Privacy policy
1) Information about the collection of personal data and contact details of the responsible person.
1.1 We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. In the following, we inform you about the handling of your personal data when using our website. Personal data in this context is all data with which you can be personally identified.
1.2 The person responsible for data processing on this website within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is SonoMedical GmbH, Hindenburgstr. 56, 41542 Dormagen, Germany, Tel.: +491605656156, e-mail: k.peters@sono-medical.com. The controller of personal data is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
1.3 The data controller has appointed a data protection officer, who can be reached as follows: "Reinhold Peters, Hindenburgstr. 56, 41542 Dormagen, 0160-5656156, r.peters@sono-medical.de".
1.4 This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g. orders or inquiries to the person responsible). You can recognize an encrypted connection by the string "https://" and the lock symbol in your browser line.
2) Data collection when visiting our website
During the mere informational use of our website, i.e. if you do not register or otherwise transmit information to us, we only collect data that your browser transmits to our server (so-called "server log files"). When you visit our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:
- Our visited website
- Date and time at the time of access
- Amount of data sent in bytes
- Source/reference from which you reached the page
- Browser used
Operating system used - IP address used (if applicable: in anonymized form)
The processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data is not passed on or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to check the server log files retrospectively if there are concrete indications of illegal use.
3) Hosting & Content Delivery Network
3.1 Google Cloud CDN
On our website, we use a so-called Content Delivery Network ("CDN") of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"). A content delivery network is an online service that is used in particular to deliver large media files (such as graphics, page content or scripts) through a network of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet. The use of Google's Content Delivery Network helps us to optimize the loading speeds of our website.
The processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in a secure and efficient provision, as well as improvement of the stability and functionality of our website. You can obtain more information about Google's data protection policy at the following Internet address: https://www.google.de/policies/privacy/
3.2 IONOS
On our website we use a so-called Content Delivery Network ("CDN") of &1 IONOS Internet SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur ("IONOS"). A Content Delivery Network is an online service that is used in particular to deliver large media files (such as graphics, page content or scripts) through a network of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet. The use of the Content Delivery Network by IONOS helps us to optimize the loading speeds of our website.
The processing is carried out pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in a secure and efficient provision, as well as improvement of the stability and functionality of our website.
We have entered into an order processing agreement with IONOS, which obligates IONOS to protect the data of our site visitors and not to disclose it to third parties. For more information, please see the IONOS privacy policy at: https://www.ionos.de/terms-gtc/terms-privacy
3.3 Jetpack
On our website, we use the Content Delivery Network ("CDN") of Jetpack, a service of Automattic Inc, 60 29 th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA (hereinafter "Auttomatic"). A content delivery network is an online service that is used in particular to deliver large media files (such as graphics, page content or scripts) through a network of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet. The use of Jetpack's Content Delivery Network helps us to optimize the loading speeds of our website.
The processing is carried out pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in a secure and efficient provision, as well as improvement of the stability and functionality of our website. For more information, please see Jetpack's privacy policy at https://automattic.com/de/privacy/.
3.4 wao.io (Avenga Germany GmbH).
On our website, we use the Content Delivery Network ("CDN") of wao.io of Avenga Germany GmbH, Bahnhofsvorplatz 1, 50667 Cologne, Germany ("wao.io"). A Content Delivery Network is an online service that is used in particular to deliver large media files (such as graphics, page content or scripts) through a network of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet. The use of wao.io's Content Delivery Network helps us to optimize the loading speeds of our website.
The processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in a secure and efficient provision, as well as improving the stability and functionality of our website.
For more information, please see wao.io's privacy policy at https://wao.io/de/privacy.
4) Cookies
In order to make visiting our website more attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use so-called cookies on various pages. These are small text files that are stored on your terminal device. Some of the cookies we use are deleted after the end of the browser session, i.e. after you close your browser (so-called session cookies). Other cookies remain on your end device and enable us or our partner companies (third-party cookies) to recognize your browser on your next visit (persistent cookies). If cookies are set, they collect and process certain user information such as browser and location data and IP address values to an individual extent. Persistent cookies are automatically deleted after a specified period of time, which may vary depending on the cookie.
If personal data is also processed by individual cookies implemented by us, the processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. b DSGVO either for the performance of the contract or in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO to protect our legitimate interests in the best possible functionality of the website as well as a customer-friendly and effective design of the site visit.
We may work together with advertising partners who help us to make our internet offer more interesting for you. For this purpose, cookies from partner companies are also stored on your hard drive when you visit our website (third-party cookies). If we cooperate with aforementioned advertising partners, you will be informed individually and separately about the use of such cookies and the scope of the information collected in each case within the paragraphs below.
