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The so-called cube, an annex building of the University of Media. The so-called cube, an annex building of the University of Media. The so-called cube, an annex building of the University of Media.

Privacy policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, 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 privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as "online offer").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: 30 June 2025

Table of contents

Person responsible

Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart
Nobelstraße 10
70569 Stuttgart

Persons authorised to represent the company: Dr Alexander W. Roos

E-mail address: rektor@hdm-stuttgart.de

Imprint: https: //hdm-stuttgart.de/impressum

Contact data protection officer

Lisa Lingner
datenschutz@hdm-stuttgart.de

Overview of processing

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

Types of data processed

  • Inventory data
  • Location data
  • Contact data
  • Content data
  • Usage data
  • Meta, communication and process data
  • Event data (Facebook)
  • Log data

Categories of data subjects

  • Communication partner
  • users

Purposes of the processing

  • Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations
  • communication
  • Security measures
  • Reach measurement
  • tracking
  • remarketing
  • Target group formation
  • Organisational and administrative procedures
  • feedback
  • marketing
  • Profiles with user-related information
  • Provision of our online services and user-friendliness
  • Information technology infrastructure
  • Public relations

Relevant legal bases

Relevant legal bases according to the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or domicile. Should more specific legal bases also apply in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) - The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
  • Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR) - processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Reference to the validity of the GDPR and Swiss FADP: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with both the Swiss FADP and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, please note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader geographical application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms "processing" of "personal data", "overriding interest" and "sensitive personal data" used in the Swiss DPA, the terms "processing" of "personal data", "legitimate interest" and "special categories of data" used in the GDPR are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined in accordance with the Swiss DPA within the scope of application of the Swiss DPA.

Security measures

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of protection 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, input, disclosure, safeguarding availability and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. We also take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development and selection of hardware, software and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and data protection-friendly default settings.

Securing online connections using TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): We use TLS/SSL encryption technology to protect user data transmitted via our online services from unauthorised access. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the Internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user's browser (or between two servers), protecting the data from unauthorised access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions meet the highest security standards. If a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is signalled by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is being transmitted securely and encrypted.

Transmission of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may be transmitted to other bodies, companies, legally independent organisational units or persons or disclosed to them. 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 observe the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

Data transfer within the organisation: We may transfer personal data to other departments or units within our organisation or grant them access to it. If the data transfer is for administrative purposes, it is based on our legitimate business and commercial interests or takes place if it is necessary to fulfil our contractual obligations or if the consent of the data subjects or a legal permission exists.

International data transfers

Data processing in third countries: If data is transferred to a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or if this occurs in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies (which can be recognised by the postal address of the respective provider or if the data protection declaration expressly refers to the transfer of data to third countries), this is always done in accordance with the legal requirements.

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

This dual protection guarantees comprehensive protection of your data: The DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the standard contractual clauses serve as additional security. Should there be any changes to the DPF, the standard contractual clauses act as a reliable fall-back option. In this way, we ensure that your data always remains adequately protected, even in the event of any political or legal changes.

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

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

General information on data storage and deletion

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

In particular, data that must be stored for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal prosecution or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our data protection information contains additional information on the retention and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing operations.

If there is more than one information on the retention period or deletion period of a date, the longest period is always decisive. We only process data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose, but due to legal requirements or other reasons, for the reasons that justify its storage.

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

  • 10 years - retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet and the work instructions and other organisational documents required to understand them (Section 147 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with. Para. 3 AO, § 14b Para. 1 UStG, § 257 Para. 1 No. 1 i.V.m. Para. 4 HGB).
  • 8 years - Accounting documents, such as invoices and expense receipts (§ 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. para. 3 sentence 1 AO and § 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para. Para. 4 HGB).
  • 6 years - Other business documents: commercial or business letters received, reproductions of commercial or business letters sent, other documents, insofar as they are of significance for taxation, e.g. time sheets, company accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labelling, but also payroll accounting documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register slips (Section 147 (1) nos. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with (3) AO, Section 257 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with (3) AO and Section 257 (1) no. 4 in conjunction with (4) HGB). para. 3 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. para. 4 HGB).
  • 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related enquiries based on previous business experience and standard industry practices are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (Sections 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of the data subjects

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

  • Right to object: You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
  • Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to request information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to demand that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the legal requirements.
  • Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request that it be transferred to another controller.
  • Complaint to the supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the provisions of the GDPR.

