Data privacy

ALUGAS Vertriebszentrale GmbH

New privacy statement – effective since 25/05/18

We greatly appreciate your interest in our company. For us at ALUGAS, data protection is a matter of utmost importance. Generally, the ALUGAS websites can be used without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use special services of our company via our website, processing of personal data could become necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we generally obtain consent from the data subject.

The processing of personal data such as the name, address, e-mail address, or telephone number of a data subject shall always be in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to ALUGAS. Our company uses this data privacy statement to inform the general public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data that we've collected, used and processed. Furthermore, data subjects are informed, by means of this data protection declaration, of the rights to which they are entitled.

As the data controller, ALUGAS has implemented numerous technical and organisational measures to ensure the most complete protection of personal data processed through this website. However, Internet-based data transmissions may in principle have security gaps, so that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, every data subject is free to utilise alternative communication channels for transferring personal data to us, for instance by telephone.

1. Definitions

The privacy statement of ALUGAS is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy statement should be legible and understandable to both the general public as well as to our customers and business partners. In order to ensure this, we'd first like to explain the terminology used.

In this privacy statement, we use, inter alia, the following terms:

a) Personal data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (in the following referred to as the "data subject"). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject

The data subject is any natural person, identified or identifiable, the personal data of whom are processed by the data controller.

c) Processing

Processing refers to any operation performed on personal data such as the creation, collection, organisation, arrangement, storage, adaptation or modification, the reading out, retrieval, usage, disclosure by transmission, distribution or any other form of provision, the synchronisation or linking, restriction, deletion, or destruction, whether or not by automated means.

d) Restriction of processing

Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.

e) Profiling

Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person's performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements.

f) Pseudonymisation

Pseudonymisation means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller

Controller means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

h) Processor

Processor means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body processing personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient

Recipient means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.

j) Third party

Third party means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorised to process personal data.

k) Consent

Consent of the data subject means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject's wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and address of the controller

Controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), other data protection laws applicable in Member states of the European Union and other provisions related to data protection is:

ALUGAS
Vertrieb von Gasflaschen GmbH & Co. KG
Industriepark Pferdsfeld 214
D-55566 Bad Sobernheim, Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 6756 9111-0
Fax: +49 (0) 6756 9111-22
E-Mail: info@alugas.de
Internet: www.alugas.de

3. Cookies

We use cookies on our ALUGAS websites. Cookies are text files that are stored and saved on a computer system via an Internet browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a character string through which Internet pages and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows the Internet pages and servers visited to differentiate the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers containing other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognised and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By the use of cookies, ALUGAS can provide the users of this website with more user-friendly services which could not be provided without the setting of cookies.

A cookie is used to optimise the information and offers on our website in the user's interests. As already mentioned above, cookies enable us to recognise the users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to utilise our website. The user of a website using cookies, for instance does not have to enter his/her access data again every time he/she visits the website, since this is already taken over by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. The cookie of a shopping cart in the online shop is another example. The online shop uses a cookie to memorise the items placed in the virtual shopping cart by the customer.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by means of a corresponding setting of the Internet browser used, and may thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common Internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be entirely usable.

4. Collection of general data and information

Every time the website is called by a data subject or an automated system, the ALUGAS website collects a series of general data and information. These general data and this information are saved in the server log files. Data collected can be (1) the browser types and versions, (2) the operating system used by the system accessing the website, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our websites (so-called referrers), (4) the sub-websites which are accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing systems and (8) other similar data and information serving to avert danger in case our IT systems are attacked.

When utilising these general data and information, ALUGAS does not draw any conclusion as to the data subject. This information is mainly required to (1) correctly deliver the contents of our website, (2) optimise the contents of our website and their advertisement, (3) ensure the long-lasting functionality of our IT systems and the technology of our website, and (4) to provide the information required for prosecution to prosecution authorities in the event of a cyber attack. ALUGAS analyses anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our company, and to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data entered by a data subject.

5. Registration on our website

The data subject has the possibility to register on the controller's website by entering personal data. Which personal data are transmitted to the controller is determined by the respective input mask used for the registration. The personal data entered by the data subject are collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller, and for its own purposes. The controller may request transfer to one or more processors, for instance a parcel service, that also uses the personal data for an internal purpose which is attributable to the controller.

