Privacy Policy

Introduction

With the following Privacy Policy, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “Data”) that we process, the purposes for which we do so, and the scope of such processing. This Privacy Policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in connection with the provision of our services and, in particular, on our websites, mobile platforms, and external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Online Offering”). Our services are subject to Swiss data protection law as well as any applicable foreign data protection laws, such as those of the European Union (EU) under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The EU recognizes that Swiss data protection law ensures an adequate level of data protection.

The terms used are not gender-specific.

As of April 5, 2023

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Person in Charge
  • Contact the Data Protection Officer
  • Overview of Processing Steps
  • Relevant Legal Bases
  • Safety Measures
  • Transfer and Disclosure of Personal Data
  • Data Processing in Third Countries
  • Use of Cookies
  • Commercial and Business Services
  • Payment service provider
  • Provision of the Online Service and Web Hosting
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters and Electronic Notifications
  • Web Analytics, Monitoring, and Optimization
  • Online Marketing
  • Customer Reviews and Rating Processes
  • Social Media Presence
  • Plugins, Embedded Functions, and Content
  • Deletion of Data
  • Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy
  • Rights of Data Subjects
  • Definitions of Terms

DataController:
foxstudy GmbH

Hausacherstrasse 27,
, 8122 Binz,
, Switzerland

Email: info@foxstudy.ch

Phone: +41 (0)78 601 7270

Authorized Representatives:
PD Dr. Rob Labruyère, Managing Director
Jan Lieber, Managing Director
Petra Marsico, Managing Director

Legal Notice:https://rob-dev.wisdmlabs.net/impressum

Data Protection Officer

PD Dr. Rob Labruyère
Hausacherstrasse 27
8122 Binz, Switzerland
info@foxstudy.ch

Overview of Processing Steps

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of such processing, and identifies the data subjects.

Types of Data Processed

  • Master data (e.g., names, addresses).
  • Content data (e.g., entries in online forms).
  • Contact information (e.g., email, phone numbers).
  • Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, times of access).
  • Location data (information about the geographic location of a device or a person).
  • Contract details (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
  • Payment information (e.g., bank account information, invoices, payment history).

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Business and contractual partners.
  • Prospective buyers.
  • Communication partner.
  • Customers.
  • Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

Purposes of Processing

  • Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
  • Evaluation of the Visitor Outreach Campaign.
  • Office and Organizational Procedures.
  • Cross-Device Tracking (cross-device processing of user data for marketing purposes).
  • Direct marketing (e.g., by email or mail).
  • Interest-based and behavioral marketing.
  • Contact Requests and Communication.
  • Conversion tracking (measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts).
  • Profiling (creating user profiles).
  • Remarketing.
  • Audience measurement (e.g., traffic statistics, identification of returning visitors).
  • Safety measures.
  • Tracking (e.g., interest-based or behavioral profiling, use of cookies).
  • Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Target audience identification (identifying target audiences relevant for marketing purposes or other content distribution).

Relevant Legal Bases

We process personal data in accordance with Swiss data protection law, in particular the Data Protection Act (DSG, https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1993/1945_1945_1945/de).

We process personal data—to the extent that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies—in accordance with the following legal bases:

  • Consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR)– The data subject has given consent to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for a specific purpose or for several specific purposes.
  • Performance of a Contract and Precontractual Inquiries (Art. 6(1), Sentence 1, Subparagraph b of the GDPR)– Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of precontractual measures taken at the data subject’s request.
  • Legal obligation (Art. 6(1), sentence 1, subparagraph (c) of the GDPR)– Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
  • Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR)– Processing is necessary to safeguard the legitimate interests of the controller or a third party, unless the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject that require the protection of personal data take precedence.

In addition to the data protection provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection Against the Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act—BDSG). The BDSG contains, in particular, specific provisions regarding the right of access, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, data transfers, and automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. Furthermore, it governs data processing for the purposes of the employment relationship (Section 26 BDSG), particularly with regard to the establishment, performance, or termination of employment relationships, as well as the consent of employees. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Safety Measures

In accordance with legal requirements, and taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation, and the nature, scope, context, and purposes of the processing, as well as the varying likelihoods and severity of threats to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

These measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as access to, input of, and disclosure of the data, ensuring its availability, and maintaining its separation. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects’ rights, the erasure of data, and responses to data breaches. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account from the very beginning of the development and selection of hardware, software, and procedures, in accordance with the principle of data protection through technical design and privacy-friendly default settings.

SSL Encryption (https): To protect the data you submit through our online services, we use SSL encryption. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in your browser's address bar.

 

Transfer and Disclosure of Personal Data

As part of our processing of personal data, the data may be transferred to or disclosed to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units, or individuals. Recipients of this data may include, for example, payment institutions in connection with payment transactions, service providers contracted to perform IT tasks, or providers of services and content integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with legal requirements and, in particular, enter into appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data to ensure the protection of your data.

