Privacy Policy

Data protection is of a particularly high priority for the vogella GmbH. The use of the Internet pages of the vogella GmbH is possible without any indication of personal data for necessary functions; however, the use of special enterprise services, analytics, or personalized content via our website requires the processing of personal data, which we only undertake with a valid legal basis. For non-essential data processing, such as tracking, analytics, and advertising, we obtain explicit consent from users via a Consent Management Platform provided by Google, which allows users to manage and withdraw their consent at any time.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to the vogella GmbH. By means of this data protection declaration, our enterprise would like to inform the general public of the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed, by means of this data protection declaration, of the rights to which they are entitled.

As the controller, the vogella GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed through this website. However, Internet-based data transmissions may in principle have security gaps, so absolute protection may not be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transfer personal data to us via alternative means, e.g. by telephone.

We do not and will not sell your data to third parties.

1. Definitions
The data protection declaration of the vogella GmbH is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our data protection declaration should be legible and understandable for the general public, as well as our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to first explain the terminology used.

In this data protection declaration, we use the following terms:


1. 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.
2. Data subject
Data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person, whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.
3. Processing
Processing is 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, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.
4. Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.
5. Profiling
Profiling means 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.
6. Pseudonymisation
Pseudonymisation 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 are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
7. Controller or controller responsible for the processing
Controller or controller responsible for the processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.
8. Processor
Processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
9. Recipient
Recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients; the processing of those data by those public authorities shall be in compliance with the applicable data protection rules according to the purposes of the processing.
10. Third party
Third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.
11. Consent
Consent of the data subject is 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.
2. Name and Address of the controller
Controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), other data protection laws applicable in Member states of the European Union and other provisions related to data protection is:

vogella GmbH
Haindaalwisch, 17a
22395 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +49 40 78804360
Email: info@vogella.com
Website: www.vogella.com
3. Cookies
The Internet pages of the vogella GmbH use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in a computer system via an Internet browser.

Legal Basis: The processing of data via cookies that are strictly necessary for the provision of the website's basic functions is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR). The processing of data via all other cookies (e.g., for analytics, marketing, or personalized content) is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG).

Consent Management Platform (CMP): We use the Google Consent Management Platform to manage your consent for cookies and similar tracking technologies. When you visit our website, you will be presented with a consent banner that allows you to provide, deny, or customize your consent. Non-essential cookies are only set if you have given your explicit consent.

Managing Your Consent: You can review or change your consent settings at any time by clicking the consent management link (usually a small icon or link) visible on our website.

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

Through the use of cookies, the vogella GmbH can provide the users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the cookie setting.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by managing their preferences in the CMP or by using a corresponding setting of the Internet browser used. Furthermore, already set cookies may be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. If the data subject denies consent or deactivates the setting of cookies, not all functions of our website may be entirely usable.
4. Collection of general data and information
The website of the vogella GmbH collects a series of general data and information when a data subject or automated system calls up the website. This general data and information are stored in the server log files. Collected may be (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrers), (4) the sub-websites, (5) the date and time of access to the Internet site, (6) an Internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) any other similar data and information that may be used in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

Legal Basis: The processing of this data is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR) in ensuring the security and stability of our website and information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, the vogella GmbH 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 as well as its advertisement, (3) ensure the long-term viability of our information technology systems and website technology, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in case of a cyber-attack. Therefore, the vogella GmbH analyzes anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise, and to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.
5. Contact possibility via the website
The website of the vogella GmbH contains information that enables a quick electronic contact to our enterprise, as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by e-mail or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Legal Basis: This processing is based on pre-contractual measures or a contract (Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR) if the inquiry is related to a business relationship, or on your consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR) if it is a general inquiry.

Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the data controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no transfer of this personal data to third parties.
6. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data
The data controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.

If the storage purpose is not applicable, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data are routinely blocked or erased in accordance with legal requirements.
7. Rights of the data subject
1. Right of confirmation
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
2. Right of access
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller free information about his or her personal data stored at any time and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European directives and regulations grant the data subject access to the following information:

- the purposes of the processing;
- the categories of personal data concerned;
- 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 organizations;
- where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
- the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data, or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject, or to object to such processing;
- the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
- where the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source;
- the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

Furthermore, the data subject shall have a right to obtain information as to whether personal data are transferred to a third country or to an international organization. Where this is the case, the data subject shall have the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of access, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
3. Right to rectification
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject shall have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to rectification, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
4. Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten)
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay, and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies, as long as the processing is not necessary:

- The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
- The data subject withdraws consent to which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
- The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
- The personal data have been unlawfully processed.
- The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
- The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

If one of the aforementioned reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by the vogella GmbH, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. An employee of vogella GmbH shall promptly ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.

