an Online Offering and closed their end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
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Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, user data collected with the help of cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.
General notes on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also file an objection to processing in accordance with the legal requirements of Art. 21 GDPR (further information on objection is provided in the context of this privacy policy). Users can also declare their objection via the settings of their browser.
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure in the context of which the consent of users to the use of cookies or the processing and providers mentioned in the context of the cookie consent management procedure can be obtained and managed and revoked by users. The consent declaration is stored in order not to have to repeat its query and to be able to prove consent in accordance with the legal obligation. Storage can take place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie or with the help of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following notes apply: The duration of the storage of consent can be up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g., which categories of cookies and/or service providers), as well as the browser, system, and end device used.
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Sourcepoint: Cookie consent management; Service provider: SOURCEPOINT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 228 Park Ave S #87903 New York, NY 10003-1502 USA; Website: https://www.sourcepoint.com/de/; Privacy policy: https://www.sourcepoint.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung/.
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Sourcepoint: Cookie consent management; Service provider: Sourcepoint Technologies, Inc., 1201 Broadway, 7th floor, New York, NY 10001, USA; Website: https://www.sourcepoint.com/consent-vault/; Privacy policy: https://www.sourcepoint.com/privacy-policy/.
Payment Procedures
In the context of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer data subjects efficient and secure payment options and use other service providers in addition to banks and credit institutions for this purpose (collectively "payment service providers").
The data processed by payment service providers includes master data, such as name and address, bank data, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs, and checksums, as well as contract, total, and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed and stored by the payment service providers. This means that we do not receive any account or credit card-related information, but only information with confirmation or negative information about the payment. Under certain circumstances, data may be transmitted by payment service providers to credit agencies. This transmission is intended for identity and credit checks. In this regard, we refer to the terms and conditions and privacy notices of the payment service providers.
The terms and conditions and privacy notices of the respective payment service providers apply to payment transactions and can be accessed within the respective websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and the assertion of revocation, information, and other data subject rights.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Customers; prospective customers.
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Patreon: Patreon (patreon.com) is an internet platform for project financing via crowdfunding. Patreon sells subscriptions/memberships to our publication, processes them, and provides corresponding services, for example by providing a paywall on our site. For this purpose, Patreon collects and stores possible identification data (including IP address, date, time, and other technical data about the internet browser and operating system used) and checks whether a user is a subscriber/member. Patreon collects further data for registration, such as email address, name, address, and payment data; Service provider: Patreon Ireland Limited, German Branch, Revaler Strasse 99, Hall 20, 2nd floor, Rooms 3.19 and 3.25., 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain, Germany; Website: https://patreon.com/; Privacy policy: https://privacy.patreon.com/policies.
Provision of the Online Offering and Web Hosting
In order to provide our Online Offering securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers from whose servers (or servers managed by them) the Online Offering can be accessed. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space, and database services as well as security services and technical maintenance services.
The data processed in the context of providing the hosting offering may include all data concerning users of our Online Offering that is generated in the context of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary to deliver the content of Online Offerings to browsers, and all entries made within our Online Offering or from websites.
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Types of data processed: Content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Provision of our Online Offering and user-friendliness.
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Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Email sending and hosting: The web hosting services we use also include sending, receiving, and storing emails. For these purposes, the addresses of recipients and senders as well as other information concerning email sending (e.g., the providers involved) and the content of the respective emails are processed. The aforementioned data may also be processed for the purpose of detecting SPAM. Please note that emails on the internet are generally not sent encrypted. As a rule, emails are encrypted in transit but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We can therefore not assume any responsibility for the transmission path of emails between the sender and receipt on our server; Service provider: Droptop GmbH, Am Grashorn 8, 14548 Schwielowsee, Germany; Website: https://linevast.de/; Privacy policy: https://linevast.de/datenschutz.html.
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Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on each access to the server (so-called server log files). Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, date and time of access, data volumes 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. Server log files can be used on the one hand for security purposes, e.g., to avoid overloading servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and on the other hand to ensure the utilization of servers and their stability; 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 is finally clarified.
