Privacy policy
Note: The legally binding privacy policy in German language can be found at www.tqg.de/datenschutz
Data processing on this website
We automatically collect and store in our server log files information which has been transferred to us by your browser. This covers:
- the type and version of your browser
- the operating system you use
- the referrer URL (i.e. the page you visited before)
- the host name of the computer accessing our site (i.e. IP address)
- the time of the server enquiry
It is a great pleasure to see your interest in our enterprise. Data protection is of a particularly high priority for the management of the The Quality Group GmbH. The use of the Internet pages of the The Quality Group GmbH is possible without any indication of personal data. However, if a person concerned wishes to make use of special services of our company via our website, it may be necessary to process personal data. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.
The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to the The Quality Group GmbH. By means of this data protection declaration, our company would like to inform the public about the type, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed of their rights by means of this privacy policy.
As the controller, the The Quality Group GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, Internet-based data transmissions can generally have security gaps, so absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.
1. Definitions of terms
The data protection declaration of the The Quality Group GmbH is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy should be easy to read and understand for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.
We use the following terms, among others, in this privacy policy:
a) Personal data
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “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 or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
b) Data subject
Data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.
c) Processing
Processing is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.
d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its future processing.
e) Profiling
Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person's performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements.
f) Pseudonymization
Pseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
g) Controller or controller responsible for the processing
The controller or controller responsible for the processing is 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. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.
h) Processor
Processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
i) Recipient
Recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.
j) Third party
A third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.
k) Consent
Consent is any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.
2. Name and address of the controller
The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions of a data protection nature is
The Quality Group GmbH
Konrad-Zuse-Platz 1
71034 Böblingen
Germany
Phone: +49 7031 306974-100
Email: info @tqg.de
3. Cookies
4. Collection of general data and information
The website of the The Quality Group GmbH collects a series of general data and information when a data subject or automated system calls up the website. This general data and information is stored in the server log files. The (1) browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system accesses our website (so-called referrer), (4) the sub-websites which are accessed via an accessing system on our website can be recorded, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system and (8) other similar data and information used for security purposes in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.
When using these general data and information, the The Quality Group GmbH does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimize the content of our website as well as its advertisement, (3) ensure the long-term viability of our information technology systems and website technology, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in case of a cyber-attack. Therefore, the The Quality Group GmbH analyzes anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise, and to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.
5. Registration on our website
The data subject has the option of registering on the controller's website by providing personal data. Which personal data is transmitted to the controller is determined by the respective input mask used for registration. The personal data entered by the data subject is collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for the controller's own purposes. The controller may arrange for the data to be passed on to one or more processors, such as a parcel service provider, who will also use the personal data exclusively for internal use attributable to the controller.
By registering on the controller's website, the IP address assigned by the data subject's Internet service provider (ISP), the date and time of registration are also stored. This data is stored against the background that this is the only way to prevent misuse of our services and, if necessary, to make it possible to investigate criminal offenses that have been committed. In this respect, the storage of this data is necessary to safeguard the controller. This data is not passed on to third parties unless there is a legal obligation to pass it on or the passing on serves the purpose of criminal prosecution.
The registration of the data subject with the voluntary provision of personal data serves the controller to offer the data subject content or services which, due to the nature of the matter, can only be offered to registered users. Registered persons are free to change the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have it completely deleted from the controller's database.
The controller shall provide any data subject at any time upon request with information about which personal data relating to the data subject is stored. Furthermore, the controller shall rectify or erase personal data at the request or indication of the data subject, insofar as this does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations. All of the controller's employees are available to the data subject as contact persons in this context.
6. Subscription to our newsletter
On the website of the The Quality Group GmbH, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our enterprise's newsletter. The input mask used for this purpose determines what personal data are transmitted to the controller when the newsletter is ordered.
The The Quality Group GmbH informs its customers and business partners regularly by means of a newsletter about enterprise offers. Our company's newsletter can only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid e-mail address and (2) the data subject registers to receive the newsletter. For legal reasons, a confirmation e-mail is sent to the e-mail address entered by a data subject for the first time for the newsletter mailing using the double opt-in procedure. This confirmation email is used to check whether the owner of the email address as the data subject has authorized the receipt of the newsletter.
When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) of the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to be able to trace the (possible) misuse of a data subject's e-mail address at a later date and therefore serves as legal protection for the controller.
