Privacy Policy
Preamble
With the following privacy policy we would like to inform you which types of your personal data (hereinafter also abbreviated as „data“) we process for which purposes and in which scope. The privacy statement applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications (UX Check Guru) and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as „online services“).
The terms used are not gender-specific.
Last Update: 18. July 2023
Table of contents
- Preamble
- Controller
- Overview of processing operations
- Relevant legal bases according
- Security Precautions
- International data transfers
- Rights of Data Subjects
- Business services
- Payment Procedure
- Provision of online services and web hosting
- Registration, Login and User Account
- Community Functions
- Blogs and publication media
- Communication via Messenger
- Video Conferences, Online Meetings, Webinars and Screen-Sharing
- Cloud Services
- Newsletter and Electronic Communications
- Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
- Online Marketing
- Plugins and embedded functions and content
Controller
XD Mathias Hauer
Erdbergstraße 10/67
1030 Vienna
Austria
Authorized Representative:
Mathias Hauer
Relevant legal bases according
Relevant legal bases according to the GDPR: In the following, you will find an overview of the legal basis of the GDPR on which we base the processing of personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection provisions of your or our country of residence or domicile may apply. If, in addition, more specific legal bases are applicable in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration.
- Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes.
- Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR) – Performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
- Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
- Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.
National data protection regulations in Austria: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations apply to data protection in Austria. This includes in particular the Federal Act on the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data (Data Protection Act – DSG). In particular, the Data Protection Act contains special provisions on the right of access, rectification or cancellation, processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission and automated decision making in individual cases.
Reference to the applicability of the GDPR and the Swiss DPA: These privacy notices serve both to provide information in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (Swiss DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Overview of processing operations
The following table summarises the types of data processed, the purposes for which they are processed and the concerned data subjects.
Categories of Processed Data
- Inventory data.
- Payment Data.
- Contact data.
- Content data.
- Contract data.
- Usage data.
- Meta, communication and process data.
Categories of Data Subjects
- Customers.
- Employees.
- Prospective customers.
- Communication partner.
- Users.
- Business and contractual partners.
- Persons depicted.
Purposes of Processing
- Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Contact requests and communication.
- Security measures.
- Direct marketing.
- Web Analytics.
- Targeting.
- Office and organisational procedures.
- Conversion tracking.
- Affiliate Tracking.
- Managing and responding to inquiries.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN).
- Feedback.
- Marketing.
- Profiles with user-related information.
- Provision of our online services and usability.
- Information technology infrastructure.
Security Precautions
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.
The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, transmission, securing and separation of the data. In addition, we have established procedures to ensure that data subjects‘ rights are respected, that data is erased, and that we are prepared to respond to data threats rapidly. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and service providers, in accordance with the principle of privacy by design and privacy by default.
Masking of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used and the processing of a complete IP address is not necessary, the IP address is shortened (also referred to as „IP masking“). In this process, the last two digits or the last part of the IP address after a full stop are removed or replaced by wildcards. The masking of the IP address is intended to prevent the identification of a person by means of their IP address or to make such identification significantly more difficult.
TLS encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our online services, we use TLS encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.
International data transfers
If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or the processing takes place in the context of the use of third party services or disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only take place in accordance with the legal requirements.
Subject to express consent or transfer required by contract or law, we process or have processed the data only in third countries with a recognised level of data protection, on the basis of special guarantees, such as a contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission or if certifications or binding internal data protection regulations justify the processing (Article 44 to 49 GDPR, information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en).
Data Processing in Third Countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if the processing takes place within the scope of using services of third parties or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this only occurs in compliance with legal requirements.
Subject to explicit consent or contractually or legally required transmission (see Art. 49 GDPR), we process or have the data processed only in third countries with a recognized level of data protection (Art. 45 GDPR), when contractual obligations are observed and adhered to by so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission (Art. 46 GDPR) or when certifications or binding internal data protection regulations exist (see Art. 44 to 49 GDPR, Information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en).
Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TADPF): As part of the so-called „Data Privacy Framework“ (TADPF), the EU has also recognized the data protection level for certain companies from the USA. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). Information in German and other languages can be found on the EU Commission’s website: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/eu-us-data-transfers_en. We also inform you about the companies we use that are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.
Disclosure of Personal Data Abroad: In accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG), we only disclose personal data abroad when an appropriate level of protection for the affected persons is ensured (Art. 15 Swiss DSG). If the Federal Council does not determine that there is an adequate level of protection, we implement alternative security measures. These measures may include international agreements, specific guarantees, data protection clauses in contracts, standard data protection clauses approved by the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), or internal company data protection regulations previously recognised by the FDPIC or a competent data protection authority of another country.
Under Art. 16 of the Swiss DSG, exceptions can be made for the disclosure of data abroad if certain conditions are met, including the consent of the affected person, contract execution, public interest, protection of life or physical integrity, publicly made data or data from a legally provided register. Such disclosures always comply with the legal requirements.
Rights of Data Subjects
Rights of the Data Subjects under the GDPR: As data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 21 of the GDPR:
- Right to Object: You have the right, on grounds arising from your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of your personal data which is based on letter (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of the personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
- Right of withdrawal for consents: You have the right to revoke consents at any time.
- Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question will be processed and to be informed of this data and to receive further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the provisions of the law.
- Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with the law, to request the completion of the data concerning you or the rectification of the incorrect data concerning you.
- Right to Erasure and Right to Restriction of Processing: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to demand that the relevant data be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
- Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you which you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements, or to request its transmission to another controller.
- Complaint to the supervisory authority: In accordance with the law and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State where you habitually reside, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.
Rights of the data subjects under the Swiss DPA:
You have the following rights as an affected individual in accordance with the provisions of the Swiss DSG:
- Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you is being processed and to receive the information necessary for you to assert your rights under this law and to ensure transparent data processing (Art. 25 to 27 Swiss DSG).
- Right to data disclosure or transfer: You have the right to request the disclosure of your personal data that you have provided to us in a commonly used electronic format (Art. 28 to 29 Swiss DSG).
- Right to file a complaint: You have the right to file a complaint to protect your personality rights (Art. 32 para. 2 to para. 4 Swiss DSG).
- Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with Art. 32 Swiss DSG, to request the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you. If it is not possible to determine the accuracy or inaccuracy of the data, you have the right to attach a statement of disagreement (Art. 32 para. 1 and 3 Swiss DSG).
- Right to prohibition of processing: You have the right to request a prohibition or restriction of the processing of the data (Art. 32 para. 2 lit a. Swiss DSG).
- Right to prohibition of disclosure to third parties: You have the right to request that a specific disclosure of data concerning you to third parties be prohibited (Art. 32 para. 2 lit b. Swiss DSG).
- Right to deletion, destruction: You have the right to request the immediate deletion and destruction of data concerning you, or alternatively (Art. 32 para. 2 lit c. Swiss DSG).
- Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent with effect for the future.
Business services
We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as „contractual partners“) within the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as associated actions and communication with the contractual partners or pre-contractually, e.g. to answer inquiries.
We process this data in order to fulfill our contractual obligations. These include, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any update obligations and remedies in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to protect our rights and for the purpose of administrative tasks associated with these obligations and company organization. Furthermore, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and economical business management as well as security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only disclose the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed about further forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope of this privacy policy.
Which data are necessary for the aforementioned purposes, we inform the contracting partners before or in the context of the data collection, e.g. in online forms by special marking (e.g. colors), and/or symbols (e.g. asterisks or the like), or personally.
We delete the data after expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. in principle after expiry of 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account or must be kept for legal reasons of archiving. The statutory retention period for documents relevant under tax law as well as for commercial books, inventories, opening balance sheets, annual financial statements, the instructions required to understand these documents and other organizational documents and accounting records is ten years and for received commercial and business letters and reproductions of sent commercial and business letters six years. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the last entry was made in the book, the inventory, the opening balance sheet, the annual financial statements or the management report was prepared, the commercial or business letter was received or sent, or the accounting document was created, furthermore the record was made or the other documents were created.
