Privacy Policy

1. Privacy 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 refers to any data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information on data protection, please refer to our Privacy Policy, which is listed below this text.

Data Collection on This Website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find the operator’s contact information in the “Information on the Data Controller” section of this Privacy Policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, in part, when you provide it to us. This may include, for example, data that you enter into a contact form.

Other data is collected by our IT systems automatically or with your consent when you visit the website. This primarily consists of technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you access this website.

What do we use your data for?

Some of the data is collected to ensure the website functions properly. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior. If contracts can be concluded or initiated through the website, the data provided will also be processed for contract offers, orders, or other order inquiries.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right at any time to receive, free of charge, information about the source, recipients, and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given your consent to data processing, you may revoke that consent at any time with future effect. In addition, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to file a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

Please feel free to contact us at any time regarding this matter or any other questions you may have about data protection.

Analytics Tools and Third-Party Tools

When you visit this website, your browsing behavior may be analyzed for statistical purposes. This is primarily done using so-called analytics tools.

You can find detailed information about these analytics programs in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

We host our website’s content with the following provider:

External Hosting

This website is hosted externally. The personal data collected on this website is stored on the host’s servers. This may include, in particular, IP addresses, contact requests, metadata and communication data, contract data, contact information, names, website visits, and other data generated through a website.

External hosting is provided for the purpose of fulfilling our contractual obligations to our potential and existing customers (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) and in the interest of providing our online services securely, quickly, and efficiently through a professional provider (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). If consent has been obtained, processing is based exclusively on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, to the extent that the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.

Our hosting provider(s) will process your data only to the extent necessary to fulfill its service obligations and will follow our instructions regarding this data.

We use the following hosting provider(s):

Droptop GmbH
Am Grashorn 8
14548 Schwielowsee, Geltow
Phone: 03327-4372551
Fax: 03327-43725510
Email: management@droptop.de

Order Processing

We have entered into a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) for the use of the service mentioned above. This is a contract required under data protection law that ensures the service provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General Information and Mandatory Disclosures

Privacy policy

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with applicable data protection laws and this Privacy Policy.

When you use this website, various types of personal data are collected. Personal data is information that can be used to identify you personally. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect and how we use it. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

Please note that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating via email) may be subject to security risks. It is not possible to completely protect data from access by third parties.

Note on the Data Controller

The entity responsible for data processing on this website is:

Droptop GmbH
Am Grashorn 8
14548 Schwielowsee, Geltow

Represented by: Valentin Palm

Contact:
Phone: 03327-4372551
Fax: 03327-43725510
Email: management@droptop.de
Website: http://droptop.de

Phone: 03327-4372551
Email: management@droptop.de

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.).

Retention period

Unless a more specific retention period is stated in this Privacy Policy, we will retain your personal data until the purpose for which it was collected no longer applies. If you submit a valid request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible grounds for storing your personal data (e.g., retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, the data will be deleted once these grounds no longer apply.

General Information on the Legal Basis for Data Processing on This Website

If you have consented to the processing of your data, we process your personal data on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR, provided that special categories of data pursuant to Art. 9(1) GDPR are processed. In the event of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also carried out on the basis of Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to access to information on your device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing is additionally carried out on the basis of Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data to the extent that it is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation on the basis of Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The legal bases applicable in each individual case are described in the following sections of this Privacy Policy.

Recipients of personal data

As part of our business operations, we collaborate with various external parties. In some cases, this requires the transfer of personal data to these external parties. We only disclose personal data to external parties if it is necessary for the performance of a contract, if we are legally required to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the disclosure of data. When using data processors, we only disclose our customers’ personal data on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. 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 explicit consent. You may withdraw any consent you have already given at any time. The lawfulness of the data processing carried out prior to the withdrawal remains unaffected by the withdrawal.

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

IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6, PAR. 1, SUBPAR. E OR F OF THE GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME, FOR REASONS RELATED TO YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION, to object to the processing of your personal data; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. THE SPECIFIC LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA, UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING IS NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) OF THE GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) OF THE GDPR).

