Privacy Policy

Thank you for your interest in our company. Data protection is of particularly high priority to the management of ecom GmbH. It is generally possible to use the ecom GmbH internet site without disclosing any personal data. However, when any data subject wishes to use any particular service provided by our company over our website it may be necessary to process personal data. If such processing of personal data is necessary and no legal basis for such processing exists, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, for instance the name, address, email address or telephone number of a data subject, always takes place in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in accordance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to ecom GmbH. By means of this privacy policy, our company wishes to inform the public of the type, scope and purpose of the personal data collected, used and processed by us. Furthermore, this Privacy Policy explains the rights granted to data subjects.

We request that you keep yourself regularly informed of the content of our Privacy Policy. We shall amend the Privacy Policy whenever any changes to the way in which we process data make this necessary. We shall inform you whenever these changes mean that action on your part (e.g. consent), or any other individual notification, is necessary.

As the data controller, ecom GmbH has implemented many technical and organisational measures to ensure that personal data processed over this website are protected as completely as possible. Nevertheless there may be basic gaps in security when data is transmitted over the internet, therefore absolute security cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, any data subject is also at liberty to deliver information to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.

1.Definitions

The ecom GmbH Privacy Policy is based on the concept applied by the European regulatory authorities through enactment of the GDPR. Our Privacy Policy is intended to be easily readable and comprehensible to both the public and our customers and business partners. In order to ensure this, we should like first of all to explain the definitions used.

The terms we use in this Privacy Policy include the following:

a) Personal data

Personal data means all information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”). A natural person is considered to be identifiable when this natural person can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by means of association with an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or with one or more particular features which are specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of this natural person.

b) Data subject

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

c) Processing

Processing is any operation carried out with or without the help of automated procedures or any such set of operations in connection with personal data, such as collection, recording, organisation, sorting, storage, adaptation or alteration, reading, searching, usage, disclosure through transmission, distribution or any other form of making the data available, comparison or linking, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing

The restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of restricting their processing in future.

e) Profiling

Profiling is 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 the work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, whereabouts or change of location of this natural person.

f) Pseudonymisation

Pseudonymisation is the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be associated with a specific data subject without the employment of additional information, provided that this additional information can be stored separately, and technical and organisational measures exist to ensure that the personal data cannot be associated with an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller or data controller

The controller or data controller is the natural or legal person, authority, agency or other body who alone or together with others decides the purpose and means of processing personal data. If the purpose and means of this processing are determined by Union law or the law of the Member States, the controller or respectively his or her appointment may be determined in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States.

h) Processor

The processor is a natural or legal person, authority, agency or other body who processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient

The recipient is a natural or legal person, authority, agency or other body to whom personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. Public authorities which receive data within the framework of a particular enquiry in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States shall not be regarded as recipients.

j) Third party

A third party is any natural or legal person, authority, agency or other body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or the processor, is authorised to process personal data.

k) Consent

Consent is any freely given, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes given for the specific purpose in the form of a declaration or other clear affirmative action, with which the data subject indicates that he or she agrees to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2.Name and address of the data controller

The controller within the meaning of GDPR, other data protection laws valid in the Member States of the European Union and other regulations relating to data protection is:

ecom GmbH

Am großen Teich 2

58640 Iserlohn

Germany

Tel.: 02371 945 5

Email: info@ecom.de

Website: www.ecom.de

3.Contact details for the data protection officer

Contact details for the data protection officer for the data controller are as follows:

Data protection officer

Arndt Halbach

Wetterauer Str. 6

42897 Remscheid

Phone: +49 2191 909 430

Email: dsb@ecom.de

Website: www.ecom.de

Any data subject may contact our data protection officer at any time with any questions or suggestions relating to data protection.

4.Cookies

ecom GmbH’s web pages use cookies. Cookies are text files which are filed and stored on a computer system over an internet browser.

Many websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is the cookie’s unique identifier. It consists of a character string from which web pages and servers can be associated with the specific internet browser in which the cookie is stored. This enables it to distinguish the webpages and servers visited by the data subject’s individual browser from other internet browsers which contain other cookies. An individual browser can be recognised and identified by the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, ecom GmbH can provide services that are more user-friendly than would be possible without placing cookies.

Using a cookie helps us to optimise information and offerings on our website for the user. As already stated, cookies can enable us to recognise users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to facilitate the use of our website for users. For example, the user of a website that uses cookies does not have to enter his or her login data at each visit to the website, because this will be done by the cookies stored on the website and the user’s computer system. Another example is of the cookie for a shopping basket in the online shop. The online shop remembers the item that a customer has stored in the virtual shopping basket using a cookie.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent our website from setting cookies by means of the appropriate setting in the internet browser used, and in so doing permanently stop cookies from being set. Furthermore, cookies that have already been stored can be erased at any time by an internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all standard internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the internet browser used, it is possible that not all the functions of our website will be fully usable.

