Privacy statement

Data protection declaration 

Preamble 

With the following data protection declaration, we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") 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 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 offering"). The terms used are not gender-specific. Status: August 20, 2024

Table of contents 

•    Preamble    

•    Person responsible    

•    Overview of processing    

•    Relevant legal bases    

•    Security measures    

•    Transfer of personal data    

•    International data transfers    

•    General information on data storage and deletion    

•    Rights of the data subjects    

•    Business services    

•    Business processes and procedures    

•    Payment methods    

•    Provision of the online offer and web hosting    

•    Use of cookies    

•    Contact and inquiry management    

•    Newsletter and electronic notifications    

•    Presences in social networks (social media)    

•    Changes and updates    

•    Definitions of terms

Responsible person 
Schütz, Veit Fragrant City UG (haftungsbeschränkt) 

Immanuelkirchstr. 7 

10405 Berlin 

Germany 

Tel.: +49 (0) 30 8597 5328 

E-mail: mail@fragrantcity.com A

uthorized representatives: 

Veit Schütz

E-mail address: mail@fragrantcity.comTelephone: +49 (0) 30 8597 5328 
Imprint: fragrantcity.com

Overview of processing 
The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the persons affected. Types of data processed 

•    Inventory data. 

•    Payment data. 

•    Contact details. 

•    Content data. 

•    Contract data. 

•    Usage data.

•    Meta, communication and procedural data. 

•    Protocol data. 

•    Credit data.

Categories of data subjects
•    Service recipients and clients. 

•    Employees. 

•    Interested parties. 

•    Communication partners. 

•    Users. 

•    Business and contractual partners. 

•    Third parties. Purposes of processing 

•    Provision of contractual services and fulfilment of contractual obligations. 

•    Communication. 

•    Security measures. 

•    Direct marketing. 

•    Office and organisational procedures. 

•    Organisational and administrative procedures. 

•    Feedback. 

•    Marketing.     

•    Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness. 

•    Assessment of creditworthiness and credit rating. 

•    Information technology infrastructure. 

•    Financial and payment management. 

•    Public relations. 

•    Sales promotion.

•    Business processes and business management procedures.

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. If more specific legal bases are also relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the data protection declaration. Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR) - The data subject has given their consent to the processing of personal data concerning them for a specific purpose or several specific purposes. Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR) - The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures that are carried out at the request of the data subject. Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR) - Processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the controller is subject. Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR) - Processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data do not prevail. National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law on protection against misuse of personal data in data processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular 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 and automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. In addition, state 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 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, to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk. The measures include in particular ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as the access, input, transfer, securing availability and separation of data. Furthermore, we have set up procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects' rights, the deletion of data and reactions to threats to data. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings. Securing online connections through TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect user data transmitted through our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the Internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user's browser (or between two servers), thereby protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the advanced and more secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions meet the highest security standards. When a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is signaled by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is being transmitted securely and encrypted.

Transfer of personal data 
As part of our processing of personal data, it may happen that these are transferred to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational 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 comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International data transfers 

Data processing in third countries: 

If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA)) or the processing takes place as part of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this only takes place in accordance with the legal requirements. If the level of data protection in the third country has been recognized by means of an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the basis for the data transfer. Furthermore, data transfers only take place if the level of data protection is otherwise ensured, in particular through standard contractual clauses (Art. 46 Para. 2 lit. c) GDPR), explicit consent or in the case of contractual or legally required transmission (Art. 49 Para. 1 GDPR). We will also inform you of the basis for third country transfers by the individual providers from the third country, with the adequacy decisions taking priority as the basis. Information on third country transfers and existing 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. EU-US Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework: As part of the so-called "Data Privacy Framework" (DPF), the EU Commission has also recognized the level of data protection as secure for certain companies from the USA as part of the adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/ (in English). As part of the data protection information, we inform you which service providers we use are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

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 consent is revoked or there are no further legal bases 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 the data to be stored or archived for a longer period. In particular, data that must be stored for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for legal proceedings or to protect the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly. Our data protection information contains additional information on the storage and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing processes. If there are several details on the storage period or deletion periods for a date, the longest period always applies. If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically starts at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in the context of which data is stored, the event that triggers the deadline is the time at which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect. 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.