The personal data collected when registering for the newsletter will be used exclusively to send our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by e-mail if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or a registration in this regard, as could be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offer or changes to the technical circumstances. The personal data collected as part of the newsletter service will not be passed on to third parties. The subscription to our newsletter can be canceled by the data subject at any time.
The consent to the storage of personal data, which the data subject has given us for the newsletter dispatch, can be revoked at any time. There is a corresponding link in every newsletter for the purpose of revoking consent. It is also possible to unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time directly on the controller's website or to inform the controller of this in another way.
7. Newsletter tracking
The Quality Group GmbH uses the CleverReach newsletter tool to create and manage the newsletter. The required data of the newsletter recipients is hosted web-based on a CleverReach server in an area to which only The Quality Group GmbH has password-protected access. The contract between The Quality Group GmbH and CleverReach is based on CleverReach's General Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, which you can read here: CleverReach GTC/ Privacy Policy. According to § 11 of the CleverReach T&Cs, CleverReach guarantees that it will neither access the data of newsletter recipients nor use it in any other way.
The newsletter tool analyzes the reach of each newsletter to ensure that the mailings actually reach the recipients. The individual behavior patterns identified in the process are only used for a statistical evaluation of the newsletter's success and are never passed on to third parties or used for other purposes.
By submitting your data in our newsletter form, you agree to the data processing by CleverReach to the extent shown.
We use Newsletter2Go, a service provided by Newsletter2Go GmbH, Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Str. 1, D-10625 Berlin, Germany, to send our newsletter. The provider is based in Germany and is therefore subject to the data protection regulations applicable in Germany (BDSG). More information can be found at https://www.newsletter2go.de/datenschutz-uebersicht/. The mail servers of Newsletter2Go GmbH are located in Germany and have dedicated IPs. This means that they, like the entire Newsletter2Go service, are subject exclusively to the German Data Protection Act. Newsletter2Go treats the personal data of your recipients with the utmost confidentiality. Resale or similar is strictly excluded. Find out more at https://www.newsletter2go.de/agb.
The newsletters of The Quality Group GmbH contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic that is embedded in e-mails that are sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and log file analysis. This allows a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns to be carried out. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the The Quality Group GmbH may see if and when an e-mail was opened by a data subject, and which personal data was stored in the e-mail. Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimize the newsletter dispatch and to adapt the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the data subject. This personal data is not passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled to revoke the declaration of consent given in this regard at any time. After a revocation, this personal data will be deleted by the controller. The The Quality Group GmbH automatically regards a withdrawal from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.
8. Contact possibility via the website
The website of the The Quality Group GmbH contains information that enables a quick electronic contact to our enterprise, as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by email or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the data controller is stored for the purposes of processing.
9. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data
The controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.
If the purpose of storage ceases to apply or if a storage period prescribed by the European Directive and Regulation Giver or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.
10. Rights of the data subject
a) Right to confirmation
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
b) Right to information
Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller free information about the personal data stored about him/her and a copy of this information at any time. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:
the purposes of the processing
the categories of personal data being processed
the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations
where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing
the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
if the personal data is not collected from the data subject: All available information about the origin of the data
the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.
Furthermore, the data subject has a right to information as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to obtain information about the appropriate safeguards in connection with the transfer.
If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of access, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
c) Right to rectification
Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay, and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies, as long as the processing is not necessary:
The personal data have been collected or otherwise processed for such purposes for which they are no longer necessary.
The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR.
The personal data has been processed unlawfully.
The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
The personal data was collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Art. 8 (1) GDPR.
If one of the above reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by The Quality Group GmbH, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The employee of The Quality Group GmbH will ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.
If the personal data has been made public by The Quality Group GmbH and our company as the controller pursuant to Art. 17 Para. 1 GDPR is obliged to erase the personal data, The Quality Group GmbH shall take appropriate measures, including technical ones, taking into account the available technology and the implementation costs, in order to inform other data controllers which process the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of all links to these personal data or of copies or replications of these personal data, unless processing is required. The employee of The Quality Group GmbH will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.
e) Right to restriction of processing
Any person affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request the controller to restrict processing if one of the following conditions applies:
The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
The processing is unlawful, and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead.
The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims.
The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.