Where the controller has made personal data public and is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) to erase the personal data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the personal data that the data subject has requested erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data, as far as processing is not required. An employee of the vogella GmbH will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.
5. Right of restriction of processing
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller 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 and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests instead the restriction of their use instead.
- The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.
- The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the aforementioned conditions is met, and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of the processing of personal data stored by the vogella GmbH, he or she may at any time contact any employee of the controller. The employee of the vogella GmbH will arrange the restriction of the processing.
6. Right to data portability
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which was provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she shall have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, as long as the processing is based on consent pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR 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, as long as 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, in exercising his or her right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and when doing so does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

In order to assert the right to data portability, the data subject may at any time contact any employee of the vogella GmbH.
7. Right to object
Each data subject shall have 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 these provisions.

The vogella GmbH shall no longer process the personal data in the event of the objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

If the vogella GmbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing. This applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to the vogella GmbH to the processing for direct marketing purposes, the vogella GmbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

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

In order to exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of the vogella GmbH. In addition, the data subject is free in the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to use his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.
8. Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
Each data subject shall have 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, as long as the decision (1) is not is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) is not 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 not based on the data subject's explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject's explicit consent, the vogella GmbH 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 contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the rights concerning automated individual decision-making, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the vogella GmbH.
9. Right to withdraw data protection consent
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw his or her consent to processing of his or her personal data at any time. This right is easily exercised via the Consent Management Platform.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the right to withdraw the consent, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the vogella GmbH.
8. Data protection for applications and the application procedures
The data controller shall collect and process the personal data of applicants for the purpose of the processing of the application procedure. Legal Basis: The processing is based on taking steps prior to entering into a contract (Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR).

The processing may also be carried out electronically. This is the case, in particular, if an applicant submits corresponding application documents by e-mail or by means of a web form on the website to the controller. If the data controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with legal requirements. If no employment contract is concluded with the applicant by the controller, the application documents shall be automatically erased two months after notification of the refusal decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller are opposed to the erasure. Other legitimate interest in this relation is, e.g. a burden of proof in a procedure under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
9. Data protection provisions about hosting and storage
The websites of the vogella GmbH are hosted by Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91710 Gunzenhausen, Germany. The personal data collected on this website (e.g., IP addresses, form submissions) are stored on servers of Hetzner within the European Union. Hetzner only processes the data on our behalf and under our instructions, in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR. The data subject may at any time contact us for questions regarding the hosting of personal data.
10. Data protection provisions about the application and use of functions of the Amazon Partner program
On this website, the controller has integrated Amazon components as a participant in the Amazon partner program. The Amazon components were created by Amazon with the aim to mediate customers through advertisements on various websites of the Amazon group, in particular Amazon.co.uk, Local.Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, BuyVIP.com, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it and Amazon.es in return for the payment of a commission. By using the Amazon components, the controller may generate advertising revenue.

The operating company of this Amazon component is Amazon EU S.à.r.l, 5 Rue Plaetis, L-2338 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

Legal Basis: The setting of cookies and the subsequent data processing by Amazon for tracking and commission settlement purposes is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

Amazon sets a cookie the information technology system of the data subject. The definition of cookies is explained above. With each single call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet website, which is operated by the controller and in which an Amazon component was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject will automatically submit data for the purpose of online advertising and the settlement of commissions to Amazon through the respective Amazon component. During the course of this technical procedure, Amazon receives personal information that is used to trace the origin of orders from Amazon, and as a result, to allow the accounting of a commission. Among other things, Amazon may understand that the data subject has clicked on an affiliate link on our website.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by managing their consent settings in the CMP.

Further information and the actual data protection provisions of Amazon may be retrieved under https://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=3312401&language=en_GB.
11. Data protection provisions about the application and use of functions pertaining to the collection society WORT (VG WORT)
On this website, the controller has integrated a tracking pixel. A tracking pixel is a thumbnail image that is embedded in web pages to enable a log file recording and a log file analysis so that a statistical analysis may be performed. The integrated tracking pixels serve the Scalable Central Measurement System (SZMS) of the collecting society WORT (VG Wort).

The Scalable Central Measurement System is operated by INFOnline GmbH, Brühler Str. 9, 53119 Bonn, Germany.

The Scalable Central Measurement System is used to determine with statistical key figures, the probability of the copying of texts. The embedded tracking pixel ensures that the collecting society WORT may detect whether, when, and how various users (including the data subject) opened our website and what content was retrieved.

