Privacy policy

1. Data protection at a glance

General information

The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data that can be used to identify you personally. For detailed information on the subject of data protection, please refer to our data protection declaration listed below this text.

Data Collection on Our Website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
The data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the section "Information on the Responsible Party" in this Privacy Policy.

How do we collect your data?
Your data is collected when you provide it to us. For example, this could be data you enter into a contact form on "CONNECTBACK."

Other data is automatically collected by our IT systems when you visit the website. These are mainly technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you access our website.

How do we use your data?
Some of the data is collected to ensure the proper functioning of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.

What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right to request information about the origin, recipients, and purpose of your stored personal data at any time, free of charge. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given consent for data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time in the future. Furthermore, you have the right to request the restriction of processing your data under certain circumstances. Additionally, you have the right to complain to the competent supervisory authority. For more information or other questions regarding data protection, you can always contact us.

Analysis tools and third-party tools

When you visit this website, your surfing behavior may be statistically evaluated. This is done primarily with so-called analysis programs. You can find detailed information about these analysis programs in the following data protection declaration.

2. Hosting

The provider is Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91710 Gunzenhausen ( referred to as Hetzner).

Details can be found in Hetzner's privacy policy: https://www.hetzner.com/de/legal/privacy-policy/

The use of Hetzner is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring that our website is displayed as reliably as possible. If a corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TDDDG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's terminal device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Order processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that it processes the personal data of our website visitors only by our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory information

Data protection

The operators of these pages take the protection of your data very seriously. We treat your data confidentially and by the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

When you use this website, various personal data is collected.

Personal data is data that can be used to identify you personally. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g. when communicating by email) may be subject to security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Information about the responsible

The controller responsible for data processing on this website is

Mittelstand-Digital Centre Rostock

University of Applied Sciences, Wismar

Philipp-Müller Str. 14

Telephone: (+49) 03841 7537138

E-mail: [email protected]

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

Storage period

Unless a more specific storage period has been specified in this privacy policy, your data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing no longer applies. If you assert a justified request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your data (e.g. retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, the deletion will take place after these reasons no longer apply.

General information on the legal basis for data processing on this website

If you have consented to data processing, we process your data based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR, insofar as special categories of data are processed by Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR. In the event of express consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also carried out based on Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information in your end device (e.g. via device fingerprinting), the data processing is also carried out based on Section 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is required for the fulfillment of a contract or the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if this is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out based on our legitimate interest by Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Information on the relevant legal bases in each case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Note on the transfer of data to third countries that are not secure under data protection law and the transfer to US companies that are not DPF-certified

Among other things, we use tools from companies based in third countries that are not secure under data protection law and US tools whose providers are not certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). If these tools are active, your data may be transferred to these countries and processed there. We would like to point out that no level of data protection comparable to that in the EU can be guaranteed in third countries that are unsafe under data protection law. We would like to point out that the USA, as a safe third country, generally has a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the USA is therefore permitted if the recipient is certified under the ‘EU-US Data Privacy Framework’ (DPF) or has suitable additional guarantees. Information on transfers to third countries, including the data recipients, can be found in this privacy policy.

Recipients of personal data

As part of our business activities, we work together with various external organizations. In some cases, it is also necessary to transfer personal data to these external organizations. We only pass on personal data to external bodies if this is necessary for the fulfillment of a contract, if we are legally obliged to do so (e.g. passing on data to tax authorities) if we have a legitimate interest in passing on data by Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR or if another legal basis permits the passing on of data. When using processors, we only pass on our customers' data based on a valid contract for order processing. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is concluded.

Withdrawal of your consent to data processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out until the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Children and young people

Persons under the age of 18 should not transmit any personal data to us without the consent of their parents or legal guardians. We do not request personal data from children and young people, do not collect it, and do not pass it on to third parties.

SSL or TLS encryption

This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from ‘http://’ to ‘https://’ and by the lock symbol in your browser line.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

Right to object to the collection of data in special cases and to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)

IF THE DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6 ABS. 1 LIT. E OR F GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR DATA AT ANY TIME ON GROUNDS RELATING TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OR THE PROCESSING SERVES THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21 PARA. 1 GDPR).

IF YOUR DATA ARE PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING INSOFAR AS IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT MARKETING (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21 PARA. 2 GDPR).

Right to complain to the competent supervisory authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to complain to a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged violation. The right to complain is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or a third party in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only take place if it is technically feasible.

Information, rectification, and erasure

Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right to free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing and, if necessary, a right to correction or deletion of this data at any time. You can contact us at any time if you have further questions on the subject of personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your data. To do so, you can contact us at any time. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:

- If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the review, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.

- If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you can request the restriction of data processing instead of erasure.

- If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it for the exercise, defense or assertion of legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your data instead of its erasure.

- If you have lodged an objection by Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, this data - apart from its storage - may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims or the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or of a Member State.

4. Data collection on this website

Contact form

If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your details from the inquiry form, including the contact details you provide there, will be stored by us to process the inquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent. This concerns: name, e-mail address, institution, message/feedback

This data is processed based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR if your inquiry is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries addressed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) if this has been requested; consent can be revoked at any time.

We will retain the data you provide on the contact form until you request its deletion, revoke your consent for its storage, or the purpose for its storage no longer pertains (e.g. after fulfilling your request). Mandatory statutory provisions - in particular retention periods - remain unaffected.

Server log files

The host of this website (Strato) automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:

► Browser type and version
► Operating system used
► Referrer URL
► Host name of the accessing computer
► Time of the server request
► IP address

This data is not merged with other data sources. This data is collected based on Art. 6 Paragraph 1 Letter f of GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of its website - for this purpose, the server log files must be collected.

