Privacy Policy

Preamble

We take the protection of your personal data very seriously and want you to feel secure when visiting our website and working with RWTH Innovation GmbH as a company, e.g. in the context of events.

Personal data is always processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU-DSGVO) and in compliance with the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG).

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

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: 25 June 2024

Table of Contents

  • Controller
  • Joint Controllership for Data Processing

  • Contact Data Protection Officer

  • Overview of Processing Operations
  • Legal Bases for the Processing
  • Security Measures
  • Transfer of Personal Data
  • Data Processing in Third Countries
  • Erasure of Data
  • Use of Cookies
  • Business Services
  • Provision of Online Services and Web Hosting
  • Blogs and Publication Media
  • Contact and Inquiry Management
  • Video Conferences, Online Meetings, Webinars and Screen-Sharing
  • Job Application Process
  • Cloud Services
  • Newsletters and Electronic Communications
  • Commercial Communications via Email, Post, Fax or Telephone
  • Sweepstakes and Contests
  • Surveys and Questionaires
  • Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
  • Presence in Social Networks (Social Media)
  • Plugins and Embedded Functions as well as Content
  • Management, Organization and Support Tools
  • Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy
  • Rights of Data Subjects
  • Terminology and Definition

Controller

RWTH Innovation GmbH
Campus-Boulevard 57
52074 Aachen
Germany

Authorized Representatives: Dr. rer. nat. Jörg von Appen, Ass. jur. Tobias Römgens

Email: info@rwth-innovation.de.
Phone: +49 241 80 96610.

Legal Notice: https://www.rwth-innovation.de/en/imprint.

Joint Controllership for Data Processing

For the processing activity "Business Services", in addition to RWTH Innovation GmbH, the following party may act as joint data controller.

RWTH Aachen University
Corporation under public law
Templergraben 55
52062 Aachen
Germany

Represented by the Rector

Email: rektorat@rwth-aachen.de

Phone: +49 241 80 92312

Imprint: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/impressum/

In the case of joint controllership, information on this will be provided in the announcement of the "events". The essential contents of the agreement on joint controllership - in particular the allocation of responsibilities in accordance with Recital 79 of the GDPR in conjunction with Article 26 (2) sentence 2 of the GDPR - are provided below in tabular form.

Definition and overview of duties and responsibilities according to the GDPR. RWTH Aachen University RWTH Innovation GmbH
Determination of the subject, duration, purpose and means of processing x x
Determination of the type of personal data and categories of data subjects x x
Determination of the type of provision of information according to Art. 12 ff. and Art. 26 (2). x x
Art. 26 (1): Determination of who fulfills which obligation according to DSGVO. x x
Information according to Art. 13 f. when personal data are collected.   x

Ensuring the rights of the data subjects according to 

Art. 15 (right of access)

Art. 16 (rectification)

Art. 17 (erasure)

Art. 18 (restriction of processing)

Art. 20 (data portability)

Art. 21 (objection)

  x
Establishment, documentation and regular review of appropriate technical and organizational measures pursuant to Art. 24 (1), Art. 32   x
Conduct a data protection impact assessment pursuant to Art. 35 and consult a supervisory authority pursuant to Art. 36 (3).   x
Review and involve processors (Art. 28)   x
Keep a record of processing activities (Art. 30) x x
Ensure adequate and timely handling of data breaches (Art. 33, 34)   x
Designate a data protection officer and contact point for data subjects (Art. 37 et seq.)   x

For more information on purposes of processing and means of processing (including concretization of the roles of the parties) in the case of joint responsibility, please refer to the section "Business Services".

Contact Information of the Data Protection Officer

You can contact our Data Protection Officer by mail at the address provided above, with the addition "Data Protection Officer", by phone at the number listed above, or by email at datenschutz@rwth-innovation.de.

Overview of Processing Operations

The following table summarizes the types of data processed, the purposes for which they are processed and the concerned data subjects.

Categories of Processed Data
  • Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses).

  • Job applicant details (e.g. Personal data, postal and contact addresses and the documents pertaining to the application and the information contained therein, such as cover letter, curriculum vitae,  certificates,  etc.,  as  well  as other information on the person or qualifications of applicants provided with regard to a specific job or voluntarily by applicants).

  • Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).

  • Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers).

  • Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses). Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times). Contract data (e.g. contract object, duration, customer category).

  • Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Payment Data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history).

Special Categories of Data

Data revealing racial and ethnic origin as well as religious affiliation.

Categories of Data Subjects
  • Employees (e.g. Employees, job applicants).

  • Job applicants.

  • Business and contractual partners.

  • Prospective customers.

  • Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).

  • Customers.

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

  • Participants in sweepstakes and competitions.

Purposes of Processing
  • Provision of our online services and usability.

  • Job application process (establishment and possible later execution as well as possible later termination of the employment relationship).

  • Office and organizational procedures.

  • Content Delivery Network (CDN).

  • Direct marketing (e.g. by e-mail or postal).

  • Conducting sweepstakes and contests.

  • Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).

  • Marketing.

  • Contact requests and communication.

  • Profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).

  • Web analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors).

  • Provision of contractual services and customer support.

  • Managing and responding to inquiries.

Legal Bases for the Processing

In the following, you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on which we base the processing of personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection provisions of your or our country of residence or domicile may apply. If, in addition, more specific legal bases are applicable in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the Privacy Policy.

  • Consent (Article 6 (1) (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 prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR) - 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.
  • Compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (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.

  • Job application process as a pre-contractual or contractual relationship (Article 9 (2)(b) GDPR) - If special categories of personal data within the meaning of Article 9 (1) GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severely handicapped status or ethnic origin) are requested from applicants within the framework of the application procedure, so that the responsible person or the person concerned can carry out the obligations and exercising specific rights of the controller or of the data subject in the field of employment and social security and social protection law, their processing shall be carried out in accordance with Article 9 (2)(b) GDPR , in the case of the protection of vital interests of applicants or other persons on the basis of Article 9 (2)(c) GDPR or for the purposes of preventive health care or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the employee's ability to work, for medical diagnostics, care or treatment in the health or social sector or for the administration of systems and services in the health or social sector in accordance with Article 9 (2)(d) GDPR. In the case of a communication of special categories of data based on voluntary consent, their processing is carried out on the basis of Article 9 (2)(a) GDPR.

National data protection regulations in Germany:

In addition to the data protection regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation, national regulations apply to data protection in Germany. This includes in particular the Law on Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special provisions on the right to access, the right to erase, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated individual decision-making, including profiling. Furthermore, it regulates data processing for the purposes of the employment relationship (§ 26 BDSG), in particular with regard to the establishment, execution or termination of employment relationships as well as the consent of employees. Furthermore, data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Security Measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order 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 access to, input, transmission, securing and separation of the data. In addition, we have established procedures to ensure that data subjects' rights are respected, that data is erased, and that we are prepared to respond to data threats rapidly. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and service providers, in accordance with the principle of privacy by design and privacy by default.

SSL encryption (https):

In order to protect your data transmitted via our online services in the best possible way, we use SSL encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.

Transfer of Personal Data

In the course of our processing of personal data, it may happen that the data is transferred to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons. The 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 comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.

Data Transfer within the Organization:

We may transfer personal data to other entities within our organization or grant them access to such data. Insofar as this transfer is for administrative purposes, the transfer of the data is based on our legitimate corporate and business interests or takes place insofar as it is necessary for the fulfillment of our contract-related obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or a legal permission is present.

We often work with partners and organize joint events or projects in which these partners play an important role. For this purpose, it may be necessary for these partners to contact you before, during or after the event or project. In addition, the events and projects are usually followed by other appointments at which we would also like you to be present. In these cases, we would ask for your consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a DSGVO).

Among others, we currently work with the following partners:

digitalHUB Aachen e.V - https://aachen.digital/impressum/

Collective Incubator e. V. - https://www.collective-incubator.de/impressum/

Universitätsklinikum Aachen AöR - https://www.ukaachen.de/impressum/

We will inform you individually about the transfer of data to these partners when collecting your data and request your consent if necessary.

