Privacy Policy

Thank you very much for your interest in our company. Data protection is particularly important to the management of MACH AG. It is possible to use the MACH AG website without providing any personal data. However, if a person would like to use special services of our company via our website, it may be necessary to process personal data. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the person concerned.
The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address or telephone number of a person concerned, is always carried out in accordance with GDPR and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to MACH AG. By this data protection declaration, our company informs people about the type, scope and purpose of the personal data collected, used and processed by us. Furthermore, this data protection declaration will inform the persons concerned about their rights.
MACH AG has implemented numerous technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data processed via this website is protected as completely as possible. Nevertheless, Internet-based data transmissions can in principle have security gaps, so that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every person is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative channels, such as telephone.

1. Definitions

The privacy policy of MACH AG is based on the terms used by the European Directive and Ordinance in the adoption of the Basic Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our data protection policy should be easy to read and understand both for the public and for our customers and business partners. In order to make this possible, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.

We use the following terms in this data protection declaration:

a) personal data
Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter "data subject"). A natural person shall be considered identifiable if he can be identified directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or one or more specific characteristics expressing the physical, physiological, genetic, psychological, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

(b) Data subject
Data subject means any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data are processed by the controller.

(c) Processing
Processing" means any operation or set of operations which is carried out with or without the aid of automated processes and which relates to personal data, such as collection, recording, organisation, sorting, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or association, qualification, erasure or destruction.

(d) Limitation of processing
Limitation of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their future processing.

e) Profiling
Profiling is any automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects relating to the work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, conduct, location or movement of that natural person.

(f) Pseudonymisation
Pseudonymisation means the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the provision of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures ensuring that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

(g) Controller 
The controller for processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. In cases in which Union law or the law of the Member States determines the purposes and means of such processing, the controller or controllers may be designated in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States on the basis of specific criteria.

(h) Processor
Processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

(i) Recipient
The recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body to whom personal data are disclosed, whether or not that person is a third party. However, authorities which may receive personal data in the course of a specific investigation task under Union law or the law of the Member States shall not be considered as recipients.

(j) Third parties
Third party means any natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor and the persons authorised to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the controller or processor.

(k) Consent
Consent means any voluntary, informed and unequivocal statement of intention, in the form of a statement or other unambiguous confirmatory act, made by the data subject in the particular case by which the data subject has given his or her consent to the processing of his or her personal data and to the processing of his or her personal data.

2. Name and address of controller

Responsible in terms of GDPR, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions of a data protection nature is 

MACH AG
Wielandstrasse 14
23558 Lübeck, Germany
Phone: +49451 / 70 64 70
E-mail: mailbox@mach.de
Website: www.mach.de

3. Name and address of the Data Protection Officer

The external data protection officer of the controller is:

Datenschutzbeauftragter 
c/o MACH AG 
Wielandstraße 14
23558 Lübeck
datenschutz@mach.de

Any person can contact our data protection officer directly with any questions or suggestions regarding data protection.

4. Cookies

The MACH AG website uses cookies. Cookies are text files which are stored on a computer system via an Internet browser.

Numerous Internet pages and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identification of the cookie. It consists of a string of characters through which Internet pages and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the visited Internet pages and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the person concerned from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A particular Internet browser can be recognized and identified by its unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, MACH AG can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the setting of cookies.

By using a cookie, the information and offers on our website can be optimised in the interests of the user. Cookies enable us to recognize the users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter his access data each time he visits the website because this is taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system.

The person concerned can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by setting the Internet browser used accordingly and thus permanently oppose the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common Internet browsers. If the person concerned deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be fully usable under certain circumstances.

A list of the cookies set by us can be found in the following table:

5. Collection of general data and information

The website of MACH AG collects a series of general data and information each time the website is accessed by a person concerned or an automated system. These general data and information are stored in the log files of the server. The (1) browser types and versions used can be recorded, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system accesses our website (so-called referrer), (4) the sub-sites which are accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system and (8) other similar data and information used to avert dangers in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general information, MACH AG does not draw any conclusions about the person concerned. Instead, this information is required to (1) correctly deliver the contents of our website, (2) optimise the contents of our website and the advertising for it, (3) guarantee the long-term operability of our information technology systems and the technology of our website and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyber attack. This anonymous data and information is therefore evaluated by MACH AG both statistically and with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company in order to ultimately ensure an optimum level of protection for the personal data processed by us. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by the person concerned.
 