Further information on processing procedures, processes and services: 

Storage and deletion of data: 

The following general deadlines apply to the storage and archiving under German law: 
 

10 years - retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents, accounting documents and invoices required for their understanding (Section 147 Paragraph 3 in conjunction with Paragraph 1 Nos. 1, 4 and 4a AO, Section 14b Paragraph 1 UStG, Section 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 1 and 4, Paragraph 4 HGB). 
 

6 years - Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already booking documents and cash register slips (Section 147 Paragraph 3 in conjunction with Paragraph 1 Nos. 2, 3, 5 AO, Section 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 and 3, Paragraph 4 HGB). 

3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related inquiries based on previous business experience and usual 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 the data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR: Right of objection: You have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you based on Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR for reasons arising from your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed in order to conduct direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purposes of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct advertising. Right of withdrawal in the case of consent: You have the right to withdraw consent 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 information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the statutory requirements. Right to rectification: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be rectified. Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the statutory provisions, you have the right to request that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, to request 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 that you have made available to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format or to request that it be transmitted to another responsible party in accordance with the statutory requirements. Complaint to a supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you believe that the processing of personal data concerning you violates the provisions of the GDPR.

Business services 
We process data from our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners"), within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and related measures and with regard to communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), for example to answer inquiries. We use this data to fulfil our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and commercial business management and security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse and endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. B. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. The contractual partners are informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, as part of this data protection declaration. We inform the contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or as part of the data collection, e.g. in online forms, by special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after statutory warranty and similar obligations have expired, i.e. generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. for as long as it has to be kept for legal archiving reasons (e.g. for tax purposes, usually ten years). We delete data that has been disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order. Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); 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 information, identification numbers, people involved). Persons affected: service recipients and clients; interested parties. Business and contractual partners. Purposes of processing: provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; security measures; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and business management procedures. Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:
Online shop, order forms, e-commerce and delivery: We process our customers' data to enable them to select, purchase or order the selected products, goods and associated services, as well as to pay for and deliver or execute them. If necessary for the execution of an order, we use service providers, in particular postal, forwarding and shipping companies, to carry out the delivery or execution to our customers. We use the services of banks and payment service providers to process payment transactions. The required information is marked as such in the ordering or comparable purchasing process and includes the information required for delivery, provision and billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR).

Business processes and procedures 

Personal data of service recipients and clients - including customers, clients or, in special cases, clients, patients or business partners as well as other third parties - are processed within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and pre-contractual measures such as the initiation of business relationships. This data processing supports and facilitates business processes in areas such as customer management, sales, payment transactions, accounting and project management. The data collected is used to fulfill contractual obligations and to make operational processes efficient. This includes the processing of business transactions, the management of customer relationships, the optimization of sales strategies and the guarantee of internal accounting and financial processes. In addition, the data supports the protection of the rights of the person responsible and promotes administrative tasks and the organization of the company. Personal data may be passed on to third parties if this is necessary to fulfill the purposes mentioned or legal obligations. Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history), contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship). Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category). 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 meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, protocol data involved (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data). Creditworthiness data (e.g. credit score received, estimated probability of default, based on this Risk classification.

Affected persons: 

Service recipients and clients; interested parties; communication partners; business and contractual partners; third parties; users (e.g. website visitors). Employees (e.g. employees, applicants, temporary workers and others). Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; office and organizational procedures; business processes and business management procedures; communication; marketing; sales promotion; public relations; assessment of creditworthiness and credit rating; financial and payment management. Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical equipment (computers). Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR). Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. c) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services: 

Contact management and contact maintenance: Procedures that are required in the context of organizing, maintaining and securing contact information (e.g. setting up and maintaining a central contact database, regularly updating contact information, monitoring data integrity, implementing data protection measures, ensuring access controls, making backups and restoring contact data, training employees. Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). General payment transactions: Procedures that are necessary for carrying out payment transactions, monitoring bank accounts and controlling payment flows (e.g. creating and checking transfers, processing direct debits, checking account statements, monitoring. Legal basis: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable: Procedures required for the recording, processing and control of business transactions in the area of accounts payable and accounts receivable accounting (e.g. creation and checking of incoming and outgoing invoices, monitoring and management of open items, execution of payment transactions, processing of dunning, account reconciliation. Legal basis: Contract performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. c) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR). 

Financial Accounting and taxes: 

Procedures required for the recording, administration and control of financially relevant business transactions as well as for the calculation, reporting and payment of taxes (e.g. account assignment and posting of business transactions, preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements, execution of payment transactions, processing of dunning procedures, account reconciliation, etc.).