If we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective third-party providers or platforms shall apply in the relationship between the users and the providers.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Customers; Prospective customers; Business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Security measures; Contact requests and communication; Office and organisational procedures; Managing and responding to inquiries.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act); Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6(1)(1)(c) GDPR; Article 31(1) Swiss Data Protection Act); Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Customer Account: Customers can create an account within our online offer (e.g. customer or user account, „customer account“ for short). If the registration of a customer account is required, customers will be informed of this as well as of the details required for registration. The customer accounts are not public and cannot be indexed by search engines. In the course of registration and subsequent registration and use of the customer account, we store the IP addresses of the contractual partners along with the access times, in order to be able to prove the registration and prevent any misuse of the customer account. If the customer account has been terminated, the customer account data will be deleted after the termination date, unless it is retained for purposes other than provision in the customer account or must be retained for legal reasons (e.g. internal storage of customer data, order transactions or invoices). It is the customers‘ responsibility to back up their data when terminating the customer Account; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Agency Services: We process the data of our customers within the scope of our contractual services, which may include e.g. conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development / consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes, handling, server administration, data analysis / consulting services and training services; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Consulting: We process the data of our clients, clients as well as interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as „clients“) in order to provide them with our consulting services. The data processed, the type, scope and purpose of the processing and the necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.Insofar as it is necessary for the fulfilment of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or by law, or with the consent of the client, we disclose or transfer the client’s data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, courts, subcontractors or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, taking into account the professional requirements; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6(1)(1)(b) GDPR; Article 31(1) and 2(b) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Payment Procedure
Within the framework of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer data subjects efficient and secure payment options and use other service providers for this purpose in addition to banks and credit institutions (collectively referred to as „payment service providers“).
The data processed by the payment service providers includes inventory data, such as the name and address, bank data, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums, as well as the contract, total and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed by the payment service providers and stored with them. I.e. we do not receive any account or credit card related information, but only information with confirmation or negative information of the payment. Under certain circumstances, the data may be transmitted by the payment service providers to credit agencies. The purpose of this transmission is to check identity and creditworthiness. Please refer to the terms and conditions and data protection information of the payment service providers.
The terms and conditions and data protection information of the respective payment service providers apply to the payment transactions and can be accessed within the respective websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and the assertion of revocation, information and other data subject rights.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Customers; Prospective customers.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Stripe: Payment-Service-Provider (technical integration of online-payment-methods); Service provider: Stripe, Inc., 510 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR); Website: https://stripe.com/de; Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/en-de/privacy.
Provision of online services and web hosting
We process user data in order to be able to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the IP address of the user, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user’s browser or terminal device.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); Business and contractual partners.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Information technology infrastructure (Operation and provision of information systems and technical devices, such as computers, servers, etc.).); Security measures; Content Delivery Network (CDN).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Provision of online offer on rented hosting space: For the provision of our online services, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also referred to as a „web hoster“); Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Collection of Access Data and Log Files: The access to our online services is logged in the form of so-called „server log files“. Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a general rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.
The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure the stability and optimal load balancing of the servers; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Retention period: Log file information is stored for a maximum period of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data, the further storage of which is necessary for evidence purposes, are excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified. - E-mail Sending and Hosting: The web hosting services we use also include sending, receiving and storing e-mails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders, as well as other information relating to the sending of e-mails (e.g. the providers involved) and the contents of the respective e-mails are processed. The above data may also be processed for SPAM detection purposes. Please note that e-mails on the Internet are generally not sent in encrypted form. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted during transport, but not on the servers from which they are sent and received (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used). We can therefore accept no responsibility for the transmission path of e-mails between the sender and reception on our server; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Content-Delivery-Network: We use a so-called „Content Delivery Network“ (CDN). A CDN is a service with whose help contents of our online services, in particular large media files, such as graphics or scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: Amazon Web Services EMEA SARL, 38 avenue John F. Kennedy, 1855, Luxembourg; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://aws.amazon.com/; Privacy Policy: https://aws.amazon.com/privacy/; Data Processing Agreement: https://aws.amazon.com/compliance/gdpr-center/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000TOWQAA4&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: Inclusion in the Data Processing Agreement.
