Privacy Policy

Preamble

We aim to provide you with the following privacy policy to inform you about the types of personal data (hereafter also referred to as “data”) we process, the purposes of such processing, and the extent to which we do so. This privacy statement is applicable to all instances of personal data processing carried out by us, including the provision of our services and, in particular, on our websites, mobile applications, and external online platforms like our social media profiles (hereafter collectively referred to as “online services”).

The terms used in this policy are gender-neutral.

Last Updated: October 22, 2022.

Table of contents

  • Data Controller
  • Overview of Data Processing Activities
  • Contact Details for the Data Protection Officer
  • Legal Basis for Data Processing
  • Security Measures
  • Transmission and Disclosure of Personal Data
  • Data Processing in Foreign Countries
  • Use of Cookies
  • Business Services
  • Blogs and Media Publications
  • Getting in Touch with Us
  • Communication via Messaging Apps
  • Online Conferences, Meetings, and Webinars
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Provision of Online Services and Web Hosting
  • Job Application Process
  • Cloud Services
  • Newsletters and Broadcast Communication
  • Commercial Communication through Email, Postal Mail, Fax, or Telephone
  • Contests and Giveaways
  • Online Marketing
  • Profiles on Social Networks
  • Plugins and Embedded Features and Content
  • Planning, Organization, and Utilities
  • Data Deletion
  • Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy
  • Rights of Data Subjects
  • Terminology and Definitions

Controller

Linseis Messgeräte GmbH
Vielitzer Str. 43
95100 Selb
+499287/880-0

Authorised Representatives: Claus Linseis, Florian Linseis, Vincent Linseis

E-mail address: sales@linseis.in

Phone: +91-11-42883851

Legal Notice: https://www.linseis.in/imprint/

Contact information of the data protection officer

Linseis Thermal Analysis India Pvt. Ltd.
Plot 65, 2nd Floor, Sai Enclave, Sector 23, Dwarka
110077 New Delhi

sales@linseis.in

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 (e.g., names, addresses).
  • Job applicant details (e.g., personal data, postal and contact addresses, and documents related to job applications, such as cover letters, resumes, certificates, etc., as well as other information voluntarily provided by applicants regarding qualifications or specific job-related details).
  • Content data (e.g., text input, photographs, videos).
  • Contact data (e.g., email addresses, telephone numbers).
  • Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Usage data (e.g., visited websites, content interests, access times).
  • Location data (data indicating the user’s device location).
  • Contract data (e.g., contract details, duration, customer category).
  • Payment data (e.g., bank information, invoices, payment history).

Categories of Data Subjects

  •  Employees (e.g., current and former employees, job applicants).
  • Job applicants.
  • Business and contractual partners.
  • Prospective customers.
  • – Communication partners (recipients of emails, letters, etc.).
  • Customers.
  • Users (e.g., website visitors, online service users).
  • Participants in sweepstakes and competitions.

Purposes of Processing

  • Provision and optimization of online services.
  • Conversion tracking.
  • Job application processes, including establishment, execution, and termination of employment relationships.
  • Office and organizational procedures.
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN) usage.
  • Cross-device tracking for marketing purposes.
  • Direct marketing (e.g., email or postal).
  • Management of sweepstakes and contests.
  • Collecting feedback through online forms.
  • Interest-based and behavioral marketing.
  • Handling contact requests and communication.
  • Conversion tracking (measuring marketing effectiveness).
  • Profiling (creating user profiles).
  • Remarketing.
  • Web analytics (e.g., access statistics, recognizing returning visitors).
  • Security measures.
  • Targeting (e.g., profiling based on interests and behavior, cookie usage).
  • Provision of contractual services and support.
  • Managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Custom audience selection for marketing or content delivery.

Legal Bases for the Processing

In compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the following legal bases are utilized for processing personal data:

  • Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR) – The data subject has given explicit consent for specific processing purposes.
  • Performance of a Contract and Pre-contractual Requests (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or for taking steps at the request of the data subject before entering into a contract.
  • Compliance with a Legal Obligation (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR) – Processing is required to comply with legal obligations.
  • Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for legitimate interests pursued by the controller or a third party, provided the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not override these interests.

