Privacy Policy

1. Privacy at a Glance

General Notes

The following notes provide a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data with which you can be personally identified. Detailed information on the subject of data protection can be found in our privacy policy listed below this text.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for the data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the section „Notice Concerning the Responsible Party“ in this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, on the one hand, by you providing it to us. This may, for example, be data that you enter into a contact form.

Other data is collected automatically or after your consent by our IT systems when you visit the website. This is primarily technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or the time the page was accessed). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?

A portion of the data is collected to ensure the error-free provision of the website. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior. If contracts can be concluded or initiated via the website, the transmitted data 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 obtain free information about the origin, recipient, 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 consent for data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time for the future. Furthermore, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances. In addition, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

You can contact us at any time regarding this and any other questions you may have about data protection.

Analytics and third-party tools

When you visit this website, your browsing behavior may be statistically evaluated. This is mainly done using so-called analysis programs.

Detailed information on these analysis programs can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

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

Mittwald

The provider is Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KG, Königsberger Straße 4-6, 32339 Espelkamp (hereinafter referred to as Mittwald).

You can find details in Mittwald's privacy policy: https://www.mittwald.de/datenschutz.

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

Data processing on behalf of a controller

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

3. General Notes and Mandatory Information

Privacy Policy

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

When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data is data with which you can be personally identified. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose that happens.

Please note that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., via email) can have security vulnerabilities. It is not possible to completely protect data against access by third parties.

Note on the responsible party

The controller responsible for data processing on this website is:

Gutachter in Wittlich GbR
Expert Office Zender & Bucher

New Station 18
54528 Salmtal

Phone: +49 151 18408206
E-Mail: info@gutachter-wittlich.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, or the like).

Storage period

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

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

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

Recipients of personal data

As part of our business activities, we cooperate with various external entities. In some cases, this also requires the transfer of personal data to these external entities. We only disclose personal data to external entities if this is necessary for the performance of a contract, if we are legally obliged to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the data transfer. When using data processors, we only disclose personal data of our customers on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint controllership agreement is concluded.

Revocation of your consent to data processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke consent that has already been granted at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out up to the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

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

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

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

Right to lodge 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 of the alleged violation. The right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or to a third party in a standard, 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, rectification, and erasure

Under the applicable statutory provisions, you have the right at any time to obtain free information about your stored personal data, their origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing, and, if applicable, a right to the correction or deletion of this data. You can contact us at any time regarding this or any other questions on the subject of personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You can contact us at any time for this purpose. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:

• If you contest the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you may request the restriction of data processing instead of erasure.
• If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it for the exercise, defense, or establishment of legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its deletion.
• If you have filed an objection pursuant to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR, a balancing of interests between yours and ours must be carried out. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

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

SSL or TLS encryption

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

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

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 can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services by third-party companies within websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies have various functions. Numerous cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies can be used to evaluate user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for the technical communication process, for providing certain functions requested by you (e.g., the shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the storage of necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, the processing is based exclusively on this consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG); the consent can be revoked at any time.

You can configure your browser to notify you about the placement of cookies and allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, exclude the acceptance of cookies for specific cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Deactivating cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

If further cookies and services are used on this website, you can find this in this privacy policy.

Consent with Borlabs Cookie

Our website uses the consent technology of Borlabs Cookie to obtain your consent for the storage of certain cookies in your browser or for the use of certain technologies, and to document this in a data protection-compliant manner. The provider of this technology is Borlabs GmbH, Hamburger Str. 11, 22083 Hamburg, Germany (hereinafter referred to as Borlabs).

When you enter our website, a Borlabs cookie is stored in your browser, in which the consents you have given or the revocation of these consents are saved. This data is not shared with the provider of Borlabs Cookie.

The collected data is stored until you ask us to delete it, delete the Borlabs cookie yourself, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected. Details on data processing by Borlabs Cookie can be found at https://de.borlabs.io/kb/welche-daten-speichert-borlabs-cookie/.

