data protection

1. Data Protection at a Glance

General Information
The following notes provide a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data includes all data that can personally identify you. Detailed information on data protection can be found in our privacy policy below.

Data Collection on this Website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
The data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. The contact details of the operator can be found in the section "Notice concerning the responsible party" in this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?
On the one hand, your data is collected when you provide it to us. This could be data you enter into a contact form. Other data is collected automatically or after your consent when you visit the website through our IT systems. This includes primarily technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or the time of the page access). The collection of this data occurs automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?
Part of the data is collected to ensure the error-free provision of the website. Other data can be used to analyze your user behavior.

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

Analysis Tools and Tools from Third Parties
When visiting this website, your surfing behavior can be statistically analyzed. This happens mainly with so-called analysis programs. Detailed information on these analysis programs can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting

We host the contents of our website with the following provider:

Webflow
The provider is Webflow, Inc., 398 11th Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA (hereafter "Webflow"). When you visit our website, Webflow collects various log files including your IP addresses. Webflow is a tool for creating and hosting websites. Webflow stores cookies or other recognition technologies required for the display of the page, to provide certain website functions, and to ensure security (necessary cookies). Details can be found in Webflow's privacy policy: Webflow Privacy Policy. The use of Webflow is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in the most reliable presentation of our website possible. If consent was requested, the processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time. Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Webflow Privacy Policy.

3. General Information and Mandatory Information

Data Protection
The operators of these pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and according to the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy. When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data are data that can personally identify you. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this happens. We would like to point out that data transmission over the internet (e.g., when communicating by email) can have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Notice concerning the responsible party
The responsible party for data processing on this website is:

Soar Advisory-Mengkai Zhang
Buschkoppel 29
22941 Delingsdorf, DE
Email: dakai@soar-advisory.de

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

Storage Duration
Unless a specific storage period is stated within this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for the data processing ceases. If you assert a legitimate request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, the deletion will occur after these reasons cease to apply.

General Information on the Legal Basis of Data Processing on this Website
If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR, if special categories of data are processed according to Art. 9(1) GDPR. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, the data processing is also based on Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information in your end device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), the data processing is additionally based on § 25(1) TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary for the performance of a contract or for pre-contractual measures, we process your data based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if it is necessary for the fulfillment of a legal obligation based on Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. Data processing can also be based on our legitimate interest according to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Information on the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Notice regarding data transfer to the USA and other third countries
We use tools from companies based in the USA or other data protection non-secure third countries. When these tools are active, your personal data can be transferred to these third countries and processed there. We would like to point out that in these countries, no data protection level comparable to that in the EU can be guaranteed. For example, US companies are obligated to hand over personal data to security authorities without you as the data subject being able to take legal action against this. It cannot be ruled out that US authorities (e.g., intelligence services) may process, evaluate, and permanently store your data located on US servers for monitoring purposes. We have no influence over these processing activities.

Revocation of your consent to data processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke consent that you have already given at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Right to object to data collection in special cases and direct advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)
IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6(1)(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 THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS OR THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTING, EXERCISING, OR DEFENDING LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21(1) GDPR). IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR SUCH MARKETING AT ANY TIME; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING INSOFAR AS IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL THEN NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21(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, particularly 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 exists without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to data portability
You have the right to have data that we process automatically based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another responsible party, this will only be done to the extent technically feasible.

Information, deletion, and correction
Within the scope of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing and, if applicable, a right to correction or deletion of this data. For this purpose and other questions regarding personal data, you can contact us at any time.

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

If you contest the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we usually 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 can request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.

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 the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of deletion.

If you have lodged an objection under Art. 21(1) GDPR, your and our interests must be weighed. As long as it is not yet 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, this data may – apart from being stored – only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, 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 a member state.

