Privacy Policy

We are delighted that you are interested in our company. Protecting your personal data is a top priority for the management of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG. The use of the internet pages of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG is generally possible without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to make use of special services provided by our company via our website, processing of personal data may be required. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we will generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, email address, or telephone number of a data subject, is always in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG. With this privacy policy, our company seeks to inform the public about the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use, and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed of their rights under this privacy policy.

As the controller responsible for data processing, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most comprehensive protection possible of the personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, internet-based data transmissions can generally have security vulnerabilities, meaning that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us via alternative means, such as by telephone.

Definitions

The Privacy Policy of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG is based on the terms used by the European legislator when enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our Privacy Policy is designed to be easy to read and understand for the public, as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure clarity, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.

In this Privacy Policy, we use the following terms:

a) Personal data
Personal data refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as the “data subject”). A natural person is considered identifiable if they can be directly or indirectly identified, particularly by reference to an identifier such as a name, identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more specific characteristics that express the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject
A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the data controller.

c) Processing
Processing refers to any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure, or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing refers to the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its future processing.

e) Profiling
Profiling refers to any form of automated processing of personal data that involves using personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that person’s work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements.

f) Pseudonymization
Pseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller or data controller
The controller or data controller is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

h) Processor
A processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient
A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or another body to which personal data is disclosed, whether it is a third party or not. However, public authorities that may receive personal data in the framework of a particular investigation under Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.

j) Third party
A third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or body other than the data subject, controller, processor, and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.

k) Consent
Consent of the data subject refers to any freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which they, through a statement or a clear affirmative action, signify agreement to the processing of personal data relating to them.

Name and Address of the Controller

The controller for the purposes of the GDPR, other data protection laws applicable in Member States of the European Union, and other provisions related to data protection is:

MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG
Auf der Lake 9
57392 Schmallenberg
Germany

Tel.: +49 0 2972 9742 0
Email: info@meiller-umwelttechnik.de
Website: https://www.meiller-shop.com

Name and Address of the Data Protection Officer

The data protection officer of the controller is:

Matthias Kremer
KeDID – M. Kremer, External Data Protection Officer and IT Services
Latroper Straße 22
57392 Schmallenberg
Germany

Tel.: 02972 96 19063
Email: info@kedid.de
Website: https://www.kedid.de

Cookies

The website of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in a computer system via an internet browser.

Many internet pages and servers use cookies. Cookies often contain a so-called cookie ID, which is a unique identifier. This ID consists of a string through which websites and servers can be assigned to the specific browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows visited internet sites and servers to differentiate the individual browser of the data subject from other internet browsers that contain different cookies. A particular internet browser can be recognized and identified through the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without cookie settings.

Collection of General Data and Information

The website of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG collects a series of general data and information with each visit by an affected person or an automated system. This general data and information are stored in the server log files. The following may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which the accessing system reached our website (so-called referrer), (4) the subpages accessed on our website by the accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol (IP) address, (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) any other similar data and information that may be used to prevent threats in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG does not draw any conclusions about the affected person. Instead, this information is needed to (1) correctly deliver the content of our website, (2) optimize the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the continued functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the necessary information for prosecution in the event of a cyberattack. The anonymously collected data and information are, therefore, statistically evaluated by MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company to ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from any personal data provided by the affected person.

Registration on Our Website

The data subject has the option to register on the website of the controller by providing personal data. The specific personal data transmitted to the controller depends on the input fields used for the registration process. The personal data provided by the data subject will be collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for its own purposes. The controller may arrange for the personal data to be passed on to one or more processors, such as a delivery service provider, who will also use the personal data solely for internal purposes attributable to the controller.

By registering on the controller’s website, the IP address assigned to the data subject by their internet service provider (ISP), as well as the date and time of the registration, will also be stored. The storage of this data is necessary to prevent misuse of our services and to allow the investigation of any criminal offenses, should they occur. Therefore, the retention of this data is required to protect the controller. Generally, this data will not be shared with third parties unless there is a legal obligation to do so or if the disclosure is required for law enforcement purposes.