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

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

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved). Log data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures. Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Provision of online offer on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called "web host"); legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Provision of online offer on own/ dedicated server hardware: For the provision of our online offer, we use server hardware operated by us as well as the associated storage space, computing capacity and software; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
  • Collection of access data and log files: Access to our website is recorded in the form of server log files. The server log files may include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilisation of the servers and their stability
    • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)
    • Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 2 years and then deleted or anonymised. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
  • UEBERBIT GmbH: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. server administration, storage space);
  • 1&1 IONOS: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacities)

Use of cookies

The term "cookies" refers to functions that store information on users' end devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, for example to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online offers and to create analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. If necessary, we obtain the user's consent in advance. If consent is not required, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential in order to be able to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, saving settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope and which cookies are used.

Information on the legal basis under data protection law: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on consent. If consent has been given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

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

  • Temporary cookies (also: session or session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the log-in status can be saved and favourite content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that they are permanent and that the storage duration can be up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements, also by means of the privacy settings of their browser.

  • Processed data types: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Contact and enquiry management

When contacting us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information of the enquiring persons is processed insofar as this is necessary to answer the contact enquiries and any requested measures.

  • Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of posting); personal data (e.g. e-mail addresses or telephone numbers). information on authorship or time of creation); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • Data subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing: Communication; organisational and administrative procedures; feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Contract fulfilment and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Contact form: When contacting us via our contact form, by e-mail or other communication channels, we process the personal data transmitted to us to answer and process the respective request. This generally includes details such as name, contact information and any other information that is provided to us and is required for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of establishing contact and communication; legal basis: fulfilment of contract and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Web analysis, monitoring and optimisation

Web analysis (also referred to as "reach measurement") is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and may include behaviour, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, recognise at what time our online offering or its functions or content are most frequently used or invite visitors to reuse them. We are also able to understand which areas require optimisation.

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

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

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

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

Settings/option to object:

<script src="https://analytics.hdm-stuttgart.de/index.php?module=CoreAdminHome&action=optOutJS&divId=matomo-opt-out&language=auto&showIntro=1"</script>

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved).
  • 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). Remarketing.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for a period of two years).
  • Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymisation of the IP address).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Matomo: Matomo is software that is used for the purposes of web analysis and reach measurement. When Matomo is used, cookies are generated and stored on the user's end device. The user data collected when using Matomo is only processed by us and is not shared with third parties.

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 result in risks for users because, for example, it could make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on user behaviour and the resulting interests of users. The latter may in turn be used, for example, to place adverts within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. Cookies are therefore generally stored on users' computers, in which the user behaviour and interests of the users are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

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

In the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we would also like to point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. Should you nevertheless require assistance, you can contact us.

  • Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. text or image messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. page views and dwell time, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations work.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
  • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

  • Instagram: Social network, allows you to share photos and videos, comment on and favourite posts, send messages, subscribe to profiles and pages
    • Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland
    • Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR)
    • Website: https://www.instagram.com
    • Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/
    • Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data of visitors to our Facebook page (so-called "fan page"). This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see under "Things you and others do and provide" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see under "Device information" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under "How do we use this information?", Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as "Page Insights", for page operators so that they can gain insights into how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Information on Page Insights", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfil the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the "Information on Page Insights"(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data). The joint responsibility is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA
  • LinkedIn: Social network - We are jointly responsible with LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company for the collection (but not the further processing) of visitors' data used to create the "page insights" (statistics) of our LinkedIn profiles. This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with and the actions they take. Details are also collected about the devices used, such as IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings and cookie data, as well as information from the user profiles, such as job function, country, industry, hierarchy level, company size and employment status. Data protection information on the processing of user data by LinkedIn can be found in LinkedIn's data protection information: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.
    We have concluded a special agreement with LinkedIn Ireland ("Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum", https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures LinkedIn must observe and in which LinkedIn has agreed to fulfil the rights of the data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send requests for information or deletion directly to LinkedIn). The rights of users (in particular the right to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with LinkedIn. Joint responsibility is limited to the collection and transfer of data to LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, in particular with regard to the transfer of data to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation in the USA
  • YouTube: Social network and video platform
  • Xing: Social network