5.Collection of general data and information

a) Collaboration with processors and third parties

The ecom GmbH website collects a range of general data and information each time the website is called up by a data subject or an automated system. These general data and this information are stored in the server log files. Data that may be collected include (1) the browser used and the version, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system accesses our website (“referrer”), (4) the sub-web pages over which an accessing system is directed to 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 system and (8) other similar data and information designed to prevent danger in the event of attacks on our internet technology systems.

ecom GmbH draws no conclusions about the data subject from using this general data and information. This information is instead needed in order to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) optimise the content of our website as well as the advertising for it, (3) ensure the lasting functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website and to (4) provide the necessary information to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution in the case of a cyber-attack. These anonymously collected data and information are analysed firstly for statistical purposes, secondly with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company, and lastly to ensure the best level of protection for the personal data processed by us. The anonymised data in the server log files are stored separately from all the personal data provided by a data subject.

b) Collaboration with processors and third parties

If we disclose data to other persons or businesses (processors or third parties), transmit them to these parties or otherwise grant these parties access to the data in the course of our processing, this takes place only on the basis of legal permission (e.g. if transmission of data to a third party, such as a payment service provider in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 b) GDPR, is necessary for contractual fulfilment); you have given your consent; there is a legal obligation to do this; or based on our legitimate interests (e.g. when using agents, web hosts etc.).

If we instruct third parties to carry out processing of data on the basis of a so-called “processing agreement”, this takes place based on Art. 28 GDPR.

c) Transmissions to third countries

If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)), or this occurs in the course of using the services of third parties or of disclosure or the transmission of data to third parties, this shall only take place if it does so to fulfil our (pre-)contractual obligations based on your consent on the basis of a legal obligation or based on our legitimate interests. Subject to legal or contractual permission, we shall only process the data or have it processed in a third country where the special conditions laid out in Art. 44 et seq. GDPR exist. That is, processing is carried out based on special guarantees such as the officially recognised establishment of one of the data protection levels applicable in the EU or following officially recognised special contractual obligations (so-called “standard contractual clauses”).

d) Administration, financial accounting, office organisation, contact administration

We process data as part of the administrative functions and organisation of our business, and for accounting and compliance with statutory obligations such as archiving. For these purposes we process the same data that we process in the course of performing our contractual obligations. The bases for processing are Art. 6 para. 1 c) GDPR and Art. 6 para. 1 f) GDPR. Customers, interested parties, business partners and website visitors are affected by this processing. The purpose and our interest in processing are administration, financial accounting, office organisation and archiving of data; that is, tasks required to maintain our business activities, perform our responsibilities and render our services. The erasure of data relating to contractual obligations and contractual communication complies with the instructions specified for these processing activities.

We disclose or transmit data to the financial authorities, advisors such as accountants or auditors, and to other charging centres and payment service providers.

In addition, we store information relating to suppliers, organisers and other business partners on the basis of our business interests, for example for the purpose of contact at a later date. In general we store this data, which is predominantly business-related, permanently.

e) Business analysis and market research

In order to operate our business economically and to be able to detect market trends and the wishes of our customers and users, we analyse data provided to us for business processes, contracts and enquiries. This involves the analysis of inventory data, communication data, contract data, payment data, usage data and metadata based on Art. 6 para.

f) GDPR, provided that customers, interested parties, business partners, visitors and users of the online offering are data subjects.

Analysis takes place for the purpose of business assessments, marketing and market research. In the course of analysis we take into account the profile of the registered user with details of, for example, their purchasing transactions. These analyses help us to increase user-friendliness, to optimise our offering and to increase our operating efficiency. The analyses are for our purposes only and are not distributed externally unless the analyses are made anonymously with values amalgamated.

If these analyses or profiles identify individuals, they shall be erased or anonymised if the user terminates the relationship, and otherwise after two years following conclusion of the contract. Otherwise overall business analyses and general trend determinations are compiled anonymously as far as possible.

6.Registration on our website

The data subject has the option to register on the data controller’s website by providing personal information. The specific personal data which are transmitted to the controller are determined by the respective entry mask used for registration. The personal data provided by the data subject are collected and stored solely for internal use by the data controller and for internal purposes. The data controller may also cause data to be passed on to one or more processors, for example a parcel service, which shall also use the personal data solely for internal purposes, which shall be assigned to them by the controller.

Upon registering on the data controller’s website, the IP address assigned to the data subject by the internet service provider (ISP) and the date and time of registration are also stored. These data are stored because only by doing so can misuse of our services be prevented and, when necessary, these data make it possible to resolve offences that have been committed. For this reason, storage of these data is necessary for the data controller as security. In general these data shall not be passed on to third parties provided there is no statutory requirement for disclosure and disclosure is not required for judicial proceedings.

When the data subject registers by voluntarily providing personal data, this enables the data controller to offer the data subject content or services that, due to the nature of the matter, can only be offered to registered users. Registered persons are free to amend the personal data provided upon registration at any time, or to have these completely erased from the controller’s database.

