data protection

We are delighted by your interest in our company. Data protection is of paramount importance to the management of VICOM. Use of the VICOM website is generally possible without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use special services offered by our company via our website, processing of personal data may become necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally obtain the data subject's consent.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, email address, or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in compliance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to VICOM. This privacy policy aims to inform the public about the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use, and process. Furthermore, this privacy policy informs data subjects about their rights.

VICOM, as the data controller, has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete possible protection of personal data processed via this website. However, internet-based data transmissions can fundamentally have security vulnerabilities, meaning absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us via alternative means, such as by telephone.

VICOM's privacy policy is based on the terms used by the European legislator when enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy is intended to be easily readable and understandable for both the general public and our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terminology used beforehand.

In this privacy policy, we use, among other things, the following terms:

• a) personal data

  Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as "data subject"). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

• b) affected person

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

• c) Processing

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

• d) Restriction of processing

  Restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its future processing.

• e) Profiling

  Profiling is any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person's performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements.

• f) Pseudonymization

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

• g) Controller or data controller

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

• h) Data processors

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

• i) Recipient

  A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body to whom personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities that may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law are not considered recipients.

• j) Third

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

• k) Consent

  Consent means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions of a data protection nature is:

VICOM

Kuhnbergstraße 15

73037 Göppingen

Germany

Tel.: 07161 98403-0

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on.

Website: www.vicom.de

VICOM's websites use cookies. Cookies are text files that are placed and stored on a computer system via an internet browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that allows websites and servers to associate the cookie with the specific web browser in which it was stored. This enables the visited websites and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other web browsers that contain different cookies. A specific web browser can be recognized and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, VICOM can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without setting cookies.

Cookies allow us to optimize the information and offers on our website for the user. As mentioned, cookies enable us to recognize returning users. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to navigate our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter their login details every time they visit the site, because this is handled by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. Another example is the shopping cart cookie in an online store. The online store uses a cookie to remember the items a customer has placed in their virtual shopping cart.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by adjusting the corresponding setting in their internet browser and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in their internet browser, some functions of our website may not be fully usable.

The VICOM website collects a range of general data and information each time a data subject or an automated system accesses the website. This general data and information is stored in the server's log files. The following may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reached our website (known as the referrer), (4) the sub-pages accessed on our website by an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information that serves to prevent attacks on our IT systems.

When using this general data and information, VICOM does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimize the content of our website and its advertising, (3) ensure the long-term functionality of our IT systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyberattack. VICOM therefore uses this anonymously collected data and information for statistical analysis and also with the aim of increasing data protection and data security within our company, ultimately to ensure the highest level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data in the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

VICOM's website offers users the option to subscribe to our company's newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the data controller when subscribing to the newsletter is determined by the input form used.

VICOM informs its customers and business partners about company offers via a regular newsletter. A person can only receive our newsletter if (1) they have a valid email address and (2) they have registered to receive the newsletter. For legal reasons, a confirmation email is sent to the email address provided by a person registering for the newsletter for the first time. This confirmation email, sent via a double opt-in process, serves to verify that the email address owner has authorized the receipt of the newsletter.

When you subscribe to our newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) to the computer system you used at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. Collecting this data is necessary to be able to trace any (potential) misuse of your email address at a later date and therefore serves to protect the data controller's legal interests.

The personal data collected during newsletter registration is used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Furthermore, newsletter subscribers may be contacted by email if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or related registration, such as in the event of changes to the newsletter content or technical requirements. Personal data collected through the newsletter service will not be shared with third parties. Subscribers can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time. Consent to the storage of personal data provided for newsletter distribution can be withdrawn at any time. A corresponding link for withdrawing consent is included in every newsletter. Alternatively, subscribers can unsubscribe directly on the website of the data controller or notify the data controller of their wish to unsubscribe by other means.

VICOM newsletters contain tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in HTML emails to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows for statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Using the embedded tracking pixel, VICOM can determine if and when an email was opened by a recipient and which links within the email were clicked.

