Privacy Policy

1 – 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 identify you personally. For detailed information on the subject of data protection, please refer to our privacy policy listed 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. Their contact details can be found in the “Information on the responsible body” section of this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?
On the one hand, your data is collected when you provide it to us. This may be data that you enter in a contact form, for example.
Other data is collected automatically or with 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 page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?
Some of the data is collected to ensure the 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 to receive information about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data free of charge at any time. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given your consent to data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time for the future. You also have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.
You can contact us at any time if you have any questions about this or other data protection issues.

2 – Hosting

We host the content of our website with the following provider:

DomainFactory
The provider is DomainFactory GmbH, c/o WeWork, Neuturmstraße 5, 80331 Munich (hereinafter referred to as DomainFactory). When you visit our website, DomainFactory collects various log files, including your IP addresses.
For details, please refer to DomainFactory’s privacy policy: https://www.df.eu/de/datenschutz/.

The use of DomainFactory is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring that our website is displayed as reliably as possible. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g. for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Order processing
We have concluded an order processing agreement (AVV) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the personal data of our website visitors is only processed 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 the 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 is done.
We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating by email) can have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Information about the responsible body
The responsible body for data processing on this website is:
TKD Solutions GmbH
Data Protection and Information Security Team
Elisabeth-Selbert-Straße 15
40764 Langenfeld
Germany
Email: datenschutz@tkdeutschland.de

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

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

General information on the legal basis for data processing on this website
If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR or Art. 9 (2) (a) GDPR, if special categories of data are processed in accordance with Art. 9 (1) GDPR. In the event of express 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 also carried out on the basis of Section 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary 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) lit. b GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if it is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The relevant legal basis in each individual case is explained in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Data Protection Officer
We have appointed a data protection officer.
sicdata – Management Consulting
Cynthia Höhnel
Heiligenstock 34c
42697 Solingen
Germany
Email: hoehnel@sicdata.de

Note on data transfer to third countries that are not secure in terms of data protection law and transfer to US companies that are not DPF-certified
Among other things, we use tools from companies based in third countries that are not secure in terms of data protection law, as well as US tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to these countries and processed there. We would like to point out that a level of data protection comparable to that in the EU cannot be guaranteed in third countries that are not secure in terms of data protection.
We would like to point out that the US, as a secure third country, generally has a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the US is therefore permissible if the recipient is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) or has appropriate additional safeguards in place. Information on transfers to third countries, including data recipients, can be found in this privacy policy.

Recipients of personal data
We work with various external parties in the course of our business activities. This sometimes requires the transfer of personal data to these external parties. We only pass on personal data to external parties if this is necessary for the performance of a contract, if we are legally obliged to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the disclosure of data. When using processors, we only pass on our customers’ personal data on the basis of a valid contract for data processing. In the case of joint processing, a contract for joint processing is concluded.

Revocation of your consent to data processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke any consent you have already given at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out until the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Right to object to data collection in specific cases and to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)
IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6(1)(f) OR (f) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO SUCH PROCESSING AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION. E OR F GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS DATA PROTECTION DECLARATION. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA, UNLESS WE CAN PROVE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING SERVES TO ASSERT, EXERCISE OR DEFEND LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) GDPR).
IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, 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, INSOFAR AS IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION 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. The right to lodge a complaint exists without prejudice to 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 if it is technically feasible.

Information, correction, and deletion
Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right to receive information free of charge at any time about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing, and, if applicable, a right to correct or delete this data. You can contact us at any time with any questions you may have about this or other topics related to personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

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

If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we usually need time to verify this. For the duration of the review, 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 can request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.
If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it to exercise, defend, or assert legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its erasure.
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 is not yet clear 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 its storage—only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, 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.

SSL or TLS encryption
This site uses SSL or 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. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock symbol in your browser line.

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

Objection to advertising emails
We hereby object to the use of contact data published within the scope of the imprint obligation for sending unsolicited advertising and information material. The operators of the pages expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of unsolicited sending of advertising information, for example through spam emails.

4 – Recording of data on this website

Cookies
Our websites use so-called “cookies.” Cookies are small data packets and do not cause any damage to your device. They are either stored 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 your web browser automatically deletes them.

Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services from third-party companies within websites (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 can be used to evaluate user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for the electronic communication process, for the provision of certain functions you have requested (e.g., for the shopping cart function) or for the optimization of the website (e.g., cookies for measuring the web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. 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 to the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG); consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser so that you are informed 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 the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. If cookies are deactivated, the functionality of this website may be restricted.

You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.

Server log files

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

Browser type and browser 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.
This data is collected on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of its website—for this purpose, the server log files must be collected.