Data Processing in Third Countries

If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or if processing takes place in connection with the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other individuals, entities, or companies, this is done only in accordance with legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or a transfer required by contract or law, we process data—or have it processed—only in third countries with a recognized level of data protection, contractual obligations through the European Commission’s so-called standard data protection clauses, where certifications are in place, or where binding internal data protection policies are in effect (Articles 44–49 of the GDPR; European Commission information page:https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de).

Deletion of Data

The data we process is deleted in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the consent authorizing its processing is revoked or other legal grounds for processing no longer apply (e.g., if the purpose of processing this data no longer exists or the data is no longer necessary for that purpose). If the data is not deleted because it is required for other legally permissible purposes, its processing is limited to those purposes. This means that the data will be blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons, or whose storage is necessary to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person. Our privacy policy may also contain further information regarding the retention and deletion of data, which takes precedence for the respective processing activities.

 

Use of Cookies

Cookies are small text files or other storage mechanisms that store information on end devices and retrieve information from them. For example, they are used to store a user’s login status in an account, the contents of a shopping cart in an online store, the content accessed, or the features used on a website. Cookies may also be used for various other purposes, such as ensuring the functionality, security, and user-friendliness of websites, as well as analyzing visitor traffic.

We distinguish between the following types and functions of cookies:

  • Temporary cookies (also known as session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves a website and closes their browser.
  • Persistent cookies:Persistent cookies remain stored even after the browser is closed. For example, this allows a user’s login status to be saved or preferred content to be displayed immediately when the user visits a website again. Similarly, users’ interests—which are used for audience measurement or marketing purposes—can be stored in such a cookie.
  • First-party cookies:First-party cookies are set by us.
  • Third-party cookies(also known as third-party cookies): Third-party cookies are primarily used by advertisers (so-called third parties) to process user information.
  • Necessary (also: essential or absolutely required) cookies:Cookies may be absolutely necessary for the operation of a website (e.g., to store logins or other user input, or for security reasons).
  • Statistics, Marketing, and Personalization Cookies:Cookies are also generally used for audience measurement and when a user’s interests or behavior (e.g., viewing certain content, using certain features, etc.) on individual web pages are stored in a user profile. Such profiles are used, for example, to display content to users that corresponds to their potential interests. This process is also referred to as “tracking,” i.e., tracking users’ potential interests. To the extent that we use cookies or “tracking” technologies, we will inform you separately in our Privacy Policy or when obtaining your consent.

Information on Legal Bases:The legal basis on which we process your personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask for your consent. If this is the case and you consent to the use of cookies, the legal basis for processing your data is your explicit consent. Otherwise, the data processed using cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g., in the business operation of our online service and its improvement) or, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.

Retention period:Unless we provide you with specific information regarding the retention period of persistent cookies (e.g., as part of a so-called cookie opt-in), please assume that the retention period may be up to two years.

General Information on Withdrawal of Consent and Objection (Opt-Out):Dependingon whether the processing is based on consent or legal authorization, you have the option at any time to withdraw your consent or to object to the processing of your data through cookie technologies (collectively referred to as “opt-out”). You can initially exercise your right to object through your browser settings, for example, by disabling cookies (although this may also limit the functionality of our website). You can also object to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes through a variety of services—particularly in the case of tracking—via the websiteshttps://optout.aboutads.infoandhttps://www.youronlinechoices.com/. In addition, you can find further information on how to object in the details provided about the service providers and cookies used.

Processing of Cookie Data Based on Consent:Before we process data or have data processed in connection with the use of cookies, we ask users for their consent, which may be revoked at any time. Until consent is given, we will use only those cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of our online service.

  • Types of Data Processed:Usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal Basis:Consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Cookie Settings/Opt-Out Option:

[borlabs-cookie type="btn-cookie-preference" title="Cookie Settings"/]

 

Commercial and Business Services

We process data from our contractual and business partners, such as customers and prospective customers (collectively referred to as “contractual partners”), in connection with contractual and similar legal relationships, as well as related activities, and in the course of communicating with contractual partners (or on a pre-contractual basis), for example, to respond to inquiries.

We process this data to fulfill our contractual obligations, to safeguard our rights, and for the purposes of administrative tasks associated with this information as well as for business organization. We disclose the data of our contractual partners to third parties within the framework of applicable law only to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations, or with the consent of the individuals concerned (e.g., to involved telecommunications, transportation, and other support services, as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers, or tax authorities). Contracting parties are informed about other forms of data processing—such as for marketing purposes—in this Privacy Policy.

We inform our contractual partners of which data is required for the aforementioned purposes either before or during the data collection process—for example, in online forms, through special markings (e.g., colors) or symbols (e.g., asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the statutory warranty period and comparable obligations have expired, i.e., generally after 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account—for example, as long as it must be retained for legal archiving purposes (e.g., for tax purposes, typically 10 years). We delete data disclosed to us by the contracting party as part of an engagement in accordance with the terms of the engagement, generally upon completion of the engagement.

