Credits

Scope

This data protection statement informs users about the type, scope, and purpose of the collection and use of personal data by the provider responsible. You will find the legal basis for the protection of data privacy in the German Data Protection Act (BDSG) and the German Broadcast Media Act (TMG).

Access data / Server logfiles

The provider (or its web space provider) collects data about every access to the Web Content (so-called server log files). The access data includes: name of the website requested, file, date and time of the request, volume of data transferred, message about successful request, browser type with version, operating system of the user, referrer URL (the page previously visited), IP address and the requesting provider. The provider only uses the log files for statistical evaluations for the purpose of the operation, security and optimization of the Web Content. However the provider reserves the right to check the log files subsequently where concrete indications give rise to the justified suspicion of unlawful use.

Handling of personal data

Personal data is information by which a person can be identified, i.e. data that can be traced back to a person. This includes name, email address or phone number. Also, however, data about preferences, hobbies, memberships or which web pages have been viewed by someone counts as personal data. Personal data is only collected, used and disclosed by the provider where this is legally allowed or the user consents to the data collection.

Contact

When making contact with the provider (for example using the contact form or email) the user’s details are saved for processing the inquiry as well as for the event that follow-up questions may arise.

Newsletter

We use the newsletter to inform you about our news. If you would like to receive the newsletter, we need you to provide a valid e-mail address and information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the e-mail address provided or that the owner is in agreement with receipt of the newsletters. No other data is collected. This information will be used only to send the newsletter and will not be disclosed to third parties. When you register for the newsletter, we store your IP address and the date of registration. This information is stored solely as evidence in case a third party abuses an e-mail address and registers for receipt of the newsletter without the knowledge of the rightful owner. You may withdraw your permission for us to store your data and the e-mail address and to use it to send you the newsletter at any time. You can do this through the link in the newsletter itself, via your profile area or by sending a message using the contact details above.

Integration of third party services and content

It may happen that within this web content, third party content such as YouTube videos, Google Maps map data, RSS feeds or graphics from other websites is integrated. This always requires that the providers of this content (“third-party providers”) are aware of the IP address of the users as, without the IP address, they would not be able to send the content to the respective user’s browser. The IP address is thus necessary to display this content. We endeavor only to use such content where the respective providers use the IP address solely to supply the content. However we have no influence over whether the third-party providers save the IP address e.g. for statistical purposes. Where we are aware of this, we inform the user about it.

Cookies

Cookies are small files that enable specific information relating to the device to be stored on the user’s access device (PC, smartphone or similar). On the one hand they therefore make websites more user-friendly and this benefits the user (e.g. saving login data). On the other hand they serve the purpose of collecting the statistical data of website use and being able to analyze it to improve the Web Content. The users can influence the use of cookies. Most browsers have an option for limiting or completely preventing cookies being saved. However it must be noted that use and, in particular, ease of use without cookies is restricted. You can manage many online advertising cookies from companies via the US American page www.aboutads.info/choices/ or the EU page www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices/.

Advertising Cookies

Advertising cookies are cookies that are used to help tailor advertising to the user. They remind the user that they have already visited a website. They are often associated with the functionality of the website. We use these cookies to analyze your browsing habits and thus be able to offer relevant advertising that corresponds to your interests.

Customized advertising

If you have activated cookies in your browser, advertisements are presented that relate to our website. Google and third-party providers show our advertisements on several Internet pages. When you activate cookies in your browser, you can see advertisements for this website on other websites. If you wish to unsubscribe from this service, you will be asked to to visit the network advertising page www.networkadvertising.org/choices/, where you can unsubscribe.

Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will generally be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. In case of anonymous IP activation on this website, however, Google will shorten your IP address within member states of the European Union or in other countries that are parties to the European Economic Area agreement. Only under exceptional circumstances is the complete IP address transmitted to a server of Google in the United States and shortened there. Under the authority of the provider of this website, Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and Internet usage for the website operator. In accordance with Google Analytics, your IP address, which is transmitted via your browser, will not be associated with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the storage of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however, please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. Furthermore, you can prevent the compilation of data (including your IP address) through cookies and website use by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available through the following link: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. Alternative to the browser-add-on or within the browsers on mobile devices, please click "deactivate" to prevent future acquisition of data by Google Analytics within this website. An opt-out cookie will be stored on your device for this purpose. If the cookies are deleted from this browser, you must click on this link again.

Piwik

This website uses Piwik, a web analytics open-source software. Piwik uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address anonymized prior to its storage) will be stored on the server of the service provider in Germany. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.

Use of Facebook Social Plugins

Our website uses social plugins (“plugins”) provided by the social network facebook.com, operated by Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA (“Facebook”). The plugins are identifiable by a Facebook logo (white letter f on blue background or a thumb up icon) or the notice “Facebook Social Plugin”. For a full list of all social Plugins please see: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/. When you visit a page of our website that contains a social plugin, your browser establishes a direct connection to Facebook servers. Facebook directly transfers the plugin content to your browser which embeds the latter into the website, enabling Facebook to receive information about your having accessed the respective page of our website. Thus we have no influence on the data gathered by the plugin and inform you according to our state of knowledge. The embedded plugins provide Facebook with the information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged into Facebook, your visit can be assigned to your Facebook account. If you interact with the plugins, for example by clicking “Like”, or entering a comment, the corresponding information is transmitted from your browser directly to Facebook and stored by it.Even if you are not logged into Facebook, there is possibility that the plugins transmits your IP-address to Facebook. For the information on the purpose and scope of data collection and procession by Facebook, as well as your rights in this respect and settings options for protecting your privacy please visit https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/. If you are a Facebook member and do not want Facebook to connect the data concerning your visit to our website with your member data already stored by Facebook, please log off Facebook before entering our website. Further you can block Facebook social Plugins by using add-ons for your browser, like the "Facebook Blocker".

Google +1 button

This site uses the +1 button from the Google Plus social networking site operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States ("Google"). The button can be identified by the "+1" or "g+" symbol on a black or colored background. When a user accesses a web page on this site that features one of these buttons, the browser establishes a direct connection with Google's servers as soon as the Google+ button is pressed. Google then transfers the content of the "g+" button directly to the user's browser, which integrates the content into the web page. The provider has no control over the amount of data that Google collects via the button after the user clicks on it. According to Google, no personal data is collected unless the user actually clicks on the button. Such data (including IP address) is only collected and processed for members who have logged in. If users want to find out what data Google collects about them and why, how it processes and uses their data, and what rights and settings they can assert to protect their privacy, they should refer to Google's data protection policy for the "g+" button: www.google.com/intl/de/+/policy/+1button.html and the FAQs: www.google.com/intl/de/+1/button/.

Twitter

This website uses Twitter buttons. These buttons are provided by Twitter Inc., 795 Folsom St., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. They can be identified by the use of terms such as "Twitter", "tweet" or "follow" in association with a gray letter "t". These buttons enable users to share an article or page from this site on Twitter, or to follow the provider on Twitter. When a user accesses a web page on this site that features one of these buttons, the browser establishes a direct connection with Twitter's servers as soon as the Twitter button is pressed. Twitter transfers the content of the Twitter buttons directly to the user's browser. The provider has no control over the amount of data that Twitter collects via this plugin after the user clicks on the button, but it attempts to inform the user to the best of its current knowledge. As far as we are aware, only the user's IP address and the URL of the relevant web page are transferred when the user clicks the button, and this information is only used for the purpose of displaying the button. For further information, please refer to Twitter's data protection policy at twitter.com/privacy.

Revocation, amendments, corrections, and updates

Users have the right to find out what personal data has been stored and may apply to get this information at no charge. Moreover, they are entitled to the correction of incorrect data and the blocking and deletion of their personal data, insofar as there is no legal obligation to retain such data.