Privacy policy for your contact with Taipan Consulting

Privacy policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about what types of your 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 the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as "online offer").

The terms used are not gender-specific.

Status: July 20, 2023

Person responsible

Taipan Consulting GmbH
New Mainzer Str. 66-68
60311 Frankfurt

Authorized representatives:

Frank Welsch-Lehmann

E-mail address:

fwl@taipanconsulting.de

Imprint:

https://www.taipanconsulting.de/impressum

Relevant legal bases

Relevant legal bases according to the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on the basis of 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 domicile. Should more specific legal bases also apply in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR) - The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for a specific purpose or several specific purposes.
Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.
Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR) - Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject.
Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. 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.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. These include, in particular, the Act on the Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act - BDSG). In particular, the BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes and transmission as well as automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling. The data protection laws of the individual federal states may also apply.

Overview of processing operations

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.

Types of data processed

Inventory data.
Payment data.
Location data.
Contact data.
Content data.
Contract data.
Usage data.
Meta, communication and process data.
Contact information (Facebook).
Event data (Facebook).

Special categories of data

Health data.
Data relating to sexual life or sexual orientation.
Religious or philosophical beliefs.
Data revealing racial or ethnic origin.

Categories of data subjects

Customers.
Employees.
Interested parties.
Communication partners.
Users.
Business and contractual partners.
Persons depicted.

Purposes of the processing

Provision of contractual services and customer service.
Contact requests and communication.
Security measures.
Direct marketing.
Reach measurement.
Tracking.
Office and organizational procedures.
Remarketing.
Conversion measurement.
Click tracking.
Target group formation.
Managing and responding to inquiries.
Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Feedback.
Marketing.
Profiles with user-related information.
Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
Information technology infrastructure.

Security measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with the legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probabilities of occurrence and the extent of the threat to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

The measures include, in particular, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data as well as access, input, disclosure, safeguarding availability and separation of the data. Furthermore, we have established procedures that ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we already take the protection of personal data into account during the development and selection of hardware, software and processes in accordance with the principle of data protection, through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings.

TLS encryption (https): We use TLS encryption to protect your data transmitted via our online offering. You can recognize such encrypted connections by the prefix https:// in the address bar of your browser.

Transmission of personal data

As part of our processing of personal data, data may be transmitted to other bodies, companies, legally independent organizational units or persons or disclosed to them. The recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content that are integrated into a website. In such cases, we observe the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data that serve to protect your data.

International data transfers

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

Subject to express consent or contractually or legally required transfer (see Art. 49 GDPR), we only process or have the data processed in third countries with a recognized level of data protection (Art. 45 GDPR), in the presence of and compliance with contractual obligations through so-called standard protection clauses of the EU Commission (Art. 46 GDPR) or in the presence of certifications or binding internal data protection regulations (see Art. 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).

Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TADPF): As part of the so-called "Data Privacy Framework" (DPF), the level of data protection in the EU has also been recognized for certain companies from the USA. The list of certified companies as well as further information on the DPF can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/. Information in German and other languages can be found on the website of the EU Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection/eu-us-data-transfers_de We also inform you about the companies we use that are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

Deletion of data

The data processed by us will be deleted in accordance with the legal requirements as soon as the consent given for processing is revoked or other permissions cease to apply (e.g. if the purpose for 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 and legally permissible purposes, its processing is restricted to these purposes. This means that the data is 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 defense of legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

As part of our data protection information, we can provide users with further information on the deletion and storage of data that applies specifically to the respective processing procedure.

Rights of the data subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you are entitled to various rights under the GDPR, which arise in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

Right to object: You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. If the personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
Right to withdraw consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
Right to information: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with the legal requirements.
Right to rectification: You have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you in accordance with the legal requirements.
Right to erasure and restriction of processing: In accordance with the legal requirements, you have the right to demand that data concerning you be erased immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with the legal requirements.
Right to data portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format in accordance with the legal requirements or to request its transmission to another controller.
Complaint to the supervisory authority: In accordance with the statutory provisions and without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority, in particular a supervisory authority in the Member State in which you are habitually resident, the supervisory authority of your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

Use of cookies

Cookies are small text files or other storage devices that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to store the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online offering. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to analyze visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. We therefore obtain prior consent from users, unless this is not required by law. In particular, consent is not required if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide the user with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e. our online offering). Strictly necessary cookies generally include cookies with functions that serve the display and operability of the online service, load balancing, security, storage of user preferences and selection options or similar purposes related to the provision of the main and secondary functions of the online service requested by the user. The revocable consent is clearly communicated to the users and contains the information on the respective use of cookies.

Information on legal bases under data protection law: The legal basis under data protection law on which we process users' personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask users for their consent. If users give their consent, the legal basis for processing their data is the consent given. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the business operation of our online offering and improving its usability) or, if this is done in the context of fulfilling our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this privacy policy or as part of our consent and processing procedures.

Storage duration:With regard to the storage duration, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies

Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application).
Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and can be stored for up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (so-called "opt-out"): Users can withdraw the consent they have given at any time and object to processing in accordance with the legal requirements. Among other things, users can restrict the use of cookies in their browser settings (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 the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/.