To the extent that we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective third-party providers or platforms apply to the relationship between users and those providers.

Customer Account: Contracting parties may create an account within our online platform (e.g., a customer or user account, hereinafter “customer account”). If registration of a customer account is required, contracting parties will be notified of this requirement as well as of the information needed for registration. Customer accounts are not public and cannot be indexed by search engines. As part of the registration process, as well as subsequent logins and use of the customer account, we store customers’ IP addresses along with the times of access in order to verify registration and prevent any misuse of the customer account.

If customers have closed their accounts, the data associated with those accounts will be deleted, unless retention is required by law. It is the customers’ responsibility to back up their data once their accounts have been closed.

Economic Analyses and Market Research: For business reasons and to identify market trends as well as the preferences of contractual partners and users, we analyze the data available to us regarding business transactions, contracts, inquiries, etc., whereby the group of data subjects may include contractual partners, prospective customers, customers, visitors, and users of our online services.

The analyses are conducted for the purposes of business evaluations, marketing, and market research (e.g., to identify customer groups with different characteristics). In doing so, we may take into account—where available—the profiles of registered users, including their information, such as details regarding the services they have used. The analyses are used solely by us and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses based on aggregated—that is, anonymized—data. Furthermore, we respect users’ privacy and process the data for analytical purposes in a pseudonymous manner whenever possible and, where feasible, anonymously (e.g., as aggregated data).

Shop and E-Commerce: We process our customers’ data to enable them to select, purchase, or order the products, goods, and related services of their choice, as well as to facilitate payment and delivery or fulfillment. To the extent necessary for the fulfillment of an order, we engage service providers—in particular, postal, freight, and shipping companies—to carry out delivery or fulfillment on behalf of our customers. We use the services of banks and payment service providers to process payments. The required information is clearly identified as such during the ordering process or similar purchase transaction and includes the details necessary for delivery, provision of goods, and billing, as well as contact information to facilitate any necessary communication.

  • Types of data processed: Master data (e.g., names, addresses), payment data (e.g., bank account information, invoices, payment history), contact data (e.g., email, phone numbers), contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category), usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data Subjects:Prospective customers, business partners, and contractual partners, as well as customers.
  • Purposes of processing:Provision of contractual services and customer service; contact requests and communication; office and organizational procedures; management and response to inquiries; security measures; analysis of visitor activity; interest-based and behavioral marketing; profiling (creation of user profiles).
  • Legal Basis:Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, lit. b of the GDPR), Legal obligation (Art. 6(1), first sentence, lit. c of the GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, lit. f of the GDPR).

 

Payment service provider

In the context of contractual and other legal relationships, in accordance with legal obligations, or otherwise based on our legitimate interests, we offer data subjects efficient and secure payment options and, for this purpose, engage not only banks and credit institutions but also other payment service providers (collectively, “payment service providers”).

The data processed by payment service providers includes personal information, such as name and address; banking information, such as account numbers or credit card numbers; passwords, TANs, and checksums; as well as details related to the contract, transaction amounts, and recipients. This information is required to process the transactions. However, the data entered is processed and stored solely 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. In some cases, the payment service providers may transmit the data to credit bureaus. The purpose of this transmission is to verify identity and creditworthiness. For more information, please refer to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the payment service providers.

Payment transactions are subject to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective payment service providers, which are available on their respective websites or within their transaction applications. We also refer you to these documents for further information and to exercise your rights of withdrawal, access, and other data subject rights.

  • Types of data processed:Master data (e.g., names, addresses), payment data (e.g., bank account information, invoices, payment history), contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category), usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected individuals:Customers, prospective customers.
  • Purposes of processing:Provision of contractual services and customer service.
  • Legal Basis:Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (b) of the GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Services Used and Service Providers:

  • PayPal
    We offer the option to process payments through the payment service provider PayPal (PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg,https://www.paypal.com/de). This is in line with our legitimate interest in offering an efficient and secure payment method (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). In this context, we share the following data with PayPal to the extent necessary for the performance of the contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).

First Name
, Last Name
, Address
, Email Address
, Phone Number

The processing of the data specified in this section is not required by law or by contract. Without the transmission of your personal data, we cannot process a payment via PayPal. However, you have the option of choosing a different payment method.

PayPal conducts a credit check for various services, such as direct debit payments, to ensure your willingness and ability to pay. This is in accordance with PayPal’s legitimate interest (pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) and serves to fulfill the contract (pursuant to Art. 6(1)(b) of the GDPR). To this end, your data (name, address, date of birth, and bank account details) is shared with credit bureaus. We have no influence over this process and only receive the result indicating whether the payment was processed, declined, or is pending review.

