Introduction and overview

We have drawn up this privacy policy (version 17.01.2025) to explain to you, in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and applicable national laws, which personal data (hereinafter referred to as data) we, as the controller, and the processors commissioned by us (e.g. providers) process, will process in the future, and what legal options you have. The terms used are gender-neutral.

In short: We provide you with comprehensive information about the data we process about you.

Privacy policies usually sound very technical and use legal jargon. This privacy policy, on the other hand, is intended to describe the most important things as simply and transparently as possible. Where it is conducive to transparency, technical terms are explained in a reader-friendly manner, links to further information are provided, and graphicsare used. We use clear and simple language to inform you that we only process personal data in the course of our business activities if there is a legal basis for doing so. This is certainly not possible if you provide explanations that are as concise, unclear, and legally technical as those that are often standard on the Internet when it comes to data protection. I hope you find the following explanations interesting and informative, and perhaps you will find some information that you did not know before.

If you still have questions, please contact the responsible party listed below or in the legal notice, follow the links provided, and consult third-party websites for further information. You will also find our contact details in the legal notice.

Scope

This privacy policy applies to all personal data processed by us within our company and to all personal data processed by companies commissioned by us (processors). By personal data, we mean information within the meaning of Art. 4 No. 1 GDPR, such as the name, email address, and postal address of a person. The processing of personal data ensures that we can offer and bill our services and products, whether online or offline. The scope of this privacy policy includes:

• all online presences (websites, online shops) that we operate
• Social media sites and email communication
• Mobile apps for smartphones and other devices

In short: The privacy policy applies to all areas in which personal data is processed in a structured manner within the company via the channels mentioned above. If we enter into legal relationships with you outside of these channels, we will inform you separately if necessary.

Legal

In the following privacy policy, we provide you with transparent information about the legal principles and regulations, i.e., the legal basis of the General Data Protection Regulation, which enable us to process personal data.

With regard to EU law, we refer to REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of April 27, 2016. You can, of course, read this EU General Data Protection Regulation online at EUR-Lex, the gateway to EU law, at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32016R0679.

We only process your data if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1. Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR): You have given us your consent to process data for a specific purpose. An example would be the storage of your data entered in a contact form.
2. Contract (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR): We process your data in order to fulfill a contract or pre-contractual obligations with you. For example, if we conclude a purchase contract with you, we need personal information in advance.
3. Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR): We process your data if we are subject to a legal obligation. For example, we are legally obliged to keep invoices for accounting purposes. These usually contain personal data.
4. Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR): In the event of legitimate interests that do not restrict your fundamental rights, we reserve the right to process personal data. For example, we need to process certain data in order to operate our website securely and economically. This processing is therefore a legitimate interest.

Other conditions, such as the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest and the exercise of official authority, as well as the protection of vital interests, do not generally apply to us. If such a legal basis should nevertheless be relevant, it will be indicated at the appropriate place.

In addition to the EU regulation, national laws also apply:

• In Austria, this is the Federal Act on the Protection of Natural Persons with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data (Data Protection Act), abbreviated as DSG.
• In Germany, the Federal Data Protection Act, abbreviated as BDSG, applies.

If further regional or national laws apply, we will inform you of this in the following sections.

Contact details of the controller

If you have any questions about data protection or the processing of personal data, you will find the contact details of the controller in accordance with Article 4(7) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) below:

BytePeak Consulting GmbH
Johannes Noebauer, MSc
Weilhartstraße 18c
5282 Braunau am Inn
Austria

Authorized representative:
Johannes Noebauer, MSc
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +43 676 3787386

Legal notice: https://www.bytepeak.at/impressum

Storage period

It is our general policy to store personal data only for as long as is absolutely necessary for the provision of our services and products. This means that we delete personal data as soon as the reason for data processing no longer exists. In some cases, we are legally obliged to store certain data even after the original purpose has ceased to exist, for example for accounting purposes.

If you wish to have your data deleted or withdraw your consent to data processing, the data will be deleted as soon as possible and to the extent that there is no obligation to store it.

We will inform you about the specific duration of the respective data processing below, provided we have further information on this.

Rights under the General Data Protection Regulation

In accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the GDPR, we inform you of the following rights to which you are entitled in order to ensure fair and transparent data processing:

• • According to Article 15 of the GDPR, you have the right to obtain information about whether we process data relating to you. If this is the case, you have the right to receive a copy of the data and to obtain the following information:
    • the purpose for which we process the data;
    • the categories, i.e., the types of data that are processed;
    • who receives this data and, if the data is transferred to third countries, how security can be guaranteed;
    • how long the data will be stored;
    • the existence of the right to rectification, erasure, or restriction of processing and the right to object to processing;
    • that you can lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (links to these authorities can be found below);
    • the origin of the data if we did not collect it from you;
    • whether profiling is carried out, i.e., whether data is automatically evaluated to create a personal profile of you.
  • According to Article 16 of the GDPR, you have the right to rectify the data, which means that we must correct any data if you find errors.
  • According to Article 17 of the GDPR, you have the right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”), which specifically means that you may request the erasure of your data.
  • According to Article 18 of the GDPR, you have the right to restrict processing, which means that we may only store the data but not use it further.
  • According to Article 20 of the GDPR, you have the right to data portability, which means that we will provide you with your data in a common format upon request.
  • According to Article 21 GDPR, you have a right to object, which, once enforced, will result in a change in the processing.