Upon request, the data controller shall provide information to any data subject at any time as to what personal data concerning the data subject is stored. In addition, the data controller shall amend or erase the personal data upon request or advice from the data subject, provided that there are no legal obligations that require us to keep them. All employees of the data controller shall be available to the data subject as contact for this purpose.

7.Subscription to our newsletter

On the ecom GmbH website, users are offered the opportunity to subscribe to our company’s newsletter. The entry mask used for this determines the specific personal data that are transmitted to the data controller when ordering the newsletter.

ecom GmbH informs its customers and business partners at regular intervals, by means of a newsletter, about offers made by the company. In general, our company’s newsletter can only be received by a data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter. For legal reasons, using the double opt-in procedure, a confirmation email shall first be sent to the email address provided by the data subject. The purpose of this confirmation email is to check whether the owner of the email address has authorised receipt of the newsletter as a data subject.

When a data subject registers for the newsletter, we also store the IP address allocated to the data subject’s computer system by the internet service provider (ISP) at the time of registration as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of these data is necessary to be able to retrace any (possible) misuse of a data subject’s email address at a later date, and thus acts as legal protection for the data controller.

The personal data collected in the course of registration for the newsletter is used solely to send our newsletter. In addition, subscribers to the newsletter may be informed by email, provided this is necessary for providing the newsletter service or a registration relating to this, how this may be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offering or of changes to the technical conditions. Data collected for the purposes of the newsletter service shall not be passed on to third parties. Subscription to our newsletter may be cancelled by the data subject at any time. Consent to storing personal data given to us for sending the newsletter may be withdrawn at any time. There is a link in every newsletter that enables withdrawal of consent. In addition, the option exists to unsubscribe at any time directly on the website of the controller responsible for sending out newsletters or to provide notification of this by other means.

8.Newsletter tracking

ecom GmbH’s newsletters contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic which is embedded in such emails and is sent in HTML format in order to enable log-file recording and analysis. This allows statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns to be carried out. With the aid of these embedded tracking pixels, ecom GmbH can recognise whether and when an email is opened by a data subject and which links in the email have been called up by the data subject.

The personal data collected by tracking pixels contained in the newsletter are stored by the data controller and analysed in order to optimise the sending of newsletters and to tailor the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the data subject. These personal are not passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to withdraw the declaration of consent made especially for receipt of the newsletter using the double opt-in procedure. After consent has been withdrawn, the personal data shall be erased by the data controller. ecom GmbH shall automatically interpret unsubscribing from the newsletter as withdrawal of consent.

9.Ways of making contact over the website

In accordance with statutory provisions, the ecom GmbH website contains information that enables fast electronic contact with our company and direct communication with us, which also includes a general electronic post address (email address). If a data subject makes contact with the data controller by email or using the contact form, the data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Such personal data voluntarily transmitted to the data controller is stored for the purpose of processing or making contact with the data subject. This personal data shall not be passed on to third parties.

10.Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

Personal data relating to the data subject are processed and stored for the data controller only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or insofar as provisions are made for this by the European legislative and regulatory authorities, or any other legislator, in laws and regulations to which the data controller is subject.

If the purpose for storage lapses, or if the storage period required by the European legislative and regulatory authorities on any other legislator expires, the personal data shall be routinely blocked or erased in accordance with the statutory requirements.

11.Rights of the data subject

a) Right to obtain confirmation

Every data subject has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to request confirmation from the data controller of whether the controller processes the data subject’s personal data. If a data subject wishes to use this right to confirmation, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller for this purpose at any time.

b) Right to access

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to obtain information, free of charge, from the data controller about stored personal data relating to him or her, and to receive a copy of this information. In addition, the European legislative and regulatory authorities allow the data subject access to the following information:

the purpose of processing;
the categories of personal data that are processed;
the recipient(s) or categories of recipient to whom the personal data is disclosed or are to be disclosed, in particular where these are recipients in third countries or international organisations;
if possible the planned duration for which the personal data shall be stored or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine this duration;
the existence of a right to confirmation or erasure of the personal data concerned or to restriction of processing by the controller or an objection to this processing;
the existence of a right to appeal to a supervisory authority;
if the personal data were not obtained from the data subject: all available information on the source of the data;
the existence of automated decision-making including profiling in accordance with Article 22 paras. 1 and 4 GDPR and — at least in this case — meaningful information about the logic used and the implications and effects of this type of processing envisaged for the data subject.

In addition, the data subject has the right to information on whether personal data is transmitted to a third country or to an international organisation. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to obtain information on the appropriate guarantees in connection with this transmission.

If a data subject wishes to use this right to access, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller for this purpose at any time.

c) Right to rectification

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to request immediate rectification of inaccurate personal information relating to him or her. In addition, the data subject has the right, taking into account the purpose of processing, to request the completion of incomplete data – this may also be done by means of an additional declaration.

