Privacy policy

We have included Matomo, a service of InnoCraft Limited, 150 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, on this website ("Matomo"). Matomo is an open source software tool for analyzing how visitors use our website. Among other things, we use the data and information obtained to evaluate the use of this website and to compile online reports that show the activities on our website. For these purposes, the service uses cookies to record, among other things, a pseudonymised code assigned to your browser (so-called user ID), from which third-party website you came to our site (so-called referrer URL), information about access time and location from which access originated, which parts of our website you visit and how often and for how long you viewed a certain part of our website. Your IP address is automatically shortened and therefore only recorded anonymously by Matomo. With the evaluated data and online reports, we gain insights into how our website is used. This allows us to customize and improve the website based on actual visitor usage and user needs.

Matomo sets cookies on your device for the purposes described above. The cookies remain stored in your browser for a maximum of 1 year. Each time you visit our website, the aforementioned data is transmitted to us. This personal data is stored and processed by us. We do not pass on this personal data to third parties.

Matomo is only used on a server of our sub-service provider Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91719 Gunzenhausen, hosted (so-called "Matomo On-Premise" solution), which is provided by our service provider rms GmbH, Königstr. 43b, 70173 Stuttgart ("rms"). Therefore, the aforementioned data and the reports are stored and processed exclusively on this server. The stored raw data is deleted once a year, i.e. no later than one year after it was collected. Since we have concluded a contract for order processing with rms, the data is transmitted to this service provider on the basis of Art. 28 DS-GVO. The data is processed by rms exclusively on our instructions and on our behalf.

You can prevent Matomo from processing your data from the outset by activating a so-called "Do Not Track" setting in your browser, which you can use to indicate that you do not wish any user profiles to be created about you. Matomo does not collect any data from you if you have activated this "Do Not Track" setting.

You can also prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the browser used would also prevent Matomo from setting cookies on your device. In addition, a cookie already set by Matomo can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs.

Further information and Matomo's applicable data protection regulations can be found at https://matomo.org/privacy/. 

We only use Matomo with your consent. The legal basis for the use of Matomo cookies is therefore Section 25 (1) TDDDG. The legal basis for data processing in connection with Matomo is Article 6 Paragraph 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR. You can revoke your consent to the use of cookies and/or the processing of your data at any time and with effect for the future by deselecting the corresponding checkboxes for adjusting your consent (category "Statistics") under the following link: for adjustment of consent.

We have integrated a reading function on the website, the ReadSpeaker web reader ("webReader") from ReadSpeaker Holding B.V., Princenhof park 13, 3972 NG Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Netherlands ("ReadSpeaker"). With this service, users can have the texts available on our website read out to them. This is intended to make the website easy to use and accessible for all visitors.

The webReader is activated when the user clicks on the corresponding button. A connection is established between the user's end device and the webReader server. Certain technical data about your end device (e.g. IP address, name and URL of the requested page, date and time of retrieval, information about your operating system and web browser, referrer URL, http status code) and the text to be read are sent to the webReader -Server submitted. An audio file is generated there, which is sent to your end device using the streaming method. Once the process is complete, the data you have submitted will be deleted, although certain technical data (e.g. IP address) may be stored in standard web logs for a specified period for security purposes. The web server logs are automatically deleted after 30 days at the latest.

Otherwise, ReadSpeaker only records and stores the number of clicks on the read function and the language. However, this data is not linked to your IP address or any other information that can identify you. No user profiles are created. The number of clicks and the language are only evaluated statistically.

webReader uses cookies that are technically required to provide the service. These are only set when webReader is activated by clicking on the corresponding button and the user expressly indicates to us that he or she would like to use the webReader service. If the user makes a setting in webReader (e.g. changing the reading speed, font size, volume, etc.), this information is stored in a cookie in your browser so that the settings are retained when navigating our website. The settings are only stored locally in the user's browser and are not transmitted to ReadSpeaker or us. The cookies are automatically deleted after the session has expired. We have concluded an order processing contract with ReadSpeaker, so that data processing is only carried out on our behalf and in accordance with our instructions.

The legal basis for the use of webReader cookies is Section 25 (2) No. 2 TDDDG. The legal basis for data processing in connection with the use of webReader is Article 6 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Letter f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in making the website content accessible to all visitors to our website and providing a user experience that is as inclusive as possible.