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure in which the consent of users to the use of cookies, or the processing and providers named in the cookie consent management procedure, can be obtained and managed and revoked by users. The declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be requested again and the consent can be proven in accordance with the legal obligation. The storage can take place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie, or with the help of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following information applies: Consent may be stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) as well as the browser, system and end device used; legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
Cookie opt-out: In the footer of our website you will find a link that you can use to change your cookie settings and revoke your consent; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Business services

We process data of our contractual and business partners, e.g. customers and interested parties (collectively referred to as "contractual partners") in the context of contractual and comparable legal relationships and associated measures and in the context of communication with the contractual partners (or pre-contractual), e.g. in order to answer inquiries.

We process this data in order to fulfill our contractual obligations. These include, in particular, the obligations to provide the agreed services, any updating obligations and remedies in the event of warranty and other service disruptions. In addition, we process the data to safeguard our rights and for the purpose of the administrative tasks associated with these obligations and the company organization. In addition, we process the data on the basis of our legitimate interests in proper and efficient business management and in security measures to protect our contractual partners and our business operations from misuse, threats to their data, secrets, information and rights (e.g. for the involvement of telecommunications, transport and other auxiliary services as well as subcontractors, banks, tax and legal advisors, payment service providers or tax authorities). Within the framework of applicable law, we only pass on the data of contractual partners to third parties to the extent that this is necessary for the aforementioned purposes or to fulfill legal obligations. Contractual partners will be informed about other forms of processing, e.g. for marketing purposes, as part of this privacy policy.

We inform the contractual partners which data is required for the aforementioned purposes before or during data collection, e.g. in online forms, by means of special marking (e.g. colors) or symbols (e.g. asterisks or similar), or personally.

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 legal archiving reasons. The statutory retention period is ten years for documents relevant under tax law as well as for trading books, inventories, opening balance sheets, annual financial statements, the work instructions required to understand these documents and other organizational documents and accounting records, and six years for commercial and business letters received and reproductions of commercial and business letters sent. The period begins at the end of the calendar year in which the last entry was made in the book, the inventory, the opening balance sheet, the annual financial statements or the management report was prepared, the commercial or business letter was received or sent or the accounting document was created, the record was made or the other documents were created.

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

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); contract data (e.g. subject matter of contract, term, customer category).
Special categories of personal data: Health data (Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR); data concerning sex life or sexual orientation (Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR); religious or philosophical beliefs (Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR); data revealing racial or ethnic origin (Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR).
Data subjects: Interested parties; Business and contractual partners.
Purposes of processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Contact requests and communication; Office and organizational procedures; Managing and responding to inquiries
.Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legal obligation (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Agency services: We process our clients' data as part of our contractual services, which may include, for example, conceptual and strategic consulting, campaign planning, software and design development/consulting or maintenance, implementation of campaigns and processes, handling, server administration, data analysis/consulting services and training services; legal bases: performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).
Coaching: We process the data of our clients as well as interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") in order to be able to provide our services to them. The data processed, the type, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship. As part of our activities, we may also process special categories of data, in particular information on the health of clients, possibly with reference to their sex life or sexual orientation, as well as data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs or trade union membership. Where necessary, we obtain the express consent of the client and otherwise process the special categories of data if this serves the health of the client, the data is public or other legal permissions exist. If it is necessary for the performance of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or by law, or if the client has given consent, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, billing offices and in the area of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law; legal basis: performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).
Consulting: We process the data of our clients, customers, interested parties and other clients or contractual partners (uniformly referred to as "clients") in order to be able to provide them with our consulting services. The processed data, the type, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing are determined by the underlying contractual and client relationship. If it is necessary for the performance of our contract, for the protection of vital interests or by law, or with the consent of the client, we disclose or transfer the client's data to third parties or agents, such as authorities, subcontractors or in the field of IT, office or comparable services, in compliance with the requirements of professional law; legal basis: performance of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Providers and services used in the course of business activities

As part of our business activities, we use additional services, platforms, interfaces or plug-ins from third-party providers ("services" for short) in compliance with the legal requirements. Their use is based on our interests in the proper, lawful and economic management of our business operations and our internal organization.

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); Payment data (e.g. bank details, invoices, payment history); Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category).
Data subjects: Customers; interested parties; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); business and contractual partners.
Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Office and organizational procedures.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

sevDesk: Online software for invoicing, accounting, banking and tax filing with document storage; Service provider: sevDesk GmbH, Hauptstraße 115, 77652 Offenburg, Germany; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://sevdesk.de/; Privacy Policy: https://sevdesk.de/sicherheit-datenschutz/; Data processing agreement: https://sevdesk.de/sicherheit-datenschutz/.

Provision of the online service and web hosting

We process users' data in order to provide them with our online services. For this purpose, we process the user's IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user's browser or end device.