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Content Delivery Network: We use a "Content Delivery Network" (CDN). A CDN is a service that enables the content of an Online Offering, in particular large media files such as graphics or program scripts, to be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the internet; Service provider: QUIC Cloud Inc., 150 Allen Rd., Suite 204, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA; Website: https://quic.cloud/; Privacy policy: https://quic.cloud/privacy-policy/.
Special Notes on Applications (Apps)
We process the data of users of our application insofar as this is necessary to provide users with the application and its functionalities, to monitor its security, and to develop it further. We may also contact users in compliance with legal requirements if communication is necessary for the purposes of administering or using the application. Otherwise, we refer to the privacy notices in this privacy policy with regard to the processing of user data.
Legal bases: The processing of data that is necessary for the provision of the functionalities of the application serves the fulfillment of contractual obligations. This also applies if the provision of the functionalities requires authorization from users (e.g., release of device functions). If the processing of data is not necessary for the provision of the functionalities of the application but serves the security of the application or our business interests (e.g., collection of data for the purpose of optimizing the application or for security purposes), it takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests. If users are expressly asked for their consent to the processing of their data, the processing of the data covered by the consent takes place on the basis of the consent.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
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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 notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Commercial use: We process the data of users of our application, registered users, and any test users (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "users") in order to provide our contractual services to them and on the basis of legitimate interests to ensure the security of our application and to develop it further. The required information is marked as such in the context of the use, order, order, or comparable contract conclusion and may include the information required for the provision of services and any billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations.
Obtaining Applications via App Stores
Applications are obtained via special online platforms operated by other service providers (so-called "app stores"). In this context, the privacy notices of the respective app stores apply in addition to our privacy notices. This applies in particular with regard to the procedures used on the platforms for reach measurement and interest-based marketing as well as any fees.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Customers.
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Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service.
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Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Apple App Store: App and software sales platform; Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Website: https://www.apple.com/de/ios/app-store/; Privacy policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
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Google Play: App and software sales platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps?hl=de; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
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Microsoft Store: App and software sales platform; Service provider: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; Website: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/store/b/home; Privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, security notices: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter.
Community Features
The community features we provide allow users to enter into conversations or otherwise exchange with each other. Please note that the use of community features is only permitted in compliance with applicable law, our terms and guidelines, and the rights of other users and third parties.
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Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; security measures.
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Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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User contributions are public: Contributions and content created by users are publicly visible and accessible.
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Storage of data for security purposes: Contributions and other entries by users are processed for the purposes of community and conversation features and, subject to legal obligations or legal permission, are not disclosed to third parties. A disclosure obligation may arise in particular in the case of unlawful contributions for the purposes of legal prosecution. We point out that in addition to the content of the contributions, the time and IP address of the users are also stored. This is done in order to be able to take appropriate measures to protect other users and the community.
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Right to delete content and information: The deletion of contributions, content, or information of users is permissible after a proper assessment to the extent necessary if there are concrete indications that they constitute a violation of legal rules, our requirements, or the rights of third parties.
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Protection of own data: Users decide for themselves which data they disclose about themselves within our Online Offering. For example, when users provide information about themselves or participate in conversations. We ask users to protect their data and to publish personal data only with caution and only to the extent necessary. In particular, we ask users to note that they must protect access data particularly well and use secure passwords (i.e., in particular long and random character combinations).
Blogs and Publication Media
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. Otherwise, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in the context of this privacy policy.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); security measures; management and response to inquiries.
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Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); protection of vital interests (Art. 6(1)(d) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Comments and contributions: When users leave comments or other contributions, their IP addresses may be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves unlawful content in comments and contributions (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we ourselves can be held liable for the comment or contribution and are therefore interested in the identity of the author. Furthermore, we reserve the right to process user information for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests. On the same legal basis, we reserve the right to store users' IP addresses for the duration of surveys and to use cookies to avoid multiple voting. The information provided about the person, any contact and website information, as well as the content information provided in the context of comments and contributions will be stored by us permanently until the users object.