In the case of special categories of data (e.g., health data) within the meaning of Article 9(1) GDPR, processing is carried out in accordance with specific legal provisions, such as Article 9(2)(b) GDPR, or based on consent (Article 9(1)(a) GDPR) for specific purposes as outlined in the policy.

Security Precautions

We employ appropriate technical and organizational measures in compliance with legal requirements. These measures consider the current state of technology, implementation costs, and the nature, scope, context, and purposes of data processing. They also account for the risk of varying likelihood and severity concerning the rights and freedoms of individuals. Our goal is to maintain a level of security commensurate with the associated risks.

These measures primarily encompass ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. We achieve this through controls over physical and electronic access to data, as well as data input, transmission, storage, and segregation. We have established protocols to uphold data subjects’ rights, including data erasure, and we are prepared to respond to data threats promptly. Additionally, we integrate data protection considerations at the early stages of hardware, software, and service provider selection, following the principles of privacy by design and privacy by default.

IP Address Masking: When possible and if not essential for storage, we truncate or have your IP address truncated. This process, known as “IP masking,” involves removing the last octet, which is the last two digits of an IP address (an identifier assigned to an internet connection by the service provider). IP address truncation aims to prevent or significantly impede the identification of individuals based on their IP address.

SSL Encryption (https): To maximize the protection of your data transmitted through our online services, we employ SSL encryption. You can identify such encrypted connections by the “https://” prefix in your browser’s address bar.

Transmission and Disclosure of Personal Data

In the course of processing personal data, there may be instances where data is transferred to other entities, companies, or individuals, or it is disclosed to them. Recipients of such data may include payment institutions involved in payment transactions, service providers tasked with IT-related functions, or providers of services and content embedded in a website. In such cases, we ensure compliance with legal requirements, and, specifically, we enter into contracts or agreements with these data recipients to safeguard your data.

Intra-Group Data Transfer: We may transfer personal data to other companies within our group of affiliated companies or grant them access to this data. Such disclosures, when made for administrative purposes, are based on our legitimate business and economic interests. Alternatively, they may occur when necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations or when consent from data subjects or other legal permissions are in place.

Data Transmission to Sales and Partnership Partners: We may also transmit personal data to other companies within our group of affiliated companies or provide them with access to this data. Similar to intra-group data transfer, these disclosures are typically based on our legitimate business and economic interests, or they may be necessary to fulfill contractual obligations, or when consent from data subjects or legal permissions are in place.

Data Processing in Third Countries

When we process data in a third country (outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or when processing occurs in the context of using third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other individuals, entities, or companies, it is always done in strict compliance with legal requirements.

Data processing in third countries is either carried out with explicit consent or when required by contract or law. We ensure that data is processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection. This may involve US processors certified under the “Privacy Shield” framework or the implementation of special safeguards, such as contractual obligations through the use of standard data protection clauses issued by the EU Commission. Additionally, we consider the presence of certifications or the establishment of binding internal data protection regulations.

These measures are taken in accordance with the provisions of Articles 44 to 49 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more information, you can refer to the EU Commission’s information page on the international dimension of data protection: [EU Commission Data Protection Information](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en).

Use of Cookies

Cookies are text files that contain data obtained from visited websites or domains and are stored on a user’s computer by their web browser. Cookies primarily serve to retain information about a user’s activity during or after their visit within an online service. This stored information may include data such as language preferences, login status, shopping cart contents, or the point at which a video was last viewed. The term “cookies” also encompasses other technologies that fulfill similar functions as cookies, for instance, when user information is stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also known as “user IDs.”

Cookies come in different types and serve various functions:

  1. Temporary Cookies (Session Cookies): These cookies are deleted once a user leaves an online service and closes their browser.
  1. Permanent Cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the browser is closed. They can save login status or display preferred content upon the user’s return. Additionally, they may store user interests for audience measurement or marketing purposes.
  1. First-Party Cookies: These are set by the website or service itself.
  1. Third-Party Cookies: Mainly used by advertisers (third parties) to process user information.

