PRIVACY POLICY

How long the respective data is stored always depends on the provider. Some cookies store data only for a few minutes or until you leave the website, while other cookies can store data for several years.

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Duration of Data Processing

We provide information about the duration of data processing below, provided we have further information on the matter. In general, we process personal data only as long as it is strictly necessary for the provision of our services and products. If required by law, such as in the case of accounting, this storage period may be exceeded.

Right to Object

You have the right and the possibility to withdraw your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers at any time. This can be done either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions. For example, you can also prevent data collection through cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser.

 

​Legal Basis

The use of web analytics requires your consent, which we have obtained via our cookie popup. According to Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), this consent represents the legal basis for the processing of personal data as it may occur during collection by web analytics tools.

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In addition to consent, we have a legitimate interest in analyzing the behavior of website visitors to improve our offer technically and economically. With the help of web analytics, we recognize website errors, can identify attacks, and improve economic efficiency. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests). Nevertheless, we only use these tools if you have given your consent.

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Since cookies are used in web analytics tools, we also recommend reading our general privacy policy on cookies. To find out exactly which of your data is stored and processed, you should read the privacy policies of the respective tools.

 

Information on specific web analytics tools can be found – if available – in the following sections.

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Facebook Conversions API Privacy Policy

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We use Facebook Conversions API on our website, a server-side event tracking tool. The service provider is the American company Meta Platforms Inc. For the European region, the company Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland) is responsible.

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Facebook also processes your data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can involve various risks for the lawfulness and security of data processing.

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As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and especially the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses so-called Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) pursuant to Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR. These are templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data complies with European data protection standards even if it is transferred to and stored in third countries. Through these clauses, Facebook undertakes to comply with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding clauses here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj

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The Facebook Data Processing Terms, which correspond to the Standard Contractual Clauses, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing.

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You can learn more about the data processed through the use of the Facebook Conversions API in the privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy.

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Facebook Pixel Privacy Policy

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We use the Facebook Pixel from Facebook on our website. For this purpose, we have implemented a code on our website. The Facebook Pixel is a snippet of JavaScript code that loads a collection of functions with which Facebook can track your user actions, provided you reached our website via Facebook ads. For example, if you purchase a product on our website, the Facebook Pixel is triggered and stores your actions on our website in one or more cookies. These cookies allow Facebook to match your user data (customer data such as IP address, user ID) with the data of your Facebook account. Facebook then deletes this data. The collected data is anonymous to us and cannot be viewed; it is only usable within the scope of advertisement placement. If you are a Facebook user and are logged in, your visit to our website is automatically assigned to your Facebook user account.

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We want to show our services and products only to those people who are truly interested in them. With the help of the Facebook Pixel, our advertising measures can be better tailored to your wishes and interests. Thus, Facebook users (provided they have allowed personalized advertising) see appropriate advertising. Furthermore, Facebook uses the collected data for analysis purposes and its own advertisements.

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Below we show you the cookies that were set by integrating the Facebook Pixel on a test page. Please note that these are only example cookies. Different cookies are set depending on the interaction on our website.

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Name: _fbp
Value: fb.1.1568287647279.257405483-6112546876-7
Purpose: This cookie is used by Facebook to display advertising products.

Expiration: After 3 months

Name: fr
Value: 0aPf312HOS5Pboo2r..Bdeiuf…1.0.Bdeiuf.
Purpose: This cookie is used to ensure the Facebook Pixel functions properly.

Expiration: After 3 months

Name: comment_author_50ae8267e2bdf1253ec1a5769f48e062112546876-3
Value: Name of the author
Purpose: This cookie stores the text and name of a user who, for example, leaves a comment.

Expiration: after 12 months

Name: comment_author_url_50ae8267e2bdf1253ec1a5769f48e062
Value: https%3A%2F%2Fwww.testseite…%2F (Author's URL)
Purpose: This cookie stores the URL of the website that the user enters in a text field on our website.
Expiration: after 12 months

Name: comment_author_email_50ae8267e2bdf1253ec1a5769f48e062
Value: Author's email address

Purpose: This cookie stores the user's email address if they have provided it on the website.