6. Registration on our website

The person concerned has the possibility to register on the website of the data controller by providing personal data. The personal data transmitted to the data controller in this process is determined by the respective input mask used for registration. The personal data entered by the data subject shall be collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for its own purposes. The controller may arrange for the data to be disclosed to one or more processors, such as associated companies, who will also use the personal data exclusively for internal purposes attributable to the controller.

By registering on the website of the controller, the IP address assigned to the data subject by the Internet service provider (ISP), the date and time of registration are also stored. This data is stored in order to prevent misuse of our services and, if necessary, to enable us to investigate criminal offences. In this respect, the storage of this data is necessary to safeguard the data controller. These data will not be passed on to third parties unless there is a legal obligation to do so or the data is used for criminal prosecution.

The registration of the data subject with voluntary disclosure of personal data serves the purpose of the data controller to offer the data subject content or services which, due to the nature of the matter, can only be offered to registered users. Registered persons are free to modify the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have them completely deleted from the database of the data controller.

The controller shall provide any data subject with information on the personal data stored on the data subject at any time upon request. Furthermore, the data controller shall correct or delete personal data at the request or notice of the data subject, unless this is contrary to any legal obligation to retain such data. The entire staff of the data controller shall be available to the data subject as contact persons in this context.
 

7. Newsletter subscription MACH KOMPASS

On the MACH AG website, users can subscribe to our company newsletter. The personal data transmitted to the data controller when ordering the newsletter is determined by the input mask used for this purpose.

MACH AG informs its customers and business partners about the company's offers at regular intervals by means of a newsletter. The newsletter of our company can only be received by the person concerned if (1) the person concerned has a valid e-mail address and (2) the person concerned registers for the newsletter dispatch. For legal reasons, a confirmation e-mail in the double opt-in procedure will be sent to the e-mail address entered for the first time by the person concerned for the purpose of sending the newsletter. This confirmation e-mail is used to check whether the owner of the e-mail address as the person concerned has authorised receipt of the newsletter.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to the computer system used by the person concerned at the time of registration as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to be able to trace the (possible) misuse of the e-mail address of a data subject at a later point in time and therefore serves to legally safeguard the data controller.

The personal data collected in the course of registering for the newsletter will be used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers to the newsletter could be informed by e-mail if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or registration in this respect, as might be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offering or changes to the technical conditions. The personal data collected as part of the newsletter service will not be passed on to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter can be cancelled by the person concerned at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data, which the person concerned has given us for the newsletter dispatch, can be revoked at any time. For the revocation of consent, there is a corresponding link in every newsletter. It is also possible at any time to unsubscribe from the newsletter dispatch directly on the website of the data controller or to inform the data controller of this in any other way.

We send our newsletter with the newsletter service CleverReach (Cleverreach GmbH & Co. KG, Mühlenstr. 43, 26180 Rastede, Germany). Cleverreach is a member of the Certified Senders Alliance. We only transfer your name and e-mail address to CleverReach for the purpose of sending you our newsletter. Your data is stored by CleverReach in such a way that other CleverReach customers or third parties have no access to this data. In order to optimise the newsletter, we evaluate the opening and clicking behaviour of the recipients. Further information can be found in CleverReach's privacy policy.

8. Newsletter Tracking

MACH AG newsletter contains tracking pixels. A pixel-code is a miniature graphic that is embedded in e-mails that are sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded pixel-code, MACH AG can recognize if and when an e-mail was opened by an affected person and which links in the e-mail were accessed by the affected person.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the person responsible for processing in order to optimise the sending of the newsletter and to adapt the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the person concerned. This personal data will not be passed on to third parties. Affected persons are entitled at any time to revoke the relevant separate declaration of consent submitted via the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation these personal data will be deleted by the person responsible for the processing. MACH AG automatically interprets a deregistration from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.

9. Contacting via the website

Due to legal regulations, the MACH AG website contains information that enables rapid electronic contact with our company and direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the data controller by e-mail or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted voluntarily by a data subject to the data controller will be stored for the purposes of processing or contacting the data subject. This personal data will not be passed on to third parties.