If the processing of your data is based on Article 6(1)(e) (public interest, exercise of official authority) or Article 6(1)(f) (legitimate interest), you may object to the processing.

• • We will then check as soon as possible whether we can legally comply with this objection.
  • If data is used for direct marketing, you can object to this type of data processing at any time. We will then no longer be allowed to use your data for direct marketing.
  • If data is used for profiling, you can object to this type of data processing at any time. We will then no longer be allowed to use your data for profiling.
• Under Article 22 of the GDPR, you may have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing (e.g., profiling).
• Under Article 77 of the GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint. This means that you can complain to the data protection authority at any time if you believe that the processing of personal data violates the GDPR.

In short: You have rights – don’t hesitate to contact the responsible party listed above!

If you believe that the processing of your data violates data protection law or that your data protection rights have been violated in any other way, you can lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority. In Austria, this is the data protection authority, whose website can be found at https://www.dsb.gv.at/. In Germany, there is a data protection officer for each federal state. For more information, you can contact the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI). The following local data protection authority is responsible for our company:

Austria Data Protection Authority

Website: https://www.dsb.gv.at/

Security of data processing

We have implemented both technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. Where possible, we encrypt or pseudonymize personal data. In this way, we make it as difficult as possible for third parties to derive personal information from our data.

Article 25 of the GDPR refers to this as “data protection by design and by default,” meaning that security must always be considered and appropriate measures taken for both software (e.g., forms) and hardware (e.g., access to the server room). Where necessary, we will discuss specific measures below.

TLS encryption with https

TLS, encryption, and https sound very technical, and they are. We use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) to transmit data securely over the Internet.

This means that the entire transmission of all data from your browser to our web server is secure—no one can “eavesdrop.”

This means that we have introduced an additional layer of security and comply with data protection through technology design (Article 25(1) GDPR). By using TLS (Transport Layer Security), an encryption protocol for secure data transmission on the Internet, we can ensure the protection of confidential data.

You can recognize the use of this data transmission security by the small lock symbol in the top left corner of your browser, to the left of the Internet address (e.g., examplepage.com), and by the use of the https (instead of http) as part of our Internet address.

If you would like to know more about encryption, we recommend searching Google for “Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure wiki” to find good links to further information.

Communication

Communication Summary

👥 Affected parties: Anyone who communicates with us by telephone, email, or online form

📓 Processed data: e.g., telephone number, name, email address, form data entered. You can find more details on this under the respective contact type

🤝 Purpose: Handling communication with customers, business partners, etc.

📅 Storage period: Duration of the business transaction and the statutory provisions

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (contract), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests)

When you contact us and communicate with us by telephone, email, or online form, personal data may be processed.

The data will be processed for the purpose of handling and processing your inquiry and the associated business transaction. The data will be stored for as long as necessary or as required by law.

Affected persons

All persons who contact us via the communication channels provided by us are affected by the aforementioned processes.

Telephone

When you call us, the call data is stored pseudonymously on the respective end device and by the telecommunications provider used. In addition, data such as your name and telephone number may be sent by email and stored for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. The data will be deleted as soon as the business transaction has been completed and legal requirements permit.

Email

If you communicate with us by email, data may be stored on the respective end device (computer, laptop, smartphone, etc.) and data may be stored on the email server. The data will be deleted as soon as the business transaction has been completed and legal requirements permit.

Online

If you communicate with us using an online form, data will be stored on our web server and forwarded to an email address belonging to us if necessary. The data will be deleted as soon as the business transaction has been completed and legal requirements permit.

Legal

The processing of data is based on the following legal grounds:

• Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent): You give us your consent to store your data and use it for purposes related to the business transaction;
• Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (contract): It is necessary for the performance of a contract with you or a processor such as the telephone provider, or we need to process the data for pre-contractual activities, such as preparing an offer;
• Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests): We want to handle customer inquiries and business communications in a professional manner. This requires certain technical facilities such as email programs, Exchange servers, and mobile phone operators in order to communicate efficiently.

Cookies

Cookies Summary

👥 Affected persons: Visitors to the website

🤝 Purpose: depending on the respective cookie. You can find more details below or from the manufacturer of the software that sets the cookie.

📓 Processed data: Depending on the cookie used. You can find more details below or from the manufacturer of the software that sets the cookie.

📅 Storage period: depending on the respective cookie, can vary from hours to years

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests)

What are cookies?

Our website uses HTTP cookies to store user-specific data.

Below, we explain what cookies are and why they are used so that you can better understand the following privacy policy.