Expiration: after 12 months

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Note: The above cookies refer to individual user behavior. Changes at Facebook can never be ruled out, especially regarding the use of cookies.

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If you are logged into Facebook, you can change your ad settings yourself at https://www.facebook.com/adpreferences/advertisers/. If you are not a Facebook user, you can generally manage your usage-based online advertising at https://www.youronlinechoices.com/.

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Facebook processes your data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can be associated with various risks to the legality and security of data processing.

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As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and specifically in the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses so-called Standard Contractual Clauses (= Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR). Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data corresponds to European data protection standards even if it is transferred to and stored in third countries (such as the USA). Through these clauses, Facebook commits to complying with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the USA. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en

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The Facebook Data Processing Terms, which correspond to the Standard Contractual Clauses, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing.

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If you want to learn more about Facebook's data protection, we recommend the company's own data policy at https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy.

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Facebook Automatic Advanced Matching Privacy Policy

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As part of the Facebook Pixel function, we have also activated Automatic Advanced Matching. This function of the pixel allows us to send hashed emails, names, gender, city, state, zip code, date of birth, or phone number as additional information to Facebook, provided you have made this data available to us. This activation allows us to tailor advertising campaigns on Facebook even more accurately to people who are interested in our services or products.

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Social Media Introduction

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Data Subjects: Website visitors

Purpose: Presentation and optimization of our services, contact with visitors, interested parties, etc., advertising.

Processed Data: Data such as phone numbers, email addresses, contact details, user behavior data, information about your device, and your IP address. More details can be found in the respective social media tool used.

Storage Duration: Depends on the social media platforms used.

Legal Basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests).

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What is Social Media?

In addition to our website, we are also active on various social media platforms. Data from users may be processed so that we can specifically target users who are interested in us via social networks. Furthermore, elements of a social media platform may be embedded directly into our website. This is the case, for example, if you click a so-called "social button" on our website and are redirected directly to our social media presence. Websites and apps where registered members produce content, exchange content openly or in specific groups, and network with other members are referred to as social media.

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Why Do We Use Social Media?

For years, social media platforms have been the place where people communicate and get in touch online. With our social media presences, we can bring our products and services closer to interested parties. The social media elements integrated into our website help you to switch to our social media content quickly and without complications.

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The data stored and processed through your use of a social media channel is primarily intended for the purpose of conducting web analyses. The aim of these analyses is to be able to develop more precise and personal marketing and advertising strategies. Depending on your behavior on a social media platform, suitable conclusions about your interests can be drawn and so-called user profiles can be created with the help of the evaluated data. This also enables the platforms to present you with tailored advertisements. In most cases, cookies are set in your browser for this purpose, which store data on your usage behavior.

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We generally assume that we remain responsible under data protection law, even if we use the services of a social media platform. However, the European Court of Justice has ruled that in certain cases, the operator of the social media platform can be jointly responsible with us within the meaning of Art. 26 GDPR. Insofar as this is the case, we point this out separately and work on the basis of a corresponding agreement. The essence of the agreement is then reproduced below for the respective platform.

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Please note that when using social media platforms or our integrated elements, your data may also be processed outside the European Union, as many social media channels, such as Facebook or Twitter, are American companies. As a result, you may no longer be able to claim or enforce your rights regarding your personal data as easily.

 

What Data is Processed?

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Exactly what data is stored and processed depends on the respective provider of the social media platform. Usually, however, it involves data such as phone numbers, email addresses, data you enter into a contact form, user data such as which buttons you click, whom you like or follow, when you visited which pages, information about your device, and your IP address. Most of this data is stored in cookies. Especially if you have a profile on the visited social media channel and are logged in, data can be linked to your profile.

 

All data collected via a social media platform is also stored on the providers' servers. Therefore, only the providers have access to the data and can provide you with the appropriate information or make changes.

 

If you want to know exactly what data is stored and processed by the social media providers and how you can object to the data processing, you should read the company's respective privacy policy carefully. If you have questions about data storage and data processing or want to assert corresponding rights, we recommend that you contact the provider directly.

