Privacy Policy – Welte GmbH

Privacy Policy GDPR

Introduction

The following data protection declaration is intended to inform you about the types of personal data (hereinafter also referred to as ‘data’) we process, for what purposes and to what extent. The privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘online offering’).
The terms used are not gender specific.

Responsible body

The responsible body for data processing on this website is:

Welte GmbH
Am Schloss 4
79117 Freiburg

Telephone: +49 761 – 696860
Fax: +49 761 – 6968666
Email: info@weltenet.de

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

Relevant legal bases

Below, we outline the legal bases of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on which we process personal data. Please note that, in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection regulations may apply in your or our country of residence or registered office. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.

Contract performance and pre-contractual enquiries (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.

Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.

Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller 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.

Security measures

In accordance with legal requirements, we take appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk, considering the state of the art, implementation costs, the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of threats to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

These measures include ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access, input, transfer, availability and separation relating to it. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure that the rights of data subjects are exercised, data is deleted, and responses are made to data threats.

Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software and procedures in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and data protection-friendly default settings.
SSL encryption (https): We use SSL encryption to protect the data you transmit via our online services. You can recognise encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in your browser’s address bar.

Transfer and disclosure of personal data

During our processing of personal data, it may happen that the data is transferred to or disclosed to other bodies, companies, legally independent organisational units or persons. The recipients of this data may include, for example, payment institutions in the context of payment transactions, service providers commissioned with IT tasks, or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and conclude appropriate contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data to protect your data.

Data processing in third countries

If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if processing takes place in connection with the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, bodies or companies, this will only be done in accordance with the legal requirements.

Subject to express consent or transfer required by contract or law, we only process or allow the data to be processed in third countries with a recognised level of data protection, which include US processors certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, or on the basis of special guarantees, such as contractual obligations through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission, the existence of certifications or binding internal data protection regulations, in accordance with Articles 44 to 49 GDPR). Information page of the EU Commission:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_de

Use of cookies

Cookies are text files that contain data from visited websites or domains and are stored by a browser on the user’s computer. A cookie primarily serves to store information about a user during or after their visit to an online offering. The stored information may include, for example, the language settings on a website, the login status, a shopping basket or the point at which a video was viewed. We also include other technologies that perform the same functions as cookies (e.g. when user information is stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also known as ‘user IDs’) under the term ‘cookies’.

A distinction is made between the following types of cookies and functions:

Temporary cookies (also known as session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online service and closes their browser.

Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the browser is closed. For example, the login status can be stored or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Similarly, the interests of users, which are used for reach measurement or marketing purposes, can be stored in such a cookie.

First-party cookies: First-party cookies are set by us.

Third-party cookies: Third-party cookies are mainly used by advertisers (so-called third parties) to process user information.

Necessary (also: essential or absolutely necessary) cookies: Cookies may be absolutely necessary for the operation of a website (e.g. to store logins or other user entries or for security reasons).

Statistics, marketing and personalisation cookies: Cookies are also generally used for reach measurement and when a user’s interests or behaviour (e.g. viewing certain content, using functions, etc.) on individual websites are stored in a user profile. Such profiles are used, for example, to display content to users that corresponds to their potential interests. This process is also referred to as ‘tracking’, i.e. tracking the potential interests of users. If we use cookies or ‘tracking’ technologies, we will inform you separately in our privacy policy or when obtaining your consent.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Depending on whether the processing is based on consent or legal permission, you have the option at any time to revoke your consent or to object to the processing of your data by cookie technologies (collectively referred to as ‘opt-out’). You can initially declare your objection by adjusting your browser settings, e.g. by deactivating the use of cookies (although this may also restrict the functionality of our online offering). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be declared via a variety of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/. In addition, you can obtain further information on objection rights in the information provided on the service providers and cookies used.

Services and service providers used:
Complianz: Cookie Consent Manager; Service provider: Complianz BV, Kalmarweg 14-5, 9223 JG, Groningen, Netherlands; Website: https://complianz.io; Privacy policy: https://complianz.io/legal/privacy-statement/

Processing of personal data and purposes of processing

Contractual and business services: We process data relating to our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as ‘contractual partners’) within the framework of contractual and comparable legal relationships and associated measures, and within the framework of communication with contractual partners (or pre-contractual), e.g. to respond to enquiries.

We process this data to fulfil our contractual obligations, to secure our rights and for the purposes of administrative tasks associated with this information and for business organisation. We only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties within the framework of applicable law to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfil legal obligations, or with the consent of the contractual partners (e.g. to participating telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services, as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities).

The contracting parties will be informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, within the scope of this privacy policy.
We will inform the contractual partners of the data required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by means of special markings (e.g. colours) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or in person.

