Privacy Policy
1. Data Protection at a Glance
General Information
The following notes provide a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit our website. Personal data is all data with which you can be personally identified. Detailed information on the subject of data protection can be found in our privacy policy listed below this text.
Data Collection on This Website
Who is responsible for the data collection on this website? The data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. Their contact details can be found in the section "Notice about the Responsible Party" in this privacy policy.
How do we collect your data? Your data are collected firstly when you share it with us. This could, for example, be data you enter into a contact form. Other data is collected automatically or after your consent by our IT systems when you visit the website. This primarily involves technical data (e.g. internet browser, operating system or time of the page request). The collection of this data occurs automatically as soon as you enter the website.
What do we use your data for? Part of the data is collected to ensure error-free provision of the website. Other data can be used to analyze your user behavior.
What rights do you have regarding your data? You have the right to obtain information about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data at any time without charge. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have granted consent to data processing, you may revoke this consent at any time for the future. You also have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted under certain circumstances. In addition, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority. For this, as well as for further questions on the subject of data protection, you can contact us at any time.
Analysis tools and third-party tools When visiting our website, your surfing behavior can be statistically analyzed. This happens mainly with so-called analysis programs. Detailed information about these analysis programs can be found in the following privacy policy.
2. Hosting
We host the contents of our website with the following provider:
Hetzner
The provider is Hetzner Online GmbH, Industriestr. 25, 91710 Gunzenhausen (hereinafter referred to as "Hetzner"). For details, please refer to Hetzner's privacy policy: Hetzner.
The use of Hetzner is based on Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring the most reliable presentation of our website. If a corresponding consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's end device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.
3. General Notes and Mandatory Information
Data Protection
The operators of these pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.
When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data are data with which you can be personally identified. This privacy policy explains which data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this happens.
We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating by email) can have security gaps. A complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.
This analysis automatically starts as soon as a website visitor enters a site with Turnstile activated. To carry out the analysis, Turnstile evaluates various pieces of information (e.g., IP address, the duration of the visitor's stay on the website, or mouse movements made by the user). The data collected during the analysis are forwarded to Cloudflare.
The storage and analysis of data are based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in protecting its web offerings from abusive automated snooping and SPAM. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG, insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's terminal device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.
The data processing is based on the standard contractual clauses, which can be found here: Link.
Further information about Cloudflare Turnstile can be found in the privacy policy at Link.
The company holds a certification under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA, which is supposed to ensure the compliance with European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. More information about this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: dataprivacyframework
8. Our Services
Google Drive
We have integrated Google Drive into this website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Drive allows us to incorporate an upload area on our website where you can upload content. When you upload content, it is stored on the servers of Google Drive. When you visit our website, a connection to Google Drive is also established, so Google Drive can determine that you have visited our website.
The use of Google Drive is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in a reliable upload area on his website. If the corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR; the consent can be revoked at any time.
The company holds a certification under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA, which is supposed to ensure the compliance with European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. More information about this can be obtained from the provider at the following link: Link
Data Processing Agreement We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a data protection contract required by law, which ensures that it processes the personal data of our website visitors only according to our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
Note on the responsible entity
The responsible entity for data processing on this website is:
Gaia Group GmbH Leibnizstraße 86 10625 Berlin
Phone: +493037591119 Email: info@gaiagroup.eu
The responsible entity is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g. names, email addresses, etc.).
Duration of Storage
Unless a more specific storage period has been specified within this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing no longer applies. If you assert a legitimate request for deletion or revoke consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, the deletion will take place after these reasons no longer apply.
General notes on the legal bases for data processing on this website
If you have given consent to the processing of your data, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR or Art. 9 Para. 2 lit. a GDPR if special categories of data according to Art. 9 Para. 1 GDPR are processed. In the event of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also based on Art. 49 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to access information into your end device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), the data processing is also based on § 25 Abs. 1 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is required for the fulfillment of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. b GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if this is necessary for the fulfillment of a legal obligation on the basis of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. c GDPR. Data processing may also be based on our legitimate interest according to Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The relevant legal bases in individual cases are provided in the following sections of this privacy policy.
Note on data transfer to data protection law not secure third countries and the transfer to US companies that are not DPF certified
Among other things, we use tools from companies based in third countries that are not secure in terms of data protection, as well as US tools whose providers are not certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). When these tools are active, your personal data can be transferred to these countries and processed there. We would like to point out that in third countries not secure in terms of data protection, a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU cannot be guaranteed. It should be noted that the USA is generally considered a secure third country with a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU. Data transfer to the USA is therefore permissible if the recipient has certification under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF) or has suitable additional guarantees. Information on transfers to third countries including the data recipients can be found in this privacy policy.
Recipients of Personal Data
In the course of our business activities, we collaborate with various external entities. This occasionally necessitates the transmission of personal data to these external entities. We only transfer personal data to external parties if it is necessary for the performance of a contract, if we are legally obligated to do so (e.g., transfer of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR in the transfer, or if another legal basis permits the transfer of data. When using contract processors, we transfer personal data of our customers only on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing contract is concluded.