Personal data collected via tracking pixels in newsletters is stored and analyzed by the data controller to optimize newsletter distribution and better tailor the content of future newsletters to the interests of the recipient. This personal data will not be shared with third parties. Recipients have the right to revoke their separate consent, given via the double opt-in process, at any time. Upon revocation, this personal data will be deleted by the data controller. VICOM automatically interprets unsubscribing from the newsletter as a revocation of consent.

Due to legal requirements, the VICOM website contains information that enables quick electronic contact with our company and direct communication with us, including a general email address. If a data subject contacts the data controller via email or a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject will be stored automatically. Such personal data transmitted voluntarily by a data subject to the data controller will be stored for the purpose of processing the inquiry or contacting the data subject. This personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.

The controller shall process and store personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or as far as this is provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the purpose for which the data was stored ceases to exist, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with legal requirements.

• a) Right to confirmation

  Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller.

• b) Right to information

  Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller, free of charge, information about the personal data stored concerning him or her and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

  • the processing purposes
  • the categories of personal data that are processed
  • the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations
  • If possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that duration
  • the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning them or to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing
  • the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
  • If the personal data are not collected from the data subject: All available information about the source of the data
  • the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and – at least in those cases – meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

  Furthermore, the data subject has the right to obtain information as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

  If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.

• c) Right to rectification

  Every data subject whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, the data subject has the right, taking into account the purposes of the processing, to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including by means of a supplementary statement.

  If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to rectification, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.

• d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

  Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and where the processing is not necessary:

  • The personal data were collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which they are no longer necessary.
  • The data subject withdraws their consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
  • The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.
  • The personal data was processed unlawfully.
  • The erasure of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
  • The personal data were collected in relation to information society services offered, in accordance with Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

  If one of the aforementioned grounds applies and a data subject wishes to have their personal data stored by VICOM erased, they may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time. The VICOM data protection officer or another employee will ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.

  If personal data has been made public by VICOM and our company, as the controller pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR, is obligated to erase the personal data, VICOM, taking into account available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by those other controllers of any links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data, insofar as processing is not necessary. VICOM's data protection officer or another employee will take the necessary steps in each individual case.

• e) Right to restriction of processing

  Every data subject whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request from the controller the restriction of processing where one of the following applies:

  • The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
  • The processing is unlawful, the data subject refuses to have their personal data erased and requests instead the restriction of its use.
  • The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject needs it for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.
  • The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

  If one of the aforementioned conditions is met and a data subject wishes to restrict the processing of their personal data stored by VICOM, they may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time. The VICOM data protection officer or another employee will then arrange for the restriction of processing.

• f) Right to data portability

  Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she also has the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data have been provided, where the processing is based on consent pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1) or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR or on a contract pursuant to point (b) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

  Furthermore, when exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have their personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

  To assert the right to data portability, the data subject may at any time contact the data protection officer appointed by VICOM or another employee.

• g) Right to object

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

  VICOM will no longer process personal data in the event of an objection, 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 the purpose of establishing, exercising or defending legal claims.

  If VICOM processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of their personal data for such marketing. This also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to processing for direct marketing purposes, VICOM will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

  Furthermore, the data subject has the right to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning him or her which is carried out by VICOM for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

  To exercise their right to object, the data subject may contact VICOM's Data Protection Officer or another employee directly. Furthermore, in connection with the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject is free to exercise their right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

• h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

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

  Where the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or performing, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent, VICOM shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

  If the data subject wishes to assert rights relating to automated decision-making, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.

• i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

  Every person whose personal data is being processed has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw their consent to the processing of their personal data at any time.

  If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.

The data controller has integrated components of the company Facebook on this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an online social meeting place, a community that typically allows users to communicate and interact with each other in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enable the online community to share personal or business-related information. Facebook, for example, allows its users to create private profiles, upload photos, and connect with others through friend requests.