10. Deleting and blocking of personal data

The controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period of time necessary to achieve the storage purpose or where provided for by the European directive and regulation maker or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the storage purpose no longer applies or if a storage period prescribed by the European directive and regulation giver or another competent legislator expires, the personal data shall be blocked or deleted routinely and in accordance with the statutory provisions.

11. Rights of the person concerned

a) Right to confirmation
Every person concerned shall have the right, granted by the European directive and regulation maker, to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether personal data is being processed. If a person wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, he or she may at any time contact an employee of the controller.

b) Right of access
Any person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation maker, to obtain at any time, free of charge, from the controller, information on the personal data relating to him which have been stored and a copy of that information. Furthermore, the legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

• the purposes of the processing
• the categories of personal data processed
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations
• if possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored or, if that is not possible, the criteria for determining that duration
• the existence of a right to the rectification or erasure of personal data concerning him or her or to the limitation of the processing carried out by the controller or of a right to object to such processing
• the existence of a right of appeal to a supervising authority
• If the personal data are not collected from the data subject: All available information on the origin of the data the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, in accordance with Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in these cases, meaningful information on the logic involved, the scope and the intended effects of such processing on the data subject

The person concerned also has the right to know whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. If this is the case, the person concerned shall also have the right to obtain information on the appropriate safeguards in connection with the transfer.

If a person concerned wishes to exercise this right of access, he or she may at any time contact a member of staff of the controller.

c) Right of rectification
Any person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation maker, to request the rectification without delay of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, the person concerned shall have the right, having regard to the purposes of the processing, to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including by means of a supplementary statement.

If a person concerned wishes to exercise this right of rectification, he or she may at any time contact an employee of the controller.

d) Right for deletion
All persons concerned by the processing of personal data have the right, granted by the European directive and regulation, to require the controller to erase without delay personal data concerning them, if one of the following reasons applies and if the processing is not necessary:

Personal data has been collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which they are no longer necessary.

The data subject withdraws his consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6 (1) a GDPR or Art. 9 (2) a GDPR and there is no other legal basis for the processing.

The personal data has been processed unlawfully.

The deletion of the personal data is necessary to fulfil a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.

The personal data were collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Art. 8 (1) GDPR.

If one of the above-mentioned reasons applies, personal data will be deleted by MACH AG. 

If the personal data has been made public by MACH AG and if MACH AG is obliged to delete the personal data in accordance with Art. 17 (1) GDPR, MACH AG will take appropriate measures, also of a technical nature, taking into account the available technology and the implementation costs, to inform other persons responsible for data processing who process the published personal data that the person concerned has requested the deletion of all links to this personal data or copies or replications of this personal data from these other persons responsible for data processing, if the processing is not necessary. The employee of MACH AG will take the necessary steps in individual cases.

e) Right to limitation of processing
Any person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation, to request the controller to limit the processing if one of the following conditions is met:

• The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject for a period of time which allows the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
• The processing is unlawful and the person concerned refuses to erase the personal data and instead requests that the use of the personal data be restricted.
• The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject needs them for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal rights.
• The data subject has lodged an objection to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate reasons of the data controller predominate over those of the person concerned.

If one of the above conditions is met and a person concerned wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored at MACH AG, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller at any time. The employee of MACH AG will initiate the restriction of the processing.

f) Right to data transferability
Every person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation, to obtain personal data concerning him or her, provided by the person concerned to a controller, in a structured, common and machine-readable format. In addition, it has the right to communicate these data to another controller without being hindered by the controller to whom the personal data have been provided, provided that the processing is based on the consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) a GDPR or Art. 9 (2) a GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 (1) b GDPR and the processing is carried out by automated methods, provided that the processing is not necessary for the fulfilment of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority entrusted to the controller.

Furthermore, when exercising his right to data transferability pursuant to Art. 20 (1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to obtain that the personal data be transferred directly from one data controller to another data controller to the extent that this is technically feasible and provided that the rights and freedoms of other persons are not affected thereby.

In order to assert the right to data transferability, the person concerned can contact an employee of MACH AG at any time.

g) Right of objection
Any person data subject to the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation maker, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning him on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the DS Block Exemption Regulation on grounds relating to his particular situation. This applies also to profiling based on these provisions.

