Privacy Policy

2. Hosting

3. General Notes and Mandatory Information

External Hosting
Data Protection

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations as well as this privacy policy.

When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data refers to data that can personally identify you. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and how we use it. It also explains how and for what purpose this occurs.

Please note that data transmission on the internet (e.g., communication via email) may have security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Notice on the Responsible Party

The responsible party for data processing on this website is:

Gerd Richter
Greifswalder Str. 164
10409 Berlin
Phone: 030 42805 472
Email: [email protected]

The responsible party is the natural or legal person who decides, alone or jointly with others, on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g., names, email addresses, etc.).

Storage Duration

Unless a specific storage period has been specified in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for processing the data no longer applies. If you request the deletion of your data or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, the data will be deleted once these reasons no longer apply.

General Information on the Legal Basis for Data Processing on This Website

If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR if special categories of data are processed according to Art. 9(1) GDPR. In the case of explicit consent for the transfer of personal data to third countries, the data processing is additionally based on Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information on your device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing is also carried out based on Section 25(1) TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

If your data is required for the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures, we process your data based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if necessary for compliance with a legal obligation according to Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out based on our legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The specific legal basis relevant in each case will be outlined in this privacy policy.

Notice on Data Transfer to Non-Secure Third Countries and to Non-DPF-Certified U.S. Companies

We use tools from companies located in non-secure third countries in terms of data protection as well as U.S. tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to these countries and processed there.

Please note that no level of data protection comparable to that in the EU can be guaranteed in non-secure third countries. The U.S., as a rule, provides a comparable level of data protection if the recipient is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF) or has implemented appropriate safeguards.

Information on data transfers to third countries, including the recipients of such data, can be found in this privacy policy.Recipients of Personal Data

As part of our business activities, we collaborate with various external entities. In some cases, the transfer of personal data to these external entities is necessary. We only share personal data with external parties if:

• It is required to fulfill a contract,
• We are legally obligated to do so (e.g., transfer of data to tax authorities),
• We have a legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR in sharing the data, or
• Another legal basis permits the transfer of data.

When we use service providers to process data on our behalf, we only disclose personal data based on a valid contract for data processing. In cases of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is established.

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Revocation of Your Consent to Data Processing

Many data processing activities are only possible with your explicit consent. You can revoke any previously given consent at any time. The legality of data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected.

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Right to Object to Data Collection in Special Cases and to Direct Advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)

Right to object to processing based on legitimate interests
If data processing is based on Art. 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR, you have the right to object to the processing of your personal data at any time for reasons arising from your particular situation. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

The respective legal basis for processing can be found in this privacy policy. If you file an objection, we will no longer process your personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for processing that override your interests, rights, and freedoms, or if the processing serves to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims (objection under Art. 21(1) GDPR).

Right to object to processing for direct marketing purposes
If your personal data is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object to the processing of your personal data for such purposes at any time. This also applies to profiling, insofar as it is related to such direct marketing.

If you object, your personal data will no longer be used for direct marketing purposes (objection under Art. 21(2) GDPR).

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Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, particularly in the member state of their habitual residence, place of work, or the place where the alleged violation occurred. This right is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

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Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive the data we process automatically, based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done if technically feasible.

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Access, Rectification, and Deletion

Within the scope of applicable legal provisions, you have the right to free information at any time about your stored personal data, its origin, recipients, and the purpose of data processing. You may also have a right to rectify or delete this data. For further questions regarding personal data, you can contact us at any time.

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Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data. You can contact us at any time to exercise this right. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:

1. If you dispute the accuracy of your stored personal data, we usually need time to verify this. During the verification period, you have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data.
2. If the processing of your personal data was or is unlawful, you may request restriction of processing instead of deletion.
3. If we no longer need your personal data, but you require it to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims, you have the right to request restriction of processing instead of deletion.
4. If you have filed an objection under Art. 21(1) GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. Until it is determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, this data may only be processed (apart from being stored) with your consent or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims, to protect the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or a member state. SSL/TLS Encryption

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as inquiries or orders you send to us as the website operator, this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the browser’s address bar switching from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock icon in your browser’s address bar.

When SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

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Objection to Promotional Emails

We hereby object to the use of contact data published in the context of legal notice requirements for sending unsolicited advertising and informational materials. The operators of this website expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of the unsolicited sending of advertising information, such as spam emails.

4. Data Collection on This Website

Cookies

Our websites use “cookies.” Cookies are small data packets that do no harm to your device. They can be stored temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (persistent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted after your visit. Persistent cookies remain on your device until you delete them or your web browser automatically deletes them.

Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (third-party cookies). Third-party cookies allow certain services provided by third parties to be integrated into websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies serve various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart or displaying videos). Other cookies may be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Necessary cookies that are required for the electronic communication process, the provision of specific functionalities requested by you (e.g., shopping cart function), or the optimization of the website (e.g., audience measurement cookies) are stored based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies to provide its services in a technically error-free and optimized manner.

If consent to store cookies and similar recognition technologies is requested, data processing will be exclusively based on this consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). This consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser to notify you about the use of cookies and allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, exclude the acceptance of cookies in certain cases or in general, and enable automatic deletion of cookies when the browser is closed. If cookies are disabled, the functionality of this website may be limited.

Details on the cookies and services used on this website can be found in this privacy policy.

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Server Log Files

The website provider automatically collects and stores information in server log files that your browser transmits to us automatically. These include:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Hostname of the accessing computer
• Time of the server request
• IP address

This data is not merged with other data sources.

The collection of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of its website, which requires the collection of server log files.

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Contact Form

If you send inquiries via the contact form, the information you provide, including your contact details, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your inquiry and any follow-up questions. We do not share this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your inquiry is related to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of inquiries addressed to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), provided this has been requested. Consent can be revoked at any time.

The data you enter in the contact form remains with us until you request deletion, revoke your consent for storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after processing your inquiry has been completed). Mandatory statutory provisions—especially retention periods—remain unaffected.

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Comments on This Website

If you use the comment function on this website, information on the time of the comment’s creation, your email address, and, if not posted anonymously, the username you selected will be stored alongside your comment.

Storage of IP Addresses
The comment function stores the IP addresses of users who post comments. Since we do not review comments on this website before publishing them, we need this data to take action against the author in the event of legal violations such as insults or propaganda.

Subscribing to Comments
As a user, you can subscribe to comments after registering. You will receive a confirmation email to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address. You can unsubscribe from this feature at any time via a link in the notification emails. Data provided during the subscription to comments will be deleted in this case. If you have submitted this data to us for other purposes or elsewhere (e.g., subscribing to a newsletter), it will remain with us.

Storage Duration of Comments
Comments and associated data are stored and remain on this website until the commented content is completely deleted or the comments must be deleted for legal reasons (e.g., defamatory comments).

Legal Basis
The storage of comments is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time. A simple email to us is sufficient. The legality of data processing operations already performed remains unaffected by the revocation.

5. Social Media

Legal Basis
The storage of comments is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time. A simple email to us is sufficient. The legality of data processing operations already performed remains unaffected by the revocation.Social Media Elements with Shariff

This website uses elements from social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, XING, LinkedIn, Tumblr). You can usually recognize the social media elements by the respective social media logos.

To ensure data protection on this website, we only use these elements in conjunction with the “Shariff” solution. This application prevents the social media elements integrated on this website from transferring your personal data to the respective provider when you first visit the site.

A direct connection to the provider’s server is only established when you activate the respective social media element by clicking on it (consent). Once activated, the provider receives the information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you are logged into your respective social media account at the same time (e.g., Facebook), the provider can link your visit to this website to your user account.

Activating the plugin constitutes consent within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time with future effect.

