We ("we", "us", "our") take the protection of user data ("users" or "you") of our website and/or our mobile app (the "website" or the "mobile app") very seriously and are committed to protecting the information users provide us in connection with the use of our website and/or our mobile app (together: "digital assets"). Furthermore, we are committed to protecting and using your data in accordance with applicable law. This privacy policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your data through the use of our digital assets (the "services") when you access the services through your devices. Please read the privacy policy carefully and make sure you fully understand our practices regarding your data before using our services. If you have read and fully understood this policy and do not agree with our practices, you must cease using our digital assets and services. By using our services, you acknowledge the terms of this privacy policy. Further use of the services constitutes your consent to this privacy policy and any changes to it.

In this privacy policy, you will learn:

• How we collect data

• What data we collect

• Why we collect this data

• To whom we disclose the data

• Where the data is stored

• How long the data is retained

• How we protect the data

• How we handle minors

• Updates or changes to the privacy policy

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What data do we collect?

Category: Always

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Below is an overview of the data we may collect:

• Unidentified and non-identifiable information you provide during the registration process or collected through the use of our services ("non-personal data"). Non-personal data does not allow conclusions to be drawn about who collected it. Non-personal data we collect primarily consist of technical and aggregated usage information.

• Individually identifiable information, i.e., all information that can identify you or could reasonably be used to identify you ("personal data"). Personal data we collect through our services may include information that is requested from time to time, such as names, email addresses, addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses, and more. When we combine personal data with non-personal data, they will be treated by us as personal data as long as they are in combination.

 

How do we collect data?

Category: Always

 

Below are the main methods we use to collect data:

• We collect data when you use our services. So when you visit our digital assets and use services, we may collect, record, and store usage, sessions, and related information.

• We collect data that you provide to us yourself, for example, when you contact us directly via a communication channel (e.g., an email with a comment or feedback).

• We may collect data from third-party sources as described below.

• We collect data that you provide to us when you sign up for our services through a third party such as Facebook or Google.

 

Why do we collect this data?

Category: Always

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We may use your data for the following purposes:

• to provide and operate our services

• to develop, customize, and improve our services

• to respond to your feedback, inquiries, and requests and to provide assistance

• to analyze usage patterns and requests

• for other internal, statistical, and research purposes

• to improve our data security and fraud prevention capabilities

• to investigate violations and enforce our terms and policies and to comply with applicable law, regulations, or regulatory orders

• to provide you with updates, news, promotional materials, and other information related to our services. For promotional emails, you can choose whether you want to continue receiving them. If not, simply click on the unsubscribe link in these emails.

 

To whom do we disclose this data?

Category: Always

 

We may disclose your data to our service providers to operate our services (e.g., storing data through third-party hosting services, providing technical support, etc.).

We may also disclose your data under the following circumstances: (i) to investigate, uncover, prevent, or take action against unlawful activities or other misconduct; (ii) to assert or exercise our rights to defend; (iii) to protect our rights, property, or personal safety, as well as the safety of our users or the public; (iv) in the event of a change of control in us or one of our affiliated companies (through merger, acquisition, purchase (substantially) of all assets, etc.); (v) to collect, retain, and/or manage your data through authorized third-party providers (e.g., cloud service providers) as appropriate for business purposes; (vi) to work jointly with third parties to improve your user experience. To avoid misunderstandings, we would like to point out that we may transmit or disclose non-personal data to third parties at our discretion or otherwise use it.

Category: User has a blog or forum

Please note that our services enable social interactions (e.g., publicly posting content, information, and comments, and chatting with other users). We advise against posting or sharing information that you do not want to make public. If you upload content to our digital assets or otherwise provide it as part of using a service, you do so at your own risk. We cannot control the actions of other users or members of the public with access to your data or content. You acknowledge and hereby confirm that copies of your data may remain accessible even after deletion on cached and archived pages or after third parties have made a copy/stored your content.

Cookies and similar Technologies

When you visit or access our services, we authorize third parties to use web beacons, cookies, pixel tags, scripts, and other technologies and analysis services ("tracking technologies"). These tracking technologies may allow third parties to automatically collect your data to improve the navigation experience on our digital assets, optimize their performance, ensure a customized user experience, and for security and fraud prevention purposes.

To learn more, please read our Cookie Policy.

Category: User is NOT affiliated with an advertising service

Without your consent, we will not disclose your email address or other personal data to advertising companies or ad networks.

Category: User is affiliated with an advertising service, a campaign manager, or Facebook Ads

We may provide advertising through our services and our digital assets (including websites and applications that use our services), which may be tailored to you, such as ads based on your recent browsing behavior on websites, devices, or browsers.

To provide these advertisements to you, we may use cookies and/or JavaScript and/or web beacons (including transparent GIFs) and/or HTML5 local storage and/or other technologies. We may also use third parties such as network advertisers (i.e., third parties that display ads based on your website visits) to place targeted ads. External providers of ad networks, advertisers, sponsors, and/or website traffic measurement services may also use cookies and/or JavaScript and/or web beacons (including transparent GIFs) and/or Flash cookies and/or other technologies to measure the effectiveness of their ads and customize ad content for you. These third-party cookies and other technologies are subject to the specific privacy policy of the respective third party, not this one.

 

Where do we store the data?

Category: Always

 

Non-personal Data

Please note that our companies as well as our trusted partners and service providers are located worldwide. For the purposes explained in this privacy policy, we store and process all non-personal data we collect in various jurisdictions.

Category: User provides personal data

Personal Data

Personal data may be maintained, processed, and stored in the United States, Ireland, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, and other jurisdictions as necessary for the proper provision of our services and/or as required by law (as further explained below).

 

How long is the data retained?

