Privacy Policy
1. Privacy at a Glance
General Information
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data refers to any data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information on data protection, please refer to our Privacy Policy listed below this text.
Data Collection on This Website
Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find the operator’s contact information in the “Information on the Responsible Party” section of this privacy policy.
How do we collect your data?
Your data is collected, on the one hand, when you provide it to us. This may include, for example, data you enter into a contact form.
Other data is collected automatically or with your consent by our IT systems when you visit the website. This primarily consists of technical data (e.g., web browser, operating system, or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you access this website.
How do we use your data?
Some of the data is collected to ensure the website functions properly. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior. If contracts can be concluded or initiated via the website, the data transmitted is also processed for contract offers, orders, or other order inquiries.
What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right at any time to receive, free of charge, information about the origin, recipients, and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given consent to data processing, you may revoke this consent at any time with future effect. In addition, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to file a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.
You can contact us at any time regarding this matter or any other questions about data protection.
Analytics Tools and Third-Party Tools
When you visit this website, your browsing behavior may be statistically analyzed. This is primarily done using so-called analytics programs.
Detailed information about these analytics programs can be found in the following privacy policy.
2. General Information and Mandatory Disclosures
Data Protection
The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with statutory data protection regulations as well as this privacy policy.
When you use this website, various types of personal data are collected. Personal data is data that can be used to personally identify you. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and how we use it. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.
Please note that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating via email) may be subject to security vulnerabilities. It is not possible to completely protect data from access by third parties.
Information on the Data Controller
The entity responsible for data processing on this website is:
GRASS-MERKUR GmbH & Co. KG
Rothwiese 5
D-30559 Hannover / Anderten
Phone: +49 511 475414-0
Email: info@grass-merkur.de
The controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g., names, email addresses, etc.).
Retention Period
Unless a more specific retention period is stated in this Privacy Policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for data processing no longer applies. If you submit a valid request for erasure or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be erased unless we have other legally permissible grounds for retaining your personal data (e.g., retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, the data will be deleted once these grounds no longer apply.
General Information on the Legal Bases for Data Processing on This Website
If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR, provided that special categories of data are processed in accordance with Article 9(1) of the GDPR. In the event of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing is also carried out on the basis of Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to access to information on your device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing is additionally based on Section 25(1) of the German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG). Consent may be revoked at any time. If your data is necessary for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of precontractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data, to the extent that it is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, based on Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. Data processing may also be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. Information regarding the applicable legal bases in each individual case is provided in the following sections of this Privacy Policy.
Data Protection Officer
We have appointed a Data Protection Officer.
Klaus Mönikes
klaus.moenikes@privsec.de
Email: datenschutzbeauftragter@grass-merkur.de
Recipients of Personal Data
As part of our business operations, we collaborate with various external parties. In some cases, this requires the transfer of personal data to these external parties. We only disclose personal data to external parties if this is necessary to fulfill a contract, if we are legally obligated to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the disclosure of data. When using data processors, we only disclose our customers’ personal data on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is concluded.
Withdrawal of Your Consent to Data Processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your explicit consent. You may withdraw any consent you have already given at any time. The lawfulness of the data processing carried out prior to the withdrawal remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
Right to object to data collection in specific cases and to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)
IF DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6(1)(E) OR (F) OF THE GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME, FOR REASONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. PLEASE REFER TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY FOR THE SPECIFIC LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA, UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21(1) OF THE GDPR).
IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) OF THE GDPR).
Right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority
In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, their workplace, or the location of the alleged violation. The right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.
Right to Data Portability
You have the right to have data that we process automatically—based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract—provided to you or to a third party in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another data controller, this will only take place to the extent that it is technically feasible.
Access, Rectification, and Erasure
Subject to applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to receive, free of charge, information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of data processing, as well as the right to have this data corrected or deleted, if applicable. You may contact us at any time regarding this matter or any other questions about personal data.
Right to Restriction of Processing
You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You may contact us at any time regarding this matter. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:
- If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.
- If the processing of your personal data was or is unlawful, you may request that the processing be restricted instead of having the data erased.