By registration on the controller's Internet page, furthermore the IP address of the data subject, allocated by the Internet Service Provider (ISP), as well as the date and time of the registration are stored. These data are stored because only in this way abuse of our services can be prevented, and these data, if necessary, make it possible to prosecute criminal offences. Therefore, the storage of these data is necessary to protect the controller. These data are generally not passed on to third parties unless there is a statutory obligation to pass on the data, if the transfer of the data serves the aim of criminal prosecution.

The registration of the data subject, with the voluntary indication of personal data, is intended to enable the controller to offer the data subject contents or services that may only be offered to registered users due to the nature of the matter. Registered persons are free to change the personal data specified during the registration at any time, or to have them completely deleted from the data stock of the controller.

The data controller shall, at any time, provide information upon request to each data subject as to what personal data are stored about the data subject. Furthermore, the controller shall correct or delete personal data on request by or notice from the data subject as far as this is not precluded by statutory storage obligations. All of the controller's employees shall be at the service of the data subject in this context as contact persons.

6. Subscription to our newsletter

On the ALUGAS website, the users are given the opportunity to subscribe to the newsletter of our company. The input mask utilised for this purpose defines which personal data are transferred to the controller when the newsletter is ordered.

ALUGAS uses the newsletter to inform its customers and business partners at regular intervals about the company's offers. The newsletter of our company can generally only be received if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter dispatch. For legal reasons, a confirmation email based on the double-opt-in process is sent once to the data subject to the email address entered for the newsletter dispatch. This confirmation email serves to check whether the owner of the email address as data subject has authorised the reception of the newsletter.

When the data subject registers to the newsletter, we furthermore store the IP address allocated by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the data subject's computer system used at the time of registration as well as the date and time of the registration. The collection of these data is necessary in order to be able to retrace the (possible) abuse of the email address of a data subject at a later time and therefore serves to provide for the controller's legal protection.

The personal data collected in the context of a registration to the newsletter are used exclusively for the dispatch of our newsletter. Furthermore, subscribers of the newsletter can be informed via email as far as this is required for the operation of the newsletter service or a registration in this context, as this could be the case if changes to the newsletter offer or to the technical conditions are made. The personal data collected in the context of the newsletter service are not transmitted to third parties. It shall be possible for the data subject to cancel the subscription to our newsletter at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data, assigned to us by the data subject for the newsletter dispatch, can be revoked at any time. Every newsletter includes a corresponding link for the purpose of revoking the consent assigned. In addition, the possibility is provided to unsubscribe from the newsletter dispatch at any time, directly on the controller's website, or to communicate this to the controller by other means.

7. Newsletter tracking

The ALUGAS newsletters contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphics which is embedded in such emails that are sent in HTML format in order to enable a log file recording and a log file analysis. This makes it possible to carry out a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. By means of the tracking pixel embedded, ALUGAS can see if and when an email has been opened by a data subject and which links in the email have been called by the data subject.

Such personal data that are collected via the tracking pixel contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimise the newsletter dispatch and adapt the contents of future newsletters even more to the interests of the data subject. These personal data are not transferred to third parties. Data subjects shall be entitled to revoke the separate declaration of consent relating thereto, which has been assigned via the double-opt-in process, at any time. After a revocation, these personal data shall be deleted by the controller. An unsubscription from the reception of the newsletter shall be automatically considered as a revocation by ALUGAS.

8. Contact opportunity via the website

On the grounds of statutory provisions, the ALUGAS website contains data which make it possible to quickly establish electronic contact with our company and directly communicate with us, which also involves a general electronic mail address (email address). If a data subject establishes contact with the controller via email or via a contact form, the personal data transferred by the data subject is saved automatically. Such personal data transferred to the controller on a voluntary basis are stored for the purpose of processing or for contacting the data subject. These personal data are not passed on to third parties.

9. Comments function in the blog on the website

ALUGAS uses a blog on the controller's website to provide the possibility for the users to leave individual comments for specific blog postings. A blog is a web-based, publicly-accessible portal, through which one or more people called bloggers or web-bloggers may post articles or write down thoughts in so-called blogposts. Blogposts may usually be commented by third parties.

If a data subject leaves a comment on the blog published on this website, the comments made by the data subject are also stored and published, as well as information on the date of the commentary and on the user's (pseudonym) chosen by the data subject. Furthermore, the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) to the data subject is also logged. This storage of the IP address takes place for security reasons, and in case the data subject violates the rights of third parties, or posts illegal content through a given comment. The storage of these personal data is therefore in the data controller's own interest so that he can exculpate in the event of an infringement. This personal data collected will not be passed on to third parties, unless such a transfer is required by law or serves the aim of legally defending the data controller.

