Data protection declaration

Preamble

With the following data protection declaration we would like to inform you about which types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") we process for what purposes and to what extent. The data protection declaration applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as "online offer").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

As of: February 25, 2025

Table of contents

• Preamble
• Person responsible
• Overview of processing
• Relevant legal bases
• Security measures
• Transfer of personal data
• International data transfers
• General information on data storage and deletion
• Rights of the data subjects
• Business services
• Payment methods
• Provision of the online offer and web hosting
• Use of cookies
• Advertising communication via email, post, fax or telephone
• Web analysis, monitoring and optimization
• Online marketing
• Presences in social networks (social media)
• Changes and updates

Person responsible

Sara Giese
Wedeler Landstr. 41
22559 Hamburg

E-mail address: support@card-mates.com

Imprint

Overview of processing

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

Types of data processed

• Inventory data.
• Payment data.
• Contact data.
• Content data.
• Contract data.
• Usage data.
• Meta, communication and process data.
• Protocol data.

Categories of data subjects

• Service recipients and clients.
• Interested parties.
• Communication partners.
• Users.
• Business and contractual partners.

Purposes of processing

• Provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations.
• Communication.
• Security measures.
• Direct marketing.
• Reach measurement.
• Tracking.
• Office and organizational procedures.
• Conversion measurement.
• Target group formation.
• Organizational and administrative procedures.
• Feedback.
• Marketing.
• Profiles with user-related information.
• Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
• Information technology infrastructure.
• Public relations.
• Sales promotion.
• Business processes and business management procedures.

Relevant legal bases

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

• Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR) - The data subject has given their consent to the processing of personal data concerning them for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
• Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR) - The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject.
• Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. c) GDPR) - The processing is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR) - The processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the controller or of a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require the protection of personal data do not prevail.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes in particular the law to protect against misuse of personal data during data processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). The BDSG contains in particular special regulations on the right to information, the right to deletion, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission and automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. In addition, state data protection laws of the individual federal states may apply.

Note on the validity of the GDPR and the Swiss DSG: This data protection notice serves to provide information in accordance with the Swiss DSG as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this reason, we ask you to note that the terms of the GDPR are used due to the broader spatial application and comprehensibility. In particular, instead of the terms used in the Swiss DSG "processing" of "personal data", "overriding interest" and "personal data requiring particular protection", the terms used in the GDPR "processing" of "personal data" as well as "legitimate interest" and "special categories of data" are used. However, the legal meaning of the terms will continue to be determined in accordance with the Swiss DSG within the scope of the validity of the Swiss DSG.

Security measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of processing as well as the different likelihood of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

The measures include in particular securing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access, input, transmission, securing availability and separation of data. Furthermore, we have set up procedures that ensure the exercise of data subjects' rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technical design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

Shortening of the IP address: If IP addresses are processed by us or by the service providers and technologies used and the processing of a complete IP address is not necessary, the IP address is shortened (also known as "IP masking"). The last two digits or the last part of the IP address after a period are removed or replaced by placeholders. The shortening of the IP address is intended to prevent or significantly complicate the identification of a person based on their IP address.

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

Transfer of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, it may happen that these are transmitted to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons or disclosed to them. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International data transfers

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

General information on data storage and deletion

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

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

Our data protection notices contain additional information on the storage and deletion of data that applies specifically to certain processing processes.

If there are multiple details regarding the retention period or deletion periods for a date, the longest period is always decisive.

If a period does not expressly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it automatically starts at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships in which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the time at which the termination or other termination of the legal relationship takes effect.

We only process data that is no longer stored for the originally intended purpose, but due to legal requirements or other reasons, for the reasons that justify its storage.

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

• Storage and deletion of data: The following general periods apply to storage and archiving under German law:
  • 10 years - retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheet as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (§ 147 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 14b para. 1 UStG, § 257 para. 1 no. 1 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 8 years - accounting documents, such as. B. Invoices and cost receipts (§ 147 para. 1 no. 4 and 4a in conjunction with para. 3 sentence 1 AO and § 257 para. 1 no. 4 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 6 years - Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents, insofar as they are relevant for taxation, e.g. hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price labels, but also payroll documents, insofar as they are not already accounting documents and cash register slips (§ 147 para. 1 no. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with para. 3 AO, § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3 in conjunction with para. 4 HGB).
  • 3 years - Data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights as well as to process related inquiries based on previous business experience and standard industry practices are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Rights of the data subjects

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

• Right of objection: You have the right to object at any time, for reasons arising from your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you that is carried out on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed in order to conduct direct advertising, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such advertising; this also applies to profiling, insofar as it is related to such direct advertising.
• Right of withdrawal of consent: You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
• Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to information about this data as well as to further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
• Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of the data concerning you or the rectification of incorrect data concerning you in accordance with the legal requirements.
• Right to deletion and restriction of processing: You have the right, in accordance with the statutory requirements, to demand that data concerning you be deleted immediately or, alternatively, to demand a restriction of the processing of the data in accordance with the statutory requirements.
• Right to data portability: You have the right to receive data concerning you that you have made available to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format in accordance with the statutory requirements or to demand that it be transmitted to another responsible party.
• Complaint to the supervisory authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement, if you believe that the processing of personal data concerning you violates the provisions of the GDPR.

