Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") we process for which purposes and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the course of providing our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications, and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "online offer").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Last updated: December 31, 2025

Table of contents

• Preamble
• Controller
• Overview of processing
• Relevant legal bases
• Security measures
• Disclosure of personal data
• International data transfers
• General information on data retention and deletion
• Rights of data subjects
• Payment processing
• Provision of the online offer and web hosting
• Use of cookies
• Registration, login, and user account
• Contact and inquiry management
• Newsletter and electronic notifications
• Web analytics, monitoring, and optimization
• Customer reviews and rating procedures
• Presence on social networks (social media)
• Plugins and embedded functions and content
• Changes and updates
• Definitions

Controller

Timothy Vida
In den Zeuläckern 20
60389 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

Authorized representative: Timothy Vida

Email address: web@timvida.de

Overview of processing

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.

Types of data processed

• Inventory data.
• Payment data.
• Contact data.
• Content data.
• Contract data.
• Usage data.
• Meta, communication, and procedural data.
• Log data.

Categories of data subjects

• Recipients of services and clients.
• Interested parties.
• Communication partners.
• Users.
• Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of processing

• Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
• Communication.
• Security measures.
• Direct marketing.
• Reach measurement.
• Tracking.
• Target group formation.
• Organizational and administrative procedures.
• Feedback.
• Marketing.
• Profiles with user-related information.
• Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
• Information technology infrastructure.
• Public relations.
• Business processes and operational procedures.

Relevant legal bases

Relevant legal bases under the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the GDPR regulations, national data protection requirements may apply in your or our country of residence or establishment. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

• Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR) - The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.
• Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR) - Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR) - Processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights, and freedoms of the data subject requiring protection of personal data do not prevail.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in Germany. This includes in particular the Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – BDSG). The BDSG contains special provisions on the right to information, the right to deletion, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, and disclosure and automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

National data protection regulations in Liechtenstein: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in Liechtenstein. These include the Data Protection Act (DSG) and the Data Protection Ordinance (DSV).

National data protection regulations in Luxembourg: In Luxembourg, national data protection rules also apply in addition to the GDPR. This includes the "Luxembourg Data Protection Law" ("Loi du 1er août 2018 sur la protection des données").

National data protection regulations in the Netherlands: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in the Netherlands. This includes the "Implementation Act on the GDPR" (Uitvoeringswet Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming – UAVG).

National data protection regulations in Austria: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in Austria. This includes the Federal Act on the Protection of Natural Persons with regard to the Processing of Personal Data (Datenschutzgesetz – DSG). The DSG contains special provisions on the right to information, the right to rectification or deletion, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, and disclosure as well as automated decision-making in individual cases.

National data protection regulations in Poland: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection rules apply in Poland. This includes the "Data Protection Act" (Ustawa z dnia 10 maja 2018 r. ochronie danych osobowych).

Relevant legal bases under the Swiss Data Protection Act: If you are located in Switzerland, we process your data based on the Federal Act on Data Protection ("Swiss DPA"). Unlike the GDPR, the Swiss DPA generally does not require a legal basis for processing personal data to be stated and processing must be carried out in good faith, lawfully, and proportionately (Art. 6(1) and (2) Swiss DPA). In addition, personal data are collected only for a specific purpose that is recognizable to the data subject and processed only in a manner compatible with that purpose (Art. 6(3) Swiss DPA).

Note on the applicability of the GDPR and Swiss DPA: These privacy notices serve as information pursuant to the Swiss DPA and the GDPR. Therefore, please note that due to the broader territorial scope and comprehensibility, the terms of the GDPR are used. In particular, instead of the Swiss DPA terms "processing" of "personal data", "overriding interest", and "particularly sensitive personal data", the GDPR terms "processing" of "personal data" as well as "legitimate interest" and "special categories of data" are used. The legal meaning of the terms, however, continues to be determined under the Swiss DPA where applicable.

Applicability of data protection rules in the country of establishment: In the country where the controller is established, national data protection regulations apply in addition to the GDPR.

Security measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, implementation costs, and the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of risks to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

These measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access to, input, disclosure, availability, and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data threats. We also take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software, and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.

IP address shortening: If IP addresses are processed by us or by service providers and technologies used and processing of a full IP address is not required, the IP address is shortened (also referred to as "IP masking"). This involves removing the last two digits or the last part of the IP address after a dot or replacing them with placeholders. This reduces the ability to identify a person based on their IP address.

