Privacy Policy

Terms for the processing of personal data

As of 01.09.2025

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 context 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 "online service").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Table of contents

 

Controller

helecom e.U., Commercial Register Number FN 345701i

Hohe Warte 64/10, 1190 Vienna

Commercial Register Court: Commercial Court of Vienna

VAT ID: ATU71789736

Authorized representatives: Mag Peter Helesic, MBA

Email address: info@heleshop.at

Legal Notice: https://www.heleshop.at/policies/legal-notice

Data Protection Officer: Mag Peter Helesic, MBA

Overview of processing

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

Types of processed data

        • Inventory data

        • Payment data

        • Location data

        • Contact data

        • Content data

        • Contract data

        • Usage data

        • Meta, communication, and process data

        • Event data (Facebook)

Categories of data subjects

        • Customers

        • Interested parties

        • Communication partners

        • Users

        • Business and contractual partners

Purposes of processing

        • Provision of contractual services and customer service

        • Contact inquiries and communication

        • Security measures

        • Direct marketing

        • Reach measurement

        • Tracking

        • Office and organizational procedures

        • Conversion measurement

        • Management and response to inquiries

        • Feedback

        • Marketing

        • Improvement of our offerings

        • Legal obligations

        • Fraud prevention

        • Profiles with user-related information

        • Provision of our online services and user-friendliness

        • Assessment of creditworthiness and financial standing

        • Information technology infrastructure

Automated individual decision-making

        • Credit information

Applicable legal bases

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 provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or business. Furthermore, should more specific legal bases be 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 his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes.

        • Performance of a contract and pre-contractual enquiries (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 in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.

        • Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.

        • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

In addition to the data protection provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Austria. These include in particular the Federal Act on the Protection of Natural Persons in the Processing of Personal Data (Data Protection Act – DSG), as well as the General Civil Code (ABGB) and the E-Commerce Act (ECG). The DSG specifically contains the constitutionally protected right to data protection (Section 1 DSG) as well as specific provisions on the rights of the data subject (information, right of access as well as the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing).

In addition to the data protection provisions of the GDPR, the respective national data protection provisions may also apply in the case of national points of reference, which we also comply with.

Security measures

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

The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as the access, input, disclosure, availability, and segregation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the erasure of data, and responses to threats to the data. Moreover, we take the protection of personal data into account during the development or selection of hardware, software, and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default settings that are privacy-friendly.

TLS encryption (https): To protect your data transmitted via our online services, we use TLS encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser ("secure connection").

HELECOM E.U. does not process personal data of natural persons under the age of 18 via its website and does not make commercial offers to them or attempt to contact them unless their legal representative has consented to this.

Transmission of personal data

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

Data transmission within the organization: We may transmit personal data to other entities within our organization or grant them access to this data. Where this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of data is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests or occurs if it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations or if there is the consent of the data subjects or legal permission.

Data processing in third countries

If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies, or companies, this is only done in accordance with legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or contractually or legally required transmission, we process or allow the data to be processed only in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, contractual obligation through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, in the presence of certifications or binding internal data protection regulations (Art. 44 to 49 GDPR, information page of the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de).

Erasure of data

The data processed by us will be erased in accordance with legal requirements as soon as their consent for processing is withdrawn or other permissions lapse (e.g., if the purpose of processing this data has ceased to apply or they are not required for the purpose). If the data is not erased because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing will be restricted to these purposes. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be kept for commercial or tax reasons or whose storage is necessary for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person.

Our privacy policy may also contain further information regarding the storage and erasure of data, which shall take precedence for the respective processing operations.

Use of cookies

Cookies are small text files or other memory notations that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to store the login status in a user account, a shopping cart content in an e-shop, the content viewed, or functions used of an online service. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g., for the functionality, security, and convenience of online services as well as for the creation of analyses of visitor flows.

Information on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Therefore, we obtain prior consent from users, unless this is not required by law. In particular, consent is not required if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, are absolutely necessary to provide users with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e., our online service). Absolutely necessary cookies generally include cookies with functions that serve the display and operability of the online service, load balancing, security, the storage of users' preferences and choices, or similar purposes related to the provision of the main and secondary functions of the online service requested by users. Revocable consent is clearly communicated to users and contains information on the respective use of cookies.