We delete the data after the expiry of statutory warranty and comparable obligations, i.e. generally after 4 years, unless the data is stored in a customer account, e.g. as long as it must be retained for archiving for legal reasons (e.g. for tax purposes, usually 10 years). We delete data disclosed to us by the contractual partner within the scope of an order in accordance with the specifications of the order, generally after the end of the order.

Insofar as we use third-party providers or platforms to provide our services, the terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective third-party providers or platforms apply to the relationship between users and providers.

Economic analyses and market research: For business reasons and in order to identify market trends and the wishes of contractual partners and users, we analyse the data available to us on business transactions, contracts, enquiries, etc., whereby the group of data subjects may include contractual partners, interested parties, customers, visitors and users of our online offering.
The analyses are carried out for the purpose of business evaluations, marketing and market research (e.g. to determine customer groups with different characteristics). In doing so, we may consider the profiles of registered users, including their details, e.g. on services used, if available. The analyses are for our own use only and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses with summarised, i.e. anonymised, values. Furthermore, we respect the privacy of users and process the data for analysis purposes pseudonymously and, where feasible, anonymously (e.g. as summarised data).

Contact: When contacting us (e.g. via contact form, email, telephone or social media), the details of the enquiring persons are processed to the extent necessary to respond to the contact enquiries and any requested measures.

Responding to contact requests within the framework of contractual or pre-contractual relationships is done to fulfil our contractual obligations or to respond to (pre-)contractual enquiries and, in all other cases, based on our legitimate interests in responding to enquiries.

Provision of online services and web hosting

In order to provide our online services securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers whose servers (or servers managed by them) can be used to access our online services. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, as well as security and technical maintenance services.

The data processed in the context of providing the hosting service may include all information relating to the users of our online services that is generated in the course of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary to deliver the content of online services to browsers, and all entries made within our online service or on websites.

Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on every access to the server (so-called server log files). Server log files may include the address and name of the websites and files accessed, the date and time of access, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider.

The server log files can be used for security purposes, e.g. to prevent server overload (especially in the event of malicious attacks, known as DDoS attacks) and to ensure server utilisation and stability.

Services and service providers used:
NETHINKS GmbH, Rabanusstr.14-16, 36037 Fulda, website: https://nethinks.com ;
Privacy policy https://nethinks.com/datenschutzerklaerung/

Newsletters and broad communication

We send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter referred to as ‘newsletters’) only with the consent of the recipients or with legal permission. If the content of the newsletter is specifically described during the registration process, this content is decisive for the consent of the users. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and about us.

To subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your email address. However, we may ask you to provide a name for personalised communication in the newsletter or other information if this is necessary for the purposes of the newsletter.

Double opt-in procedure: Registration for our newsletter is always carried out using a double opt-in procedure. This means that after registering, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary to prevent anyone from registering with someone else’s email address. Newsletter registrations are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the time of registration and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the mailing service provider are also logged.

Deletion and restriction of processing: We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defence against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the case of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a block list (so-called ‘blacklist’) for this purpose alone.

The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests for the purpose of proving that it has been carried out properly. If we commission a service provider to send emails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure mailing system.

Web analysis and online marketing

We process personal data for online marketing purposes, which may include, in particular, the marketing of advertising space or the display of advertising and other content (collectively referred to as ‘content’) based on the potential interests of users and the measurement of its effectiveness.
For these purposes, so-called user profiles are created and stored in a file (so-called ‘cookie’) or similar procedures are used, by means of which the information relevant to the display of the aforementioned content is stored about the user. This information may include, for example, content viewed, websites visited, online networks used, but also communication partners and technical information such as the browser used, the computer system used and information on usage times. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this may also be processed.
The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymisation by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear data of users (such as email addresses or names) is stored as part of the online marketing process, but rather pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the online marketing process know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles.

The information in the profiles is usually stored in cookies or using similar methods. These cookies can later be read on other websites that use the same online marketing method, analysed for the purpose of displaying content, supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing method provider.
In exceptional cases, clear data may be assigned to the profiles. This is the case if, for example, users are members of a social network whose online marketing method we use, and the network links the users’ profiles with the aforementioned information. Please note that users may enter into additional agreements with the providers, e.g. by giving their consent during registration.

We only receive access to summarised information about the success of our advertisements. However, we can use conversion measurements to check which of our online marketing methods have led to a conversion, i.e. to a contract being concluded with us. Conversion measurement is used solely to analyse the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, please assume that the cookies used will be stored for a period of two years.

Right to object (opt-out): We refer you to the data protection information provided by the respective providers and the options for objecting (known as ‘opt-out’) specified by the providers. If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you can disable cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offering. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered collectively for the respective regions: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-regional: https://optout.aboutads.info.

Services used and service providers
WP Statistics: Web analysis; Service provider: VeronaLabs, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia; Website: https://wp-statistics.com ; Privacy policy: https://wp-statistics.com/privacy-policy

Presence on social networks
We maintain an online presence on social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with users who are active there or to provide information about us.