Whenever you surf the Internet, you use a browser. Well-known browsers include Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge. Most websites store small text files in your browser. These files are called cookies.

One thing cannot be denied: cookies are really useful little helpers. Almost all websites use cookies. More precisely, they are HTTP cookies, as there are also other cookies for other areas of application. HTTP cookies are small files that are stored on your computer by our website. These cookie files are automatically stored in the cookie folder, which is essentially the “brain” of your browser. A cookie consists of a name and a value. When defining a cookie, one or more attributes must also be specified.

Cookies store certain user data, such as your language or personal page settings. When you return to our site, your browser transmits the “user-related” information back to our site. Thanks to cookies, our website knows who you are and offers you the settings you are used to. In some browsers, each cookie has its own file, while in others, such as Firefox, all cookies are stored in a single file.

The following graphic shows a possible interaction between a web browser such as Chrome and the web server. The web browser requests a website and receives a cookie from the server, which the browser reuses when another page is requested.

There are both first-party cookies and third-party cookies. First-party cookies are created directly by our site, while third-party cookies are created by partner websites (e.g., Google Analytics). Each cookie must be evaluated individually, as each cookie stores different data. The expiration time of a cookie also varies from a few minutes to a few years. Cookies are not software programs and do not contain viruses, Trojans, or other “malware.” Cookies cannot access information on your PC.

Cookie data may look like this, for example:

• Name: _ga
• Value: GA1.2.1326744211.152112927319-9
• Purpose: Distinguishing website visitors
• Expiration date: after 2 years

A browser should be able to support these minimum sizes:

• At least 4096 bytes per cookie
• At least 50 cookies per domain
• At least 3000 cookies in total

What types of cookies are there?

The question of which cookies we use in particular depends on the services used and is clarified in the following sections of the privacy policy. At this point, we would like to briefly discuss the different types of HTTP cookies.

There are 4 types of cookies:

• Essential cookies
• Functional cookies
• Targeted cookies
• Advertising cookies

When you visit a website for the first time, you are usually asked which of these types of cookies you want to allow. And, of course, this decision is also stored in a cookie.

If you would like to know more about cookies and are not afraid of technical documentation, we recommend https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc6265, the Request for Comments from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) called “HTTP State Management Mechanism.”

Purpose of processing via cookies

The purpose ultimately depends on the respective cookie. You can find more details below or from the manufacturer of the software that sets the cookie.

What data is processed?

Cookies are small helpers for many different tasks. Unfortunately, it is not possible to generalize what data is stored in cookies, but we will inform you about the processed or stored data in the following privacy policy.

Storage duration of cookies

The storage duration depends on the respective cookie and is specified below. Some cookies are deleted after less than an hour, while others may remain stored on a computer for several years.

You also have control over the storage period. You can manually delete all cookies at any time via your browser (see also “Right to object” below). Furthermore, cookies based on consent will be deleted at the latest after you revoke your consent, whereby the legality of the storage remains unaffected until then.

Right to object – how can I delete cookies?

You decide how and whether you want to use cookies. Regardless of which service or website the cookies come from, you always have the option to delete, deactivate, or only partially allow cookies. For example, you can block third-party cookies but allow all other cookies.

If you want to find out which cookies have been stored in your browser, or if you want to change or delete cookie settings, you can find this in your browser settings:

• Chrome: Delete, enable, and manage cookies in Chrome
• Safari: Manage cookies and website data with Safari
• Firefox: Delete cookies to remove data that websites have stored on your computer
• Internet Explorer: Delete and manage cookies
• Microsoft Edge: Delete and manage cookies

If you do not want cookies at all, you can set your browser to always inform you when a cookie is about to be set. This allows you to decide for each individual cookie whether you want to allow it or not. The procedure varies depending on your browser. The best way to find the instructions is to search Google using the search term “delete cookies Chrome” or “disable cookies Chrome” if you are using the Chrome browser.

Legal basis

The so-called “cookie guidelines” have been in place since 2009. These stipulate that the storage of cookies requires your consent (Article 6 (1) (a) GDPR). However, there are still very different responses to these guidelines within EU countries. In Austria, however, this guideline was implemented in Section 165 (3) of the Telecommunications Act (2021). In Germany, the cookie guidelines have not been implemented as national law. Instead, this directive has been largely implemented in Section 15 (3) of the Telemedia Act (TMG), which was replaced by the Digital Services Act (DDG) in May 2024.

For cookies that are strictly necessary, even if no consent has been given, there are legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR), which are in most cases of an economic nature. We want to provide visitors to our website with a pleasant user experience, and certain cookies are often essential for this.

If cookies that are not strictly necessary are used, this will only happen with your consent. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

The following sections provide more detailed information about the use of cookies, if the software used employs cookies.

Web analytics Introduction

Web analytics privacy policy Summary

👥 Data subjects: Visitors to the website

🤝 Purpose: Evaluation of visitor information to optimize the website.