Information on data protection legal bases: The data protection legal basis on which we process users' personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask users for consent. If users consent, the legal basis for the processing of their data is the declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g., in a business-related operation of our online service and improvement of its usability) or, if this occurs in the context of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this privacy policy or as part of our consent and processing processes.

Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies:

        • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).

        • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after closing the end device. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, the data collected from users with the help of cookies can be used for reach measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.

General information on withdrawal and objection (opt-out): Users can withdraw their consent at any time and also object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements of Art. 21 GDPR. Users can also declare their objection via their browser settings, e.g., by deactivating the use of cookies (which may, however, restrict the functionality of our online services). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be declared via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/.

        • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures, and services:

        • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure within the framework of which users' consent to the use of cookies, or the processing and providers mentioned within the scope of the cookie consent management procedure, can be obtained, managed, and revoked by the users. In this process, the declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be queried again and to be able to prove consent in accordance with statutory obligations. Storage may take place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie or via comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual details regarding the providers of cookie management services, the following information applies: The duration of the storage of consent can be up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored along with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g., which categories of cookies and/or service providers), as well as the browser, system, and end device used; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).



Business Services

We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g., customers and prospective customers (collectively referred to as "Contractual Partners") within the scope of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as associated measures and in the context of communication with the Contractual Partners (or pre-contractual), e.g., to answer inquiries.

We process this data in order to fulfill our contractual obligations. This includes, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any update obligations, and remedial actions in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to safeguard our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations as well as company organization. Furthermore, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and business-oriented management as well as security measures to protect our Contractual Partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information, and rights (e.g., for the involvement of telecommunications, transport, and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers, or financial authorities). Within the scope of applicable law, we only pass on the data of Contractual Partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual Partners will be informed about further forms of processing, e.g., for marketing purposes, within the scope of this privacy policy.

We inform Contractual Partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during the data collection process, e.g., in online forms, by special marking (e.g., colors), or symbols (e.g., asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiration of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g., as long as it must be kept for statutory archiving reasons. The statutory retention period is seven years for tax-relevant documents as well as for commercial books, inventories, opening balance sheets, annual financial statements, the work instructions required to understand these documents, and other organizational documents and accounting vouchers. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the last entry was made in the book, the inventory, the opening balance sheet, the annual financial statement or the management report was drawn up, the commercial or business letter was received or sent, or the accounting voucher was created, furthermore, the recording was made or the other documents were created.

Insofar as we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy notices of the respective third-party providers or platforms apply in the relationship between the users and the providers.

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g., subject matter of contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., visited websites, interest in content, access times); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status), audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline).

        • Data subjects: Customers; prospective customers; business and Contractual Partners

        • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; security measures; contact inquiries and communication; office and organizational procedures; management and answering of inquiries; conversion measurement (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles)

        • Legal basis: Performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)

Further information on processing processes, procedures, and services:

        • Customer account: Contractual Partners can create an account within our online offer (e.g., customer or user account, "customer account" for short). If the registration of a customer account is required, Contractual Partners are notified of this as well as the information required for registration. The customer accounts are not public and cannot be indexed by search engines. As part of the registration as well as subsequent logins and use of the customer account, we store the customers' IP addresses along with the access times in order to be able to verify the registration and prevent any misuse of the customer account. If customers have terminated their customer account, the data concerning the customer account will be deleted, subject to their retention being necessary for legal reasons. It is the responsibility of the customers to secure their data upon termination of the customer account; Legal basis: Performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

        • Economic analyses and market research: For business-related reasons and in order to be able to identify market trends, the wishes of the Contractual Partners and users, we analyze the data we have on business transactions, contracts, inquiries, etc., whereby the group of data subjects may include Contractual Partners, prospective customers, customers, visitors, and users of our online offer. The analyses are carried out for the purpose of business evaluations, marketing, and market research (e.g., to determine customer groups with different characteristics). In doing so, we can take into account, if available, the profiles of registered users including their details, e.g., regarding services used. The analyses are for our use only and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses with summarized, i.e., anonymized, values. Furthermore, we respect the privacy of users and process the data for the analysis purposes as pseudonymously as possible and, if feasible, anonymously (e.g., as summarized data); Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

        • Shop and e-commerce: We process our customers' data to enable them to select, configure, purchase, or order the chosen products, goods, and associated services, as well as their payment and delivery or execution. Insofar as required for the execution of an order, we employ service providers, in particular postal, forwarding, and shipping companies, to carry out the delivery or execution to our customers. For the handling of payment transactions, we make use of the services of banks and payment service providers. The required information is marked as such within the scope of the ordering or comparable purchasing process and includes the details required for delivery or provision and billing, as well as contact information in order to be able to make any necessary inquiries; Legal basis: Performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Providers and services used in the course of business activities

In the course of our business activities, we use additional services, platforms, interfaces, or plug-ins from third-party providers ("services" for short) in compliance with statutory requirements. Their use is based on our interests in proper, lawful, and permanent control.

        • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history; contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); contract data (e.g., subject matter of contract, term, customer category); audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline)

        • Data subjects: Customers; prospective customers; users (e.g., website visitors, users); business and Contractual Partners

        • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; office and organizational procedures

        • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)

Credit assessment

If we make advance payments or assume comparable economic risks (e.g., in the case of purchase on account), we reserve the right to obtain identity and credit reports for the purpose of assessing credit risk on the basis of mathematical-statistical procedures from specialized service companies (credit agencies) in order to safeguard our legitimate interests.

We process the information received from the credit agencies about the statistical probability of a payment default within the framework of a reasonable discretionary decision regarding the establishment, execution, and termination of the contractual relationship. We reserve the right to refuse payment on account or any other advance performance in the event of a negative credit assessment result.

The decision as to whether we make advance payments is made in accordance with Art. 22 GDPR solely on the basis of an automated decision in individual cases, which our software makes on the basis of the information provided by the credit agency.

        • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); payment data (e.g., bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g., subject matter of contract, term, customer category); audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline)

        • Data subjects: Customers

        • Purposes of processing: Assessment of creditworthiness and financial standing

        • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)

        • Automated decisions in individual cases: Credit assessment

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

We process the users' data in order to be able to make our online services available to them. 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., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and processing data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, consent status); content data (e.g., entries in online forms).

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

        • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online service and user-friendliness (including our product configuration tools); IT infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical equipment (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures.

        • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR)

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

        • Provision of online services on rented storage space: To provide our online service, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent from or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also known as a "web host"); legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

        • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online service is logged in the form of "server log files". Server log files may include the address and name of the accessed websites and files, date and time of access, amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, generally, IP addresses and the requesting provider. Server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g., to prevent server overload (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure the capacity and stability of the servers; legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (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 has been finally resolved.

        • E-mail dispatch and hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the sending, receiving and storage of e-mails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders as well as further information regarding the e-mail dispatch (e.g., the providers involved) and the content of the respective e-mails are processed. The aforementioned data may also be processed for the purpose of detecting SPAM. Please note that e-mails on the internet are generally not sent in encrypted form. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted during transport, but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We therefore cannot accept any responsibility for the transmission path of e-mails between the sender and the reception on our server; legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data are only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its display and communication between authors and readers, or for security reasons. Otherwise, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium within the framework of these privacy policy notices.

        • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and processing data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, consent status); audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline).

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

        • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer service; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online service and user-friendliness; security measures; management and answering of inquiries.

        • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

        • Comments and posts: If users leave comments or other posts, their IP addresses may be stored on the basis of our legitimate interests. This is done for our security in case someone leaves illegal content in comments and posts (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In this case, we could be held liable for the comment or post ourselves and are therefore interested in the author's identity. Furthermore, we reserve the right to process user information for the purpose of spam detection on the basis of our legitimate interests. On the same legal basis, we reserve the right to store the IP addresses of users for the duration of surveys and to use cookies in order to avoid multiple voting. Information on the person provided as part of the comments and posts, any contact and website information as well as the content details will be stored by us permanently until the user objects; legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

Contact and inquiry management

When contacting us (e.g., by post, contact form, e-mail, telephone, or social media) as well as within the scope of existing user and business relationships, the details of the inquiring persons are processed to the extent necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

        • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and processing data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, consent status).

        • Data subjects: Communication partners.

        • Purposes of processing: Contact inquiries and communication; management and answering of inquiries; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); provision of our online service and user-friendliness.

        • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR); performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (b) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

        • Contact form: If users get in touch with us via our contact form, e-mail or other communication channels, we process the data provided in this context to handle the stated request; legal bases: Performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

Newsletter and electronic notifications

We only send newsletters, e-mails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletter") with the consent of the recipients or legal permission. If the contents of the newsletter are specifically described when registering for it, they are decisive for the user's consent. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and ourselves.