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Duration of Data Processing

We will inform you about the duration of data processing below, provided we have further information on this. For example, the social media platform Facebook stores data until it is no longer needed for its own purposes. However, customer data that is matched with its own user data is already deleted within two days. In general, we process personal data only as long as it is strictly necessary for the provision of our services and products. If required by law, such as in the case of accounting, this storage period may also be exceeded.

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Right to Object

You have the right and the possibility at any time to withdraw your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers such as embedded social media elements. This can be done either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions.

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For example, you can also prevent data collection through cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser.

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Since cookies can be used with social media tools, we also recommend our general privacy policy on cookies. To find out exactly which of your data is stored and processed, you should read the privacy policies of the respective tools.

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Legal Basis

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by integrated social media elements, this consent serves as the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). In principle, if consent is present, your data is also stored and processed based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) in fast and good communication with you or other customers and business partners. Nevertheless, we only use the tools if you have given your consent. Most social media platforms also set cookies in your browser to store data. We therefore recommend that you read our data protection text on cookies carefully and look at the privacy policy or the cookie policies of the respective service provider.

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Information on specific social media platforms can be found – if available – in the following sections.

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Facebook Privacy Policy

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Facebook Privacy Policy Summary

Data Subjects: Website visitors

Purpose: Optimization of our service performance

Processed Data: Data such as customer data, user behavior data, information about your device, and your IP address. More details can be found further below in the privacy policy.

Storage Duration: Until the data is no longer useful for Facebook's purposes.

Legal Basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests).

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What are Facebook Tools?

We use selected tools from Facebook on our website. Facebook is a social media network operated by the company Meta Platforms Inc., or for the European region, the company Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. These tools allow us to offer the best possible range of services to you and to people interested in our products and services.

 

If data is collected and forwarded from you via our embedded Facebook elements or via our Facebook page (Fanpage), both we and Facebook Ireland Ltd. are responsible for this. Facebook alone is responsible for the further processing of this data. Our joint obligations have also been anchored in a publicly accessible agreement at https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum. This agreement states, for example, that we must clearly inform you about the use of Facebook tools on our site. Furthermore, we are responsible for ensuring that the tools are integrated into our website in a way that is secure under data protection law. Facebook, on the other hand, is responsible for the data security of Facebook products, for example. If you have any questions regarding the collection and processing of data by Facebook, you can contact the company directly. If you direct the question to us, we are obliged to forward it to Facebook.

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​Below, we provide an overview of the various Facebook tools, what data is sent to Facebook, and how you can delete this data.

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In addition to many other products, Facebook also offers so-called "Facebook Business Tools." This is the official name used by Facebook. Since the term is hardly known, we have decided to simply call them "Facebook Tools." These include, among others:

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• Facebook Pixel

• Social plug-ins (such as the "Like" or "Share" button)

• Facebook Login

• Account Kit

• APIs (Application Programming Interface)

• SDKs (Software Development Kits)

• Platform integrations

• Plugins

• Codes

• Specifications

• Documentations

• Technologies and services

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Through these tools, Facebook expands its services and has the opportunity to receive information about user activities outside of Facebook.

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Why do we use Facebook Tools on our website?

We want to show our services and products only to people who are truly interested in them. With the help of advertisements (Facebook Ads), we can reach exactly these people. However, for Facebook to show users appropriate advertising, it needs information about people's wishes and needs. Thus, information about user behavior (and contact data) on our website is made available to the company. This allows Facebook to collect better user data and display suitable advertisements about our products or services to interested people. The tools thus enable tailored advertising campaigns on Facebook.

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Facebook calls data about your behavior on our website "event data." This is also used for measurement and analysis services. Facebook can thus create "campaign reports" on our behalf about the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. Furthermore, through analyses, we gain a better insight into how you use our services, website, or products. As a result, we optimize your user experience on our website with some of these tools. For example, with the social plug-ins, you can share content on our site directly on Facebook.

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What data is stored by Facebook Tools?

Through the use of individual Facebook tools, personal data (customer data) can be sent to Facebook. Depending on the tools used, customer data such as name, address, telephone number, and IP address can be sent.

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Facebook uses this information to match the data with the data it has about you itself (provided you are a Facebook member). Before customer data is transmitted to Facebook, a process called "hashing" takes place. This means that a dataset of any size is transformed into a character string. This also serves to encrypt data.