SSL or TLS encryption
This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries you send to us as the site operator. An encrypted connection can be recognized by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from "http://" to "https://" and by the lock symbol in your browser line. If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

4. Data Collection on this Website
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Cookies
Our website uses so-called "cookies." Cookies are small text files and do not cause any damage to your device. They are either temporarily stored for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted after your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or your web browser automatically deletes them. In some cases, cookies from third-party companies may also be stored on your device when you enter our site (third-party cookies). These enable us or you to use certain services of the third-party company (e.g., cookies for processing payment services). Cookies have various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or displaying videos). Other cookies are used to evaluate user behavior or display advertising. Cookies that are necessary to carry out the electronic communication process or to provide certain functions you desire (e.g., shopping cart function) or to optimize the website (e.g., cookies to measure web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent for the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively based on this consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG); the consent can be revoked at any time. You can set your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and allow cookies only in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. When deactivating cookies, the functionality of this website may be limited. If cookies are used by third-party companies or for analysis purposes, we will inform you about this separately within this privacy policy and, if necessary, request your consent.

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 versionOperating system used
- Referrer URLHost name of the accessing computerTime of the server request
- IP address:This data is not merged with other data sources. The collection of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of its website – for this purpose, the server log files must be recorded.

Contact Form
If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your details from the inquiry form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We do not pass on this data without your consent. The processing of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your request is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of inquiries directed to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if this has been requested. The data you enter in the contact form remains with us until you request deletion, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your inquiry has been processed). Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular retention periods – remain unaffected.

Inquiry by Email, Phone, or Fax
If you contact us by email, phone, or fax, your inquiry, including all personal data (name, inquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We do not pass on this data without your consent. The processing of this data is based on Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your request is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) and/or on our legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR), as we have a legitimate interest in the effective processing of inquiries directed to us. The data you send to us via contact requests remain with us until you request deletion, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

Registration on this Website
You can register on this website to use additional features on the site. The data entered for this purpose will only be used for the purpose of using the respective offer or service for which you have registered. The mandatory information requested during registration must be provided in full. Otherwise, we will refuse the registration. For important changes, such as the scope of the offer or technically necessary changes, we use the email address provided during registration to inform you in this way. The processing of the data entered during registration is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke any consent you have given at any time. The legality of the data processing already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation. The data collected during registration is stored by us as long as you are registered on this website and is then deleted. Legal retention periods remain unaffected.

5. Analysis Tools and Advertising

Google Analytics
This website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. The website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, duration of visit, operating systems used, and the origin of the user. This data is summarized in a user ID and assigned to the respective device of the website visitor. Furthermore, we can use Google Analytics to record your mouse and scroll movements and clicks, among other things. Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the user to be recognized 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 usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The use of this analysis tool is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising. If consent has been requested (e.g., consent to the storage of cookies), processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time. Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Google Data Privacy and Security. The IP anonymization function is activated on this website. As a result, your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area before transmission to the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transferred to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on website activity, and provide other services related to website activity and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser within the scope of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data from Google. You can prevent the storage of cookies by setting your browser software accordingly; however, we would like to point out that in this case, you may not be able to use all the functions of this website to their full extent. Furthermore, you can prevent the collection of data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address) by Google and the processing of this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available under the following link: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. More information on the handling of user data at Google Analytics can be found in Google's data protection declaration: Google Privacy Policy.

Order Data Processing
We have concluded an order data processing agreement with Google and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Storage Duration
Data stored by Google at the user and event level that is linked to cookies, user identifiers (e.g., user IDs), or advertising IDs (e.g., DoubleClick cookies, Android advertising ID) will be anonymized or deleted after 14 months. Details can be found under the following link: Google Data Storage Details.

Google Ads
The website operator uses Google Ads. Google Ads is an online advertising program of Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Google Ads allows us to display advertisements in the Google search engine or on third-party websites when the user enters certain search terms on Google (keyword targeting). Furthermore, targeted advertisements can be displayed based on the user data available at Google (e.g., location data and interests) (target group targeting). As the website operator, we can evaluate this data quantitatively, for example, by analyzing which search terms led to the display of our advertisements and how many ads resulted in corresponding clicks. The use of Google Ads is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in marketing its service products as effectively as possible.