Contact and Inquiry Management
When contacting us (e.g., via contact form, email, telephone, or via social media) as well as in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information of the inquiring persons is processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact inquiries and any requested measures.
The response to contact inquiries as well as the management of contact and inquiry data in the context of contractual or pre-contractual relationships is carried out for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations or for the response to (pre-)contractual inquiries and otherwise on the basis of legitimate interests in responding to inquiries and maintaining user or business relationships.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms).
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Data subjects: Communication partners.
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Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; provision of contractual services and customer service.
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Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Contact form: When users contact us via our contact form, email, or other communication channels, we process the data communicated to us in this context to process the communicated concern. For this purpose, we process personal data in the context of pre-contractual and contractual business relationships to the extent necessary for their fulfillment and otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests as well as the interests of the communication partners in responding to concerns and our legal retention obligations.
Audio Content
We use hosting and analysis offerings from service providers to offer our audio content for listening or download and to obtain statistical information on the retrieval of audio content.
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Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Soundcloud: Soundcloud – music hosting; Service provider: SoundCloud Limited, Rheinsberger Str. 76/77, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Website: https://soundcloud.com; Privacy policy: https://soundcloud.com/pages/privacy.
Cloud Services
We use software services accessible via the internet and running on the servers of their providers (so-called "cloud services," also referred to as "Software as a Service") for the following purposes: document storage and management, calendar management, email sending, spreadsheets and presentations, exchange of documents, content, and information with specific recipients or publication of websites, forms, or other content and information as well as chats and participation in audio and video conferences.
In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of the providers to the extent that they are part of communication processes with us or are otherwise processed by us as set out in this privacy policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of users, data on processes, contracts, other processes and their content. The providers of cloud services also process usage data and metadata, which they use for security purposes and service optimization.
If we use cloud services to provide forms or other documents and content for other users or publicly accessible websites, the providers may store cookies on users' devices for web analytics purposes or to remember user settings (e.g., in the case of media control).
Notes on legal bases: If we ask for consent to use cloud services, the legal basis for processing is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre-)contractual services, provided that the use of cloud services has been agreed in this context. Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient and secure administrative and collaboration processes).
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Customers; employees (e.g., employees, applicants, former employees); prospective customers; communication partners.
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Purposes of processing: Office and organizational procedures.
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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 notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Google Cloud Services: Cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://cloud.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://cloud.google.com/terms/cloud-privacy-notice, security notices: https://cloud.google.com/security/privacy; Data processing agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-terms; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause.
Newsletters and Electronic Notifications
We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletters") only with the consent of the recipients or a legal permission. If the content of a newsletter is specifically described in the context of registration, it is decisive for the consent of users. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.
To subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your email address. However, we may ask you to provide a name for personal addressing in the newsletter or other information if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.
Double opt-in procedure: Registration for our newsletter generally takes place in a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after registration you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with other people's email addresses. Newsletter registrations are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes the storage of the registration and confirmation time as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored with the mailing service provider are also logged.
Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete them in order to be able to prove consent previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of possible 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.
The logging of the registration process takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper course. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.
Notes on legal bases: The sending of newsletters is based on the consent of the recipients or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing, if and to the extent that this is legally permitted, e.g., in the case of existing customer advertising. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure sending. The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests to prove that it was conducted in accordance with the law.
Content:
Information about us, our content, promotions, and offerings.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times).
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Data subjects: Communication partners.
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Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail).
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Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
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Opt-out option: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Measurement of open and click rates: Newsletters contain a so-called "web beacon," i.e., a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or, if we use a mailing service provider, from their server when the newsletter is opened. In the context of 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 technical data or target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether newsletters are opened, when they are opened, and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until deletion. The evaluations serve us 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 rates and click rates as well as the storage of measurement results in user profiles and their further processing take place on the basis of user consent. A separate revocation of the performance measurement is unfortunately not possible; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted.
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MailPoet: Email marketing service; Service provider: Automattic Inc., 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; Website: https://www.mailpoet.com/; Privacy policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/.