In order to ensure adequate data security when submitting forms, we use "Friendly Captcha" on parts of our website. The provider of this service is Friendly Captcha GmbH, Am Anger 3-5, 82237 Woerthsee. Friendly Captcha is used to check whether the data input on our websites (e.g. in a contact form) is made by a natural person or abusively by machine or automated processing. This check is carried out using a calculation task that is automatically solved by your device. No cookies are used here and no tracking takes place.

If you call up an area of ​​our website in which Friendly Captcha is integrated, contact will be made with the Friendly Captcha server, whereby only the technical data required for this (including the IP address, date and time of the request, referrer, HTTP request Header data, number of queries) and the solution to the respective arithmetic task are transmitted to Friendly Captcha. A combination of numbers (so-called hash value) is formed from the IP address using one-way encryption, which does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about your person or the IP address. The IP address is then immediately discarded and not saved. Only the hash value is stored on the friendly captcha server for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted.

Friendly Captcha uses a decentralized server structure. By default, the data is processed on the server closest to the access point of your end device. Depending on the access point, the data may therefore also be processed in countries outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), which may not have an equivalent level of data protection (e.g. in the USA). Any data transfers to the USA were secured with standard data protection clauses approved by the EU Commission, so that data transfer to the USA is based on Article 46 (2) (c) GDPR.
We have concluded an order processing contract with Friendly Captcha GmbH. The data processing by Friendly Captcha is therefore exclusively subject to instructions and on our behalf in accordance with Art. 28 DS-GVO.
We only use Friendly Captcha to detect and prevent illegal use of the website. This data processing takes place on the basis of Article 6 Paragraph 1 Clause 1 Letter f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest is to ensure the security of our web offerings and to prevent their improper use for automated spying and SPAM. Further information on Friendly Captcha and the data protection declaration of Friendly Captcha GmbH can be found at the following link: https://friendlycaptcha.com/de/legal/privacy-end-users/. 

We use Google Ads from Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (“Google”) to draw attention to our website with advertisements. The service is used to display advertising in the search engine, on Google websites and on third-party websites operated by Google partners (“Google advertising network”).

However, no advertising from Google is displayed on our website. Therefore, no cookies are set by Google Ads on our website, no server connection to Google is established and no data is transmitted to Google in connection with Google Ads. We do not use Google Ads with the conversion or remarketing function, and we have not linked Google Ads to Google Analytics or any other service.

In the Google advertising network, Google displays our advertisements under its own responsibility. Google is responsible for selecting which advertising is displayed to which user in the Google advertising network. We do not have the ability to issue instructions or have a more precise influence on this selection. When ordering the advertisements, we can only make rough restrictions in advance on where potential advertising may be displayed by using a few default options provided by Google. In this context, we do not transmit any personal data to Google and neither do we receive the data processed by Google of the users to whom advertisements are shown, nor do we have any closer influence on the associated data processing.

If you access our website via a Google ad, Google will receive your IP address and technical information about your device, since a connection to a Google server will be established. A cookie with an individual code that can be used to recognize your browser may also be stored on the page on which the advertisement is displayed. To the best of our knowledge, such cookies collect information about the advertisements (e.g. visual contacts and clicks on advertising banners) and, if applicable, opt-out information (marking that a user no longer wishes to be addressed). If you are registered with a Google service, Google can assign the information to your account. Further information on any cookies used or data processing by Google Ads, including the legal basis, can be found on the respective page on which the advertising is played, ie on the Google or third-party websites that are part of the Google advertising network are. There you can also make any settings regarding the use of cookies.

We would like to point out that Google may process the data for its own purposes and that we have no influence on the processing of your data at Google. Further information on data protection at Google can be found here: www.google.com/intl/de/policies/privacy und services.google.com/sitestats/de.html

We ourselves have not included any advertisements from Google Ads on our website (see above). In connection with Google Ads, we do not receive any personal data from Google about users to whom our advertisements are displayed. We are only sent statistical (aggregated) evaluations that provide information about which ads were clicked on and how often. We cannot identify individual users based on this information.

We therefore generally do not process any personal data in connection with Google Ads. Only in individual cases, for example when users send us a question that relates to one of our advertisements, can data be processed according to the general principles set out in this data protection declaration. Such questions are answered on the basis of Article 6 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Letter f) GDPR, whereby our legitimate interest lies in the proper processing of the request.