Legal Basis: The use of the tracking pixel is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR) in obtaining anonymous statistical usage data to ensure our right to remuneration, or on your consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) depending on the CMP settings.

The data obtained using the Scalable Central Measurement System is collected anonymously. To capture the traffic, either a so-called session cookie is created for the purpose of recognition of the users of a website, that is a signature, which consists of various automatically transmitted information, or alternative methods are used. The IP address of the Internet connection used by the data subject is collected only in anonymised form and processed. The data subject is not identified at any time.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by managing their consent settings in the CMP.

In addition, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to a collection of data generated by VG Wort related to the use of this website, as well as to the processing of these data through VG Wort and the chance to preclude any such. For this purpose, the data subject must press the ‘opt-out’ button under the link http://optout.ioam.de, which sets an opt-out cookie. The opt-out cookie used for this purpose is placed on the information technology system used by the data subject. If the cookies are deleted on the system of the data subject, then the data subject must call up the link again and set a new opt-out cookie.

With the setting of the opt-out cookie, however, the possibility exists that the websites of the controller are not fully usable anymore by the data subject.

The applicable data protection provisions of INFOnline may be accessed under https://www.infonline.de/datenschutz/.


12. Data protection provisions about the application and use of online advertisement (Google AdSense)
On this website, the controller has integrated online advertising through Google AdSense. They are online services which allow the placement of advertising on third-party sites. They are based on an algorithm that selects advertisements displayed on third-party sites to match with the content of the respective third-party site. They allow an interest-based targeting of the Internet user, which is implemented by means of generating individual user profiles.

The operating company of the components is:

- For Google's AdSense: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland


Legal Basis: The data processing for the purpose of displaying personalized and non-personalized advertisements is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

The purpose of the above mentioned components is the integration of advertisements on our website. They place a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. With the setting of the cookie, the corresponding companies are enabled to analyze the use of our website.

International Data Transfer (USA): Through the advertisement components of our website, personal data, including your IP address and information about your interactions with ads is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored and processed by Google in the United States. The transfer of personal data to the United States is secured by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), or other approved data transfer mechanisms, in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR. You grant consent to this transfer when you accept marketing cookies.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by managing their consent settings in the CMP.

The advertisement components are further explained under the following links https://www.google.com/intl/en/adsense/start/.
13. Data protection provisions about Google Ads Conversion Tracking
On this website, the controller uses Google Ads Conversion Tracking to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Conversion tracking allows us to record actions that users take on our website after interacting with an ad, e.g., purchases, form submissions, or newsletter sign-ups.

The operating company of this component is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

Legal Basis: The data processing for the purpose of measuring conversions is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

International Data Transfer (USA): With each conversion event, personal data may be transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored and processed by Google in the United States. The transfer of personal data to the United States is secured by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), or other approved mechanisms, in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR. You grant consent to this transfer when you accept marketing cookies.

The data subject may at any time prevent the setting of conversion tracking cookies via the CMP or by using the Google Ads opt-out tools: https://support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922.
14. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Google Analytics (with anonymization function) and Google Tag Manager
On this website, the controller has integrated the component of Google Analytics (with the anonymizer function) and uses Google Tag Manager (GTM). Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering, and analysis of data about the behavior of visitors to websites. Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows the website operator to manage scripts and tags, including Google Analytics, on the website. GTM itself does not collect personal data; it only activates tags based on the user's consent.

The operator of the Google Analytics and GTM components is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

Legal Basis: The data processing for the purpose of analyzing website traffic is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

For web analytics through Google Analytics, the controller uses the application "_gat._anonymizeIp". By means of this application, the IP address of the Internet connection of the data subject is abridged by Google and anonymized when accessing our websites from a Member State of the European Union or another Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze the traffic on our website. Google uses the collected data and information to evaluate the use of our website and to provide online reports, which show the activities on our websites, and to provide other services concerning the use of our Internet site for us. GTM is used to deploy these tags efficiently and does not collect additional personal data itself.

International Data Transfer (USA): With each visit to our Internet site, personal data (e.g., pseudonymized IP address) may be transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States of America. The transfer of personal data to the United States is secured by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), or other approved data transfer mechanisms, in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR. You are granting consent to this transfer when you accept analytics cookies.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by managing their consent settings in the CMP.

In addition, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to a collection of data that are generated by Google Analytics, which is related to the use of this website, as well as the processing of this data by Google and the chance to preclude any such. For this purpose, the data subject must download a browser add-on under the link https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout and install it.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google may be retrieved under https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/ and under http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/us.html. Google Analytics is further explained under the following link: https://www.google.com/analytics/.
15. Data protection provisions about the application and use of LinkedIn
The controller has integrated components of the LinkedIn Corporation on this website. LinkedIn is a web-based social network that enables users with existing business contacts to connect and to make new business contacts.