Promotional Communication via Email, Mail, Fax, or Telephone
We process personal data for the purposes of promotional communication, which may take place via various channels such as email, telephone, mail, or fax in accordance with legal requirements.
Recipients have the right to revoke consent given at any time or to object to promotional communication at any time.
After revocation or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete it. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of possible 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.
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers).
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Data subjects: Communication partners.
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Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail).
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Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Sweepstakes and Contests
We process personal data of participants in sweepstakes and contests only in compliance with the relevant data protection regulations, to the extent that processing is contractually required for the provision, execution, and handling of the sweepstakes, participants have consented to processing, or processing serves our legitimate interests (e.g., in the security of the sweepstakes or the protection of our interests against misuse through possible collection of IP addresses when submitting sweepstakes entries).
If participants' contributions are published in the context of sweepstakes (e.g., in the context of a vote or presentation of sweepstakes entries or winners or reporting on the sweepstakes), we point out that the names of participants may also be published in this context. Participants may object to this at any time.
If the sweepstakes takes place within an online platform or social network (e.g., Facebook or Instagram, hereinafter referred to as "online platform"), the terms of use and data protection provisions of the respective platforms also apply. In these cases, we point out that we are responsible for the information provided by participants in the context of the sweepstakes and that inquiries regarding the sweepstakes should be directed to us.
Participants' data will be deleted as soon as the sweepstakes or contest has ended and the data is no longer required to inform winners or because inquiries about the sweepstakes can be expected. In principle, participants' data will be deleted no later than 6 months after the end of the sweepstakes. Winners' data may be retained longer, e.g., to answer inquiries about prizes or to fulfill prize services; in this case, the retention period depends on the type of prize and is, for example, up to three years for goods or services in order to be able to process warranty cases. Furthermore, participants' data may be stored longer, e.g., in the form of reporting on the sweepstakes in online and offline media.
If data was also collected for other purposes in the context of the sweepstakes, its processing and retention period are governed by the privacy notices on this use (e.g., in the case of registration for the newsletter in the context of a sweepstakes).
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Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses); content data (e.g., entries in online forms).
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Data subjects: Sweepstakes and contest participants.
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Purposes of processing: Conducting sweepstakes and contests.
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Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).
Surveys and Questionnaires
The surveys and questionnaires we conduct (hereinafter "surveys") are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed to the extent necessary for the provision and technical execution of surveys (e.g., processing of the IP address to display the survey in the user's browser or to enable resumption of the survey using a temporary cookie (session cookie)) or users have consented.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask participants for consent to process their data, this is the legal basis for processing; otherwise, participants' data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in conducting an objective survey.
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Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Communication partners.
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Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail).
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Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Web Analytics, Monitoring, and Optimization
Web analytics (also referred to as "reach measurement") is used to evaluate visitor flows to 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, recognize at what time our Online Offering or its functions or content are most frequently used or invite reuse. We can also 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, i.e., data summarized for a usage process, may be created for these purposes and information may be stored in a browser or in an end device and 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 consented to the collection of their location data from us or from the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.
The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analytics, A/B testing, and optimization, but pseudonyms. This means that we as well as the providers of the software used do not know the actual identity of users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes 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 processing data 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
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Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Remarketing; reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
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Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
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Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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DC Data / Matomo: We use the web analytics software DC Data (Matomo) on this website. When pages of our website are accessed, the following data is collected and stored: the user's IP address, shortened by the last 2 bytes (anonymized), the subpage accessed and the time of access, the website from which the user reached our website (referral), the pages accessed from the subpage, links to external domains that were clicked, the time spent on the website. The data collected is stored on our servers. The server location is Germany. The data is deleted after 180 days. No disclosure to third parties takes place.
Opt-out option: You can object to the recording of data. To do this, you can create a so-called opt-out cookie below with a mouse click, which has permanent validity. As a result, DC Data will not record your further use. Please note that the opt-out cookie will be deleted if you delete browser cookies.