Legal basis: 

Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter c) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Marketing, advertising and sales promotion: Procedures that are required within the framework of marketing, advertising and sales promotion (e.g. market analysis and target group determination, development of marketing strategies, planning and implementation of advertising campaigns, design and production of advertising materials, online marketing including SEO and social media campaigns, event marketing and trade fair participation, customer loyalty programs. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Economic analyses and market research: 

In order to fulfil business purposes and to identify market trends and the wishes of contractual partners and users, the available data on business transactions, contracts, inquiries, etc. are analyzed. The group of persons affected may include contractual partners, interested parties, customers, visitors and users of the controller's online offering. The analyses are carried out for the purposes of business evaluations, marketing and market research (e.g. to determine customer groups with different characteristics). Profiles of registered users, including their information on services used, are taken into account, if available. The analyses serve exclusively the responsible party and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses with summarized, i.e. anonymized values. In addition, the privacy of the users is taken into account; the data is processed for analysis purposes as pseudonymized as possible and, where feasible, anonymously (e.g. as summarized data); legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR). Public relations: procedures that are necessary within the framework of public relations and public relations (e.g. development and implementation of communication strategies, planning and implementation of PR campaigns, creation and distribution of press releases, maintenance of media contacts, monitoring and analysis of media response, organization of press conferences and public events, crisis communication, legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Payment methods 
As part of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer the persons concerned efficient and secure payment options and use other service providers in addition to banks and credit institutions (collectively "payment service providers"). The data processed by the payment service providers includes inventory data, such as name and address, bank details, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums, as well as contract, sum and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed and stored by the payment service providers. This means that we do not receive any account or credit card-related information, but only information confirming or rejecting the payment. The payment service providers may transmit the data to credit agencies. This transmission is for the purpose of checking identity and creditworthiness. For this purpose, we refer to the terms and conditions and the data protection information of the payment service providers. The terms and conditions and data protection notices of the respective payment service providers, which can be accessed within the respective websites or transaction applications, apply to payment transactions. We also refer to these for further information and to assert revocation, information and other rights of those affected. Types of data processed: inventory data (e.g. full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contract data (e.g. subject of the contract, term, customer category); 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 information, identification numbers, people involved). Contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Persons affected: service recipients and clients; business and contractual partners. Interested parties. Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations. Business processes and business management procedures. Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR). 

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services: 
American Express: Payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: American Express Europe S.A., Theodor-Heuss-Allee 112, 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.americanexpress.com/de/. Data protection declaration: https://www.americanexpress.com/de-de/firma/legal/datenschutz-center/online-datenschutzerklarung/.
Apple Pay: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); website: https://www.apple.com/de/apple-pay/. Data protection declaration: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
Giropay: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); service provider: giropay GmbH, An der Welle 4, 60322 Frankfurt, Germany; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); website: https://www.giropay.de. Data protection declaration: https://www.giropay.de/rechtliches/datenschutzerklaerung/.
Google Pay: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); website: https://pay.google.com/intl/de_de/about/. Data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Klarna: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); service provider: Klarna Bank AB (publ), Sveavägen 46, 111 34 Stockholm, Sweden; legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); website: https://www.klarna.com/de. Data protection declaration: https://www.klarna.com/de/datenschutz.
Mastercard: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); service provider: Mastercard Europe SA, Chaussée de Tervuren 198A, B-1410 Waterloo, Belgium; Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.mastercard.de/de-de.html. Privacy policy: https://www.mastercard.de/de-de/datenschutz.html.
PayPal: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods) (e.g. PayPal, PayPal Plus, Braintree); Service provider: PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg; Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.paypal.com/de. Privacy policy: https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full.
Stripe: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: Stripe, Inc., 510 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://stripe.com; Privacy policy: https://stripe.com/de/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
Visa: Payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: Visa Europe Services Inc., London branch, 1 Sheldon Square, London W2 6TT, GB; Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Website: https://www.visa.de; Privacy policy: https://www.visa.de/nutzungsbedingungen/visa-privacy-center.html. Basis for third country transfers: Adequacy Decision (GB).

