We are very delighted that you have shown interest in our enterprise. Data protection is of a particularly high priority for the management of the TOPTICA Photonics SE. The use of the Internet pages of the TOPTICA Photonics SE is possible without any indication of personal data; however, if a data subject wants to use special enterprise services via our website, processing of personal data could become necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we generally obtain consent from the data subject.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to the TOPTICA Photonics SE. By means of this data protection declaration, our enterprise would like to inform the general public of the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed, by means of this data protection declaration, of the rights to which they are entitled.

As the controller, the TOPTICA Photonics SE has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed through this website. However, Internet-based data transmissions may in principle have security gaps, so absolute protection may not be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transfer personal data to us via alternative means, e.g. by telephone.

The data protection declaration of the TOPTICA Photonics SE is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our data protection declaration should be legible and understandable for the general public, as well as our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to first explain the terminology used.

In this data protection declaration, we use, inter alia, the following terms:

a)    Personal data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“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 is 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 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 to 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; the processing of those data by those public authorities shall be in compliance with the applicable data protection rules according to the purposes of the processing.

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 of the data subject 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.

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

TOPTICA Photonics SE
Lochhamer Schlag 19
82166 Gräfelfing
Germany

Phone: +49 89 85837-0
Email: info@toptica.com
Website: www.toptica.com

For further information, please contact our data protection officer at any time:
datenschutz@hbsn-gruppe.de

HBSN GmbH
Schloßbergstraße 28
38315 Hornburg

Phone: +49 (5334) 9488467

The Internet pages of the TOPTICA Photonics SE use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in a computer system via an Internet browser.

Many Internet sites 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 character string through which Internet pages and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows visited Internet sites and servers to differentiate the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognized and identified using the unique cookie ID.

Through the use of cookies, the TOPTICA Photonics SE can provide the 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. Cookies allow us, as previously mentioned, to recognize our website users. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to utilize our website. The website user that uses cookies, e.g. does not have to enter access data each time the website is accessed, because this is taken over by the website, and the cookie is thus stored on the user's computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online shop. The online store remembers the articles that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart via a cookie.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by means of a corresponding setting of the Internet browser used, and may thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Furthermore, already set cookies may be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all popular Internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be entirely usable.

Cookies that are required to carry out the electronic communication process, to provide certain functions that you have requested (e.g. for the shopping cart function) or to optimize the website (e.g. cookies to measure 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 the storage of necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG); the consent can be revoked at any time.

The website of the TOPTICA Photonics SE collects a series of general data and information when a data subject or automated system calls up the website. This general data and information are stored in the server log files. Collected may be (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 referrers), (4) the sub-websites, (5) the date and time of access to the Internet site, (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 may be used in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, the TOPTICA Photonics SE does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimize the content of our website as well as its advertisement, (3) ensure the long-term viability of our information technology systems and website technology, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in case of a cyber-attack. Therefore, the TOPTICA Photonics SE analyzes anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise, and 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.

Log files are stored on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

The data subject has the possibility to register on the website of the controller with the indication of personal data. Which personal data are transmitted to the controller is determined by the respective input mask used for the registration. The personal data entered by the data subject are collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller, and for his own purposes. The controller may request transfer to one or more processors (e.g. a parcel service) that also uses personal data for an internal purpose which is attributable to the controller.

By registering on the website of the controller, the IP address—assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) and used by the data subject—date, and time of the registration are also stored. The storage of this data takes place against the background that this is the only way to prevent the misuse of our services, and, if necessary, to make it possible to investigate committed offenses. Insofar, the storage of this data is necessary to secure the controller. This data is not passed on to third parties unless there is a statutory obligation to pass on the data, or if the transfer serves the aim of criminal prosecution.

The registration of the data subject, with the voluntary indication of personal data, is intended to enable the controller to offer the data subject contents or services that may only be offered to registered users due to the nature of the matter in question. Registered persons are free to change the personal data specified during the registration at any time, or to have them completely deleted from the data stock of the controller.

The data controller shall, at any time, provide information upon request to each data subject as to what personal data are stored about the data subject. In addition, the data controller shall correct or erase personal data at the request or indication of the data subject, insofar as there are no statutory storage obligations. The entirety of the controller’s employees are available to the data subject in this respect as contact persons.

On the website of the TOPTICA Photonics SE, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our enterprise's newsletter. The input mask used for this purpose determines what personal data are transmitted, as well as when the newsletter is ordered from the controller.