HubSpot Forms
We have integrated HubSpot Forms into our website. HubSpot Forms is a service provided by HubSpot, Inc. and offers marketing automation software for marketing services and products, including SEO and content creation, lead management, email marketing, and web analytics.

HubSpot Forms is used to store data entered into forms, e.g., when contacting us via the contact form. The data provided may be stored in our customer relationship management system (CRM system).

In this case, your data will be transferred to the operator of HubSpot Forms, HubSpot, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, US.

We process your data using HubSpot Forms for the purpose of processing the contact request and handling it in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. b. GDPR. The use of HubSpot Forms and the integrated services is subject to our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f. GDPR, the optimization of our marketing measures and the improvement of our service quality on the website.

Further information can be found in the privacy policy for HubSpot Forms: https://legal.hubspot.com/privacy-policy.

Enquiries by email, telephone, or fax
If you contact us by email, telephone, or fax, your enquiry, including all resulting personal data (name, enquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

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

The data you send us via contact requests will remain with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular statutory retention periods—remain unaffected.

5 – Marketing and analysis tools

HubSpot and HubSpot Ads
Purpose of use:
We use HubSpot on our website to create and manage lead forms and marketing campaigns. These forms enable us to collect contact information from website visitors who are interested in our products, services, or offers. The data collected is used to contact you, respond to your inquiries, and provide further offers or information if necessary.

We use HubSpot AI functions as part of our marketing and sales activities. These support us in particular in creating content and optimizing communication with prospects and customers.

It should be noted that text entries can be processed by AI models, some of which are provided by third-party providers (e.g., ChatGPT or Claude). Only the data necessary for the respective purpose is processed. Personal or particularly sensitive data is avoided where possible or used in anonymized form. HubSpot has also implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of the data processed.

Processed data:

The data you submit usually includes:

Name
Email address
Phone number (optional)
Company (optional)
Additional information depending on the type of form (e.g., message, request, interests)

In addition, additional data may be processed for HubSpot Ads, such as interactions with ads, clicks on advertising banners, and information about the device used (IP address, browser type, operating system).

Purpose of data processing:

The data collected via HubSpot forms and HubSpot Ads is used by us:

to process your inquiries and communicate with you
to provide further support and information about our offers
to analyze the effectiveness of our marketing measures
to optimize our content and advertising

In addition, this data may be used for marketing purposes, such as newsletters or personalized offers, provided you have given your express consent.

Legal basis for processing:
Processing is carried out on the basis of the following legal grounds:

Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): if you voluntarily provide personal data via the form or for marketing purposes
Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR): insofar as data processing is necessary to process your request
Legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR): to optimize our communication, content, and marketing campaigns

Data recipients and third countries:
Processing is carried out by HubSpot as a processor. Your data may also be stored or processed in countries outside the European Union. HubSpot has implemented appropriate safeguards for this purpose, including the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the EU Commission.

Data retention:
Your data will only be stored for as long as is necessary to process your request or campaign activity. If you do not wish to receive further communications, you can have your data deleted at any time. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of your data stored via HubSpot.

Further information:
HubSpot is committed to complying with the data protection provisions of the GDPR. For more information about HubSpot’s data processing and the protection of your data, please visit https://legal.hubspot.com/de/datenschutz.
If you do not want HubSpot to collect your data, you can adjust the consent you gave via the cookie banner for the storage of cookies at any time or block their use via your browser settings.

Google Analytics & Google Ads
Purpose of use:
We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, and Google Ads to analyze the use of our website and optimize our online advertising.

Google Analytics enables us to understand the behavior of visitors to our website, e.g., which pages are visited most frequently, how long users stay on individual pages, and through which channels they arrive at our website. This data helps us to improve our content, user-friendliness, and the structure of the website.

Google Ads is used to place targeted advertisements on the Google network and to measure the effectiveness of these advertisements. The information obtained through Google Ads is used to display personalized advertisements to users who have previously visited our website (“remarketing”).

Processed data:
The following data is processed through the use of Google Analytics and Google Ads:

IP address (partially anonymized)
Browser type and version
Operating system
Referrer URL
Time of access
Devices used
Interactions with the website (e.g., pages visited, length of stay)
Data on clicks on Google Ads and interactions with ads
Demographic data (age, gender, interests), if applicable, provided you have consented to Google

In addition, cookies may be set to store information about your use of the website in order to recognize returning visitors and improve analysis.

Purpose of data processing:
Processing is carried out in order to:

statistically evaluate the use of our website
optimize content and advertising in a targeted manner
measure the effectiveness of Google Ads campaigns
better understand visitor preferences and improve the user experience

The data is used exclusively for these purposes and is not directly linked to other personal data outside of Google.