Google AdSense (not personalized)
This website uses Google AdSense, a service for embedding advertisements. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. We use Google AdSense in "non-personalized" mode. Unlike the personalized mode, the advertisements are not based on your previous user behavior, and no user profile is created for you. Instead, so-called "contextual information" is used for the selection of advertising. The selected advertisements are thus based on, for example, your location, the content of the website you are on, or your current search terms. You can find more information on the differences between personalized and non-personalized targeting by Google AdSense at: Google AdSense Help. The use of AdSense in non-personalized mode is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time.

Google Remarketing
This website uses the functions of Google Analytics Remarketing. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Google Remarketing analyzes your user behavior on our website (e.g., clicking on certain products) to classify you into certain advertising target groups and then display suitable advertisements for you when you visit other online offers (remarketing or retargeting). Furthermore, the advertising target groups created with Google Remarketing can be linked to the cross-device functions of Google. In this way, interest-based, personalized advertising messages that have been adapted to you based on your previous usage and surfing behavior on one device (e.g., mobile phone) can also be displayed on another of your devices (e.g., tablet or PC). If you have a Google account, you can object to personalized advertising under the following link: Google Ads Settings. The use of Google Remarketing is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in marketing its products as effectively as possible. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time.

Facebook Pixel
This website uses the visitor action pixel from Facebook to measure conversion. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. According to Facebook, the collected data is also transferred to the USA and other third countries. This allows tracking the behavior of site visitors after they have been redirected to the provider's website by clicking on a Facebook advertisement. As a result, the effectiveness of Facebook advertisements can be evaluated for statistical and market research purposes and future advertising measures can be optimized. The collected data is anonymous to us as the operator of this website; we cannot draw any conclusions about the identity of the users. However, the data is stored and processed by Facebook, so that a connection to the respective user profile is possible, and Facebook can use the data for its advertising purposes, according to the Facebook Data Usage Policy. This allows Facebook to display advertisements on Facebook pages and outside of Facebook. This use of the data cannot be influenced by us as the site operator. The use of Facebook Pixel is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in effective advertising measures, including social media. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time. You can find further information on protecting your privacy in the Facebook privacy policy: Facebook Privacy Policy. You can also disable the Custom Audiences remarketing function in the ad settings section under Facebook Ad Preferences. You must be logged into Facebook to do this. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can deactivate Facebook usage-based advertising on the website of the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out.

6. Newsletter

Newsletter Data
If you would like to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and agree to receive the newsletter. Further data is not collected or only on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively for sending the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties. The processing of the data entered into the newsletter registration form is based exclusively on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the storage of the data, the email address, and their use for sending the newsletter at any time, for example via the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation. The data stored by you for the purpose of receiving the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Data stored by us for other purposes remain unaffected. After you have unsubscribed from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored by us or the newsletter service provider in a blacklist to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist will only be used for this purpose and will not be merged with 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) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is indefinite. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.7. Plugins and Tools

YouTube with Enhanced Data Protection
This website embeds videos from YouTube. The operator of the site is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. We use YouTube in enhanced data protection mode. According to YouTube, this mode means that YouTube does not store any information about the visitors to this website before they watch the video. However, the transfer of data to YouTube partners is not necessarily excluded by the enhanced data protection mode. Thus, regardless of whether you watch a video, YouTube establishes a connection to the Google DoubleClick network. As soon as you start a YouTube video on this website, a connection to the YouTube servers is established. This informs the YouTube server which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable YouTube to directly assign your surfing behavior to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account. Furthermore, after starting a video, YouTube may store various cookies on your device or use comparable recognition technologies (e.g., device fingerprinting). In this way, YouTube can obtain information about visitors to this website. This information is used, among other things, to collect video statistics, improve user-friendliness, and prevent fraud attempts. If necessary, further data processing operations may be triggered after the start of a YouTube video, over which we have no control. The use of YouTube is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offers. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time. Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in their privacy policy at: YouTube Privacy Policy.