The TOPTICA Photonics SE informs its customers and business partners regularly by means of a newsletter about enterprise offers. The enterprise's newsletter may 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 shipping. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address registered by a data subject for the first time for newsletter shipping, for legal reasons, in the double opt-in procedure. This confirmation e-mail is used to prove whether the owner of the e-mail address as the data subject is authorized to receive the newsletter.

During the registration for the newsletter, we also store the IP address of the computer system assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) and used by the data subject at the time of the registration, as well as the date and time of the registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to understand the (possible) misuse of the e-mail address of a data subject at a later date, and it therefore serves the aim of the legal protection of the controller.

The personal data collected as part of a registration for the newsletter will only be used to send our newsletter. In addition, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by e-mail, as long as this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or a registration in question, as this could be the case in the event of modifications to the newsletter offer, or in the event of a change in technical circumstances. There will be no transfer of personal data collected by 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, which the data subject has given for shipping the newsletter, may be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revocation of consent, a corresponding link is found in each newsletter. It is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the website of the controller, or to communicate this to the controller in a different way.

The newsletter of the TOPTICA Photonics SE contains 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 analysis of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the TOPTICA Photonics SE may see if and when an e-mail was opened by a data subject, and which links in the e-mail were called up by data subjects.

Such personal data collected in the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and analyzed by the controller in order to optimize the shipping of the newsletter, as well as to adapt the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the data subject. These personal data will not be passed on to third parties. Data subjects are at any time entitled to revoke the respective separate declaration of consent issued by means of the double-opt-in procedure. After a revocation, these personal data will be deleted by the controller. The TOPTICA Photonics SE automatically regards a withdrawal from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.

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

The website of the TOPTICA Photonics SE contains information that enables a quick electronic contact to our enterprise, as well as direct communication with us, which also includes name, phone number and 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 on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the data controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no transfer of this personal data to third parties.

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

The data controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.

If the storage purpose is not applicable, 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 legal requirements.

a) Right of confirmation

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

b) Right of access

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller free information about his or her personal data stored at any time and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European directives and regulations grant 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) of the GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

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

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

c) Right to rectification

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject shall have 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, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

d) Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten)

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay, and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies, as long 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 to which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.

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

If one of the aforementioned reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by the TOPTICA Photonics SE, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. An employee of TOPTICA Photonics SE shall promptly ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.

Where the controller has made personal data public and is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) to erase the personal data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the personal data that the data subject has requested erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data, as far as processing is not required. An employee of the TOPTICA Photonics SE will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.

e) Right of restriction of processing

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following 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 instead the restriction of their use instead.

The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they 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) of the GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

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

f) Right to data portability

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which was provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she shall have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, as long as the processing is based on consent pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to point (b) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, as long as 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) of the GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and when doing so does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

In order to assert the right to data portability, the data subject may at any time contact any employee of the TOPTICA Photonics SE.

g) Right to object

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, at any time, to processing of personal data concerning him or her, which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

The TOPTICA Photonics SE shall no longer process the personal data in the event of the objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

If the TOPTICA Photonics SE processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing. This applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to the TOPTICA Photonics SE to the processing for direct marketing purposes, the TOPTICA Photonics SE 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 the TOPTICA Photonics SE for scientific or historical research purposes, or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

In order to exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of the TOPTICA Photonics SE. In addition, the data subject is free in the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to use his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Each data subject shall have 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, as long as the decision (1) is not is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) is not 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 not 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 a data controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject's explicit consent, the TOPTICA Photonics SE 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 contest the decision.

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

i) Right to withdraw data protection consent

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw his or her consent to processing of his or her personal data at any time.

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

The data controller shall collect and process the personal data of applicants for the purpose of the processing of the application procedure. The processing may also be carried out electronically. This is the case, in particular, if an applicant submits corresponding application documents by e-mail or by means of a web form on the website to the controller. If the data controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with legal requirements. If no employment contract is concluded with the applicant by the controller, the application documents shall be automatically erased two months after notification of the refusal decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller are opposed to the erasure. Other legitimate interest in this relation is, e.g. a burden of proof in a procedure under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

Use of Matomo (formerly Piwik)

We use the open-source web analytics software Matomo to analyze and optimize the use of our website. Matomo is operated in a self-hosted, cookieless mode, ensuring that no personal tracking cookies are placed on users’ devices and that no active access to end devices occurs. All collected data remains on our own servers and is not shared with third parties.

Purpose & Legal Basis

The processing of data takes place for the purpose of analyzing user behavior in order to improve our website and our online offer. The legal basis for data processing is our legitimate interest in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Since Matomo is operated in a cookieless configuration and IP addresses are anonymized immediately, no personal data is processed that would require consent under the TTDSG.