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VG Wort / Scalable Central Measurement Procedure: VG Wort / Scalable Central Measurement Procedure – We use "session cookies" from VG Wort, Munich, to measure access to texts in order to determine the probability of copying. Session cookies are small units of information that a provider stores in the working memory of the visitor's computer. A randomly generated unique identification number, a so-called session ID, is stored in a session cookie. A cookie also contains information about its origin and storage period. Session cookies cannot store any other data. These measurements are carried out by Kantar Germany GmbH using the Scalable Central Measurement Procedure (SZM). They help to determine the probability of copying of individual texts for the remuneration of legal claims of authors and publishers. We do not collect any personal data via cookies. The Scalable Central Measurement Procedure collects anonymous measurement values. Access number measurement uses either a session cookie or a signature created from various automatically transmitted information from your browser as an alternative to recognize computer systems. IP addresses are only processed in anonymized form. The procedure was developed with data protection in mind. The only purpose of the procedure is to determine the probability of copying of individual texts. At no time are individual users identified. Your identity always remains protected. You will not receive any advertising through the system; Service provider: Verwertungsgesellschaft WORT (VG WORT), Untere Weidenstraße 5, 81543 Munich, Germany; Website: https://www.vgwort.de; Privacy policy: https://www.vgwort.de/hilfsseiten/datenschutz.html.
Online Marketing
We process personal data for the purposes of online marketing, which may in particular include the marketing of advertising space or the display of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as "content") based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.
For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called "cookie") or similar procedures are used, by means of which information about the user relevant to the display of the aforementioned content is stored. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners and technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used, and information on usage times and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this may also be processed.
The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of online marketing procedures, but pseudonyms. This means that we as well as the providers of online marketing procedures do not know the actual identity of users, but only the information stored in their profiles.
The information in the profiles is usually stored in cookies or by means of similar procedures. These cookies can later generally also be read on other websites that use the same online marketing procedure and analyzed for the purpose of displaying content as well as supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing procedure provider.
Exceptionally, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if users are members of a social network whose online marketing procedures we use and the network links the profiles of users with the aforementioned information. We ask you to note that users may enter into additional agreements with the providers, e.g., by consent in the context of registration.
In principle, we only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, in the context of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing procedures led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to the conclusion of a contract with us. Conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.
Unless otherwise stated, please assume that cookies used will be stored for a period of two years.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
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Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Marketing; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
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Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
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Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
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Opt-out option: We refer to the privacy notices of the respective providers and the opt-out options indicated for the providers (so-called "opt-out"). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of disabling cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our Online Offering. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered collectively for the respective areas: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-territorial: https://optout.aboutads.info.
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Google Adsense with personalized ads: We use the Google Adsense service with personalized ads, with the help of which ads are displayed within our Online Offering and we receive remuneration for their display or other use; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on services data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third-country data transfers: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Google Ad Manager / Google Ad Exchange / Google Advertising Products (Google Ads)
Google Ad Manager / Google Ad Exchange / Google Advertising Products (Google Ads) are services of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, whose components optimize and display advertising on our website using cookies. These cookies are used to provide relevant ads to users, to improve campaign performance reports, or to prevent a user from seeing the same ads multiple times.
Google Ads uses a cookie ID that is required to process the technical procedure. This cookie ID is crucial for the respective purpose. It is used to record which ads are delivered in which browser. When an ad is to be delivered in a browser, Google Ads uses the browser's cookie ID to check which Google Ads ads have already been delivered in that browser. This prevents ads from being delivered that the user has already seen. Similarly, cookie IDs can be used to record conversions in Google Ads that are related to ad requests. This is the case, for example, when a user sees a Google Ads ad and later accesses the advertiser's website in the same browser and makes a purchase there. Google Ads cookies do not contain any personal data. However, a Google Ads cookie may contain additional campaign identifiers. A campaign identifier is used to identify the campaigns with which you have already been in contact.
The data collected in the context of the use of Google Ads is also used to create commission statements. Google can, among other things, track that certain links on our website have been clicked. The information contained in the cookies is also collected as anonymized tags and used for audience management and for the delivery of interest-based ads.