Legal basis for processing:
Processing is based on the following legal grounds:

Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): if you accept cookies for analysis or advertising purposes
Legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR): to analyze and optimize the website and advertising measures, provided that no consent has been given (taking into account your interests)

UTM parameters
Purpose:
We use UTM parameters on our website to measure the success of marketing campaigns, e.g., via newsletters, social media, or paid ads. UTM parameters are small text modules that are appended to URLs (e.g., utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=campaign) to identify the channels through which users arrive at our website.

The information collected helps us analyze the effectiveness of individual marketing measures, optimize campaigns, and tailor content to the interests of users.

Processed data:
No direct personal data is collected through UTM parameters. However, the following information may be collected:

The referring link or source of the visitor (e.g., newsletter, social media, advertisement)
Medium and campaign name
Time of access to the website
Interactions on the website in combination with analytics tools

If the UTM parameters are used in conjunction with analytics tools such as Google Analytics, the data may be combined with personal information collected by these tools.

Purpose of data processing:
Processing is carried out in order to:

identify the origin of website visitors
measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns
optimize marketing measures
improve user guidance and content on our website

Legal basis for processing:
The use of UTM parameters is based on legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Our legitimate interest lies in reviewing the efficiency of our marketing campaigns and improving the website experience without unnecessarily processing personal data.

Data recipients and third countries:
The information collected via UTM parameters is processed together with analysis and advertising tools such as Google Analytics or Google Ads. This data may be transferred to third countries (e.g., the US). Google uses the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

Data retention:
The data is only stored for as long as it is necessary for the evaluation of marketing campaigns. After that, it is anonymized or deleted.
You can prevent collection by analysis tools by adjusting the appropriate settings on our website or in your browser (e.g., opting out of Google Analytics).

Further information:
Further details on how UTM parameters work and how they are used in conjunction with analysis and advertising tools can be found in the respective privacy policies of the providers, e.g. Google Analytics.

6 – Social Media

Social media elements with Shariff
This website uses elements from social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Meta).

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

Only when you activate the respective social media element by clicking on the corresponding button will a direct connection to the provider’s server be established (consent). As soon as you activate the social media element, the respective provider receives the information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you are logged into your respective social media account (e.g. Facebook or LinkedIn), the respective provider can assign the visit to this website to your user account.

Activating the plugin constitutes consent within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. You can revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future.

The service is used to obtain the legally required consent for the use of certain technologies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR.

LinkedIn
This website uses elements of the LinkedIn network. The provider is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Each time you access a page on this website that contains elements from LinkedIn, a connection to LinkedIn’s servers is established. LinkedIn is informed that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click on the LinkedIn “Recommend” button and are logged into your LinkedIn account, LinkedIn can associate your visit to this website with you and your user account. We would like to point out that, as the provider of the pages, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or its use by LinkedIn.

The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. 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/help/linkedin/answer/a1343190/datenubertragung-aus-der-eu-dem-ewr-und-der-schweiz?lang=de

Further information can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy at:
https://de.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

Instagram & Meta (Facebook)
Purpose of use:
We embed Instagram content on our website, such as Instagram posts, images, or videos, which are provided via the Instagram API. This serves to present content and promote interactivity. In addition, we place job advertisements via Meta (Facebook and Instagram) in order to draw the attention of interested parties to our job vacancies.

Data processed by Instagram content:
By embedding Instagram content on our website, data is automatically transferred to Instagram, in particular:

Usage data (e.g., IP address, device information)
Interactions with the embedded content (e.g., “likes,” comments)

Data processed by Meta job ads:
When you interact with our job ads on Facebook or Instagram, Meta also collects personal data, such as:

Interaction data (e.g., clicks on ads, likes, comments)
Device and usage data (e.g., IP address, browser information)
Demographic data (e.g., age, gender, interests)

Purpose of data processing:
Instagram and Meta use this data for analysis purposes to measure the performance of embedded content or job advertisements and to personalize advertising for you and other users.

Legal basis for processing:
Processing is based on the following legal grounds:

Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if you interact with Instagram content or Meta job advertisements and consent to the processing of your data.
Legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) to measure and improve the reach and effectiveness of our content and ads.

Data recipients:
Instagram and Meta are independent data controllers. All data collected by these companies is processed by them in accordance with their own privacy policies. We have no direct influence on the processing and storage of this data.

