Data Privacy

Privacy Policy

We are very pleased about your interest in our company. The protection of personal data has a particularly high priority for the management of KOMITZ GmbH. The use of the websites of KOMITZ GmbH is generally possible without any indication of personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use special services of our company via our website, the processing of personal data may become necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, for example the name, address, e-mail address or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to KOMITZ GmbH. By means of this privacy policy, our company wishes to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data that we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed of the rights to which they are entitled.

As the controller responsible for processing, KOMITZ GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures in order to ensure the most complete protection possible of personal data processed via this website. Nevertheless, internet-based data transmissions can generally have security gaps, so that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.

1. Definitions

The privacy policy of KOMITZ GmbH is based on the terms used by the European legislator in the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy should be easy to read and understand for both the public and our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terminology used in advance.

In this privacy policy, we use, inter alia, the following terms:

a) Personal data
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter: “data subject”). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject
Data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data are processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

c) Processing
Processing is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

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

e) Profiling
Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements.

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

g) Controller or controller responsible for the processing
Controller or controller responsible for the processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

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

i) Recipient
Recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.

j) Third party
Third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.

k) Consent
Consent is any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and address of the controller

Controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions related to data protection is:

KOMITZ GmbH
Welterstr. 72
57076 Siegen
Germany

Tel.: +49 271 880 47630-2
E-mail: info [at] komitz.de
Website: www.komitz.de

3. Cookies

The websites of KOMITZ GmbH use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored on a computer system via an internet browser.

Many websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a string of characters by which websites and servers can be assigned to the specific internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows visited websites and servers to distinguish the individual browser of the data subject from other internet browsers that contain other cookies. A particular internet browser can be recognized and identified by the unique cookie ID.

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

By means of a cookie, the information and offers on our website can be optimized with the user in mind. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognize the users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter login data each time the website is visited, because this is taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online shop. The online shop remembers the items that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart via a cookie.

The data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of an appropriate setting of the internet browser used and thus may permanently object to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be fully usable.

4. Collection of general data and information

The website of KOMITZ GmbH collects a series of general data and information each time the website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system. These general data and information are stored in the server log files. The following can be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrer), (4) the sub-pages which are accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system and (8) any other similar data and information that serve to avert danger in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, KOMITZ GmbH does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) correctly deliver the content of our website, (2) optimize the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the permanent functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyber-attack. These anonymously collected data and information are therefore evaluated by KOMITZ GmbH statistically and also with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company, in order ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

5. Registration on our website

The data subject has the possibility to register on the website of the controller by providing personal data. Which personal data are transmitted to the controller is determined by the respective input mask used for registration. The personal data entered by the data subject are collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for its own purposes. The controller may arrange for the data to be passed on to one or more processors, for example a parcel service provider, who will also use the personal data exclusively for an internal use attributable to the controller.

By registering on the website of the controller, the IP address assigned by the internet service provider (ISP) to the data subject, the date and time of registration are also stored. The storage of these data takes place against the background that only in this way misuse of our services can be prevented, and these data, if necessary, make it possible to clarify offences committed. In this respect, the storage of these data is necessary to secure the controller. These data are not passed on to third parties unless there is a legal obligation to pass them on or the disclosure serves criminal prosecution.

The registration of the data subject with voluntary provision of personal data serves the controller to offer the data subject content or services which, by their nature, can only be offered to registered users. Registered persons are free to change the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have them completely deleted from the controller’s database.

The controller shall provide any data subject at any time on request with information as to which personal data about the data subject are stored. Furthermore, the controller shall rectify or erase personal data at the request or indication of the data subject, insofar as this does not conflict with any legal retention obligations. All employees of the controller are available to the data subject as contact persons in this context.

6. Subscription to our newsletter

On the website of KOMITZ GmbH, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our company’s newsletter. Which personal data are transmitted to the controller when ordering the newsletter results from the input mask used for this purpose.

KOMITZ GmbH informs its customers and business partners regularly by means of a newsletter about company offers. The newsletter of our company can in principle only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid e-mail address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter mailing. For legal reasons, a confirmation e-mail is sent in the double opt-in procedure to the e-mail address entered by a data subject for the first time for newsletter mailing. This confirmation e-mail serves to verify whether the owner of the e-mail address as data subject has authorized the receipt of the newsletter.