Plug-ins and embedded functions and content

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

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or function. We endeavour to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. Pixel tags can be used to analyse information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymised information may also be stored in cookies on the user's device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of our online offering, but may also be linked to such information from other sources.

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

  • Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, persons involved); location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person). Event data (Facebook) ("Event data" is information that is sent to the provider Meta, for example via Meta pixels (whether via apps or other channels) and relates to people or their actions. This data includes, for example, details of website visits, interactions with content and functions, app installations and product purchases. Event data is processed with the aim of creating target groups for content and advertising messages (custom audiences). It is important to note that event data does not include actual content such as comments written, login information or contact information such as names, email addresses or telephone numbers. "Event data" is deleted by Meta after a maximum of two years, and the target groups created from it disappear when our Meta user accounts are deleted).
  • Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online services and usability; Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles); Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Tracking (e.g. profiling based on interests and behaviour, use of cookies). Target group formation.
  • Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users' devices for a period of two years).
  • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

  • Facebook plugins and content: Facebook social plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offering within Facebook. The list and appearance of Facebook social plugins can be viewed here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ - We are jointly responsible withMeta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data" that Facebook collects or receives in the context of a transmission by means of the Facebook social plugins (and embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online offer for the following purposes: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g. addressing users via Facebook).(e.g. addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving the delivery of ads and personalisation of functions and content (e.g. improving the recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Addendum for Data Controllers", https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfil the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measured values, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing is not carried out within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing) the "Data Security Terms"(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and, with regard to processing in the USA, on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook-EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook
    • Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland
    • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR)
    • Website: https://www.facebook.com
    • Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/
    • Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the "Google Maps" service provided by Google. The processed data may include, in particular, IP addresses and location data of users
    • Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland
    • Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR)
    • Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/
    • Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
    • Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
  • Instagram plugins and content: Instagram plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offering within Instagram. - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection or receipt in the context of a transmission (but not the further processing) of "event data" that Facebook collects using Instagram functions (e.g. embedding functions for content) that are executed on our online offer or receives in the context of a transmission for the following purposes: a) Display of content and advertising information that corresponds to the presumed interests of the users; b) Delivery of commercial and transaction-related messages (e.g. addressing users via Instagram).(e.g. addressing users via Facebook Messenger); c) improving the delivery of ads and personalisation of functions and content (e.g. improving the recognition of which content or advertising information presumably corresponds to the interests of users). We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Addendum for Data Controllers", https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfil the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). Note: If Facebook provides us with measured values, analyses and reports (which are aggregated, i.e. do not contain any information about individual users and are anonymous to us), this processing is not carried out within the framework of joint responsibility, but on the basis of a data processing agreement ("Data Processing Terms", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing) the "Data Security Terms"(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and, with regard to processing in the USA, on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook-EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook
  • LinkedIn plugins and content: LinkedIn plugins and content - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or text and buttons with which users can share content from this online offering within LinkedIn
  • X plugins and content: Plugins and buttons of the "X" platform - This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons with which users can share content from this online offer within X
  • YouTube videos: Videos stored on YouTube are embedded within our online offering. These YouTube videos are integrated via a special domain using the "youtube-nocookie" component in the so-called "extended data protection mode". In "extended data protection mode", until the video is started, only information including your IP address and details of the browser and your end device can be stored on your end device in cookies or by means of comparable procedures, which YouTube requires for the output, control and optimisation of the video display. As soon as you play the videos, additional information may be processed by YouTube to analyse usage behaviour and to store it in the user profile and to personalise content and ads. The storage period for cookies can be up to two years