📓 Processed data: Access statistics containing data such as access locations, device data, access duration and time, navigation behavior, click behavior, and IP addresses. You can find more details on this in the respective web analytics tool used.

📅 Storage period: Depends on the web analytics tool used

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests)

What is web analytics?

We use software on our website to evaluate the behavior of website visitors, known as web analytics or web analysis for short. This involves collecting data that is stored, managed, and processed by the respective analytics tool provider (also known as a tracking tool). The data is used to analyze user behavior on our website and is made available to us as the website operator. In addition, most tools offer various testing options. This allows us to test which offers or content are most popular with our visitors. To do this, we show you two different offers for a limited period of time. After the test (known as an A/B test), we know which product or content our website visitors find more interesting. For such test procedures, as well as for other analytics procedures, user profiles may also be created and the data stored in cookies.

Why do we use web analytics?

We have a clear goal for our website: we want to provide the best website in our industry. To achieve this goal, we want to offer the best and most interesting content while ensuring that you feel comfortable on our website. With the help of web analytics tools, we can take a closer look at the behavior of our website visitors and then improve our website for you and us accordingly. For example, we can see the average age of our visitors, where they come from, when our website is most visited, or which content or products are particularly popular. All this information helps us to optimize the website and thus tailor it to your needs, interests, and wishes.

What data is processed?

The exact data stored depends, of course, on the analysis tools used. However, as a rule, the following information is stored: the content you view on our website, the buttons or links you click on, when you visit a page, which browser you use, which device (PC, tablet, smartphone, etc.) you use to visit the website, and which computer system you use. If you have agreed that location data may also be collected, this may also be processed by the web analysis tool provider.

Your IP address is also stored. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), IP addresses are personal data. However, your IP address is usually stored in pseudonymized form (i.e., in an unrecognizable and abbreviated form). For the purposes of testing, web analysis, and web optimization, no direct data such as your name, age, address, or email address is stored. All such data, if collected, is stored in pseudonymized form. This means that you cannot be identified as an individual.

The following example shows schematically how Google Analytics works as an example of client-based web tracking with JavaScript code.

How long the respective data is stored always depends on the provider. Some cookies only store data for a few minutes or until you leave the website, while other cookies can store data for several years.

Duration of data processing

We will inform you about the duration of data processing below, provided we have further information on this. In general, we only process personal data for as long as is absolutely necessary for the provision of our services and products. If, as in the case of accounting, this is required by law, this storage period may also be exceeded.

Right to object

You also have the right and the option to revoke your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers at any time. This can be done either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions. For example, you can also prevent data collection by cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser.

Legal

The use of web analytics requires your consent, which we have obtained via our cookie pop-up. According to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), this consent constitutes the legal basis for the processing of personal data, as may occur during collection by web analytics tools.

In addition to your consent, we have a legitimate interest in analyzing the behavior of website visitors in order to improve our offer both technically and economically. With the help of web analytics, we can detect errors on the website, identify attacks, and improve economic efficiency. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests). However, we only use the tools if you have given your consent.

Since web analytics tools use cookies, we also recommend that you read our general privacy policy on cookies. To find out exactly which data is stored and processed, you should read the privacy policies of the respective tools.

Information on specific web analytics tools can be found in the following sections, where available.

Google Analytics Privacy Policy

Google Analytics Privacy Policy Summary

👥 Data subjects: Visitors to the website

🤝 Purpose: Evaluation of visitor information to optimize the website.

📓 Processed data: Access statistics containing data such as access locations, device data, access duration and time, navigation behavior, and click behavior. More details can be found below in this privacy policy.

📅 Storage duration: Individually adjustable; by default, Google Analytics stores data for 14 months.

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests)

What is Google Analytics?

We use the Google Analytics 4 (GA4) analytics tracking tool from the American company Google Inc. on our website. For the European region, Google Ireland Limited (Gordon House, Barrow Street Dublin 4, Ireland) is responsible for all Google services. Google Analytics collects data about your actions on our website. However, through the combination of various technologies such as cookies, device IDs, and login information, you as a user can be identified across different devices. This allows your actions to be analyzed across platforms.

For example, when you click on a link, this event is stored in a cookie and sent to Google Analytics. The reports we receive from Google Analytics help us to better tailor our website and our service to your needs. Below, we provide more detailed information about the tracking tool and, in particular, what data is processed and how you can prevent this.

Google Analytics is a tracking tool that is used to analyze traffic on our website. These measurements and analyses are based on a pseudonymous user identification number. This number does not contain any personal data such as your name or address, but is used to assign events to a device. GA4 uses an event-based model that collects detailed information about user interactions such as page views, clicks, scrolling, and conversion events. In addition, various machine learning functions have been built into GA4 to better understand user behavior and certain trends. GA4 relies on modeling with the help of machine learning functions. This means that missing data can be extrapolated based on the collected data in order to optimize the analysis and also to be able to make predictions.