Category: Always

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Please note that we retain the data collected for as long as necessary to provide our services, to comply with our legal and contractual obligations to you, to resolve disputes, and to enforce our agreements. We may correct, supplement, or delete incorrect or incomplete data at any time at our discretion.

 

How do we protect the data?

Category: Always

 

The hosting service for our digital assets provides us with the online platform through which we can offer our services to you. Your data may be stored by our hosting provider's data storage, databases, and general applications. It stores your data on secure servers behind a firewall and provides secure HTTPS access to most areas of its services.

Category: User accepts payments/e-commerce

All payment options offered by us and our hosting provider for our digital assets comply with the PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) of the PCI Security Standards Council. This involves cooperation among brands such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of credit card data (including physical, electronic, and procedural measures) by our shop and service providers.

Category: Always

Despite the measures and efforts taken by us and our hosting provider, we cannot and will not guarantee absolute protection and security of the data you upload, post, or otherwise provide to us or others. For this reason, we ask you to set secure passwords and refrain from transmitting confidential information to us or others if its disclosure could reasonably or significantly harm you. Since email and instant messaging are not considered secure forms of communication, we also ask you not to disclose confidential information via any of these communication channels.

 

How do we handle minors?

Category: User does NOT collect data from minors

 

The services are not intended for users who have not yet reached the legal age of majority. We will not knowingly collect data from children. If you are not yet of legal age, you should not download or use the services and should not provide us with any information.

We reserve the right to request proof of age at any time to verify whether minors are using our services. In the event that we become aware that a minor is using our services, we may prohibit and block such users from accessing our services, and we may delete all data about such users stored with us. If you have reason to believe that a minor has provided us with data, please contact us as explained below.

Category: User collects data from minors

Children may use our services. However, if they wish to access certain features, they may need to provide certain information. The collection of certain data (including data collected through cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies) may occur automatically. If we knowingly collect, use, or disclose data collected from a child, we will notify and obtain consent from the parents in accordance with applicable law. We do not make a child's participation in an online activity dependent on the child providing more contact information than is reasonably necessary for participating in that activity. We only use the data we collect in connection with the services requested by the child.

We may also use a parent's contact information to communicate about the child's activities in the services. Parents can view data we have collected from their child, prohibit us from collecting further data from their child, and request that all data we have collected about their child be deleted.

Please contact us to view, update, or delete your child's data. To protect your child, we may ask for proof of your identity. We may deny you access to the data if we believe your identity is questionable. Please note that certain data cannot be deleted due to other legal obligations.

Category: Always

We use your personal data only for the purposes set out in the privacy policy and only when we are convinced that:

• the use of your personal data is necessary to fulfill or enter into a contract (e.g., to provide you with the services themselves or customer support or technical support)

• the use of your personal data is necessary to comply with relevant legal or regulatory obligations, or the use of your personal data is necessary to support our legitimate business interests (provided that this is done at all times in a manner that is proportionate and respects your privacy rights).

 

As an EU resident, you can:

• request confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed, and access your stored personal data and certain additional information

• request the receipt of personal data you provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format

• request the correction of your personal data stored with us

• request the deletion of your personal data

• object to the processing of your personal data by us

• request the restriction of the processing of your personal data, or submit a complaint to a supervisory authority.

Please note, however, that these rights are not unlimited and may be subject to our own legitimate interests and regulatory requirements. If you have any general questions about the personal data we collect and how we use it, please contact us as indicated below. In providing the services, we may transfer data across borders to affiliates or other third parties and from your country/jurisdiction to other countries/jurisdictions worldwide. By using the services, you consent to the transfer of your data outside the EEA.

If you are a resident of the EEA, your personal data will only be transferred to locations outside the EEA if we are convinced that an adequate or comparable level of protection for personal data exists. We will take appropriate steps to ensure that we have adequate contractual arrangements with our third parties to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place, minimizing the risk of unlawful use, alteration, deletion, loss, or theft of your personal data, and that these third parties act at all times in accordance with applicable laws.

California Consumer Privacy Act Rights

If you use the services as a California resident, you may be entitled to access and delete your data under the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA").

To exercise your right to access and delete your data, please see below for how to contact us.

Category: The website does not sell its users' data

We do not sell users' personal data for the purposes and intentions of the CCPA.

Category: Websites with a blog or forum

Users of the services who are residents of California and under 18 years of age may request and obtain the deletion of their published content by email at the address provided below in the "Contact" section. These requests must be labeled "California Removal Request." All requests must include a description of the content you wish to be deleted and sufficient information to enable us to locate the material. We do not accept unlabeled or improperly submitted notices, and we may be unable to respond if you do not provide sufficient information. Please note that your request does not ensure that the material will be completely or comprehensively deleted. Material you have posted may, for example, be republished or reposted by other users or third parties.

Updates or Changes to the Privacy Policy

Category: Always We may, at our discretion, revise this Privacy Policy from time to time, and the version posted on the website will always be current (see "Effective Date"). We ask you to check this Privacy Policy regularly for changes. We will post a notice on our website about significant changes. If you continue to use the services after being notified of changes on our website, this will constitute your acknowledgment and consent to the changes in the Privacy Policy and your agreement to be bound by the terms of those changes. Contact Category: Always If you have any general questions about the services or the data we collect about you and how we use it, please contact us at:

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Name: Laura Fehres

Email address: laurafehres@gmx.de

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DISCLAIMER

The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice, and you should not rely on it alone. Specific requirements regarding legal terms and policies may vary from state to state and/or from legal system to legal system. As stated in our Terms of Use, you are responsible for ensuring that your services are legal under the law applicable to you and that you comply with it. To ensure that you fully comply with your legal obligations, we expressly recommend that you seek professional advice to better understand the specific requirements that apply to you.

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