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status); content data (e.g. entries in online forms).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); security measures; content delivery network (CDN); reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); performance of a contract and pre-contractual requests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Provision of online offer on rented storage space: For the provision of our online offer, we use storage space, computing capacity and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called "web host"); legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online offering is logged in the form of so-called "server log files". The 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 may be used for security purposes, e.g. to prevent server overload (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure server capacity utilization and stability; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.
Cloudflare: Content Delivery Network (CDN) - Service that helps to deliver online content, especially large media files such as graphics or program scripts, faster and more securely using regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet; service provider: Cloudflare, Inc, 101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.cloudflare.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-customer-dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-customer-scc.
HubSpot: Marketing software for lead generation, marketing automation and analysis; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc, 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.
HubSpot: Customer management as well as process and sales support with personalized customer care with multi-channel communication, i.e. management of customer inquiries from different channels as well as with analysis and feedback functions; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc., 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data Processing Agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.
HubSpot: Social media publishing, reporting (e.g. traffic sources, access figures, web analytics), contact management (e.g. contact forms, direct communication and user segmentation), landing pages; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc, 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.
HubSpot: Chatbot and assistance software and related services; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc, 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.
HubSpot: Email delivery and automation services; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc, 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.

Blogs and publication media

We use blogs or comparable means of online communication and publication (hereinafter "publication medium"). Readers' data is only processed for the purposes of the publication medium to the extent necessary for its presentation and communication between authors and readers or for security reasons. In addition, we refer to the information on the processing of visitors to our publication medium in the context of this data protection notice.

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Provision of our online services and usability.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Contact and inquiry management

When contacting us (e.g. by post, contact form, email, telephone or via social media) and in the context of existing user and business relationships, the information of the inquiring persons is processed insofar as this is necessary to answer the contact inquiries and any requested measures.

Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Communication partners.
Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Managing and responding to inquiries; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Provision of our online services and usability.
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Contact form: If users contact us via our contact form, e-mail or other communication channels, we process the data provided to us in this context to process the communicated request; legal basis: fulfillment of contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
HubSpot: Customer management as well as process and sales support with personalized customer care with multi-channel communication, i.e. management of customer inquiries from different channels as well as with analysis and feedback functions; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc., 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Performance of a contract and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data Processing Agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.

Chatbots and chat functions

We offer online chats and chatbot functions (collectively referred to as "chat services") as a means of communication. A chat is an online conversation conducted with a certain degree of timeliness. A chatbot is software that answers users' questions or informs them about messages. If you use our chat functions, we may process your personal data.

If you use our chat services within an online platform, your identification number will also be stored within the respective platform. We may also collect information about which users interact with our chat services and when. Furthermore, we store the content of your conversations via the chat services and log registration and consent processes in order to be able to prove these in accordance with legal requirements.

We would like to point out to users that the respective platform provider may find out that and when users communicate with our chat services and may collect technical information about the user's device and, depending on the settings of their device, location information (so-called metadata) for the purpose of optimizing the respective services and for security purposes. Likewise, the metadata of communication via chat services (i.e. e.g. information on who has communicated with whom) may be used by the respective platform providers for marketing purposes or to display advertising tailored to users in accordance with their provisions, to which we refer for further information.

If users declare their willingness to a chatbot to activate information with regular messages, they have the option to unsubscribe from the information for the future at any time. The chatbot informs users how and with which terms they can unsubscribe from the messages. By unsubscribing from the chatbot messages, user data is deleted from the list of message recipients.

We use the aforementioned data to operate our chat services, e.g. to address users personally, to answer their queries, to transmit any requested content and also to improve our chat services (e.g. to "teach" chatbots answers to frequently asked questions or to recognize unanswered queries).

Notes on legal bases: We use the chat services on the basis of consent if we have previously obtained permission from users to process their data as part of our chat services (this applies to cases in which users are asked for consent, e.g. for a chatbot to send them regular messages). If we use chat services to answer users' inquiries about our services or our company, this is done for contractual and pre-contractual communication. Otherwise, we use chat services on the basis of our legitimate interests in optimizing the chat services, their cost-effectiveness and enhancing the positive user experience.

Revocation, objection and deletion: You can revoke your consent or object to the processing of your data in the context of our chat services at any time.

Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Contact requests and communication; direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. a) GDPR); Contract fulfillment and pre-contractual inquiries (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. b) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

HubSpot: Chatbot and assistance software and related services; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc., 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.

Video conferences, online meetings, webinars and screen sharing

We use platforms and applications of other providers (hereinafter referred to as "conference platforms") for the purpose of conducting video and audio conferences, webinars and other types of video and audio meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as "conference"). When selecting the conference platforms and their services, we observe the legal requirements.

Data processed by conference platforms: In the context of participation in a conference, the conference platforms process the personal data of the participants listed below. The scope of the processing depends on which data is required in the context of a specific conference (e.g. specification of access data or clear names) and which optional information is provided by the participants. In addition to processing for the purpose of holding the conference, the conference platforms may also process participants' data for security purposes or service optimization. The processed data includes personal data (first name, surname), contact information (e-mail address, telephone number), access data (access codes or passwords), profile pictures, information on professional position/function, the IP address of the Internet access, information on the participants' end devices, their operating system, the browser and its technical and language settings, information on the content of the communication processes, i.e. entries in chats and audio and video data, as well as the use of other available functions (e.g. surveys). The content of communications is encrypted to the extent technically provided by the conference providers. If the participants are registered as users with the conference platforms, further data may be processed in accordance with the agreement with the respective conference provider.

Logging and recordings: If text entries, participation results (e.g. from surveys) and video or audio recordings are logged, this will be transparently communicated to the participants in advance and they will be asked for consent where necessary.