If a data subject wishes to use this right to rectification, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller for this purpose at any time.

d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to request that the controller delete the personal data relating to him or her immediately, provided that one of the following reasons applies and provided that processing is not necessary:

the personal data were collected for such a purpose, or in some other way processed, for which they are no longer required;
the data subject withdraws the consent on which processing was based in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 a) GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 a) GDPR, and there is no further legal basis for processing;
the data subject objects in accordance with Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR to processing and no valid reasons for processing exist, or the data subject objects in accordance with Art. 21 para. 2 GDPR to processing;
the personal data were unlawfully processed;
erasure of the personal data is necessary to comply with a legal obligation in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject;
the personal data were collected in connection to services offered by an information society in accordance with Art. 8 para. 1 GDPR.

Provided one of the reasons set out above applies, and a data subject wishes personal data that is stored by ecom GmbH to be erased, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller for this purpose at any time. The employee of ecom GmbH shall arrange for the data to be erased without delay.

If the personal data has been made public by ecom GmbH, and if our company is obliged to erase the personal data in accordance with Art. 17 para. 1 GDPR, ecom GmbH shall take appropriate measures, taking into account the available technology and the implementation costs, as well as the technical nature, to inform other data controllers who process the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure of all links to this personal data and of copies and replicas of these personal data by the other data controllers, provided processing is not necessary. The employee of ecom GmbH shall take the appropriate measures on a case-by-case basis.

e) Right to restriction of processing

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to request the controller to restrict processing if one of the following conditions applies:

the accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period that enables the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests that use of the personal data be restricted instead;
the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject needs them for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims;
the data subject has lodged an objection to processing in accordance with Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR, and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate grounds of the controller prevail over those of the data subject.

Provided one of the reasons set out above applies, and a data subject wishes personal data that is stored by ecom GmbH to be restricted, he or she may contact any employee of the data controller for this purpose at any time. The employee of ecom GmbH shall arrange for the data to be restricted without delay.

f) Right to data portabilty

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to receive the personal data concerning him or her which he or she provided to the controller in a structured, commonly-used, machine-readable format. He or she also has the right to transmit these data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the data were supplied, provided processing is based on consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 a) GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 a) GDPR or on an agreement in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 b) GDPR, and processing takes place by automated means, provided that processing is not necessary for performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

In addition, when exercising the right to data portability in accordance with Art. 20 para. 1 GDPR, the data subject has the right to effect transfer of the personal data directly from one controller to another controller, as far as this is technically feasible and provided that this does not affect the rights and freedoms of other persons.

The data subject may contact an employee of ecom GmbH at any time in order to exercise the right to data portability.

g) Right to object

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities, for reasons relating to his or her personal situation, to lodge an objection at any time to the processing of personal data relating to him or her which is carried out based on Art. 6 para. 1 e) or f) GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

When the data subject objects to the processing of personal data, ecom GmbH shall cease to process these data, unless we can prove compelling legitimate reasons for this processing that override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or processing serves to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

If personal data are processed by ecom GmbH for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to lodge an objection at any time to processing of the personal data for the purposes of such advertising. This also applies to profiling insofar as in it is connected to such advertising. If the data subject lodges an objection with ecom GmbH to processing for the purposes of direct advertising, ecom GmbH shall cease to process the personal data for these purposes.

In addition, the data subject has the right, for reasons relating to his or her situation, to lodge a complaint against the processing of personal data concerning him or her which is carried out by ecom GmbH for scientific or historical research or for statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 para. 1 GDPR, unless such processing is necessary for fulfilment of a task that is in the public interest.

The data subject may at any time contact any employee of ecom GmbH directly or another employee in order to exercise the right to object. The data subject is also free to exercise his or her right to object in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, using automatic means where technical specifications are used.

h) Automated individual decision-making including profiling

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities 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. This shall not apply if the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or fulfilment of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is permitted on the basis of the law of the Union of the Member States to which the controller is subject, and these laws contain appropriate measures to protect the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data subject or (3) is made with the express consent of the data subject.

If the decision is necessary (1) for the conclusion or fulfilment of a contract between the data subject and the controller or (2) is made with the express consent of the data subject, ecom GmbH shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data subject, including for this purpose at least the right to bring about human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to make use of rights relating to automated decision-making, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller at any time for this purpose.

i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

Every data subject whose data is processed has the right granted by the European legislative and regulatory authorities to withdraw consent at any time to the processing of personal data.

If the data subject wishes to make use of his or her right to withdraw consent, he or she may contact an employee of the data controller at any time for this purpose.

12.Data protection for job applications and in the application process

The data controller collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants for the purpose of handling the application process. Processing may take place by electronic means. This is particularly the case when an applicant transmits the appropriate application documents to the data controller by electronic means, for example by email or on a web form located on a website. If the data controller concludes a contract of employment with an applicant, the data transmitted for the purposes of handling the employment relationship shall be stored subject to the statutory provisions. If no contract of employment is concluded by the data controller with the applicant, the application documents shall be automatically erased two months after the decision to reject the application, provided that this is not prevented by any other legitimate interests on the part of the data controller. Another legitimate interest in this sense is, for example, a burden of proof in proceedings in accordance with the General Equality of Treatment Act (AGG).