Configurator

Our website offers a configurator with which users can make various settings. The data you enter is saved in the process. This includes, among other things: All input data that you enter in the configurator, the timestamp of the configuration, and any settings or recommendations used. This data is processed to provide you with the desired functions and is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR.

Inquiry by e-mail or telephone

If you contact us by e-mail, telephone, or fax, your inquiry including all personal data (name, inquiry) will be stored and processed by us to process your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The data you send to us via contact requests will remain with us until you ask us to delete it, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g. after your request has been processed). Mandatory statutory provisions - in particular statutory retention periods - remain unaffected.

5. Social Media

Facebook

This website integrates elements of the social network Facebook. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland. According to Facebook, the collected data is also transferred to the USA and other third countries.

An overview of the Facebook social media elements can be found here:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and the Facebook server. This allows Facebook to receive information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click the Facebook "Like" button while logged into your Facebook account, you can link the content of this website to your Facebook profile. This allows Facebook to associate the visit to this website with your user account. We would like to point out that we, as the provider of the pages, have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or how Facebook uses it. For more information, please refer to Facebook's privacy policy:
https://de-de.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

To the extent that personal data is collected on our website using the tool described here and transferred to Facebook, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transfer to Facebook. The subsequent processing by Facebook is not part of the joint responsibility. Our joint obligations have been documented in an agreement on joint processing. The wording of the agreement can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum.

According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing privacy information when using the Facebook tool and for ensuring the privacy-compliant implementation of the tool on our website. Facebook is responsible for the data security of Facebook products. Rights of the data subjects (e.g., requests for information) regarding the data processed by Facebook can be asserted directly with Facebook. If you assert the rights of the data subjects with us, we are obliged to forward them to Facebook. Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. You can find details here:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum,
https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381,
https://www.facebook.com/policy.php.

The company is certified under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that aims to ensure compliance with European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to adhering to these data protection standards. For more information, you can find the provider's details at the following link:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/4452.

LinkedIn

This website integrates elements of the social network LinkedIn. The provider of this service is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. According to LinkedIn, the collected data is also transferred to the USA and other third countries.

An overview of the LinkedIn social media elements can be found here:
https://developer.linkedin.com/docs/plugins.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and the LinkedIn server. This allows LinkedIn to receive information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click the LinkedIn button while logged into your LinkedIn account, LinkedIn can associate the visit to this website with your user account. We would like to point out that we, as the provider of the pages, have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or how LinkedIn uses it. For more information, please refer to LinkedIn's privacy policy:
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

To the extent that personal data is collected on our website using the tool described here and transferred to LinkedIn, we and LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transfer to LinkedIn. The subsequent processing by LinkedIn is not part of the joint responsibility. Our joint obligations have been documented in an agreement on joint processing. The wording of the agreement can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa.

According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing privacy information when using the LinkedIn tool and for ensuring the privacy-compliant implementation of the tool on our website. LinkedIn is responsible for the data security of LinkedIn products. Rights of the data subjects (e.g., requests for information) regarding the data processed by LinkedIn can be asserted directly with LinkedIn. If you assert the rights of the data subjects with us, we are obliged to forward them to LinkedIn.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/eu-sccs
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/62533
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

Instagram

This website integrates features of the Instagram service. These features are provided by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.

When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and the Instagram server. This allows Instagram to obtain information about your visit to this website.

If you are logged into your Instagram account, clicking the Instagram button will link the content of this website to your Instagram profile. This enables Instagram to associate your visit to this website with your user account. We would like to point out that, as the provider of the website, we have no knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or how Instagram uses it.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

To the extent that personal data is collected on our website using the tool described here and transferred to Facebook or Instagram, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transfer to Facebook or Instagram. The subsequent processing by Facebook or Instagram is not part of the joint responsibility. Our joint obligations have been documented in an agreement on joint processing. The wording of the agreement can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum.

According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing privacy information when using the Facebook or Instagram tools and for ensuring the privacy-compliant implementation of the tools on our website. Facebook is responsible for the data security of Facebook or Instagram products. Data subject rights (e.g., requests for information) concerning the data processed by Facebook or Instagram can be asserted directly with Facebook. If you assert your rights with us, we are obliged to forward them to Facebook.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/
https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381.

Further information can be found in Instagram's privacy policy:
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.

6. Plugins and Tools

Google Web Fonts

This site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google for the uniform display of fonts. When you visit a page, your browser loads the necessary web fonts into its browser cache to correctly display texts and fonts. For this purpose, the browser you are using must establish a connection to Google’s servers. This allows Google to learn that our website has been accessed via your IP address. The use of Google Web Fonts is in the interest of a uniform and attractive presentation of our online offerings. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR.

YouTube with Enhanced Privacy

This website embeds videos from YouTube. The operator of the site is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit a page on this website with embedded YouTube content, a connection to YouTube's servers is established. The YouTube server is informed about which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, YouTube can directly associate your browsing behavior with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

We use YouTube in enhanced privacy mode. According to YouTube, videos played in enhanced privacy mode are not used to personalize your YouTube browsing. Ads shown in this mode are also not personalized. In enhanced privacy mode, no cookies are set. Instead, so-called local storage elements are stored in the user's browser, which, similar to cookies, contain personal data and may be used for recognition. Details about enhanced privacy mode can be found here:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780.

After activating a YouTube video, additional data processing operations may be triggered, over which we have no influence.

The use of YouTube is in the interest of presenting our online offerings attractively. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. If consent has been requested, the processing is carried out solely based on Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TDDDG, to the extent that the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further information about data protection at YouTube can be found in their privacy policy at:
https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

The company is certified under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that ensures compliance with European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Any company certified under the DPF commits to adhering to these data protection standards. For more information, you can find the provider’s details at the following link:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.

Source: https://www.e-recht24.de