Cookies can be categorized into the following groups based on their functions: Necessary (or Essential) Cookies: These cookies are essential for a website’s operation, such as saving login information, user inputs, or for security purposes.

Statistics, Marketing, and Personalization Cookies: These cookies are generally used to measure a website’s reach and store user interests or behaviors, such as content views, feature usage, etc., in individual user profiles. These profiles may be used to display content relevant to users’ potential interests. This process is often referred to as “tracking,” where user interests are tracked.

The legal basis for processing personal data using cookies depends on whether your consent is obtained. If you consent to the use of cookies, your data processing is based on your declared consent. In cases where consent is not obtained, data processed using cookies will be based on our legitimate interests, such as the operation and improvement of our online service, or when cookie usage is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.

General Information on Consent Withdrawal and Objection (Opt-Out): Regardless of whether processing is based on consent or legal permissions, you have the option to object to data processing using cookie technologies or revoke your consent (collectively referred to as “opt-out”). You can initiate your objection through your browser settings, such as deactivating cookie usage (note that this may impact the functionality of our online services). For online marketing purposes, you can object to the use of cookies, especially for tracking, through websites like https://www.aboutads.info/choices/ and https://www.youronlinechoices.com. Additionally, you can find further information about objections in the context of service providers and cookies used.

Cookie Consent with Usercentrics

This website utilizes cookie consent technology provided by Usercentrics to request your consent for storing particular cookies on your device or using specific technologies, while ensuring that such consent is documented in accordance with data protection regulations. The technology is provided by Usercentrics GmbH, located at Rosental 4, 80331 Munich, Germany, and can be accessed at their website: https://usercentrics.com/ (referred to as “Usercentrics” below).

When you visit our website, the following personal data is transmitted to Usercentrics:

  • Your declarations of consent or revocations of such declarations
  • Your IP address
  • Information about your browser
  • Information about your device
  • The date and time of your website visit

Additionally, Usercentrics will place a cookie in your browser to associate your consent declarations or revocations. The data collected in this manner will be retained until you request their erasure, delete the Usercentrics cookie, or until the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. This is without prejudice to any mandatory legal retention periods.

Usercentrics uses cookies to acquire the legally mandated consent declarations. The legal basis for using these specific technologies is governed by Art. 6, Sect. 1, Sentence 1, lit. c of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Commercial Services

We process data of our contractual and business partners, which include customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”). This processing takes place within the context of contractual and similar legal relationships, as well as associated actions and communication with these contractual partners, whether pre-contractually (e.g., to respond to inquiries) or during the course of fulfilling contractual obligations.

We process this data to fulfill our contractual obligations, protect our rights, and for administrative tasks related to this data and the organization of our business. Data of contractual partners will only be disclosed to third parties within the bounds of applicable laws and regulations when necessary for the aforementioned purposes, to meet legal obligations, or with the consent of the contractual partners. This may involve sharing data with third-party service providers, subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers, or tax authorities. Contractual partners will be informed about further data processing, such as for marketing purposes, as part of this privacy policy.

We inform contractual partners of which data is necessary for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection. This information is provided through online forms with special markers (e.g., colors) and/or symbols (e.g., asterisks) or through personal communication.

We retain the data for the duration of statutory warranty and similar obligations, typically up to 4 years. However, data may be retained in customer accounts or archived for legal reasons (e.g., tax purposes) for a longer period (usually 10 years). In the case of data provided by contractual partners within the context of a specific assignment, we delete the data upon completion of the assignment.

When using third-party providers or platforms to deliver our services, the terms and conditions and privacy policies of these third-party providers or platforms apply in the relationship between users and the providers.

Online Shop and E-Commerce: We process customer data to facilitate the selection, purchase, or ordering of products, goods, and related services, as well as payment and delivery, or performance of other services. Necessary details for these processes are clearly identified, and they include information required for delivery, invoicing, and contact purposes.