Please note that you can set your browser so that you are informed about the setting of cookies and can decide individually about their acceptance or exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general. Each browser differs in the way it manages cookie settings. This is described in the help menu of each browser, which explains how you can change your cookie settings. You can find this for each browser at the following links:
Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/microsoft-edge/temporäres-zulassen-von-cookies-und-website-daten-in-microsoft-edge-597f04f2-c0ce-f08c-7c2b-541086362bd2
Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/de/kb/cookies-erlauben-und-ablehnen
Chrome: http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=de&hlrm=en&answer=95647
Safari: https://support.apple.com/de-de/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
Opera: http://help.opera.com/Windows/10.20/de/cookies.html
Please note that if you do not accept cookies, the functionality of our website may be limited.
5) Contact us
5.1 - Your own rating reminder (not sent by a customer rating system)
We use your email address for a one-time reminder to submit a rating of your order for the rating system we use, provided that you have given us your express consent to do so during or after your order in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO.
You can revoke your consent at any time by sending a message to the data controller.
5.2 In the context of contacting us (e.g. via contact form or e-mail), personal data is collected. Which data is collected in the case of the use of a contact form can be seen from the respective contact form. This data is stored and used exclusively for the purpose of responding to your request or for contacting you and the associated technical administration. The legal basis for the processing of this data is our legitimate interest in responding to your request in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO. If your contact aims at the conclusion of a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 (1) lit. b DSGVO. Your data will be deleted after final processing of your request. This is the case if it can be inferred from the circumstances that the matter concerned has been conclusively clarified and provided that there are no statutory retention obligations to the contrary.
5.3 WhatsApp Business
We offer visitors to our website the opportunity to contact us via the messaging service WhatsApp of WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. For this purpose, we use the so-called "business version" of WhatsApp.
If you contact us via WhatsApp on the occasion of a specific transaction (for example, an order placed), we store and use the mobile phone number you use on WhatsApp and - if provided - your first and last name pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b. DSGVO to process and respond to your request. On the basis of the same legal basis, we may ask you to provide further data (order number, customer number, address or email address) via WhatsApp in order to be able to assign your request to a specific process.
If you use our WhatsApp contact for general inquiries (such as about the range of services, availability or our website), we store and use the mobile phone number you use on WhatsApp and - if provided - your first and last name in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO based on our legitimate interest in the efficient and timely provision of the requested information.
Your data will only ever be used to respond to your request via WhatsApp. It will not be passed on to third parties.
Please note that WhatsApp Business receives access to the address book of the mobile device we use for this purpose and automatically transfers phone numbers stored in the address book to a server of the parent company Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA. For the operation of our WhatsApp business account, we use a mobile device in whose address book only the WhatsApp contact data of those users who have also contacted us via WhatsApp are stored.
This ensures that each person whose WhatsApp contact data is stored in our address book has already consented to the transmission of his WhatsApp telephone number from the address books of his chat contacts in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO when using the app on his device for the first time by accepting the WhatsApp terms of use. A transmission of data of such users who do not use WhatsApp and/or have not contacted us via WhatsApp is excluded in this respect.
For the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by WhatsApp, as well as your rights in this regard and setting options for protecting your privacy, please refer to the data protection information of WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/?eea=1#privacy-policy
6) Registration with the portal or forum
You can register on our website by providing personal data. Which personal data is processed for registration can be seen from the input mask used for registration. We use the so-called double-opt-in procedure for registration, i.e. your registration is only completed once you have confirmed your registration by clicking on the link contained in a confirmation e-mail sent to you for this purpose. If your confirmation is not received within 24 hours, your registration will be automatically deleted from our database. The provision of the aforementioned data is mandatory. You can provide all other information voluntarily by using our portal.
If you use our portal, we store your data required for the fulfillment of the contract, including any information on the method of payment, until you finally delete your access. Furthermore, we store the voluntary data you provide for the duration of your use of the portal, unless you delete it beforehand. You can manage and change all information in the protected customer area. The legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO.
In addition, we store all content published by you (such as public posts, pinboard entries, guestbook entries, etc.) in order to operate the website. We have a legitimate interest in providing the website with the full user-generated content. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO. If you delete your account, your public statements, especially in the forum, will remain visible to all readers, but your account will no longer be retrievable. All other data will be deleted in this case.
7) Data processing for the handling of donations
For the processing of donations that you may send to us, we generally process the following personal data: First and last name, address, e-mail address.