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In addition to contact data, "event data" is also transmitted. "Event data" refers to the information we receive about you on our website. For example, which subpages you visit or which products you buy from us. Facebook does not share the information received with third-party providers (such as advertisers) unless the company has explicit permission or is legally obliged to do so. "Event data" can also be linked to contact data. This allows Facebook to offer better personalized advertising. After the aforementioned matching process, Facebook deletes the contact data again.

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In order to deliver optimized advertisements, Facebook only uses event data if it has been combined with other data (collected by Facebook in other ways). Facebook also uses this event data for security, protection, development, and research purposes. Much of this data is transferred to Facebook via cookies. Cookies are small text files used to store data or information in browsers. Depending on the tools used and whether you are a Facebook member, a different number of cookies are created in your browser. In the descriptions of the individual Facebook tools, we go into more detail about individual Facebook cookies. General information about the use of Facebook cookies can also be found at https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies.

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How long and where is the data stored?

In principle, Facebook stores data until it is no longer needed for its own services and Facebook products. Facebook has servers distributed all over the world where its data is stored. However, customer data is deleted within 48 hours after it has been matched with its own user data.

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How can I delete my data or prevent data storage?

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to access, rectification, portability, and erasure of your data. A complete deletion of the data only takes place if you delete your Facebook account entirely. This is how deleting your Facebook account works:

1) Click on Settings on the right side of Facebook.
2) Then click on "Your Facebook Information" in the left column.
3) Now click "Deactivation and Deletion".
4) Select "Delete Account" and then click "Continue to Account Deletion"
5) Now enter your password, click "Continue" and then "Delete Account"

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The storage of data that Facebook receives via our site takes place, among other things, via cookies (e.g., for social plugins). In your browser, you can deactivate, delete, or manage individual or all cookies. Depending on which browser you use, this works in different ways. Under the "Cookies" section, you will find the corresponding links to the respective instructions for the most popular browsers.

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If you generally do not want cookies, you can set up your browser so that it always informs you when a cookie is to be set. This way, you can decide whether to allow it or not for every single cookie.

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Legal Basis

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by integrated Facebook tools, this consent serves as the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). In principle, your data is also stored and processed on the basis of our legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) in fast and good communication with you or other customers and business partners. Nevertheless, we only use the tools if you have given your consent. Most social media platforms also set cookies in your browser to store data. We therefore recommend that you read our data protection text on cookies carefully and look at Facebook's privacy policy or cookie policies.

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Facebook also processes your data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can be associated with various risks to the legality and security of data processing.

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As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and specifically in the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses so-called Standard Contractual Clauses (= Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR). Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data corresponds to European data protection standards even if it is transferred to and stored in third countries (such as the USA). Through these clauses, Facebook commits to complying with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the USA. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en

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The Facebook Data Processing Terms, which correspond to the Standard Contractual Clauses, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing.

 

We hope we have provided you with the most important information about the use and data processing by Facebook tools. If you want to learn more about how Facebook uses your data, we recommend the data policy at https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.

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Facebook Login Privacy Policy

We have integrated the practical Facebook Login on our site. This allows you to easily log in to our site with your Facebook account without having to create another user account. If you decide to register via the Facebook Login, you will be redirected to the social media network Facebook. There, you log in using your Facebook user data. Through this login process, data about you or your user behavior is stored and transmitted to Facebook.

Facebook uses various cookies to store the data. Below, we show you the most important cookies that are set in your browser or already exist when you log in to our site via Facebook Login:

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Name: fr
Value: 0jieyh4c2GnlufEJ9..Bde09j…1.0.Bde09j
Purpose: This cookie is used to ensure the social plugin on our website functions as well as possible.
Expiration: after 3 months

Name: datr
Value: 4Jh7XUA2112546876SEmPsSfzCOO4JFFl
Purpose: Facebook sets the "datr" cookie when a web browser accesses facebook.com, and the cookie helps identify login activities and protect users.
Expiration: after 2 years

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Name: _js_datr
Value: deleted
Purpose: This session cookie is set by Facebook for tracking purposes, even if you do not have a Facebook account or are logged out.
Expiration: after end of session

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Note: The listed cookies are only a small selection of the cookies available to Facebook. Other cookies include, for example, _fbp, sb, or wd. A complete list is not possible as Facebook has a large number of cookies and uses them variably.