The voluntary provision of personal data during the registration process enables the controller to offer the data subject content or services that are only available to registered users due to the nature of the offering. Registered users have the option to modify or completely delete the personal data they provided during registration at any time from the controller’s database.

The controller will provide information at any time, upon request, about what personal data is stored concerning the data subject. Furthermore, the controller will correct or delete personal data upon the data subject’s request or notification, provided there are no statutory retention obligations preventing such action. All employees of the controller are available to the data subject as points of contact in this regard.

Subscription to our Newsletter

On the website of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our company’s newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the data controller when ordering the newsletter is determined by the input form used for this purpose.

MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG regularly informs its customers and business partners of company offers via newsletter. The newsletter can only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter. For legal reasons, a confirmation email will be sent in a double opt-in procedure to the email address first registered by the data subject for newsletter reception. This confirmation email is used to verify whether the owner of the email address as the data subject has authorized the receipt of the newsletter.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary to trace any potential misuse of a data subject’s email address at a later date and therefore serves to legally protect the data controller.

The personal data collected as part of the newsletter registration is used exclusively for sending our newsletter. In addition, newsletter subscribers may be informed via email if necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or registration, such as in the event of changes to the newsletter offering or changes in technical conditions. There is no transfer of the personal data collected as part of the newsletter service to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter may be canceled by the data subject at any time. The consent to store personal data that the data subject has provided for the newsletter can be revoked at any time. A corresponding link for revocation can be found in every newsletter. Furthermore, it is possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the website of the data controller or to communicate this to the data controller in another manner.

Newsletter Tracking

The newsletters distributed by MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG contain what are known as tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a small graphic embedded in these emails, which are sent in HTML format, to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows for a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. By means of the embedded tracking pixel, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG can identify whether and when an email was opened by the recipient and which links contained in the email were clicked by the recipient.

The personal data collected through the tracking pixels embedded in the newsletters is stored and analyzed by the data controller in order to optimize newsletter distribution and better tailor the content of future newsletters to the recipient’s interests. This personal data is not shared with third parties. Recipients have the right to withdraw the consent they provided via the Double-Opt-In procedure at any time. After a withdrawal, the personal data will be deleted by the data controller. Unsubscribing from the newsletter is automatically interpreted by MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG as a withdrawal of consent.

Contact via the Website

The website of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG contains, as required by law, information that enables quick electronic contact with the company and direct communication with us, which also includes a general address for electronic mail (email address). If a data subject contacts the data controller by email or through a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Personal data voluntarily provided by the data subject to the data controller is stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. No personal data is shared with third parties.

Routine Deletion and Blocking of Personal Data

The data controller processes and stores the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of the storage or as required by the European legislator or any other applicable law. If the purpose of storage ceases to exist or a legally prescribed retention period expires, the personal data is routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the legal requirements.

Rights of the Data Subject

a) Right to Confirmation

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning them is being processed. Should a data subject wish to exercise this right, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

b) Right of Access

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain, at any time and free of charge, information from the controller regarding the personal data stored about them and to receive a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject the right to the following additional information:

• the purposes of the processing;
• the categories of personal data processed;
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, especially recipients in third countries or international organizations;
• where possible, the planned duration of the storage of personal data or, if this is not possible, the criteria for determining this period;
• the existence of a right to request rectification or erasure of personal data, or to request the restriction of processing, or to object to such processing;
• the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
• if the personal data is not collected from the data subject, any available information as to its source;
• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling as referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR, and, at least in such cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and intended consequences of such processing for the data subject.

The data subject also has the right to know whether personal data is transferred to a third country or an international organization, and, if so, the data subject has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer. Should a data subject wish to exercise this right, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

c) Right to Rectification

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Additionally, taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject has the right to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including by means of a supplementary statement.