The storage of and access to information on the end user's terminal device takes place pursuant to Section 25(1) TTDDG. The legal basis for further data processing is your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR.
You can prevent the setting of cookies, as already described above, at any time by setting the consent management tool or by means of an appropriate setting of the browser used and thereby permanently revoke it. You can deactivate personalized advertising by Google at the following link: https://adssettings.google.com.
Further information and the applicable privacy policy of Google Ads can be found at https://www.google.com/intl/de/policies/.
Affiliate Programs and Affiliate Links
We integrate so-called affiliate links or other references (which may include, for example, search masks, widgets, or discount codes) to the offerings and services of third-party providers into our Online Offering (collectively referred to as "affiliate links"). If users follow affiliate links or subsequently take advantage of the offerings, we may receive a commission or other benefits from these third-party providers (collectively referred to as "commission").
In order to track whether users have taken advantage of the offerings of an affiliate link we use, it is necessary for the respective third-party providers to learn that users have followed an affiliate link used within our Online Offering. The assignment of affiliate links to the respective business transactions or other actions (e.g., purchases) serves solely the purpose of commission accounting and will be canceled as soon as it is no longer required for the purpose.
For the purposes of the aforementioned assignment of affiliate links, affiliate links may be supplemented by certain values that are part of the link or may be stored elsewhere, e.g., in a cookie. The values may include in particular the source website (referrer), the time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offering, the type of link used, the type of offering, and an online identifier of the user.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Furthermore, their use may be a component of our (pre-)contractual services, provided that the use of third-party providers has been agreed in this context. 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
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Types of data processed: Contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Affiliate tracking.
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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 notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
- Amazon Associates Program: Affiliate partner program (Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or one of its affiliates); Service provider: Amazon Europe Core S.à.r.l., Amazon EU S.à.r.l, Amazon Services Europe S.à.r.l. and Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., all four located at 38, avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, as well as Amazon Instant Video Germany GmbH, Domagkstr. 28, 80807 Munich (together "Amazon Europe"), parent company: Amazon.com, Inc., 2021 Seventh Ave, Seattle, Washington 98121, USA; Website: https://www.amazon.de; Privacy policy: https://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201909010.
Presences in Social Networks (Social Media)
We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with users active there or to offer information about us.
We point out that user 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, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on usage behavior and the resulting interests of users. The usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements inside and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on users' computers, in which the usage behavior and interests of users are stored. Furthermore, data may also be stored in the usage profiles independently of the devices used by users (in particular if users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in to them).
For a detailed presentation of the respective forms of processing and opt-out options, we refer to the privacy policies 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 providers have access to users' data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us.
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Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); marketing.
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Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Facebook Pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page (so-called "fan page"). This data includes information about the types of content that users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see "Things that you and others do and provide" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see "Device Information" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under "How do we use this information?", Facebook collects and uses information to provide analytics services, so-called "Page Insights," to page operators so that they can gain insights into how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook ("Page Insights Information," https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Users' rights (in particular to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the "Page Insights Information" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further information: Joint responsibility agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data.
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LinkedIn: Social network; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
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Twitter: Social network; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Privacy policy: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization).
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YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
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Discord: Instant messaging, chat, voice conferencing, and video conferencing; Service provider: Discord, Inc., 444 De Haro St, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94107, USA; Website: https://discordapp.com/; Privacy policy: https://discordapp.com/privacy.
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Reddit: Social news aggregator; Service provider: Reddit Inc., 548 Market Street #16093, San Francisco, California 94104, USA; Website: https://www.redditinc.com/; Privacy policy: https://www.redditinc.com/policies/privacy-policy-january-10-2020.
Plugins and Embedded Functions and Content
We integrate functional and content elements into our Online Offering that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as "third-party providers"). These may be, for example, graphics, videos, or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "content").
The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of users, as without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browsers. The IP address is therefore required for the display of this content or functions. We endeavor to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the delivery of content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also referred to as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. The "pixel tags" can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user's device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit, and other information about the use of our Online Offering, as well as be linked to such information from other sources.
Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for processing data 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 refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.
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Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses); master data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); event data (Facebook) ("event data" is data that can be transmitted by us to Facebook, e.g., via Facebook Pixel (via apps or by other means) and relates to persons or their actions; the data includes, for example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, installations of apps, purchases of products, etc.; event data is processed for the purpose of creating target groups for content and advertising information (Custom Audiences); event data does not include the actual content (such as written comments), no login information, and no contact information (i.e., no names, email addresses, and telephone numbers). Event data is deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years, the target groups created from them with the deletion of our Facebook account).
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Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
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Purposes of processing: Provision of our Online Offering and user-friendliness; provision of contractual services and customer service; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles); marketing; reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures).
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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 notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:
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Integration of third-party software, scripts, or frameworks (e.g., jQuery): We integrate software into our Online Offering that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g., function libraries that we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our Online Offering). The respective providers collect the IP address of users and may process it for the purpose of transmitting the software to the user's browser as well as for security purposes and for the evaluation and optimization of their offering. – We integrate software into our Online Offering that we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g., function libraries that we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our Online Offering). The respective providers collect the IP address of users and may process it for the purpose of transmitting the software to the user's browser as well as for security purposes and for the evaluation and optimization of their offering.
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Facebook plugins and content: Facebook Social Plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within Facebook. The list and appearance of Facebook Social Plugins can be viewed here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data" that Facebook collects by means of the Facebook Social Plugins (and embedding functions for content) that are executed on our Online Offering or receives in the context of a transmission for the following purposes: a) display of content and advertising information that presumably corresponds to the interests of users; b) delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improvement of ad delivery and personalization of functions and content (e.g., improvement of recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook ("Addendum for Controllers," https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: When Facebook provides us with metrics, analytics, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing does not take place within the scope of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms," https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the "Data Security Terms" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms), and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum," https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). Users' rights (in particular to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy.
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Google Fonts: We integrate the fonts ("Google Fonts") of the provider Google, whereby user data is used solely for the purpose of displaying the fonts in the user's browser. The integration takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests in a technically secure, maintenance-free, and efficient use of fonts, their uniform display, and taking into account possible licensing restrictions for their integration; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
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Instagram plugins and content: Instagram plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within Instagram. – We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data" that Facebook collects by means of Instagram functions (e.g., embedding functions for content) that are executed on our Online Offering or receives in the context of a transmission for the following purposes: a) display of content and advertising information that presumably corresponds to the interests of users; b) delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g., addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improvement of ad delivery and personalization of functions and content (e.g., improvement of recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook ("Addendum for Controllers," https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: When Facebook provides us with metrics, analytics, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing does not take place within the scope of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms," https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the "Data Security Terms" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms), and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum," https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). Users' rights (in particular to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Instagram Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA; Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
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LinkedIn plugins and content: LinkedIn plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard contractual clauses (ensuring level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-out option: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
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Pinterest plugins and content: Pinterest plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within Pinterest; Service provider: Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA; Website: https://www.pinterest.com; Privacy policy: https://about.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.
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Twitter plugins and content: Twitter plugins and buttons – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within Twitter; Service provider: Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Website: https://twitter.com/de; Privacy policy: https://twitter.com/privacy, (Settings: https://twitter.com/personalization).
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YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
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Xing plugins and buttons: Xing plugins and buttons – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this Online Offering within Xing; Service provider: XING AG, Dammtorstraße 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany; Website: https://www.xing.com; Privacy policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.
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Vimeo: Video content; Service provider: Vimeo Inc., Attention: Legal Department, 555 West 18th Street New York, New York 10011, USA; Website: https://vimeo.com; Privacy policy: https://vimeo.com/privacy; Opt-out option: We point out that Vimeo may use Google Analytics and refer to the privacy policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy) and the opt-out options for Google Analytics (https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de) or Google's settings for data use for marketing purposes (https://adssettings.google.com/).