Your data will be stored by us together with the details of the donation amount, donation frequency and donation purpose and kept for ten years.
Depending on the selected payment method, the above data will also be forwarded to the payment service provider selected by you for the donation and processed there exclusively and only to the extent necessary to process your donation.
The above-mentioned processing is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. b DSGVO and serves exclusively to properly execute your donation payment and to record it for accounting purposes. The storage for a period of 10 years is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c DSGVO in conjunction with § 147 AO, according to which we are subject to a corresponding obligation to retain records of the business transaction.
8) Comment function
In the context of the comment function on this website, in addition to your comment, information on the time of creation of the comment and the comment name you have chosen will be stored and published on this website. Furthermore, your IP address will be logged and stored. This storage of the IP address takes place for security reasons and in the event that the person concerned violates the rights of third parties or posts illegal content through a submitted comment. We need your e-mail address in order to contact you if a third party objects to your published content as being illegal. The legal basis for the storage of your data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b and f DSGVO. We reserve the right to delete comments if they are objected to by third parties as unlawful.
The follow-up comments can be subscribed to by you as a user. For this purpose, you will receive a confirmation e-mail to ensure that you are the owner of the e-mail address provided (double opt-in procedure). The legal basis for data processing in the case of comment subscriptions is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. You can unsubscribe from ongoing comment subscriptions at any time with effect for the future, for more information on the unsubscribe option, please refer to the confirmation email.
9) Use of customer data for direct advertising
9.1 Registration for our e-mail newsletter
If you register for our e-mail newsletter, we will regularly send you information about our offers. The only mandatory data for sending the newsletter is your e-mail address. The provision of further data is voluntary and will be used to address you personally. For sending the newsletter we use the so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that we will only send you an e-mail newsletter after you have expressly confirmed that you consent to receiving newsletters. We will then send you a confirmation e-mail asking you to confirm that you wish to receive the newsletter in the future by clicking on an appropriate link.
By activating the confirmation link, you give us your consent for the use of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO. When you register for the newsletter, we store your IP address entered by your Internet service provider (ISP) as well as the date and time of registration in order to be able to trace any possible misuse of your e-mail address at a later date. The data collected by us when you register for the newsletter will be used exclusively for the purpose of addressing you in an advertising manner by way of the newsletter. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time via the link provided for this purpose in the newsletter or by sending a corresponding message to the person responsible mentioned at the beginning. After unsubscribing, your e-mail address will be deleted from our newsletter distribution list immediately, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve the right to use your data in a manner that goes beyond this, which is permitted by law and about which we inform you in this declaration.
9.2 Sending the e-mail newsletter to existing customers
If you have provided us with your e-mail address when purchasing goods or services, we reserve the right to regularly send you offers on similar goods or services, such as those already purchased, from our product range by e-mail. In accordance with Section 7 (3) of the German Unfair Competition Act (UWG), we do not need to obtain your separate consent for this. In this respect, the data processing is carried out solely on the basis of our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f DSGVO. If you have initially objected to the use of your e-mail address for this purpose, no e-mails will be sent by us. You are entitled to object to the use of your e-mail address for the aforementioned advertising purpose at any time with effect for the future by notifying the responsible person named at the beginning. For this, you will only incur transmission costs according to the prime rates. After receipt of your objection, the use of your e-mail address for advertising purposes will cease immediately.
9.3 - Newsletter dispatch via CleverReach
Our e-mail newsletters are sent via the technical service provider CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG, Mühlenstr. 43, 26180 Rastede ("CleverReach"), to whom we pass on your data provided during newsletter registration. This transfer takes place in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f DSGVO and serves our legitimate interest in using an effective advertising, secure and user-friendly newsletter system. The data you enter for the purpose of receiving newsletters (e.g. email address) is stored on CleverReach's servers in Germany or Ireland.
CleverReach uses this information to send and statistically evaluate the newsletters on our behalf. For the evaluation, the newsletters sent by e-mail contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which are single-pixel image files stored on our website. This makes it possible to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links, if any, have been clicked on. With the help of so-called conversion tracking, it can also be analyzed whether a predefined action (e.g. purchase of a product on our website) has taken place after clicking on such links. In addition, technical information is collected (e.g. time of retrieval, IP address, browser type and operating system). The data is collected exclusively pseudonymously and is not linked to your other personal data, a direct personal reference is excluded. This data is used exclusively for the statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better adapt future newsletters to the interests of the recipients.
If you wish to object to the data analysis for statistical evaluation purposes, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter.