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On the one hand, the Facebook Login offers you a quick and easy registration process; on the other hand, it gives us the opportunity to share data with Facebook. This allows us to better adapt our offers and promotions to your interests and needs. Data we receive from Facebook in this way is public data such as:

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• Your Facebook name

• Your profile picture

• A stored email address

• Friend lists

• Button information (e.g., "Like" button)

• Date of birth

• Language

• Place of residence

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In return, we provide Facebook with information about your activities on our website. This includes information about the device you use, which subpages you visit, or which products you have purchased from us.

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By using Facebook Login, you consent to the data processing. You can revoke this agreement at any time. If you want more information about data processing by Facebook, we recommend the Facebook privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/.

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If you are logged into Facebook, you can change your ad settings yourself at https://www.facebook.com/adpreferences/advertisers/?entry_product=ad_settings_screen.

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Facebook Fanpage Privacy Policy

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We also have a Facebook Fanpage for our website. The service provider is the American company Meta Platforms Inc. For the European region, the company Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland) is responsible.

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Facebook also processes your data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can involve various risks for the lawfulness and security of data processing.

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As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and especially in the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses so-called Standard Contractual Clauses (= Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR). Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data corresponds to European data protection standards even if it is transferred to and stored in third countries (such as the USA). Through these clauses, Facebook commits to complying with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the USA. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en

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The Facebook Data Processing Terms, which correspond to the Standard Contractual Clauses, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing. You can learn more about the data processed through the use of Facebook in the privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy.

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Instagram Privacy Policy

Instagram Privacy Policy Summary

Data Subjects: Website visitors

Purpose: Optimization of our service performance

Processed Data: Data such as user behavior data, information about your device, and your IP address. More details can be found further below in the privacy policy.

Storage Duration: Until Instagram no longer needs the data for its purposes.

Legal Basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests).

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What is Instagram?

We have integrated functions from Instagram on our website. Instagram is a social media platform operated by the company Instagram LLC, 1601 Willow Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025, USA. Instagram has been a subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc. since 2012 and is one of the Facebook products. Embedding Instagram content on our website is called "embedding." This allows us to show you content such as buttons, photos, or videos from Instagram directly on our website. When you access pages of our web presence that have an integrated Instagram function, data is transmitted to Instagram, stored, and processed. Instagram uses the same systems and technologies as Facebook. Your data is thus processed across all Facebook companies.

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Below, we want to give you a more detailed insight into why Instagram collects data, what data is involved, and how you can largely control the data processing. Since Instagram belongs to Meta Platforms Inc., we obtain our information from the Instagram guidelines on the one hand, but also from the Meta privacy policy itself on the other.

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Instagram is one of the most well-known social media networks worldwide. Instagram combines the advantages of a blog with the advantages of audiovisual platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo. On "Insta" (as many users casually call the platform), you can upload photos and short videos, edit them with various filters, and also distribute them in other social networks. And if you don't want to be active yourself, you can just follow other interesting users.

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Why do we use Instagram on our website?

Instagram is the social media platform that has truly taken off in recent years. Naturally, we have responded to this boom. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible on our website. Therefore, a varied presentation of our content is a matter of course for us. Through the embedded Instagram functions, we can enrich our content with helpful, funny, or exciting content from the Instagram world. Since Instagram is a subsidiary of Facebook, the collected data can also be useful for personalized advertising on Facebook. This way, our advertisements are only shown to people who are truly interested in our products or services.

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Instagram also uses the collected data for measurement and analysis purposes. We receive aggregated statistics and thus more insight into your wishes and interests. It is important to mention that these reports do not identify you personally.

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What data is stored by Instagram?

When you encounter one of our pages that has integrated Instagram functions (such as Instagram images or plug-ins), your browser automatically connects to Instagram's servers. Data is sent to Instagram, stored, and processed, regardless of whether you have an Instagram account or not. This includes information about our website, your computer, purchases made, advertisements you see, and how you use our offer. Furthermore, the date and time of your interaction with Instagram are also stored. If you have an Instagram account or are logged in, Instagram stores significantly more data about you.