The use of the service is based on the legal requirements for obtaining consent for the use of specific technologies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR.

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Facebook

This website integrates elements from the social network Facebook. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland. According to Facebook, the collected data may also be transferred to the USA and other third countries.

You can find an overview of Facebook social media elements here: Facebook Plugins.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection between your device and the Facebook server is established. Facebook thereby receives the information that you visited this website with your IP address. If you click the Facebook “Like” button while logged into your Facebook account, you can link the content of this website to your Facebook profile. This enables Facebook to associate your visit to this website with your user account.

We want to point out that, as the website operator, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how Facebook uses it. Further information can be found in Facebook’s privacy policy: Facebook Privacy Policy.

The use of this service is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.

If personal data is collected on our website using the Facebook tool and transmitted to Facebook, both we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). This joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of data and its transmission to Facebook. The subsequent processing by Facebook is not part of this joint responsibility. The obligations we share have been set out in an agreement on joint processing.

You can view the agreement here: Joint Processing Agreement. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing privacy information and implementing the tool on our website in compliance with data protection regulations. Facebook is responsible for the security of its products.

You can assert your rights (e.g., access requests) directly against Facebook. If you assert your rights with us, we are required to forward your request to Facebook.

Data transfers to the USA are based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:
EU Data Transfer Addendum,
Help Page,
Privacy Policy.

Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). This agreement between the European Union and the USA ensures compliance with European data protection standards. More details can be found here: Data Privacy Framework Participant Search.

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X (formerly Twitter)

This website integrates features from the X (formerly Twitter) service. These features are provided by X Corp., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. For individuals outside the USA, data processing is handled by Twitter International Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection between your device and the X server is established. X receives information about your visit to this website. By using X features like “Retweet” or “Repost,” the websites you visit are linked to your X account and shared with other users.

We want to point out that, as the website operator, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how X uses it. Further information can be found in X’s privacy policy: X Privacy Policy.

The use of this service is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfers to the USA are based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:
EU SCC Transfers.

Your privacy settings for X can be adjusted in your account settings: X Account Settings.

X Corp. is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). More information can be found here: DPFParticipant Search.Instagram

This website integrates features from the Instagram service, provided by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and Instagram’s servers. Instagram receives information about your visit to this website.

If you are logged into your Instagram account, you can link content from this website to your Instagram profile by clicking the Instagram button. This allows Instagram to associate your visit to this website with your user account.

We want to point out that, as the website operator, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how Instagram uses it. Further information can be found in Instagram’s privacy policy: Instagram Privacy Policy.

The use of this service is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.

If personal data is collected on our website using the Instagram tool and transmitted to Instagram, both we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). This joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of data and its transmission to Instagram. The subsequent processing by Instagram is not part of this joint responsibility.

The obligations we share have been set out in an agreement on joint processing. You can view the agreement here: JointProcessing Agreement. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing privacy information and implementing the tool on our website in compliance with data protection regulations. Instagram is responsible for the security of its products.

You can assert your rights (e.g., access requests) directly against Instagram. If you assert your rights with us, we are required to forward your request to Instagram.

Data transfers to the USA are based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:
EU Data Transfer Addendum and
Privacy Policy.

Meta Platforms Ireland Limited is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). More information can be found here: Data Privacy Framework Participant Search.

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Tumblr

This website uses buttons and other elements from the Tumblr service, operated by Tumblr, Inc., 35 East 21st St, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and Tumblr’s servers. Tumblr receives information about your visit to this website.

The Tumblr buttons enable you to share a post or page on Tumblr or follow the provider on Tumblr. When you access a page with a Tumblr button, your browser connects directly to Tumblr’s servers. We have no control over the extent of the data collected and transmitted by Tumblr. Based on current information, Tumblr collects your IP address and the URL of the respective website.

The use of this service is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further information can be found in Tumblr’s privacy policy: Tumblr Privacy Policy.