Revocation of Your Consent to Data Processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may revoke your consent at any time. The legality of the data processing carried out until the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.
Right to Object to Data Collection in Special Cases and to Direct Advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)
IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ARTICLE 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS DATA PROTECTION DECLARATION. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) GDPR). IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT ADVERTISING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH ADVERTISING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT ADVERTISING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECT ADVERTISING (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) GDPR).
Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority
In the event of breaches of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, particularly in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work, or the place of the alleged breach. This right exists notwithstanding any other administrative or judicial remedies.
Right to Data Portability
You have the right to receive the data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, handed over to yourself or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done to the extent that it is technically feasible.
Information, Correction, and Deletion
Within the framework of the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to free information about your stored personal data, their origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing and, if necessary, a right to correction or deletion of these data. For this purpose, as well as for further questions on the subject of personal data, you can contact us at any time.
Right to Restriction of Processing
You have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data. For this purpose, you can contact us at any time. The right to restriction of processing exists in the following cases:
- If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we usually need time to check this. For the duration of the review, you have the right to demand the restriction of processing of your personal data.
- If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you can demand the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.
- If we no longer need your personal data, but you need them to exercise, defend or claim legal claims, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of deletion.
- If you have filed an objection according to Art. 21(1) GDPR, a balance must be struck between your interests and ours. As long as it has not been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.
If you have obtained restriction of the processing of your personal data, these data – apart from being stored – may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or of a member state.
SSL or TLS Encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator, this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of the browser changes from "http://" to "https://" and by the lock icon in your browser line.
If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.
4. Data Collection on this Website
Cookies
Our websites use so-called "cookies". Cookies are small data packets and do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or an automatic deletion is carried out by your web browser.
Cookies can be issued by us (first-party cookies) or by third-party companies (third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services of third-party companies within websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services). Cookies have different functions. Numerous cookies are technically necessary as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or displaying videos). Other cookies can be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.
Cookies that are required for the execution of the electronic communication process, for providing certain functions desired by you (e.g., for the shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring the web audience) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the storage of necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent has been requested for the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies, the processing is exclusively based on this consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 (1) TTDSG); the consent can be revoked at any time.
You can configure your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.
You can find out which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.
5. Social Media
Social Media Elements with Shariff
On this website, elements of social media are used (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, XING, LinkedIn, Tumblr).
You can generally recognize the social media elements by their respective social media logos. To ensure data protection on this website, we use these elements only in conjunction with the so-called "Shariff" solution. This application prevents the social media elements integrated into this website from transmitting your personal data to the respective provider when you first enter the page.
Only when you activate the respective social media element by clicking on the corresponding button, a direct connection to the provider's server is established (consent). Once you activate the social media element, the respective provider receives the information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you are simultaneously logged into your respective social media account (e.g., Facebook), the respective provider can attribute your visit to this website to your user account.
Activating the plugin constitutes consent within the meaning of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 Para. 1 TTDSG. You can revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future.
The service is used to obtain the legally required consents for the use of certain technologies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. c GDPR.
Elements of the social network Facebook are integrated on this website. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. According to Facebook, however, the collected data is also transferred to the USA and other third countries.
An overview of the Facebook social media elements can be found here: Link.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection between your device and the Facebook server is established. Facebook thus receives the information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you click on the Facebook "Like-Button" while logged into your Facebook account, you can link the contents of this website to your Facebook profile. This allows Facebook to associate your visit to this website with your user account. Please note that as the provider of the pages, we do not have any knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by Facebook. Further information on this can be found in Facebook's privacy policy at: Link.
To the extent that consent has been obtained (Consent), the use of the aforementioned service is based on Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time. If no consent has been obtained, the use of the service is based on our legitimate interest in the widest possible visibility in social media.
To the extent that personal data is collected on our website with the help of the tool described here and forwarded to Facebook, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transfer to Facebook. The processing by Facebook following the transfer is not part of the joint responsibility. The obligations incumbent on us jointly were stipulated in an agreement on joint processing. The text of the agreement can be found at: Link. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing the data protection information when using the Facebook tool and for the data protection-compliant implementation of the tool on our website. Facebook is responsible for the data security of the Facebook products. Rights of affected persons (e.g., information requests) regarding the data processed by Facebook can be asserted directly with Facebook. If you assert the rights of data subjects with us, we are obliged to forward them to Facebook.
The data transfer to the USA is based on the EU Commission's standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3.
The company is certified under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA designed to ensure the compliance of European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF commits to adhering to these data protection standards. You can obtain more information from the provider using the following link: Link
X (formerly Twitter)
This website includes features of the service X (formerly Twitter). These features are offered by the parent company X Corp., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. The entity responsible for processing data from individuals living outside the USA is Twitter International Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and the X server. X (formerly Twitter) thus receives information about your visit to this website. By using X (formerly Twitter) and the "Re-Tweet" or "Repost" feature, the websites you visit can be linked to your X (formerly Twitter) account and disclosed to other users. Please note that as the provider of the pages, we do not have knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by X (formerly Twitter). Further information can be found in X (formerly Twitter)'s privacy policy at: https://twitter.com/de/privacy.