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Facebook distinguishes between customer data and event data. We assume that this is exactly the case with Instagram as well. Customer data includes, for example, name, address, phone number, and IP address. This customer data is only transmitted to Instagram after it has been "hashed." Hashing means a dataset is transformed into a character string, which allows contact data to be encrypted. In addition, the aforementioned "event data" is transmitted. By "event data," Facebook – and consequently Instagram – means data about your user behavior. It can also happen that contact data is combined with event data. The collected contact data is matched with the data Instagram already has about you.

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The collected data is transmitted to Facebook via small text files (cookies) that are usually set in your browser. Depending on the Instagram functions used and whether you have an Instagram account yourself, a different amount of data is stored.

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We assume that data processing at Instagram works in the same way as at Facebook. This means: if you have an Instagram account or have visited www.instagram.com, Instagram has set at least one cookie. If this is the case, your browser sends information via the cookie to Instagram as soon as you come into contact with an Instagram function. These data are deleted or anonymized at the latest after 90 days (after matching). Although we have studied Instagram's data processing intensively, we cannot say exactly what data Instagram collects and stores.

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Below we show you cookies that are at least set in your browser when you click on an Instagram function (such as a button or an Insta image). In our test, we assume that you do not have an Instagram account. If you are logged in to Instagram, significantly more cookies will, of course, be set in your browser.

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These cookies were used in our test:

Name: csrftoken
Value: “”
Purpose: This cookie is highly likely set for security reasons to prevent request forgeries. However, we could not find more specific information.
Expiration: after one year

Name: mid
Value: “”
Purpose: Instagram sets this cookie to optimize its own services and offers in and outside of Instagram. The cookie establishes a unique user ID.
Expiration: after end of session

Name: fbsr_112546876124024
Value: no information provided
Purpose: This cookie stores the log-in request for users of the Instagram app.
Expiration: after end of session

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Name: rur
Value: ATN
Purpose: This is an Instagram cookie that ensures functionality on Instagram.
Expiration: after end of session

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Name: urlgen
Value: “{”194.96.75.33”: 1901}:1iEtYv:Y833k2_UjKvXgYe112546876”

Purpose: This cookie serves Instagram's marketing purposes.
Expiration: after end of session

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Note: We cannot claim completeness here. Which cookies are set in an individual case depends on the embedded functions and your use of Instagram.

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How long and where is the data stored?

Instagram shares the information received among the Facebook companies, with external partners, and with people you connect with worldwide. Data processing is carried out in compliance with its own data policy. Your data is distributed on Facebook servers around the world, partly for security reasons. Most of these servers are located in the USA.

How can I delete my data or prevent data storage?

Thanks to the General Data Protection Regulation, you have the right to access, portability, rectification, and erasure of your data. You can manage your data in the Instagram settings. If you want to delete your data on Instagram completely, you must permanently delete your Instagram account.

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This is how deleting the Instagram account works:

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First, open the Instagram app. On your profile page, go down and click on "Help Center." Now you will reach the company's website. On the website, click on "Managing Your Account" and then on "Delete Your Account."

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If you delete your account entirely, Instagram deletes posts such as your photos and status updates. Information that other people have shared about you does not belong to your account and consequently will not be deleted.

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As mentioned above, Instagram stores your data primarily via cookies. You can manage, deactivate, or delete these cookies in your browser. Depending on your browser, management always works a little differently. Under the "Cookies" section, you will find the corresponding links to the respective instructions for the most popular browsers.

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You can also generally set up your browser so that you are always informed when a cookie is to be set. This allows you to decide individually for each single cookie whether you want to allow it or not.

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Legal Basis

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by integrated social media elements, this consent serves as the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). In principle, your data is also stored and processed based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) in fast and good communication with you or other customers and business partners. Nevertheless, we only use the integrated social media elements if you have given your consent. Most social media platforms also set cookies in your browser to store data. Therefore, we recommend that you read our data protection text on cookies carefully and look at the privacy policy or cookie policies of the respective service provider.