- If we no longer need your personal data, but you need it to exercise, defend, or assert legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of erasure.
- If you have lodged an objection pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR, a balancing of your interests against ours must be carried out. As long as it has not yet been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data—apart from its storage—may be processed only with your consent or for the purpose of asserting, exercise, or defense of legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of an important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.
SSL or TLS Encryption
This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address bar of your browser changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
When SSL or TLS encryption is enabled, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.
3. Data Collection on This Website
Cookies
Our website uses so-called “cookies.” Cookies are small data packets that do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored on your device either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies). Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or your web browser deletes them automatically.
Cookies may originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain third-party services within websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).
Cookies serve various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart feature or the display of videos). Other cookies may be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.
Cookies that are necessary for carrying out the electronic communication process, for providing certain functions you have requested (e.g., the shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring website traffic) (necessary cookies), are stored on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies to ensure the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG); consent may be revoked at any time.
You can configure your browser to notify you when cookies are set and to allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, to block the acceptance of cookies in specific cases or generally, and to enable the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.
If additional cookies and services are used on this website, you can find this information in this Privacy Policy.
Consent via ConsentManager
Our website uses ConsentManager’s consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device or to the use of certain technologies, and to document this in compliance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Jaohawi AB, Håltegelvägen 1b, 72348 Västerås, Sweden, website: https://www.consentmanager.de (hereinafter “ConsentManager”).
When you visit our website, a connection is established with ConsentManager’s servers to obtain your consents and other declarations regarding cookie usage. ConsentManager then stores a cookie in your browser to associate the consents you have granted—or their revocation—with your session. The data collected in this manner is stored until you request that we delete it, delete the ConsentManager provider cookie yourself, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention requirements remain unaffected.
ConsentManager is used to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6(1)(c) of the GDPR.
CCM19
Our website uses CCM19 to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device or to the use of certain technologies and to document this in compliance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Papoo Software & Media GmbH, Auguststr. 4, 53229 Bonn (hereinafter “CCM19”).
When you visit our website, a connection is established with CCM19’s servers to obtain your consents and other declarations regarding cookie usage. CCM19 then stores a cookie in your browser to associate the consents you have granted—or their revocation—with your session. The data collected in this manner is stored until you request that we delete it, delete the CCM19 cookie yourself, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention requirements remain unaffected.
CCM19 is used to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR.
Data Processing Agreement
We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the aforementioned service. This is a contract required under data protection law that ensures the service provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
Server Log Files
The website provider automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files that your browser automatically transmits to us. These include:
- Browser type and browser version
- Operating system used
- Referrer URL
- Hostname of the accessing computer
- Time of the server request
- IP address
This data is not combined with other data sources.
This data is collected on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in ensuring the technically error-free display and optimization of its website—for this purpose, the server log files must be collected.
Contact Form
If you submit inquiries to us via the contact form, the information you provide in the inquiry form—including the contact details you enter there—will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We will not disclose this data without your consent.
The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, provided your inquiry relates to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries directed to us (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR) if such consent was requested; you may revoke your consent at any time.
The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request that we delete it, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your inquiry has been fully processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular retention periods—remain unaffected.
Inquiries via Email, Phone, or Fax
If you contact us via email, phone, or fax, your inquiry—including all personal data contained therein (name, inquiry)—will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of handling your request. We will not disclose this data without your consent.
The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, provided your inquiry is related to the performance of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries directed to us (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR), provided that such consent was requested; you may revoke your consent at any time.
The data you send us via contact requests will remain with us until you request its deletion, revoke your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been fully processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular statutory retention periods—remain unaffected.
4. Analytics Tools and Advertising
Google Tag Manager
We use Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to integrate tracking or analytics tools and other technologies into our website. Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, store cookies, or perform independent analyses. It serves solely to manage and deliver the tools integrated through it. However, Google Tag Manager collects your IP address, which may also be transferred to Google’s parent company in the United States.
The use of Google Tag Manager is based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and straightforward integration and management of various tools on its website. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the provider’s website at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
Google Analytics
This website uses features of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. In doing so, the website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, time spent on the site, operating systems used, and the user’s location. This data is aggregated into a user ID and assigned to the website visitor’s respective device.