In order for Google Analytics to work, a tracking code is embedded in the code of our website. When you visit our website, this code records various events that you perform on our website. With GA4’s event-based data model, we as website operators can define and track specific events to obtain analyses of user interactions. This means that, in addition to general information such as clicks or page views, specific events that are important for our business can also be tracked. Such specific events can be, for example, the submission of a contact form or the purchase of a product.

As soon as you leave our website, this data is sent to the Google Analytics servers and stored there.

Google processes the data and we receive reports on your user behavior. These reports may include the following:

• Target group reports: Target group reports help us get to know our users better and find out more about who is interested in our service.
• Advertising reports: Advertising reports enable us to analyze and improve our online advertising more easily.
• Acquisition reports: Acquisition reports provide us with helpful information on how we can attract more people to our service.
• Behavior reports: These reports tell us how you interact with our website. We can track the path you take on our site and which links you click on.
• Conversion reports: A conversion is when you perform a desired action as a result of a marketing message. For example, when you go from being a mere website visitor to a buyer or newsletter subscriber. These reports tell us more about how our marketing measures are being received by you. This helps us to increase our conversion rate.
• Real-time reports: These reports allow us to see what is happening on our website at any given moment. For example, we can see how many users are currently reading this text.

In addition to the analysis reports mentioned above, Google Analytics 4 also offers the following features:

• • Event-based data model: This model records specific events that may occur on our website. For example, playing a video, purchasing a product, or subscribing to our newsletter.
  • Advanced analytics features: These features allow us to better understand your behavior on our website or certain general trends. For example, we can segment user groups, perform comparative analyses of target groups, or track your path on our website.

Predictive modeling: Based on collected data, machine learning can be used to extrapolate missing data to predict future events and trends.

• This can help us develop better marketing strategies.
• Cross-platform analysis: Data can be collected and analyzed from both websites and apps. This allows us to analyze user behavior across platforms, provided you have consented to data processing.
•  

Why do we use Google Analytics on our website?

Our goal with this website is clear: we want to offer you the best possible service. The statistics and data from Google Analytics help us achieve this goal.

The statistically evaluated data gives us a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of our website. On the one hand, we can optimize our site so that it is easier for interested people to find on Google.

On the other hand, the data helps us to better understand you as a visitor. This means we know exactly what we need to improve on our website in order to offer you the best possible service. The data also helps us to tailor our advertising and marketing measures more effectively and cost-efficiently. After all, it only makes sense to show our products and services to people who are interested in them.

What data is stored by Google Analytics?

Google Analytics uses a tracking code to create a random, unique ID that is linked to your browser cookie. This allows Google Analytics to recognize you as a new user and assign you a user ID. The next time you visit our site, you will be recognized as a “returning” user. All data collected is stored together with this user ID. This is the only way to evaluate pseudonymous user profiles.

In order to analyze our website with Google Analytics, a property ID must be inserted into the tracking code. The data is then stored in the corresponding property. The Google Analytics 4 property is the default for each newly created property. Depending on the property used, data is stored for different lengths of time.

Through identifiers such as cookies, app instance IDs, user IDs, or user-defined event parameters, your interactions are measured across platforms, provided you have given your consent. Interactions are all types of actions you perform on our website. If you also use other Google systems (such as a Google account), data generated by Google Analytics may be linked to third-party cookies. Google does not share Google Analytics data unless we, as the website operator, approve it. Exceptions may apply if required by law.

According to Google, IP addresses are not logged or stored in Google Analytics 4. However, Google uses IP address data to derive location data and deletes it immediately afterwards. All IP addresses collected from users in the EU are therefore deleted before the data is stored in a data center or on a server.

Since Google Analytics 4 focuses on event-based data, the tool uses significantly fewer cookies than previous versions (such as Google Universal Analytics). However, there are some specific cookies that are used by GA4. These include, for example:

• Name: _ga
• Value: 2.1326744211.152112927319-5
• Purpose: By default, analytics.js uses the _ga cookie to store the user ID. It is primarily used to distinguish between website visitors.
• Expiration date: after 2 years
• Name: _gid
• Value: 2.1687193234.152112927319-1
• Purpose: This cookie is also used to distinguish between website visitors.
• Expiration date: after 24 hours
• Name: _gat_gtag_UA_<property-id>
• Value: 1
• Purpose: Used to reduce the request rate. If Google Analytics is provided via Google Tag Manager, this cookie is named _dc_gtm_ <property-id>.
• Expiration date: after 1 minute
• Note: This list is not exhaustive, as Google constantly changes its choice of cookies. GA4 also aims to improve data protection. The tool therefore offers a number of options for controlling data collection. For example, we can specify the storage period ourselves and also control data collection.
• Here is an overview of the most important types of data collected by Google Analytics:
• Heat maps: Google creates so-called heat maps. Heat maps show you exactly which areas you click on. This gives us information about where you are “navigating” on our site.
• Session duration: Google defines session duration as the time you spend on our site without leaving the site. If you have been inactive for 20 minutes, the session ends automatically.
• Bounce rate: A bounce occurs when you view only one page on our website and then leave our website.
• Account creation: When you create an account or place an order on our website, Google Analytics collects this data.
• Location: IP addresses are not logged or stored in Google Analytics. However, shortly before the IP address is deleted, derivations are used for location data.
• Technical information: Technical information includes your browser type, your Internet service provider, or your screen resolution.
• Source: Google Analytics and we are naturally interested in which website or advertisement brought you to our site.