13.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Facebook

The data controller has integrated components from Facebook into this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an internet-based social meeting place, an online community, which generally speaking enables users to communicate with each other and to interact in virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences, or enable the internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Facebook allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos and to network using friendship requests.

The operating company of Facebook is Facebook, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. When a data subject lives outside the USA or Canada, the controller responsible for the processing of personal data is Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Each time an individual page on this website which is run by the data controller and on which a Facebook component (Facebook plugin) is integrated is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a display of the relevant Facebook component from Facebook. A general overview of all Facebook plugins can be accessed under https://developers.facebook.com/products/social-plugins/. In the course of this technical procedure, Facebook obtains information about which specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognises which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject calls up our website and during the entire duration of the respective visit to our website. This information is collected by the Facebook component and associated to the data subject’s respective Facebook account by Facebook. When the data subject operates one of the Facebook buttons that are integrated into our website, for instance the “Like” button, or if the data subject submits a comment, Facebook associates this information with the data subject’s personal Facebook account and stores these personal data.

Facebook always receives information via the Facebook component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged into Facebook at the time our website is called up; this happens regardless of whether or not the data subject clicks on the Facebook component. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Facebook, he or she can prevent this transmission by logging out of his or her Facebook account before calling up our website.

The data policy published by Facebook, which can be called up under https://www.facebook.com/full_data_use_policy, gives information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. In addition, the settings options that Facebook offers for the protection of the data subject’s personal privacy are explained there. Various applications are also available which enable the transmission of data to Facebook to be suppressed. These applications can be used by the data subject to suppress the transmission of data to Facebook.

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

The data controller has integrated components from Google Analytics (with anonymisation function) into this website. Google Analytics is a web analysis service. Web analysis is the detection, collection and evaluation of data on the behaviour of visitors to websites. A web analysis service collects, among other things, data about the website used by a data subject to access a website (“referrer”), which sub-pages of the website are visited, and the period for which a sub-page was viewed. A web analysis service is used predominantly for optimisation of a website and for cost-benefit analysis of internet advertising.

The operating company of Google Analytics components is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

For web analysis with Google Analytics, the data controller uses the “_gat._anonymizeIp” add-on. By means of this add-on, Google truncates and anonymises the IP address the data subject uses to connect to the internet when access to our website is made from a Member State of the European Union or one of the other contracting states of the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyse the stream of visitors to our website. Google uses the data and information acquired, among other things, to evaluate the usage of our website in order to compile online reports for us which show the activities on our website, and to provide other services related to the use of our website.

Google Analytics sets a cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. It has been explained above what cookies are. Setting this cookie enables Google to analyse the usage of our website. Each time an individual page of this website, which is operated by the data controller and into which a Google Analytics component is integrated, is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Google Analytics component to transmit data to Google for the purposes of online analysis. In the course of this technical procedure, Google obtains information such as the IP address of the data subject, which enables Google to identify the origin of the visitor and clicks, and subsequently allow for commission statements.

Using these cookies, personal information such as the access time, the location from which access is made and the frequency of visits to our website by the data subject are stored. These personal data, including the IP address used by the data subject’s for internet access, are transmitted to Google in the United States of America for every visit to our web pages. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may pass the data obtained by this technical procedure on to third parties.

The data subject may block the setting of cookies by our website, as explained above, at any time via the appropriate settings in the browser used, and thus permanently prevent the setting of cookies. Using this setting on the browser used also prevents Google setting cookies on the data subject’s information technology system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google Analytics can be erased at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.

In addition, the data subject has the option to object to recording of data created by Google Analytics obtained from use of this website, as well as to the processing of this data, and to prevent this. To do so, the data subject must download and install a browser add-on from the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This browser add-on informs Google Analytics via JavaScript that it is not permitted to transmit any data or information on visits to websites to Google Analytics. Installation of the browser add-on shall be classified by Google as an objection. If the data subject’s information technology system is erased, formatted or reinstalled at a later date, the data subject must reinstall the browser add-on in order to deactivate Google Analytics. If the browser add-on is uninstalled or deactivated by the data subject or any other person under his or her sphere of control, the option to reinstall or reactivate the browser add-on exists.

Further information and Google’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://policies.google.com/privacy and https://www.google.com/analytics/terms/us.html. Google Analytics is explained in more detail under this link: https://www.google.com/analytics/#?modal_active=none.

15.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Google+

The data controller has integrated the Google+ button into this website as a component. Google+ is a so-called social network. A social network is an internet-based social meeting place, an online community, which generally speaking enables users to communicate with each other and to interact in virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for the exchange of opinions and experiences, or enable the internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Among other things, Google+ allows users of the social network to create private profiles, upload photos and to network using friendship requests.

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

Each time an individual page on this website which is run by the data controller and on which a Google+ button is integrated is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Google+ button to download a display of the relevant Google+ button from Google. In the course of this technical procedure, Google obtains information about which specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject. More detailed information on Google+ can be found under https://developers.google.com/+/.