We have concluded an order processing agreement with CleverReach, with which we oblige CleverReach to protect our customers' data and not to pass it on to third parties.
You can read more information about CleverReach's data analysis here:
https://www.cleverreach.com/de/funktionen/reporting-und-tracking/
You can view CleverReach's privacy policy here:
https://www.cleverreach.com/de/datenschutz/.
- Newsletter dispatch via Sendinblue
Our e-mail newsletters are sent via the technical service provider Sendinblue GmbH, Köpenicker Str. 126, 10179 Berlin, to whom we pass on the data you provided when registering for the newsletter. This transfer takes place in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO and serves our legitimate interest in using a newsletter system that is effective in advertising, secure and user-friendly. The data entered by you for the purpose of receiving the newsletter (e.g. e-mail address) is stored on Sendinblue's servers in the EU.
Sendinblue uses this information to send and statistically evaluate the newsletters on our behalf. For the evaluation, the sent emails contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which are single-pixel image files stored on our website. This makes it possible to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links, if any, have been clicked on. Technical information is also recorded (e.g. time of retrieval, IP address, browser type and operating system). The data is collected exclusively pseudonymously and is not linked to your other personal data, a direct personal reference is excluded. This data is used exclusively for the statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better adapt future newsletters to the interests of the recipients. If you wish to object to the data analysis for statistical evaluation purposes, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter.
Furthermore, Sendinblue may use this data itself in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO due to its own legitimate interest in designing and optimizing the service in line with demand, as well as for market research purposes, for example to determine which countries the recipients come from. However, Sendinblue does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to write to them itself or to pass them on to third parties.
We have concluded an order processing agreement with Sendinblue, with which we oblige Sendinblue to protect our customers' data and not to pass it on to third parties.
You can view Sendinblue's privacy policy here: https://de.sendinblue.com/legal/privacypolicy/
9.4 WhatsApp newsletter
If you register for our WhatsApp newsletter, we will regularly send you information about our offers via WhatsApp. The only mandatory information for sending the newsletter is your mobile phone number.
To send the newsletter, include our cell phone number in the address contacts of your mobile device and send us the message "Start" via WhatsApp. By sending this WhatsApp message, you give us your consent for the use of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO for the purpose of sending the newsletter. We will then add you to our newsletter distribution list.
The data collected by us when you register for the newsletter will be processed exclusively for the purpose of addressing you in an advertising manner by way of the newsletter. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time by sending us the message "Stop" via WhatsApp. After unsubscribing, your mobile phone number will be immediately deleted from our newsletter distribution list, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve the right to use data beyond this, which is permitted by law and about which we inform you in this statement.
Please note that WhatsApp obtains access to the address book of the mobile device we use to send the newsletter and automatically transfers phone numbers stored in the address book to a Facebook server in the USA.
For sending our WhatsApp newsletter, we therefore use a mobile device whose address book only stores the WhatsApp contact data of our newsletter recipients. This ensures that each person whose WhatsApp contact data is stored in our address book has already consented to the transmission of his WhatsApp telephone number from the address books of his chat contacts in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO when using the app on his device for the first time by accepting the WhatsApp terms of use. A transmission of data of such users who do not use WhatsApp and/or have not contacted us via WhatsApp is excluded in this respect.
For the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by WhatsApp, as well as your rights in this regard and setting options for protecting your privacy, please refer to the data protection information of WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/?eea=1#privacy-policy
9.5 - Advertising by mail
Based on our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising, we reserve the right to store your first name and surname, your postal address and - insofar as we have received this additional information from you as part of the contractual relationship - your title, academic degree, year of birth and your occupational, industry or business designation in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO and to use it to send you interesting offers and information about our products by letter post.
You can object to the storage and use of your data for this purpose at any time by sending a message to the person responsible.
10) Web analytics services
10.1 Google (Universal) Analytics
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"). Google (Universal) Analytics uses "cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics exclusively with the extension "_anonymizeIp()", which ensures an anonymization of the IP address by shortening and excludes a direct personal reference. Through the extension, your IP address is shortened beforehand by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google LLC.server in the USA and shortened there. On our behalf, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. In this context, the IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google (Universal) Analytics will not be merged with other Google data.
Google Analytics also enables the creation of statistics with statements about the age, gender and interests of site visitors on the basis of an evaluation of interest-based advertising and with the involvement of third-party information via a special function, the so-called "demographic characteristics". This allows the definition and differentiation of user groups of the website for the purpose of targeting marketing measures. However, data records collected via the "demographic characteristics" cannot be assigned to a specific person.