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Instagram and Facebook also process data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can involve various risks for the lawfulness and security of data processing.

 

As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and especially in the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the EU Commission (= Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR). These clauses oblige Facebook to comply with the EU data protection level when processing relevant data even outside the EU. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en

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We have tried to provide you with the most important information about data processing by Instagram. You can study Instagram's data policies in more detail at https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.

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Online Marketing Introduction

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Online Marketing Privacy Policy Summary

 

Data Subjects: Website visitors

Purpose: Evaluation of visitor information to optimize the web presence.

Processed Data: Access statistics containing data such as access locations, device data, duration and time of access, navigation behavior, click behavior, and IP addresses. Personal data such as name or email address may also be processed. More details can be found in the respective online marketing tool used.

Storage Duration: Depends on the online marketing tools used.

Legal Basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests).

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What is Online Marketing?

Online marketing refers to all measures carried out online to achieve marketing goals, such as increasing brand awareness or closing a business deal. Furthermore, our online marketing measures aim to draw people's attention to our website. We engage in online marketing so that we can show our offer to many interested people. Usually, this involves online advertising, content marketing, or search engine optimization. In order for us to use online marketing efficiently and purposefully, personal data is also stored and processed. On the one hand, the data helps us to only show our content to people who are actually interested in it, and on the other hand, we can measure the advertising success of our online marketing measures.

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Why do we use Online Marketing Tools?

We want to show our website to everyone who is interested in our offer. We are aware that this is not possible without consciously set measures. That is why we do online marketing. There are various tools that make it easier for us to work on our online marketing measures and additionally provide suggestions for improvement via data. This allows us to direct our campaigns more accurately to our target group. The purpose of these online marketing tools is therefore ultimately the optimization of our offer.

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What data is processed?

For our online marketing to function and the success of the measures to be measured, user profiles are created and data is stored, for example, in cookies (small text files). With the help of this data, we can not only place advertising in a classic sense but also present our content directly on our website in the way you prefer. There are various third-party tools that offer these functions and collect and store your data accordingly. For example, the named cookies store which webpages you have visited on our website, how long you viewed these pages, which links or buttons you click, or from which website you came to us. Additionally, technical information can be stored, such as your IP address, which browser you use, from which device you visit our website, or the time you accessed our website and when you left it. If you have consented to us determining your location, we can also store and process this.

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Your IP address is stored in pseudonymized form (i.e., shortened). Unique data that directly identifies you as a person, such as name, address, or email address, is also only stored in pseudonymized form within the framework of advertising and online marketing procedures. We therefore cannot identify you as a person; we only have the pseudonymized, stored information in the user profiles.

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Under certain circumstances, the cookies can also be used, analyzed, and utilized for advertising purposes on other websites that work with the same advertising tools. The data can then also be stored on the servers of the advertising tool providers.

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In exceptional cases, unique data (names, email addresses, etc.) can also be stored in the user profiles. This storage occurs, for example, if you are a member of a social media channel that we use for our online marketing measures and the network connects previously received data with the user profile.

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For all advertising tools used by us that store your data on their servers, we only ever receive summarized information and never data that makes you recognizable as an individual. The data merely shows how well set advertising measures worked. For example, we see which measures prompted you or other users to come to our website and purchase a service or product there. Based on the analyses, we can improve our advertising offer in the future and adapt it even more precisely to the needs and wishes of interested persons.

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Duration of Data Processing

We inform you about the duration of data processing below, provided we have further information on this. In general, we process personal data only as long as it is strictly necessary for the provision of our services and products. Data stored in cookies is stored for different lengths of time. Some cookies are deleted as soon as you leave the website, others can be stored in your browser for several years. In the respective privacy policies of the individual providers, you will usually find precise information about the individual cookies used by the provider.

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Right to Object

You have the right and the possibility to withdraw your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers at any time. This works either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions. For example, you can also prevent data collection through cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser. The lawfulness of the processing until the withdrawal remains unaffected.

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Since cookies can generally be used in online marketing tools, we also recommend our general privacy policy about cookies. To find out exactly which of your data is stored and processed, you should read the privacy policies of the respective tools.