Technical and Engineering Services: We process customer data to enable them to select, acquire, or commission specific services or projects, along with related activities, payments, and service provision. The necessary information is specified during the agreement, order, or contract process and includes details required for service provision, invoicing, and contact purposes. When dealing with end customers, employees, or other individuals, we handle their data in accordance with legal and contractual requirements.

Processed Data Types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses), Payment Data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history), Contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers), Contract data (e.g., contract object, duration, customer category), Usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).

Data Subjects: Prospective customers, Business and contractual partners, Customers.

Purposes of Processing: Contractual services and support, contact requests and communication, office and organizational procedures, managing and responding to inquiries, security measures.

Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Blogs and publication media

We utilize blogs or similar online communication and publication platforms, referred to here as “publication medium.” The data of readers is processed exclusively for the purposes of this publication medium, as required for its presentation, facilitating communication between authors and readers, and for security reasons. For further information, please refer to the details provided in this privacy policy regarding the processing of visitors’ data on our publication medium.

Processed Data Types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses), Contact data (e.g., email, phone numbers), Content data (e.g., text input, photographs, videos), Usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).

Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

Purposes of Processing: Contractual services and support, Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms), Security measures.

Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

WhatsApp: WhatsApp Messenger with end-to-end encryption; Service provider: WhatsApp Inc. WhatsApp Legal 1601 Willow Road Menlo Park, California 94025, USA; Website: https://www.whatsapp.com/; Privacy Policy: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal; Privacy Shield (Safeguarding the level of data protection when processing data in the USA): https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TSnwAAG&status=Active.

Contacting us

When contacting us (e.g. by contact form, e-mail, telephone or via social media), the data of the inquiring persons are processed insofar as this is necessary to answer the contact enquiries and any requested activities.

The response to contact enquiries within the framework of contractual or pre-contractual relationships is made in order to fulfil our contractual obligations or to respond to (pre)contractual enquiries and otherwise on the basis of the legitimate interests in responding to the enquiries.

  • 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).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of Processing: contact requests and communication.
  • Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), 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, 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 providers themselves. You should always use a current version of the messenger 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, 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 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 messengers. 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 at any time.In the case of communication via messenger, 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. This is the case if, for example, internal contractual matters require special secrecy or if an answer via the messenger does not meet the formal requirements. In such cases we refer you to more appropriate communication channels.

Skype: The end-to-end encryption of Skype requires its activation (unless it is enabled by default).

  • Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), 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).

Services and service providers being used:

Tawk.to

To process user requests through our support channels or live chat systems, we use tawk.to, inc., 187 E Warm Springs Rd, SB298, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119, USA (hereinafter “tawk.to”).

Messages you send to us can be stored in the tawk.to ticket system or answered by our personnel in a live chat. In addition, tawk.to helps us to determine, in particular, from which region the inquirer comes, how long he has been communicating with us and how satisfied he is with the course of communication.

The messages addressed to us will remain with us until you ask us to delete them or until the purpose for which the data were stored ceases to apply (e.g., after processing your enquiry). Mandatory legal provisions, in particular retention periods, remain unaffected.

The use of tawk.to is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest to a fast, reliable, and efficient processing of your inquiries. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar the consent includes the storage of cookies or the access to information in the user’s end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:  https://www.tawk.to/privacy-policy/ and  https://www.tawk.to/data-protection/gdpr/.

For further information please read the privacy policy of tawk.to:  https://www.tawk.to/privacy-policy/ and  https://www.tawk.to/data-protection/.

Online Conferences, Meetings and Webinars

We use third-party platforms and applications (hereinafter referred to as “third party providers”) for the purposes of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings. When selecting third-party providers and their services, we observe the legal requirements.

In this context, data of the communication participants will be processed and stored on the servers of third parties, as far as these are part of communication processes with us. This data may include, but is not limited to, registration and contact details, visual and voice contributions, chat entries and shared screen content.