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

Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) has been integrated, the Facebook component automatically prompts the web browser on the user's information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be found at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE. As part of this technical process, Facebook receives information about which specific subpage of our website the user is visiting.

If the data subject is logged into Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time they access our website and for the entire duration of their visit. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks one of the Facebook buttons integrated into our website, such as the "Like" button, or submits a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the data subject's personal Facebook user account and stores this personal data.

Facebook receives information via the Facebook component whenever a data subject visits our website, provided the data subject is logged into Facebook at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component or not. If a data subject does not wish for this information to be transmitted to Facebook, they can prevent this by logging out of their Facebook account before accessing our website.

Facebook's data policy, available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains the privacy settings Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. Furthermore, various applications are available that allow users to prevent data from being transmitted to Facebook, such as the Facebook Blocker from Webgraph, which can be obtained at http://webgraph.com/resources/facebookblocker/. Data subjects can use such applications to prevent their data from being transmitted to Facebook.

The data controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymization function) on this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics involves the collection, gathering, and analysis of data about the behavior of website visitors. A web analytics service records, among other things, data about which website a data subject came from (known as the referrer), which subpages of the website were accessed, and how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimize a website and to perform cost-benefit analyses of online advertising.

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

The data controller uses the extension "_gat._anonymizeIp" for web analytics via Google Analytics. This extension shortens and anonymizes the IP address of the data subject's internet connection when our website is accessed from a member state of the European Union or from another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

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

Google Analytics places a cookie on the data subject's information technology system. Cookies were explained above. By placing this cookie, Google is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Google Analytics component has been integrated, the respective Google Analytics component automatically prompts the web browser on the data subject's information technology system to transmit data to Google for the purpose of online analysis. As part of this technical process, Google receives personal data, such as the data subject's IP address, which Google uses, among other things, to track the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently to enable commission payments.

The cookie stores personal information, such as the access time, the location from which access originated, and the frequency of visits to our website by the data subject. With each visit to our website, this personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States. Google may share this personal data, collected via this technical process, with third parties.

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

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to and prevent the collection and processing of data generated by Google Analytics relating to their use of this website. To do so, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on from the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on uses JavaScript to inform Google Analytics that no data or information about website visits may be transmitted to Google Analytics. Google interprets the installation of this browser add-on as an objection. If the data subject's computer system is subsequently deleted, formatted, or reinstalled, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or another person within their sphere of influence, it can be reinstalled or reactivated.

Further information and Google's applicable privacy policy can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and at http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail at this link: https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

The data controller has integrated the Google+ button as a component on this website. Google+ is a social network. A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community that generally allows users to communicate and interact with each other in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or allows the online community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Google+ allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos, and connect with others via friend requests.

The operator of Google+ is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Google+ button is integrated, the Google+ button automatically prompts the web browser on the user's computer system to download a representation of the corresponding Google+ button from Google. As part of this technical process, Google receives information about which specific subpage of our website the user is visiting. More detailed information about Google+ is available at https://developers.google.com/+/.

If the data subject is simultaneously logged into Google+, Google recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time they access our website and for the entire duration of their visit. This information is collected by the Google+ button and assigned by Google to the respective Google+ account of the data subject.

If the data subject clicks one of the Google+ buttons integrated on our website and thereby submits a Google +1 recommendation, Google assigns this information to the data subject's personal Google+ user account and stores this personal data. Google stores the data subject's Google +1 recommendation and makes it publicly accessible in accordance with the terms accepted by the data subject. A Google +1 recommendation submitted by the data subject on this website is subsequently stored and processed, along with other personal data such as the name of the Google +1 account used by the data subject and the profile picture stored therein, in other Google services, for example, in the search results of the Google search engine, the data subject's Google account, or in other locations, such as on websites or in connection with advertisements. Furthermore, Google is able to link the visit to this website with other personal data stored by Google. Google also records this personal information for the purpose of improving or optimizing its various services.