Data Processing in Third Countries

If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or the processing takes place in the context of the use of third-party services or disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only take place in accordance with the legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or transfer required by contract or law, we process or have processed the data only in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, on the basis of special guarantees (decision on appropriateness), such as a contractual obligation through so-called standard contractual clauses for the transfer of personal data of the EU Commission (“SCC") or if certifications, appropriate safeguards or binding internal data protection regulations justify the processing (Article 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).

For some data recipients, we also cite certification in accordance with the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF) as the legal basis for the transfer. The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that guarantees compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information can be found at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.

Erasure of Data

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

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

In the context of our information on data processing, we may provide users with further information on the deletion and retention of data that is specific to the respective processing operation.

Use of Cookies

Cookies are text files that contain data from visited websites or domains and are stored by a browser on the user's computer. A cookie is primarily used to store information about a user during or after his visit within an online service. The information stored can include, for example, the language settings on a website, the login status, a shopping basket or the location where a video was viewed. The term "cookies" also includes other technologies that fulfil the same functions as cookies (e.g. if user information is stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also referred to as "user IDs").

The following types and functions of cookies are distinguished:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed his browser.
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after closing the browser. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The interests of users who are used for range measurement or marketing purposes can also be stored in such a cookie.
  • First-party cookies: First-party cookies are set by ourselves.
  • Third-party cookies: Third-party cookies are mainly used by advertisers (so- called third-parties) to process user information.
  • Necessary (also: essential) cookies: Cookies can be necessary for the operation of a website (e.g. to save logins or other user inputs or for security reasons).
  • Statistics, marketing and personalization cookies: Cookies are also generally used to measure a website's reach and when a user's interests or behavior (e.g. viewing certain content, using functions, etc.) are stored on individual websites in a user profile. Such profiles are used, for example, to display content to users that corresponds to their potential interests. This procedure is also referred to as "tracking", i.e. tracking the potential interests of users. If we use cookies or "tracking" technologies, we will inform you separately in our Privacy Policy or in the context of obtaining consent.

Further details on the cookies used (name, purpose, storage period) can be found in the cookie-settings. You can also withdraw your consent or object to processing in connection with cookies here.

Information on legal basis:

The legal basis on which we process your personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask you for your consent. If this applies and you consent to the use of cookies, the legal basis for processing your data is your declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies will be processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in a business operation of our online service and its improvement) or, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations and for the performance of a contract.

Retention period:

Unless we provide you with explicit information on the retention period of permanent cookies (e.g. within the scope of a so-called cookie opt-in), please assume that the retention period can be as long as two years.

General information on withdrawal of consent and objection (Opt-Out):  

Respective of whether processing is based on consent or legal permission, you have the option at any time to object to the processing of your data using cookie technologies or to revoke consent (collectively referred to as "opt-out"). You can initially explain your objection using the settings of your browser, e.g. by deactivating the use of cookies (which may also restrict the functionality of our online services). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can be raised for a large number of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the websites https://www.aboutads.info/choices/ and https://www.youronlinechoices.com. In addition, you can receive further information on objections in the context of the information on the used service providers and cookies.

Processing cookie data on the basis of consent:

We use a cookie management solution in which users' consent to the use of cookies, or the procedures and providers mentioned in the cookie management solution, can be obtained, managed and revoked by the users. The declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be retrieved again and the consent can be proven in accordance with the legal obligation. Storage can take place server-sided and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-out cookie or with the aid of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or and/or his/her device. Subject to individual details of the providers of cookie management services,  the  following  information  applies: The duration of the storage of the consent can be up to two years. In this case, a pseudonymous user identifier is formed and stored with the date/time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) as well as the browser, system and used end device.

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services used and service providers:

Business Services (incl. Events)

We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners") within the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships as well as associated actions and communication with the contractual partners or pre-contractually, e.g. to answer inquiries.

We process this data in order to fulfil our contractual obligations, safeguard our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with this data and the business-related organization. We will only transfer on the data of the contractual partners within the scope of the applicable law to third-parties insofar as this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or for the fulfilment of legal obligations or with the consent of data subjects concerned (e.g. telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). The contractual partners will be informed about further processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, as part of this Privacy Policy.

Which data are necessary for the aforementioned purposes, we inform the contracting partners before or in the context of the data collection, e.g. in online forms by special marking (e.g. colors), and/or symbols (e.g. asterisks or the like), or personally.