Data protection measures for participants: Please note the details of the processing of your data by the conference platforms in their data protection notices and select the optimum security and data protection settings for you in the conference platform settings. Please also ensure data and privacy protection in the background of your recording for the duration of a video conference (e.g. by informing roommates, locking doors and, if technically possible, using the function to make the background unrecognizable). Links to the conference rooms and access data must not be passed on to unauthorized third parties.

Notes on legal bases: If, in addition to the conference platforms, we also process users' data and ask users for their consent to use the conference platforms or certain functions (e.g. consent to the recording of conferences), the legal basis for processing is this consent. Furthermore, our processing may be necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations (e.g. in participant lists, in the case of processing of conference results, etc.). Otherwise, user data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in efficient and secure communication with our communication partners.

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services); persons depicted.
Purposes of Processing: Provision of contractual services and customer support; contact requests and communication; Office and organizational procedures.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Google Hangouts / Meet: conferencing and communication software; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://hangouts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause.
Microsoft Teams: Conferencing and communication software; Service provider: Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland, parent company: Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/microsoft-365; Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement, Security information: https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/trustcenter; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Microsoft-Products-and-Services-Data-Protection-Addendum-DPA.
Zoom: Conferencing and communications software; Service provider: Zoom Video Communications, Inc, 55 Almaden Blvd, Suite 600, San Jose, CA 95113, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://zoom.us; Privacy Policy: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html; Data Processing Agreement: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html (referred to as Global DPA); Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://zoom.us/docs/de-de/privacy-and-legal.html (referred to as Global DPA).

Cloud services

We use software services accessible via the Internet and running on the servers of their providers (so-called "cloud services", also referred to as "software as a service") for the storage and management of content (e.g. document storage and management, exchange of documents, content and information with certain recipients or publication of content and information).

In this context, personal data may be processed and stored on the servers of the providers, insofar as these are part of communication processes with us or are otherwise processed by us as set out in this privacy policy. This data may include, in particular, master data and contact data of users, data on transactions, contracts, other processes and their content. The cloud service providers also process usage data and metadata that they use for security purposes and to optimize their services.

If we use the cloud services to provide forms or other documents and content to other users or publicly accessible websites, the providers may store cookies on the users' devices for the purposes of web analysis or to remember user settings (e.g. in the case of media control).

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Customers; employees (e.g. employees, applicants, former employees); interested parties; communication partners; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Office and organizational procedures; Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical equipment (computers, servers, etc.)).
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Apple iCloud: Cloud storage service; Service provider: Apple Inc., Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.apple.com/de/; Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/de-ww/.
Google Cloud Storage: Cloud storage, cloud infrastructure services and cloud-based application software; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://cloud.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.
Google Workspace: Cloud-based application software (e.g. text and spreadsheet editing, appointment and contact management), cloud storage and cloud infrastructure services; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://workspace.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://cloud.google.com/terms/eu-model-contract-clause; Further information: https://cloud.google.com/privacy.

Newsletter and electronic notifications

We only send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications (hereinafter referred to as "newsletters") with the consent of the recipient or with legal permission. If the contents of the newsletter are specifically described in the context of a registration for the newsletter, they are decisive for the consent of the user. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.

To subscribe to our newsletters, it is generally sufficient to provide your e-mail address. However, we may ask you to provide a name so that we can address you personally 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 in a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after registering, you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that nobody can register with other people's e-mail addresses. Subscriptions to the newsletter 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 e-mail 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 defense against claims. An individual request for erasure is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. In the event of obligations to permanently observe objections, we reserve the right to store the e-mail address in a block list solely for this purpose.

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 e-mails, this is done on the basis of our legitimate interests in an efficient and secure sending system.

Contents:

Information about us, our services, promotions and offers.

Processed data types: Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times).
Data subjects: Communication partners.
Purposes of processing: Direct marketing (e.g. by email or post).
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Possibility of objection (opt-out): You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent or object to further receipt. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter either at the end of each newsletter or you can otherwise use one of the contact options listed above, preferably e-mail.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Measurement of opening and click rates: The newsletters contain a so-called "web-beacon", i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a mailing service provider, from their server. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and the time of retrieval, is initially collected. This information is used for the technical improvement of our newsletter based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behavior based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or the access times. This analysis also includes determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. This information is assigned to the individual newsletter recipients and stored in their profiles until they are deleted. The evaluations help us to recognize the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users. The measurement of opening rates and click rates as well as the storage of the measurement results in the user profiles and their further processing are carried out on the basis of the user's consent. Unfortunately, it is not possible to revoke the performance measurement separately; in this case, the entire newsletter subscription must be canceled or objected to. In this case, the stored profile information will be deleted; legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR).
HubSpot: Email delivery and automation services; Service provider: HubSpot, Inc, 25 First St., 2nd floor, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.hubspot.de; Privacy Policy: https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy; Data processing agreement: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.hubspot.com/dpa.

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Web analysis (also referred to as "reach measurement") is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to our online offer and may include behavior, interests or demographic information about visitors, such as age or gender, as pseudonymous values. With the help of reach analysis, we can, for example, recognize at what time our online offer or its functions or content are most frequently used or invite reuse. We can also understand which areas require optimization.

In addition to web analysis, we can also use test procedures, e.g. to test and optimize different versions of our online offering or its components.