To the extent that consent has been obtained (Consent), the use of the aforementioned service is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. In the absence of consent, the use of the service is based on our legitimate interest in the widest possible visibility on social media.
The data transfer to the USA is based on the EU Commission's standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: Link.
You can change your privacy settings with X (formerly Twitter) in the account settings at Link.
This website includes features of the service Instagram. These features are offered by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your device and the Instagram server. Instagram thus receives information about your visit to this website.
If you are logged into your Instagram account, you can link the content of this website to your Instagram profile by clicking on the Instagram button. This allows Instagram to associate the visit of this website with your user account. Please note that as the provider of the pages, we do not have knowledge of the content of the transmitted data or its use by Instagram.
To the extent that consent has been obtained (Consent), the use of the aforementioned service is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR and § 25 TTDSG. Consent can be revoked at any time. In the absence of consent, the use of the service is based on our legitimate interest in the widest possible visibility on social media.
Insofar as personal data is collected on our website with the help of the tool described here and forwarded to Facebook or Instagram, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transmission to Facebook or Instagram. The subsequent processing by Facebook or Instagram is not part of the joint responsibility. The obligations jointly incumbent on us have been stipulated in an agreement on joint processing. You can find the text of the agreement at: Link. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing the privacy information when using the Facebook or Instagram tools and for the secure implementation of the tool on our website in terms of data protection. Facebook is responsible for the data security of the Facebook or Instagram products. Rights of the affected parties (e.g., information requests) concerning the data processed by Facebook or Instagram can be asserted directly with Facebook. If you assert the rights of affected parties with us, we are obliged to forward these to Facebook.
The data transfer to the USA is based on the EU Commission's standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3.
Further information can be found in Instagram's privacy policy: Link.
The company has a certification under the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards in data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF commits to comply with these data protection standards. Further information can be obtained from the provider at the following link: Link
6. Newsletter
Newsletter Data
If you wish to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you, as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and agree to receive the newsletter. Additional data is not collected or only on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively for the delivery of the requested information and do not transmit it to third parties.
The processing of the data entered into the newsletter subscription form is based solely on your consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). You can revoke the consent given for storing the data, the email address, and their use for sending the newsletter at any time, for instance, through the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The legality of the already completed data processing operations remains unaffected by the revocation.
The data deposited with us for the purpose of obtaining the newsletter will be stored by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after cancellation of the newsletter or if the purpose ceases to apply. We reserve the right to delete or block email addresses from our newsletter distribution list at our discretion within the scope of our legitimate interest under Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.
Data stored with us for other purposes remains unaffected by this.
After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored by us or the newsletter service provider in a blacklist if necessary to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is used solely for this purpose and is not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with the legal requirements for sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is not time-limited. You may object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.
7. Plugins and Tools
Google Maps
This page uses the mapping service Google Maps. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
The use of Google Maps functions requires the storage of your IP address. This information is generally transmitted to and stored on a server by Google in the USA. The provider of this page has no influence on this data transmission. When Google Maps is activated, Google may use Google Fonts for the purpose of uniform font display. When accessing Google Maps, your browser loads the necessary web fonts into your browser cache to correctly display texts and fonts.
Google Maps is used in the interest of making our online offers look appealing and to make the locations we have indicated on the website easy to find. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG, provided that the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's terminal device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.
Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: Link 1 and Kink 2.
More information about the handling of user data can be found in Google's privacy policy: Link.
The company has a certification according to the "EU-US Data Privacy Framework" (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA that is meant to ensure the compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Each company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. Further information on this can be obtained from the provider via the following link: Link
OpenStreetMap
We use the mapping service from OpenStreetMap (OSM).
We integrate the maps from OpenStreetMap via the server of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is considered a data protection secure third country. This means that the United Kingdom has a level of data protection that corresponds to the level of data protection in the European Union. When using the OpenStreetMap maps, a connection to the servers of the OpenStreetMap Foundation is established. In the process, your IP address and other information about your behavior on this website may be transmitted to OSMF. OpenStreetMap may store cookies in your browser or use comparable recognition technologies for this purpose.
The use of OpenStreetMap is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offers and easy location of the places we have indicated on the website. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and §25(1) TTDSG, provided that the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user's terminal device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.
Cloudflare Turnstile
We use Cloudflare Turnstile (hereinafter "Turnstile") on this website. The provider is Cloudflare Inc., 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA (hereinafter "Cloudflare").
Turnstile is used to determine whether data entry on this website (e.g., in a contact form) is done by a human or by an automated program. To do this, Turnstile analyzes the website visitor's behavior based on various features.