- Cloudflare: Content-Delivery-Network (CDN) – service with whose help contents of our online services, in particular large media files, such as graphics or scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; Service provider: Cloudflare, Inc., 101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.cloudflare.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-customer-dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000GnZKAA0&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-customer-scc.
- Hostinger: Hosting services for the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g., storage space and/or computing capacities) provided by Hostinger International Ltd., server location: Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hostinger.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.hostinger.com/privacy-policy.
- easyname: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: easyname GmbH, Canettistraße 5/10, A-1100 Wien, Austria; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.easyname.at/en; Privacy Policy: https://www.easyname.at/en/company/privacy-policy.
- MongoDB: We use MongoDB as a database to store and manage information. The servers are located in Frankfurt, Germany, ensuring compliance with European data protection standards; Service provider: MongoDB, Inc., 1633 Broadway, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR; Art. 31 Para. 1 and 2 Swiss DSG); Website: https://www.mongodb.com; Privacy policy: https://www.mongodb.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.mongodb.com/legal/dpa; Standard Contractual Clauses: Included in the Data Processing Agreement.
- Heroku: We use Heroku to provide infrastructure and related services for our applications. The servers are located in Ireland, ensuring compliance with European data protection standards; Service provider: Salesforce.com, Inc., The Landmark @ 1 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR; Art. 31 Para. 1 and 2 Swiss DSG); Website: https://www.heroku.com; Privacy policy: https://www.salesforce.com/company/privacy; Standard Contractual Clauses: Included in the Data Processing Agreement.
- ApiFlash: We use ApiFlash for generating screenshots of web content. The service operates using an infrastructure based on Google Chrome and AWS Lambda. Servers are located in AWS data centers, including locations within the EU, ensuring compliance with European data protection standards; Service provider: ApiFlash, 128 Rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR; Art. 31 Para. 1 and 2 Swiss DSG); Website: https://apiflash.com; Privacy policy: https://apiflash.com/privacy_policy; Standard Contractual Clauses: Utilized through AWS infrastructure.
Registration, Login and User Account
Users can create a user account. Within the scope of registration, the required mandatory information is communicated to the users and processed for the purposes of providing the user account on the basis of contractual fulfilment of obligations. The processed data includes in particular the login information (name, password and an e-mail address).
Within the scope of using our registration and login functions as well as the use of the user account, we store the IP address and the time of the respective user action. The storage is based on our legitimate interests, as well as the user’s protection against misuse and other unauthorized use. This data will not be passed on to third parties unless it is necessary to pursue our claims or there is a legal obligation to do so.
Users may be informed by e-mail of information relevant to their user account, such as technical changes.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Security measures; Managing and responding to inquiries; Provision of our online services and usability.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR); Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Registration with pseudonyms: Users may use pseudonyms as user names instead of real names; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
- Users‘ profiles are public: The users‘ profiles are not publicly visible or accessible.
Community Functions
The community functions provided by us allow users to engage in conversations and other forms of interaction with each other. Please note that the use of the community functions is only permitted in compliance with the applicable legal situation, our terms and guidelines and the rights of other users and third parties.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Security measures.
- Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Setting the visibility of posts: By using their settings, users can determine the extent to which the posts and content they create are visible or accessible to the public or only to certain persons or groups; Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).
Blogs and publication media
We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter „publication medium“). Readers‘ data will only be processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium within the scope of this privacy policy.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Provision of our online services and usability.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Communication via Messenger
We use messenger services for communication purposes and therefore ask you to observe the following information regarding the functionality of the messenger services, encryption, use of the metadata of the communication and your objection options.
You can also contact us by alternative means, e.g. telephone or e-mail. Please use the contact options provided to you or use the contact options provided within our online services.