If the data subject is logged into Google+ at the same time, Google recognises which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject calls up our website and during the entire duration of the respective visit to our website. This information is collected by the Google+ button and associated to the data subject’s respective Google+ account by Google.

When the data subject operates one of the Google+ buttons that are integrated into our website, thus making a Google+1 recommendation, Google associates this information with the data subject’s personal Google+ account and stores these personal data. Google stores the data subject’s Google+1 recommendation and makes this publicly accessible in accordance with the conditions relating to this accepted by the data subject. A Google+1 recommendation submitted by the data subject on this website shall subsequently be stored and processed, together with other personal data such as the name of the Google+ account used by the data subject and the photo stored in this account, in other Google services such as the Google search machine search engine results, the data subject’s Google account or other places, for example on websites or in connection with advertising. Google may also link the visit to our website with other personal data stored by Google. In addition, Google records these personal data for the purpose of improving or optimising Google’s different services.

Google always obtains the information, via the Google+ button, that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged into Google+ at the time our website is called up; this happens regardless of whether or not the data subject clicks on the Google+ button.

If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Google, he or she can prevent this transmission by logging out of his or her Google+ account before calling up our website.

Further information and Google’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://policies.google.com/privacy. Further information from Google on the Google+1 button can be found under https://developers.google.com/+/web/buttons-policy.

16.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Google AdWords

The data controller has integrated Google AdWords into this website. Google AdWords is an internet advertising service that allows advertisers to place advertisements both in Google search engine results and in the Google advertising network. Google AdWords allows advertisers to specify pre-determined keywords, by means of which an advertisement can be displayed exclusively in the Google search machine when the user calls up a search result relevant to the keyword with the search machine. In the Google advertising network, advertisements are displayed on topically relevant websites using an automatic algorithm, taking into account the previously determined keywords.

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

The purpose of Google AdWords is to advertise our website on the websites of third-party companies and in the Google search machine’s search results by inserting advertising relevant to users, and to insert third-party advertising on our website.

If a data subject visits our website via a Google advertisement, a so-called conversion cookie is set on the data subject’s information technology system. It has been explained above what cookies are. A conversion cookie loses its validity after three days and does not identify the data subject. Provided the cookie has not yet expired, the conversion cookie recognises whether a specific sub-page, for instance the shopping basket in our online shop, has been called up on our website. Google can also recognise, using the conversion cookie, whether a data subject who has accessed our site through an AdWords advertisement has generated a sale; that is, whether they have carried out or terminated a purchase.

Data and information collected through the use of conversion cookies are used by Google to create visitor statistics for our website. These visitor statistics in turn are used by us in order to determine the total number of visitors who have been connected to us via AdWords advertisements, and in order to optimise our AdWords advertisements in the future. Neither our company nor other AdWords advertisers receive information from Google which allows the data subject to be identified.

Personal data, for example on websites visited by the data subject, are stored by means of conversion cookies. Thus every time our web pages are visited personal data, including the IP address of the data subject’s internet connection, are transmitted to Google in the United States of America. These personal data are stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may transmit data collected by this technical procedure to third parties.

The data subject may block the setting of cookies by our website, as explained above, at any time via the appropriate settings in the internet browser used, and thus permanently prevent the setting of cookies. Using this setting on the internet browser used also prevents Google setting a conversion cookie on the data subject’s information technology system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be erased at any time via the internet browser or other software programs.

The data subject also has the option to object to interest-based advertising provided by Google. To do so, the data subject must call up the link https://adssettings.google.com/ from the internet browser he or she uses and make the required settings there.

Further information and Google’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://policies.google.com/privacy.

17.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Instagram

The data controller has integrated the Instagram service into this website. Instagram is a service that is classified as an audio-visual platform and which allows users to share photos and videos, and also to distribute these data on other social networks.

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

Each time an individual page of this internet site which is run by the data controller and into which an Instagram component (Insta button) is integrated is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system automatically, via the respective Instagram component, prompts Instagram to download a display of the respective component. In the course of this technical procedure, Instagram obtains information about which specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Instagram at the same time, Instagram recognises which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject calls up our website and during the entire duration of the respective visit to our website. This information is collected by the Instagram component and associated to the data subject’s respective Instagram account by Instagram. When the data subject operates one of the Instagram buttons that are integrated into our website, the data and information transmitted by this are associated to the data subject’s personal Instagram account and stored and processed by Instagram.

Instagram always receives information via the Instagram component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged into Instagram at the time our website is called up; this happens regardless of whether or not the data subject clicks on the Instagram component. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Instagram, he or she can prevent this transmission by logging out of his or her Instagram account before calling up our website.

Further information and Instagram’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388 and https://www.instagram.com/about/legal/privacy/.