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Pinterest

This website uses elements from the social network Pinterest, provided by Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

When you access a page containing such an element, your browser establishes a direct connection to Pinterest’s servers. The social media element transmits protocol data to Pinterest’s servers in the USA. This protocol data may include your IP address, the address of visited websites that also contain Pinterest features, browser type and settings, date and time of the request, your usage of Pinterest, and cookies.

The use of this service is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further details on the purpose, scope, and further processing and use of data by Pinterest, as well as your rights and options for protecting your privacy, can be found in Pinterest’s privacy policy: Pinterest Privacy Policy.

6. Analytics Tools and Advertising

This website uses the analytics tool WP Statistics to statistically evaluate visitor traffic. The provider is Veronalabs, Tatari 64, 10134, Tallinn, Estonia (Veronalabs).

WP Statistics allows us to analyze the usage of our website. WP Statistics collects, among other things, log files (e.g., IP addresses, referrers, browser types, user origins, and search engine usage) and actions performed by website visitors (e.g., clicks and views).

The data collected by WP Statistics is stored exclusively on our own server.

Purpose of Data Processing
The use of this analytics tool is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in anonymized analysis of user behavior to optimize both our web offerings and advertising.

If consent has been requested (e.g., consent to store cookies), processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG, provided the consent includes storing cookies or accessing information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

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IP Anonymization

We use WP Statistics with IP anonymization enabled. This means your IP address is truncated so that it can no longer be directly linked to you.

7. Newsletter

Newsletter Data

If you wish to receive the newsletter offered on this website, we require an email address from you, along with information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and agree to receive the newsletter. No additional data is collected or is only collected on a voluntary basis. We use this data solely to send the requested information and do not share it with third parties.

The processing of data entered into the newsletter subscription form is based solely on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the storage of data, email addresses, and their use for sending newsletters at any time, for example, by using the “unsubscribe” link in the newsletter. The legality of data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected.

The data you provide for the purpose of receiving the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Upon cancellation, your data will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list. Data that we have stored for other purposes remains unaffected.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored in a blacklist to prevent future mailings. Data from the blacklist is only used for this purpose and is not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements for sending newsletters (legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Blacklist storage is indefinite. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

7. Newsletter

YouTube with Enhanced Privacy

This website includes videos from YouTube. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

We use YouTube in enhanced privacy mode. According to YouTube, this mode ensures that YouTube does not store any information about visitors to this website before they watch the video. However, enhanced privacy mode does not necessarily prevent data from being shared with YouTube partners. For example, YouTube connects to the Google DoubleClick network regardless of whether you’re watching a video.

When you start a YouTube video on this website, a connection to YouTube’s servers is established. This tells the YouTube server which of our pages you visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you allow YouTube to associate your browsing behavior directly with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

Additionally, after starting a video, YouTube may store various cookies on your device or use comparable recognition technologies (e.g., device fingerprinting). In this way, YouTube can obtain information about visitors to this website. This information is used, among other purposes, to collect video statistics, improve user experience, and prevent fraud attempts.

If applicable, further data processing operations may be triggered after you start a YouTube video, over which we have no control.

YouTube is used in the interest of an attractive presentation of our online offerings. This constitutes a legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing will occur exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG, provided consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information about privacy at YouTube, please refer to their privacy policy: YouTube Privacy Policy.

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Google Maps

This website uses Google Maps for displaying map information. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

To use the features of Google Maps, your IP address needs to be stored. This information is typically transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence over this data transfer.

When Google Maps is activated, Google may also use Google Fonts to ensure consistent font representation. When you access Google Maps, your browser loads the necessary web fonts into your browser cache to display text and fonts correctly.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of providing an appealing online presentation of our offerings and making it easy to locate the places specified on our website. This constitutes a legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing will occur exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG, provided consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfers to the USA are based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Google Data Protection Terms.

More information about handling user data can be found in Google’s privacy policy: Google Privacy Policy.