Privacy Policy

1) Introduction and Contact Details of the Controller

1.1

We are pleased that you visit our website and thank you for your interest. The following information will provide you with details on how we handle your personal data when you use our website. Personal data refers to all data that can be used to identify you personally.

1.2

The controller for data processing on this website within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is Dina Schulz, DS Online Concepts, Leopoldstr. 2-8, 32051 Herford, Germany, Tel.: 01573 8993320, E-Mail: dina@publishmatic.com. The controller responsible for the processing of personal data is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

2) Data Collection When Visiting Our Website

2.1

When you use our website for informational purposes only, that is, if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information, we collect only the data that your browser transmits to our server (so-called “server log files”). When you access our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:

Our visited website
Date and time of access
Amount of data sent in bytes
Source/referral from which you accessed the page
Used browser
Used operating system
Used IP address (if applicable: in anonymized form)

This processing is carried out according to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR based on our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data will not be disclosed or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to check the server log files subsequently if there are concrete indications of unlawful use.

2.2

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g., orders or inquiries to the controller), this website uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the string “https://” and the lock symbol in your browser line.

3) Hosting & Content Delivery Network

To host our website and display its content, we use a provider who renders these services on servers within the European Union, either independently or through selected subcontractors.

All data collected on our website is processed on these servers. We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, ensuring the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibiting unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

4) Cookies

To make visiting our website attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use cookies – small text files that are stored on your device. Some of these cookies are deleted automatically when you close the browser (so-called “session cookies”), while others remain on your end device for a longer period to save page settings (so-called “persistent cookies”). In the latter case, the storage duration can be found in the cookie settings of your web browser.

If personal data is also processed by individual cookies implemented by us, this processing is carried out either to execute the contract according to Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR, in case of given consent according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR, or based on our legitimate interests in the best possible functionality of the website as well as a customer-friendly and effective organization of the page visit according to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR.

You can set your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and to decide on their acceptance individually or to exclude the acceptance of cookies for specific cases or in general. Please note that if cookies are not accepted, the functionality of our website may be restricted.

5) Contacting Us

In the context of contacting us (e.g., via contact form or email), personal data is collected. The specific data collected in the case of a contact form can be seen from the respective contact form. This data is stored and used exclusively for the purpose of responding to your request or for the necessary technical administration related to this.

The legal basis for processing this data is our legitimate interest in responding to your request according to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR. If your aim is to conclude a contract, then the additional legal basis for processing is Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR. Your data will be deleted after the final processing of your inquiry, provided that there are no statutory retention obligations to the contrary.

6) Web Analytics Services

Google Analytics 4

This website uses Google Analytics 4, a web analysis service of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland (“Google”), which enables an analysis of your use of our website.

By default, no cookies are used when visiting the website via Google Analytics 4 unless you expressly agree to the use of cookies. Instead, information about your use behavior is collected and processed through so-called pings (small data packets that are sent to the host of an end device). This information includes your IP address, which is, however, truncated by Google to exclude direct personal reference.

The information is transferred to Google’s servers and processed there. Transfers to Google LLC, based in the USA, are also possible in this context.

Google uses this information on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on website activities for us, and provide other services related to website activity and internet usage. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics and truncated will not be merged with other data by Google. The data collected in the context of using Google Analytics 4 will be stored for two months and then deleted.

All the processing described above, including data transmission through “pings” and the possible setting of Google Analytics cookies, will only take place if you have given your explicit consent according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR.

Without your consent, Google Analytics 4 will not be used during your visit to our website. You can revoke your consent with effect for the future at any time. To exercise your right of revocation, please deactivate this service using the “cookie-consent tool” provided on the website.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google, ensuring the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibiting unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

Further legal information on Google Analytics 4 can be found at https://business.safety.google/intl/de/privacy/, https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en&gl=us, and https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

Demographic Features

Google Analytics 4 uses the special function “demographic features” to create statistics regarding the age, gender, and interests of website visitors. This occurs through the analysis of advertising and information from third-party providers. This allows target groups for marketing activities to be identified. However, the collected data cannot be attributed to any specific person and will be deleted after two months of storage.

Google Signals

As an extension of Google Analytics 4, Google Signals can be used on this website to generate cross-device reports. If you have enabled personalized ads and linked your devices to your Google account, Google, with your consent to use Google Analytics according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR, can analyze your usage behavior across devices and create database models, among other things for cross-device conversions. We do not receive any personal data from Google, but only statistics. If you want to stop cross-device analytics, you can disable the “Personalized Ads” function in your Google account settings. Follow the instructions on this page. More information on Google Signals can be found at: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=en.

UserIDs

As an extension of Google Analytics 4, the “UserIDs” function can be used on this website. If you have consented to the use of Google Analytics 4 according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR, created an account on this website, and logged in on various devices with this account, your activities, including conversions, can be analyzed across devices.

