Privacy policy

I. Name and address of the person responsible

The responsible person within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws of the member states as well as other data protection regulations is:

represented by the Executive Board: Dr. Felix Brandt, Larissa Eger, Andreas Dobratz

II. General information on data processing

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

As a matter of principle, we collect and use personal data of our users only insofar as this is necessary for the provision of a functional website as well as our contents and services. The collection and use of our users' personal data regularly only takes place with the user's consent. An exception applies in those cases in which it is not possible to obtain prior consent for actual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by legal regulations.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for processing operations involving personal data, Article 6 (1) lit. a of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis for the processing of personal data.

When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 (1) lit. b DSGVO serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures.

Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary for the fulfilment of a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Art. 6 (1) lit. c DSGVO serves as the legal basis.

In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person make it necessary to process personal data, Art. 6 (1) lit. d DSGVO serves as the legal basis.

If the processing is necessary to protect a legitimate interest of our company or a third party and the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh the first-mentioned interest, Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data deletion and storage period

The personal data of the data subject shall be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose of the storage no longer applies. In addition, storage may take place if this has been provided for by the European or national legislator in Union regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. Data will also be blocked or deleted if a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need to continue storing the data for the conclusion or performance of a contract.

III. Provision of the website and creation of log files

1. Description and scope of data processing

Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing computer.
The following data is collected:

1. Information about the browser type and version used
2. The operating system of the user
3. The user's internet service provider
4. The IP address of the user anonymised
5. Date and time of access
6. Websites from which the user's system accesses our website
7. Websites that are accessed by the user's system via our website

The data is also stored in the log files of our system. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the temporary storage of the data and the log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO.

3. Purpose of the data processing

The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable delivery of the website to the user's computer. For this purpose, the user's IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session. The storage in log files is done to ensure the functionality of the website. In addition, we use the data to optimise the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. An evaluation of the data for marketing purposes does not take place in this context.

These purposes are also our legitimate interest in data processing according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO.

4. Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended. In the case of storage of data in log files, this is the case after seven days at the latest. Storage beyond this period is possible. In this case, the IP addresses of the users are deleted or alienated so that an assignment of the calling client is no longer possible.

5. Possibility of objection and removal

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of the data in log files is absolutely necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, there is no possibility for the user to object.

IV. Use of cookies

a) Description and scope of data processing

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in the internet browser or by the internet browser on the user's computer system. When a user calls up a website, a cookie may be stored on the user's operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string of characters that enables the browser to be uniquely identified when the website is called up again.

Cookies cannot execute programs or transfer viruses to your computer and therefore cannot cause any damage. They serve to make the internet offer as a whole more user-friendly and effective, i.e. more pleasant for you.
Cookies can contain data that make it possible to recognise the device used. In some cases, however, cookies only contain information on certain settings that are not personally identifiable. However, cookies cannot directly identify a user.

A distinction is made between transient (session) cookies, which are deleted as soon as you close your browser, and persistent (permanent) cookies, which are stored beyond the individual session.

With regard to their function, a distinction is made between:

• Technical cookies: these are mandatory to move around the website, use basic functions and ensure the security of the website; they do not collect information about you for marketing purposes nor do they store which web pages you have visited;
• Performance cookies: these collect information about how you use our website, which pages you visit and, for example, whether errors occur during website use; they do not collect information that could identify you - all information collected is anonymous and is only used to improve our website and find out what interests our users;
• Advertising cookies, targeting cookies: These are used to offer the website user tailored advertising on the website or offers from third parties and to measure the effectiveness of these offers; advertising and targeting cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months;
• Sharing cookies: These are used to improve the interactivity of our website with other services (e.g. social networks); sharing cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months.

Wir setzen auf unserer Webseite ausschließlich technische Cookies ein, um unsere Website nutzerfreundlicher zu gestalten. Einige Elemente unserer Internetseite erfordern es, dass der aufrufende Browser auch nach einem Seitenwechsel identifiziert werden kann.

We do not use any other cookies on our website, such as performance cookies, which enable an analysis of the user's surfing behaviour. The use of our website is therefore possible without providing personal data.

b) Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of personal data using technically necessary cookies is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

c) Purpose of the data processing

The purpose of using technically necessary cookies is to simplify the use of websites for users. Some functions of our website cannot be offered without the use of cookies. For these, it is necessary that the browser is recognised even after a page change. These purposes are also our legitimate interest in processing the personal data according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

The user data collected through technically necessary cookies are not used to create user profiles.

d) Duration of storage, possibility of objection and elimination

Transient cookies are automatically deleted when you close the browser. These include in particular the technically necessary session cookies. These store a so-called session ID, with which various requests from your browser can be assigned to the joint session. This enables your computer to be recognised when you return to our website. The session cookies are deleted when you log out or close the browser.