Google receives information via the Google+ button that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is logged into Google+ at the same time as accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks the Google+ button or not.

If the data subject does not want their personal data transmitted to Google, they can prevent such transmission by logging out of their Google+ account before visiting our website.

Further information and Google's applicable privacy policy can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/. Further information from Google regarding the Google +1 button can be found at https://developers.google.com/+/web/buttons-policy.

The data controller has integrated Google AdWords on this website. Google AdWords is an online advertising service that allows advertisers to place ads both in Google search results and on the Google Display Network. Google AdWords enables advertisers to predefine specific keywords that trigger the display of an ad in Google search results only when a user enters a keyword-relevant search term. On the Google Display Network, ads are distributed across thematically relevant websites using an automated algorithm that takes the predefined keywords into account.

The operator of the Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google AdWords is to promote our website by displaying interest-based advertising on the websites of third-party companies and in the search engine results of the Google search engine, and to display third-party advertising on our website.

If a data subject accesses our website via a Google ad, Google places a so-called conversion cookie on the data subject's information technology system. Cookies were explained above. A conversion cookie expires after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. Provided the cookie has not yet expired, it tracks whether certain subpages, such as the shopping cart of an online store, have been accessed on our website. The conversion cookie allows both us and Google to track whether a data subject who accessed our website via an AdWords ad generated a sale, i.e., completed or abandoned a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie are used by Google to create visitor statistics for our website. We, in turn, use these visitor statistics to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords ads, thus enabling us to assess the success or failure of each AdWords ad and to optimize our AdWords ads for the future. Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertisers receive any information from Google that could be used to identify the data subject.

The conversion cookie stores personal information, such as the websites visited by the data subject. Therefore, each time our website is visited, personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States. Google may share this personal data, collected via this technical process, with third parties.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time, as described above, by adjusting the settings of their internet browser accordingly, and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a browser setting would also prevent Google from placing a conversion cookie on the data subject's information technology system. Furthermore, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to interest-based advertising by Google. To do so, the data subject must access the link www.google.de/settings/ads from each of the internet browsers they use and adjust the desired settings there.

Further information and Google's applicable privacy policy can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

The data controller has integrated components of the Instagram service into this website. Instagram is an audiovisual platform that allows users to share photos and videos and to further distribute such data on other social networks.

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

Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which an Instagram component (Insta-button) has been integrated, is accessed, the respective Instagram component automatically prompts the internet browser on the data subject's information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Instagram component. As part of this technical process, Instagram receives information about which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting.

If the data subject is logged into Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognizes which specific subpage the data subject visits each time they access our website and for the entire duration of their visit. This information is collected by the Instagram component and assigned by Instagram to the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, the data and information transmitted in this way are assigned to the data subject's personal Instagram user account and stored and processed by Instagram.

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

Further information and Instagram's applicable privacy policy can be found at https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

The data controller has integrated components from Twitter into this website. Twitter is a multilingual, publicly accessible microblogging service where users can publish and distribute short messages called tweets, which are limited to 140 characters. These short messages are accessible to everyone, including people who are not registered with Twitter. The tweets are also displayed to the respective user's followers. Followers are other Twitter users who follow a user's tweets. Furthermore, Twitter enables users to reach a broad audience through hashtags, links, and retweets.

Twitter is operated by Twitter, Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Twitter component (Twitter button) has been integrated, the Twitter component automatically prompts the internet browser on the user's information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Twitter component from Twitter. Further information about Twitter buttons is available at https://about.twitter.com/de/resources/buttons. As part of this technical process, Twitter receives information about which specific subpage of our website the user is visiting. The purpose of integrating the Twitter component is to enable our users to share the content of this website, to increase the visibility of this website in the digital world, and to boost our visitor numbers.

If the data subject is logged into Twitter at the same time, Twitter recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time they access our website and for the entire duration of their visit. This information is collected by the Twitter component and assigned by Twitter to the respective Twitter account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks one of the Twitter buttons integrated into our website, the data and information transmitted in this way are assigned to the data subject's personal Twitter user account and stored and processed by Twitter.