Other data includes contact details, any reviews, media playback (e.g., if you play a video via our site), sharing content via social media, or adding it to your favorites. This list is not exhaustive and is only intended to provide a general overview of the data storage by Google Analytics.

How long and where is the data stored?

Google has servers all over the world. You can find out exactly where Google’s data centers are located here: https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/locations/?hl=de

Your data is distributed across various physical data carriers. This has the advantage that the data can be accessed more quickly and is better protected against manipulation. Every Google data center has appropriate emergency programs for your data. If, for example, Google’s hardware fails or natural disasters paralyze servers, the risk of service interruption at Google remains low.

The retention period for data depends on the properties used. The storage period is always specified separately for each individual property. Google Analytics offers us four options for controlling the storage period:

• 2 months: this is the shortest storage period.
• 14 months: by default, data is stored in GA4 for 14 months.
• 26 months: you can also store the data for 26 months.
• Data is only deleted when we delete it manually

There is also the option of only deleting data if you do not visit our website within the period we have selected. In this case, the retention period is reset each time you visit our website within the specified period.

Once the specified period has expired, the data is deleted once a month. This retention period applies to your data linked to cookies, user recognition, and advertising IDs (e.g., cookies from the DoubleClick domain). Report results are based on aggregated data and are stored independently of user data. Aggregated data is a combination of individual data into a larger unit.

How can I delete my data or prevent data storage?

Under European Union data protection law, you have the right to obtain information about your data, to update it, to delete it, or to restrict its use. You can prevent Google Analytics 4 from using your data by using the browser add-on to disable Google Analytics JavaScript (analytics.js, gtag.js). You can download and install the browser add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de. Please note that this add-on only deactivates data collection by Google Analytics.

If you wish to disable, delete, or manage cookies in general, you will find the relevant links to the instructions for the most popular browsers in the “Cookies” section.

Legal basis

The use of Google Analytics requires your consent, which we have obtained via our cookie pop-up. This consent constitutes the legal basis for the processing of personal data, as may occur during collection by web analytics tools, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent).

In addition to your consent, we have a legitimate interest in analyzing the behavior of website visitors in order to improve our offer both technically and economically. With the help of Google Analytics, we can detect errors on the website, identify attacks, and improve economic efficiency. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests). However, we only use Google Analytics if you have given your consent.

Google also processes your data in the USA. Google is an active participant in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which regulates the correct and secure transfer of personal data from EU citizens to the USA. You can find more information on this at https://commission.europa.eu/document/fa09cbad-dd7d-4684-ae60-be03fcb0fddf_en.

In addition, Google uses so-called standard contractual clauses (= Art. 46. Para. 2 and 3 GDPR). Standard contractual clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data complies with European data protection standards even if it is transferred to third countries (such as the USA) and stored there. Through the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and the Standard Contractual Clauses, Google undertakes to comply with European data protection standards when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the US. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=de

The Google Ads Data Processing Terms, which refer to the standard contractual clauses, can be found at https://business.safety.google/intl/de/adsprocessorterms/.

We hope we have been able to provide you with the most important information about data processing by Google Analytics. If you would like to learn more about the tracking service, we recommend these two links: https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/terms/de/ and https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

If you would like to learn more about data processing, please refer to Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Social media introduction

Social media privacy policy summary

👥 Data subjects: Visitors to the website

🤝 Purpose: Presentation and optimization of our services, contact with visitors, interested parties, etc., advertising

📓 Processed data: Data such as telephone numbers, email addresses, contact details, data on user behavior, information about your device, and your IP address.

You can find more details on this in the social media tool used.

📅 Storage period: depends on the social media platforms used

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent), Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests)

What is social media?

In addition to our website, we are also active on various social media platforms. User data may be processed so that we can target users who are interested in us via social networks. Furthermore, elements of a social media platform may also be embedded directly into our website. This is the case, for example, when you click on a social media button on our website and are redirected to our social media presence. Social media refers to websites and apps where registered members can produce content, exchange content openly or within specific groups, and network with other members.

Why do we use social media?

For years, social media platforms have been the place where people communicate and connect online. Our social media presence allows us to bring our products and services closer to interested parties. The social media elements integrated into our website help you to quickly and easily access our social media content.

The data stored and processed through your use of a social media channel is primarily used for web analytics. The purpose of these analyses is to develop more accurate and personalized marketing and advertising strategies. Depending on your behavior on a social media platform, the evaluated data can be used to draw conclusions about your interests and create so-called user profiles. This also enables the platforms to present you with customized advertisements. Cookies are usually set in your browser for this purpose, which store data about your usage behavior.