If one of the aforementioned conditions is met, and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by The Quality Group GmbH, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The employee of The Quality Group GmbH will arrange for the restriction of processing.
f) Right to data portability
Every data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which was provided to a controller, in a structured, common, and machine-readable format. He or she also has the right to transmit these data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, provided that the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR or Art. 9 (2) (a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR and the processing is carried out by automated means, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
Furthermore, in exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20 (1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and provided that doing so does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
To assert their right to data portability, the data subject may contact any employee of The Quality Group GmbH at any time.
g) Right to object
Any data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning them which is based on Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR, for reasons related to their particular situation. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.
In the event of an objection, The Quality Group GmbH will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which outweigh the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
If The Quality Group GmbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data for the purposes of such advertising. This also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to The Quality Group GmbH processing for direct marketing purposes, The Quality Group GmbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.
In addition, the data subject has the right to object to the processing of personal data concerning him or her by The Quality Group GmbH for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes pursuant to Art. 89 (1) GDPR, unless such processing is necessary to perform a task carried out in the public interest.
To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of The Quality Group GmbH or another employee directly. Furthermore, in the context of the use of information society services, the data subject is free to exercise his or her right of objection by means of automated procedures using technical specifications, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC.
h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
Every data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject's explicit consent.
If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is made with the data subject's explicit consent, The Quality Group GmbH shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, including at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.
If the data subject wishes to exercise the rights concerning automated decision-making, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.
i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law
Any data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw his or her consent to the processing of personal data at any time.
If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
11. Data protection for applications and during the application process
The controller collects and processes the personal data of applicants for the purpose of processing the application process. Processing may also be carried out electronically. This is particularly the case if an applicant submits relevant application documents to the controller electronically, for example, by email or via a web form on the website. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with statutory provisions. If the controller does not conclude an employment contract with the applicant, the application documents will be automatically deleted two months after notification of the rejection decision, unless deletion conflicts with other legitimate interests of the controller. Other legitimate interests in this sense include, for example, the burden of proof in proceedings under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
12. Data protection provisions regarding the use and application of etracker
The controller has integrated components of the etracker company on this website. Etracker is a web analysis service. Web analysis is the collection, gathering, and evaluation of data about the behavior of website visitors. A web analysis service collects, among other things, data about the website from which a data subject came to a website (so-called referrers), which subpages of the website were accessed, and how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analysis is primarily used to optimize a website and for the cost-benefit analysis of online advertising.
The operating company of etracker is etracker GmbH, Erste Brunnenstraße 1, 20459 Hamburg, Germany.
Etracker sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. Cookies have already been explained above. Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which an etracker component has been integrated, is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective etracker component to transmit data to etracker for marketing and optimization purposes. As part of this technical process, etracker receives data that is subsequently used to create pseudonymous user profiles. The user profiles obtained in this way are used to analyze the behavior of the data subject who has accessed the controller's website and are evaluated with the aim of improving and optimizing the website. The data collected via the etracker component will not be used to identify the data subject without first obtaining a separate and express consent from the data subject. This data will not be merged with personal data or with other data containing the same pseudonym.
As already described above, the data subject can prevent the setting of cookies by our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the setting of cookies. Such a setting in the Internet browser used would also prevent etracker from placing a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. Furthermore, cookies already set by etracker can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.
Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to and preventing the collection of data generated by the etracker cookie relating to the use of this website and the processing of this data by etracker. To do so, the data subject must click the "Set Cookie" button under the link www.etracker.de/privacy, which sets an opt-out cookie. The opt-out cookie set with the objection is stored on the information technology system used by the data subject. If the cookies on the data subject's system are deleted after an objection, the data subject must call up the link again and set a new opt-out cookie.
However, by setting the opt-out cookie, it is possible that the controller's website may no longer be fully usable by the data subject.
The applicable etracker privacy policy can be found at www.etracker.com/datenschutz.
13. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Facebook
The controller has integrated components of the Facebook company on this website. Facebook is a social network.
A social network is an internet-based social meeting place, an online community that generally allows users to communicate with each other and interact in virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences, or it can enable the internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Facebook allows users of the social network, among other things, to create private profiles, upload photos, and network via friend requests.
Facebook is operated by Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. If a data subject lives outside the USA or Canada, the controller responsible for processing personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) has been integrated, is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a display of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. A complete overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be found at developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/. As part of this technical process, Facebook receives information about which specific subpage of our website was visited by the data subject.