Right to File a Complaint with the Competent Supervisory Authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work, or the place where the alleged violation occurred. This right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive data that we process automatically based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, either for yourself or for 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 be done to the extent that it is technically feasible.

Access, Correction, and Deletion

Under applicable law, you have the right at any time to receive, free of charge, information about your stored personal data, its source and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing, as well as the right to have this data corrected or deleted, if applicable. You may contact us at any time regarding this matter or any other questions you may have about personal data.

Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted. You may contact us at any time to exercise this right. The right to restriction of processing applies 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 verification process, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.
If the processing of your personal data was or is unlawful, you may request that the processing be restricted instead of having the data erased.
If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it to exercise, defend, or assert legal claims, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted instead of being erased.
If you have filed an objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR, a balancing of your interests against ours must be conducted. Until it is determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data may—apart from its storage—be processed only with your consent or for the purpose of asserting, exercise, or defend legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of a substantial public interest of the European Union or a Member State.

SSL or TLS encryption

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential information—such as orders or inquiries you send to us as the website operator—this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the browser’s address bar changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock icon in your browser’s address bar.

If SSL or TLS encryption is enabled, the data you send to us cannot be intercepted by third parties.

Objection to Promotional Emails

We hereby object to the use of contact information published in accordance with the legal requirement to provide an imprint for the purpose of sending unsolicited advertising and informational materials. The operators of this website expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of the unsolicited transmission of advertising information, such as through spam emails.

4. Data Collection on This Website

Cookies

Our website uses so-called “cookies.” Cookies are small data packets that do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored on your device either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (persistent cookies). Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or your web browser deletes them automatically.

Cookies may be set by us (first-party cookies) or by third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain third-party services into websites (e.g., cookies used to process payment services).

Cookies serve various purposes. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website features would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart feature or the display of videos). Other cookies may be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for carrying out the electronic communication process, for providing certain functions you have requested (e.g., the shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring web traffic) (necessary cookies), are stored on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies to ensure the technically flawless and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG); consent may be revoked at any time.

You can configure your browser to notify you when cookies are set, to allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, to block cookies in specific cases or generally, and to enable the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. If you disable cookies, the functionality of this website may be limited.

You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this Privacy Policy.

Consent to Borlabs’ Use of Cookies

Our website uses Borlabs Cookie’s consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies in your browser or to the use of certain technologies, and to document this in compliance with data protection regulations. This technology is provided by Borlabs GmbH, Rübenkamp 32, 22305 Hamburg (hereinafter “Borlabs”).

When you visit our website, a Borlabs cookie is stored in your browser to record the consents you have given or any revocation of those consents. This data is not shared with the provider of the Borlabs cookie.

The collected data will be stored until you request that we delete it, delete the Borlabs cookie yourself, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected. For details on how Borlabs handles data processing, please visit https://de.borlabs.io/kb/welche-daten-speichert-borlabs-cookie/.

Borlabs’ cookie consent technology is used to obtain the legally required consent for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR.

Contact Form

If you submit inquiries to us via the contact form, we will store the information you provide in the inquiry form—including the contact information you provide there—for the purpose of processing your inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We will not share this information without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, provided that your inquiry is related to the performance 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 handling of inquiries directed to us (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR), provided that such consent was requested; you may withdraw your consent at any time.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your inquiry has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular retention periods—remain unaffected.

Communication via WhatsApp

We use the instant messaging service WhatsApp, among other tools, to communicate with our customers and other third parties. The provider is WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Communication takes place via end-to-end encryption (peer-to-peer), which prevents WhatsApp or any other third parties from accessing the content of the communications. However, WhatsApp does have access to metadata generated during the communication process (e.g., sender, recipient, and time). We also note that, according to WhatsApp’s own statements, it shares its users’ personal data with its parent company, Meta, which is based in the United States. For more details on data processing, please see WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy at: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/#privacy-policy.