Unless otherwise stated below, profiles, i.e. data summarized for a usage process, can be created for these purposes and information can be stored in a browser or in a terminal device and read out from it. The information collected includes, in particular, websites visited and the elements used there as well as 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 from us or from the providers of the services we use, location data may also be processed.

The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use an IP masking procedure (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored in the context of web analysis, A/B testing and optimization, but pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the software used know the actual identity of the users, but only the information stored in their profiles for the purposes of the respective processes.

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and procedural data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Reach measurement (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles); provision of our online services and user-friendliness.
Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and analyze the use of our online offering on the basis of a pseudonymous user identification number. This identification number does not contain any unique data, such as names or e-mail addresses. It is used to assign analysis information to an end device in order to recognize which content users have called up within one or more usage processes, which search terms they have used, which they have called up again or which they have interacted with our online offering. The time of use and its duration are also stored, as well as the sources of the users who refer to our online offering and technical aspects of their end devices and browsers. Pseudonymous profiles of users are created with information from the use of various devices, whereby cookies may be used. In Google Analytics, data on geographical location is processed at a higher level by collecting the following metadata based on the IP search: "city" (and the derived latitude and longitude of the city), "continent", "country", "region", "subcontinent" (and the ID-based equivalents). To ensure the protection of user data in the EU, Google receives and processes all user data via domains and servers within the EU. The IP address of users is not logged and is shortened by the last two digits by default. The IP address is shortened on EU servers for EU users. In addition, all sensitive data collected from users in the EU is deleted before it is collected via EU domains and servers; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com/intl/de/about/analytics/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Opt-Out: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de, Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated; Further information: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices (Types of processing and data processed).
Google Analytics in consent mode: In consent mode, Google processes users' personal data for measurement and advertising purposes, depending on the user's consent. Consent is obtained from users as part of our online services. If users do not give their consent at all, the data will only be processed on an aggregated level (i.e. not assigned to individual users and summarized). If the consent only includes statistical measurement, no personal data of the users will be processed for the placement of advertisements or the measurement of advertising success (so-called "conversion"); legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9976101?hl=de. Google
Tag Manager: Google Tag Manager is a solution with which we can manage so-called website tags via an interface and thus integrate other services into our online offer (please refer to further information in this data protection declaration). The Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags) does not create user profiles or store cookies, for example. Google only learns the IP address of the user, which is necessary to run the Google Tag Manager; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https:

Online marketing

We process personal data for online marketing purposes, which may include in particular the marketing of advertising space or the presentation 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 user data relevant for the presentation of the aforementioned content is stored. 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 and functions used. If users have consented to the collection of their location data, this can also be processed.

The IP addresses of users are also stored. However, we use available IP masking procedures (i.e. pseudonymization by shortening the IP address) to protect users. In general, no clear user data (such as e-mail addresses or names) is stored as part of the online marketing process, but pseudonyms. This means that neither we nor the providers of the online marketing processes 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 by means of similar procedures. These cookies can generally also be read later on other websites that use the same online marketing process and analyzed for the purpose of displaying content as well as supplemented with further data and stored on the server of the online marketing process provider.

In exceptional cases, clear data can be assigned to the profiles. This is the case, for example, if the users are members of a social network whose online marketing process we use and the network links the user profiles with the aforementioned data. Please note that users can make additional agreements with the providers, e.g. by giving their consent during registration.

In principle, we only receive access to summarized information about the success of our advertisements. However, as part of so-called conversion measurements, we can check which of our online marketing procedures have led to a so-called conversion, i.e., for example, to the conclusion of a contract with us. The conversion measurement is used solely to analyze the success of our marketing measures.

Unless otherwise stated, we ask you to assume that the cookies used are stored for a period of two years.

Processed data types: Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status); event data (Facebook) ("event data" is data that can be transmitted by us to Facebook via Facebook pixels (via apps or other means), for example, and relates to individuals or their actions; the data includes, for example. For example, information about visits to websites, interactions with content, functions, app installations, product purchases, etc.; the event data is processed for the purpose of creating target groups for content and advertising information (custom audiences); event data does not include the actual content (such as comments written), no login information and no contact information (i.e. no names, email addresses and telephone numbers). Event data will be deleted by Facebook after a maximum of two years, the target groups formed from them with the deletion of our Facebook account); contact information (Facebook) ("contact information" is data that (clearly) identifies data subjects, such as names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers, which can be transmitted to Facebook, e.g. via Facebook pixel or upload for matching purposes for the purpose of creating custom audiences; after matching for the purpose of creating target groups, the contact information is deleted).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of Processing: Web Analytics (e.g. access statistics, recognition of returning visitors); Targeting (e.g. profiling based on interests and behavior, use of cookies); Conversion tracking (Measurement of the effectiveness of marketing activities); Custom Audiences; Marketing; Profiles with user-related information (Creating user profiles); Provision of our online services and usability; Remarketing; Clicktracking.
Security measures: IP masking (pseudonymization of the IP address).
Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
Possibility of objection (opt-out): We refer to the data protection notices of the respective providers and the objection options specified for the providers (so-called "opt-out"). If no explicit opt-out option has been specified, you have the option of deactivating cookies in your browser settings. However, this may restrict the functions of our online offer. We therefore recommend the following additional opt-out options, which are offered in summary for the respective areas: a) Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu. b) Canada: https://www.youradchoices.ca/choices. c) USA: https://www.aboutads.info/choices. d) Cross-territory: https://optout.aboutads.info.