We delete the data after expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. in principle after expiry of 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account or must be kept for legal reasons of archiving (e.g., as a rule 10 years for tax purposes). In the case of data disclosed or transferred to us by the contractual partner within the context of an assignment, we delete the data in accordance with the specifications of the assignment, in general after the end of the assignment.

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

Coaching:
We process the data of our clients and interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") in order to provide them with our services. The data processed, the type, scope and purpose of their processing and the necessity of their processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

Within the scope of our services, we may also process special categories of data, here in particular information on the health of clients, possibly with reference to their sexual life or sexual orientation and data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs.  To this end, we obtain the express consent of clients where necessary and process the special categories of data otherwise for the purposes of health care, if the data is public or with another legal permission.

Insofar as it is necessary for the fulfilment of our contractual obligations, the protection of vital interests or by law, or with the client's consent, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third-parties or agents, such as public authorities, accounting offices and in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with professional regulations.

Consulting:

We process the data of our clients, clients as well as interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") in order to provide them with our consulting services. The data processed, the type, scope and purpose of the processing and the necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship.

Insofar as it is necessary for the fulfilment of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or by law, or with the consent of the client, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third-parties or agents, such as authorities, courts, subcontractors or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, taking into account the professional requirements.

Technical and engineering services:

We process the data of our customers and clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "customers") in order to enable them to select, acquire or commission the selected services or works as well as associated activities and to pay for and make available such services or works or to perform such services or works.

The required information is indicated as such within the framework of the conclusion of the agreement, order or equivalent contract and includes the information required for the provision of services and invoicing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations. Insofar as we gain access to the information of end customers, employees or other persons, we process it in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements.

Consulting:

Insofar as it is necessary for our contractual performance or required by law, or if the consent of the customer has been obtained, we disclose or transfer the customer's data to third-parties or agents, such as authorities, courts or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the contractual and legal requirements.

Events:

We process the data of the participants of the events, events and similar activities offered or organized by us (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "participants" and "events") in order to enable them to participate in the events and to make use of the services or actions associated with their participation.

Insofar as we process health-related data, religious, political or other special categories of data in this context, this is done within the framework of disclosure (e.g. for thematically oriented events or serves health care, security or is done with the consent of the data subjects).

The necessary information is identified as such in the context of the conclusion of the agreement, booking or comparable contract and includes the information required for the provision of services and billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any enquiries. Insofar as we gain access to information of end customers, employees or other persons, we process this in accordance with the legal and contractual requirements.

Purposes of processing and means of processing (incl. specification of the roles of the parties in the case of joint controllership)

The means of processing used are as follows (see below for details of the individual service providers)

  • Event management: Eveeno
  • Video conferencing: Zoom, Microsoft Teams
  • Customer relationship management system: Zoho
  • Communication: e-mail, internet: rwth-innovation.de

Data processing in relation to the organization and implementation of events is mainly carried out by RWTH Innovation GmbH. RWTH Aachen University uses the processed data for the purposes of public relations or active participation in the events, for example as a speaker. RWTH Aachen University also uses the personal data for statistical purposes or for the purpose of applying for funding. As soon as the personal data leave the aforementioned means of processing through extraction, the scope of the data processing is transferred to this party.

Further information on commercial services:

We process the data of our customers and clients (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "customers") in order to enable them to select, acquire or commission the selected services or works and related tasks, as well as their payment and delivery, or execution or provision.

The required details are identified as such within the framework of the conclusion of the order, order or comparable contract and include the details required for service provision and invoicing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations.

The following activities are grouped under "other commercial services" - if they concern areas not mentioned:

Entrepreneurship coaching

Awards

Events

Partner & Network and Mentoring

Further offers for founders

Invention Consultions

Protecting inventions

  • 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. contract object, duration, customer category).
  • Special categories of personal data: Health data (Article 9 (1) GDPR), data related to sexual preferences, sex life, and/or sexual orientation (Article 9 (1) GDPR), religious or philosophical beliefs (Article 9 (1) GDPR), data revealing racial or ethnic origin.
  • Data subjects: Prospective customers, business and contractual partners, customers.
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support, contact requests and communication, office and organisational procedures, managing and responding to inquiries.