For more information on how to file a dispute or request a refund with PayPal, visit:https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full

Your data will be stored until the payment process is complete. This includes the time required to process refunds, manage accounts receivable, and prevent fraud.

  • Stripe
    We offer the option to process payments through the payment service provider Stripe, Legal Process, 510 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94103 (Stripe),https://stripe.com. Address: Stripe Payments Europe Limited, 1 Grand Canal Street Lower, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin, D02 H210, Ireland, Attention: Stripe Legal. This is in accordance with our legitimate interest in offering an efficient and secure payment method (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). In this context, we share the following data with Stripe to the extent necessary for the performance of the contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).

Cardholder's Name
Email Address
Customer Number
Order Number
Bank Information
Credit Card Information
Credit Card Expiration Date
Credit Card Security Code (CVC)
Transaction Date and Time
Transaction Amount
Merchant Name
City

The processing of the data specified in this section is not required by law or by contract. Without the transmission of your personal data, we cannot process a payment via Stripe. However, you have the option to choose a different payment method.

Stripe plays a dual role as both a data controller and a data processor in its data processing activities. As a data controller, Stripe uses the data you provide to fulfill regulatory obligations. This is based on Stripe’s legitimate interest (pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) and is necessary for the performance of a contract (pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR). We have no influence over this process.

Stripe acts as a data processor to facilitate transactions within the payment networks. Under the data processing agreement, Stripe acts solely in accordance with our instructions and is contractually obligated, pursuant to Article 28 of the GDPR, to comply with data protection regulations.

Stripe has implemented compliance measures for international data transfers. These measures apply to all global activities in which Stripe processes personal data of individuals in the EU. These measures are based on the EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).

For more information on your options to object to or have your data deleted by Stripe, please visit:https://stripe.com/de-ch/legal/privacy-center

We will store your data until the payment process is complete. This includes the time required to process refunds, manage accounts receivable, and prevent fraud.

Provision of the Online Service and Web Hosting

In order to provide our online services securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers, from whose servers (or servers managed by them) the online services can be accessed. For these purposes, we may utilize infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space, and database services, as well as security and technical maintenance services.

The data processed in connection with the provision of our hosting service may include any information relating to users of our online services that is generated during their use of and communication with the service. This typically includes the IP address, which is necessary to deliver the content of our online services to browsers, and any data entered within our online services or on websites.

Email Transmission and Hosting: The web hosting services we use also include the transmission, receipt, and storage of emails. For these purposes, we process the addresses of recipients and senders, as well as other information related to email transmission (e.g., the providers involved) and the content of the respective emails. The aforementioned data may also be processed for the purpose of detecting spam. Please note that emails are generally not sent in encrypted form over the Internet. As a rule, emails are encrypted during transmission but (unless a so-called end-to-end encryption method is used) not on the servers from which they are sent and received. We therefore cannot assume any responsibility for the transmission of emails between the sender and our server.

Collection of Access Data and Log Files: We (or our web hosting provider) collect data regarding every access to the server (so-called server log files). Server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, a notification of successful access, the browser type and version, the user’s operating system, the referrer URL (the previously visited page), and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.

Server log files can be used, on the one hand, for security purposes—for example, to prevent server overload (particularly in the case of malicious attacks, known as DDoS attacks)—and, on the other hand, to ensure server performance and stability.

  • Types of data processed:Content data (e.g., entries in online forms), usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal Basis:Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Registration, Sign-In, and User Account

Users can create a user account. During the registration process, users are informed of the required information, which is processed for the purpose of providing the user account based on the fulfillment of contractual obligations. The data processed includes, in particular, login information (username, password, and email address).

When you use our registration and login features, as well as your user account, we store your IP address and the time of each user action. This data is stored based on our legitimate interests, as well as those of our users, in protecting against misuse and other unauthorized use. We do not disclose this data to third parties under any circumstances, unless it is necessary to pursue our claims or we are legally obligated to do so.

Users may be notified via email about events relevant to their user accounts, such as technical changes.

  • Types of data processed:Personal information (e.g., names, addresses); contact information (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Providing contractual services and customer service; security measures; managing and responding to inquiries; providing our online services and ensuring user-friendliness
  • Legal basis:Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (b) of the GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Additional information on processing procedures, methods, and services:

  • Registration Using Real Names:Due to the nature of our community, we ask users to use our service only by providing their real names. This means that the use of pseudonyms is not permitted; Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), sentence 1, lit. b) of the GDPR).
  • Deletion of Data Following Account Closure:Once users have closed their user accounts, their data related to those accounts will be deleted, subject to any legal authorization, obligation, or the users’ consent;Legal basis:Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), sentence 1, subparagraph (b) of the GDPR).
  • No obligation to retain data:It is the users’ responsibility to back up their data upon termination of the contract before its expiration. We are entitled to irrevocably delete all user data stored during the term of the contract; Legal basis: Performance of the contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), sentence 1, subparagraph b) of the GDPR).