Google Web Fonts
This site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google for the uniform display of fonts. When you call up a page, your browser loads the required web fonts into your browser cache to display texts and fonts correctly. For this purpose, the browser you use must connect to Google's servers. This gives Google knowledge that this website was accessed via your IP address. The use of Google Web Fonts is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the uniform presentation of the typeface on its website. If your browser does not support web fonts, a standard font from your computer will be used. Further information on Google Web Fonts can be found at: Google Web Fonts FAQ and in Google's privacy policy: Google Privacy Policy.

Google Maps
This site uses the Google Maps map service via an API. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. To use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence on this data transmission. The use of Google Maps is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offers and easy findability of the places we indicate on the website. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time. More information on the handling of user data can be found in Google's privacy policy: Google Privacy Policy.

8. Audio and Video Conferencing

Data Processing
For communication with our customers, we use online conference tools, among others. The tools we use are listed below in detail. If you communicate with us via video or audio conference via the internet, your personal data will be collected and processed by us and the provider of the respective conference tool. The conferencing tools collect all the data you provide/use to use the tools (email address and/or your phone number). Furthermore, the conferencing tools process the duration of the conference, start and end (time) of participation in the conference, the number of participants, and other "contextual information" related to the communication process (metadata). Furthermore, the provider processes all the technical data necessary for processing the 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 loudspeaker, and the type of connection. If content is exchanged, uploaded, or otherwise made available within the tool, it is also stored on the servers of the tool providers. Such content includes, but is not limited to, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemail uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared while using the service. Please note that we do not have complete influence on the data processing operations of the used tools. Our possibilities are largely determined by the corporate policy of the respective provider. Further information on data processing by the conference tools can be found in the data protection declarations of the respective tools, which we have listed below this text. The use of the conference tools is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in an effective communication with our customers and other business partners. If consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time. The storage duration of the data collected from us through video and conferencing tools is determined by our statutory retention periods. The legal retention periods remain unaffected.

Conferencing Tools Used
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We use the following conferencing tools:
Microsoft TeamsWe use Microsoft Teams. The provider is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA. For details on data processing, please refer to the Microsoft Teams privacy policy: Microsoft Teams Privacy Policy.

9. Custom Services
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Job Applications
We offer you the opportunity to apply to us (e.g., by email, post, or via the online application form). Below, we inform you about the scope, purpose, and use of your personal data collected during the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing, and use of your data will be in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other legal provisions and that your data will be treated strictly confidentially.

Scope and Purpose of Data Collection
When you send us an application, we process your associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication data, application documents, notes from job interviews, etc.) as far as this is necessary for the decision on the establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG (German Federal Data Protection Act) under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (general contract initiation), and – if you have given your consent – Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. The consent can be revoked at any time. Your personal data will only be passed on within our company to persons involved in processing your application. If the application is successful, the data you submitted will be stored in our data processing systems based on § 26 BDSG and Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR for the purpose of implementing the employment relationship. If we cannot offer you a position, you reject an offer, or withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you provided based on our legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) for up to 6 months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). The data will then be deleted, and the physical application documents will be destroyed. Storage serves in particular for evidence purposes in the event of a legal dispute. If it is evident that the data will be required after the expiry of the 6-month period (e.g., due to an impending or pending legal dispute), deletion will only take place when the purpose for further storage no longer applies. Longer storage may also take place if you have given your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) or if statutory storage obligations preclude deletion.

Inclusion in the Applicant Pool
If we do not make you a job offer, you may be able to join our applicant pool. In case of admission, all documents and information from the application are transferred to the applicant pool to contact you in case of suitable vacancies. Inclusion in the applicant pool is based exclusively on your express consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). The submission of consent is voluntary and is not related to the ongoing application process. The data subject can revoke his/her consent at any time. In this case, the data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted unless there are legal reasons for retention. The data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent has been given.