Securing online connections via TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect user data transmitted via our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the internet. These technologies encrypt information transmitted between the website or app and the user's browser (or between two servers), protecting data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transfers meet the highest security standards. When a website is secured with an SSL/TLS certificate, this is indicated by HTTPS in the URL, signaling to users that their data is secure and encrypted.

Disclosure of personal data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it may happen that these data are disclosed to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units, or individuals. Recipients of these data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.

Internal disclosure within the organization: We may disclose personal data to other departments or units within our organization or grant them access. If data is shared for administrative purposes, this is based on our legitimate business and economic interests or is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations, or it is based on consent of the data subject or a legal authorization.

International data transfers

Processing in third countries: If we transfer data to a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or this occurs in the context of using third-party services or disclosing or transferring data to other persons, entities, or companies (which is recognizable by the address of the respective provider or if the privacy policy explicitly refers to the transfer to third countries), this is always done in accordance with legal requirements.

For transfers to the USA, we primarily rely on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a safe legal framework by an EU Commission adequacy decision of 10 July 2023. In addition, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with the respective providers that comply with EU Commission requirements and establish contractual obligations to protect your data.

This dual safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: the DPF forms the primary protection level, while the standard contractual clauses serve as an additional safeguard. Should changes occur within the DPF, the standard contractual clauses serve as a reliable fallback. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected even in the event of political or legal changes.

We inform you for each service provider whether they are certified under the DPF and whether standard contractual clauses exist. Further information about the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the U.S. Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English).

For transfers to other third countries, appropriate safeguards apply, including standard contractual clauses, explicit consent, or legally required transfers. Information on third-country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the EU Commission's information on international data transfers: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

Disclosure of personal data abroad: Under the Swiss DPA, we disclose personal data abroad only if adequate protection of data subjects is ensured (Art. 16 Swiss DPA). If the Federal Council has not determined adequate protection (list: https://www.bj.admin.ch/bj/de/home/staat/datenschutz/internationales/anerkennung-staaten.html), we take alternative safeguards.

For transfers to the USA, we primarily rely on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a safe legal framework by a Swiss adequacy decision of 07 June 2024. In addition, we have concluded standard data protection clauses with the respective providers that have been approved by the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) and establish contractual obligations to protect your data.

This dual safeguard ensures comprehensive protection of your data: the DPF forms the primary protection level, while the standard data protection clauses serve as an additional safeguard. Should changes occur within the DPF, the standard data protection clauses serve as a reliable fallback. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected even in the event of political or legal changes.

We inform you for each service provider whether they are certified under the DPF and whether standard data protection clauses exist. A list of certified companies and further information about the DPF can be found on the website of the U.S. Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English).

For transfers to other third countries, appropriate safeguards apply, including international agreements, specific guarantees, standard data protection clauses approved by the FDPIC, or binding corporate rules approved in advance by the FDPIC or another competent supervisory authority.

General information on data retention and deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the underlying consents are withdrawn or there are no other legal bases for processing. This applies to cases where the original processing purpose no longer applies or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule exist where legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving.

In particular, data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal enforcement or the protection of the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our privacy notices contain additional information on the retention and deletion of data that apply to specific processing operations.

If multiple retention periods or deletion deadlines are specified for a set of data, the longest period always applies. Data that is retained not for the originally intended purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons is processed only for the reasons that justify its retention.

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to retention and archiving under German law:

• 10 years - Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets and the working instructions and organizational documents necessary for their understanding (§ 147(1) no. 1 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 14b(1) UStG, § 257(1) no. 1 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
• 8 years - Accounting vouchers, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147(1) nos. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. 3 sentence 1 AO and § 257(1) no. 4 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
• 6 years - Other business records: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, other documents insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g., wage slips, cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, and payroll documents insofar as they are not accounting vouchers and cash register tapes (§ 147(1) nos. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 257(1) nos. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
• 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights as well as related inquiries based on prior business experience and standard industry practices are stored for the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply under Austrian law for retention and archiving:

• 10 years - Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, accounting vouchers, and invoices as well as all necessary working instructions and organizational documents (Federal Fiscal Code (BAO §132), Commercial Code (UGB §§190-212)).
• 6 years - Other business records: received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, and other documents insofar as they are relevant for taxation. These include, for example, wage slips, cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, and payroll documents insofar as they are not accounting vouchers and cash register tapes (Federal Fiscal Code (BAO §132), Commercial Code (UGB §§190-212)).
• 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to handle related inquiries based on prior business experience and customary industry practices are stored for the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 1478, 1480 ABGB).