If users are referred to the third-party providers or their software or platforms in the context of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party provider processing may process usage data and metadata that can be processed by them for security purposes, service optimisation or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to observe the data protection information of the respective third party providers.

Information on legal basis: If we ask the users for their consent to the use of third party providers, the legal basis of the processing is consent. Furthermore, the processing can be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the third party was agreed within this context. Otherwise, user data will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interest in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners. In this context, we would also like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.), Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Contractual services and support, contact requests and communication, Office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Surveys and Questionnaires

The surveys and questionnaires (“surveys”) carried out by us are evaluated anonymously. Personal data is only processed insofar as this is necessary for the provision and technical execution of the survey (e.g. processing the IP address to display the survey in the user’s browser or to enable a resumption of the survey with the aid of a temporary cookie (session cookie)) or participants have consented.

Information on legal basis: If we ask the participants for their consent to the processing of their data, this is the legal basis for the processing, otherwise the processing of the participants’ data is based on our legitimate interests in conducting an objective survey.

  • 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.), Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: contact requests and communication, Direct marketing  (e.g. by e-mail or postal), Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies), Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Provision of online services and web hosting

In order to provide our online services securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers from whose servers (or servers they manage) the online services can be accessed. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, as well as security and technical maintenance services.

The data processed within the framework of the provision of the hosting services may include all information relating to the users of our online services that is collected in the course of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary to be able to deliver the contents of online services to browsers, and all entries made within our online services or from websites.

Collection of Access Data and Log Files: We, ourselves or our web hosting provider, collect data on the basis of each access to the server (so-called server log files). Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, 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 .

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.

  • Processed data types: Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Content Delivery Network (CDN).
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Job Application Process

The application process requires applicants to provide us with the data necessary for their assessment and selection. The information required can be found in the job description or, in the case of online forms, in the information contained therein.

In principle, the required information includes personal information such as name, address, a contact option and proof of the qualifications required for a particular employment. Upon request, we will be happy to provide you with additional information.

If made available, applicants can submit their applications via an online form. The data will be transmitted to us encrypted according to the state of the art. Applicants can also send us their applications by e-mail. Please note, however, 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. We can therefore accept no responsibility for the transmission path of the application between the sender and the reception on our server. For the purposes of searching for applicants, submitting applications and selecting applicants, we may make use of the applicant management and recruitment software, platforms and services of third-party providers in compliance with legal requirements. Applicants are welcome to contact us about how to submit their application or send it to us by regular mail.

Processing of special categories of data: If special categories of personal data within the meaning of Article 9 (1) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severely handicapped status or ethnic origin) are requested from applicants within the framework of the application procedure, so that the responsible person or the person concerned can exercise his/her rights arising from labour law and social security and social protection law and fulfil his/her duties in this regard, their processing shall be carried out in accordance with Article 9 (1)(b) GDPR, in the case of the protection of vital interests of applicants or other persons pursuant to Article 9 (1)(c) GDPR or for the purposes of preventive health care or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the employee’s ability to work, for medical diagnostics, care or treatment in the health or social sector or for the administration of systems and services in the health or social sector in accordance with Article 9 (1)(h) GDPR. In the case of a communication of special categories of data based on voluntary consent, their processing is carried out on the basis of Article 9 (1)(a) GDPR.

Ereasure of data: In the event of a successful application, the data provided by the applicants may be further processed by us for the purposes of the employment relationship. Otherwise, if the application for a job offer is not successful, the applicant’s data will be deleted. Applicants’ data will also be deleted if an application is withdrawn, to which applicants are entitled at any time. Subject to a justified revocation by the applicant, the deletion will take place at the latest after the expiry of a period of six months, so that we can answer any follow-up questions regarding the application and comply with our duty of proof under the regulations on equal treatment of applicants. Invoices for any reimbursement of travel expenses are archived in accordance with tax regulations.

Admission to a talent pool –  Admission to an talent pool, if offered, is based on consent. Applicants are informed that their consent to be included in the talent pool is voluntary, has no influence on the current application process and that they can revoke their consent at any time for the future.

