DATA PRIVACY Policy

1. Privacy at a Glance

General Information

The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data that can be used to personally identify you. Detailed information on the subject of data protection can be found in our privacy policy set out below this text.

Data Collection on This Website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find the operator's contact details in the Imprint of this website.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, on the one hand, from information you provide to us. This may, for example, be data you enter into a contact form. Other data is collected automatically, or after you have given your consent, when you visit the website, by our IT systems. This is primarily technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of the page visit). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?

Part of the data is collected to ensure error-free provision of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right at any time to receive information free of charge about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given consent to data processing, you may revoke this consent at any time for the future. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

Analysis Tools and Third-Party Tools

Your visit to this website may be statistically evaluated. This is done primarily using so-called analysis programs.

Detailed information on these analysis programs can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

Strato

Some parts of our website are hosted with Strato. The provider is Strato AG, Pascalstraße 10, 10587 Berlin, Germany ("Strato"). When you visit our website, Strato collects various log files, including your IP addresses.

For further information, please refer to Strato's privacy policy: https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/.

The use of Strato is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in the most reliable possible presentation of our website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) with the provider named above. This is a contract required by data protection law that ensures the provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

HighLevel

We host our main website on the platform of HighLevel. HighLevel also serves as our customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation system; details on this second use are provided in the section "HighLevel" under "4. Data Collection on This Website" below. The provider is HighLevel Inc., 400 N. St. Paul St, Suite 920, Dallas, TX 75201, USA ("HighLevel").

When you visit our website, HighLevel's servers process various log data, including your IP address, in order to deliver the website to you.

The use of HighLevel for hosting is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in a reliable, secure presentation of our website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further details can be found in HighLevel's privacy policy: https://www.gohighlevel.com/privacy-policy.

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) with HighLevel. This is a contract required by data protection law that ensures HighLevel processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General Information and Mandatory Information

Data Protection

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

When you use this website, various personal data is collected. Personal data is data with which you can be personally identified. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this happens.

We point out that data transmission over the internet (e.g., when communicating by email) may have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Notice Concerning the Responsible Party

The party responsible for data processing on this website is RYOSHI GmbH & Co. KG. Contact details can be found in our Imprint.

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

Storage Duration

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

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

If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9 (2)(a) GDPR, if special categories of data are processed pursuant to Art. 9 (1) GDPR. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also carried out on the basis of Art. 49 (1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information on your end device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing is additionally based on § 25 (1) TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is required for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if this is required to fulfill a legal obligation, on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(c) GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. Information on the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Notice on Data Transfer to the USA and Other Third Countries

Among other things, we use tools from companies domiciled in the USA or other third countries that are not considered secure under data protection law. If these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in these third countries. We point out that no level of data protection comparable to that in the EU can be guaranteed in these countries. For example, US companies are obliged to hand over personal data to security authorities without you, as the data subject, being able to take legal action against this. It cannot therefore be ruled out that US authorities (e.g., intelligence services) may process, analyze, and permanently store your data located on US servers for surveillance purposes. We have no influence over these processing activities.

Revocation of Your Consent to Data Processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may revoke consent already given at any time. The lawfulness of the data processing carried out until the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

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

IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6 (1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME, FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA, UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING SERVES THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21 (1) GDPR).

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 PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING, TO THE EXTENT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21 (2) GDPR).

Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Competent Supervisory Authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the member state of their habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged violation. This right to lodge a complaint applies regardless of any other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to Data Portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done to the extent technically feasible.

SSL/TLS Encryption

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator, this site uses SSL/TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the browser's address line changes from "http://" to "https://" and by the lock symbol in your browser line.

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

Information, Deletion, and Correction

Within the scope of applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing, and, if applicable, a right to correction or deletion of this data. You are welcome to contact us at any time regarding this or any other questions on the subject of personal data.

Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You may contact us at any time for this purpose. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:

If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you may request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.

If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of deletion.

If you have lodged an objection pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

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

4. Data Collection on This Website

Cookies

Our websites use so-called "cookies." Cookies are small text files and do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or they are automatically deleted by your web browser.

In some cases, cookies from third-party companies may also be stored on your device when you visit our site (third-party cookies). These enable us or you to use certain services of the third-party company (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies have various functions. Numerous cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies are used to evaluate user behavior or display advertising.

Cookies required for carrying out the electronic communication process, for providing certain functions you wish to use (e.g., for appointment booking), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring visitors) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent for the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG); consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and activate automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

Insofar as cookies are used by third-party companies or for analysis purposes, we will inform you of this separately in connection with this privacy policy and, if applicable, request consent.