Retention and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to retention and archiving under Swiss law:

• 10 years - Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, accounting vouchers, and invoices as well as all necessary working instructions and organizational documents (Art. 958f Swiss Code of Obligations (OR)).
• 10 years - Data required to consider potential damages claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to handle related inquiries based on prior business experience and customary industry practices are stored for the statutory limitation period of ten years, unless a shorter period of five years applies in specific cases (Art. 127, 130 OR). After five years, claims for rent, lease, and interest, and other periodic services, for delivery of food, for boarding and lodging, for innkeeper debts, for handicraft work, retail sales of goods, medical services, professional services of lawyers, legal agents, attorneys, and notaries, and from employment relationships are time-barred (Art. 128 OR).

Start of period at year end: If a period does not begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it begins at the end of the calendar year in which the triggering event occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships where data is stored, the triggering event is the effective date of termination or other end of the legal relationship.

Rights of data subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

• Right to object: You have the right, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you that is based on Art. 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If your personal data is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.
• Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
• Right of access: You have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you are being processed and, if so, to obtain access to the data and further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
• Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of your data or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with legal requirements.
• Right to erasure and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to request that data concerning you be deleted without undue delay, or alternatively to request restriction of processing of the data.
• Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format in accordance with legal requirements, or to request transmission to another controller.
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right 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 concerning you infringes the GDPR.

Rights of data subjects under the Swiss DPA:

As a data subject under the Swiss DPA, you have the following rights:

• Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you are being processed and to receive the information required to exercise your rights under this law and to ensure transparent data processing.
• Right to data release or transfer: You have the right to request the release of your personal data that you have provided to us in a commonly used electronic format.
• Right to rectification: You have the right to request the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you.
• Right to object, deletion, and destruction: You have the right to object to the processing of your data and to request that personal data concerning you be deleted or destroyed.

Payment processing

Within contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations, or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer efficient and secure payment options and use, in addition to banks and credit institutions, other service providers (collectively "payment service providers"). Payment transactions are carried out exclusively via encrypted connections in accordance with the state of the art, so that the data entered are protected from unauthorized access during transmission.

The data processed by payment service providers include inventory data, such as name and address, bank details, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums, as well as contract-, amount-, and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. The data entered are processed only by the payment service providers and stored by them. That is, we do not receive any account or credit card-related information, but only information confirming or rejecting the payment. In some cases, payment service providers may transmit data to credit agencies. This transmission serves identity and creditworthiness checks. Please refer to the terms and privacy notices of the payment service providers.

For payment transactions, the terms and privacy notices of the respective payment service providers apply, which are available on their websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and for exercising rights of withdrawal, access, and other data subject rights.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Recipients of services and clients; business and contractual partners. Interested parties.
• Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations. Business processes and operational procedures.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion".
• Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• PayPal: Payment services (technical integration of online payment methods) (e.g., PayPal, PayPal Plus, Braintree); Service provider: PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR); Website: https://www.paypal.com/de. Privacy policy: https://www.paypal.com/de/legalhub/paypal/privacy-full.

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

We process user data to provide our online services. For this purpose, we process the user's IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user's browser or device.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons). Log data (e.g., log files regarding logins or retrieval of data or access times).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)). Security measures.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion".
• Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Provision of the online offer on rented storage space: We use storage space, computing capacity, and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a server provider (also "web hoster") to provide our online offer; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
• Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offer is logged in so-called "server log files". These server log files may include the address and name of the accessed websites and files, date and time of access, transmitted data volumes, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overloads (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure server utilization and stability; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further retention is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident is finally clarified.
• STRATO: Services in the area of providing IT infrastructure and related services (e.g., storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: STRATO AG, Pascalstraße 10,10587 Berlin, Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.strato.de; Privacy policy: https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/. Data processing agreement: Provided by the service provider.

Use of cookies

The term "cookies" refers to functions that store information on users' devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as ensuring functionality, security and comfort of online offers and creating analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal requirements. Where required, we obtain users' consent in advance. Where consent is not required, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when the storage and reading of information is essential to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, storing settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online offer. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. We clearly inform about the scope and which cookies are used.