To register for our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, we may ask you to provide a name for the purpose of a personal greeting in the newsletter, or further information, if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double opt-in procedure: Registration for our newsletter generally takes place in a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after registration, you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with other people's e-mail addresses. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to provide proof of the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the time of registration and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the dispatch service provider are also logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store unsubscribed e-mail addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them, in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is restricted to the purpose of 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 case of obligations to permanently respect objections, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address in a block list solely for this purpose.

The logging of the registration process is based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving its proper execution. Where we commission a service provider to send e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure dispatch system.

Contents:

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

        • Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); meta, communication and processing data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, consent status); usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline).

        • Data subjects: Communication partners; users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

        • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., via e-mail or post); provision of contractual services and customer service.

        • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (a) GDPR).

        • Right to object (opt-out): You may cancel your subscription to our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent or object to receiving further newsletters. You can find a link to cancel the newsletter at the end of each newsletter or use one of the contact options provided above, preferably via email.

Further information on processing operations, procedures, and services:

        • Measurement of open and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called "web beacon," i.e., a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or, if we use a mailing service provider, from their server when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, is initially collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading habits based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened, and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until they are deleted. The evaluations help us to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (a) GDPR).



        • Prerequisite for the use of free services: Consent to the sending of mailings can be made a prerequisite for the use of free services (e.g., access to certain content or participation in certain campaigns). If users wish to use the free service without subscribing to the newsletter, please contact us.

Advertising communication via email, post, fax, or telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of advertising communication, which may take place via various channels, such as email, telephone, post, or fax, in accordance with legal requirements.

Recipients have the right to revoke any consent given or object to advertising communication at any time.

After a revocation or objection, we will store the data required to prove the previous authorization for contact or transmission for up to three years after the end of the year in which the revocation or objection occurred, based on our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of potentially defending against claims. Based on our legitimate interest in permanently respecting users' revocation or objection, we also store the data required to avoid re-contacting (e.g., depending on the communication channel, the email address, telephone number, name).

        • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); audio recordings (telephone calls with our hotline)

        • Data subjects: Communication partners

        • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g., via email or post)

        • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (a) GDPR); legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR)

Web analysis, monitoring, and optimization

Web analysis (also referred to as "reach measurement") serves to evaluate the traffic on our online offering and can include visitor behavior, interests, or demographic information, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can determine, for example, at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently or encourage reuse. We can also understand which areas need optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we may also use test procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles—i.e., data combined for a usage process—can be created for these purposes, and information can be stored in a browser or on an end device and read from it. The data collected includes, in particular, visited web pages and elements used there, as well as technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used, and information about usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data to us or to the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.

Users' IP addresses are also stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e., pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of web analysis, A/B testing, and optimization, but rather pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective procedures.

        • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g., visited web pages, interest in content, access times); meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).

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

        • Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g., access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles); tracking (e.g., interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.

        • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).

        • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (a) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures, and services:

Customer reviews and rating procedures

We participate in review and rating procedures to evaluate, optimize, and advertise our services. If users rate us or otherwise provide feedback via the participating review platforms or procedures, the general terms and conditions or terms of use and the privacy policies of the providers additionally apply. As a rule, the rating also requires registration with the respective providers.

In order to ensure that the individuals providing the reviews have actually used our services, we transmit the data required for this purpose regarding the customer and the service used to the respective review platform with the customer's consent (including name, email address, and order number or item number). This data is used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.

        • Processed data types: Contract data (e.g., subject matter of contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., visited web pages, interest in content, access times); meta, communication, and process data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, consent status).

        • Data subjects: Customers; users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

        • Purposes of processing: Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); marketing.

        • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 point (f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures, and services:

        • Review widget: We integrate so-called "review widgets" into our online services. A widget is a functional and content-related element integrated into our online service that displays dynamic information. It can, for example, be displayed in the form of a seal or a comparable element, sometimes also called a "badge." While the corresponding content of the widget is displayed within our online service, it is retrieved at that moment from the servers of the respective widget provider. This is the only way the current content can always be shown, especially the latest review. To do this, a data connection must be established from the webpage accessed within our online service to the widget provider's server, and the widget provider receives certain technical data (access data, including IP address) that is necessary for the widget's content to be delivered to the user's browser. Furthermore, the widget provider receives information that users have visited our online service. This information may be stored in a cookie and used by the widget provider to recognize which online services participating in the review process the user has visited. The information may be stored in a user profile and used for advertising or market research purposes; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Presence in social networks (social media)

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

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the territory of the European Union. This may result in risks for users, for example, by making it more difficult to enforce user rights.