Server Log Files

The provider of this website automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:

• Browser type and version

• Operating system used

• Referrer URL

• Host name of the accessing computer

• Time of the server request

• IP address

This data is not merged with other data sources.

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

Contact Form

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

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

Data you enter into the contact form will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your inquiry has been fully processed). Mandatory statutory provisions ‒ in particular retention periods ‒ remain unaffected.

Inquiry by Email, Telephone, or Chat

If you contact us by email, telephone, or chat, your inquiry, including all resulting personal data (name, email address, telephone number, inquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of handling your request. We do not share this data without your consent.

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

Data you send to us via contact inquiries will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been fully processed). Mandatory statutory provisions ‒ in particular statutory retention periods ‒ remain unaffected.

HighLevel

In addition to hosting our website (see "2. Hosting" above, including details on the provider and the applicable data processing agreement), we use HighLevel as our customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation platform.

HighLevel allows us, among other things, to manage existing and prospective customers and their contact details, and to process inquiries submitted through forms on our website. HighLevel enables us to record customer interactions via email, forms, or telephone across various channels, and to sort and analyze them. The personal data collected in this way may be evaluated and used for communication with prospective customers or for marketing purposes (e.g., newsletter mailings). HighLevel also allows us to record and analyze the behavior of our contacts on our website.

The use of HighLevel for these purposes is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in efficient customer management and communication. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

LeadConnector

We use LeadConnector, a service of HighLevel Inc., 400 N. St. Paul St, Suite 920, Dallas, TX 75201, USA, for communication with prospective and existing customers, including telephone calls, SMS/text messages, and automated follow-up messages, as well as for tracking related communication and conversion events.

LeadConnector processes the personal data you provide to us in this context (e.g., name, telephone number, email address) in order to enable communication and to measure the success of our marketing and communication activities.

The use of LeadConnector is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in efficient and reliable communication with prospective and existing customers. Where communication involves electronic marketing messages (e.g., SMS or email marketing), processing is based on your consent (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR); consent can be revoked at any time, for example via the unsubscribe option provided in each message.

Further details can be found in LeadConnector's privacy policy: https://www.leadconnectorhq.com/privacy-policy.

ProvenExpert

We have integrated review badges from ProvenExpert on this website. The provider is Expert Systems AG, Quedlinburger Str. 1, 10589 Berlin, https://www.provenexpert.com.

The ProvenExpert badge allows us to display customer reviews submitted about our company on ProvenExpert in a badge on our website. When you visit our website, a connection is established with ProvenExpert, so that ProvenExpert can determine that you have visited our website. ProvenExpert also collects your language settings in order to display the badge in the selected language.

The use of ProvenExpert is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the most traceable possible presentation of customer reviews. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

5. Analysis Tools and Advertising

Google Analytics

This website uses functions of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. The website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, length of stay, operating systems used, and origin of the user. This data is combined into a user ID and assigned to the respective end device of the website visitor.

Furthermore, with Google Analytics we can, among other things, record your mouse and scroll movements and clicks. Google Analytics also uses various modeling approaches to supplement the collected data sets and uses machine learning technologies in data analysis.

Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the recognition of the user for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google about the use of this website is generally transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The use of this analysis tool is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

Browser Plugin

You can prevent the collection and processing of your data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.

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

Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager on this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to manage website tags (e.g., tracking and analytics codes such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, or the Meta Pixel) via a single interface. The Tag Manager tool itself, which implements the tags, does not process any personal data of users; it merely manages the individual tags. However, Google Tag Manager may collect your IP address and other technical data (e.g., browser type) when it loads.

The use of Google Tag Manager is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the efficient management and implementation of the tools used on its website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission.

Further information can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel)

This website uses the visitor action pixel "Meta Pixel" (formerly Facebook Pixel). The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Meta").

With the help of the Meta Pixel, Meta is able to identify visitors to our website as a target group for the display of advertisements (so-called "Facebook Ads" or "Instagram Ads"). Accordingly, we use the Meta Pixel to display the Facebook and Instagram Ads placed by us only to those Facebook and Instagram users who have also shown an interest in our website, as well as to users who share certain characteristics (e.g., interests and hobbies determined based on visited websites) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called "custom audiences"). We also want to use the Meta Pixel to ensure that our Facebook and Instagram Ads correspond to the potential interest of users and do not appear intrusive. The Meta Pixel also allows us to track the effectiveness of Facebook and Instagram advertisements for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users were redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook or Instagram advertisement (so-called "conversion measurement").