MACH AG will no longer process the personal data in the event of objection unless we can prove compelling grounds for processing worthy of protection which predominate the interests, rights and freedoms of the person concerned, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.

If MACH AG processes personal data in order to conduct direct advertising, the person concerned has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data for the purpose of such advertising. This also applies to profiling as far as it is connected with such direct advertising. If the person concerned objects to MACH AG processing the data for direct advertising purposes, MACH AG will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the person concerned has the right to object to the processing of personal data relating to him/her by MACH AG for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 (1) GDPR for reasons arising from his/her particular situation, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest.

In order to exercise the right to object, the person concerned may contact any employee of MACH AG or another employee directly. The person concerned is also free to exercise his right of objection in connection with the use of Directive 2002/58/EC, in which technical specifications can be used.

h) Automated case-by-case decisions including profiling
Any person concernedhas the right, granted by the European directive and regulation, not to be subjected to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which has legal effects on him or her or significantly affects him or her in a similar way, provided that the decision (1) is not necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the person concerned and the data controller, or (2) is admissible under Union or national law or rules of the Member States to which the data controller is subject and which provide for adequate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms and the legitimate interests of the person concerned, or (3) is taken with the express consent of the person concerned.

If the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the person concerned and the data controller or (2) it is taken with the express consent of the data controller, MACH AG will take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data controller, including at least the right to have the data controller intervene, to present his or her point of view and to challenge the decision.

If the person concerned wishes to assert rights relating to automated decisions, he or she may at any time contact an employee of the controller for this purpose.

i) Right to revoke consent under data protection law
Any person concerned by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European directive and regulation maker, to revoke consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

If the person concerned wishes to exercise his or her right to withdraw consent, he or she may do so at any time by contacting an employee of the controller.

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, any person concerned shall have the right to complain to a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State in which he or she is staying, at his or her place of work or at the place where the breach is alleged, if he or she considers that the processing of his or her personal data is contrary to the requirements of GDPR. 

For MACH AG, the responsible supervisory authority is the Independent Centre for Data Protection Schleswig-Holstein: https://www.datenschutzzentrum.de/

12. Data protection for applications and in the application procedure

The data controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of processing the application procedure. Processing may also be carried out electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits the relevant application documents electronically, for example by e-mail or via a web form on the website, to the data controller. If the data controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the data transmitted will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with the statutory provisions. If the controller does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted no later than six months after notification of the rejection decision, unless deletion conflicts with any other legitimate interests of the controller.

13. Google Analytics

Our website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. Provider of the web analytics service is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google Analytics uses "cookies".  These are small text files that your web browser stores on your device and allow analysis of website usage. Information generated by cookies about your use of our website is transmitted to a Google server and stored there. The server location is usually in in the SA.

Google Analytics cookies are set on the basis of Art. 6 (1) f GDPR. As the operator of this website, we have a legitimate interest in analysing user behaviour in order to optimise our website and, if necessary, advertising.
We use Google Analytics in conjunction with the IP anonymisation function. It ensures that Google shortens your IP address within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area before transmission to the USA. There may be exceptions in which Google transfers the full IP address to a server in the USA and shortens it there. On our behalf, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to create reports on website activity and to provide us with other services relating to website activity and internet usage. The IP address transmitted by Google Analytics is not merged with other Google data.

The setting of cookies by your web browser can be prevented. However, some functions of our website may be restricted as a result. You can also prevent the collection of data relating to your use of the website, including your IP address and subsequent processing by Google. This is possible by downloading and installing the browser plugin accessible via the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de

Details on the handling of user data by Google Analytics can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de

We have concluded a contract with Google for order processing in order to fully comply with the statutory data protection requirements.

Our website uses the function "demographic features" of Google Analytics. It can be used to create reports that contain statements about the age, gender and interests of website visitors. This data comes from interest-related advertising by Google and visitor data from third parties. It is not possible to assign the data to a specific person. You can deactivate this function at any time. This is possible via the ad settings in your Google Account or by generally prohibiting the collection of your data by Google Analytics, as explained under "Objection to data collection".