 

Contact Us

When you contact us (e.g., via the contact form, email, phone, or social media), we process the information provided by the person making the inquiry to the extent necessary to respond to the inquiry and carry out any requested actions.

We respond to contact requests made in the context of contractual or precontractual relationships to fulfill our contractual obligations or to respond to (pre)contractual inquiries, and in all other cases based on our legitimate interests in responding to such inquiries.

  • Types of Data Processed: Personal information (e.g., names, addresses), contact information (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers), content data (e.g., entries in online forms), usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Affected individuals:Communication contacts, prospective customers.
  • Purposes of processing:Contact requests and communication; managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Legal Basis:Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (b) of the GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Services Used and Service Providers:

  • Contact Form:Whenusers contact us via our contact form, email, or other communication channels, we process the data provided to us in this context to address the inquiry. For this purpose, we process personal data within the framework of pre-contractual and contractual business relationships to the extent necessary for their fulfillment, and otherwise based on our legitimate interests, the interests of the communication partners in having their inquiries addressed, and our statutory retention obligations; Legal bases: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, lit. b) of the GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, lit. f) of the GDPR).

 

Newsletters and Electronic Notifications

We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter “newsletters”) only with the recipients’ consent or when permitted by law. Our newsletters contain information about our services and our company.

To subscribe to our newsletter, all you need to do is provide your email address. However, we may ask you to provide a name—so we can address you personally in the newsletter—or additional information, if it is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double-Opt-In Process:Signing up for our newsletter generally follows a so-called double-opt-in process. This means that after you sign up, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. This confirmation is necessary to ensure that no one can sign up using someone else’s email address. Newsletter subscriptions are logged to provide proof of the subscription process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes recording the time of subscription and confirmation, as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored with the email service provider are also logged.

Deletion and Restriction of Processing:Wemay store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them, in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of potentially defending against claims. An individual request for deletion may be submitted at any time, provided that the prior existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the event of obligations to permanently honor objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called “blacklist”) solely for this purpose.

We log the registration process based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of verifying that it was carried out properly. To the extent that we engage a service provider to send emails, we do so based on our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure email delivery system.

Notes on Legal Bases:Newsletters are sent based on the recipients’ consent or, if consent is not required, based on our legitimate interests in direct marketing, provided and to the extent that this is permitted by law, e.g., in the case of marketing to existing customers. To the extent that we engage a service provider to send emails, this is done based on our legitimate interests. The registration process is recorded on the basis of our legitimate interests in order to demonstrate that it was carried out in accordance with the law.

Contents:Information about us, our services, promotions, and special offers.

Analysis and Performance Measurement: The newsletters contain a so-called “web beacon”—that is, a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server, or from the server of our email service provider if we use one, when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information—such as details about your browser and system—as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval are collected.

This information is used to improve our newsletter technically by analyzing technical data or target groups and their reading behavior based on their location (which can be determined using their IP address) or access times. This analysis also includes determining whether newsletters are opened, when they are opened, and which links are clicked. For technical reasons, this information can be traced back to individual newsletter recipients. However, it is neither our intention nor—if used—that of the mailing service provider to monitor individual users. Rather, the analyses help us identify our users’ reading habits and tailor our content to them, or send different content based on our users’ interests.

Subject to the users’ express consent, the analysis of the newsletter and the measurement of its effectiveness are based on our legitimate interests for the purpose of using a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that both serves our business interests and meets users’ expectations.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to opt out of performance tracking separately; in this case, you must cancel your entire newsletter subscription or opt out of it.

  • Types of data processed:Master data (e.g., names, addresses), contact information (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers), metadata/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses), usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times).
  • Affected individuals:Communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing:Direct marketing (e.g., via email or mail).
  • Legal Basis:Consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).
  • Right to Opt Out:You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time, i.e., revoke your consent or opt out of receiving further issues. You’ll find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter at the bottom of each issue, or you can use one of the contact options listed above—preferably email—to do so.

Services Used and Service Providers:

 

Web Analytics, Monitoring, and Optimization

Web analytics (also referred to as “audience measurement”) is used to analyze visitor traffic to our online platform and may include pseudonymized data on visitor behavior, interests, or demographic information, such as age or gender. With the help of audience measurement, we can, for example, determine at what times our online platform, its features, or its content are used most frequently, or encourage visitors to return. We can also identify which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analytics, we can also use testing methods to, for example, test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles may be created and stored in a file (known as a “cookie”), or similar methods with the same purpose may be used. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited and elements used on those sites, as well as technical details such as the browser and computer system used, and information regarding usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this data may also be processed, depending on the provider.

We also collect users' IP addresses. However, we use an IP masking method (i.e., pseudonymization by truncating the IP address) to protect users. In general, no personally identifiable user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analytics, A/B testing, and optimization; instead, pseudonyms are used. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.