Provision of the online offer and web hosting 
We process the user's data in order to be able 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 device. Types of data processed: 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 information, identification numbers, people involved); protocol data (e.g. log files relating to logins or the retrieval of data or access times). Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as information relating to them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Purposes of processing: Provision of our online offer 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 fulfillment 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 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Further information on processing processes, procedures and services: Provision of online offer on rented storage space: To provide our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent from a corresponding server provider (also called "web host") or obtain from elsewhere; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offer is logged in the form of so-called "server log files". The server log files can 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 (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data that needs to be retained for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified. E-mail sending and hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the sending, receiving and storing of e-mails. For these purposes, the addresses of the recipients and senders as well as other information regarding the e-mail sending (e.g. the providers involved) and the contents of the respective e-mails are processed. The aforementioned data can also be processed for the purposes of detecting SPAM. Please note that e-mails are generally not sent encrypted on the Internet. E-mails are usually encrypted during transport, but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption process is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We cannot therefore accept any responsibility for the transmission path of the e-mails between the sender and the reception on our server; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). 1&1 IONOS: Services in the field of the provision of information technology infrastructure and related services (e.g. storage space and/or computing capacity); Service provider: 1&1 IONOS SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.ionos.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.ionos.de/terms-gtc/terms-privacy. Contract processing agreement: https://www.ionos.de/hilfe/datenschutz/allgemeine-informationen-zur-datenschutz-grundverordnung-dsgvo/auftragsverarbeitung/.

Use of cookies 
Cookies are small text files or other storage notes that store information on end devices and read it from them. For example, to store the log-in status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online service. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as for the purposes of the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to create analyses of visitor flows. Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. We therefore obtain prior consent from users unless it is not required by law. Permission is not necessary in particular if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide users with a telemedia service that they have expressly requested (i.e. our online service). The revocable consent is clearly communicated to them and contains the information on the respective cookie usage.
Notes on data protection legal bases: The data protection basis on which we process users' personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask them for consent. If users accept, the legal basis for the use of their data is their declared consent. Otherwise, the data used using cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the commercial operation of our online offering and the improvement of its usability) or, if this is done as part of the fulfillment of our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to meet our contractual obligations. We will explain the purposes for which we use cookies in the course of this data protection declaration or as part of our consent and processing processes. 

Storage period: 

With regard to the storage period, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies:
Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online offering and closed their device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the device is closed. For example, the log-in status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected using cookies can also be used to measure reach. Unless we provide users with explicit information about the type and storage period of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and that the storage period 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 processing in accordance with the legal requirements, including using the privacy settings of their browser. Types of data processed: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved). Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR). Further information on processing processes, procedures and services: Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution in which the consent of users is obtained for the use of cookies or for the procedures and providers mentioned in the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users' end devices. As part of this procedure, users' consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The declarations of consent are stored in order to avoid a repeat query and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server side and/or in a cookie (as so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The consent is stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, information on the scope of the consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the device used; legal basis: consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Contact and inquiry management 
When you contact us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and within the framework of existing user and business relationships, the details of the inquiring persons are processed to the extent that this is necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures. Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); content data (e.g. textual or visual 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 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 information, identification numbers, people involved). Affected persons: Communication partners. Purposes of processing: Communication; organizational and administrative procedures; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Provision of our online offer 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 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR). Further information on processing processes, procedures and services: Contact form: When you contact us via our contact form, by email or other communication channels, we process the personal data sent to us to answer and process the respective request. This usually includes information such as name, contact information and, if applicable, other information that is communicated to us and is necessary for appropriate processing. We use this data exclusively for the stated purpose of contact and communication; Legal basis: Contractual performance and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Newsletter and electronic notifications 
We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter "newsletters") only with the consent of the recipient or on the basis of a legal basis. If the contents of the newsletter are mentioned when registering for the newsletter, these contents are decisive for the consent of the user. To register for our newsletter, it is usually sufficient to provide your email address. However, in order to be able to offer you a personalized service, we may ask you to provide your name so that you can be addressed personally in the newsletter or for further information if this is necessary for the purpose of the newsletter. Deletion and restriction of processing: We can store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before we delete them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a potential defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called "block list") for this purpose alone. The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it has been carried out properly. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure shipping system. Content: Information about us, our services, campaigns and offers. Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved). Affected persons: Communication partners. Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post). Storage and deletion: 3 years - Contractual claims (AT) (Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as to process related inquiries, based on previous business experience and standard industry practices, are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 1478, 1480 ABGB).). 10 years - Contractual claims (CH) (Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as to process related inquiries, based on previous business experience and standard industry practices, are stored for the period of the statutory limitation period of ten years, unless a shorter period of 5 years is applicable, which is relevant in certain cases (Art. 127, 130 OR)). Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR). Opt-out option: You can cancel your subscription to 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 use one of the contact options listed above, preferably email.