When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the internet service provider (ISP) to the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of these data is necessary in order to be able to trace any (possible) misuse of the e-mail address of a data subject at a later date and therefore serves the legal protection of the controller.

The personal data collected in the context of a registration for the newsletter are used exclusively for sending our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by e-mail if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or a related registration, as may be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offer or changes in the technical circumstances. There is no transfer of personal data collected as part of the newsletter service to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter may be terminated by the data subject at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data that the data subject has given us for newsletter mailing can be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revoking consent, a corresponding link is found in each newsletter. Furthermore, there is the possibility to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the website of the controller or to inform the controller of this in another way.

7. Newsletter tracking

The newsletters of KOMITZ GmbH contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in such e-mails, which are sent in HTML format, to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, KOMITZ GmbH can see whether and when an e-mail was opened by a data subject and which links contained in the e-mail were called up by the data subject.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimize newsletter mailing and to adapt the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the data subject. These personal data are not passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to revoke the separate consent given via the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation, these personal data will be deleted by the controller. KOMITZ GmbH automatically interprets an unsubscription from the newsletter as a revocation.

8. Contact possibility via the website

The website of KOMITZ GmbH contains, due to legal provisions, information that enables a quick electronic contact to our company as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by e-mail or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted voluntarily by a data subject to the controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no transfer of these personal data to third parties.

9. Subscription to comments in the blog on the website

The comments made in the blog of KOMITZ GmbH can in principle be subscribed to by third parties. In particular, there is the possibility that a commentator subscribes to the follow-up comments to a certain blog post.

If a data subject decides to subscribe to comments, the controller sends an automatic confirmation e-mail to verify in the double opt-in procedure whether the owner of the specified e-mail address has indeed opted for this option. The option to subscribe to comments can be terminated at any time.

10. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

The controller processes and stores personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or insofar as this has been provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the storage purpose ceases to apply or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data are routinely blocked or erased in accordance with the legal provisions.

11. Rights of the data subject

a) Right to confirmation
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to confirmation, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

b) Right of access
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller at any time free information about the personal data stored about him or her and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

• the purposes of the processing

• the categories of personal data concerned

• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations

• where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period

• the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data, or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject, or to object to such processing

• the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

• where the personal data are not collected from the data subject: any available information as to their source

• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

Furthermore, the data subject has a right to be informed whether personal data are transferred to a third country or to an international organization. Where this is the case, the data subject also has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

c) Right to rectification
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject has the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

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

d) Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

• The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.

• The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.

• The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.

• The personal data have been unlawfully processed.

• The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.

• The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR.

If one of the above reasons applies and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by KOMITZ GmbH, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time. The employee of KOMITZ GmbH will ensure that the erasure request is complied with without delay.

Where KOMITZ GmbH has made the personal data public and is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR to erase the personal data, KOMITZ GmbH, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copies or replications of, those personal data, insofar as processing is not required. The employee of KOMITZ GmbH will arrange what is necessary in individual cases.

e) Right to restriction of processing
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following conditions applies:

• The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.

• The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead.

• The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but the data are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

• The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the above conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by KOMITZ GmbH, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time. The employee of KOMITZ GmbH will arrange the restriction of processing.

f) Right to data portability
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she also has the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, where the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, in exercising his or her right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

To assert the right to data portability, the data subject may contact any employee of KOMITZ GmbH at any time.

g) Right to object
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object at any time, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to processing of personal data concerning him or her which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

KOMITZ GmbH shall no longer process the personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or where the processing is for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

Where KOMITZ GmbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing. This also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to KOMITZ GmbH to the processing for direct marketing purposes, KOMITZ GmbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to object to processing of personal data concerning him or her by KOMITZ GmbH for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of KOMITZ GmbH directly or another employee. The data subject is also free, in the context of the use of information society services and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing — including profiling — which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject’s explicit consent, KOMITZ GmbH shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise rights concerning automated individual decision-making, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

i) Right to withdraw consent to data protection
Every data subject has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the right to withdraw consent, he or she may contact any employee of the controller at any time.