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Legal Basis

If you have consented to the use of third-party providers, the legal basis for the corresponding data processing is this consent. According to Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), this consent represents the legal basis for the processing of personal data as it may occur during collection by online marketing tools.

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From our side, there is also a legitimate interest in measuring online marketing measures in anonymized form in order to optimize our offer and our measures with the help of the data obtained. The corresponding legal basis for this is Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests). Nevertheless, we only use the tools if you have given your consent.

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Information on specific online marketing tools can be found – if available – in the following sections.

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Facebook Custom Audiences Privacy Policy

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We use Facebook Custom Audiences on our website, a server-side event tracking tool. The service provider is the American company Meta Platforms Inc. For the European region, the company Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland) is responsible.

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Facebook also processes your data in the USA, among other places. We point out that, in the opinion of the European Court of Justice, there is currently no adequate level of protection for data transfer to the USA. This can be associated with various risks to the legality and security of data processing.

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As a basis for data processing for recipients based in third countries (outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and especially in the USA) or for data transfer there, Facebook uses so-called Standard Contractual Clauses (= Art. 46 (2) and (3) GDPR). Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data corresponds to European data protection standards even if it is transferred to and stored in third countries (such as the USA). Through these clauses, Facebook commits to complying with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the USA. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en

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The Facebook Data Processing Terms, which correspond to the Standard Contractual Clauses, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/dataprocessing.

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You can learn more about the data processed through the use of Facebook Custom Audiences in the privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy.

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Audio & Video Introduction

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Audio & Video Privacy Policy Summary

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Data Subjects: Website visitors

Purpose: Optimization of our service performance

Processed Data: Data such as contact details, user behavior data, information about your device, and your IP address can be stored. More details can be found further below in the corresponding privacy texts.

Storage Duration: Data remains stored as long as it is necessary for the service purpose.

Legal Basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (Consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (Legitimate Interests).

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What are Audio and Video Elements?

We have integrated audio and video elements into our website so that you can watch videos or listen to music/podcasts directly via our website. The content is provided by service providers. All content is therefore also obtained from the corresponding servers of the providers.

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These are integrated functional elements from platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Spotify. The use of these portals is usually free of charge, but fee-based content can also be published. With the help of these integrated elements, you can listen to or watch the respective content via our website.

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When you use audio or video elements on our website, personal data can also be transmitted to the service providers, processed, and stored.

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Why do we use Audio & Video Elements on our website?

Naturally, we want to deliver the best offer to you on our website. And we are aware that content is no longer merely conveyed in text and static images. Instead of just giving you a link to a video, we offer audio and video formats directly on our website that are entertaining or informative and ideally both. This expands our service and makes it easier for you to access interesting content. Thus, we offer video and/or audio content in addition to our texts and images.

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What data is stored by Audio & Video Elements?

When you access a page on our website that has an embedded video, for example, your server connects to the server of the service provider. In the process, data is also transmitted to the third-party provider and stored there. Some data is collected and stored regardless of whether you have an account with the third-party provider or not. This usually includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, and other general information about your device. Furthermore, most providers also obtain information about your web activity. This includes session duration, bounce rate, which button you clicked, or through which website you use the service. All this information is usually stored via cookies or pixel tags (also called web beacons). Pseudonymized data is usually stored in cookies in your browser. You can always find out exactly which data is stored and processed in the privacy policy of the respective provider.

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Duration of Data Processing

You can find out exactly how long the data is stored on the servers of the third-party providers either further below in the privacy text of the respective tool or in the privacy policy of the provider. In principle, personal data is only processed as long as it is strictly necessary for the provision of our services or products. This generally also applies to third-party providers. Usually, you can assume that certain data will be stored on the third-party providers' servers for several years. Data can be stored for different lengths of time, especially in cookies. Some cookies are deleted as soon as you leave the website, others can be stored in your browser for several years.

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Right to Object

You have the right and the possibility to withdraw your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers at any time. This works either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions. For example, you can also prevent data collection through cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser. The lawfulness of the processing until the withdrawal remains unaffected.

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Since cookies are usually used through the integrated audio and video functions on our site, you should also read our general privacy policy about cookies. In the privacy policies of the respective third-party providers, you will find more details about the handling and storage of your data.