All processing described above, in particular the setting of Google Analytics cookies for reading out information on the end device used, will only be carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, Google Analytics will not be used during your visit to the site.
You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website. We have concluded an order processing agreement with Google for the use of Google Analytics, which obliges Google to protect the data of our site visitors and not to pass it on to third parties.
For the transfer of data from the EU to the USA, Google refers to so-called standard data protection clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection in the USA.
Further information on Google (Universal) Analytics can be found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de
10.2 Google (Universal) Analytics without Cookies
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google").
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics exclusively without the use of cookies, which means that the service does not set cookies on your terminal device at any time.
Instead, the local memory of your browser is used to store an individual ID assigned by Google (Universal) Analytics, which enables an analysis of your use of the website. For this purpose, certain user information is processed via the ID.
The information generated by the ID about your use of this website (including the shortened IP address) is usually transmitted to a Google server and stored there; this may also involve transmission to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA.
This website uses Google (Universal) Analytics exclusively with the extension "_anonymizeIp()", which ensures an anonymization of the IP address by shortening and excludes a direct personal reference. Through the extension, your IP address is shortened beforehand by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transferred to a Google LLC. server in the USA and shortened there. On our behalf, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. In the process, the IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google (Universal) Analytics will be merged with other data from Google.
Google Analytics also enables the creation of statistics with statements about the age, gender and interests of site visitors on the basis of an evaluation of interest-based advertising and with the involvement of third-party information via a special function, the so-called "demographic characteristics". This allows the definition and differentiation of user groups of the website for the purpose of targeting marketing measures. However, data records collected via the "demographic characteristics" cannot be assigned to a specific person.
All processing described above will only be carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, Google Analytics will not be used during your visit to the site.
You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, you can download and install the browser plugin available at the following link:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de
As an alternative to the browser plugin or within browsers on mobile devices, you can revoke your consent by clicking on the following link to set an opt-out cookie that will prevent the collection by Google Analytics within this website in the future (this opt-out cookie only works in this browser and only for this domain. If you delete your cookies in this browser, you must click this link again):
Google Analytics deactivate
We have entered into an order processing agreement with Google for the use of Google Analytics, which obliges Google to protect the data of our site visitors and not to pass it on to third parties.
For the transfer of data from the EU to the USA, Google refers to so-called standard data protection clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection in the USA.
Further information on Google (Universal) Analytics can be found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de
10.3 Google Analytics 4
This website uses Google Analytics 4, a service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"), which can be used to analyze the use of websites.
When using Google Analytics 4, so-called "cookies" are used as standard. Cookies are text files that are stored on your terminal device and enable an analysis of your use of a website. The information collected by cookies about your use of the website (including the IP address transmitted by your terminal device, shortened by the last digits, see below) is usually transmitted to a Google server and stored and processed there. This may also result in the transmission of information to the servers of Google LLC, a company based in the USA, where the information is further processed.
When using Google Analytics 4, the IP address transmitted by your terminal device when you use the website is always collected and processed by default and automatically only in an anonymized manner, so that a direct personal reference of the collected information is excluded. This automatic anonymization is carried out by shortening the IP address transmitted by your terminal device by Google within member states of the European Union (EU) or other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) by the last digits.
On our behalf, Google uses this and other information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports (reports) on your website activities or your usage behavior and to provide us with further services related to your website usage and internet usage. In this context, the IP address transmitted and shortened by your terminal device within the scope of Google Analytics 4 will not be merged with other data from Google. The data collected in the context of the use of Google Analytics 4 will be retained for 2 months and then deleted.
Google Analytics 4 also enables the creation of statistics with statements about age, gender and interests of website users on the basis of an evaluation of interest-based advertising and with the involvement of third-party information via a special function, the so-called "demographic characteristics". This makes it possible to determine and distinguish user groups of the website for the purpose of targeting marketing measures. However, data collected via the "demographic characteristics" cannot be assigned to a specific person and thus not to you personally. This data collected via the "demographic characteristics" function is retained for two months and then deleted.
All processing described above, in particular the setting of Google Analytics cookies for the storage and reading of information on the terminal device used by you for the use of the website, will only take place if you have given us your express consent for this in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO. Without your consent, Google Analytics 4 will not be used during your use of the website. You can revoke your consent once given at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service via the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website.