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may pose risks for users, as it could, for example, make it more difficult to enforce user rights. Regarding US providers who are certified under the Privacy Shield or offer comparable guarantees of a secure level of data protection, we would like to point out that they are committed to complying with EU data protection standards.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on the usage behaviour and resulting interests of users. The usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that are presumed to correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are usually stored on the users’ computers, in which the usage behaviour and interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data can also be stored in the usage profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in to them).

For a detailed description of the respective forms of processing and the options for objection (opt-out), please refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks.

In the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we would also like to point out that these can be most effectively asserted with the providers. Only the providers have access to the user data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. However, if you still require assistance, please contact us.

Services and service providers used:

Facebook: Social network; service provider: Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, parent company: Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; website: https://www.facebook.com ; privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; opt-out option: settings for advertisements:
https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads ; Additional information on data protection: Agreement on joint processing of personal data on Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum , Data protection information for Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data .

LinkedIn: Social network; service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; website: https://de.linkedin.com ; privacy policy: https://de.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

YouTube: Social network; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; website: https://www.youtube.com ; privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy;

Plugins, embedded functions and content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offering that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as ‘third-party providers’). These may include, for example, graphics, videos, social media buttons and posts (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘content’).

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the users, as they would not be able to send the content to their browsers without the IP address. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content or these functions. We endeavour to use only content whose respective providers use the IP address solely for the delivery of the content. Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as ‘web beacons’) for statistical or marketing purposes. Pixel tags can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may include technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit time and other information about the use of our online offering, and may be linked to such information from other sources.

Services used and service providers:

YouTube: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Website: https://www.youtube.com ; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy ; Opt-out option: Opt-out plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de , Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

Planning, organisation and support tools

We use services, platforms and software from other providers (hereinafter referred to as ‘third-party providers’) for the purposes of organisation, administration, planning and provision of our services. We comply with legal requirements when selecting third-party providers and their services.

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of third-party providers. This may affect various data that we process in accordance with this privacy policy. This data may include includes master data and contact details of users, data on transactions, contracts, other processes and their contents.

If users are referred to third-party providers or their software or platforms in the course of communication, business or other relationships with us, the third-party providers may process usage data and metadata for security purposes, service optimisation or marketing purposes. We therefore ask you to observe the data protection information of the respective third-party providers.

Services and service providers used:

Google Maps: Online map service; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA;
Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/ ; Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy ;

Deletion of data

The data we process will be deleted in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the consents permitting its processing are revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g. if the purpose of processing this data no longer applies or it is not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because it is required for other, legally permissible purposes, its processing will be restricted to these purposes. This means that the data will be blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for the assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person.

Further information on the deletion of personal data may also be provided in the individual data protection notices in this privacy policy.

Changes and updates to the privacy policy

We ask that you regularly review the content of our privacy policy. We will amend the privacy policy as soon as changes to our data processing practices make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require action on your part (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.
If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organisations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and check the information before contacting them.

Rights of data subjects

You have the right:

1) to withdraw your consent at any time in accordance with Art. 7(3) GDPR. As a result, we will no longer be permitted to continue processing data based on this consent in the future;

2) pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR, to request information about your personal data processed by us. In particular, you may request information about the purposes of processing, the category of personal data, the categories of recipients to whom your data has been or will be disclosed, the planned storage period, the existence of a right to rectification, deletion, restriction of processing or objection, the existence of a right of appeal, the origin of your data, if it was not collected by us, and the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling and, if applicable, meaningful information about its details;

3) to request the immediate rectification of inaccurate or incomplete personal data stored by us in accordance with Art. 16 GDPR;

4) pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR, to request the erasure of your personal data stored by us, unless processing is necessary for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information, for compliance with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims;

5) to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data in accordance with Art. 18 GDPR, unless the accuracy of the data is disputed by you, the processing is unlawful, but you refuse to have it deleted and we no longer need the data, but you need it to assert, exercise or defend legal claims, or you have objected to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 GDPR;

6) pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR, to receive your personal data that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to request its transmission to another controller;

7) pursuant to Art. 21 GDPR, the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) GDPR (data processing in the public interest) and Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (data processing based on a balancing of interests); this also applies to profiling based on this provision in Article 4(4) GDPR. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims.
If your objection is directed against the processing of data for direct marketing purposes, we will immediately cease processing. In this case, it is not necessary to specify a particular situation. This also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If you wish to exercise your right to object, simply send an email to info@weltenet.de ;

8) to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in accordance with Art. 77 GDPR. As a rule, you can contact the supervisory authority of your usual place of residence or workplace or our company headquarters for this purpose.

Amendments and updates to this privacy policy

If we provide addresses and contact information for companies and organisations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and check the information before contacting them.