The Borlabs cookie consent technology is used to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR.

Server log files

The provider of the pages automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:

• Browser type and browser version
• operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Hostname of the accessing computer
• Server request time
• IP address

These data will not be combined with other data sources.

The collection of this data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of their website—for this purpose, the server log files must be collected.

Contact form

If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your details from the inquiry form, including the contact data you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR if your request 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 processing of inquiries directed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) if this has been requested; the consent can be revoked at any time.

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

Inquiry by email, phone, or fax

If you contact us by email, telephone, or fax, your inquiry, including all resulting personal data (name, inquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of handling your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR if your request 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 processing of inquiries directed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) if this has been requested; the consent can be revoked at any time.

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

Communication via WhatsApp

For communication with our customers and other third parties, we use, among other things, the instant messaging service WhatsApp. The provider is WhatsApp Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.

Communication takes place via end-to-end encryption (peer-to-peer), which prevents WhatsApp or other third parties from gaining access to the communication content. However, WhatsApp gains access to metadata generated during the communication process (e.g., sender, recipient, and time). We also point out that, according to its own statement, WhatsApp shares personal data of its users with its US-based parent company Meta. Further details on data processing can be found in WhatsApp's privacy policy at: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/#privacy-policy.

The use of WhatsApp is based on our legitimate interest in the fastest and most effective possible communication with customers, interested parties, and other business and contractual partners (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR). If a corresponding consent has been requested, the data processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of the consent; this can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

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

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when processing data in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/7735.

We use the WhatsApp Business variant.

The data transfer to the USA is based on the European Commission's standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/business-data-transfer-addendum.

We have configured our WhatsApp accounts so that there is no automatic data synchronization with the address book on the smartphones in use.

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) with the aforementioned provider.

5. Analytics tools and advertising

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 the process, the website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, dwell time, operating systems used, and the origin of the user. This data is assigned to the respective end device of the user. An assignment to a user ID does not take place.

Furthermore, Google Analytics allows us to record your mouse and scroll movements and clicks, among other things. In addition, Google Analytics uses various modeling approaches to supplement the collected datasets and employs machine learning technologies in data analysis.

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

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

The data transfer to the USA is based on the European Commission's standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms/sccs/.

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when processing data in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.

IP anonymization

Google Analytics IP anonymization is enabled. As a result, your IP address will be truncated by Google within member states of the European Union or in other signatory states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area prior to transmission to the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA 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 relating to website activity and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data by Google.

Browser Plugin

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

More information on the handling of user data by Google Analytics can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Data processing on behalf of a controller

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.

Microsoft Clarity

This website uses Microsoft Clarity. The provider is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland., https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/clarity/faq (hereinafter „Microsoft Clarity“).

Microsoft Clarity is a tool for analyzing user behavior on this website. In particular, Microsoft Clarity records mouse movements and creates a graphical representation of which parts of the website users scroll to most frequently (heatmaps). Microsoft Clarity can also record sessions, allowing us to view website usage in the form of videos. Furthermore, we receive information regarding general user behavior within our website.

Microsoft Clarity uses technologies that enable user recognition for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or the use of device fingerprinting). Your personal data is stored on Microsoft's servers (Microsoft Azure Cloud Service) in the USA.

To the extent that consent has been obtained, the use of the aforementioned service is based exclusively on Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR and § 25 TDDDG. The consent can be revoked at any time. To the extent that no consent has been obtained, the use of this service is based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR; the website operator has a legitimate interest in effective user analysis.

Further details on Microsoft Clarity data privacy can be found here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/clarity/faq.

The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when processing data in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/6474.

Data processing on behalf of a controller

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

6. Plugins and Tools

Google Fonts (local hosting)

For the uniform presentation of fonts, this site uses so-called Google Fonts, which are provided by Google. The Google Fonts are installed locally. A connection to Google's servers does not take place in the process.

You can find more information about Google Fonts at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.