We are very pleased about your interest in our company. Data protection is of particularly high importance to the management of Siegfried Giede GmbH. It is generally possible to use the websites of Siegfried Giede GmbH without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to make use of special services offered by our company via our website, processing of personal data may become necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, email address or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to Siegfried Giede GmbH. By means of this Privacy Policy, our company would like to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, data subjects are informed of the rights to which they are entitled by means of this Privacy Policy.

As the controller, Siegfried Giede GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection possible of personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, Internet-based data transmissions may in principle have security gaps, so absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative means, for example by telephone.

1. Definitions

The Privacy Policy of Siegfried Giede GmbH is based on the terminology used by the European legislator when adopting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our Privacy Policy is intended to be easy to read and understand for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would first like to explain the terminology used.

In this Privacy Policy, we use, among others, the following terms:

a) Personal data

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

b) Data subject

A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

c) Processing

Processing means any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or any other form of making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing

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

e) Profiling

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

f) Pseudonymization

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

g) Controller or controller responsible for the processing

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

h) Processor

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

i) Recipient

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

j) Third party

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

k) Consent

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

2. Name and address of the controller

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions of a data protection nature is:

Siegfried Giede GmbH

Hauptstraße 250

55743 Idar-Oberstein

Rhineland-Palatinate

Tel.: +49 6781 503117

Email: michael@giede.com

Website: www.giede.com

3. Cookies

The websites of Siegfried Giede GmbH use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored and saved on a computer system via an Internet browser.

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

By using cookies, Siegfried Giede GmbH can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the use of cookies.

By means of cookies, the information and offers on our website can be optimized in the interests of the user. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognize users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to enter access data again each time the website is visited, because this is handled by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online shop. The online shop remembers the items a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart by means of a cookie.

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

4. Collection of general data and information

The website of Siegfried Giede GmbH collects a range of general data and information each time the website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system. This general data and information is stored in the server log files. The following may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrer), (4) the subpages accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information used for security purposes in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, Siegfried Giede GmbH does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) correctly deliver the content of our website, (2) optimize the content of our website and the advertising for it, (3) ensure the long-term functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyberattack. This anonymously collected data and information is therefore evaluated by Siegfried Giede GmbH statistically and also with the aim of increasing data protection and data security within our company, in order ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data from the server log files is stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

5. Contact option via the website

Due to statutory requirements, the website of Siegfried Giede GmbH contains information that enables quick electronic contact with our company as well as direct communication with us, including a general electronic mail address (email address). If a data subject contacts the controller by email or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted voluntarily by a data subject to the controller is stored for the purpose of processing the request or contacting the data subject. This personal data is not disclosed to third parties.

6. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

The controller processes and stores the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or insofar as this is provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.

If the purpose of storage no longer applies, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data is routinely blocked or erased in accordance with the statutory provisions.

7. Rights of the data subject

a) Right to confirmation

Every data subject has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning him or her is being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, he or she may contact an employee of the controller at any time.

b) Right of access

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller, free of charge and at any time, information about the personal data stored concerning him or her and a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:

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

Furthermore, the data subject has a right to obtain information as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. Where this is the case, the data subject also has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.

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

c) Right to rectification

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to request the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject has the right to request the completion of incomplete personal data, including by means of a supplementary statement.

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

d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay, where one of the following grounds applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

The personal data was collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which it is no longer necessary.
The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, and there is no other legal ground for the processing.
The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.
The personal data has been unlawfully processed.
The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
The personal data has been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR.

Where one of the above-mentioned reasons applies and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by Siegfried Giede GmbH, he or she may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The employee of Siegfried Giede GmbH will arrange for the erasure request to be complied with without undue delay.

Where the personal data has been made public by Siegfried Giede GmbH and our company, as controller, is obliged pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR to erase the personal data, Siegfried Giede GmbH shall, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data, insofar as processing is not required. The employee of Siegfried Giede GmbH will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.

e) Right to restriction of processing

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following conditions applies:

The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests instead the restriction of its use.
The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but the data subject requires it for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.
The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

Where one of the above-mentioned conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by Siegfried Giede GmbH, he or she may contact an employee of the controller at any time. The employee of Siegfried Giede GmbH will arrange for restriction of the processing.

f) Right to data portability

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which the data subject has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. The data subject also has the right to transmit such data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data was provided, where the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

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

To exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact an employee of Siegfried Giede GmbH at any time.

g) Right to object

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

In the event of an objection, Siegfried Giede GmbH will no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or unless the processing serves the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

Where Siegfried Giede GmbH processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data for such marketing. This also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to Siegfried Giede GmbH processing the personal data for direct marketing purposes, Siegfried Giede GmbH will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

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

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any employee of Siegfried Giede GmbH or another member of staff directly. The data subject is also free, in the context of the use of information society services and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise the right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, provided that the decision (1) is not necessary for entering into or performing a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is not based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

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

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

i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

Every person affected by the processing of personal data has the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

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

8. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Facebook

The controller has integrated components of the company Facebook on this website. Facebook is a social network.