In connection with this website, the "UserIDs" function is also used as an extension of Google Analytics 4. By assigning individual UserIDs, we can have Google create cross-device reports (so-called "cross-device tracking"). This means that your usage behavior can also be analyzed across devices if you have given your corresponding consent to the use of Google Analytics 4 in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO, if you have set up a personal account by registering on this website and are logged into your personal account on different end devices with your relevant login data. The data collected in this way shows, among other things, on which end device you clicked on an ad for the first time and on which end device the relevant conversion took place.
In connection with this website, the Google Signals service is also used as an extension of Google Analytics 4. With Google Signals, we can have Google create cross-device reports (so-called "cross-device tracking"). If you have activated "personalized ads" in your Google account settings and linked your Internet-enabled end devices to your Google account, Google can analyze usage behavior across devices and create database models based on this if you have given your consent to the use of Google Analytics 4 in accordance with Art. 6 (1) a DSGVO. The logins and device types of all website users who were logged into a Google account and executed a conversion are taken into account. The data shows, among other things, on which device you clicked on an ad for the first time and on which device the relevant conversion took place. We do not receive any personal data from Google in this regard, but only statistics compiled on the basis of Google Signals. You have the option of deactivating the "personalized ads" function in the settings of your Google account and thus turning off the cross-device analysis in connection with Google Signals. To do this, follow the instructions on this page: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922?hl=de.
You can find more information about Google Signals at the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de
We have concluded a so-called order processing agreement with Google for our use of Google Analytics 4, which obliges Google to protect the data of our website users and not to pass it on to third parties.
To ensure compliance with the European level of data protection, even in the event of any transfer of data from the EU or EEA to the USA and possible further processing there, Google refers to the so-called standard contractual clauses of the European Commission, which we have contractually agreed with Google.
Further legal information on Google Analytics 4, including a copy of the aforementioned standard contractual clauses, can be found at the following link: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de
Details on the processing triggered by Google Analytics 4 and Google's handling of data from websites can be found here: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
10.4 - Jetpack
This website uses the web analytics service Jetpack (formerly WordPress.com-Stats), which is operated by Automattic Inc, 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110-4929, USA, using tracking technology provided by Quantcast Inc, 201 3rd St, Floor 2, San Francisco, CA 94103-3153, USA. With the help of Jetpack, pseudonymized visitor data is collected, analyzed and stored. Pseudonymized usage profiles can be created and evaluated from this data for the same purpose. Jetpack uses so-called cookies, i.e. small text files that are stored locally in the cache of the site visitor's Internet browser. These cookies are used, among other things, to recognize the browser and thus enable a more accurate determination of statistical data. The user's IP address data is also collected, but it is pseudonymized immediately after collection and before it is stored in order to exclude the possibility of personal reference. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including the pseudonymized IP address) is transferred to a server in the USA and stored there in order to protect the interests mentioned above.
All processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading out information on the end device used, will only be carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, Jetpack will not be used during your visit to the site.
You can revoke your granted consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website.
To permanently object to the data collection and storage of your visitor data for the future, you can alternatively download an opt-out cookie from Quantcast at the following link, which will have the effect that no visitor data from your browser will be collected and stored by Jetpack in the future: https://www.quantcast.com/opt-out.
The opt-out cookie is set by Quantcast.
11) Retargeting/ Remarketing/ Referral advertising
Google Ads Remarketing
Our website uses the functions of Google Ads Remarketing, with which we advertise for this website in Google search results, as well as on third-party websites. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"). For this purpose, Google sets a cookie in the browser of your terminal device, which automatically enables interest-based advertising by means of a pseudonymous cookie ID and on the basis of the pages you visit. Additional data processing only takes place if you have consented to Google linking your Internet and app browsing history to your Google account and using information from your Google account to personalize ads that you view on the web. In this case, if they are logged in to Google while visiting our website, Google will use your data together with Google Analytics data to create and define target group lists for cross-device remarketing. For this purpose, Google temporarily links your personal data with Google Analytics data to form target groups. In the context of the use of Google Ads Remarketing, there may also be a transmission of personal data to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA.
All processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies for reading out information on the end device used, will only be carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, Google Ads Remarketingl will not be used during your visit to the site.
You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website.
You can also permanently object to the setting of cookies by Google Ads Remarketing by downloading and installing the Google browser plug-in available at the following link: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/7395996?
Further information and the privacy policy regarding advertising and Google can be found here:
https://www.google.com/policies/technologies/ads/
12) Page functionalities
12.1 Use of Youtube videos
This website uses the Youtube embedding function to display and play videos from the provider "Youtube", which belongs to Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google").