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

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

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

        • Processed data types: Contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); usage data (e.g., visited websites, interest in content, access times); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time stamps, identification numbers, consent status).

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

        • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form); marketing.

        • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures, and services:

        • Instagram: Social network; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.

        • Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page (so-called "fan page"). This data includes information on the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see "Things done and provided by you and others" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see "Device Information" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under "How do we use this information?", Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytical services, so-called "Page Insights," for page operators so that they can obtain insights into how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have entered into a special agreement with Facebook ("Page Insights Information", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which in particular regulates which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e., users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of the users (especially to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not limited by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the "Page Insights Information" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Standard Contractual Clauses (ensuring data protection level when processing in third countries): https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further information: Agreement on joint responsibility: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transmission of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. Further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which particularly concerns the transmission of data to the parent company, Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (based on the Standard Contractual Clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.).

        • LinkedIn: Social network; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard Contractual Clauses (ensuring data protection level when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Objection option (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

        • Pinterest: Social network; Service provider: Pinterest Europe Limited, 2nd Floor, Palmerston House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.pinterest.com; Privacy policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy; Further information: Pinterest Data Sharing Addendum (ADDENDUM A): https://business.pinterest.com/de/pinterest-advertising-services-agreement/.

        • X (formerly "Twitter"): Social network; Service provider: European subsidiary: Twitter International Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, parent company: X Corp., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Privacy policy: https://x.com/en/privacy, (Settings: https://x.com/personalization).

        • YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Objection option (Opt-Out): https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

        • Xing: Social network; Service provider: New Work SE, Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://www.xing.de; Privacy policy: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

Plugins and embedded functions as well as content

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

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content or functionality. We make every effort to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address for the delivery of the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. Through "pixel tags," information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website can be evaluated. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user's device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit time, as well as further details on the use of our online service, and may also be linked to such information from other sources.

        • Types of processed data: Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, consent status); inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); location data (information on the geographical position of a device or a person); event data (Facebook) ("event data" is data that can be transmitted by us to Facebook via the Facebook pixel (via apps or other means) and relates to persons or their actions; this data includes, for example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, installations of apps, purchases of products, etc.; the event data is processed for the purpose of creating target groups for content and advertising information (Custom Audiences); event data does not contain the actual content (such as written comments), no login information, and no contact information (i.e., no names, email addresses, and telephone numbers). Event data is deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years, and the target groups created from it upon the deletion of our Facebook account).

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

        • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online service and user-friendliness; marketing; profiles containing user-related information (creation of user profiles).

        • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

        • Facebook plugins and content: Facebook social plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content of this online service within Facebook. The list and the appearance of Facebook social plugins can be viewed here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt as part of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data," which Facebook collects by means of Facebook social plugins (and embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online service, or receives as part of a transmission for the following purposes: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the suspected interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transactional messages (e.g., reaching users via Facebook Messenger); c) Improvement of ad delivery and personalization of functions and content (e.g., improvement of the recognition of which content or advertising information likely corresponds to the interests of the users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Controller Addendum," https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, send inquiries or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with metrics, analyses, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., contain no details on individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing does not take place within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms," https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the "Data Security Terms" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms), and with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum," https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy.

        • Google Fonts (Obtained from Google server): Obtaining fonts (and icons) for the purpose of technically secure, maintenance-free, and efficient use of fonts and icons with regard to topicality and loading times, their uniform presentation, and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The IP address of the user is shared with the provider of the fonts so that the fonts can be made available in the user's browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) is transmitted, which is necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data may be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA - When visiting our online service, users' browsers send their browser HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e., a software interface for retrieving the fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with Google Fonts' Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and then the fonts specified in the CSS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the respective user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server, and (3) the HTTP headers, including the user agent that describes the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the referring URL (i.e., the webpage where the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers, and they are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent, and referring URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a specific font family is requested. With the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must adapt the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is primarily logged for debugging and used to generate aggregated usage statistics to measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts "Analytics" page. Finally, the referring URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and an aggregated report on top integrations can be generated based on the number of font requests. According to its own information, Google does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to serve targeted ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=en.