Should a data subject wish to exercise this right, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

d) Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request the controller to erase personal data concerning them without undue delay, provided that one of the following reasons applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

• The personal data is no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.
• The data subject withdraws their consent on which the processing is based, and there is no other legal ground for the processing.
• The data subject objects to the processing under Article 21(1) GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing under Article 21(2) GDPR.
• The personal data has been unlawfully processed.
• The personal data must be erased to comply with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
• The personal data has been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR.

If one of the aforementioned reasons applies and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time. The employee of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG will ensure that the erasure request is promptly complied with.

Where MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG has made the personal data public and is obligated to erase it under Article 17(1) GDPR, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG, taking into account available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure of any links to or copies or replications of such personal data. The employee of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG will arrange the necessary steps in each case.

e) Right to Restriction of Processing

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following conditions applies:

• The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
• The processing is unlawful, and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests instead the restriction of its use.
• The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject requires it for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
• The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR, pending the verification of whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the aforementioned conditions is met, and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time. The employee of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG will arrange for the restriction of processing.

f) Right to Data Portability

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. They also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, where the processing is based on consent or on a contract and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

The data subject further has the right, when exercising their right to data portability under Article 20(1) GDPR, to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible, provided that the rights and freedoms of others are not adversely affected.

To exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact any employee of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG at any time.

g) Right to Object

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, at any time to the processing of personal data concerning them, which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG will no longer process the personal data in the event of such an objection unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing is for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

If MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning them for such marketing, including profiling to the extent it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG to the processing for direct marketing purposes, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

Additionally, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object to the processing of personal data concerning them for scientific or historical research purposes, or for statistical purposes under Article 89(1) GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG at any time.

h) Automated Individual Decision-Making, Including Profiling

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affects them, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

Where the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject’s explicit consent, MEILLER GmbH & Co. KG shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests, including at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express their point of view, and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise rights concerning automated decision-making, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

i) Right to Withdraw Consent

Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw their consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

Should a data subject wish to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

Data Protection in Job Applications and the Application Process

The data controller collects and processes personal data of applicants for the purpose of managing the application process. Processing may also occur electronically, particularly when an applicant submits their application materials electronically, such as via email or through a web form provided on the website of the data controller. If the data controller enters into an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of managing the employment relationship in compliance with statutory provisions. If no employment contract is concluded with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted three months after the rejection is communicated, unless the data controller has a legitimate interest in retaining the documents. A legitimate interest in this context may include, for example, the need to provide evidence in a case brought under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

Data Protection Regulations for the Use of Facebook

The data controller has integrated components of Facebook into this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an online platform that operates as a social meeting point, allowing users to communicate and interact virtually. A social network may serve as a platform for sharing opinions and experiences or enable users to provide personal or business-related information to the online community. Facebook allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos, and connect through friend requests.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. If a person resides outside the USA or Canada, the data controller for the processing of personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Each time an individual accesses a page of this website that contains a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in), the individual’s browser automatically downloads a display of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A comprehensive list of all Facebook plug-ins can be found at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/. As part of this process, Facebook is informed about which specific subpage of our website the individual has visited.

If the individual is simultaneously logged into Facebook, Facebook will recognize, with each visit to our website and for the entire duration of the individual’s stay, which specific subpage they have accessed. This information is collected through the Facebook component and associated with the individual’s Facebook account. If the individual clicks on one of the Facebook buttons embedded on our website, such as the “Like” button, or leaves a comment, Facebook associates this information with the individual’s personal Facebook account and stores the data.

Facebook receives information via the Facebook component that the individual has visited our website, provided they are logged into Facebook at the time of the visit. This occurs regardless of whether the individual clicks on the Facebook component. If the individual does not want this information to be transmitted to Facebook, they can prevent this by logging out of their Facebook account before visiting our website.

Facebook’s published data policy, available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides details on the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains the privacy settings Facebook offers to protect the individual’s data. Additionally, various applications are available to prevent data transmission to Facebook. These applications can be used by individuals to block the transfer of information to Facebook.

Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Google AdSense

The data controller has integrated Google AdSense on this website. Google AdSense is an online service that facilitates the placement of advertisements on third-party websites. Google AdSense operates based on an algorithm that selects ads displayed on third-party websites in a way that matches the content of the respective third-party page. Google AdSense enables interest-based targeting of internet users, which is implemented through the generation of individual user profiles.

The operating company for the Google AdSense component is Alphabet Inc., located at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of the Google AdSense component is to integrate advertisements on our website. Google AdSense places a cookie on the affected person’s IT system. The concept of cookies has already been explained above. By placing the cookie, Alphabet Inc. is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website, operated by the data controller and on which a Google AdSense component is integrated, is accessed, the internet browser on the affected person’s IT system is automatically prompted by the respective Google AdSense component to transmit data to Alphabet Inc. for the purpose of online advertising and commission settlement. In the course of this technical process, Alphabet Inc. gains knowledge of personal data, such as the affected person’s IP address, which allows Alphabet Inc. to track the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently enable commission settlements.

The affected person can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time, as already described above, by adjusting the settings of the internet browser being used and thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the internet browser would also prevent Alphabet Inc. from placing a cookie on the affected person’s IT system. In addition, a cookie already set by Alphabet Inc. can be deleted at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.

Google AdSense also uses so-called web beacons. A web beacon is a small graphic embedded in web pages that allows log file recording and log file analysis, enabling statistical evaluation. Through the embedded web beacon, Alphabet Inc. can recognize whether and when a website was opened by an affected person and which links were clicked by the affected person. Web beacons are used, among other things, to analyze the visitor flow on a website.

Through Google AdSense, personal data and information, including the IP address, necessary for the collection and settlement of displayed advertisements, are transmitted to Alphabet Inc. in the United States of America. These personal data are stored and processed in the United States of America. Alphabet Inc. may, under certain circumstances, share these personal data, obtained through technical procedures, with third parties.

Google AdSense is further explained at the following link: https://www.google.de/intl/de/adsense/start/.

Privacy Policy Regarding the Use of Google Analytics (with Anonymization Function)

The data controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymization function) on this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics involves the collection, gathering, and evaluation of data regarding the behavior of website visitors. A web analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a user has come from (so-called referrer), which subpages of the website have been accessed, or how often and for what duration a subpage was viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimize a website and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of internet advertising.

The operator of the Google Analytics component is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The data controller uses the “_gat._anonymizeIp” extension for web analytics via Google Analytics. Through this extension, the IP address of the data subject’s internet connection is truncated and anonymized by Google when accessing our website from a member state of the European Union or another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze the traffic on our website. Google uses the collected data and information, among other things, to evaluate the usage of our website, compile online reports for us that show activities on our website, and provide other services related to the use of our website.

Google Analytics places a cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. What cookies are has already been explained above. The placement of the cookie allows Google to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website, operated by the data controller and into which a Google Analytics component has been integrated, is accessed, the web browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Google Analytics component to transmit data to Google for the purpose of online analysis. Through this technical process, Google obtains knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the data subject, which helps Google, among other things, understand the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently facilitate commission settlements.

Personal information, such as the access time, location from which the access originated, and the frequency of visits to our website by the data subject, is stored by means of the cookie. Each time our website is visited, these personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, are transmitted to Google in the United States. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States. Google may share these personal data collected through the technical process with third parties.

The data subject can prevent the placement of cookies by our website at any time by adjusting the settings of their web browser accordingly, as described above, and thus permanently object to the placement of cookies. Such a setting in the web browser would also prevent Google from placing a cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. In addition, a cookie already placed by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the web browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to the collection of data generated by Google Analytics, related to the use of this website, as well as the processing of these data by Google, and to prevent such processing. To do this, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on from the link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data and information about website visits may be transmitted to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-on is considered an objection by Google. If the data subject’s information technology system is later deleted, formatted, or reinstalled, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or another person within their control, there is the option of reinstalling or reactivating the browser add-on.