Alternatively, you can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by setting an opt-out cookie by clicking <a href="javascript:gaOptout()">hier</a>. If you should delete the cookies in your browser, you must click this link again afterwards.

You can find Google's privacy policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy/partners?hl=de

13.1 Google Maps

For the integration and display of map content, our website uses the Google Maps map service. The provider of this service is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

When you visit a page with an integrated map from Google Maps, your IP address is recorded. This information is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. Google will know your IP address even if you are not logged into a user account. If you are logged into your user account, Google can assign your surfing behaviour directly to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out beforehand. The provider of this page has no influence on this data transfer.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offers and an easy retrievability of the places indicated by us on the website. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) f GDPR.

Details on the handling of user data can be found in Google's data protection declaration: https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/

14. Social plugins

This website has integrated social media / social sharing functions. MACH AG itself does not collect any personal data by means of the social plugins or via their use. In order to prevent data from being transmitted to service providers in the USA without your knowledge, MACH AG uses the Shariff script. This solution ensures that no personal data is initially passed on to the providers of the individual social plugins when you visit this website. Only when you click on one of the social plugins can data be transferred to the service provider and stored there.

More information about the Shariff solution can be found on the pages of the provider, Heise Medien GmbH & Co. KG: http://m.heise.de/ct/artikel/Shariff-Social-Media-Buttons-mit-Datenschutz-2467514.html

In order to present our company in the best possible way and to communicate with you as a user, customer or interested party and to inform you about the services we offer, we make use of our presence on social networks.

You will find us on the following platforms and social networks:

• XING
• Youtube
• Twitter
• instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

When social networks are used, data is processed outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). An equivalent level of data protection to that existing in the EU cannot be guaranteed in all countries outside the EU.

In this context, it can lead to risks for you as a user if the transferred data is processed in so-called third countries with an inadequate level of data protection. This makes it more difficult to enforce known user rights. In addition, your data may not be processed in your interest by the provider in the third country.

If providers from the USA have certified themselves under the Privacy Shield Agreement - an agreement on data protection between the USA and the EU - these providers are obliged to comply with the data protection standards of the EU.

The processing purposes pursued by the social networks generally differ from ours. For example, data collected from you in social networks is usually processed for the purposes of market research, advertising and creating user profiles for personalised advertising (e.g. Facebook, Google, Instagram, etc.).

In order to achieve this, cookies are used which record user behaviour and enable the user to create a profile. In the case of Facebook, a user profile is also created for persons who do not have a registered account on Facebook.

A concrete list of the processing purposes of the user data can be found in the data protection notices of the respective providers. By making the appropriate settings in your user account, you can, at least to a certain extent, restrict the creation of your profile. For the exact procedure, please read the corresponding data protection information of the respective provider.

15. Legal basis for the processing

Art. 6 I lit. a GDPR serves our company as a legal basis for processing operations in which we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations that are necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or consideration, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. b GDPR. The same shall apply to such processing operations which are necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of inquiries regarding our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation which makes the processing of personal data necessary, for example to fulfil tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 I lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may become necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the person concerned or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor to our business were injured and his name, age, health insurance information or other vital information would have to be disclosed to a doctor, hospital or other third party. Then the processing would be based on Art. 6 I lit. d GDPR. Ultimately, processing operations could be based on Art. 6 I lit. f GDPR. Processing operations that are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases are based on this legal basis if the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms of the data subject do not predominate. Such processing operations are permitted to us in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, it took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the data controller (recital 47 sentence 2 GDPR).

16. Legitimate interests in the processing pursued by the controller or by a third party

If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6 I f GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business for the benefit of all our employees and shareholders.

17. Duration for which personal data will be stored

The term for the storage of personal data is the respective legal retention period. After this period has expired, the corresponding data will be routinely deleted unless they are no longer required for the fulfilment or initiation of the contract.

18. Legal or contractual rules governing the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of not providing the data

We will inform you that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). Sometimes it may be necessary for a contract to be concluded that a person concerned makes personal data available to us which must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the person concerned is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with him or her. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract could not be concluded with the data subject. The person concerned must contact one of our employees before personal data is provided by the person concerned. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of a contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and the consequences of not providing the personal data.

19. Automated decisions

We are a responsible company and do not use automatic decision making or profiling.