A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community that generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enables the Internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Facebook enables users of the social network, among other things, to create private profiles, upload photos and connect via friend requests.

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

Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and containing an integrated Facebook component (Facebook plug-in) is accessed, the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Facebook component to download a representation of the corresponding Facebook component from Facebook. An overview of all Facebook plug-ins can be accessed at https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE. As part of this technical process, Facebook becomes aware of which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the same time, Facebook recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time our website is accessed and for the entire duration of the respective stay on our website. This information is collected by the Facebook component and assigned by Facebook to the respective Facebook account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks one of the Facebook buttons integrated into our website, for example the “Like” button, or submits a comment, Facebook assigns this information to the personal Facebook user account of the data subject and stores this personal data.

Facebook always receives information via the Facebook component that the data subject has visited our website if the data subject is logged in to Facebook at the time our website is accessed; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks the Facebook component or not. If such transmission of this information to Facebook is not desired by the data subject, he or she can prevent the transmission by logging out of the Facebook account before accessing our website.

Facebook’s published data policy, available at https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/, provides information about the collection, processing and use of personal data by Facebook. It also explains which settings Facebook offers to protect the privacy of the data subject. In addition, various applications are available that make it possible to suppress data transmission to Facebook. Such applications can be used by the data subject to suppress data transmission to Facebook.

9. Data protection provisions regarding the application and use of Google+

The controller has integrated the Google+ button as a component on this website. Google+ is a so-called social network. A social network is an online social meeting place, an online community that generally enables users to communicate with one another and interact in a virtual space. A social network can serve as a platform for exchanging opinions and experiences or enables the Internet community to provide personal or business-related information. Google+ enables users of the social network, among other things, to create private profiles, upload photos and connect via friend requests.

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

Each time one of the individual pages of this website operated by the controller and containing an integrated Google+ button is accessed, the Internet browser on the data subject’s information technology system is automatically prompted by the respective Google+ button to download a representation of the corresponding Google+ button from Google. As part of this technical process, Google becomes aware of which specific subpage of our website is visited by the data subject. More detailed information about Google+ is available at https://developers.google.com/+/.

If the data subject is logged in to Google+ at the same time, Google recognizes which specific subpage of our website the data subject visits each time our website is accessed and for the entire duration of the respective stay on our website. This information is collected by the Google+ button and assigned by Google to the respective Google+ account of the data subject.

If the data subject clicks one of the Google+ buttons integrated into our website and thereby submits a Google+1 recommendation, Google assigns this information to the personal Google+ user account of the data subject and stores this personal data. Google stores the Google+1 recommendation of the data subject and makes it publicly available in accordance with the terms accepted by the data subject in this regard. A Google+1 recommendation submitted by the data subject on this website is subsequently stored and processed together with other personal data, such as the name of the Google+1 account used by the data subject and the photo stored in that account, in other Google services, for example in the search engine results of Google Search, in the Google account of the data subject or in other places, such as on websites or in connection with advertisements. Furthermore, Google is able to link the visit to this website with other personal data stored by Google. Google also records this personal information for the purpose of improving or optimizing its various services.

Google receives information via the Google+ button that the data subject has visited our website whenever the data subject is logged in to Google+ at the time our website is accessed; this takes place regardless of whether the data subject clicks the Google+ button or not.

If the data subject does not wish personal data to be transmitted to Google, he or she can prevent such transmission by logging out of the Google+ account before accessing our website.

Further information and Google’s applicable data protection provisions can be accessed at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/. Further information from Google regarding the Google+1 button can be found at https://developers.google.com/+/web/buttons-policy.

10. Legal basis for processing

Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for processing operations for which our company obtains consent for a specific processing purpose. If processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, as is the case, for example, with processing operations necessary for the delivery of goods or the provision of another service or consideration, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to processing operations necessary in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract, for example in cases of inquiries regarding our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, for example for compliance with tax obligations, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, processing of personal data may become necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured on our premises and his or her name, age, health insurance data or other vital information had to be disclosed to a doctor, hospital or other third party. The processing would then be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR. Finally, processing operations may be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis applies to processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases where processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. Such processing operations are permitted to us in particular because they were specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, the legislator took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed where the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, sentence 2 GDPR).

11. Legitimate interests pursued by the controller or a third party

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business activities for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

12. Period for which the personal data will be stored

The criterion for determining the duration of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiry of that period, the corresponding data is routinely erased, provided that it is no longer required for the performance or initiation of a contract.

13. Statutory or contractual requirements to provide personal data; necessity for entering into a contract; obligation of the data subject to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide such data

We inform you that the provision of personal data is in part required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information about the contractual partner). In some cases, it may be necessary for the conclusion of a contract that a data subject provides us with personal data which must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company enters into a contract with him or her. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for entering into the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data, and what the consequences of failing to provide the personal data would be.

14. Existence of automated decision-making

As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.

This Privacy Policy was created using the privacy policy generator of DGD Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz GmbH, which acts as an external data protection officer in Dresden, in cooperation with Christian Solmecke, attorney specializing in data protection law.