V. E-mail contact, enquiries

1. Description and scope of data processing

On our website, it is possible to contact us via the e-mail address provided. In this case, the user's personal data transmitted with the e-mail will be stored. In this context, the data is not passed on to third parties. The data is used exclusively for processing the conversation.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of data transmitted in the course of sending an e-mail is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. If the e-mail contact aims at the conclusion of a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR.

3. Purpose of the data processing

The processing of personal data is solely for the purpose of processing the contact. In the case of contact by e-mail, this also constitutes the necessary legitimate interest in processing the data.

4. Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. For personal data sent by e-mail, this is the case when the respective conversation with the user has ended. The conversation is deemed to have ended when it is clear from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified.

The additional personal data collected during the sending process will be deleted after a period of seven days at the latest.

5. Possibility of objection and removal

The user has the possibility to revoke his consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the user contacts us by e-mail, he or she can object to the storage of his or her personal data at any time. In such a case, the conversation cannot be continued.

All personal data stored in the course of contacting us will be deleted in this case.

VI. Rights of the data subject

If your personal data is processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and you have the following rights vis-à-vis the controller:

1. Right to information

You may request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data relating to you is being processed by us.

If there is such processing, you can request information from the controller about the following:

1. the purposes for which the personal data are processed;
2. the purposes for which the personal data are processed;
3. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been or will be disclosed;
4. the planned duration of the storage of the personal data relating to you or, if specific information on this is not possible, criteria for determining the storage duration;
5. the existence of a right to rectify or erase personal data concerning you, a right to have processing restricted by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
6. the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority;
7. any available information on the origin of the data if the personal data are not collected from the data subject;
8. the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information about the logic involved and the scope and intended effects of such processing for the data subject.

You have the right to request information on whether personal data concerning you is transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. In this context, you may request to be informed about the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 of the GDPR in connection with the transfer.

2. Right of rectification

You have a right of rectification and/or completion vis-à-vis the controller if the personal data processed concerning you are inaccurate or incomplete. The controller shall carry out the rectification without undue delay.

3. Right to restrict processing

You may request the restriction of the processing of personal data concerning you under the following conditions:

1. if you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
2. the processing is unlawful and you refuse to erase the personal data and instead request the restriction of the use of the personal data;
3. the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but you need them for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims, or
4. if you have objected to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.

Where the processing of personal data relating to you has been restricted, those data may be processed, with the exception of their storage, only with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of substantial public interest of the Union or of a Member State.

If the restriction of processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.

4. Right to deletion

a) Obligation to delete

You may request the controller to erase the personal data concerning you without delay and the controller is obliged to erase this data without delay if one of the following reasons applies:

1. The personal data concerning you are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
2. You revoke your consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6 (1) a or Art. 9 (2) a GDPR and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
3. You object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR.
4. The personal data concerning you has been processed unlawfully.
5. The deletion of the personal data concerning you is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
6. The personal data concerning you was collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Art. 8(1) GDPR.

b) Information to third parties

If the controller has made the personal data concerning you public and is obliged to erase it pursuant to Article 17(1) of the GDPR, it shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, having regard to the available technology and the cost of implementation, to inform data controllers which process the personal data that you, as the data subject, have requested that they erase all links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data.

c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not exist insofar as the processing is necessary

1. on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information
2. for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
3. for reasons of public interest in the area of public health pursuant to Art. 9(2)(h) and (i) and Art. 9(3) GDPR;
4. for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the GDPR, where the right referred to in Section a) is likely to render impossible or seriously prejudice the achievement of the purposes of such processing, or
5. for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims.

5. Right to information

If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to communicate this rectification or erasure of the data or restriction of processing to all recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves a disproportionate effort.

You have the right to be informed of these recipients by the controller.

6. Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you that you have provided to the controller in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. You also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data has been provided, provided that

1. the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR and
2. the processing is carried out with the aid of automated procedures.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to have the personal data concerning you transferred directly from one controller to another controller, insofar as this is technically feasible. This must not affect the freedoms and rights of other persons.

The right to data portability shall not apply to processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

7. Right of objection

You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data relating to you which is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

The controller shall no longer process the personal data concerning you unless it can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

If the personal data concerning you is processed for the purpose of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such marketing; this also applies to profiling, insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.

If you object to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data concerning you will no longer be processed for these purposes.

You have the possibility, in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise your right to object by means of automated procedures using technical specifications.

8. Right to revoke the declaration of consent under data protection law

You have the right to revoke your declaration of consent under data protection law at any time. The revocation of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of the consent until the revocation.

9. Right to complain to a supervisory authority

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your residence, place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you infringes the GDPR.

The supervisory authority to which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy under Article 78 GDPR.