Further information:
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/?entry_point=ig_help_center_data_policy_redirect
https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/?entry_point=data_policy_redirect&entry=0

7 – Newsletter

Newsletter dispatch to existing customers
If you order goods or services from us and provide your email address, we may subsequently use this email address to send you newsletters, provided that we inform you of this in advance. In such a case, the newsletter will only be used to send direct advertising for our own similar goods or services. You can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time. For this purpose, there is a corresponding link in every newsletter. The legal basis for sending the newsletter in this case is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR in conjunction with § 7 (3) UWG.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored in a blacklist to prevent future mailings to you. The data from the blacklist will only be used for this purpose and will not be merged with other data. This serves both your interests and our interests in complying with the legal requirements for sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). There is no time limit for storage in the blacklist. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

8 – Plugins and Tools

Google Fonts (local hosting)
This site uses Google Fonts, which are provided by Google, to ensure consistent font display. Google Fonts are installed locally. No connection to Google servers is established.
Further information about Google Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Google reCAPTCHA
We use “Google reCAPTCHA” (hereinafter ‘reCAPTCHA’) on this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

reCAPTCHA is used to verify whether the data entered on this website (e.g., in a contact form) is entered by a human or by an automated program. To do this, reCAPTCHA analyzes the behavior of the website visitor based on various characteristics. This analysis begins automatically as soon as the website visitor enters the website. reCAPTCHA evaluates various information for the analysis (e.g., IP address, length of time the website visitor stays on the website, or mouse movements made by the user). The data collected during the analysis is forwarded to Google.

The reCAPTCHA analyses run completely in the background. Website visitors are not notified that an analysis is taking place.

The storage and analysis of data is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in protecting its web offerings from abusive automated spying and spam. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information about Google reCAPTCHA, please refer to Google’s privacy policy and Google’s terms of use at the following links: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de and https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=de.

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US that aims to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when data is processed in the US. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information on this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780

YouTube with enhanced data protection
This website embeds videos from the YouTube website. The website is operated by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit one of these websites that incorporates YouTube, a connection to the YouTube servers is established. This tells the YouTube server which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable YouTube to associate your browsing behavior directly with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

We use YouTube in extended data protection mode. According to YouTube, videos played in extended data protection mode are not used to personalize browsing on YouTube. Ads played in extended data protection mode are also not personalized. No cookies are set in extended data protection mode. Instead, however, so-called local storage elements are stored in the user’s browser, which, similar to cookies, contain personal data and can be used for recognition purposes. Details on extended data protection mode can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780.

After activating a YouTube video, further data processing operations may be triggered over which we have no control.

YouTube is used in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offerings. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in their privacy policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US that is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when processing data in the US. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information on this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/participant-search/participant-detail?contact=true&id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active

LinkedIn Sales Navigator
We use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to deepen business contacts with existing and potential business partners and to identify new contacts in public professional networks. Processing is based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) in initiating and maintaining business relationships.

The following data may be processed: name, professional position, contact details, and publicly available profile information on LinkedIn.

Data will only be transferred or used outside of LinkedIn with the active consent of the data subject, e.g., after an appointment has been made. Data subjects can object to the processing of their data at any time. LinkedIn itself is an independent controller for the data processed on the platform. Further information on data processing by LinkedIn can be found here: https://de.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy?src=or-search&veh=www.google.com

SalesViewer
We have integrated SalesViewer into this website. The provider is SalesViewer / SalesViewer GmbH, Hueststr. 30, 44787 Bochum (hereinafter “SalesViewer”).

SalesViewer enables us to record visits to our website by employees of other companies. For this purpose, the IP address of the website visitor is compared with the company IP addresses stored in the SalesViewer company database. If the IP address belongs to a company, this visit and the user behavior are recorded. IP addresses that are not present in the SalesViewer database are immediately deleted, so that website visits by private individuals are ignored by SalesViewer.

SalesViewer offers an opt-out procedure to improve data protection. For further details, please refer to the following link from the provider: https://www.salesviewer.com/de/opt-out/.

The use of SalesViewer is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in recording company visits to our website and their user behavior. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

For further details, please refer to the provider’s privacy policy at https://www.salesviewer.com/de/plattform/datenschutz/.

9 – Audio and video conferences

Data processing
We use online conference tools, among other things, to communicate with our customers. 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 the provider of the respective conference tool.

The conference tools collect all data that you provide/use to use the tools (email address and/or your phone number). Furthermore, the conference tools process the duration of the conference, the start and end (time) of participation in the conference, the number of participants, and other “context information” related to the communication process (metadata).

In addition, the provider of the tool processes all technical data necessary for handling 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, and the type of connection.

If content is exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise made available within the tool, it will also be stored on the tool provider’s servers. Such content includes, in particular, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared while using the service.