        • Google Maps: We integrate maps from the service “Google Maps” provided by Google. The processed data may include, in particular, users' IP addresses and location data; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.

        • Instagram plugins and content: Instagram plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Instagram. - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt as part of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data" that Facebook collects or receives as part of a transmission for the following purposes using Instagram functions (e.g., embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online service: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g., contacting users via Facebook Messenger); c) Improvement of ad delivery and personalization of functions and content (e.g., improving the detection of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of the users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Controller Addendum", https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), in which it is specified in particular which security measures Facebook must observe (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill data subject rights (i.e., users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with metrics, analyses, and reports (which are aggregated, i.e., contain no information about individual users and are anonymous to us), then this processing does not take place within the scope of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the "Data Security Terms" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) as well as with regard to processing in the USA on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook EU Data Transfer Addendum", https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection, and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not limited by the agreements with Facebook; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.

        • LinkedIn plugins and content: LinkedIn plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within LinkedIn; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Standard contractual clauses (guaranteeing the level of data protection when processing in third countries): https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Objection option (opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

        • Pinterest plugins and content: Pinterest plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within Pinterest; Service provider: Pinterest Inc., 635 High Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.pinterest.com; Privacy policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.

        • X plugins and content: X plugins and buttons - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos, or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online service within X; Service provider: Twitter International Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 D02 AX07, Ireland, Parent company: X Corp., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://x.com/de; Privacy policy: https://x.com/privacy, (Settings: https://x.com/personalization).

        • YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Objection option (opt-out): Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for displaying advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

        • YouTube videos: Video content; YouTube videos are embedded via a special domain (recognizable by the "youtube-nocookie" component) in the so-called "extended data protection mode", which means that no cookies for user activity are collected in order to personalize video playback. Nevertheless, information about user interaction with the video (e.g., saving the last playback position) may be stored; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f GDPR); Website: https://www.youtube.com; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy.

Changes and updates to the privacy policy

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

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

Rights of the data subjects

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

        • Right to object: You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6(1) lit. e or f GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. Where personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing; this also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.

        • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent given at any time.

        • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data in question is being processed and to request access to this data, as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.

        • Right to rectification: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.

        • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be erased without undue delay, or alternatively, in accordance with legal requirements, to request a restriction of the processing of the data.

        • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the 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 its transmission to another controller.

        • Complaint to 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 believe that the processing of your personal data violates the requirements of the GDPR.

Supervisory authority responsible for us:

Austrian Data Protection Authority

Barichgasse 40-42

1030 Vienna

Tel: +43 1 52 152-0

E-Mail: dsb@dsb.gv.at

www.dsb.gv.at



Definitions

In this section, you will receive an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Many of the terms are taken from the law and are defined primarily in Art. 4 of the GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The explanations below, by contrast, are intended primarily for the purpose of understanding. The terms are listed alphabetically.

        • Credit rating information: Automated decisions are based on automatic data processing without human intervention (e.g., in the case of an automatic rejection of a purchase on account, an online loan application, or an online application process without any human intervention). Such automated decisions are only permissible under Art. 22 GDPR if the data subjects give their consent, if they are necessary for the performance of a contract, or if national laws permit these decisions.

        • Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement (also referred to as "visitor action evaluation") is a procedure used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. As a rule, a cookie is stored on the users' devices within the websites where the marketing measures take place and is then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites were successful.

        • 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 (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, comprises any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using this personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include various information regarding demographics, behavior, and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.

        • Reach measurement: Reach measurement (also referred to as web analytics) is used to evaluate visitor traffic to an online service and may include the behavior or interests of visitors regarding certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can, for example, determine at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This allows them, for example, to better adapt the website content to the needs of their visitors. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for reach analysis purposes to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more accurate analyses of the use of an online service.

        • Location data: Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for locating) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN, or similar technical intermediaries and functions of location determination. Location data serves to indicate the geographically determinable position on Earth where the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.

        • Tracking: "Tracking" occurs when the behavior of users can be tracked across multiple online services. As a rule, behavioral and interest information regarding the online services used is stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of the tracking technologies (so-called profiling). This information can subsequently be used, for example, to show users advertisements that are likely to correspond to their interests.

        • Controller: "Controller" refers to 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.

        • Processing: "Processing" is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers virtually every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission, or erasure.