We use WhatsApp based on our legitimate interest in communicating as quickly and effectively as possible with customers, prospective customers, and other business and contractual partners (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). If consent has been obtained, data processing is based exclusively on that consent; this consent may be revoked at any time with future effect.

The content of communications exchanged between you and us on WhatsApp will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular retention periods—remain unaffected.

The company is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the provider’s website at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/7735.

We use the “WhatsApp Business” version of WhatsApp.

Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. For details, please visit: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/business-data-transfer-addendum.

We have configured our WhatsApp accounts so that they do not automatically sync data with the address book on the smartphones we use.

We have entered into a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with the provider mentioned above.

Google Forms

We have integrated Google Forms into this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (hereinafter “Google”).

Google Forms allows us to create online forms to collect messages, inquiries, and other submissions from our website visitors in a structured manner. All data you enter is processed on Google’s servers. Google Forms stores a cookie in your browser that contains a unique ID (NID cookie). This cookie stores various pieces of information, such as your language settings.

We use Google Forms based on our legitimate interest in determining the nature of your inquiry in the most user-friendly way possible (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). If consent has been requested, processing is based exclusively on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG, to the extent that the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.

The data you enter in the form will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular retention periods—remain unaffected.

For more information, please see Google’s Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/.

The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the provider’s website at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.

Order Processing

5. Analytics Tools and Advertising

Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to integrate tracking and analytics tools, as well as other technologies, into our website. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, store cookies, or perform any independent analysis. It is used solely to manage and deploy the tools integrated through it. However, Google Tag Manager does collect your IP address, which may also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the United States.

The use of Google Tag Manager is based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and straightforward integration and management of various tools on its website. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.

Google Analytics

This website uses features of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables website operators to analyze the behavior of website visitors. In doing so, the website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, time spent on the site, operating systems used, and the user’s location. This data is aggregated into a user ID and assigned to the website visitor’s respective device.

In addition, we can use Google Analytics to track, among other things, your mouse and scroll movements and clicks. Google Analytics also uses various modeling approaches to supplement the collected data sets and employs machine learning technologies in its data analysis.

Google Analytics uses technologies that enable user recognition for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google regarding the use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the United States and stored there.

Use of this service is based on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. For details, please visit: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

IP Anonymization

Google Analytics IP anonymization is enabled. This means that Google truncates your IP address within member states of the European Union or in other signatory states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before it is transmitted to the United States. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the United States and truncated there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services related to website and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics is not combined with other data held by Google.

Browser Plugin

You can prevent Google from collecting and processing your data by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Google Signals

We use Google Signals. When you visit our website, Google Analytics collects, among other things, your location, search history, and YouTube history, as well as demographic data (visitor data). This data may be used for personalized advertising through Google Signals. If you have a Google Account, the visitor data from Google Signals is linked to your Google Account and used for personalized advertising. The data is also used to generate anonymized statistics on our users’ behavior.

Order Processing

We have entered into a data processing agreement with Google and fully comply with the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities regarding the use of Google Analytics.

Google Analytics E-Commerce Tracking

This website uses the “E-commerce Tracking” feature of Google Analytics. E-commerce tracking allows the website operator to analyze the purchasing behavior of website visitors in order to improve its online marketing campaigns. This involves collecting information such as orders placed, average order values, shipping costs, and the time elapsed from viewing a product to purchasing it. Google may aggregate this data under a transaction ID that is assigned to the respective user or their device.

6. Newsletter

Newsletter Information

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter offered on the website, we need your email address as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the email address provided and that you consent to receiving the newsletter. No other data is collected, or is collected only on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively to send you the requested information and do not share it with third parties.

The processing of the data entered in the newsletter sign-up form is based solely on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You may revoke your consent to the storage of your data and email address, as well as their use for sending the newsletter, at any time—for example, by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in the newsletter. The lawfulness of any data processing that has already taken place remains unaffected by this revocation.