Data Types and Storage Period

The following information is recorded during website access:

Anonymized usage data (e.g., accessed pages, date and time of visit, referrer URL)

Technical data (e.g., browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution)

Shortened (anonymized) IP address

Session identifiers (stored temporarily and deleted after the session ends)

All data is stored in anonymized form and used exclusively for statistical evaluation. It is not possible to identify individual visitors, and no data is transferred to third parties.

Opt-Out / Objection

Users can object to the anonymized analysis of their data at any time. When the opt-out option is activated, a technically necessary cookie is set to store this preference. From that point onward, Matomo will no longer collect any data about the user's visit.

You can activate the opt-out option here:
(Insert opt-out iframe or link to Matomo opt-out function)

Order Processing

We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR with the service provider responsible for the technical operation of Matomo (if applicable). All data is processed exclusively within the EU and in compliance with data protection regulations.

Further Information

For more information on Matomo and data protection, please visit: https://matomo.org/privacy-policy/

Description and Purpose

We use the online advertising program Google Ads, a service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (“Google”). Google Ads enables us to display advertisements on the Google search engine and on third-party websites (the so-called Google advertising network) and to measure their success (conversion tracking).

The purpose of Google Ads is to promote our website by displaying relevant advertisements on external websites and within Google search results, and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

Conversion Tracking

If you reach our website via a Google advertisement, Google will place a so-called conversion cookie on your device. These cookies are valid for a limited period (usually 30 days) and do not serve to personally identify users. If you visit specific pages of our website while the cookie is still valid, both we and Google can recognize that you clicked on an advertisement and were redirected to our website.

Each Google Ads customer receives a different conversion cookie. Cookies therefore cannot be tracked across the websites of different Ads customers. The information collected using conversion cookies is used to generate conversion statistics for Ads customers who have opted for conversion tracking. We learn the total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. However, we do not receive any information that personally identifies users.

Legal Basis

The use of Google Ads and conversion tracking is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG, insofar as cookies are used for this purpose. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect via our cookie settings. If no cookies are used (for example, in certain privacy modes), data processing is carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest in targeted marketing and performance analysis pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Data Transfer and Storage

As part of the use of Google Ads, data may be transmitted to Google servers in the United States. Google is certified under the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), ensuring an adequate level of data protection in accordance with Art. 45 GDPR. For more information on Google’s data protection measures, please refer to Google’s privacy policy.

Opt-Out Options

If you do not wish to participate in tracking, you can:

• Prevent cookies from being set by adjusting your browser settings,
• Deactivate interest-based advertising by Google Ads at https://adssettings.google.com/, or
• Withdraw your consent via our cookie consent banner.

Further Information

For more information on Google Ads and conversion tracking, please visit: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/1722022

and Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Processing of Data on our LinkedIn Page

We maintain a company profile on the social media platform LinkedIn, operated by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland (“LinkedIn”). When you visit or interact with our LinkedIn page, LinkedIn processes personal data of users. We process this data jointly with LinkedIn in accordance with Art. 26 GDPR (Joint Controllership) to understand how our page is used and to improve our communication.

The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR in presenting our company, maintaining contact with users, and communicating with potential customers, partners, and applicants.

Page Insights and Joint Responsibility

LinkedIn provides us with so-called “Page Insights”, i.e. aggregated data about the use of our LinkedIn page. These statistics allow us to see, for example, how users interact with our content. However, the data provided to us is anonymized, and we cannot identify individual users.

We and LinkedIn are joint controllers with respect to the processing of Insights data. The corresponding agreement under Art. 26 GDPR (“Page Insights Joint Controller Addendum”) specifies the respective responsibilities. You can view this agreement and further details here: https://legal.linkedin.com/pages-joint-controller-addendum

Communication via LinkedIn

If you contact us directly via LinkedIn (e.g., through messages, comments, or post interactions), we process the data you voluntarily provide (e.g., your name, profile, message content) in order to handle your request or to communicate with you.
The legal basis for this processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (if related to a contract or pre-contractual communication) or Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (our legitimate interest in effective communication).

Data Transfers and Safeguards

LinkedIn may transfer data to the United States, where its parent company LinkedIn Corporation is located. Such transfers are based on the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), ensuring an adequate level of data protection in accordance with Art. 45 GDPR.