Duration of data retention in the applicant pool in months: 6

  • Processed data types: Job applicant details (e.g. Personal data, postal and contact addresses and the documents pertaining to the application and the information contained therein, such as cover letter, curriculum vitae, certificates, etc., as well as other information on the person or qualifications of applicants provided with regard to a specific job or voluntarily by applicants).
  • Data subjects: Job applicants.
  • Purposes of Processing: Job Application Process (Establishment and possible later execution as well as possible later termination of the employment relationship.).
  • Legal Basis: Article 9 (1)(b) GDPR (job application process as a pre-contractual or contractual relationship) (If special categories of personal data within the meaning of Article 9 (1) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severely handicapped status or ethnic origin) are requested from applicants within the framework of the application procedure, so that the responsible person or the person concerned can carry out the obligations and exercising specific rights of the controller or of the data subject in the field of employment and social security and social protection law, their processing shall be carried out in accordance with Article 9 (2)(b) GDPR , in the case of the protection of vital interests of applicants or other persons on the basis of Article 9 (1)(c) GDPR  or for the purposes of preventive health care or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the employee’s ability to work, for medical diagnostics, care or treatment in the health or social sector or for the administration of systems and services in the health or social sector in accordance with Article 9 (1)(d) GDPR. In the case of a communication of special categories of data based on voluntary consent, their processing is carried out on the basis of Article 9 (1)(a) GDPR.).

Services and service providers being used:

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 following purposes: document storage and administration, calendar management, e-mail delivery, spreadsheets and presentations, exchange of documents, content and information with specific recipients or publication of websites, forms or other content and information, as well as chats and participation in audio and video conferences.

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).

Information on legal basis –  If we ask for permission to use cloud services, the legal basis for processing data is consent. Furthermore, their use can be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of cloud services has been agreed in this context. Otherwise, user data will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient and secure administrative and collaboration processes).

  • 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Customers, Employees (e.g. Employees, job applicants), Prospective customers, Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of Processing: Office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Newsletter and Broadcast Communication

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 blacklist.

Information on legal bases: The sending of the newsletter is based on the consent of the recipients or, if consent is not required, on the basis of our legitimate interests in direct marketing. Insofar as we engage a service provider for sending e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests. The registration procedure is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of demonstrating that it has been conducted in accordance with the law.

Contents: Information about us, our services, events, promotions and offers.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • 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.

Services and service providers being used:

Commercial communication by E-Mail, Postal Mail, Fax or Telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of promotional communication, which may be carried out via various channels, such as e-mail, telephone, post or fax, in accordance with the legal requirements.

The recipients have the right to withdraw their consent at any time or to object to the advertising communication at any time.

After withdrawal or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete them. 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 affirmed.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers).
  • 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).

Sweepstakes and Contests

We process the personal data of participants in We process personal data of participants in competitions, contents, raffles, prize-draws or sweepstakes (hereinafter referred to as “competitions”) only in compliance with the relevant data protection regulations and if the processing is contractually necessary for the provision, execution and handling of the competition, the participants have consented to the processing or the processing serves our legitimate interests (e.g. in the security of the competition or the protection of our interests against misuse by possible recording of IP addresses when submitting entries to the competition.

In the event that entries are published as part of the competitions (e.g. as part of a vote or presentation of the competition entries, or the winner or reporting on the competition), we would like to point out that the names of participants may also be published in this context. The participants can object to this at any time.

If the competitions take place within an online platform or a social network (e.g. Facebook or Instagram, hereinafter referred to as “online platform”), the usage and data protection provisions of the respective online platforms also apply. In such cases, we would like to point out that we are responsible for the information provided by the participants as part of the competition and that we must be contacted with regard to the competitions.