Business services

We process data from our contractual and business partners, e.g. B. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners"), within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and related measures and with regard to communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractually), for example to answer inquiries.

We use this data to fulfill our contractual obligations. This includes in particular the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedy in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we use the data to protect our rights and for the purposes of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in both proper and economic business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, endangerment of their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. B. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or financial authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. The contractual partners are informed about other forms of processing, for example for marketing purposes, within the framework of this data protection declaration.

We inform the contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. generally after four years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. for as long as it must be kept for legal reasons of archiving (e.g. for tax purposes, usually ten years). We delete data that was disclosed to us by the contractual partner as part of an order in accordance with the specifications and generally after the end of the order.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).
• Persons affected: service recipients and clients; interested parties. Business and contractual partners.
• Purposes of processing: provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations; communication; office and organizational procedures; organizational and administrative procedures. Business processes and business management procedures.
• Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
• Legal basis: Contractual fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. c) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

• Offer of software and platform services: We process the data of our users, registered and any test users (hereinafter referred to as "users") in order to be able to provide them with our contractual services and on the basis of legitimate interests, in order to ensure the security of our offer and to be able to further develop it. The required information is marked as such in the context of the order, purchase order or comparable contract conclusion and includes the information required for the provision of services and billing as well as contact information in order to be able to hold any consultations; Legal basis: Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Payment procedures

Within the framework of contractual and other legal relationships, due to legal obligations or otherwise on the basis of our legitimate interests, we offer the data subjects efficient and secure payment options and use other service providers in addition to banks and credit institutions (collectively "payment service providers").

The data processed by the payment service providers includes inventory data, such as name and address, bank details, such as account numbers or credit card numbers, passwords, TANs and checksums as well as contract, sum and recipient-related information. The information is required to carry out the transactions. However, the data entered is only processed and stored by the payment service providers. This means that we do not receive any account or credit card-related information, but only information confirming or rejecting the payment. The payment service providers may transmit the data to credit agencies. This transmission is for the purpose of checking identity and creditworthiness. For this purpose, we refer to the general terms and conditions and the data protection information of the payment service providers.

The terms and conditions and the data protection information of the respective payment service providers apply to payment transactions, which can be accessed within the respective websites or transaction applications. We also refer to these for further information and to assert revocation, information and other rights of those affected.

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, term, customer category); usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
• Persons affected: service recipients and clients; business and contractual partners. Interested parties.
• Purposes of processing: provision of contractual services and fulfillment of contractual obligations. Business processes and business management procedures.
• Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
• Legal basis: Contractual fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, procedures and services:

• Stripe: payment services (technical connection of online payment methods); Service provider: Stripe, Inc., 510 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA; Legal basis: contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter b) GDPR); Website:https://stripe.com; Privacy policy:https://stripe.com/de/privacy. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

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

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

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

• Provision of online offer on rented storage space: To provide our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent from a corresponding server provider (also called a "web host") or obtain from elsewhere; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR).
• Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offer is logged in the form of so-called "server log files". The server log files can include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user's operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (particularly in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR). Deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data that needs to be retained for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally resolved.
• Content delivery network: We use a "content delivery network" (CDN). A CDN is a service that can be used to deliver the content of an online offering, in particular large media files such as graphics or program scripts, more quickly and securely using regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Use of cookies

The term "cookies" refers to functions that store and read information on users' devices. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, such as for the purposes of functionality, security and convenience of online services and for creating analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. To do so, we obtain the user's consent in advance if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential in order to be able to provide expressly requested content and functions. This includes, for example, storing settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online service. Consent can be revoked at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of this and which cookies are used.

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

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

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

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

• Types of data processed: Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
• Persons affected: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
• Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

• Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution in which the consent of users is obtained for the use of cookies or for the procedures and providers specified in the consent management solution. This procedure is used to obtain, log, manage and revoke consent, in particular with regard to the use of cookies and comparable technologies that are used to store, read and process information on users' end devices. As part of this procedure, users' consent is obtained for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers specified in the consent management procedure. Users also have the option of managing and revoking their consent. The consent declarations are stored in order to avoid a repeat query and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. The data is stored on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or using comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. If no specific information is available about the providers of consent management services, the following general information applies: The duration of the consent storage is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of the consent, the information on the scope of the consent (e.g. relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers) and information about the browser, the system and the device used; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Advertising communication via email, post, fax or telephone

We process personal data for the purposes of advertising communication, which can take place via various channels, such as email, telephone, post or fax, in accordance with legal requirements.

The recipients have the right to revoke consent given at any time or to object to advertising communication at any time.

After revocation or objection, we store the data required to prove the previous authorization for contacting or sending for up to three years after the end of the year of the revocation or objection on the basis of our legitimate interests. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defense against claims. On the basis of the legitimate interest in permanently respecting the revocation or objection of the user, we also store the data required to avoid further contact (e.g., depending on the communication channel, the email address, telephone number, name).