Notes on data protection legal bases: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests as described in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

Storage duration: With regard to storage duration, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

• Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online offer and closes their device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
• Persistent cookies: Persistent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, login status can be stored and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The usage data collected using cookies may also be used for reach measurement. If we do not provide users with explicit information about the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., as part of obtaining consent), they should assume that these are persistent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.

General notes on withdrawal and objection (opt-out): Users can withdraw their consent at any time and also object to processing in accordance with legal requirements, including via their browser privacy settings.

• Types of data processed: Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution in which users' consent to the use of cookies or to the processing operations and providers mentioned in the consent management solution is obtained. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage, and withdraw consent, especially with regard to the use of cookies and similar technologies used to store, read, and process information on users' devices. As part of this procedure, users' consent for the use of cookies and related processing of information, including the specific processing operations and providers named in the consent management process, is obtained. Users also have the option to manage and withdraw their consent. Consent declarations are stored to avoid repeated requests and to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage is server-side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by comparable technologies to assign consent to a specific user or device. If no specific information is available about providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: consent is stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored together with the time of consent, the scope of consent (e.g., concerned categories of cookies and/or service providers), and information about the browser, system, and device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR).

Registration, login, and user account

Users can create a user account. During registration, users are informed of the required mandatory information and this information is processed for the purpose of providing the user account on the basis of contractual fulfillment. The data processed include, in particular, login information (username, password, and an email address).

When using our registration and login functions and the user account, we store the IP address and the time of the respective user action. This storage is based on our legitimate interests and those of users in protecting against misuse and other unauthorized use. This data is not disclosed to third parties unless it is necessary to pursue our claims or there is a legal obligation to do so.

Users may be informed by email about processes relevant to their user account, such as technical changes.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., text or image messages and posts and related information such as authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Log data (e.g., log files regarding logins or retrieval of data or access times).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; security measures; organizational and administrative procedures. Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion". Deletion after termination.
• Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Registration with pseudonyms: Users may use pseudonyms as usernames instead of real names; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
• User profiles are not public: User profiles are not publicly visible or accessible.
• Profile visibility settings: Users can determine via settings to what extent their profiles are visible to the public or only to certain groups of people; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
• Two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security for your user account and ensures that only you can access your account, even if someone else knows your password. For this purpose, you must carry out an additional authentication measure in addition to your password (e.g., enter a code sent to a mobile device). We will inform you about the procedure we use; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
• Deletion of data after termination: When users terminate their user account, their data related to the user account will be deleted, subject to legal permission, obligation, or user consent; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).
• No obligation to retain data: It is the users' responsibility to secure their data upon termination before the end of the contract. We are entitled to permanently delete all data stored during the contract term; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).

Contact and inquiry management

When contacting us (e.g., by mail, contact form, email, phone, or via social media) and within existing user and business relationships, the information of the inquiring persons is processed insofar as it is necessary to respond to contact inquiries and any requested measures.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., text or image messages and posts and related information such as authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion".
• Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, email, or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us to respond to and handle the respective request. This generally includes information such as name, contact details, and any further information provided to us that is necessary for appropriate handling. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Newsletter and electronic notifications

We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletters") only with the recipient's consent or based on a legal basis. If the content of a newsletter is specified during registration, this content is decisive for users' consent. Normally, providing your email address is sufficient for subscribing to our newsletter. However, to provide a personalized service, we may ask for your name for personal addressing in the newsletter or further information if it is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them, in order to be able to prove a previously given consent. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the event of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address solely for this purpose in a block list (so-called "blocklist").

The logging of the registration process is based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper execution. If we engage a service provider for sending emails, this is based on our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.

Information about us, our services, promotions, and offers.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., by email or postal mail).
• Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR).
• Right to object (opt-out): You can cancel receiving our newsletter at any time, i.e., withdraw your consent or object to further receipt. A link to cancel the newsletter can be found at the end of each newsletter or you can use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Web analytics, monitoring, and optimization

Web analytics (also referred to as "reach measurement") serves to evaluate visitor flows of our online offer and can include behavior, interests, or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, determine at what time our online offer or its functions or content are used most frequently or invite reuse. We can also identify which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analytics, we can also use testing procedures to test and optimize, for example, different versions of our online offer or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles (i.e., data combined into a usage process) may be created for these purposes and information may be stored in and read from a browser or device. The data collected includes in particular visited websites and elements used there, as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used, and usage times. If users have agreed to the collection of their location data with us or with the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.