18.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Twitter

The data controller has integrated components from Twitter into this website. Twitter is a multi-lingual, publicly accessible micro-blogging service on which users may publish and distribute Tweets (short messages limited to 280 characters). These short messages can be called up by anyone, not just persons registered on Twitter. Tweets are also displayed to so-called followers of the respective user. Followers are other Twitter users who follow a user’s Tweets. Twitter also enables a wider audience to be addressed via hashtags, links or re-tweets.

The operating company of Twitter is Twitter, Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

Each time an individual page of this internet site which is run by the data controller and into which a Twitter component (Twitter button) is integrated is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system automatically, via the respective Twitter component, prompts Twitter to download a display of the respective Twitter component. Further information on Twitter buttons can be found under https://about.twitter.com/de/resources/buttons. In the course of this technical procedure, Twitter obtains information about which specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject. The purpose of integrating the Twitter component is to enable users to disseminate the content of this website, to publicise our website in the digital world and to increase our visitor numbers.

If the data subject is logged into Twitter at the same time, Twitter recognises which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject calls up our website and during the entire duration of the respective visit to our website. This information is collected by the Twitter component and associated to the data subject’s respective Twitter account by Twitter. When the data subject operates one of the Twitter buttons that are integrated into our website, the data and information transmitted by this is associated to the data subject’s personal Twitter account and stored and processed by Twitter.

Twitter always receives information via the Twitter component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged into Twitter at the time our website is called up; this happens regardless of whether or not the data subject clicks on the Twitter component. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Twitter, he or she can prevent this transmission by logging out of his or her Twitter account before calling up our website.

Twitter’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://twitter.com/en/privacy.

19.Data protection provisions for the application and use of Xing

The data controller has integrated components from Xing into this website. Xing is an internet-based social network that allows users to connect with existing business contacts as well as to establish new business contacts. The individual user can create his or her personal profile with Xing. Businesses can, for example, create company profiles or publish job vacancies on Xing.

The operating company of Xing is XING SE, Dammtorstraße 30, 20354 Hamburg, Deutschland.

Each time an individual page of this internet site which is run by the data controller and into which a Xing component (Xing plug-in) is integrated is called up, the internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system automatically, via the respective Xing component, prompts Xing to download a display of the respective Xing component. Further information on Xing plug-ins can be found under https://dev.xing.com/plugins. In the course of this technical procedure, Xing obtains information about which specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged into Xing at the same time, Xing recognises which specific sub-page of our website the data subject visits each time the data subject calls up our website and during the entire duration of the respective visit to our website. This information is collected by the Xing component and associated to the data subject’s respective Xing account by Xing. When the data subject operates one of the Xing buttons that are integrated into our website, for example the “Share” button, Xing associates the information with the data subject’s personal Xing user account and stores these personal data.

Xing always receives information via the Xing component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged into Xing at the time our website is called up; this happens regardless of whether or not the data subject clicks on the Xing component. If the data subject does not want this information to be transmitted to Xing, he or she can prevent this transmission by logging out of his or her Xing account before calling up our website.

The privacy policy published by Xing, which can be found under https://www.xing.com/privacy, gives information on the collection, processing and usage of personal data by Xing. Xing has also published data protection information about the Xing Share button under https://www.xing.com/app/share?op=data_protection.

20. Data protection provisions for the application and use of Xing

The person responsible for the process has integrated on this website services of the software solution provided by the company Messenger People GmbH, Herzog-Heinrich-Str. 9, 80336 Munich, as part of an order processing contract. The WhatsApp API is used for this service. We process the phone number, WhatsApp profile name and/or name for communication purposes in the context of support. The legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 (1a) DSGVO (your consent). By starting a WhatsApp chat with the ecom company account, you consent to being contacted by an ecom employee. The legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1a) DSGVO (your consent). You can revoke your consent at any time by sending an e-mail to dsb@ecom.de with the message “Widerruf / Revocation”.

For communication we use, among others, the instant messaging service WhatsApp. The provider is WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. Communication takes place via end-to-end encryption (peer-to-peer), which prevents WhatsApp or other third parties from gaining access to the communication content. WhatsApp receives access to metadata that arise during the communication process (e.g., sender, recipient and time). The person responsible also points out that WhatsApp, according to its own statement, shares personal data of its users with its parent company Meta, which is located in the USA. Further details on data processing can be found in WhatsApp’s privacy policy at: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy-eea. WhatsApp is used based on our legitimate interest in communicating as quickly and effectively as possible with customers, interested parties and other business and contractual partners (Art. 6 para.1 lit. F DSGVO). If a corresponding consent has been requested, the data processing is carried out exclusively based on the consent; this can be revoked at any time with effect for the future. The communication content exchanged between and on WhatsApp remains with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to store it, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g. after processing your request has been completed). Mandatory legal provisions, in particular retention periods, remain unaffected. We use WhatsApp in the “WhatsApp Business” variant. Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/business-data-transfer-addendum.

We have set the ecom corporate account so that it does not automatically compare data with the address book on the smartphones in use.