For further information about data processing by LinkedIn, please see LinkedIn’s privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

Your Rights

You have the rights of access (Art. 15 GDPR), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17), restriction (Art. 18), data portability (Art. 20), and objection (Art. 21).
In the context of joint responsibility for Page Insights, you can assert your rights both against LinkedIn and against us. However, LinkedIn has undertaken primary responsibility for fulfilling data subject rights and providing the required information under Art. 26 GDPR.

If you have questions about data protection in connection with our LinkedIn page, you can contact us via the details provided in our imprint.

Integration of YouTube Videos

Our website may include content from the video platform YouTube, operated by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (“Google”). YouTube allows the embedding of videos directly into web pages.

When you access a page on our website containing a YouTube video, a connection to YouTube’s servers is established. In doing so, data may be transmitted to Google, such as your IP address, device and browser information, the URL of the page visited, and—if you are logged into your Google or YouTube account—information that allows Google to associate your browsing behavior with your personal profile. This may occur regardless of whether the video is actively played.

Legal Basis

The integration of YouTube videos and the associated data processing occurs only after your explicit consent via our consent management platform (CMP) in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG.
Without your consent, no connection to YouTube’s servers will be established and no data will be transmitted to Google. You can withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future via the settings in our consent banner.

In individual cases, data processing may also take place on the basis of our legitimate interest in the appealing and informative presentation of our website (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR), provided that this does not override your fundamental rights and freedoms.

Data Transfer and Storage

Data collected in connection with the display of YouTube videos may be transferred to servers of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
Google LLC is certified under the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which ensures an adequate level of protection for personal data pursuant to Art. 45 GDPR.

For more information about the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework certification, see: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/

Responsibility and Rights

Google acts as an independent controller within the meaning of Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR for all subsequent data processing associated with the use of YouTube.
You therefore have the following rights with regard to data processing by Google or YouTube:

• Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
• Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
• Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
• Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
• Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
• Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)

If you believe that the processing of your data violates the GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in accordance with Art. 77 GDPR.

Further Information

For details on data processing by Google and YouTube as well as options for managing your privacy settings, please refer to: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Integration of Youku Videos

Our website may include content from the video platform Youku, operated by Beijing Youku Internet Technology Co., Ltd., a company of the Alibaba Group (China). When you visit a page that contains embedded Youku videos, a connection to Youku’s servers is established. In this process, personal data such as your IP address, browser information, and the accessed URL may be transmitted to servers located in the People’s Republic of China.

Legal Basis

The integration of Youku content takes place only with your explicit consent via our consent management platform in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. Without your consent, no Youku videos are loaded, and no data is transmitted. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect.

Data Transfer to Third Countries

Data processing by Youku occurs in a third country without an adequacy decision by the European Commission. Therefore, the transfer of your personal data to Youku may be associated with risks for which we cannot guarantee an EU-equivalent level of protection (e.g., government access). The transfer is based on your explicit consent in accordance with Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR.

Responsibility and Further Information

Youku is solely responsible for the subsequent processing of your data.
For more information on data protection and your rights, please refer to Youku’s privacy policy (available in Chinese): https://www.youku.com/

Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR serves as the 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 to provide any other service, the processing is based on Article 6(1) lit. b GDPR. The same applies to such processing operations which are necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures, for example in the case of inquiries concerning our products or services. Is our company subject to a legal obligation by which processing of personal data is required, such as for the fulfillment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary 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 name, age, health insurance data or other vital information would have to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. Then the processing would be based on Art. 6(1) lit. d GDPR. Finally, processing operations could be based on Article 6(1) lit. f GDPR. This legal basis is used for processing operations which are not covered by any of the abovementioned legal grounds, 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 which require protection of personal data. Such processing operations are particularly permissible because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. He considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47 Sentence 2 GDPR).

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1) lit. f GDPR our legitimate interest is to carry out our business in favor of the well-being of all our employees and the shareholders.

The criteria used to determine the period of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiration of that period, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, as long as it is no longer necessary for the fulfillment of the contract or the initiation of a contract.

When and Why Data Provision May Be Required

In some cases, we are legally or contractually obliged to collect and process certain personal data. For example, this may be necessary due to legal requirements (e.g. tax regulations) or because the data is needed to fulfil or conclude a contract (e.g. to issue invoices or deliver services).

Consequences of Not Providing Data

If you do not provide the required personal data, we may not be able to enter into or perform a contract with you. In cases where the provision of data is purely voluntary, this will be clearly indicated.

How to Obtain More Information

Before providing personal data, you can contact us to find out whether the provision is legally or contractually required, necessary for a contract, or voluntary, and what the possible consequences of non-provision would be. Our employees will be happy to explain this in detail.

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