For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which, based on an adequacy decision by the European Commission, ensures compliance with European data protection levels.

7) Page Functionalities

7.1 YouTube

This website uses plugins to display and play videos from the following provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

Data may also be transmitted to: Google LLC., USA.

When you access a page of our website that contains such a plugin, your browser establishes a direct connection to the provider’s servers to load the plugin. Here, certain information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

If the playback of embedded videos is started via the plugin, the provider also uses cookies to collect information about user behavior, to create playback statistics, and to prevent abusive behavior.

If you are logged in to an account with the provider during your visit, the data will be directly assigned to your account when you click on a video. If you do not wish this assignment to your account, you need to log out before pressing the play button.

All the aforementioned processing, particularly the setting of cookies for retrieving information on the used end device, only takes place if you have given us your explicit consent according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR. You can revoke the given consent with effect for the future at any time by deactivating this service using the “cookie-consent tool” provided on the website.

For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, ensuring compliance with European data protection levels based on an adequacy decision by the European Commission.

7.2 Google Web Fonts

This site uses web fonts provided by the following provider to ensure the uniform display of fonts: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

When a page is accessed, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache to correctly display text and fonts, establishing a direct connection to the provider’s servers. Here, certain browser information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

Data may also be transmitted to: Google LLC., USA.

The processing of personal data in connection with contacting the font provider is only carried out if you have given us your explicit consent according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future by deactivating this service using the “cookie-consent tool” provided on the website. If your browser does not support web fonts, a default font from your computer will be used.

More information on Google’s privacy policies can be found here: https://business.safety.google/intl/en/privacy/

8) Tools and Miscellaneous

Cookie-Consent Tool

This website uses a “cookie-consent tool” to obtain effective user consent for cookies requiring consent and cookie-based applications. The “cookie-consent tool” is displayed to users as an interactive user interface upon page access, where consent for specific cookies and/or cookie-based applications can be given by ticking a box. By using the tool, all cookies/services requiring consent are only loaded if the respective user provides the corresponding consent by ticking the box. This ensures that such cookies are only set on the user’s respective end device in the case of given consent.

The tool sets technically necessary cookies to save your cookie preferences. Generally, personal user data is not processed in this context.

If in individual cases personal data (such as the IP address) is processed for the purpose of storage, assignment, or logging of cookie settings, this is done according to Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR based on our legitimate interest in a legally compliant, user-specific, and user-friendly consent management for cookies and thus in a legally compliant design of our internet presence.

Further legal basis for processing is Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR. As the controller, we are subject to the legal obligation to make the use of technically unnecessary cookies dependent on the respective user consent.

If necessary, we have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, ensuring the protection of the visitors’ data on our website and prohibiting unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

For more information about the operator and the configuration options of the cookie-consent tool, check the corresponding user interface on our website.

9) Rights of the Data Subject

9.1

The applicable data protection law grants you the following data subject rights (rights of information and intervention) vis-à-vis the controller regarding the processing of your personal data, referring to the mentioned legal basis for their respective exercise requirements:

Right to information according to Art. 15 GDPR;
Right to rectification according to Art. 16 GDPR;
Right to erasure according to Art. 17 GDPR;
Right to restriction of processing according to Art. 18 GDPR;
Right to notification according to Art. 19 GDPR;
Right to data portability according to Art. 20 GDPR;
Right to withdraw given consents according to Art. 7(3) GDPR;
Right to lodge a complaint according to Art. 77 GDPR.

9.2 RIGHT TO OBJECT

IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON THE BASIS OF OUR LEGITIMATE INTERESTS DURING AN INTERESTS WEIGHING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THIS PROCESSING WITH FUTURE EFFECT AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE CONCERNED DATA. HOWEVER, FURTHER PROCESSING REMAINS RESERVED IF WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING SERVES THE ASSERTION, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS.

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED BY US FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR SUCH ADVERTISING PURPOSES. YOU CAN EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL STOP PROCESSING THE RELEVANT DATA FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES.

10) Duration of Storage of Personal Data

The duration of the storage of personal data is determined by the respective legal basis, the processing purpose, and – if applicable – additionally by the respective statutory retention period (e.g. commercial and tax retention periods).

When processing personal data based on explicit consent according to Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR, this data will be stored until you revoke your consent.

If there are statutory retention periods for data processed within the scope of legal or quasi-legal obligations on the basis of Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR, this data will be routinely deleted after the retention periods expire, provided that the data is no longer required for fulfilling the contract or contract initiation and/or there is no legitimate interest on our part in further storage.

When processing personal data based on Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object according to Art. 21(1) GDPR, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that outweigh your interests, rights, and freedoms, or the processing serves the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

When processing personal data for direct marketing purposes based on Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object according to Art. 21(2) GDPR.

Unless otherwise stated within the other information of this policy regarding specific processing situations, the stored personal data will be deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.