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

  • Types of Data Processed:Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interests in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Audience measurement (e.g., traffic statistics, identification of returning visitors), tracking (e.g., interest-based or behavioral profiling, use of cookies), analysis of visitor activity, profiling (creation of user profiles).
  • Security measures:IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal Basis:Consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Services Used and Service Providers:

 

Online Marketing

We process personal data for online marketing purposes, which may include, in particular, the marketing of advertising space or the display of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as “Content”) based on users’ potential interests, as well as the measurement of their effectiveness.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (known as a “cookie”), or similar methods are used to store user information relevant to the display of the aforementioned content. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, as well as communication partners and technical details such as the browser and computer system used, and information regarding usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this data may also be processed.

We also collect users' IP addresses. However, we use available IP masking methods (i.e., pseudonymization by truncating the IP address) to protect users. In general, no plaintext user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of online marketing processes; instead, pseudonyms are used. This means that neither we nor the providers of online marketing services know the users’ actual identities, but only the information stored in their profiles.

The information contained in the profiles is generally stored in cookies or using similar methods. These cookies can generally be read later on other websites that use the same online marketing method; they can be analyzed for the purpose of displaying content, supplemented with additional data, and stored on the server of the online marketing provider.

In exceptional cases, clear data may be associated with profiles. This is the case, for example, when users are members of a social network whose online marketing methods we use, and the network links users’ profiles to the aforementioned information. Please note that users may enter into additional agreements with the providers, such as by giving consent during registration.

As a general rule, we only have access to aggregated information about the performance of our advertisements. However, through what is known as conversion tracking, we can determine which of our online marketing methods have led to a so-called conversion—that is, for example, the signing of a contract with us. Conversion tracking is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing efforts.

Unless otherwise specified, please assume that the cookies we use will be stored for a period of two years.

Notes on Legal Bases:If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., our interest in providing efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to direct your attention to the information regarding the use of cookies in this Privacy Policy.

  • Types of Data Processed:Usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses), location data (information regarding the geographic location of a device or a person).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services), prospective customers.
  • Purposes of processing: Tracking (e.g., interest-based/behavioral profiling, use of cookies), remarketing, analysis of visitor engagement, interest-based and behavioral marketing, profiling (creation of user profiles), conversion tracking (measuring the effectiveness of marketing measures), reach measurement (e.g., traffic statistics, identification of returning visitors), Target group identification (determining target groups relevant for marketing purposes or other content delivery), cross-device tracking (cross-device processing of user data for marketing purposes).
  • Security measures:IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
  • Legal Basis:Consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR), Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).
  • Option to Opt Out:Please refer to the privacy policies of the respective providers and the opt-out options provided by them. If no explicit opt-out option has been provided, you have the option of disabling cookies in your browser settings. However, this may limit certain features of our website. We therefore also recommend the following opt-out options, which are provided in summary form and organized by region:
    a) Europe:https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.
    b) Canada:https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.
    c) U.S.:https://www.aboutads.info/choices.
    d) Cross-regional:https://optout.aboutads.info.

Services Used and Service Providers:

  • Google Ad Manager:Weuse the “Google Marketing Platform” (and services such as “Google Ad Manager”) to place ads on the Google Display Network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.). The Google Marketing Platform is characterized by the fact that ads are displayed in real time based on users’ presumed interests. This allows us to display ads for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner, so that users are shown only ads that potentially match their interests. For example, if a user is shown ads for products they have expressed interest in on other websites, this is referred to as “remarketing”; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed:https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on the services, data processing terms between data controllers, and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries:https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms; where Google acts as a data processor, data processing terms for Google advertising products and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries:https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms.
  • Google Ads and Conversion Tracking:Weuse the online marketing service “Google Ads” to place ads on the Google Display Network (e.g., in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are shown to users who are likely to be interested in the ads (known as “conversion”). We also measure the conversion rate of the ads. However, we only receive the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page tagged with a so-called “conversion tracking tag.” We do not, however, receive any information that could be used to identify individual users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Further information: Types of processing and data processed:https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information on the services, data processing terms between data controllers, and standard contractual clauses for data transfers to third countries:https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
  • Google Tag Manager:Google Tag Manager is a solution that allows us to manage so-called website tags via a user interface and thereby integrate other services into our online offering. The Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags) does not process any personal data of users. With regard to the processing of users’ personal data, please refer to the following information about Google services. Service Provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Parent Company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy.
  • Google Analytics:Online marketing and web analytics; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin:https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de; Settings for displaying ads:https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

 

Customer Reviews and Rating Processes

We participate in review and rating processes to evaluate, optimize, and promote our services. When users rate us or provide feedback through the participating review platforms or processes, the providers’ Terms and Conditions or Terms of Use and Privacy Policy also apply. As a rule, submitting a review also requires registration with the respective providers.