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Snapchat: Social network; standard contractual clauses (ensuring level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://www.snap.com/en-US/terms/standard-contractual-clauses; Service provider: Snap Inc., 3000 31st Street, Santa Monica, California 90405 USA; Website: https://www.snapchat.com/; Privacy policy: https://www.snap.com/de-DE/privacy/privacy-policy, cookie policy: https://www.snap.com/de-DE/cookie-policy.
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Giphy: Embedded plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons; Service provider: Giphy, Inc., 416 West 13th Street, Suite 207 New York, NY 10014, USA; Website: https://giphy.com; Privacy policy: https://support.giphy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360032872931.
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Reddit: Embedded plugins and content – This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons; Service provider: Reddit, Inc., 548 Market Street #16093, San Francisco, California 94104, USA; Website: https://www.redditinc.com; Privacy policy: https://www.redditinc.com/policies/privacy-policy-january-10-2020.
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Twitch: Chats and live streams; Service provider: Twitch Interactive, Inc., 350 Bush Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA; Website: https://www.twitch.tv/; Privacy policy: https://www.twitch.tv/p/de-de/legal/privacy-notice/.
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Soundcloud: Soundcloud – music hosting; Service provider: SoundCloud Limited, Rheinsberger Str. 76/77, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Website: https://soundcloud.com; Privacy policy: https://soundcloud.com/pages/privacy.
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Spotify: Spotify – music hosting and widget; Service provider: Spotify AB, Regeringsgatan 19, SE-111 53 Stockholm, Sweden; Website: https://www.spotify.com/de; Privacy policy: https://www.spotify.com/de/legal/privacy-policy/.
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Discord: Instant messaging, chat, voice conferencing, and video conferencing; Service provider: Discord, Inc., 444 De Haro St, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94107, USA; Website: https://discordapp.com/; Privacy policy: https://discordapp.com/privacy.
Amendment and Update of the Privacy Policy
We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g., consent) or other individual notification.
If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that addresses may change over time and please check the information before contacting us.
Rights of Data Subjects
As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 21 GDPR:
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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 the purpose of direct marketing, 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.
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Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw consent given at any time.
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Right of access: You have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether or not data concerning you is being processed and to obtain information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
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Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.
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Right to erasure and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request that data concerning you be erased without undue delay, or alternatively, in accordance with the legal requirements, to request restriction of processing of the data.
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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 transmission to another controller.
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Complaint to 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 consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.
Definitions
This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Many of the terms are taken from the law and are defined primarily in Art. 4 GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding. The terms are sorted alphabetically.
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Affiliate tracking: In the context of affiliate tracking, links with the help of which the linking websites refer users to websites with product or other offerings are logged. The operators of the respective linking websites can receive a commission if users follow these so-called affiliate links and subsequently take advantage of the offerings (e.g., buy goods or use services). For this purpose, it is necessary for the providers to be able to track whether users who are interested in certain offerings subsequently take advantage of them at the instigation of the affiliate links. Therefore, for the functionality of affiliate links, it is necessary that they be supplemented by certain values that become part of the link or are stored elsewhere, e.g., in a cookie. The values include in particular the source website (referrer), the time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offering, an online identifier of the user, as well as tracking-specific values such as advertising material ID, partner ID, and categorizations.
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Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement (also referred to as "visit action evaluation") is a procedure with which the effectiveness of marketing measures can be determined. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on users' devices within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, we can track whether the ads we placed on other websites were successful.
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Personal data: "Personal data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter "data subject"); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g., cookie), or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
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Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information," or "profiles" for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using such personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include various information concerning demographics, behavior, and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g., interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website, or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
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Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also referred to as web analytics) is used to evaluate visitor flows to an Online Offering and may include behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can, for example, recognize at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better adapt the content of the website to the needs of their visitors. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for reach analysis purposes to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an Online Offering.
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Remarketing: "Remarketing" or "retargeting" refers to, for example, noting for advertising purposes which products a user was interested in on a website in order to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g., in advertisements.
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Controller: "Controller" means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
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Processing: "Processing" means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers virtually any handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission, or deletion.