Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also briefly referred to as "data") we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both within the scope 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 offering").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: May 5, 2026

Table of Contents

Controller

First name, Last name / Company
Street, House No.
Postal Code, City, Country

Email address: firstname.lastname@exampledomain.eu

Overview of Processing Activities

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

Types of Processed Data

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

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Communication partners.
  • Users.

Purposes of Processing

  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Organizational and administrative procedures.
  • Feedback.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.

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 provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations in your or our country of residence or establishment may apply. Furthermore, if more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 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 inquiries (Art. 6 para. 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.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 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.

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

Security Measures

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

Measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as access, input, disclosure, availability, and segregation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects' rights, the erasure of data, and responses to data breaches. We also consider the protection of personal data during the development or selection of hardware, software, and procedures, in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.

Securing online connections with 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), thereby protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions comply with the highest security standards. When a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is indicated by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is transmitted securely and encrypted.

Transmission of Personal Data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it sometimes happens that these are transferred to or disclosed to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units, or persons. Recipients of this 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 observe legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International Data Transfers

Data 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 if this occurs in the context of using third-party services or disclosing or transferring data to other persons, entities, or companies (which can be identified by the postal address of the respective provider or if the privacy policy explicitly refers to data transfer to third countries), this always takes place in compliance with legal requirements.

For data transfers to the USA, we primarily rely on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which has been recognized as a secure legal framework by an adequacy decision of the EU Commission dated July 10, 2023. Additionally, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with the respective providers, which comply with the requirements of the EU Commission and establish contractual obligations for the protection of your data.

This twofold protection ensures comprehensive protection of your data: The DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as additional security. Should changes occur within the DPF, the standard contractual clauses will serve as a reliable fallback option. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected at all times, even in the event of any political or legal changes.

For individual service providers, we will inform you whether they are certified under the DPF and whether standard contractual clauses are in place. Further information on the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English).

For data transfers to other third countries, corresponding security measures apply, in particular standard contractual clauses, explicit consents, or legally required transfers. Information on third-country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found in the information provided by the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en?prefLang=de.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal provisions as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or no further legal bases for processing exist. This applies to cases where the original processing purpose ceases to apply or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer retention or archiving of data.

In particular, data that must be retained for commercial or tax reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal prosecution or to protect 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 specifically apply to certain processing procedures.

If there are multiple specifications for the retention period or deletion periods of a data item, the longest period is always authoritative. Data that is no longer used for its original purpose, but is retained due to legal requirements or other reasons, will only be processed 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, as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (§ 147 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 i.V.m. Abs. 3 AO, § 14b Abs. 1 UStG, § 257 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 i.V.m. Abs. 4 HGB).
  • 8 years - Booking vouchers, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 and 4a i.V.m. Abs. 3 Satz 1 AO as well as § 257 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 i.V.m. Abs. 4 HGB).
  • 6 years - Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of dispatched commercial or business letters, other documents, as far as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, cost accounting sheets, calculation documents, price markings, but also payroll documents, as far as they are not already booking vouchers and cash register strips (§ 147 Abs. 1 Nr. 2, 3, 5 i.V.m. Abs. 3 AO, § 257 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 u. 3 i.V.m. Abs. 4 HGB).
  • 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as to process related inquiries, based on previous business experience and usual industry practices, will be stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

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

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: 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, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw given consents at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data concerning you are being processed and for information about this data as well as for 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 demand that data concerning you be deleted 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 data concerning you, which 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 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 relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Provision of the Online Offering 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 users' browser or end 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 stamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Log data (e.g., log files regarding logins or data retrieval or access times).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing and legitimate interests: Provision of our online offering 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 the information in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion".
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, procedures, and services:

  • Provision of online offering on rented storage space: To provide our online offering, we use storage space, computing capacity, and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called "web hoster"); Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called "server log files". Server log files may include the address and name of the accessed web pages and files, date and time of access, transferred 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 overloading of the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 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 necessary for evidentiary purposes are excluded from deletion until the final clarification of the respective incident.

Use of Cookies

The term "cookies" refers to functions that store and read information on users' end devices. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as the functionality, security, and convenience of online services, as well as for analyzing visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Where necessary, we obtain the users' consent in advance. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when storing and reading information is essential to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, saving settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online services. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about their scope and which cookies are used.

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

Storage duration: Regarding 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 service and closes their end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved, and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user revisits a website. Likewise, user data collected 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), they should assume that these are permanent and the storage duration can be up to two years.

General notes on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke their given consents at any time and also object to the processing in accordance with legal requirements, including via their browser's privacy settings.

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

Further notes on processing procedures, processes, and services:

  • Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution to obtain user consent for the use of cookies or for the procedures and providers mentioned within the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage, and revoke consents, particularly concerning the use of cookies and similar technologies used to store, read, and process information on users' end devices. Within this procedure, users' consents for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management procedure, are obtained. Users also have the option to manage and revoke their consents. Consent declarations are stored to avoid repeated requests and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage takes place server-side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies to assign consent to a specific user or their device. Unless specific information about the providers of consent management services is available, the following general notes apply: The storage period for consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, details on the scope of consent (e.g., relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers), and information about the browser, system, and end device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Contact and Inquiry Management

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

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or phone numbers); Content data (e.g., text or image messages and contributions, as well as information relating to them, such as authorship details or time of creation). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Affected persons: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing and legitimate interests: Communication; Organizational and administrative procedures; Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and deletion: Deletion according to the information in the "General information on data storage and deletion" section.
  • Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR). Fulfilment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further notes on processing procedures, processes, and services:

  • Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, by email, or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us to respond to and process the respective request. This typically includes information such as name, contact details, and, if applicable, further information provided to us and necessary for proper processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal bases: Fulfilment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Changes and Updates

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (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 the addresses may change over time and ask you to check the information before contacting us.

Definitions of Terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Insofar as the terms are legally defined, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations are primarily intended to aid understanding.

  • Content Data: Content data includes information generated during the creation, editing, and publication of all types of content. This category of data can include text, images, videos, audio files, and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information, and publication dates.
  • Contact Data: Contact data are essential information that enables communication with individuals or organizations. They include, among others, 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. Meta-data, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin, and structure of other data. It can include information about file size, creation date, author of a document, and revision histories. Communication data records the exchange of information between users via various channels, such as email traffic, call logs, messages in social networks, and chat histories, including the involved persons, timestamps, and transmission paths. Procedural data describes the processes and workflows within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, transaction and activity logs, and audit logs used for tracking and reviewing processes.
  • 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 features they prefer, how long they stay on certain pages, and how they navigate through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information, and location data. They are particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. Furthermore, usage data 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 (hereinafter "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.
  • Log Data: Log data is information about events or activities that have been logged 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 problems, monitor security, or generate performance reports.
  • Controller: "Controller" means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Processing: "Processing" means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and includes virtually any handling of data, be it collecting, evaluating, storing, transmitting, or deleting.

Created with the free data protection generator from Dr. Thomas Schwenke