The data processed by the Meta Pixel can also be linked to your Facebook or Instagram account and used by Meta for its own advertising purposes, in accordance with Meta's Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/. This allows Meta and its partners to display advertisements on and outside of Facebook and Instagram. This processing may also be carried out independently of an account or login with Meta.

If a Meta account exists, Meta and we are joint controllers for the collection and transmission of personal data to Meta Ireland within the scope of the "Controller Addendum" (https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). This joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection and transmission of the data; the further processing after transmission is Meta's sole responsibility.

The use of the Meta Pixel is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in effective advertising measures, including through social media. If appropriate consent has been obtained, the Meta Pixel is used exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. This consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission.

LinkedIn Insight Tag

This website uses the Insight Tag from LinkedIn. The provider of this service is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Data Processing by LinkedIn Insight Tag

With the help of the LinkedIn Insight Tag, we receive information about the visitors to our website. If a website visitor is registered with LinkedIn, we can, among other things, analyze the professional details (e.g., career level, company size, country, location, industry, and job title) of our website visitors and thus better tailor our site to the respective target groups. Furthermore, with the help of LinkedIn Insight Tags, we can measure whether visitors to our website make a purchase or perform another action (conversion measurement). Conversion measurement can also take place across devices (e.g., from PC to tablet). LinkedIn Insight Tag also offers a retargeting function, with the help of which we can display targeted advertising to visitors of our website outside the website, whereby, according to LinkedIn, no identification of the advertising recipient takes place.

LinkedIn itself also collects so-called log files (URL, referrer URL, IP address, device and browser characteristics, and time of access). IP addresses are shortened or (if they are used to reach LinkedIn members across devices) hashed (pseudonymized). The direct identifiers of LinkedIn members are deleted by LinkedIn after seven days. The remaining pseudonymized data is then deleted within 180 days.

The data collected by LinkedIn cannot be assigned to specific individuals by us as the website operator. LinkedIn will store the collected personal data of website visitors on its servers in the USA and use it as part of its own advertising measures. Details can be found in LinkedIn's privacy policy at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy#choices-oblig.

Legal Basis

The use of LinkedIn Insight is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in effective advertising measures, including through social media. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa and https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/eu-sccs.

Objection to the Use of LinkedIn Insight Tag

You can object to the analysis of usage behavior and targeted advertising by LinkedIn at the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

Furthermore, LinkedIn members can control the use of their personal data for advertising purposes in their account settings. To avoid a connection between data collected on our website by LinkedIn and your LinkedIn account, you must log out of your LinkedIn account before visiting our website.

Microsoft Advertising

This website uses the conversion tracking and remarketing technology of Microsoft Advertising (formerly Bing Ads), including the Universal Event Tracking (UET) tag. The provider is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA ("Microsoft").

Microsoft Advertising uses cookies and comparable technologies to enable us to measure the effectiveness of our Microsoft/Bing advertisements (conversion tracking) and to display targeted advertising to visitors of our website on other websites within the Microsoft advertising network (remarketing). For this purpose, a cookie is stored on your device via the UET tag, which allows Microsoft to recognize your device and evaluate your behavior on our website in connection with our advertising campaigns.

The use of Microsoft Advertising is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in effective and economically viable advertising measures. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on Microsoft's certification under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework as well as, where applicable, the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission.

Further information on data processing by Microsoft Advertising, as well as opt-out options, can be found in Microsoft's privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement and at https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads.

6. Newsletter

Newsletter Registration

If you would like to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you, as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the email address provided and that you agree to receive the newsletter. No further data is collected, or only on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively for sending the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties.

The processing of the data entered in the newsletter registration form is based exclusively on your consent (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR). You may revoke the consent given for the storage of the data, the email address, and its use for sending the newsletter at any time, for example via the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The lawfulness of data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter, and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe or after the purpose no longer applies. We reserve the right to delete or block email addresses from our newsletter distribution list at our own discretion, within the scope of our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR.

Data stored by us for other purposes remains unaffected by this.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored by us or the newsletter service provider in a blacklist, if this is necessary to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is used only for this purpose and is not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR). Storage in the blacklist is not time-limited. You may object to the storage at any time.

CleverReach

We use CleverReach for managing recipient lists, sending newsletters, and registration for the newsletter via this website. The provider is CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG, Schafjückenweg 2, 26180 Rastede, Germany ("CleverReach").

CleverReach allows us, among other things, to manage newsletters and recipient lists, including subscription and unsubscription. With CleverReach, we are able to collect and analyze dispatch statistics for our newsletters.