If the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits with each visit to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Facebook buttons integrated on our website, e.g. the “Like” button, or if the data subject makes a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the personal Facebook user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.
Facebook always receives information via the Facebook component that the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Facebook, they can prevent it by logging out of their Facebook account before accessing our website.
The data policy published by Facebook, which can be accessed at de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains which setting options Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, various applications are available that allow the suppression of data transmission to Facebook. Such applications can be used by the data subject to suppress data transmission to Facebook.
14. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Google Analytics (with anonymization function)
The controller has integrated the Google Analytics component (with anonymization function) on this website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering, and evaluation of data about the behavior of website visitors. A web analytics service collects, among other things, data about the website from which a data subject came to a website (so-called referrers), which subpages of the website were accessed, or how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimize a website and for the cost-benefit analysis of online advertising.
The operator of the Google Analytics component is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.
The controller uses the suffix "_gat._anonymizeIp" for web analytics via Google Analytics. By means of this add-on, the IP address of the data subject's internet connection is shortened and anonymized by Google if access to our website is made from a Member State of the European Union or from another contracting state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze visitor traffic on our website. Google uses the data and information obtained, among other things, to evaluate the use of our website, to compile online reports for us that show the activities on our websites, and to provide other services related to the use of our website.
Google Analytics sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. Cookies have already been explained above. By setting the cookie, Google is enabled to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a Google Analytics component has been integrated, is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Google Analytics component to transmit data to Google for the purpose of online analysis. As part of this technical procedure, Google receives knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the data subject, which Google uses, among other things, to trace the origin of visitors and clicks and subsequently to enable commission settlements.
The cookie is used to store personal information, such as the access time, the location from which access was made, and the frequency of visits to our website by the data subject. With each visit to our website, this personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may transfer this personal data collected via the technical process to third parties under certain circumstances.
The data subject may, as already explained above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding setting of the internet browser used and thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the internet browser used would also prevent Google from placing a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. Furthermore, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be deleted at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.
Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to the collection of data generated by Google Analytics relating to the use of this website and the processing of this data by Google and of preventing such collection. To do so, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that no data and information relating to website visits may be transmitted to Google Analytics. Google will regard the installation of the browser add-on as an objection. If the information technology system of the data subject is deleted, formatted, or reinstalled at a later date, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or another person under their sphere of control, it is possible to reinstall or reactivate the browser add-on.
Further information and Google's applicable privacy policy can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and at www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail at this link: www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.
15. Privacy Policy on the Application and Use of Google Maps
We use the Google Maps component of Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA, hereinafter "Google," on our website.
Each time the Google Maps component is accessed, Google sets a cookie to process user settings and data when displaying the page on which the Google Maps component is integrated. This cookie is generally not deleted when the browser is closed, but expires after a certain period of time unless you manually delete it beforehand.
If you do not agree to this processing of your data, you have the option of deactivating the Google Maps service and thus preventing the transmission of data to Google. To do so, you must deactivate the JavaScript function in your browser. However, please note that if you do this, you will not be able to use Google Maps at all or only to a limited extent.
The use of Google Maps and the information obtained via Google Maps is subject to the Google Terms of Use http://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/terms/regional.html and the additional terms and conditions for Google Maps https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/help/terms_maps.html.
16. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Instagram
The controller has integrated components of the Instagram service on this website. Instagram is a service that can be classified as an audiovisual platform and enables users to share photos and videos and also to further disseminate such data on other social networks.
The operating company of the Instagram services is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14, First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
With each visit to one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which an Instagram component (Insta button) has been integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Instagram component to download a display of the corresponding Instagram component. As part of this technical process, Instagram receives information about which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.
If the data subject is logged in to Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognizes which specific subpage the data subject visits with each visit to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Instagram component and assigned by Instagram to the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, the data and information transmitted with it are assigned to the personal Instagram user account of the data subject and stored and processed by Instagram.
Instagram always receives information via the Instagram component that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is logged in to Instagram at the same time as accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Instagram component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Instagram, they can prevent this by logging out of their Instagram account before accessing our website.
Further information and Instagram's applicable privacy policy can be found at help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.
17. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of LinkedIn
The controller has integrated components of the LinkedIn Corporation on this website. LinkedIn is an internet-based social network that enables users to connect with existing business contacts and establish new business contacts. Over 400 million registered users use LinkedIn in more than 200 countries. This makes LinkedIn currently the largest platform for business contacts and one of the most visited websites in the world.