We generally assume that we remain responsible for data protection even when we use the services of a social media platform. However, the European Court of Justice has ruled that in certain cases, the operator of the social media platform may be jointly responsible with us within the meaning of Art. 26 GDPR. If this is the case, we will point this out separately and work on the basis of a relevant agreement. The essence of the agreement is then reproduced below for the platform concerned.

Please note that when you use social media platforms or our built-in elements, your data may also be processed outside the European Union, as many social media channels, such as Facebook or Twitter, are American companies. This may mean that you are no longer able to assert or enforce your rights with regard to your personal data as easily.

What data is processed?

The exact data that is stored and processed depends on the respective provider of the social media platform. However, this usually includes data such as telephone numbers, email addresses, data that you enter in a contact form, user data such as which buttons you click, who you like or follow, when you visited which pages, information about your device, and your IP address. Most of this data is stored in cookies. Especially if you have a profile on the social media channel you are visiting and are logged in, data can be linked to your profile.

All data collected via a social media platform is also stored on the providers’ servers. This means that only the providers have access to the data and can provide you with the appropriate information or make changes.

If you want to know exactly what data is stored and processed by social media providers and how you can object to data processing, you should carefully read the respective privacy policy of the company. If you have any questions about data storage and data processing or wish to exercise your rights, we recommend that you contact the provider directly.

Duration of data processing

We will inform you about the duration of data processing below, provided we have further information on this. For example, the social media platform Facebook stores data until it is no longer needed for its own purposes. However, customer data that is matched with your own user data is deleted within two days. In general, we only process personal data for as long as it is absolutely necessary for the provision of our services and products. If required by law, as in the case of accounting, this storage period may be exceeded.

Right to object

You also have the right and the option to revoke your consent to the use of cookies or third-party providers such as embedded social media elements at any time. This can be done either via our cookie management tool or via other opt-out functions. For example, you can also prevent data collection by cookies by managing, deactivating, or deleting cookies in your browser.

Since social media tools may use cookies, we also recommend that you read our general privacy policy on cookies. To find out exactly which of your data is stored and processed, you should read the privacy policies of the respective tools.

Legal basis

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by integrated social media elements, this consent constitutes the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). In principle, if you have given your consent, your data will also be stored and processed on the basis of our legitimate interest (Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR) in fast and good communication with you or other customers and business partners. However, we only use the tools if you have given your consent. Most social media platforms also set cookies in your browser to store data. We therefore recommend that you read our privacy policy on cookies carefully and review the privacy policy or cookie policy of the respective service provider.

Information on specific social media platforms can be found in the following sections, if available.

Video conferencing & streaming Introduction

Video conferencing & streaming Privacy policy Summary

👥 Affected persons: Users who use our video conferencing or streaming tool

🤝 Purpose: Communication and presentation of content

📓 Processed data: Access statistics containing data such as your name, address, contact details, email address, telephone number, or your IP address. You can find more details on this in the video conferencing or streaming tool used.

📅 Storage period: Depends on the video conferencing or streaming tool used

⚖️ Legal basis: Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (consent), Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR (legitimate interests), Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR (contract)

What are video conferences and streaming?

We use software programs that enable us to hold video conferences, online meetings, webinars, display sharing, and/or streaming. During a video conference or streaming, information is transmitted simultaneously via sound and moving images. With the help of such video conferencing or streaming tools, we can communicate quickly and easily with customers, business partners, clients, and employees via the Internet. Of course, we observe the applicable legal framework when selecting the service provider.

In principle, third-party providers can process data as soon as you interact with the software program. Third-party providers of video conferencing or streaming solutions use your data and metadata for various purposes. The data helps, for example, to make the tool more secure and improve the service. In most cases, the data may also be used for the third-party provider’s own marketing purposes.

Why do we use video conferencing & streaming on our website?

We want to communicate with you, our customers, and business partners quickly, easily, and securely, even digitally. This works best with video conferencing solutions that are easy to use. Most tools work directly through your browser, and with just a few clicks, you’re right in the middle of a video meeting. The tools also offer helpful additional features such as a chat and screen sharing function or the ability to share content between meeting participants.

What data is processed?

When you participate in our video conference or streaming, your data is also processed and stored on the servers of the respective service provider.

Exactly which data is stored depends on the solutions used. Each provider stores and processes different types and amounts of data. However, most providers usually store your name, address, contact details such as your email address or telephone number, and your IP address. Information about the device you are using, usage data such as which websites you visit, when you visit a website, or which buttons you click on may also be stored. Data shared within the video conference (photos, videos, texts) may also be stored.

Duration of data processing

We will inform you about the duration of data processing below in connection with the service used, provided we have further information on this. In general, we only process personal data for as long as is absolutely necessary for the provision of our services and products. It is possible that the provider may store data about you in accordance with its own guidelines, over which we have no influence.

Right to object

You always have the right to access, correct, and delete your personal data. If you have any questions, you can also contact the responsible party for the video conferencing or streaming tool used at any time. You can find the contact details either in our specific privacy policy or on the website of the respective provider.