  • Legal Basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), compliance with a legal obligation (Article 6 (1) (c) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Provision of Online Services and Web Hosting

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

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

Collection of access data and log files:
We, ourselves or our web hosting provider, collect data on the basis of each access to the server (so-called server log files). Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a general rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.

The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure the stability and optimal load balancing of the servers.

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

Services and service providers being used:

Blogs and Publication Media

We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data will only be processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. For the rest, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium within the scope of this privacy policy.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services)
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support, feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form).
  • Legal basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Contact and Inquiry Management

When contacting us (e.g. via contact form, e-mail, telephone or via social media) as well as in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information of the inquiring persons is processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact requests and any requested measures.

The response to the contact inquiries as well as the management of contact and inquiry data in the context of contractual or pre-contractual relationships is carried out to fulfill our contractual obligations or to respond to (pre)contractual inquiries and otherwise on the basis of legitimate interests in responding to the inquiries and

maintaining user or business relationships.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication.
  • Legal basis: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Video Conferences, Online Meetings, Webinars and Screen-Sharing

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as "Conference Platforms") for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Conference"). When using the Conference  Platforms  and  their services, we comply with the legal requirements.

Data processed by Conference Platforms:
: In the course of participation in a Conference, the data of the participants listed below are processed. The scope of the processing depends, on the one hand, on which data is requested in the context of a specific Conference (e.g., provision of access data or clear names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of conducting the conference, participants' data may also be processed by the Conference Platforms for security purposes or service optimization. The processed data includes personal information (first name, last name), contact information (e-mail address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the internet access, information on the participants' end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and linguistic settings, information on the content-related communication processes, i.e. entries in chats and audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the  extent  technically  provided  by  the conference providers. If participants are registered as users with the Conference Platforms, then further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective Conference Provider.

Logging and recording:
If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) as well as video or audio recordings are recorded, this will be transparently communicated to the participants in advance and they will be asked – if necessary –  for their consent.

Data protection measures of the participants:
Please refer to the data privacy information of the conference platforms for details on the processing of your data and select the optimum security and data privacy settings for you within the framework of the settings of the conference platforms. Furthermore, please ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a Conference (e.g., by notifying  roommates,  locking  doors,  and  using  the background masking function, if technically  possible).  Links  to  the  conference rooms as well as access data, should not be passed on to unauthorized third-parties.

Notes on legal bases:
Insofar as, in addition to the Conference Platforms, we also process users' data and ask users for their consent to use contents from the Conferences or certain functions (e.g. consent to a recording of Conferences), the legal basis of the processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary for the fulfillment of our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of reprocessing of Conference results, etc.). Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.), users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support, contact requests and communication, office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Job Application Process

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

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

If made available, applicants can submit their applications via an online form. The data will be transmitted to us encrypted according to the state of the art. Applicants can also send us their applications by e-mail. Please note, however, that e-mails on the internet are generally not sent in encrypted form. As a rule, e-mails are encrypted during transport, but not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We can therefore accept no responsibility for the transmission path of the application between the sender and the reception on our server. For the purposes of searching for applicants, submitting  applications  and  selecting  applicants,  we may make use of the applicant management  and  recruitment  software,  platforms and services of third-party providers in compliance with legal requirements.

Applicants are welcome to contact us about how to submit their application or send it to us by regular mail.

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

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

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

  • Processed data types: Job applicant details (e.g. personal data, postal and contact addresses and the documents pertaining to the application and the information contained therein, such as cover letter, curriculum vitae, certificates, etc., as well as other information on the person or qualifications of applicants provided with regard to a specific job or voluntarily by applicants).
  • Data subjects: Job applicants.
  • Purposes of processing: Job application process (establishment and possible later execution as well as possible later termination of the employment relationship).
  • Legal basis: Job application process as a pre-contractual or contractual relationship (Article 9 (2)(b) GDPR).