In the case of encryption of content (i.e. the content of your message and attachments), we point out that the communication content (i.e. the content of the message and attachments) is encrypted end-to-end. This means that the content of the messages is not visible, not even by the messenger service providers themselves. You should always use a current version of the messenger service with activated encryption, so that the encryption of the message contents is guaranteed.
However, we would like to point out to our communication partners that although messenger service providers do not see the content, they can find out that and when communication partners communicate with us and process technical information on the communication partner’s device used and, depending on the settings of their device, also location information (so-called metadata).
Information on Legal basis: If we ask communication partners for permission before communicating with them via messenger services, the legal basis of our processing of their data is their consent. Otherwise, if we do not request consent and you contact us, for example, voluntarily, we use messenger services in our dealings with our contractual partners and as part of the contract initiation process as a contractual measure and in the case of other interested parties and communication partners on the basis of our legitimate interests in fast and efficient communication and meeting the needs of our communication partners for communication via messenger services. We would also like to point out that we do not transmit the contact data provided to us to the messenger service providers for the first time without your consent.
Withdrawal, objection and deletion: You can withdraw your consent or object to communication with us via messenger services at any time. In the case of communication via messenger services, we delete the messages in accordance with our general data retention policy (i.e. as described above after the end of contractual relationships, archiving requirements, etc.) and otherwise as soon as we can assume that we have answered any information provided by the communication partners, if no reference to a previous conversation is to be expected and there are no legal obligations to store the messages to prevent their deletion.
Reservation of reference to other means of communication: Finally, we would like to point out that we reserve the right, for reasons of your safety, not to answer inquiries about messenger services. This is the case if, for example, internal contractual matters require special secrecy or if an answer via the messenger services does not meet the formal requirements. In such cases we refer you to more appropriate communication channels.
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
- Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Apple iMessage: Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com/; Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy/.
- Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams – Messenger; Service provider: Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland, parent company: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/microsoft-365; Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-GB/privacystatement, Security information: https://www.microsoft.com/en-GB/trust-center; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-Data-Protection-Addendum-DPA.
Video Conferences, Online Meetings, Webinars and Screen-Sharing
We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as „Conference Platforms“) for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as „Conference“). When using the Conference Platforms and their services, we comply with the legal requirements.
Data processed by Conference Platforms: In the course of participation in a Conference, the Data of the participants listed below are processed. The scope of the processing depends, on the one hand, on which data is requested in the context of a specific Conference (e.g., provision of access data or clear names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of conducting the conference, participants‘ Data may also be processed by the Conference Platforms for security purposes or service optimization. The processed Date includes personal information (first name, last name), contact information (e-mail address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the internet access, information on the participants‘ end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and linguistic settings, information on the content-related communication processes, i.e. entries in chats and audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If participants are registered as users with the Conference Platforms, then further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective Conference Provider.
Logging and recording: If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) as well as video or audio recordings are recorded, this will be transparently communicated to the participants in advance and they will be asked – if necessary – for their consent.
Data protection measures of the participants: Please refer to the data privacy information of the Conference Platforms for details on the processing of your data and select the optimum security and data privacy settings for you within the framework of the settings of the conference platforms. Furthermore, please ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a Conference (e.g., by notifying roommates, locking doors, and using the background masking function, if technically possible). Links to the conference rooms as well as access data, should not be passed on to unauthorized third parties.
Notes on legal bases: Insofar as, in addition to the Conference Platforms, we also process users‘ data and ask users for their consent to use contents from the Conferences or certain functions (e.g. consent to a recording of Conferences), the legal basis of the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of reprocessing of Conference results, etc.). Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); Persons depicted.
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Contact requests and communication; Office and organisational procedures.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Google Hangouts / Meet: Conference and communication software; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://hangouts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause.
- Microsoft Teams: Conference and communication software; Service provider: Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland, parent company: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/microsoft-365; Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, Security information: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-Data-Protection-Addendum-DPA.