To ensure that reviewers have actually used our services, we transmit the necessary data regarding the customer and the service used to the respective review platform (including name, email address, and order number or item number) with the customer’s consent. This data is used solely to verify the user’s authenticity.

  • Types of Data Processed:Contract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g., websites visited, content interests, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Customers; users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via an online form); marketing.
  • Legal Basis:Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Additional information on processing procedures, methods, and services:
Rating widget:

We incorporate so-called “review widgets” into our online offering. A widget is a functional and content element integrated into our online offering that displays variable information. It can be displayed, for example, in the form of a seal or similar element, sometimes also referred to as a “badge.” While the widget’s content is displayed within our online platform, it is retrieved in real time from the servers of the respective widget provider. This is the only way to ensure that the most up-to-date content—particularly the current rating—is always displayed. To do this, a data connection must be established from the webpage accessed within our online service to the widget provider’s server, and the widget provider receives certain technical data (access data, including the IP address) that is necessary to deliver the widget’s content to the user’s browser. Furthermore, the widget provider receives information indicating that users have visited our online service. This information may be stored in a cookie and used by the widget provider to identify which online services participating in the rating process have been visited by the user. The information may be stored in a user profile and used for advertising or market research purposes; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR).

 

Social Media Presence

We maintain online presences on social media platforms and, in this context, process user data in order to communicate with users active on those platforms or to provide information about us.

Please note that this may involve the processing of user data outside the European Union. This may pose risks to users, as it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce their rights.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on users’ behavior and the resulting interests. These usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to display advertisements—both within and outside the networks—that are presumed to correspond to users’ interests. For these purposes, cookies are typically stored on users’ computers, in which their usage behavior and interests are recorded. Furthermore, data may also be stored in the usage profiles regardless of the devices used by the users (particularly if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in to them).

For a detailed description of the specific processing methods and the options for opting out, please refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

We would also like to point out that requests for information and the exercise of data subject rights are most effectively addressed directly with the service providers. Only the service providers have access to users’ data and can take appropriate action and provide information directly. If you still need assistance, however, you can contact us.

  • Types of Data Processed: Personal information (e.g., names, addresses), contact information (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers), content data (e.g., entries in online forms), usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of processing:Contact requests and communication, tracking (e.g., interest-based or behavioral profiling, use of cookies), remarketing, audience measurement (e.g., traffic statistics, identification of returning visitors).
  • Legal Basis:Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR).

Services Used and Service Providers:

 

Plugins, Embedded Functions, and Content

We incorporate functional and content elements into our online offering that are sourced from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as “third-party providers”). These may include, for example, graphics, videos, social media buttons, and posts (hereinafter collectively referred to as “content”).

This integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the users’ IP addresses, since they would not be able to send the content to the users’ browsers without them. The IP address is therefore necessary for displaying this content or these functions. We strive to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the purpose of delivering the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. These “pixel tags” enable the analysis of information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. This pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may include, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, the time of the visit, and other details regarding the use of our online services; it may also be linked to such information from other sources.

Notes on Legal Bases:If we ask users for their consent to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for data processing is consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., our interest in providing efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to direct your attention to the information regarding the use of cookies in this Privacy Policy.

  • Types of data processed:Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses), location data (information about the geographic position of a device or a person), content data (e.g., entries in online forms), master data (e.g., names, addresses), contact data (e.g., email, phone numbers).
  • Data subjects:Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services), communication partners.
  • Purposes of processing:Providing our online services and ensuring user-friendliness; delivering contractual services and customer service; handling contact requests and communication; tracking (e.g., interest-based/behavioral profiling, use of cookies); interest-based and behavioral marketing; profiling (creating user profiles); security measures; and managing and responding to inquiries.
  • Legal Basis:Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (f) of the GDPR), consent (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (a) of the GDPR), performance of a contract, and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6(1), first sentence, subparagraph (b) of the GDPR).

Services Used and Service Providers:

 

Deletion of Data

The data we process will be deleted in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the consent authorizing its processing is revoked or other authorizations cease to apply (e.g., if the purpose of processing this data no longer applies or if the data is no longer necessary for that purpose).

Unless the data is not deleted because it is required for other legally permissible purposes, its processing is limited to those purposes. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for any other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons, or whose storage is necessary to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

Additional information regarding the deletion of personal data may also be provided in the individual privacy notices included in this Privacy Policy.

 

Changes and Updates to the Privacy Policy

We ask that you review the content of our Privacy Policy regularly. We will update the Privacy Policy as soon as changes to our data processing practices make it necessary to do so. We will notify you as soon as the changes require action on your part (e.g., consent) or any other individualized notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organizations in this Privacy Policy, please note that these addresses may change over time, and we ask that you verify the information before contacting them.