10. Subscription to comments in the blog on the website

The comments made in the ALUGAS blog can be generally subscribed to by third parties. In particular the possibility is provided that a commentator can subscribe to the comments following his/her comment on a specific blog post.

If a data subject decides on the option of subscribing to comments, the controller sends an automatic confirmation email, in order to check via the double-opt-in process whether it is really the owner of the email address specified who has decided on this option. The option for subscribing to comments can be cancelled at any time.

11. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

The controller shall process and store the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or as far as this is granted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject to.

If the storage purpose is not applicable, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data are routinely blocked or erased in accordance with legal requirements.

12. Rights of the data subject

a) Right of confirmation

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of confirmation, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

b) Right of access

Each data subject concerned by the processing of personal data shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller free information about his or her personal data stored at any time and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European directives and regulations grant the data subject access to the following information:

the purposes of the processing,
the categories of personal data concerned,
the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations,
where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period,
the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data, or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject, or to object to such processing,
the existence of the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority,
where the personal data are not collected from the data subject: any available information as to their source,
the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

Furthermore, the data subject shall have a right to obtain information as to whether personal data are transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. Where this is the case, the data subject shall have the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right of access, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

c) Right to rectification

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European
legislator to obtain from the controller without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject shall have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

If a data subject wishes to avail himself of this right to rectification, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

d) Right to erasure ('Right to be forgotten')

The data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and as far as processing is not required:

The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.

The data subject withdraws consent to which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.

The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
The personal data have been unlawfully processed.
The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

If one of the aforementioned reasons applies, and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by ALUGAS, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. An employee of ALUGAS shall promptly ensure that the erasure request is complied with immediately.

Where ALUGAS has made personal data public and is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) of the GDPR to erase the personal data, ALUGAS, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the personal data that the data subject has requested erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data, as far as processing is not required. An employee of ALUGAS will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.

e) Right of restriction of processing

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following applies:
The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead.
The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the aforementioned conditions is met, and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by ALUGAS, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller. The employee of ALUGAS will arrange the restriction of the processing.

 f) Right to data portability

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which was provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. He or she shall have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, as long as the processing is based on consent pursuant to point (a) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR or point (a) of Article 9(2) of the GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to point (b) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, as long as the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, in exercising his or her right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and when doing so does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

In order to assert the right to data portability, the data subject may at any time contact any employee of ALUGAS.

g) Right to object

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, at any time, to processing of personal data concerning him or her, which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

ALUGAS shall no longer process the personal data in the event of the objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

If ALUGAS processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing. This applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to ALUGAS to the processing for direct marketing purposes, ALUGAS will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to object to processing of personal data concerning him or her by ALUGAS for scientific or historical research purposes, or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) of the GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.

In order to exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of ALUGAS or another employee. In addition, the data subject is free in the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to use his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her, or similarly significantly affects him or her, as long as the decision (1) is not necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) is not authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is not based on the data subject's explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) it is based on the data subject's explicit consent, ALUGAS shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the rights concerning automated individual decision-making, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

i) Right to withdraw data protection consent

Each data subject shall have the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw his or her consent to processing of his or her personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise the right to withdraw the consent, he or she may, at any time, contact any employee of the controller.

13. Data protection for applications and the application procedures

The data controller shall collect and process the personal data of applicants for the purpose of the processing of the application procedure. The processing may also be carried out electronically. This is the case, in particular, if an applicant submits corresponding application documents by e-mail or by means of a web form on the website to the controller. If the controller concludes an employment contract with an applicant, the submitted data will be stored for the purpose of processing the employment relationship in compliance with legal requirements. If no employment contract is concluded with the applicant by the controller, the application documents shall be automatically erased two months after notification of the refusal decision, provided that no other legitimate interests of the controller are opposed to the erasure. Other legitimate interest in this relation is, e.g. a burden of proof in a procedure under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

14. Data protection provisions about the application and use of affilinet

On this website, the controller has integrated components of the enterprise affilinet. Affilinet is a German affiliate network, which offers affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is a web-based form of distribution, which allows commercial operators of Internet sites, the so-called merchants or advertisers, to show advertising, which will be paid mostly through click or sale commissions, on third-party Internet sites that are also called affiliates or publishers. The merchant provides through the affiliate network an advertising medium, such as an advertising banner or other suitable means of Internet advertising, which is subsequently integrated by an affiliate on its own Internet pages or via other channels such as keyword advertising or e-mail marketing.