- Zoom: Conference and communication software; Service provider: Zoom Video Communications, Inc., 55 Almaden Blvd., Suite 600, San Jose, CA 95113, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://zoom.us; Privacy Policy: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html; Data Processing Agreement: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html (referred to as Global DPA); Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt00000008TN8AAM&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html (referred to as Global DPA).
Cloud Services
We use Internet-accessible software services (so-called „cloud services“, also referred to as „Software as a Service“) provided on the servers of its providers for the storage and management of content (e.g. document storage and management, exchange of documents, content and information with certain recipients or publication of content and information).
Within this framework, personal data may be processed and stored on the provider’s servers insofar as this data is part of communication processes with us or is otherwise processed by us in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of data subjects, data on processes, contracts, other proceedings and their contents. Cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata that they use for security and service optimization purposes.
If we use cloud services to provide documents and content to other users or publicly accessible websites, forms, etc., providers may store cookies on users‘ devices for web analysis or to remember user settings (e.g. in the case of media control).
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Customers; Employees (e.g. Employees, job applicants); Prospective customers; Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.); Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Office and organisational procedures; Information technology infrastructure (Operation and provision of information systems and technical devices, such as computers, servers, etc.).).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Apple iCloud: Cloud storage service; Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/.
- Google Cloud Storage: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://cloud.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000000001L5AAI&status=Aktive; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further Information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
- Google Workspace: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://workspace.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000000001L5AAI&status=Aktive; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further Information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
- Microsoft Cloud Services: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland, parent company: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://microsoft.com; Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, Security information: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-Data-Protection-Addendum-DPA; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000KzNaAAK&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-Data-Protection-Addendum-DPA.
Newsletter and Electronic Communications
We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic communications (hereinafter referred to as „newsletters“) only with the consent of the recipient or a legal permission. Insofar as the contents of the newsletter are specifically described within the framework of registration, they are decisive for the consent of the user. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.
In order to subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to enter your e-mail address. We may, however, ask you to provide a name for the purpose of contacting you personally in the newsletter or to provide further information if this is required for the purposes of the newsletter.
Double opt-in procedure: The registration to our newsletter takes place in general in a so-called Double-Opt-In procedure. This means that you will receive an e-mail after registration asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with external e-mail addresses.
The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process according to the legal requirements. This includes storing the login and confirmation times as well as the IP address. Likewise the changes of your data stored with the dispatch service provider are logged.
Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them to provide evidence of prior consent. The processing of these data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of a consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of an obligation to permanently observe an objection, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address solely for this purpose in a blocklist.
The logging of the registration process takes place on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper course. If we commission a service provider to send e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.
Contents:
Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.
- Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
- Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
- Purposes of Processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
- Opt-Out: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can otherwise use one of the contact options listed above, preferably e-mail.
Electronic Communication via the Web App UX Check Guru
We use emails and other electronic communication methods within the scope of using our Web App UX Check Guru. The following points clarify what types of email communication are possible without additional consent, based on the GDPR.
Contract-Related Communication
Emails required to fulfill a contract or carry out pre-contractual measures do not require separate consent under Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. These include:
-
Confirmations of orders or services.
-
Notifications about changes to the provided services (e.g., system maintenance).
-
Invoices or payment reminders.
-
Status updates related to projects created by the user in our system.
-
Notifications about personal messages from our UX designers regarding your projects.
Communication Based on Legitimate Interests
In certain cases, we send emails based on legitimate interests under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. These include, for example:
-
Information about new features or updates to existing products relevant to the user.
-
Invitations to participate in surveys or feedback forms to improve our services.
We always ensure that the interests and rights of recipients are taken into account. Users can object to such communications at any time (opt-out). A link to unsubscribe is provided in every email, or you can contact us through the provided contact options.
Communication to Fulfill Legal Obligations
In cases where we are legally obliged to send specific information, no separate consent is required. This includes:
-
Legally required changes to the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) or privacy policies.
-
Notifications about security incidents or data protection breaches.
-
Legally required changes to the terms of use or privacy policies.
General Notes
-
Opt-out: You can unsubscribe from receiving emails based on legitimate interests at any time. A link to unsubscribe is included in every communication.