In addition, users' IP addresses are stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analytics, A/B testing, and optimization, but rather pseudonyms. This means that we and the providers of the software used do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the respective procedures.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economic, and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we also refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors). Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for up to two years).
• Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
• Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Customer reviews and rating procedures

We participate in review and rating procedures to evaluate, optimize, and promote our services. When users review us via the involved review platforms or procedures or otherwise provide feedback, the general terms and conditions and privacy notices of the providers apply. As a rule, rating also requires registration with the respective providers.

To ensure that the reviewing persons have actually used our services, we transmit, with customer consent, the required data relating to the customer and the service used to the respective review platform (including name, email address, and order number or item number). This data is used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.

• Types of data processed: Contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Recipients of services and clients. Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms). Marketing.
• Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Review widget: We integrate so-called "review widgets" into our online offer. A widget is a functional and content element embedded in our online offer that displays changeable information. It can, for example, be displayed in the form of a seal or comparable element, sometimes also called a "badge". The respective widget content is displayed within our online offer but is retrieved at that moment from the servers of the widget provider. This is the only way to always show the current content, especially the current rating. For this purpose, a data connection must be established from the page accessed within our online offer to the widget provider's server, and the widget provider receives certain technical data (access data, including IP address) necessary to deliver the content to the user's browser. In addition, the widget provider receives information that users have visited our online offer. This information may be stored in a cookie and used by the widget provider to recognize which online offers participating in the rating procedure the user has visited. The information can be stored in a user profile and used for advertising or market research purposes; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Presence on social networks (social media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context to communicate with users active there or to offer information about us.

We point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users, for example because enforcing user rights could be more difficult.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage behavior and resulting interests can be used to create usage profiles. These profiles may in turn be used to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to users' interests. Therefore, cookies are generally stored on users' computers in which usage behavior and interests are stored. In addition, data independent of the devices used by users can also be stored in usage profiles (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

For a detailed presentation of the respective processing forms and opt-out options, we refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

In the case of access requests and the assertion of data subject rights, we also point out that these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only they have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information. If you still need help, you can contact us.

• Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); content data (e.g., text or image messages and posts and related information such as authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Communication; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms). Public relations.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion".
• Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Instagram: Social network, enables sharing photos and videos, commenting and liking posts, messaging, following profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Third-country transfer basis: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
• Facebook pages: Profiles within the Facebook social network - The controller is jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection and transmission of data from visitors to our Facebook page ("fan page"). This includes, in particular, information about user behavior (e.g., viewed or interacted content, actions performed) and device information (e.g., IP address, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data). Details can be found in Facebook's data policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Facebook also uses this data to provide us with statistical evaluations via the "Page Insights" service, which provide information about how people interact with our page and its content. This is based on an agreement with Facebook ("Page Insights information": https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates, among other things, security measures and the exercise of data subject rights. Further information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. Users can therefore address access or deletion requests directly to Facebook. Users' rights (in particular access, deletion, objection, complaint to a supervisory authority) remain unaffected. The joint controllership is limited solely to the collection of data by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (EU). For further processing, including possible transfer to Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA, Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is solely responsible; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Third-country transfer basis: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), standard contractual clauses (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum), Switzerland - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), standard contractual clauses (https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum).
• X: Social network; Service provider: X Internet Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://x.com. Privacy policy: https://x.com/de/privacy.
• YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Third-country transfer basis: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Plugins and embedded functions and content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offer that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter "third-party providers"). These can include, for example, graphics, videos, or city maps (hereinafter collectively referred to as "content").

Integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the users' IP address, as they could not send the content to the users' browsers without it. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or functions. We strive to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely to deliver the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also referred to as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. Through these pixel tags, information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website can be evaluated. The pseudonymous information can also be stored in cookies on users' devices and include, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit time, and other information about the use of our online offer, and can also be combined with such information from other sources.