The extended data protection mode is used here, which, according to the provider, only triggers the storage of user information when the video(s) is/are played. If the playback of embedded Youtube videos is started, the provider "Youtube" uses cookies to collect information about user behavior. According to information from "Youtube", these are used, among other things, to collect video statistics, to improve user-friendliness and to prevent abusive behavior. If you are logged in to Google, your data is directly assigned to your account when you click on a video. If you do not want the assignment to your YouTube profile, you must log out before activating the button. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles, whereby you must contact YouTube to exercise this right. The use of YouTube may also result in the transmission of personal data to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA.
Independently of a playback of the embedded videos, a connection to the Google network is established each time this website is called up, which may trigger further data processing operations without our influence.
All processing described above, in particular the reading of information on the end device used via the tracking pixel, will only be carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. Without this consent, Youtube videos will not be used during your visit to the site.
You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please deactivate this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website via alternative options communicated to you on the website.
Further information on data protection at "Youtube" can be found in the Youtube terms of use at https://www.youtube.com/static?template=terms as well as in Google's privacy policy at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy.
12.2 - Google Forms
To conduct surveys or in the case of online forms, we use the Google Forms service of Google Ireland Ltd, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland ("Google"). Google Forms enables us to design and evaluate surveys and online forms. In addition to the respective personal data that you enter into the forms, information on your operating system, browser, date and time of your visit, referrer URL and your IP address are also collected, transmitted to Google and stored on Google servers. The storage of the information you enter in the forms is password-protected to ensure that third party access is excluded and only we can evaluate the information data for the purpose specified in each case in the form.
When processing personal data that is required to fulfill a contract with you (this also applies to processing operations that are required to carry out pre-contractual measures), Art. 6 (1) lit. b DSGVO serves as the legal basis. If you have given us your consent for the processing of your data, the processing is based on Art. 6 (1) a DSGVO. Consent given can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.
We have concluded an order processing agreement with Google for the use of Google Forms, which obliges Google to protect the data of our site visitors and not to pass it on to third parties. Processing regularly takes place within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. However, data transfers to the USA cannot be ruled out.
For the transfer of data from the EU to the USA, Google refers to so-called standard data protection clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection in the USA.
You can find more information about Google Forms and Google's privacy policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de
12.3 - Google Web Fonts
This site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google") for the uniform display of fonts. When you call up a page, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache in order to display texts and fonts correctly.
For this purpose, the browser you are using must connect to Google's servers. This may also result in the transmission of personal data to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA. In this way, Google obtains knowledge that our website was accessed via your IP address. The processing of personal data in the course of establishing a connection with the provider of the fonts is only carried out if you have given us your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by deactivating this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website. If your browser does not support web fonts, a default font will be used by your computer.
For more information on Google Web Fonts, please visit https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and read Google's privacy policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/
12.4 Google reCAPTCHA
On this website, we use the reCAPTCHA function of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"). This function is primarily used to distinguish whether an input is made by a natural person or is abused by machine and automated processing. The service includes the sending of the IP address and possibly other data required by Google for the reCAPTCHA service to Google and is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in determining individual ownership on the Internet and the prevention of abuse and spam. The use of Google reCAPTCHA may also involve the transmission of personal data to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA.
Further information on Google reCAPTCHA as well as Google's privacy policy can be found at: https://www.google.com/intl/de/policies/privacy/.
Insofar as legally required, we have obtained your consent for the processing of your data as described above in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please follow the option described above to make an objection.
For the transfer of data from the EU to the USA, Google invokes so-called standard data protection clauses of the European Commission, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection in the USA.
12.5 Google Translate
This site uses the translation service "Google Translate" of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google") via an API integration. In order for the translation to be displayed automatically after your selection of a national language, the browser you use connects to Google's servers. Google uses "cookies", which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.
If personal data is processed, this is done in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in barrier-free and universal accessibility of our website.
Further information on Google Translate as well as Google's privacy policy can be viewed at: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/
Insofar as legally required, we have obtained your consent for the processing of your data as described above in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a DSGVO. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, deactivate this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website.
13) Tools and miscellaneous
13.1 Cookie Consent Tool
This website uses a so-called "cookie consent tool" to obtain effective user consent for cookies and cookie-based applications that require consent. The "Cookie Consent Tool" is displayed to users in the form of an interactive user interface when they call up the page, on which consent for certain cookies and/or cookie-based applications can be given by ticking the appropriate box. By using the tool, all cookies/services requiring consent are only loaded if the respective user grants the corresponding consent by setting a check mark. This ensures that such cookies are only set on the respective user's end device if consent has been granted.