Further information and the applicable privacy policies of Google can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and at http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is further explained at https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

Privacy Policy on the Use of Instagram

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

The operator of Instagram’s services is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14 First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.

Each time an individual page of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which an Instagram component (Insta-button) has been integrated, is accessed, the internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Instagram component to download a display of the corresponding Instagram component. As part of this technical process, Instagram becomes aware of which specific subpage of our website is being visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Instagram at the same time, Instagram detects with each visit to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website, which specific subpage the data subject is visiting. These details are collected by the Instagram component and linked by Instagram to the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, the data and information thus transmitted will be linked to the personal Instagram account of the data subject and stored and processed by Instagram.

Instagram receives information through the Instagram component whenever the data subject visits our website, provided the data subject is logged into Instagram at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Instagram component or not. If the data subject does not want such information to be transmitted to Instagram, they can prevent this transmission by logging out of their Instagram account before visiting our website.

Further information and Instagram’s applicable privacy policies can be accessed at https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

Privacy Policy on the Use and Integration of YouTube

The data controller has integrated components of YouTube on this website. YouTube is an internet video portal that allows video publishers to upload video clips free of charge, and enables other users to view, rate, and comment on these videos at no cost. YouTube permits the publication of all types of videos, including complete films, TV shows, music videos, trailers, and user-generated content, all of which can be accessed via the internet portal.

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

Each time a user accesses a page on this website, operated by the data controller, that includes a YouTube component (such as a YouTube video), the user’s internet browser is automatically prompted by the respective YouTube component to download a display of that component from YouTube. Additional information about YouTube can be found at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/. During this technical process, YouTube and Google are informed of which specific subpage of our website the user has visited.

If the user is simultaneously logged into YouTube, YouTube will recognize which specific subpage containing a YouTube video has been visited by the user. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and associated with the user’s respective YouTube account.

YouTube and Google will always receive information via the YouTube component that the user has visited our website if the user is logged into YouTube at the time of accessing our site, regardless of whether the user clicks on a YouTube video or not. If the user does not wish this information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, they can prevent this by logging out of their YouTube account before visiting our website.

The privacy policies published by YouTube, available at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provide information on the collection, processing, and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

Legal Basis for Processing

Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company’s processing operations where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party—such as processing activities required for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or returns—the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. This also applies to processing necessary for pre-contractual measures, for instance, in cases of inquiries about our products or services. Where our company is subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, such as for tax compliance, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person, for example, if a visitor in our company were injured and their name, age, health insurance information, or other vital information needed to be passed on to a doctor, hospital, or other third party. In this case, processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR. Finally, processing operations may be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis applies to processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal grounds, where processing is necessary for the legitimate interests pursued by our company or a third party, provided that such interests are not overridden by the interests, fundamental rights, or freedoms of the data subject. Such processing operations are particularly permissible because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator, who considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47, Sentence 2 GDPR).

Legitimate Interests Pursued by the Controller or a Third Party

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is the performance of our business activities in favor of the well-being of all our employees and shareholders.

Duration of Data Storage

The criterion for the duration of the storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After the expiration of this period, the corresponding data will be routinely deleted, provided that they are no longer required for the performance of the contract or the initiation of a contract.

Legal or Contractual Requirements for the Provision of Personal Data; Necessity for Contract Conclusion; Obligation of the Data Subject to Provide Personal Data; Possible Consequences of Non-Provision

We inform you that the provision of personal data may, in part, be legally required (e.g., tax regulations) or arise from contractual obligations (e.g., details about the contracting party). In some cases, it may be necessary for the conclusion of a contract that the data subject provides us with personal data, which we then process. For instance, the data subject is required to provide personal data if our company is entering into a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data may result in the inability to conclude the contract with the data subject. Before the data subject provides personal data, they must contact one of our employees. Our employee will provide case-specific information to the data subject, clarifying whether the provision of personal data is legally or contractually required, necessary for the conclusion of a contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and the consequences of non-provision.

Existence of Automated Decision-Making

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