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g. full name, home address, contact information, customer number, etc.); contact data (e.g. postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Content data (e.g. textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation).
• Data subjects: communication partners.
• Purposes of processing: direct marketing (e.g. by email or post); marketing. Sales promotion.
• Storage and deletion: deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analysis (also known as "reach measurement") is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offering and can include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, identify at what time our online offering or its functions or content are used most frequently, or invite them to be used again. It is also possible for us to understand which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

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

In addition, the IP addresses of users are stored. However, we use an IP masking process (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but rather pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purpose of the respective 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, the user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in efficient, economical and recipient-friendly services). In this context, we would also like to draw your attention to the information on the use of cookies in this data protection declaration.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
• Persons affected: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness.
• Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users' devices for a period of two years).
• Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 Clause 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

• Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or email addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to a device in order to identify which content users have accessed within one or several usage processes, which search terms they have used, accessed them again or interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as are the sources of users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their devices and browsers.
  Pseudonimous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, whereby cookies may be used. Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses for EU users. However, Analytics provides coarse geographic location data by deriving the following metadata from IP addresses: city (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), continent, country, region, subcontinent (and ID-based counterparts). For EU traffic, IP address data is used exclusively for this derivation of geolocation data before being immediately deleted. It is not logged, is not accessible and is not used for any further purposes. When Google Analytics collects measurement data, all IP queries are performed on EU-based servers before the traffic is forwarded to Analytics servers for processing; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address); Privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Contract processing agreement:https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-out option: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://myadcenter.google.com/personalizationoff. Further information:https://business.safety.google/adsservices/ (Types of processing and data processed).

Online marketing

We process personal data for the purpose of online marketing, which can include in particular the marketing of advertising space or the presentation of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as "content") based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of their effectiveness.

For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (the so-called "cookie") or similar procedures are used by means of which the information about the user relevant for the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. This can include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners and technical information, such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this can also be processed.

In addition, the IP addresses of the users are stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of the online marketing process, but rather pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the online marketing processes know the actual user identity, but only the information stored in their profiles.

The statements in the profiles are usually stored in cookies or using similar procedures. These cookies can generally also be read later on other websites that use the same online marketing process and analyzed for the purpose of displaying content, supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing process provider.

In exceptional cases, it is possible to assign clear data to profiles, primarily if the users are, for example, members of a social network whose online marketing processes we use and the network links the user profiles with the above-mentioned information. Please note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, for example by consenting during registration.

We generally only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, as part of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing processes have led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to the conclusion of a contract with us. The conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, we ask you to assume that cookies used are stored for a period of two years.

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

Information on revocation and objection:

We refer to the data protection information of the respective providers and the objection options specified for the providers (so-called "opt-out"). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of deactivating cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore recommend the following opt-out options, which are offered in summary for each region:

a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu.

b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices.

c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices.

d) Across regions: https://optout.aboutads.info.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g. page views and length of stay, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time information, identification numbers, people involved).
• Persons affected: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Tracking (e.g. interest/behavior-based profiling, use of cookies); target group formation; marketing; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles). Conversion measurement (measurement of the effectiveness of marketing measures).
• Storage and deletion: Deletion according to the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion". Storage of cookies for up to 2 years (Unless otherwise stated, cookies and similar storage methods can be stored on users' devices for a period of two years.).
• Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
• Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR). Legitimate interests (Article 6, Paragraph 1, Sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

• Google Ads and conversion measurement: Online marketing procedures for the purpose of placing content and advertisements within the advertising network of the service provider (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the advertisements. In addition, we measure the conversion of the advertisements, i.e. whether the users have taken them as an opportunity to interact with the advertisements and use the advertised offers (so-called conversions). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
• Google Adsense with personalized ads: We integrate the Google Adsense service, which enables us to place personalized ads within our online offering. Google Adsense analyzes user behavior and uses this data to display targeted advertising that is tailored to the interests of our visitors. We receive financial compensation for each ad placement or other use of these ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information about the services Data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
• Google Adsense with non-personalized ads: We use the Google Adsense service to display non-personalized ads in our online offering. These ads are not based on individual user behavior, but are selected based on general characteristics such as the content of the page or your approximate geographical location. We receive a fee for the display or other use of these ads; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website:https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy policy:https://policies.google.com/privacy; Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://business.safety.google/adsservices/. Data processing terms for Google advertising products: Information about the services Data processing terms between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.

Presences in social networks (social media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because, for example, it could make it more difficult to enforce user rights.

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

For a detailed description of the respective processing methods and the objection options (opt-out), we refer to the data protection declarations and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

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

• Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g. Postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. Textual or visual messages and contributions as well as the information relating to them, such as details of authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g. Page views and length of stay, click paths, Intensity and frequency of use, device types and Operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).
• Affected persons: Users (e.g. Website visitors, users of online services).
• Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.
• Storage and deletion: Deletion in accordance with the information in the section "General information on data storage and deletion".
• Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing procedures, methods and services:

• Instagram: Social network, enables sharing of photos and videos, commenting and favorites posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website:https://www.instagram.com; Privacy policy:https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

Changes and updates

We ask you to regularly inform yourself about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and please check the information before contacting us.

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