Presences 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 it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce user rights. In addition, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on the user's usage behavior and resulting interests. The latter may in turn be used to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the user's interests. Cookies are therefore usually stored on users' computers in which the user's usage behavior and interests are stored. In addition, data can also be stored in the user profiles regardless 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 processing forms and the options for opting out, 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 like to point out that these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us. Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. postal and e-mail addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as information relating to them, such as 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). Affected persons: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations. 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 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Further information on processing procedures, processes and services:

Instagram: Social network, enables sharing of photos and videos, commenting and favorite posts, sending messages, subscribing 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 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Facebook Pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for collecting (but not further processing) data from 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 "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 "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, so-called "Page Insights", to 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 about Page Insights", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which in particular regulates which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of those affected (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 responsible 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). The joint controllership is limited to the collection and transmission 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, in particular the transmission of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Pinterest: Social network, enables sharing of photos, commenting, favorites and curating of posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles; Service provider: Pinterest Europe Limited, 2nd Floor, Palmerston House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); Website: https://www.pinterest.com. Privacy policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy.

YouTube: social network and video platform; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR); data protection declaration: https://policies.google.com/privacy; basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF). Opt-out option: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff.

Changes and updates 
We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing we carry out 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 for companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and ask you to check the information before contacting us.

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

Employees: Employees are people who are in an employment relationship, whether as employees, staff or in similar positions. An employment relationship is a legal relationship between an employer and an employee, which is defined by an employment contract or agreement. It includes the employer's obligation to pay the employee remuneration while the employee performs his or her work. The employment relationship includes various phases, including the establishment, in which the employment contract is concluded, the implementation, in which the employee carries out his or her work, and the termination, when the employment relationship ends, whether by notice, termination agreement or otherwise. Employee data is all information that relates to these people and is in the context of their employment. This includes aspects such as personal identification data, identification numbers, salary and bank details, working hours, holiday entitlements, health data and performance assessments. 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 can include, among other things, personal and demographic information such as names, contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses), dates of birth and specific identifiers (user IDs). Inventory data forms the basis for any formal interaction between people and services, institutions 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 people or organizations. 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, communication, and procedural data are categories that contain information about the way data is processed, transmitted, and managed. Metadata, also known as data about data, includes information that describes the context, origin, and structure of other data. It can include information about file size, creation date, author of a document, and change histories. Communication data records the exchange of information between users across different channels, such as email traffic, call logs, social media messages, and chat histories, including the people involved, timestamps, and transmission paths. Process data describes the processes and procedures within systems or organizations, including workflow documentation, logs of transactions and activities, and audit logs used to track and review operations. Usage data: Usage data refers to information that records how users interact with digital products, services, or platforms. This data includes a wide range of information that shows how users use applications, which features they prefer, how long they spend on certain pages, and which paths they take through an application. Usage data can also include frequency of use, time stamps of activities, IP addresses, device information, and location data. It is particularly valuable for analyzing user behavior, optimizing user experiences, personalizing content, and improving products or services. In addition, usage data plays a crucial role in identifying trends, preferences, and potential problem areas within digital offerings. Personal data: "Personal data" is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person (in the case of following "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 special characteristics that express the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

Log data: Log data is information about events or activities 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 analyze system problems, monitor security, or compile performance reports.

Responsible person: The "responsible person" is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body that alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data.

Processing: "Processing" is any operation or set of operations performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and covers virtually any handling of data, be it collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion. Contract data: Contract data is specific information relating to the formalization of an agreement between two or more parties. It documents the terms under which services or products are provided, exchanged or sold. This category of data is essential for the administration and fulfillment of contractual obligations and includes both the identification of the contracting parties and the specific terms and conditions of the agreement. Contract data can include start and end dates of the contract, the type of services or products agreed, price agreements, payment terms, termination rights, renewal options and special terms or clauses. It serves as the legal basis for the relationship between the parties and is crucial for clarifying rights and obligations, enforcing claims and resolving disputes. Payment data: Payment data includes all information needed to process payment transactions between buyers and sellers. This data is crucial for e-commerce, online banking and any other form of financial transaction. It includes details such as credit card numbers, bank details, payment amounts, transaction data, verification numbers and billing information. Payment data can also include information about payment status, chargebacks, authorizations and fees.

German version created with free Datenschutz-Generator.de by Dr. Thomas Schwenke