21.Use of SalesViewer® technology

This website uses SalesViewer® technology from SalesViewer® GmbH on the basis of the website operator’s legitimate interests (Section 6 paragraph 1 lit.f GDPR) in order to collect and save data on marketing, market research and optimisation purposes.

In order to do this, a javascript based code, which serves to capture company-related data and according website usage. The data captured using this technology are encrypted in a non-retrievable one-way function (so-called hashing). The data is immediately pseudonymised and is not used to identify website visitors personally

The data stored by Salesviewer will be deleted as soon as they are no longer required for their intended purpose and there are no legal obligations to retain them.

The data recording and storage can be repealed at any time with immediate effect for the future, by clicking on https://www.salesviewer.com/opt-out in order to prevent SalesViewer® from recording your data. In this case, an opt-out cookie for this website is saved on your device. If you delete the cookies in the browser, you will need to click on this link again.

22.Payment method: data protection provisions for PayPal as a payment method

The data controller has integrated components from PayPal into this website. PayPal is an online payment service provider. Payments are processed through so-called PayPal accounts which constitute virtual private or business accounts. PayPal also offers the option of processing virtual payments by credit card if a user does not have a PayPal account. A PayPal account is managed through an email address, which is why it does not have a conventional account number. PayPal allows the release of payments to third parties and also the receipt of payments. PayPal also assumes trustee functions and offers buyer protection services.

The European operating company of PayPal is PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. & Cie. S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, 2449 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

If the data subject selects “PayPal” as the payment option during the order process in our online shop, automated data on the data subject is transmitted to PayPal. By selecting this payment option, the data subject consents to the transfer of personal data necessary for the payment process.

The personal data transmitted to PayPal usually consists of first name, surname, address, email address, telephone number, mobile telephone number and any other data necessary to process the payment. Also necessary for processing the purchase contract are those personal data associated with the respective order.

Data are transmitted for the purposes of processing payments and preventing fraud. The data controller transmits personal data to PayPal in particular when there is a legitimate interest in its transmission. Personal data exchanged between PayPal and the data controller may be transmitted by PayPal to credit agencies. The purpose of this transmission is to check identity and creditworthiness.

PayPal also passes personal data on to affiliated companies and service providers or subcontractors if this is necessary for the fulfilment of contractual obligations or the data needs to be processed on their behalf.

The data subject has the right to withdraw consent at any time to the handling of personal data by PayPal. Withdrawal of consent shall not affect processing, use or transmission of personal data that is absolutely necessary for (contractual) handling of payments.

PayPal’s applicable privacy policy can be found under https://www.paypal.com/gi/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full.

Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for processing operations carried out by our company under which we obtain consent for the purpose of specific processing is Art. 6 para. I a) GDPR. If this processing of personal data is carried out to fulfil a contract whose contractual partner is the data subject, as is the case, for example, for processing operations necessary for the delivery of goods or provision of other services or return service, processing is based on Art. 6 para. b) GDPR. The same applies to those processing operations that are necessary for the performance of pre-contractual measures, or in the case of enquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation which makes the processing of personnel data necessary, such as to comply with tax obligations, processing is based on Art. 6 para. I c) GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor to our operation were injured and his or her name, age, health insurance data and other vital information have to be passed on to an doctor, a hospital or another third party. In this event, processing would be based on Art. 6 para. I d) GDPR. Lastly, processing operations may be based on Art. 6 para. I f) GDPR. Processing operations which are not covered by any of the above legal grounds are based on this legal foundation if processing is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of our company or a third party, provided that these are not overridden by the interests and fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. We are permitted to carry out these processing operations in particular because they are specifically mentioned by the European legislators. In this respect, it is considered that a legitimate interest may be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47 sentence 2 GDPR).

23.Legitimate interests in processing carried out by the controller or a third party

When the processing of personal data is based on Article 6 para 1 f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is to conduct our business for the benefit of the welfare of all our employees and our shareholders.

24.Duration for which personal data are stored

The criterion for the duration that personal data are stored is the respective legal retention period. Following expiry of this period, the corresponding data shall be routinely erased, provided that they are no longer required for fulfilment or initiation of a contract.

25.Legal and contractual regulations for the provision of personal data; necessity for conclusion of a contract; obligation of the data subject to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide these

We inform you that the provision of personal data is in part prescribed by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may arise from contractual regulations (e.g. information on the contracting party). It may sometimes be necessary to the conclusion of a contract for a data subject to make available to us personal data that subsequently have to be processed by us. The data subject is, for example, obliged to provide us with personal data when our company enters into a contract with him or her. Failure to provide personal data may result in it not being possible to conclude a contract with the data subject. Before the data subject provides personal data, he or she must contact one of our employees. Our employee shall inform the data subject, on a case-by-case basis, whether the provision of personal data is legally or contractually required and whether it is necessary for the conclusion of the contract; whether an obligation to provide the personal data exists; and what the consequences of failure to provide the personal data might be.

26.Existence of an automatic decision-making process

As a responsible company, we use neither an automated decision-making process nor profiling.