Cloud Services

We use Internet-accessible software services (so-called "cloud services", also referred to as "Software as a Service") provided on the servers of its providers for the following purposes: document storage and administration, calendar management, e-mail delivery, spreadsheets and presentations, exchange of documents, content and information with specific recipients or publication of websites, forms or other content and information, as well as chats and participation in audio and video conferences.

Within this framework, personal data may be processed  and  stored  on  the provider's servers insofar as this data is part of communication processes with us or is otherwise processed by us in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This data may include in particular master data and contact data of  data  subjects,  data  on processes, contracts, other proceedings and their contents. Cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata that they use for security and service optimization purposes.

If we use cloud services to provide documents and content to other users or publicly accessible websites, forms, etc., providers may store cookies on users' devices for web analysis or to remember user settings (e.g. in the case of media control).

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

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Customers, employees (e.g. employees, job applicants), prospective customers, communication partner (recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of processing: Office and organisational procedures.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Newsletter and Electronic Communications

We send newsletters, e-mails and other electronic communications (hereinafter referred to as "newsletters") only with the consent of the recipient or a legal permission. Insofar as the contents of the newsletter are specifically described within the framework of registration, they are decisive for the consent of the user. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.

In order to subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to enter your e- mail address. We may, however, ask you to provide a name for the purpose of contacting you personally in the newsletter or to provide further information if this is required for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double-opt-in procedure:
The registration to our newsletter takes place in general in a so-called double-opt-in procedure. This means that you will receive an e-mail after registration asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can register with external e-mail addresses.

The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process according to the legal requirements. This includes storing the login and confirmation times as well as the IP address. Likewise the changes of your data stored with the dispatch service provider are logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing:
We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them to provide evidence of prior consent. The processing of these data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of a consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of an obligation to permanently observe an objection, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address solely for this purpose in a blocklist.

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

Contents: Information about us, our partners as well as our services, promotions and offers.

Measurement of opening rates and click rates:
The newsletters contain a so- called "web-beacon", i.e. a pixel-sized file, which is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a mailing service provider, from its server.

Within the scope of this retrieval, technical information such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and time of retrieval are first collected.

This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter on the basis of technical data or target groups and their reading behaviour on the basis of their retrieval points (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether 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 the profiles are deleted. The evaluations serve us much more 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.

The measurement of opening rates and click rates as well as the storage of the measurement results in the profiles of the users and their further processing are based on the consent of the users.

A separate objection to the performance measurement is unfortunately not possible, in this case the entire newsletter subscription must be cancelled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (recipients of emails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or postal).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

  • Opt-out: You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to cancel the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can otherwise use one of the contact options listed above, preferably e-mail.

Services and service providers being used:

Commercial Communication via Email, Post, Fax or Telephone

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

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

After withdrawal or objection, we may store the data required to prove consent for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we erase them. The processing of these data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. An individual deletion request is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of a consent is affirmed.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (recipients of emails, letters, etc.).
  • Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or postal).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Sweepstakes and Contests

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surveys and Questionnaires

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

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

  • Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).

  • Data subjects: Communication partner (recipients of emails, letters, etc.).

  • Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication, direct marketing (e.g. by email or postal).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization

Web analysis is used to evaluate the visitor traffic on our website and may include the behaviour, interests or demographic information of users,  such  as  age  or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of web analysis we can e.g. recognize, at which time our online services or their functions or contents are most frequently used or requested for repeatedly, as well as which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures, e.g. to test and optimize different versions of our online services or their components.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles can be created and stored in a file (so- called "cookie") or similar procedures in which the relevant user information for the aforementioned analyses is stored. This information may include, for example, content viewed, web pages visited  and  elements  and  technical  data  used  there, such as the browser used, computer system used and information on times of use. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, these may also be processed, depending on the provider.

The IP addresses of the users are also stored. However, we use any existing IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect the user. In general, within the framework of web analysis, A/B testing and optimisation, no user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored, but pseudonyms. This means that we, as well as the providers of the software used, do not know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.

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

Einstellungen/ Widerspruchsmöglichkeit:
Hier können Sie Ihre Einstellungen zur Verarbeitung von Cookies und zur Erhebung Ihrer Daten konfigurieren: https://www.rwth-innovation.de/

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Web analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors), profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

  • Matomo: The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website will only be stored on our server and not disclosed to third-parties; Service provider: Web analytics/ reach measurement in self-hosting; Website: https://matomo.org/; Retention period: The cookies have a maximum storage period of 13 months.