10. Own Services

Handling of Customer and Contract Data
We collect, process, and use personal customer and contract data for the establishment, content, and modification of our contractual relationships. We only collect, process, and use personal data about the use of this website (usage data) to the extent necessary to enable the user to use the service or bill the user. The legal basis for this is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. The collected customer data will be deleted after completion of the order or termination of the business relationship and the expiry of any existing statutory retention periods. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

11. Our Social Media Appearances
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Data Processing through Social Networks
We maintain publicly accessible profiles on social networks. The individual social networks used by us can be found below. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. can usually analyze your user behavior comprehensively when you visit their website or a website with integrated social media content (e.g., like buttons or banner ads). Visiting our social media presences triggers numerous processing operations relevant to data protection. In detail: If you are logged into your social media account and visit our social media presence, the operator of the social media portal can assign this visit to your user account. Your personal data may also be recorded if you are not logged in or do not have an account with the social media portal. In this case, this data is collected, for example, via cookies stored on your device or by recording your IP address. Using the data collected in this way, the operators of the social media portals can create user profiles in which their preferences and interests are stored. In this way, interest-based advertising can be displayed inside and outside the respective social media presence. If you have an account with the respective social network, interest-based advertising can be displayed on all devices you are logged into or have logged into. Please also note that we cannot track all processing operations on the social media portals. Depending on the provider, further processing operations may be carried out by the operators of the social media portals. Details can be found in the terms of use and privacy policies of the respective social media portals.

Legal Basis
Our social media appearances are intended to ensure the widest possible presence on the internet. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The analysis processes initiated by social networks may be based on differing legal bases, which must be specified by the operators of the social networks (e.g., consent within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

Responsible Party and Assertion of Rights
If you visit one of our social media sites (e.g., Facebook), we, together with the operator of the social media platform, are responsible for the data processing operations triggered during this visit. You can assert your rights (information, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, data portability, and complaint) both against us and against the operator of the respective social media portal (e.g., against Facebook). Please note that despite the shared responsibility with the social media portal operators, we do not have full influence on the data processing operations of the social media portals. Our options are largely determined by the corporate policy of the respective provider.


Storage Duration
The data collected directly by us via the social media presence will be deleted from our systems as soon as the purpose for its storage no longer applies, you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for the data storage no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your device until you delete them. Mandatory legal provisions - in particular, retention periods - remain unaffected. We have no influence on the storage duration of your data stored by the social network operators for their purposes. For details, please contact the social network operators directly (e.g., in their privacy policy, see below).

Social Networks in Detail

Facebook
We have a profile on Facebook. The provider is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. Facebook is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). You can adjust your advertising settings independently in your user account. To do this, click on the following link and log in: Facebook Ad Settings. Details can be found in the Facebook privacy policy: Facebook Privacy Policy.

Twitter
We use the short message service Twitter. The provider is Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland. Twitter is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). You can adjust your Twitter privacy settings independently in your user account. To do this, click on the following link and log in: Twitter Privacy Settings. For details, see the Twitter privacy policy: Twitter Privacy Policy.

Instagram
We have a profile on Instagram. The provider is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. Details on how they handle your personal data can be found in the Instagram privacy policy: Instagram Privacy Policy.

LinkedIn
We have a profile on LinkedIn. The provider is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. LinkedIn is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). For details on how they handle your personal data, please refer to the LinkedIn privacy policy: LinkedIn Privacy Policy.

Xing
We have a profile on Xing. The provider is New Work SE, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Germany. For details on how they handle your personal data, please refer to the Xing privacy policy: Xing Privacy Policy.

Pinterest
We have a profile on Pinterest. The operator is Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. For details on how they handle your personal data, please refer to the Pinterest privacy policy: Pinterest Privacy Policy.

YouTube
We have a profile on YouTube. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. For details on how they handle your personal data, please refer to the YouTube privacy policy: YouTube Privacy Policy.

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