12. Data protection for applications and in the application process

The controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of handling the application procedure. Processing may also take place electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits corresponding application documents by electronic means, for example by e-mail or via a web form on the website, to the controller. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the data transmitted will be stored for the purpose of handling the employment relationship in compliance with the statutory provisions. If no employment contract is concluded with the applicant by the controller, the application documents will be automatically deleted two months after notification of the rejection decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller conflict with deletion. Another legitimate interest in this sense could be, for example, a duty to provide evidence in proceedings under the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

13. Data protection provisions regarding the use of Facebook

The controller has integrated components of the company Facebook on this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an internet-based social meeting place, an online community, which usually allows users to communicate with each other and interact in the virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enables the internet community to provide personal or company-related information. Facebook allows users of the social network, among other things, to create private profiles, upload photos and network via friend requests.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. If a data subject lives outside the USA or Canada, the controller for the processing of personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) has been integrated, the internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a display of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be accessed at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/. Within the scope of this technical procedure, Facebook is informed which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Facebook, Facebook recognizes with each call-up to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of the respective stay on our website which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Facebook buttons integrated on our website, for example the “Like” button, or if the data subject submits a comment, then Facebook assigns this information to the personal Facebook user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.

Facebook receives information via the Facebook component whenever the data subject has visited our website, if the data subject is logged in at Facebook at the time of the call-up to our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component or not. If such transmission of this information to Facebook is not desired by the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging out of his or her Facebook account before calling up our website.

The data policy published by Facebook, which is available at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains which settings Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, various applications are available which make it possible to suppress data transmission to Facebook. Such applications may be used by the data subject to suppress data transmission to Facebook.

14. Data protection provisions regarding the use of YouTube

The controller has integrated components of YouTube on this website. YouTube is an internet video portal that enables video publishers to upload video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate and comment on them, also free of charge. YouTube permits the publication of all types of videos, which is why complete film and TV programmes, but also music videos, trailers or videos made by users themselves can be accessed via the internet portal.

The operating company of YouTube is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, the internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective YouTube component to download a display of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube. Further information about YouTube can be obtained at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/. Within the scope of this technical procedure, YouTube and Google receive information as to which specific sub-page of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on YouTube, YouTube recognizes with the call-up of a sub-page that contains a YouTube video which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and associated with the respective YouTube account of the data subject.

YouTube and Google receive information via the YouTube component whenever the data subject has visited our website, if the data subject is logged in at YouTube at the time of the call-up to our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video or not. If such transmission of this information to YouTube and Google is not desired by the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging out of his or her YouTube account before calling up our website.

The data protection provisions published by YouTube, which are available at https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/, provide information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

15. Legal basis for processing

Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as our company’s legal basis for processing operations for which we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, as is the case, for example, when processing operations are necessary for the supply of goods or the provision of another service or consideration, processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to such processing operations which are necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of enquiries concerning our products or services. Where our company is subject to a legal obligation by which processing of personal data is required, such as for the fulfilment of tax obligations, processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured in our company and his or her name, age, health insurance data or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. In that case, processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR.

Finally, processing operations could be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis is used for processing operations which are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases, if processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. Such processing operations are particularly permitted because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. It considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47 sentence 2 GDPR).

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

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business activities for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

17. Period for which the personal data are stored

The criterion used to determine the period of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiry of that period, the corresponding data are routinely deleted, insofar as they are no longer necessary for the performance of the contract or the initiation of a contract.

18. Statutory or contractual requirements to provide personal data; necessity for the conclusion of a contract; obligation of the data subject to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide

We inform you that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or can also result from contractual provisions (e.g. details of the contractual partner).

It may sometimes be necessary for the conclusion of a contract that a data subject provides us with personal data which must subsequently be processed by us. The data subject is, for example, obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with him or her. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.

Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and what the consequences of failure to provide the personal data would be.

19. Existence of automated decision-making

As a responsible company, we do not use automatic decision-making or profiling.

This privacy policy was created using the GDPR privacy policy generator of the German Association for Data Protection (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz) in cooperation with the law firm for media law WILDE BEUGER SOLMECKE | Rechtsanwälte, Cologne.