We would also like to point out that the rights of data subjects (e.g. requests for information) in connection with Google Ads can most effectively be exercised directly with Google. Because Google selects and displays advertising and evaluates it directly, as explained above. Only Google has access to the personal data processed for this purpose. If you still need help, please feel free to contact us.
Further information on the processing of your personal data by Google within the framework of Google Ads, on contact data via which you can assert your related rights as a data subject against Google and the applicable data protection provisions of Google can be found at www.google.de /intl/de/policies/privacy/ and at policies.google.com/technologies/ads.

We include map material from OpenStreetMap on our website. OpenStreetMap is a project of the OpenStreetMap Foundation ("OSMF"), 132 Maney Hill Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1JU, United Kingdom, which collects freely usable geodata and stores it in a database for free use. By providing the maps, we aim to improve the user experience of our website and make it easier for you to find our locations.

When you access our website, no connection is initially established to OpenStreetMap's servers. Instead of the embedded map, you will initially only be shown a preview image. Only with your consent, which is obtained in the "Marketing" cookies category, will the maps be activated and will a connection to OSMF be established.

Any subsequent interactions with the map will connect to OSMF's servers and transfer data to OSMF to display the embedded maps. When connecting to view the maps, the following data is transmitted to OSMF: IP address, browser and device used, operating system, web page from which you were redirected to OSMF's page (referring web page), and the date and time of your visit to the web page. If you have a user account with OpenStreetMap and are logged in there when visiting our website, the following data will also be transmitted to OSMF: user ID, email address associated with your account, blocked content if any, and associated messages. OSMF may transfer your data to third parties if required by law or if third parties process this data on behalf of OSMF. It is technically possible that the recipients could identify at least individual users based on the data they receive. We have no influence on the fact that personal data and personality profiles of users of the website are processed for other purposes. For more information on data protection in connection with OpenStreetMap, please refer to OSMF's data protection information.

OpenStreetMap may store cookies in your browser for these purposes. These are text files that are stored on your computer and enable an analysis of your use of the website. We do not know how long OSMF stores the above data. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the map function of OpenStreetMap.

We only use OpenStreetMap with your consent. If you do not give your consent, only the map material will not be displayed, but you will still have access to the majority of our website. The legal basis for the following data processing during your interaction with the map is Art. 6 para. 1 p. 1 lit. a) DSGVO. You can freely revoke your consent to the use of cookies and/or the processing of your data at any time with effect for the future by deselecting the relevant check boxes in the privacy settings to adjust your consent ("Marketing" category).

Our website uses plugins from the YouTube ("YouTube") site operated by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland ("Google"). If you visit one of our pages equipped with a YouTube plugin, a connection to the Google servers will be established. Google is informed which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable Google to assign your surfing behavior directly to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account beforehand.

We integrate the YouTube plugins in such a way that no cookies are generally set when you view the videos on our websites (so-called extended data protection mode).

In addition, YouTube videos are only loaded and played after you have activated the playback of YouTube videos on our pages. If you then start a YouTube video, YouTube may receive your IP address together with information about the respective video and your use of the playback functions.
The aforementioned data may also be transmitted by Google to servers in the USA. In the USA, there is currently no level of data protection equivalent to that in the EU, which may lead to additional risks for your data. For example, it may be more difficult to assert your data protection rights, and there is a risk of official access to your data.  To the best of our knowledge, Google has secured this data transfer with standard data protection clauses approved by the EU Commission, so that this data transfer is based on Art. 46(2)(c) DS-GVO. You can find more information here: https://policies.google.com/privacy/frameworks 

We use the YouTube content to improve the user experience when visiting our website.
The basis for the integration of YouTube content and the associated transmission of your data to Google is Article 6 Paragraph 1 Clause 1 Letter a) GDPR. You can revoke your consent at any time for the future by deselecting the corresponding checkboxes to adjust your consent (consent to the "Statistics" category) under the following link: to adjust the consent.

We would like to point out that we have no influence on the further processing of the data collected by Google (including any data transfers to third countries). Further information on how YouTube and Google handle user data and how this data is processed can be found in YouTube's data protection declaration at: https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy 

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments on the subject of data protection, please send an email to the data protection officer of the International Federation: datenschutz@ib.de.