The data of the participants will be deleted as soon as the competition has ended and the data is no longer required to inform the winners or because questions about the competition can be expected. In general, the data of the participants will be deleted at the latest 6 months after the end of the competition. Winners’ data can be retained for a longer period of time, e.g. in order to answer questions about the prizes or to fulfil the prizes; in this case, the retention period depends on the type of prize and is up to three years for items or services, e.g. in order to be able to process warranty claims. Furthermore, the participants’ data may be stored for longer, e.g. in the form of coverage of the competition in online and offline media.

Insofar as data was collected for other purposes as part of the competition, its processing and storage period shall be governed by the privacy information for this use (e.g. in the case of registration for a newsletter as part of a competition).

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
  • Data subjects: Participants in sweepstakes and competitions.
  • Purposes of Processing: Conducting sweepstakes and contests.
  • Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR).

Onlinemarketing

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. 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.

Information on legal basis: If we ask users for their consent (e.g. in the context of a so-called “cookie banner consent”), the legal basis for processing data for online marketing purposes is this consent. Otherwise, user data will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimisation and economic operation of our online services. In this context, we would also like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

Facebook Pixel: With the help of the Facebook pixel, Facebook is on the one hand able to determine the visitors of our online services as a target group for the presentation of ads (so-called “Facebook ads”). Accordingly, we use Facebook pixels to display Facebook ads placed by us only to Facebook users and within the services of partners cooperating with Facebook (so-called “audience network” https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/ ) who have shown an interest in our online services or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interests in certain topics or products that are determined on the basis of the websites visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called “custom audiences”). With the help of Facebook pixels, we also want to ensure that our Facebook ads correspond to the potential interest of users and do not appear annoying. The Facebook pixel also enables us to track the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by showing whether users were referred to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (known as “conversion tracking”).

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), Location data (Data that indicates the location of the end device of an end user).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services), Prospective customers.
  • Purposes of Processing: Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies), Remarketing, Conversion Tracking, Interest-based and behavioral marketing, Profiling (Creating user profiles), Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities), Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors), Custom Audiences (Selection of relevant target groups for marketing purposes or other output of content), Cross-Device Tracking (Device-independent processing of user data for marketing purposes).
  • 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.

Services and service providers being used:

Profiles in Social Networks

We maintain online presences within social networks in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer ind information about us there.

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. With regard to US providers certified under the Privacy Shield or offering comparable guarantees of a secure level of data protection, we would like to point out that they thereby commit themselves to comply with EU data protection standards.

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 networs 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: 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: contact requests and communication, Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies), Remarketing, Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors).
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

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 social media buttons as well as contributions (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.

Information on legal basis: If we ask users for their consent (e.g. in the context of a so-called “cookie banner consent”), the legal basis for processing is this consent. Otherwise, user data will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimisation and economic operation of our online services. We refer you to the note on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability.

Services and service providers being used:

Google Fonts (local embedding)

This website uses so-called Google Fonts provided by Google to ensure the uniform use of fonts on this site. These Google fonts are locally installed so that a connection to Google’s servers will not be established in conjunction with this application.

For more information on Google Fonts, please follow this link: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and consult Google’s Data Privacy Declaration under: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

Planning, Organization and Utilities

We use services, platforms and software from other providers (hereinafter referred to as ” third-party providers”) for the purposes of organizing, administering, planning and providing our services. When selecting third-party providers and their services, we comply with the legal requirements.

Within this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of third-party providers. This may include various data that we process in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of users, data on processes, contracts, other processes and their contents.

If users are referred to the third-party providers or their software or platforms in the context of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party provider processing may process usage data and metadata that can be processed by them for security purposes, service optimisation or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to read the data protection notices of the respective third party providers.

Information on legal basis: If we ask the users for their consent to the use of third party providers, the legal basis of the processing is consent. Furthermore, the processing can be a component of our (pre)contractual services, provided that the use of the third party was agreed within this context. Otherwise, user data will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economic and recipient friendly services). In this context, we would also like to refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

  • 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 data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.), Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: contact requests and communication.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Erasure of data

The data processed by us will be erased in accordance with the statutory provisions as soon as their processing is revoked or other permissions no longer apply (e.g. if the purpose of processing this data no longer applies or they are not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because they are required for other and legally permissible purposes, their processing is limited to these purposes. This means that the data will be restricted and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be stored for commercial or tax reasons or for which storage is necessary to assert, exercise or defend legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

Further information on the erasure of personal data can also be found in the individual data protection notices of this privacy policy.

Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy

We kindly ask you to inform yourself regularly about the contents of our data protection declaration. We will adjust the privacy policy as changes in our data processing practices make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, we ask you to note that addresses may change over time and to verify the information before contacting us.

Rights of Data Subjects

As data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 18 and 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: You also have the right, under the conditions laid down by law, to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Terminology and Definitions

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Many of the terms are drawn from the law and defined mainly in Article 4 GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The following explanations, on the other hand, are intended above all for the purpose of comprehension. The terms are sorted alphabetically.

  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): A “Content Delivery Network” (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.
  • Controller: “Controller” means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Conversion Tracking: “Conversion Tracking” refers to a procedure by which the effectiveness of marketing measures can be determined. As a rule, a cookie is stored on the devices of the users within the websites on which the marketing measures are carried out and then called up again on the target website (e.g. this enables us to track whether the ads we placed on other websites were successful).
  • Conversion tracking: Conversion tracking is a method used to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the devices of the users within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then called up again on the target website (e.g. we can thus trace whether the advertisements placed by us on other websites were successful).
  • Cross-Device Tracking: Cross-Device Tracking is a form of tracking in which behavior and interest information of the user is recorded across all devices in so-called profiles by assigning an online identifier to the user. This means that user information can usually be analysed for marketing purposes, regardless of the browser or device used (e.g. mobile phone or desktop computer). With most Cross-Device Tracking providers, the online identifier is not linked to plain data such as names, postal addresses or e-mail addresses.
  • Custom Audiences: Target group formation (or “custom audiences”) is the term used when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g. display of advertisements. For example, a user’s interest in certain products or topics on the Internet may be used to infer that that user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online store in which they viewed the products. Lookalike Audiences” (or similar target groups) is the term used to describe content that is viewed as suitable by users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies are generally used for the purposes of creating custom audiences and lookalike audiences. Target groups can be created by processing visitors of an online service or can be uploaded to the provider of an online marketing technology by means of uploading (which is usually done pseudonymised).
  • IP Masking: IP masking is a method by which the last octet, i.e. the last two numbers of an IP address, are deleted so that the IP address alone can no longer be used to uniquely identify a person. IP masking is therefore a means of pseudonymising processing methods, particularly in online marketing.
  • Interest-based and behavioral marketing: Interest-related and/or behaviour-related marketing is the term used when potential user interest in advertisements and other content is predicted if possible. This is done on the basis of information on the previous behaviour of users (e.g. visiting and staying on certain websites, purchasing behaviour or interaction with other users), which is stored in a so-called profile. For these purposes cookies are usually used.
  • Personal Data: “personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“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.
  • Processing: The term “processing” covers a wide range and practically every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or erasure.
  • Profiling: “Profiling” means any automated processing of personal data consisting in the use of such personal data to analyse, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this includes information regarding age, gender, location and movement data, interaction with websites and their contents, shopping behaviour, social interactions with other people) (e.g. interests in certain contents or products, click behaviour on a website or the location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Remarketing: Remarketing” or “retargeting” is the term used, for example, to indicate for advertising purposes which products a user is interested in on a website in order to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g. in advertisements.
  • Targeting: Tracking” is the term used when the behaviour of users can be traced across several websites. As a rule, behavior and interest information with regard to the websites used is stored in cookies or on the servers of the tracking technology providers (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users presumably corresponding to their interests.
  • Web Analytics: Web Analytics serves the evaluation of visitor traffic of online services and can determine their behavior or interests in certain information, such as content of websites. With the help of web analytics, website owners, for example, can recognize at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This allows them, for example, to optimize the content of the website to better meet the needs of their visitors. For purposes of web analytics, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are frequently used in order to recognise returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online service.
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