Supervisory authority responsible for us:

State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Baden-Württemberg
Lautenschlagerstraße 20
70173 Stuttgart
Tel.: 0711/615541-0

Definitions of terms

This section provides you with an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Insofar as the terms are defined by law, their legal definitions apply. The following explanations, on the other hand, are primarily intended to aid understanding.

  • Inventory data: Inventory data includes essential information that is necessary for the identification and management of contractual partners, user accounts, profiles and similar assignments. This data may include personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses), dates of birth and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between people and services, facilities or systems by enabling clear assignment and communication.
  • Content data: Content data includes information generated in the course of creating, editing and publishing content of all kinds. This category of data can include texts, images, videos, audio files and other multimedia content published on various platforms and media. Content data is not limited to the actual content, but also includes metadata that provides information about the content itself, such as tags, descriptions, author information and publication dates
  • Contact data: Contact data is essential information that enables communication with individuals or organisations. It includes telephone numbers, postal addresses and email addresses, as well as communication tools such as social media handles and instant messaging identifiers.
  • Meta, communication and procedural data: Meta data, communication data and procedural data are categories that contain information about how data is processed, transmitted and managed. Meta data, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin and structure of other data. It can include information about the file size, the creation date, the author of a document and the change histories. Communication data records the exchange of information between users via various channels, such as e-mail traffic, call logs, messages in social networks and chat histories, including the persons involved, time stamps and transmission paths. Process data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organisations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review processes.
  • Usage data: Usage data refers to information that captures how users interact with digital products, services or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which functions they favour, how long they stay on certain pages and which paths they take to navigate through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, timestamps of activities, IP addresses, device information and location data. It is particularly valuable for analysing user behaviour, optimising user experiences, personalising content and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in recognising trends, preferences and potential problem areas within digital offerings
  • Personal data: "Personal data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter "data subject"); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information", or "profiles" for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using this personal data to identify certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include various information relating to demographics, behaviour and interests, such asDepending on the type of profiling, this may include various information relating to demographics, behaviour and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.), to analyse, evaluate or predict them (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.
  • Log data: Log data is information about events or activities that have been logged in a system or network. This data typically contains information such as timestamps, IP addresses, user actions, error messages and other details about the use or operation of a system. Log data is often used to analyse system problems, for security monitoring or to create performance reports.
  • Reachmeasurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behaviour or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, operators of online services can, for example, recognise at what time users visit their websites and what content they are interested in. This enables them, for example, to better customise the content of their websites to the needs of their visitors. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for reach analysis purposes in order to recognise returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offering.
  • Remarketing: The term "remarketing" or "retargeting" is used when, for example, it is noted for advertising purposes which products a user was interested in on a website in order to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g. in adverts.
  • Location data: Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for location determination) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN or similar technical means and functions of location determination. Location data is used to indicate the geographically determinable position on earth at which the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other location-dependent information.
  • Tracking: The term "tracking" is used when the behaviour of users can be traced across several online offers. As a rule, behavioural and interest information is stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of the tracking technologies with regard to the online services used (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display adverts to users that are likely to correspond to their interests.
  • Controller: "Controller" means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Processing: "Processing" means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses practically every handling of data, whether it is collecting, analysing, storing, transmitting or deleting.
  • Target group formation: The term "custom audiences" is used when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g. the display of adverts. For example, based on a user's interest in certain products or topics on the internet, it can be concluded that this user is interested in adverts for similar products or the online shop in which they viewed the products. In turn, "lookalike audiences" (or similar target groups) are when the content deemed suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are generally used for the purpose of creating custom audiences and lookalike audiences.

Created with the free Datenschutz-Generator.de by Dr Thomas Schwenke