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Facebook pixel and target group formation (Custom Audiences): With the help of the Facebook pixel (or comparable functions, for the transmission of event data or contact information by means of interfaces in apps), Facebook is able, on the one hand, to determine the visitors of our online offer as a target group for the display of ads (so-called "Facebook ads"). Accordingly, we use the Facebook pixel to display the Facebook ads placed by us only to those users on Facebook and within the services of the partners cooperating with Facebook (so-called "Audience Network" https://www.facebook.com/audiencenetwork/ ) who have also shown an interest in our online offer or who have certain characteristics (e.g. interest in certain topics or products that can be seen from the websites visited) that we transmit to Facebook (so-called "Custom Audiences"). With the help of the Facebook pixel, we also want to ensure that our Facebook ads correspond to the potential interest of users and are not annoying. With the help of the Facebook pixel, we can also track the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes by seeing whether users have been redirected to our website after clicking on a Facebook ad (so-called "conversion measurement"); service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Event user data, i.e. behavioral and interest data, is processed for the purposes of targeted advertising and targeting on the basis of the joint controllership agreement ("Controller Addendum", https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum). Joint controllership is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of the standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.)
Facebook - target group formation via data upload: Creation of target groups for marketing purposes - We transmit contact information (names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers) in list form to Facebook for the purpose of creating target groups (so-called "Custom Audiences") for the display of content and advertising information based on the presumed interests of users. The transmission and comparison with data available on Facebook does not take place in plain text, but as so-called "hash values", i.e. mathematical representations of the data (this method is used, for example, when storing passwords). After the comparison for the purpose of creating target groups, the contact information is deleted. Contact information is processed on the basis of an order processing contract with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited ("Data Processing Terms", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing), the "Data Security Terms"(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/data_security_terms) and, with regard to processing in the USA, on the basis of standard contractual clauses ("Facebook-EU Data Transfer Addendum, https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum). Further information on the processing of contact information can be found in the "Terms of Use for Custom Audiences with Customer List", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/customaudience; service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Processing Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum.
Google Ads and conversion measurement: Online marketing process for the purpose of placing content and ads within the service provider's advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the ads. In addition, we measure the conversion of the ads, i.e. whether users have taken them as an opportunity to interact with the ads and use the advertised offers (so-called conversion). However, we only receive anonymous information and no personal information about individual users; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
Google Ads Remarketing: Google Remarketing, also known as retargeting, is a technology that allows users who use an online service to be added to a pseudonymous remarketing list so that users can be shown ads on other online offers based on their visit to the online service; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://marketingplatform.google.com; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: Types of processing and data processed: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/adsservices; Data processing conditions between controllers and standard contractual clauses for third country transfers of data: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms.
LinkedIn: Insights Tag / Conversion Measurement; Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy, Cookie Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie_policy; Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
UTM parameters: Analysis of sources and user actions based on an extension of web addresses referring to us with an additional parameter, the "UTM" parameter. For example, a UTM parameter "utm_source=platformX &utm_medium=video" can tell us that a person has clicked on the link on platform X within a video. The UTM parameters provide information about the source of the link, the medium used (e.g. social media, website, newsletter), the type of campaign or the content of the campaign (e.g. post, link, image and video). With the help of this information, we can, for example, check our visibility on the Internet or the effectiveness of our campaigns; legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Customer reviews and evaluation procedures

We participate in review and rating procedures in order to evaluate, optimize and advertise our services. If users rate us or otherwise provide feedback via the evaluation platforms or procedures involved, the general terms and conditions or terms of use and the providers' data protection notices also apply. As a rule, the evaluation also requires registration with the respective providers.

In order to ensure that the reviewers have actually used our services, we transmit the necessary data relating to the customer and the service used to the respective review platform (including name, email address and order number or item number) with the customer's consent. This data is used solely to verify the authenticity of the user.

Processed data types: Contract data (e.g. subject matter of the contract, duration, customer category); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Customers; users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of Processing: Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Evaluation widget: We integrate so-called "rating widgets" into our online offering. A widget is a functional and content element integrated into our online offering that displays variable information. It can, for example, be displayed in the form of a seal or comparable element, sometimes also called a "badge". Although the corresponding content of the widget is displayed within our online offering, it is retrieved from the servers of the respective widget provider at that moment. Only in this way can the current content always be shown, especially the current rating. For this purpose, a data connection must be established from the website accessed within our online offering to the server of the widget provider and the widget provider receives certain technical data (access data, including IP address) that is necessary for the content of the widget to be delivered to the user's browser. Furthermore, the widget provider receives information that users have visited our website. This information can be stored in a cookie and used by the widget provider to recognize which online offers that participate in the evaluation process have been visited by the user. The information may be stored in a user profile and used for advertising or market research purposes; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).
ProvenExpert: Rating platform; Service provider: Expert Systems AG, Quedlinburger Strasse 1, 10589 Berlin, Germany; Legal basis : Legitimate interests (Art. 6 Para. 1 S. 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.provenexpert.com/de-de/; Privacy Policy: https:

Presence in social networks (social media)

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We would like to point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because, for example, it could make it more difficult to enforce users' rights.