The data you have provided to us for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter, and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe or once the purpose for which it was collected no longer applies. We reserve the right to delete or block email addresses from our newsletter distribution list at our sole discretion within the scope of our legitimate interest pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

Data that we have stored for other purposes is not affected by this.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter mailing list, your email address may be stored on a blacklist by us or the newsletter service provider, if necessary, to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is used solely for this purpose and is not combined with any other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR). There is no time limit on storage in the blacklist. You may object to the storage of your data if your interests outweigh our legitimate interests.

7. Plugins and Tools

YouTube with Enhanced Privacy

This website embeds videos from YouTube. The website is operated by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit one of these websites that has YouTube embedded, a connection is established with YouTube’s servers. In the process, the YouTube server is informed which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you allow YouTube to associate your browsing activity directly 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 the user’s YouTube experience. Ads displayed in enhanced privacy mode are also not personalized. No cookies are set in enhanced privacy mode. Instead, however, so-called local storage elements are stored in the user’s browser; these contain personal data similar to cookies and can be used for recognition purposes. Details about enhanced privacy mode can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780.

In some cases, playing a YouTube video may trigger additional data processing operations over which we have no control.

We use YouTube to ensure that our online offerings are presented in an appealing manner. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. If consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.

For more information about data protection on YouTube, please see their Privacy Policy at: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Google Fonts (locally hosted)

This site uses so-called Google Fonts, provided by Google, to ensure consistent font display. The Google Fonts are installed locally. No connection is made to Google’s servers.

For more information about Google Fonts, visit https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

8. E-commerce and Payment Providers

Processing of Customer and Contract Data

We collect, process, and use personal customer and contract data to establish, define the terms of, and modify our contractual relationships. We collect, process, and use personal data regarding the use of this website (usage data) only to the extent necessary to enable the user to use the service or to bill the user. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR.

The customer data collected will be deleted after the order is completed or the business relationship is terminated, and after any applicable statutory retention periods have expired. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

9. Audio and Video Conferences

Data Processing

We use online conferencing tools, among other methods, to communicate with our customers. The specific tools we use are listed below. When you communicate with us via video or audio conference over the Internet, your personal data is collected and processed by us and by the provider of the respective conferencing tool.

The conferencing tools collect all data that you provide or use in connection with the tools (email address and/or your phone number). In addition, the conferencing tools process the duration of the conference, the start and end times of your participation in the conference, the number of participants, and other “contextual information” related to the communication process (metadata).

In addition, the tool provider processes all technical data necessary for handling online communication. This includes, in particular, IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone or speaker, and the type of connection.

If content is exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise made available within the tool, it is also stored on the tool provider’s servers. Such content includes, in particular, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared while using the service.

Please note that we do not have full control over the data processing activities of the tools we use. Our options depend largely on the corporate policies of the respective provider. For further information on data processing by the conference tools, please refer to the privacy policies of the respective tools, which we have listed below this text.

Purpose and Legal Basis

The conference tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners or to offer specific services to our customers (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR). Furthermore, the use of these tools serves to generally simplify and expedite communication with us or our company (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR). To the extent that consent has been requested, the use of the relevant tools is based on that consent; consent may be revoked at any time with future effect.

Retention period

The data we collect directly through our video and conferencing tools is deleted from our systems as soon as you request its deletion, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your device until you delete them. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

We have no control over how long your data is stored by the operators of the conferencing tools for their own purposes. For more details, please contact the operators of the conferencing tools directly.

Conference Tools Used

We use the following conferencing tools:

Zoom

We use Zoom. This service is provided by Zoom Communications Inc., San Jose, 55 Almaden Boulevard, 6th Floor, San Jose, CA 95113, USA. For details on data processing, please refer to Zoom’s Privacy Policy: https://explore.zoom.us/de/privacy/.

Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. For details, see here: https://explore.zoom.us/de/privacy/.