-
Logging: To ensure legal compliance, we store data such as the time of registration and confirmation as well as IP addresses as part of the double opt-in process.
Additional Notes on Processing Methods, Procedures, and Services:
-
Measurement of Open and Click Rates: Newsletters include a „web beacon,“ a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server (or the server of a delivery service provider, if used) when the newsletter is opened. This retrieval collects technical information such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval. These details are used to technically improve our newsletters based on technical data or audience preferences and reading behaviors determined from their locations (identified through IP addresses) or access times. This analysis also includes whether newsletters are opened, when they are opened, and which links are clicked. This information is linked to individual recipients and stored in their profiles until deletion. The evaluations help us understand users‘ reading habits and tailor content accordingly or send different content based on users‘ interests. The measurement of open and click rates and the storage of these results in user profiles and further processing are based on user consent. Separate withdrawal of success measurement is not possible; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. Stored profile information will then be deleted. Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR).
We take the protection of your data seriously and use it exclusively for the purposes mentioned above. If you have further questions, we are happy to assist.
-
Mautic: Self-hosted server for email delivery and automation services; Service Provider: Self-hosted, Server Location: Germany; Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR); Data Processing Agreement: Not required due to self-hosting.
Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
Web analysis is used to evaluate the visitor traffic on our website and may include the behaviour, interests or demographic information of users, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of web analysis we can e.g. recognize, at which time our online services or their functions or contents are most frequently used or requested for repeatedly, as well as which areas require optimization.
In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures, e.g. to test and optimize different versions of our online services or their components.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data aggregated for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a terminal device and read from it. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and elements used there as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have agreed to the collection of their location data from us or from the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.
Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, that is data summarized for a usage process or user, may be created for these purposes and stored in a browser or terminal device (so-called „cookies“) or similar processes may be used for the same purpose. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and elements used there as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data or profiles to us or to the providers of the services we use, these may also be processed, depending on the provider.
The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use any existing IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect the user. In general, within the framework of web analysis, A/B testing and optimisation, no user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of the software used, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles).
- Security measures: IP Masking (Pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Matomo (without cookies): Matomo is a data protection friendly web analysis software, which is used without cookies and in which the recognition of returning users is carried out with the help of a so-called „digital fingerprint“, which is stored anonymously and changed every 24 hours; in the case of the „digital fingerprint“, user movements within our online services are recorded with the help of pseudonymised IP addresses in combination with user-side browser settings in such a way that conclusions about the identity of individual users are not possible. User data collected through the use of Matomo is processed only by us and is not shared with third parties; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
Online Marketing
We process personal data for the purposes of online marketing, which may include in particular the marketing of advertising space or the display of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as „Content“) based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.
For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called „cookie“) or similar procedure in which the relevant user information for the display of the aforementioned content is stored. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, communication partners and technical information such as the browser used, computer system used and information on usage times and used functions. If users have consented to the collection of their sideline data, these can also be processed.
The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use provided IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to ensure the protection of the user’s by using a pseudonym. In general, within the framework of the online marketing process, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is secured, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of online marketing procedures, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles.
The information in the profiles is usually stored in the cookies or similar memorizing procedures. These cookies can later, generally also on other websites that use the same online marketing technology, be read and analyzed for purposes of content display, as well as supplemented with other data and stored on the server of the online marketing technology provider.
Exceptionally, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if the users are members of a social network whose online marketing technology we use and the network links the profiles of the users in the aforementioned data. Please note that users may enter into additional agreements with the social network providers or other service providers, e.g. by consenting as part of a registration process.
As a matter of principle, we only gain access to summarised information about the performance of our advertisements. However, within the framework of so-called conversion measurement, we can check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e. to the conclusion of a contract with us. The conversion measurement is used alone for the performance analysis of our marketing activities.
Unless otherwise stated, we kindly ask you to consider that cookies used will be stored for a period of two years.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies); Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles); Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities).
- Security measures: IP Masking (Pseudonymization of the IP address).
- Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR); Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).
- Opt-Out: We refer to the privacy policies of the respective service providers and the possibilities for objection (so-called „opt-out“). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, it is possible to deactivate cookies in the settings of your browser. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered collectively for each area:a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.
b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.
c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices.
d) Cross-regional: https://optout.aboutads.info.
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Google Ads and Conversion Tracking: Online marketing process for purposes of placing content and advertisements within the provider’s advertising network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on web pages, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. Furthermore, we measure the conversion of the ads, i.e. whether the users took them as a reason to interact with the ads and make use of the advertised offers (so-called conversion). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active; Further Information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Google Ads Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Profiles in Social Networks (Social Media)
We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.
We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may entail risks for users, e.g. by making it more difficult to enforce users‘ rights.
In addition, user data is usually processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created on the basis of user behaviour and the associated interests of users. The user profiles can then be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks which are presumed to correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the user’s computer, in which the user’s usage behaviour and interests are stored. Furthermore, data can be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if the users are members of the respective networks or will become members later on).
For a detailed description of the respective processing operations and the opt-out options, please refer to the respective data protection declarations and information provided by the providers of the respective networks.
Also in the case of requests for information and the exercise of rights of data subjects, we point out that these can be most effectively pursued with the providers. Only the providers have access to the data of the users and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. If you still need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Facebook-Seiten: Profiles within the social network Facebook – We are jointly responsible (so called „joint controller“) with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see „Things that you and others do and provide“ in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), and information about the devices used by users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie information; see „Device Information“ in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under „How we use this information?“ Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as „page insights,“ to site operators to help them understand how people interact with their pages and with content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook („Information about Page-Insights“, https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of the persons concerned (i.e. users can send information access or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to access to information, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the „Information about Page Insights“ (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further Information: Joint Controllership Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transfer of the data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company located in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which concerns in particular the transfer of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.).
- LinkedIn: Social network; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data Processing Agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000L0UZAA0&status=Active; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
Plugins and embedded functions and content
Within our online services, we integrate functional and content elements that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as „third-party providers“). These may, for example, be graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as „Content“).
The integration always presupposes that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since they could not send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required for the presentation of these contents or functions. We strive to use only those contents, whose respective offerers use the IP address only for the distribution of the contents. Third parties may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as „web beacons“) for statistical or marketing purposes. The „pixel tags“ can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may include technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times and other information about the use of our website, as well as may be linked to such information from other sources.
- Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
- Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Provision of contractual services and customer support.
- Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
Further information on processing methods, procedures and services used:
- Integration of third-party software, scripts or frameworks: We incorporate into our online services software which we retrieve from servers of other providers (e.g. function libraries which we use for the purpose of displaying or user-friendliness of our online services). The respective providers collect the user’s IP address and can process it for the purposes of transferring the software to the user’s browser as well as for security purposes and for the evaluation and optimisation of their services; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Google Fonts (Provision on own server): Provision of font files for the purpose of a user-friendly presentation of our online services; Service provider: The Google Fonts are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to Google; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- Font Awesome (Provision on own server): Display of fonts and symbols; Service provider: The Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server, no data is transmitted to the provider of Font Awesome; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act).
- reCAPTCHA: We integrate the „reCAPTCHA“ function to be able to recognise whether entries (e.g. in online forms) are made by humans and not by automatically operating machines (so-called „bots“). The data processed may include IP addresses, information on operating systems, devices or browsers used, language settings, location, mouse movements, keystrokes, time spent on websites, previously visited websites, interactions with ReCaptcha on other websites, possibly cookies and results of manual recognition processes (e.g. answering questions asked or selecting objects in images). The data processing is based on our legitimate interest to protect our online services from abusive automated crawling and spam; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, , parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(1)(f) GDPR; Article 31(1) and (2) Swiss Data Protection Act); Website: https://www.google.com/recaptcha/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF): https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?id=a2zt0000000TRkEAAW&status=Active; Opt-Out: Opt-Out-Plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en, Settings for the Display of Advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.