Twitter receives information via the Twitter component whenever a data subject visits our website, provided the data subject is logged into Twitter at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Twitter component or not. If a data subject does not wish for this information to be transmitted to Twitter, they can prevent this by logging out of their Twitter account before accessing our website.

Twitter's current privacy policy can be found at https://twitter.com/privacy?lang=de.

The data controller has integrated components from Xing into this website. Xing is an internet-based social network that allows users to connect with existing business contacts and establish new ones. Individual users can create a personal profile on Xing. Companies can, for example, create company profiles or publish job postings on Xing.

The operating company of Xing is XING AG, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.

Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a Xing component (Xing plug-in) has been integrated, the Xing component automatically prompts the web browser on the user's information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding Xing component from Xing. Further information about Xing plug-ins can be found at https://dev.xing.com/plugins. As part of this technical process, Xing receives information about which specific subpage of our website the user is visiting.

If the data subject is logged into Xing at the same time, Xing recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time they access our website and for the entire duration of their visit. This information is collected by the Xing component and assigned by Xing to the respective Xing account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks one of the Xing buttons integrated into our website, such as the "Share" button, Xing assigns this information to the data subject's personal Xing user account and stores this personal data.

Xing receives information via the Xing component whenever a data subject visits our website, provided the data subject is logged into Xing at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Xing component or not. If a data subject does not wish for this information to be transmitted to Xing, they can prevent this by logging out of their Xing account before accessing our website.

Xing's privacy policy, available at https://www.xing.com/privacy, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Xing. Xing has also published privacy information for the XING Share button at https://www.xing.com/app/share?op=data_protection.

The data controller has integrated YouTube components into this website. YouTube is an internet video portal that allows video publishers to upload video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate, and comment on them, also free of charge. YouTube permits the publication of all types of videos, which is why complete films and television programs, as well as music videos, trailers, and user-generated videos, are available via the internet portal.

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

Each time a user accesses one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the data controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, the respective YouTube component automatically prompts the internet browser on the data subject's information technology system to download a representation of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube. Further information about YouTube can be found at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. As part of this technical process, YouTube and Google receive information about which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting.

If the data subject is simultaneously logged into YouTube, YouTube recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting when they access a subpage containing a YouTube video. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.

YouTube and Google receive information via the YouTube component whenever a data subject visits our website, provided the data subject is logged into YouTube at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video or not. If a data subject does not wish for this information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, they can prevent this by logging out of their YouTube account before accessing our website.

The privacy policy published by YouTube, which can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company's processing operations where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or consideration, then the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to such processing operations that are necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures, such as in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation that requires the processing of personal data, such as for the fulfillment of tax obligations, then the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured on our premises and their name, age, health insurance details, or other vital information had to be shared with a doctor, hospital, or other third party. In that case, the processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR. Finally, processing operations could be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis applies to processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases, if the processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. We are permitted to carry out such processing operations in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. The legislator took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed where the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47, second sentence, GDPR).

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6 I lit. f GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business activities for the benefit of all our employees and our shareholders.

The criterion for the duration of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After this period expires, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, unless it is still required for the performance of a contract or for initiating a contract.

We would like to inform you that the provision of personal data is sometimes required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or may also arise from contractual provisions (e.g., information about the contracting party). In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data that we subsequently need to process in order to conclude a contract. For example, the data subject is obligated to provide us with personal data if our company enters into a contract with them. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact our data protection officer. Our data protection officer will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract, or necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and what the consequences of not providing the personal data would be.

As a responsible company, we refrain from automated decision-making or profiling.

This privacy policy was created using the privacy policy generator of DGD Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz GmbH, which acts external data protection officer used computers , and the law firm WILDE BEUGER SOLMECKE | Rechtsanwälte .