 

Rights of Data Subjects

As a data subject, you have various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Articles 15 through 21 of the GDPR:

  • Right to Object:You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you that is carried out pursuant to Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If your personal data is processed for the purpose of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for such marketing purposes; this also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent:You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
  • Right of Access:You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the relevant data is being processed, as well as access to that data, additional information, and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to Rectification:In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be completed or that inaccurate data concerning you be corrected.
  • Right to erasure and restriction of processing:In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be erased without delay or, alternatively, in accordance with legal requirements, to request a restriction on the processing of such data.
  • Right to Data Portability:You have the right to receive the data concerning you that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, in accordance with legal requirements, or to request that it be transmitted to another controller.
  • Complaint to a supervisory authority:You also have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority—in particular, in the Member State of your habitual residence, your workplace, or the location of the alleged infringement—if you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the GDPR.

 

Definitions of Terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this Privacy Policy. Many of these terms are taken from the law and are defined primarily in Article 4 of the GDPR. The legal definitions are binding. The explanations below, however, are intended primarily to aid understanding. The terms are listed in alphabetical order.

  • Conversion Tracking:“Conversion Tracking” refers to a method used to determine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. To do this, a cookie is typically stored on users’ devices while they are on the websites where the marketing campaigns are running, and then retrieved again on the destination website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we placed on other websites were successful.
  • Credit Report:Automated decisions are based on automatic data processing without human intervention (e.g., in the case of an automatic rejection of a purchase on account, an online loan application, or an online job application process without any human involvement). Under Article 22 of the GDPR, such automated decisions are permitted only if data subjects consent, if they are necessary for the performance of a contract, or if national laws authorize such decisions.
  • Cross-Device Tracking:Cross-device tracking is a form of tracking in which information about users’ behavior and interests is collected across devices in so-called profiles by assigning users an online identifier. This typically allows user information to be analyzed for marketing purposes, regardless of the browsers or devices used (e.g., mobile phones or desktop computers). For most providers, the online identifier is not linked to personally identifiable information, such as names, mailing addresses, or email addresses.
  • IP Masking:“IP masking” refers to a method in which the last octet—that is, the last two numbers of an IP address—is deleted so that the IP address can no longer be used to uniquely identify a person. Therefore, IP masking is a means of pseudonymizing data processing procedures, particularly in online marketing.
  • Interest-Based and Behavioral Marketing:Interest-based and/or behavioral marketing refers to the practice of determining, as accurately as possible, users’ potential interests in ads and other content. This is done based on information about their past behavior (e.g., visiting and spending time on specific websites, purchasing behavior, or interactions with other users), which is stored in what is known as a profile. Cookies are typically used for these purposes.
  • Conversion Tracking:Conversion tracking is a method used to determine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. To do this, a cookie is typically stored on users’ devices while they are on the websites where the marketing campaigns are running, and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we placed on other websites were successful.
  • Personal Data:“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as the “data subject”); a natural person is considered identifiable if they can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by association with an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g., a cookie), or one or more specific characteristics that reflect the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
  • Profiling:“Profiling” refers to any form of automated processing of personal data that involves using such personal data to analyze, evaluate, or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include information regarding age, gender, location data and movement data, interaction with websites and their content, purchasing behavior, and social interactions with other people). Cookies and web beacons are frequently used for profiling purposes.
  • Audience Measurement:Audience measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to analyze visitor traffic to an online platform and may include the behavior or interests of visitors regarding specific information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can, for example, determine at what times visitors access their website and what content interests them. This enables them, for instance, to better tailor the website’s content to the needs of their visitors. For the purposes of reach analysis, pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are frequently used to identify returning visitors and thus obtain more accurate analyses of how an online service is used.
  • Remarketing:The terms “remarketing” or “retargeting” refer to the practice of, for example, tracking which products a user has viewed on a website for advertising purposes, in order to remind the user of those products on other websites—such as through advertisements.
  • Location data:Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical capabilities for location determination) connects to a cellular cell, a Wi-Fi network, or similar technical means and location-determination functions. Location data is used to indicate the specific, geographically identifiable location on Earth where the device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map features or other location-based information.
  • Tracking:The term “tracking” refers to the ability to track users’ behavior across multiple online services. Typically, information about users’ behavior and interests in relation to the online services they use is stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of tracking technologies (a process known as “profiling”). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to match their interests.
  • Data Controller:“Data controller” means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
  • Processing:“Processing” means any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses virtually any handling of data, whether it involves collection, analysis, storage, transmission, or deletion.
  • Target Audience Creation:The term “target audience creation” (or “Custom Audiences”) refers to the process of defining target audiences for advertising purposes, such as displaying ads. For example, based on a user’s interest in certain products or topics online, it can be inferred that this user is interested in ads for similar products or the online store where they viewed those products. The term “Lookalike Audiences” (or similar target groups) is used when content deemed appropriate is displayed to users whose profiles or interests are presumed to match those of the users on whose profiles the Lookalike Audiences were based. Cookies and web beacons are typically used for the purpose of creating Custom Audiences and Lookalike Audiences.
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