Please note that we do not have full control over the data processing operations of the tools used. Our options are largely determined by the corporate policy of the respective provider. For further information on data processing by the conference tools, please refer to the privacy policies of the respective tools, which we have listed below this text.

Purpose and legal basis
The conference 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 to generally simplify and accelerate 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; consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

Storage period
The data collected directly by us via the video and conference tools will be deleted from our systems as soon as you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your device until you delete them. Mandatory legal retention periods remain unaffected.

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

Conference tools used
We use the following conference tools:

Microsoft Teams
We use Microsoft Teams. The provider is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. Details on data processing can be found in the Microsoft Teams privacy policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement.

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US that aims to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when processing data in the US. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information on this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/6474.

10 – Online surveys

SurveyMonkey
We use SurveyMonkey Europe UC, 2 Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin, Ireland, to conduct online surveys.

When you voluntarily participate in this survey, SurveyMonkey collects information about the device and application you use to participate in the survey. This includes your IP address, operating system version, device type, and information about your system, performance, and browser type. If you participate in the survey via a mobile device, SurveyMonkey also collects the device’s UUID. SurveyMonkey also uses third-party tracking services that use cookies and page tags (also known as web beacons) to collect usage data and user statistics. We have no control over the scope of the data collected by SurveyMonkey.

You can prevent the installation of cookies by deleting existing cookies and disabling the storage of cookies in your web browser settings. Please note that in this case, you may not be able to use all the features of our website to their full extent.

Participation is voluntary, and respondents thereby declare their consent to the processing of their personal data in accordance with Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR. The data will be stored for the duration of the survey and evaluation.

The data you enter in the form will remain with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Once the evaluation of a survey has been completed, we delete the survey data from SurveyMonkey. Within 90 days, the data is then permanently removed from the SurveyMonkey system.

SurveyMonkey Europe UC is a subsidiary of SurveyMonkey Inc., based in the USA. It cannot be ruled out that your data collected by SurveyMonkey may also be transferred to the USA.

For more information, please refer to SurveyMonkey’s privacy policy at: https://www.surveymonkey.de/mp/legal/privacy/

11 – Custom Services

Handling of applicant data
We offer you the opportunity to apply for a position with us (e.g., by email, post, or via our online application form). Below, we provide information 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 will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other legal provisions, and that your data will be treated as strictly confidential.

Scope and purpose of data collection
When you send us an application, we process your associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication data, application documents, notes taken during job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary to decide whether to establish an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is Section 26 of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) (initiation of an employment relationship), Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR (general contract initiation) and – if you have given your consent – Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. Consent can be revoked at any time. Your personal data will only be passed on within our company to persons who are involved in processing your application.

If your application is successful, the data you submit will be stored in our data processing systems for the purpose of implementing the employment relationship on the basis of Section 26 BDSG and Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR.

Data retention period
If we are unable to offer you a position, you decline a job offer, or you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to store the data you have provided 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. The storage serves in particular for verification 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 when the purpose for further storage no longer applies.

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

Inclusion in the applicant pool
If we do not offer you a position, we may include you in our applicant pool. If you are included, all documents and information from your application will be transferred to the applicant pool so that we can contact you if a suitable vacancy arises.

Inclusion in the applicant pool is based exclusively on your express consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). Consent is voluntary and is not related to the current 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 legal reasons for retention.

The data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent has been given.

11 – Applicant Management

Personio
For applicant management, we use Personio, a software solution from Personio GmbH, Maximilianstraße 35, 80539 Munich, Germany. It supports us in managing applications, coordinating interviews, and communicating with applicants.

Processed data:
The following personal data is collected and processed as part of the application process:

Name, address, contact details (email, telephone number)
Resume, cover letter, references, proof of qualifications
Information on professional experience, education, further training
Interactions during the application process (e.g., interviews, feedback, status updates)

Purpose of data processing:
The data is used exclusively to process applications, organize the application process, and contact applicants. The software also enables the selection process to be documented and application documents to be archived.

Legal basis for processing:

Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): Applicants expressly consent to the processing of their data by submitting their documents.
Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): Processing of data for the selection of suitable candidates for the advertised positions.

Data recipients:
Personio processes the data as a processor exclusively on behalf of our company. The data is stored on servers within the EU. Data will only be passed on to third parties if this is necessary for processing the application or if required by law.

Storage period:

Application documents are stored for the duration of the selection process.
Once the application process has been completed, the data will be deleted unless the applicant gives their express consent for it to be stored for longer for future job vacancies.

Your rights:
Applicants have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, and withdraw their consent.
For more information, please refer to Personio’s privacy policy: https://www.personio.de/datenschutz/.