Furthermore, user data is generally processed within social networks for market research and advertising purposes. For example, user profiles can be created based on user behavior and the resulting interests of users. The user profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are generally stored on the user's computer, in which the user's usage behavior and interests are stored. Furthermore, data can also be stored in the user 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 opt-out options, 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 asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the providers have access to the users' data and can take appropriate measures and provide information directly. If you still need help, you can contact us.

Processed data types: Contact data (e.g. e-mail, telephone numbers); Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); Meta, communication and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of Processing: Contact requests and communication; Feedback (e.g. collecting feedback via online form); Marketing.
Legal bases: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Instagram: Social network; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://instagram.com/about/legal/privacy.
Facebook pages: Profiles within the social network Facebook - We are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited for the collection (but not the further processing) of data from visitors to our Facebook page (so-called "fan page"). This data includes information about the types of content users view or interact with, or the actions they take (see under "Things you and others do and provide" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy), as well as information about the devices used by users (e.g. IP addresses, operating system, browser type, language settings, cookie data; see under "Device information" in the Facebook Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy). As explained in the Facebook Data Policy under "How do we use this information?", Facebook also collects and uses information to provide analytics services, known as "Page Insights", for page operators to help them understand how people interact with their pages and the content associated with them. We have concluded a special agreement with Facebook ("Information on Page Insights", https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum), which regulates in particular which security measures Facebook must observe and in which Facebook has agreed to fulfill the rights of data subjects (i.e. users can, for example, send information or deletion requests directly to Facebook). The rights of users (in particular to information, deletion, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority) are not restricted by the agreements with Facebook. Further information can be found in the "Information on Page Insights"(https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data); service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.facebook.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum; Further information: Agreement on joint controllership: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data. The joint controllership is limited to the collection by and transfer of data to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, a company based in the EU. The further processing of the data is the sole responsibility of Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, which in particular concerns the transfer of the data to the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. in the USA (on the basis of the standard contractual clauses concluded between Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and Meta Platforms, Inc.)
LinkedIn: Social network; service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.linkedin.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy; Data Processing Agreement: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Standard Contractual Clauses: https://legal.linkedin.com/dpa; Opt-Out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.
YouTube: Social network and video platform; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.

Plugins and embedded functions and content

We incorporate 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 be, for example, graphics, videos or city maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "content").

The integration always requires that the third-party providers of this content process the IP address of the user, as they would not be able to send the content to their browser without the IP address. The IP address is therefore required to display this content or function. We endeavor to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver 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 analyze 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 contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, time of visit and other information about the use of our online offer, as well as being linked to such information from other sources.

Processed data types: Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); metadata, communication data and process data (e.g. IP addresses, time data, identification numbers, consent status); inventory data (e.g. names, addresses); contact data (e.g. email, telephone numbers); content data (e.g. entries in online forms); location data (information on the geographical position of a device or person).
Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; provision of contractual services and customer service; profiles with user-related information (creation of user profiles).
Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR).

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Google Fonts (obtained from the Google server): Obtaining fonts (and symbols) for the purpose of a technically secure, maintenance-free and efficient use of fonts and symbols with regard to topicality and loading times, their uniform presentation and consideration of possible licensing restrictions. The provider of the fonts is informed of the user's IP address so that the fonts can be made available in the user's browser. In addition, technical data (language settings, screen resolution, operating system, hardware used) are transmitted that are necessary for the provision of the fonts depending on the devices used and the technical environment. This data may be processed on a server of the font provider in the USA - When visiting our online offer, the user's browser sends HTTP requests to the Google Fonts Web API (i.e. a software interface for retrieving fonts). The Google Fonts Web API provides users with the Google Fonts Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and then the fonts specified in the CCS. These HTTP requests include (1) the IP address used by the respective user to access the Internet, (2) the requested URL on the Google server and (3) the HTTP headers, including the User-Agent, which describes the browser and operating system versions of the website visitors, as well as the referral URL (i.e. the web page on which the Google font is to be displayed). IP addresses are neither logged nor stored on Google servers and are not analyzed. The Google Fonts Web API logs details of HTTP requests (requested URL, user agent and referrer URL). Access to this data is restricted and strictly controlled. The requested URL identifies the font families for which the user wants to load fonts. This data is logged so that Google can determine how often a particular font family is requested. With the Google Fonts Web API, the user agent must adapt the font that is generated for the respective browser type. The user agent is primarily logged for debugging and used to generate aggregated usage statistics to measure the popularity of font families. These aggregated usage statistics are published on the Google Fonts "Analytics" page. Finally, the referral URL is logged so that the data can be used for production maintenance and to generate an aggregated report on the top integrations based on the number of font requests. According to its own information, Google does not use any of the information collected by Google Fonts to create profiles of end users or to place targeted ads; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://fonts.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Further information: https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq/privacy?hl=de.
Google Maps: We integrate the maps of the "Google Maps" service provided by Google. The processed data may include, in particular, IP addresses and user location data; Service provider: Google Cloud EMEA Limited, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://mapsplatform.google.com/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF).
reCAPTCHA: We integrate the "reCAPTCHA" function in order to be able to recognize whether entries (e.g. in online forms) are made by humans and not by automatically acting machines (so-called "bots"). The processed data may include IP addresses, information on operating systems, devices or browsers used, language settings, location, mouse movements, keyboard strokes, time spent on websites, previously visited websites, interactions with ReCaptcha on other websites, possibly cookies and results of manual recognition processes (e.g. answering questions asked or selecting objects in images). Data processing is carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest in protecting our online offering from abusive automated crawling and spam; service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://www.google.com/recaptcha/; Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de; Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
YouTube videos: Video content; Service provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https: //www.youtube.com; Privacy Policy: https: //policies.google.com/privacy; Data Privacy Framework (DPF); Opt-Out: Opt-out plug-in: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de; Settings for the display of advertisements: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
Vimeo: Video content; Service provider: Vimeo Inc, Attention: Legal Department, 555 West 18th Street New York, New York 10011, USA; Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR); Website: https://vimeo.com; Privacy Policy: https://vimeo.com/privacy; Opt-Out: We would like to point out that Vimeo may use Google Analytics and refer you to the privacy policy(https://policies.google.com/privacy) and the opt-out options for Google Analytics(https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de) or Google's settings for the use of data for marketing purposes(https://adssettings.google.com/).