The use of CleverReach is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in efficient customer management and customer communication. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further details can be found in CleverReach's privacy policy: https://www.cleverreach.com/en/privacy-policy/.

Data Processing Agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) with the provider named above. This is a contract required by data protection law that ensures the provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

7. Plugins and Tools

Google Web Fonts

For the uniform display of fonts, this site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google. When you access a page, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache in order to display text and fonts correctly.

For this purpose, the browser you use must connect to Google's servers. This enables Google to know that our website has been accessed via your IP address. The use of Google Web Fonts is based on Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the uniform presentation of the font on its website. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

If your browser does not support web fonts, a standard font from your computer will be used.

Further information on Google Web Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

Google Maps

This site uses the map service Google Maps. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

To use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is generally transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence over this data transfer. When Google Maps is active, Google may use Google Web Fonts for the purpose of uniform font display. When Google Maps is accessed, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache in order to display text and fonts correctly.

The use of Google Maps is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offerings and easy findability of the locations we specify on the website. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR. If appropriate consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting). Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/ and https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/sccs/.

Further information on the handling of user data can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

8. Audio and Video Conferences

Data Processing

For communication with our customers, we use, among other things, online conference tools. The specific tools we use are listed below. If you communicate with us via video or audio conference over the internet, your personal data will be collected and processed by us and by the provider of the respective conferencing tool.

The conferencing tools collect all data that you provide/use in order to use the tools (email address and/or your telephone number). The conferencing tools also process the duration of the conference, start and end (time) of participation in the conference, number of participants, and other "contextual information" related to the communication process (metadata).

Furthermore, the provider of the tool processes all technical data required to carry out the online communication. This includes, in particular, IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone, or speaker, as well as the type of connection.

If content is exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise made available within the tool, this is also stored on the servers of the tool providers. Such content includes, in particular, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared during the use of the service.

Please note that we do not have full control over the data processing operations of the tools used. Our options depend largely on the corporate policy of the respective provider. Further information on data processing by the conferencing tools can be found in the privacy policies of the respective tools used, which we have listed below this text.

Purpose and Legal Basis

The conferencing tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners, or to offer certain services to our customers (Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR). Furthermore, the use of the tools serves the general simplification and acceleration of communication with us or our company (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR). If consent has been requested, the use of the relevant tools is based on this consent; the consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

Storage Duration

Data collected directly by us via the video and conferencing tools will be deleted from our systems as soon as you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your end device until you delete them. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

We have no influence on the storage duration of your data that is stored by the operators of the conferencing tools for their own purposes. For details, please contact the operators of the conferencing tools directly.

Video Conferencing Tools Used

We use Microsoft Teams for video conferences. The provider is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA. Details on data processing can be found in Microsoft Teams' privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement.

9. Our Own Services

Handling of Applicant Data

We offer you the opportunity to apply to us (e.g., by email, post, or via an online application form). Below, we inform you about the scope, purpose, and use of your personal data collected during the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing, and use of your data is carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other statutory provisions, and that your data is treated with strict confidentiality.

Scope and Purpose of Data Collection

If you submit an application to us, we process your associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication data, application documents, notes made during interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary to decide on the establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG (German Federal Data Protection Act) under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR (general initiation of a contract), and—if you have given consent—Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR. Consent can be revoked at any time. Your personal data will be passed on within our company exclusively to persons involved in processing your application.

If the application is successful, the data you submitted will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of § 26 BDSG and Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR for the purpose of carrying out the employment relationship.

Retention Period of the Data

If we cannot offer you a position, if you decline a job offer, or if you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you submitted on the basis of our legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR) for up to 6 months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). The data will then be deleted and the physical application documents destroyed. This retention serves, in particular, evidentiary purposes in the event of a legal dispute. If it is apparent that the data will be required after the 6-month period has expired (e.g., due to an impending or pending legal dispute), deletion will only take place once the purpose for further retention no longer applies.

Longer retention may also take place if you have given corresponding consent (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations preclude deletion.

Inclusion in the Applicant Pool

If we cannot offer you a position, there may be the possibility of including you in our applicant pool. If included, all documents and information from the application will be transferred to the applicant pool in order to contact you in the event of suitable vacancies.

Inclusion in the applicant pool takes place exclusively on the basis of your explicit consent (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR). Giving consent is voluntary and is not related to the ongoing application process. The data subject may revoke their consent at any time. In this case, the data will be irrevocably deleted from the applicant pool, provided there are no statutory retention obligations.

Data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent was given.