The operating company of Affilinet is affilinet GmbH, Sapporobogen 6-8, 80637 Munich, Germany.

Affilinet sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. The definition of cookies has already been given earlier in this text. The tracking cookie by Affilinet does not store any personal data. Only the identification number of the affiliate, that is, the partner mediating the potential customer, as well as the ordinal number of the visitor of a website and the clicked advertising medium are stored. The purpose of this data storage is the processing of commission payments between a merchant and affiliate, which are processed through the affiliate network, that is Affilinet.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the Internet browser used and, thus, permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such an adjustment to the Internet browser used would also prevent Affilinet from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, cookies already in use by Affilinet may be deleted at any time via a web browser or other software programs.

The applicable data protection provisions of Affilinet may be accessed at https://www.affili.net/de/footeritem/datenschutz.

15. Data protection provisions about the application and use of etracker

On this website, the controller has integrated components of the enterprise etracker. Etracker is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. A web analysis service captures, among other things, data about from which website a person has arrived on another website (the so-called referrer), which sub-sites of the website were visited or how often and for what duration a sub-site was viewed. Web analytics are mainly used for the optimisation of a website and in order to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of Internet advertising.

The operating company of etracker is etracker GmbH, Erste Brunnenstraße 1, 20459 Hamburg, Germany.

Etracker sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. The definition of cookies has already been given earlier in this text. With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and into which an etracker component was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to transmit data for marketing and optimisation purposes to etracker through the etracker component. In the context of this technical procedure, etracker receives data that are used to create pseudonymous user profiles. The user profiles created in such a way are used for the analysis of the behaviour of the data subject, which has accessed Internet page of the controller and are evaluated with the aim of improving and optimising the website. The data collected through the etracker component are not used without first obtaining of a separate and explicit consent of the data subject to identify the data subject. These data are not merged with personal data or other data containing the same pseudonym.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the Internet browser used and, thus, permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such an adjustment to the Internet browser used would also prevent etracker from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, cookies already in use by etracker may be deleted at any time via the web browser or other software programs.

In addition, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to a collection of data relating to a use of this Internet site that are generated by the etracker cookie as well as the processing of these data by etracker and the chance to preclude such. For this purpose, the data subject must press the 'cookie-set' button under the link http://www.etracker.de/privacy?et=V23Jbb, which sets an opt-out cookie. The opt-out cookie used for this purpose is placed on the information technology system used by the data subject. If the cookies are deleted from the system of the data subject, then the data subject must call up the link again and set a new opt-out cookie.

With the setting of the opt-out cookie, however, the possibility exists that the websites of the controller are not fully usable anymore by the data subject.

The applicable data protection provisions of etracker may be accessed under https://www.etracker.com/de/datenschutz.html.

16. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Facebook

On this website, the controller has integrated components of the enterprise Facebook. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is a place for social meetings on the Internet, an online community, which usually allows users to communicate with each other and interact in a virtual space. A social network may serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences, or enable the Internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Facebook allows social network users to include the creation of private profiles, upload photos, and network through friend requests.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. If a person lives outside of the United States or Canada, the controller is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet website, which is operated by the controller and into which a Facebook component (Facebook plug-ins) was integrated, the web browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to download display of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook through the Facebook component. An overview of all the Facebook Plug-ins may be accessed under https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE. During the course of this technical procedure, Facebook is made aware of what specific sub-site of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Facebook, Facebook detects with every call-up to our website by the data subject—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-site of our Internet page was visited by the data subject. This information is collected through the Facebook component and associated with the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Facebook buttons integrated into our website, e.g. the "Like" button, or if the data subject submits a comment, then Facebook matches this information with the personal Facebook user account of the data subject and stores the personal data.

Facebook always receives, through the Facebook component, information about a visit to our website by the data subject, whenever the data subject is logged in at the same time on Facebook during the time of the call-up to our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Facebook component or not. If such a transmission of information to Facebook is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging off from their Facebook account before a call-up to our website is made.

The data protection guideline published by Facebook, which is available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. In addition, it is explained there what setting options Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, different configuration options are made available to allow the elimination of data transmission to Facebook. These applications may be used by the data subject to eliminate a data transmission to Facebook..

17. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Google Analytics (with anonymisation function)

On this website, the controller has integrated the component of Google Analytics (with the anonymiser function). Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering, and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. A web analysis service captures, among other things, data about from which website a person has arrived on another website (the so-called referrer), which sub-sites of the website were visited or how often and for what duration a sub-site was viewed. Web analytics are mainly used for the optimisation of a website and in order to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of Internet advertising.

The operator of the Google Analytics component is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

For the web analytics through Google Analytics the controller uses the application "_gat. _anonymizeIp". By means of this application the IP address of the Internet connection of the data subject is abridged by Google and anonymised when accessing our websites from a Member State of the European Union or another Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyse the traffic on our website. Google uses the collected data and information, inter alia, to evaluate the use of our website and to provide online reports, which show the activities on our websites, and to provide other services concerning the use of our Internet page for us.

Google Analytics places a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. The definition of cookies has already been given earlier in this text. With the setting of the cookie, Google is enabled to analyse the use of our website. With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and into which a Google Analytics component was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject will automatically submit data through the Google Analytics component for the purpose of online analytics to Google. In the course of this technical procedure, the enterprise Google gains knowledge of personal information, such as the IP address of the data subject, which serves Google, inter alia, to understand the origin of visitors and clicks, and subsequently create commission settlements.

The cookie is used to store personal information, such as the access time, the location from which the access was made, and the frequency of visits of our website by the data subject. With each visit to our Internet page, such personal data, including the IP address of the Internet access used by the data subject, will be transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may pass these personal data collected through the technical procedure on to third parties.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the Internet browser used and, thus, permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such an adjustment to the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, cookies already in use by Google Analytics may be deleted at any time via the web browser or other software programs.

In addition, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to a collection of data relating to a use of this Internet site that are generated by the Google Analytics cookie as well as the processing of these data by Google and the chance to preclude such. For this purpose, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on under the link https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on tells Google Analytics through a JavaScript, that any data and information about the visits of Internet pages may not be transmitted to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-on is considered an objection by Google. If the information technology system of the data subject is deleted, formatted, or newly installed at a later time, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on to disable Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or disabled by the data subject or any other person who is attributable to their sphere of competence, it is possible to execute the reinstallation or reactivation of the browser add-on.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google may be retrieved at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/ and http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html. Google Analytics is further explained under the following link: https://www.google.com/intl/de_de/analytics/.

18. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Google+

On this website, the controller has integrated the Google+ button as a component. Google+ is a social network. A social network is a place for social meetings on the Internet, an online community, which usually allows users to communicate with each other and interact in a virtual space. A social network may serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences, or enable the Internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Google+ allows social network users to include the creation of private profiles, upload photos, and network through friend requests.

The operator of Google+ is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet website, which is operated by the controller and into which a Google+ button has been integrated, the web browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the respective Google+ button to download a display of the corresponding Google+ button from Google. In the course of this technical procedure, Google is made aware of what specific sub-site of our website is visited by the data subject. More detailed information about Google+ can be retrieved from https://developers.google.com/+/.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Google+, Google detects with every call-up to our website by the data subject—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-site of our Internet page is visited by the data subject. This information is collected through the Google+ button and associated with the respective Google+ account of the data subject.

If the data subject clicks on one of the Google+ buttons integrated into our website and thereby gives a "+1 recommendation", Google will match this information to the personal Google+- user account of the data subject and store these personal data. Google saves the Google+1 recommendation given by the data subject and makes it publicly accessible in compliance with the terms and conditions accepted by the data subject in this regard. Subsequently, a Google+1 recommendation given by a data subject on this website is stored and processed together with other personal data such as the name of the Google+1 account used by the data subject and the photograph stored in this name, by other Google services, e.g. the search engine results of the Google search engine, the Google account of the data subject, or in other places, for instance on websites or in connection with advertisements. Furthermore, Google is able to link the visit to this website with other personal data stored at Google. Google furthermore records this personal information with the purpose of improving or optimising the different Google services.

Google always receives, through the Google+ button, information about a visit to our website by the data subject, whenever the data subject is logged in at the same time on Google+ during the time of the call-up to our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Google+ button or not.

If such a transmission of personal data to Google is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging off from their Google+ account before a call-up to our website is made.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google can be retrieved at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/. Further notes provided by Google on the Google+1 button can be retrieved from https://developers.google.com/+/web/buttons-policy.

19. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Google-AdWords

On this website, the controller has integrated Google AdWords. Google AdWords is a service for Internet advertising that allows the advertiser to place ads both in Google search engine results and the Google advertising network. Google AdWords allows an advertiser to pre-define specific keywords with the help of which an ad on Google's search results only then displayed, when the user utilises the search engine to retrieve a keyword-relevant search result. In the Google Advertising Network, the ads are distributed on relevant web pages using an automatic algorithm, taking into account the previously defined keywords.

The operating company of the services offered by Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google AdWords is the promotion of our website by the inclusion of relevant advertising on the websites of third parties and in the search engine results of the search engine Google and an insertion of third-party advertising on our website.

If a data subject reaches our website via a Google ad, a conversion cookie is filed on the information technology system of the data subject through Google. The definition of cookies has already been given earlier in this text. A conversion cookie loses its validity after 30 days and is not used to identify the data subject. If the cookie has not expired, the conversion cookie is used to check whether certain sub-pages, e.g. the shopping cart from an online shop system, were called up on our website. Through the conversion cookie, both Google and the controller can understand whether a person who reached an AdWords ad on our website generated sales, that is, executed or cancelled a sale of goods.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie is used by Google to create visit statistics for our website. These visit statistics are used in order to determine the total number of users who have been served through AdWords ads to ascertain the success or failure of each AdWords ad and to optimise our AdWords ads in the future. Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertisers receive information from Google that could identify the data subject.

The conversion cookie stores personal information, e.g. the websites visited by the data subject. With each visit to our websites, personal data, including the IP address of the Internet access used by the data subject, are therefore transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may pass these personal data collected through the technical procedure to third parties.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the Internet browser used and, thus, permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such an adjustment to the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from setting a conversion cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, cookies already in use by AdWords may be deleted at any time via the web browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject is given the opportunity of objecting to the interest-based advertisement of Google. In order to object, the data subject must call the link www.google.de/settings/ads from every web browser he or she is using and carry out the desired settings there.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google can be retrieved at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

20. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Instagram

On this website, the controller has integrated components of the Instagram service. Instagram is a service that may be qualified as an audiovisual platform, which allows users to share photos and videos, as well as disseminate such data in other social networks.

The operating company of the services offered by Instagram is Instagram LLC, 1 Hacker Way, Building 14 First Floor, Menlo Park, CA, USA.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which an Instagram component (Insta button) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to the download of a display of the corresponding Instagram component of Instagram. During the course of this technical procedure, Instagram becomes aware of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on Instagram, Instagram detects with every call-up to our website by the data subject—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject. This information is collected through the Instagram component and is associated with the respective Instagram account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the Instagram buttons integrated on our website, then Instagram matches the data and information transmitted with the personal Instagram user account of the data subject and stores and processes the personal data.

Instagram always receives, through the Instagram component, information about a visit to our website by the data subject, whenever the data subject is logged in at the same time on Instagram during the time of the call-up to our website. This occurs regardless of whether the data subject clicks on the Instagram component or not. If such a transmission of information to Instagram is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging off from their Instagram account before a call-up to our website is made.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Instagram may be retrieved at https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

21. Data protection provisions about the application and use of Jetpack for WordPress

On this website, the controller has integrated Jetpack. Jetpack is a WordPress plug-in, which provides additional features to the operator of a website based on WordPress. Jetpack allows the Internet site operator, inter alia, an overview of the visitors of the site. By displaying related posts and publications, or the ability to share content on the page, it is also possible to increase visitor numbers. In addition, security features are integrated into Jetpack, so a Jetpack-using site is better protected against brute-force attacks. Jetpack also optimises and accelerates the loading of images on the website.

The operating company of Jetpack Plug-Ins for WordPress is Automattic Inc., 132 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. The operating enterprise uses the tracking technology created by Quantcast Inc., 201 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

Jetpack sets a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. The definition of cookies has already been given earlier in this text. With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and into which an Jetpack component was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to transmit data for marketing and optimisation purposes to Automattic through the Jetpack component. During the course of this technical procedure Automattic receives data that is used to create an overview of website visits. The data obtained in this way serves the analysis of the behaviour of the data subject, which has access to the Internet page of the controller and is analysed with the aim to optimise the website. The data collected through the Jetpack component are not used without first obtaining of a separate and explicit consent of the data subject to identify the data subject. The data come also to the notice of Quantcast. Quantcast uses the data for the same purposes as Automattic.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means