The operating company of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. LinkedIn Ireland, Privacy Policy Issues, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, is responsible for data protection matters outside the USA.
With each visit to our website, which is equipped with a LinkedIn component (LinkedIn plug-in), this component causes the browser used by the data subject to download a corresponding representation of the LinkedIn component. Further information about LinkedIn plug-ins can be found at developer.linkedin.com/plugins. As part of this technical process, LinkedIn receives information about which specific subpage of our website was visited by the data subject.
If the data subject is logged in to LinkedIn at the same time, LinkedIn recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits with each visit to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the LinkedIn component and assigned by LinkedIn to the respective LinkedIn account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on a LinkedIn button integrated on our website, LinkedIn assigns this information to the personal LinkedIn user account of the data subject and stores the personal data.
LinkedIn always receives information via the LinkedIn component that the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged in to LinkedIn at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the LinkedIn component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to LinkedIn, they can prevent it by logging out of their LinkedIn account before accessing our website.
Linkedin offers the option of unsubscribing from email messages, SMS messages, and targeted ads, as well as managing ad settings, at www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls. LinkedIn also uses partners such as Quantcast, Google Analytics, BlueKai, DoubleClick, Nielsen, Comscore, Eloqua, and Lotame, which can set cookies. Such cookies can be rejected at www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy. LinkedIn's applicable privacy policy is available at www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy. LinkedIn's cookie policy is available at www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.
18. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Twitter
The controller has integrated Twitter components on this website. Twitter is a multilingual, publicly accessible microblogging service on which users can publish and distribute so-called tweets, i.e., short messages limited to 140 characters. These short messages are accessible to everyone, including those not logged in to Twitter. However, the tweets are also displayed to the respective user's so-called followers. Followers are other Twitter users who follow a user's tweets. Furthermore, Twitter enables the addressing of a broad audience via hashtags, links, or retweets.
The operating company of Twitter is Twitter, Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a Twitter component (Twitter button) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Twitter component to download a display of the corresponding Twitter component from Twitter. Further information about the Twitter buttons can be found at about.twitter.com/de/resources/buttons. As part of this technical procedure, Twitter receives information about which specific sub-page of our Internet site was visited by the data subject. The purpose of the integration of the Twitter component is to enable our users to retransmit the contents of this Internet site, to make this Internet site known in the digital world and to increase our visitor numbers.
If the data subject is logged in to Twitter at the same time, Twitter recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits with each visit to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Twitter component and assigned by Twitter to the respective Twitter account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Twitter buttons integrated on our website, the data and information transmitted with it are assigned to the personal Twitter user account of the data subject and stored and processed by Twitter.
Twitter always receives information via the Twitter component that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is logged in to Twitter at the same time as accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Twitter component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Twitter, they can prevent this by logging out of their Twitter account before accessing our website.
Twitter's current privacy policy can be found at twitter.com/privacy.
19. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Xing
The controller has integrated components of Xing on this website. Xing is an internet-based social network that enables users to connect with existing business contacts and establish new business contacts. Individual users can create a personal profile on Xing. Companies can, for example, create company profiles or post job offers on Xing.
The operating company of Xing is XING SE, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Germany.
Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a Xing component (Xing plug-in) has been integrated, is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Xing component to download a display of the corresponding Xing component from Xing. Further information on the Xing plug-in can be found at dev.xing.com/plugins. As part of this technical process, Xing receives information about which specific subpage of our website was visited by the data subject.
If the data subject is logged in to Xing at the same time, Xing recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits with each access to our website by the data subject and for the entire duration of their stay on our website. This information is collected by the Xing component and assigned by Xing to the respective Xing account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Xing buttons integrated on our website, for example the “Share” button, Xing assigns this information to the personal Xing user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.
Xing always receives information via the Xing component that the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged in to Xing at the same time as accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Xing component or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Xing, they can prevent it by logging out of their Xing account before accessing our website.
The privacy policy published by Xing, which is available at www.xing.com/privacy, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by Xing. Furthermore, Xing has published privacy information for the XING Share button at www.xing.com/app/share.
20. Data Protection Provisions Regarding the Application and Use of YouTube
The controller has integrated YouTube components into this website. YouTube is an internet video portal that allows video publishers to upload video clips free of charge and other users to view, rate, and comment on them free of charge. YouTube allows the publication of all types of videos, which is why both full film and television programs, as well as music videos, trailers, and videos created by users themselves, are available via the internet portal.