Notes on legal bases: If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, economic, and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we also refer you to the information on the use of cookies in this privacy policy.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time details, identification numbers, involved persons).
• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); tracking (e.g., interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation. Marketing.
• Retention and deletion: Deletion in accordance with information in the section "General information on data retention and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for up to two years).
• Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Google Fonts (provided on our own server): Provision of font files for a user-friendly display of our online offer; Service provider: Google Fonts are hosted on our server; no data is transmitted to Google; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
• Font Awesome (provided on our own server): Display of fonts and icons; Service provider: Font Awesome icons are hosted on our server; no data is transmitted to the provider of Font Awesome; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
• YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Third-country transfer basis: EU/EEA - Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Switzerland - Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, ad personalization settings: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Changes and updates

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g., consent) or any other individual notification.

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

Definitions

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Where the terms are defined by law, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations are intended primarily for understanding.

• Inventory data: Inventory data includes essential information necessary for identifying and managing contractual partners, user accounts, profiles, and similar assignments. This data can include personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses), dates of birth, and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for formal interaction between persons and services, institutions, or systems by enabling clear assignment and communication.
• Content data: Content data includes information generated in the course of creating, editing, and publishing content of all kinds. This category of data may include text, images, videos, audio files, and other multimedia content published across platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content but includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information, and publication dates.
• Contact data: Contact data is essential information that enables communication with persons or organizations. It includes, among other things, telephone numbers, postal addresses, and email addresses, as well as communication means such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
• Meta, communication, and procedural data: Meta, communication, and procedural data are categories that contain information about how data is processed, transmitted, and managed. Metadata, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin, and structure of other data. It may include file size, creation date, the author of a document, and change history. Communication data captures the exchange of information between users through various channels, such as email traffic, call logs, messages in social networks, and chat histories, including the parties involved, timestamps, and transmission routes. Procedural data describes processes and workflows within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, transaction logs, and activity logs used to track and review operations.
• Usage data: Usage data refers to information that records how users interact with digital products, services, or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which functions they prefer, how long they stay on certain pages, and the paths they take through an application. Usage data may also include usage frequency, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information, and location data. It is particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. Usage data also plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences, and potential problem areas within digital offerings.
• 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, identification number, location data, online identifier (e.g., cookie), or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
• Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information", or "profiles" for short, includes any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include various information relating to demographics, behavior, and interests, e.g., interaction with websites and their content), or to analyze, evaluate, or predict them (e.g., interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website, or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
• Log data: Log data is information about events or activities recorded in a system or network. This data typically includes information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages, and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data is often used to analyze system issues, monitor security, or generate performance reports.
• Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) serves to evaluate the visitor flows of an online offer and may include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online offers can determine, for example, when users visit their websites and which content interests them. This allows them to better adapt website content to the needs of visitors. For reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more accurate analyses of the use of an online offer.
• Tracking: "Tracking" refers to the ability to track user behavior across multiple online offers. As a rule, behavioral and interest-related information is stored in cookies or on servers of tracking technology providers (so-called profiling) in relation to the online offers used. This information can then be used, for example, to show users ads that are likely to correspond to their interests.
• Controller: A "controller" is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
• Processing: "Processing" is any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers virtually any handling of data, whether collection, evaluation, storage, transmission, or deletion.
• Contract data: Contract data is specific information relating to the formalization of an agreement between two or more parties. It documents the terms under which services or products are provided, exchanged, or sold. This category is essential for managing and fulfilling contractual obligations and includes identification of the contracting parties and the specific terms and conditions of the agreement. Contract data may include start and end dates of the contract, the type of services or products agreed upon, pricing agreements, payment terms, termination rights, renewal options, and special conditions or clauses. It serves as the legal basis for the relationship between the parties and is crucial for clarifying rights and obligations, enforcing claims, and resolving disputes.
• Payment data: Payment data includes all information required to process payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This data is crucial for e-commerce, online banking, and any other form of financial transaction. It includes details such as credit card numbers, bank details, payment amounts, transaction data, verification numbers, and billing information. Payment data may also include information about payment status, chargebacks, authorizations, and fees.
• Target group formation: Target group formation ("custom audiences") refers to determining target groups for advertising purposes, e.g., displaying ads. For example, a user's interest in certain products or topics online can lead to the conclusion that the user is interested in ads for similar products or the online shop where the products were viewed. "Lookalike audiences" refers to showing content to users whose profiles or interests are presumed to be similar to those of users from whom profiles were formed. Cookies and web beacons are generally used for the formation of custom audiences and lookalike audiences.

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