Changing and updating the privacy policy

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We will amend the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing we carry out make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.

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

Definitions of terms

This section provides an overview of the terms used in this privacy policy. Insofar as the terms are defined by law, their legal definitions apply. However, the following explanations are primarily intended to aid understanding.

Content Delivery Network (CDN): A "Content Delivery Network" (CDN) is a service with the help of which the content of an online offer, in particular large media files such as graphics or program scripts, can be delivered faster and more securely with the help of regionally distributed servers connected via the Internet.
Click tracking: Click tracking makes it possible to keep track of users' movements within an entire online offering. As the results of these tests are more accurate if user interaction can be tracked over a certain period of time (e.g. so that we can find out whether a user likes to return), cookies are usually stored on users' computers for these test purposes.
Conversion measurement: Conversion measurement (also known as "visit action evaluation") is a process that can be used to determine the effectiveness of marketing measures. For this purpose, a cookie is usually stored on the user's device within the websites on which the marketing measures take place and then retrieved again on the target website. For example, this allows us to track whether the ads we have placed on other websites have been successful.
Personal data: "Personal data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as "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 (e.g. cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
Profiles with user-related information: The processing of "profiles with user-related information", or "profiles" for short, includes any type of automated processing of personal data that consists of using this personal data to analyze, evaluate or predict certain personal aspects relating to a natural person (depending on the type of profiling, this may include various information relating to demographics, behavior and interests, such as interaction with websites and their content, etc.) (e.g. interests in certain content or products, click behavior on a website or location). Cookies and web beacons are often used for profiling purposes.
Reachmeasurement: Reach measurement (also known as web analytics) is used to evaluate the flow of visitors to an online offering and can include the behavior or interests of visitors in certain information, such as website content. With the help of reach analysis, website owners can, for example, recognize at what time visitors visit their website and what content they are interested in. This allows them to better adapt the content of the website to the needs of their visitors, for example. Pseudonymous cookies and web beacons are often used for reach analysis purposes in order to recognize returning visitors and thus obtain more precise analyses of the use of an online offer.
Remarketing: "Remarketing" or "retargeting" is when, for example, it is noted for advertising purposes which products a user was interested in on a website in order to remind the user of these products on other websites, e.g.
advertisements.
Location data: Location data is generated when a mobile device (or another device with the technical requirements for location determination) connects to a radio cell, a WLAN or similar technical means and functions of location determination. Location data is used to indicate the geographically determinable position on earth at which the respective device is located. Location data can be used, for example, to display map functions or other information dependent on a location.
Tracking: The term "tracking" is used when the behavior of users can be tracked across several online offers. As a rule, behavioral and interest information is stored in cookies or on the servers of the providers of the tracking technologies with regard to the online offers used (so-called profiling). This information can then be used, for example, to display advertisements to users that are likely to correspond to their interests.
Controller: "Controller" means 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.
Processing: "Processing" means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means. The term is broad and encompasses practically every handling of data, whether it is the collection, evaluation, storage, transmission or deletion
.Target group formation: Target group formation (custom audiences) is when target groups are determined for advertising purposes, e.g. the display of advertisements. For example, based on a user's interest in certain products or topics on the Internet, it can be concluded that this user is interested in advertisements for similar products or the online store in which they viewed the products. In turn, "lookalike audiences" (or similar target groups) are when the content deemed suitable is displayed to users whose profiles or interests presumably correspond to the users for whom the profiles were created. Cookies and web beacons are generally used for the purpose of creating custom audiences and lookalike audiences.

PRIVACY POLICY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Privacy policy

Preamble

Person responsible

Relevant legal bases

Overview of processing operations

Types of data processed

Special categories of data

Categories of data subjects

Purposes of the processing

Security measures

Transmission of personal data

International data transfers

Deletion of data

Rights of the data subjects

Use of cookies

Business services

Providers and services used in the course of business activities

Provision of the online service and web hosting

Blogs and publication media

Contact and inquiry management

Chatbots and chat functions

Video conferences, online meetings, webinars and screen sharing

Cloud services

Newsletter and electronic notifications

Web analysis, monitoring and optimization

Online marketing

Customer reviews and evaluation procedures

Presence in social networks (social media)

Plugins and embedded functions and content

Changing and updating the privacy policy

Definitions of terms