Presence in Social Networks (Social Media)

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

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may entail risks for users, e.g. by making it more difficult to enforce users' rights.

In addition, user data is usually processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example,  user  profiles  can  be  created  on the basis of user behaviour and the associated interests of users. The user profiles can then be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks which are presumed to correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the user's computer, in which the user's usage behaviour and interests are stored. Furthermore, data can be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if the users are members of the respective networks or will become members later on).

For a detailed description of the respective processing operations and the opt-out options, please refer to the respective data protection declarations and information provided by the providers of the respective networks.

Also in the case of requests for information and the exercise of rights of data subjects, we point out that these can be  most  effectively  pursued  with  the providers. Only the providers have access to the data of the users and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. If you still need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Facebook:

We are jointly responsible (so called "joint controller") with Facebook Ireland Ltd. for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see "Things that you and others do and provide" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), and information about the devices used by users (e.g., IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings,  cookie  information;  see  "Device  Information"  in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under "How we use this information?" Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as "page insights," to site operators to help them understand how people interact with their pages and with content associated with them. We have concluded  a  special  agreement  with Facebook ("Information about Page-Insights", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular the security measures that Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of the  persons  concerned  (i.e.  users  can send information access or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to access to information, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found  in  the  "Information  about  Page Insights" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data).

  • Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers), content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).

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

  • Legal basis: legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Plugins and embedded functions and content

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

The integration always presupposes that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, since they could not send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required for the presentation of these contents or functions. We strive to use only those contents, whose respective offerers use the IP address only for the distribution of the contents. Third parties may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. The "pixel tags" can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user's device and may include technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times and other information about the use of our website, as well as may be linked to such information from other sources.

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

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability, Provision of contractual services and customer support.
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Services and service providers being used:

Management, Organization and Utilities

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

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

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

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

For participant management for conferences, seminars and business events, we use the following as processor eveeno, a software by Andreas Bothe, Ellenbogen 8, 91056 Erlangen, Phone +49 15757000059, eMail: info@eveeno.de.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses), Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers), Content data (e.g. text input, photographs, videos), Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects: Communication partner (Recipients of e-mails, letters, etc.), Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR), Performance of a contract and prior requests (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy

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

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

Rights of Data Subjects

As data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 to 21 of the GDPR:

  • Right to Object: You have the right, on grounds arising from your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of your personal data which is based on letter (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR , including profiling based on those provisions.
  • Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of the personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right of withdrawal for consents: You have the right to revoke consents at any time.
  • Right of access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question will be processed and to be informed of this data and to receive further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the provisions of the law.
  • Right to rectification: You have the right, in accordance with the law, to request the completion of the data concerning you or the rectification of the incorrect data concerning you.
  • Right to Erasure and Right to Restriction of Processing: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to demand that the relevant data be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you which you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements, or to request its transmission to another controller.
  • Complaint to the supervisory authority: In accordance with the law and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State where you habitually reside, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.

Terminology and Definitions

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

  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): A "Content Delivery Network" (CDN) is a service with whose help contents of our online services, in particular large media files, such as graphics or scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet.
  • Controller: "Controller" means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • IP Masking: IP masking is a method by which the last octet, i.e. the last two numbers of an IP address, are deleted so that the IP address alone can no longer be used to uniquely identify a person. IP masking is therefore a means of pseudonymising processing methods, particularly in online marketing.
  • Personal Data: "personal data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person ("data subject"); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Processing: The term "processing" covers a wide range and practically every handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or erasure. Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information", or "profiles" for short, includes any kind of automated processing of personal data that consists of using these personal data to analyse, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include different information concerning demographics, behaviour and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behaviour on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
  • Web Analytics: Web Analytics serves the evaluation of visitor traffic of online services and can determine their behavior or interests in certain information, such as content of websites. With the help of web analytics, website owners, for example, can recognize at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This allows them, for example, to optimize the content of the website to better meet the needs of their visitors. For purposes of web analytics, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are frequently used in order to recognise returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online service.