The tool sets technically necessary cookies to save your cookie preferences. Personal user data is generally not processed in this context.
If, in individual cases, personal data (such as the IP address) is processed for the purpose of storing, assigning or logging cookie settings, this is done in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interest in legally compliant, user-specific and user-friendly consent management for cookies and thus in a legally compliant design of our website.
Further legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c DSGVO. As the responsible party, we are subject to the legal obligation to make the use of technically unnecessary cookies dependent on the respective user consent.
Further information on the operator and the setting options of the cookie consent tool can be found directly in the corresponding user interface on our website.
13.2 - Google Maps
On our website, we use Google Maps (API) from Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"). Google Maps is a web service for displaying interactive (land) maps to visually display geographical information. By using this service, our location is shown to you and a possible approach is facilitated.
Already when calling up those sub-pages in which the map of Google Maps is integrated, information about your use of our website (such as your IP address) is transmitted to Google servers and stored there, this may also result in a transmission to the servers of Google LLC. in the USA. This occurs regardless of whether Google provides a user account through which you are logged in or whether a user account exists. If you are logged in to Google, your data will be directly assigned to your account. If you do not want the assignment with your profile at Google, you must log out before activating the button. Google stores your data (even for users who are not logged in) as usage profiles and evaluates them. The collection, storage and evaluation are carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO on the basis of Google's legitimate interest in the insertion of personalized advertising, market research and / or the design of Google websites to meet the needs. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles, whereby you must contact Google to exercise this right. If you do not agree to the future transmission of your data to Google in the context of the use of Google Maps, you also have the option of completely deactivating the Google Maps web service by turning off the JavaScript application in your browser. Google Maps and thus also the map display on this website can then not be used.
You can view Google's terms of use at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/terms/regional.html, the additional terms of use for Google Maps can be found at https://www.google.com/intl/de_US/help/terms_maps.html.
Detailed information on data protection in connection with the use of Google Maps can be found on the Google website ("Google Privacy Policy"): https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.
As far as legally required, we have obtained your consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO for the processing of your data as described above. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. To exercise your revocation, please follow the option described above to make an objection.
14) Rights of the Data Subject
14.1 The applicable data protection law grants you the following data subject rights (rights of information and intervention) vis-à-vis the controller with regard to the processing of your personal data, whereby reference is made to the stated legal basis for the respective exercise prerequisites:
- Right to information pursuant to Art. 15 DSGVO;
- Right to rectification pursuant to Art. 16 DSGVO;
- Right to erasure pursuant to Art. 17 DSGVO;
- Right to restriction of processing pursuant to Art. 18 DSGVO;
- Right to information pursuant to Art. 19 DSGVO;
- Right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20 DSGVO;
- Right to withdraw consent given pursuant to Art. 7(3) DSGVO;
- Right to lodge a complaint pursuant to Art. 77 DSGVO.
14.2 RIGHT OF OBJECTION
IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A BALANCING OF INTERESTS ON THE BASIS OF OUR OVERRIDING LEGITIMATE INTEREST, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THIS PROCESSING WITH EFFECT FOR THE FUTURE AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.
IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE DATA CONCERNED. HOWEVER, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE PROCESSING IF WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTING, EXERCISING OR DEFENDING LEGAL CLAIMS.
IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF DIRECT MARKETING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH MARKETING. YOU MAY EXERCISE THE OBJECTION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE DATA CONCERNED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES.
15) Duration of the storage of personal data
The duration of the storage of personal data is measured on the basis of the respective legal basis, the purpose of processing and - if relevant - additionally on the basis of the respective statutory retention period (e.g. retention periods under commercial and tax law).
When processing personal data on the basis of explicit consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) a DSGVO, this data is stored until the data subject revokes his or her consent.
If there are statutory retention periods for data that is processed within the scope of legal or quasi-legal obligations on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (b) DSGVO, this data will be routinely deleted after the retention periods have expired, provided that it is no longer required for the fulfillment of the contract or the initiation of the contract and/or there is no legitimate interest on our part in continuing to store it.
When processing personal data on the basis of Art. 6 (1) f DSGVO, this data is stored until the data subject exercises his or her right to object pursuant to Art. 21 (1) DSGVO, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.
When processing personal data for the purpose of direct marketing on the basis of Article 6 (1) (f) DSGVO, this data is stored until the data subject exercises his or her right to object pursuant to Article 21 (2) DSGVO.
Unless otherwise stated in the other information in this statement about specific processing situations, stored personal data will otherwise be deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.