The operating company of YouTube is YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066, USA. YouTube, LLC is a subsidiary of Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.
Each time one of the individual pages of this website, which is operated by the controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) has been integrated, is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective YouTube component to download a display of the corresponding YouTube component from YouTube. Further information about YouTube can be found at www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. As part of this technical process, YouTube and Google receive information about which specific subpage of our website was visited by the data subject.
If the data subject is simultaneously logged in to YouTube, YouTube recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject is visiting when they access a subpage containing a YouTube video. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.
YouTube and Google always receive information via the YouTube component that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is simultaneously logged in to YouTube at the time of accessing our website; this occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on a YouTube video or not. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, they can prevent this by logging out of their YouTube account before accessing our website.
The privacy policy published by YouTube, which can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.
21. Data Protection Policy Regarding the Application and Use of Piwik
This website uses the open source web analytics software program Piwik (www.piwik.org) to collect and store data for marketing and optimization purposes. Piwik uses so-called "cookies." These are text files stored on your computer that enable us to analyze your website usage. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including your IP address) remains on the servers of The Quality Group GmbH and is not shared with third parties unless required by law. The data is collected anonymously. Under no circumstances will further information be associated with your IP address. If you access pages and files within this website and are asked to enter personal information, please note that this is done unencrypted and can therefore be viewed or falsified by unauthorized persons. You can object to the collection and storage of data at any time with future effect.
Matomo (formerly Piwik)
This website uses the open source web analysis service Matomo. Matomo uses technologies that enable cross-page user recognition to analyze user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Matomo about the use of this website is stored on our server. The IP address is anonymized before being saved.
With the help of Matomo, we are able to collect and analyze data about the use of our website by website visitors. This allows us to determine, among other things, when which page views were made and from which region they originate. We also record various log files (e.g., IP address, referrer, browsers and operating systems used) and can measure whether our website visitors perform certain actions (e.g., clicks, purchases, etc.).
The use of this analysis tool is based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the anonymized analysis of user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g. consent to the storage of cookies), processing will be carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR; consent can be revoked at any time.
You have the option to prevent actions you perform here from being analyzed and linked. This will protect your privacy, but will also prevent the owner from learning from your actions and improving usability for you and other users.
22. Data protection provisions regarding the use and application of Jetpack (WordPress Stats)
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in the analysis, optimization, and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR), we use the Jetpack plugin (here the subfunction "WordPress Stats"), which integrates a tool for statistical analysis of visitor access and is provided by Automattic Inc., 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. Jetpack uses so-called “cookies”, text files that are stored on your computer and that enable an analysis of your use of the website.
Automattic is certified under the Privacy Shield Framework, thus guaranteeing compliance with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000CbqcAAC&status=Active).
The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is stored on a server in the USA. User profiles can be created from the processed data, which are used solely for analysis and not for advertising purposes. Further information can be found in Automattic's privacy policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/ and information on Jetpack cookies: https://jetpack.com/support/cookies/.
23. Legal basis for processing
Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company's processing operations for which we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary to fulfill a contract to which the data subject is a party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or consideration, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to processing operations necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures, such as in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, such as the fulfillment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured in our company and their name, age, health insurance details, or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital, or other third parties. In this case, the processing would be based on Art. 6(1)(d) GDPR. Ultimately, processing operations could be based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis is used for processing operations that are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal grounds, if the processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights, and freedoms of the data subject do not override them. We are permitted to carry out such processing operations, in particular because they were specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, the legislator considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, Sentence 2 GDPR).
24. Legitimate interests in the processing pursued by the controller or a third party
If the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.
25. Duration for which the personal data will be stored
The criterion for the duration of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiry of this period, the corresponding data is routinely deleted unless it is no longer required for the performance or initiation of a contract.
26. Legal or contractual requirements for the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of non-provision
We clarify that the provision of personal data is sometimes required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or may also arise from contractual provisions (e.g., information on the contractual partner). In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data in order to conclude a contract, which must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.
Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employees will clarify to the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and what the consequences of not providing the personal data would be.
27. Existence of automated decision-making
As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.
Note: The content of this site has been translated from German and is provided in English only for ease of reading. German law applies.