The operating company of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court Mountain View, CA 94043, UNITED STATES. For privacy matters outside of the UNITED STATES LinkedIn Ireland, Privacy Policy Issues, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, is responsible.

Legal Basis: The use of LinkedIn components and resulting data processing is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a LinkedIn component (LinkedIn plug-in) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to the download of a display of the corresponding LinkedIn component of LinkedIn.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on LinkedIn, LinkedIn detects with every call-up to our website by the data subject—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject.

If such a transmission of information to LinkedIn is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by managing consent settings in the CMP or by logging off from their LinkedIn account before a call-up to our website is made.

LinkedIn provides under https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls the possibility to unsubscribe from e-mail messages, SMS messages and targeted ads, as well as the ability to manage ad settings. LinkedIn also uses affiliates such as Eire, Google Analytics, BlueKai, DoubleClick, Nielsen, Comscore, Eloqua, and Lotame. The setting of such cookies may be denied under https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy. The applicable privacy policy for LinkedIn is available under https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy. The LinkedIn Cookie Policy is available under https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.
16. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Xing
On this website, the controller has integrated components of XING. XING is an Internet-based social network that enables users to connect with existing business contacts and to create new business contacts.

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

Legal Basis: The use of XING components and resulting data processing is based on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG) obtained via the CMP.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a XING component (XING plug-in) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to download a display of the corresponding XING component of XING.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on XING, XING detects with every call-up to our website by the data subject—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject.

If such a transmission of information to XING is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she can prevent this by managing consent settings in the CMP or by logging off from their XING account before a call-up to our website is made.

The data protection provisions published by XING, which is available under https://www.xing.com/privacy, provide information on the collection, processing and use of personal data by XING. In addition, XING has published privacy notices for the XING share button under https://www.xing.com/app/share?op=data_protection.
17. Legal basis for the processing
We rely on the following legal bases for the processing of personal data:
1. Consent (Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR)
This serves as the legal basis for processing operations for which we obtain consent, such as the use of non-essential cookies, tracking, and third-party advertising components (e.g., Google Analytics, AdSense, LinkedIn, Amazon).
2. Contract (Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR)
If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, as is the case, for example, when processing operations are necessary for the supply of goods or to provide any other service. The same applies to such processing operations which are necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures (e.g., job applications or service inquiries).
3. Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR)
If our company is subject to a legal obligation by which processing of personal data is required, such as for the fulfillment of tax or commercial law obligations.
4. Vital Interests (Art. 6(1) lit. d GDPR)
In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person.
5. Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR)
This legal basis is used for processing operations which are not covered by any of the above mentioned legal grounds, if processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. Examples include server log files to ensure website security and stability, and anonymous data collection (where appropriate). The European legislator considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47 Sentence 2 GDPR).
18. The legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party
Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1) lit. f GDPR our legitimate interest is to carry out our business in favor of the well-being of all our employees and the shareholders, to ensure the functionality and security of our IT systems, and to analyze website usage in an anonymized or pseudonymized form (where consent is not required).
19. Period for which the personal data will be stored
Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with legal obligations.
1. Contact inquiries
Personal data submitted via contact forms or email inquiries will be stored for a maximum of 12 months after the inquiry has been resolved, unless a longer retention period is required for legal or contractual reasons.
2. Job application data
Personal data of applicants will be stored for 2 months after a rejection decision, unless a legal obligation or legitimate interest requires longer retention.
3. Google Analytics
Personal data collected by Google Analytics is retained according to Google’s retention settings. Event data is retained for 2 months, and user-level data is retained for 14 months. After these periods, data is automatically deleted or anonymized.
4. Google AdSense
Personal data collected via Google AdSense is retained according to Google’s retention policies and anonymization procedures.
After the respective retention period expires, personal data is routinely deleted or anonymized, unless further storage is necessary for legal obligations or legitimate business purposes.
20. Provision of personal data as statutory or contractual requirement; Requirement necessary to enter into a contract; Obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide such data
We clarify that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or can also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). Sometimes it may be necessary to conclude a contract that the data subject provides us with personal data, which must subsequently be processed by us. The data subject is, for example, obliged to provide us with personal data when our company signs a contract with him or her. The non-provision of the personal data would have the consequence that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before personal data is provided by the data subject, the data subject must contact any employee. The employee clarifies to the data subject whether the provision of the personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and the consequences of non-provision of the personal data.
21. Existence of automated decision-making
As a responsible company, we do not use automatic decision-making or profiling.