You can delete, deactivate, or manage cookies that providers use for their functions in your browser. Depending on which browser you use, this works in different ways. Please note, however, that this may mean that not all functions will work as usual. Legal basis

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by the video or streaming solution, this consent constitutes the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR).

If you have consented to your data being processed and stored by the video or streaming solution, this consent constitutes the legal basis for data processing (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). In addition, we may also offer a video conference as part of our services if this has been contractually agreed with you in advance (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR). In principle, your data will also be stored and processed on the basis of our legitimate interest (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR) in fast and good communication with you or other customers and business partners, but only to the extent that you have at least consented to this. Most video or streaming solutions also use cookies in your browser to store data. We therefore recommend that you read our privacy policy on cookies carefully and review the privacy policy or cookie policy of the respective service provider.

Information on specific video conferencing and streaming solutions, if available, can be found in the following sections.

Microsoft Teams Privacy Policy

We use Microsoft Teams, a service for online meetings and video conferencing, on our website. The service provider is the American company Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA.

Microsoft also processes your data in the USA. Microsoft is an active participant in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which regulates the correct and secure transfer of personal data from EU citizens to the USA. You can find more information on this at https://commission.europa.eu/document/fa09cbad-dd7d-4684-ae60-be03fcb0fddf_en.

In addition, Microsoft uses so-called standard contractual clauses (= Art. 46. Para. 2 and 3 GDPR). Standard contractual clauses (SCC) are model templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data complies with European data protection standards even if it is transferred to third countries (such as the USA) and stored there. Through the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and the Standard Contractual Clauses, Microsoft undertakes to comply with European data protection standards when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed, and managed in the US. These clauses are based on an implementing decision by the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=de

For more information about the standard contractual clauses at Microsoft, please visit https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/regulatory/offering-eu-model-clauses

For more information about the data processed through the use of Microsoft, please refer to the privacy policy at https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement.

Explanation of terms used

We always strive to make our privacy policy as clear and understandable as possible. However, this is not always easy, especially when it comes to technical and legal issues. It often makes sense to use legal terms (such as personal data) or certain technical terms (such as cookies, IP address). However, we do not want to use these without explanation. Below you will find an alphabetical list of important terms used that we may not have covered sufficiently in the previous privacy policy. If these terms have been taken from the GDPR and are definitions, we will also cite the GDPR texts here and add our own explanations where necessary.

Processor

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the term

“processor” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the controller;

Explanation: As a company and website owner, we are responsible for all data that we process about you. In addition to the controllers, there may also be so-called processors. This includes any company or person who processes personal data on our behalf. Processors can therefore include service providers such as tax advisors, hosting or cloud providers, payment or newsletter providers, or large companies such as Google or Microsoft.

Consent

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the term:

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

Explanation: On websites, such consent is usually obtained via a cookie consent tool. You are probably familiar with this. Whenever you visit a website for the first time, you are usually asked via a banner whether you agree to or consent to data processing. In most cases, you can also make individual settings and thus decide for yourself which data processing you allow and which you do not. If you do not give your consent, no personal data may be processed. In principle, consent can of course also be given in writing, i.e. not via a tool.

Personal data

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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

Explanation: Personal data is therefore all data that can identify you as a person. This usually includes data such as:

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Postal address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Identification numbers such as social security number, tax identification number, ID card number, or registration number
• Bank details such as account number, credit information, account balances, and much more.

According to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), your IP address is also considered personal data. IT experts can use your IP address to determine at least the approximate location of your device and, subsequently, identify you as the connection owner. Therefore, the storage of an IP address also requires a legal basis within the meaning of the GDPR. There are also so-called “special categories” of personal data that are particularly sensitive. These include:

• racial and ethnic origin
• political opinions
• religious or philosophical beliefs
• trade union membership
• genetic data, such as data obtained from blood or saliva samples
• biometric data (information about psychological, physical, or behavioral characteristics that can identify a person).
• health data
• data on sexual orientation or sex life

Profiling

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the term:

“profiling” means any 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 performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements;

Explanation: Profiling involves gathering various pieces of information about a person in order to learn more about them. In the web sector, profiling is often used for advertising purposes or for credit checks. Web or advertising analysis programs, for example, collect data about your behavior and interests on a website. This results in a specific user profile that can be used to target advertising to a specific audience.

Controller

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the term

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

Explanation: In our case, we are responsible for the processing of your personal data and are therefore the “controller.” If we pass on collected data to other service providers for processing, they are “processors.” A “processing agreement (PDA)” must be signed for this purpose.

Processing

Definition according to Article 4 of the GDPR

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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

Note: When we refer to processing in our privacy policy, we mean any type of data processing. As mentioned above in the original GDPR statement, this includes not only the collection but also the storage and processing of data.

All texts are protected by copyright.

Source: Privacy Policy created with the Privacy Policy Generator for Austria by AdSimple