Furthermore, Google Analytics allows us, among other things, to track your mouse and scroll movements as well as your clicks. Google Analytics also uses various modeling approaches to supplement the collected data sets and employs machine learning technologies in data analysis.
Google Analytics uses technologies that enable user recognition for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google regarding the use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the United States and stored there.
Use of this service is based on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG. You may revoke your consent at any time.
Data transfers to the United States are based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found here: https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms/sccs/.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
IP Anonymization
Google Analytics IP anonymization is enabled. As a result, your IP address is truncated by Google within member states of the European Union or in other signatory states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the United States. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the United States and truncated there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services related to website and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics is not combined with other data held by Google.
Browser Plugin
You can prevent the collection and processing of your data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.
For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.
Google Signals
We use Google Signals. When you visit our website, Google Analytics collects, among other things, your location, search history, and YouTube history, as well as demographic data (visitor data). This data can be used for personalized advertising with the help of Google Signals. If you have a Google Account, the visitor data from Google Signals is linked to your Google Account and used for personalized advertising. The data is also used to generate anonymized statistics on our users’ behavior.
Data Processing Agreement
We have entered into a data processing agreement with Google and fully comply with the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.
Google Ads
The website operator uses Google Ads. Google Ads is an online advertising program provided by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Ads enables us to display ads in the Google search engine or on third-party websites when a user enters specific search terms into Google (keyword targeting). Furthermore, targeted advertisements can be displayed based on user data available to Google (e.g., location data and interests) (audience targeting). As the website operator, we can evaluate this data quantitatively by, for example, analyzing which search terms led to the display of our ads and how many ads resulted in corresponding clicks.
Use of this service is based on your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25(1) of the TDDDG. You may revoke your consent at any time.
Data transfers to the U.S. are based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy/frameworks and https://business.safety.google/controllerterms/.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to adhering to these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the provider’s website at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
Google Ads Remarketing
This website uses the features of Google Ads Remarketing. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Ads Remarketing allows us to assign individuals who interact with our online offerings to specific target groups so that we can subsequently display interest-based ads to them on the Google Display Network (remarketing or retargeting).
Furthermore, the advertising audiences created with Google Ads Remarketing can be linked to Google’s cross-device features. In this way, interest-based, personalized advertising messages—which have been tailored to you based on your previous usage and browsing behavior on one device (e.g., a cell phone)—can also be displayed on another of your devices (e.g., a tablet or PC).
If you have a Google Account, you can opt out of personalized advertising at the following link: https://adssettings.google.com/anonymous?hl=de.
Use of this service is based on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG. You may revoke your consent at any time.
For further information and the privacy policy, please see Google’s Privacy Policy at: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads?hl=de.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
Audience Targeting with Customer Match
To create target audiences, we use, among other methods, the customer matching feature of Google Ads Remarketing. In this process, we transfer certain customer data (e.g., email addresses) from our customer lists to Google. If the customers in question are Google users and are logged into their Google accounts, relevant ads will be displayed to them within the Google network (e.g., on YouTube, Gmail, or in the search engine).
Google Conversion Tracking
This website uses Google Conversion Tracking. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
With the help of Google Conversion Tracking, Google and we can determine whether a user has performed certain actions. For example, we can analyze which buttons on our website are clicked and how often, as well as which products were viewed or purchased particularly frequently. This information is used to generate conversion statistics. We receive data on the total number of users who clicked on our ads and the actions they took. We do not receive any information that would allow us to personally identify the user. Google itself uses cookies or similar recognition technologies for identification purposes.
The use of this service is based on your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and § 25(1) of the TDDDG. You may revoke your consent at any time.
For more information on Google Conversion Tracking, please see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.
The company is certified under the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. You can obtain further information on this from the provider at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
5. Plugins and Tools
Adobe Fonts
This website uses Adobe web fonts to ensure consistent display of certain fonts. The provider is Adobe Systems Incorporated, 345 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110-2704, USA (Adobe).
When you visit this website, your browser loads the necessary fonts directly from Adobe so that they can be displayed correctly on your device. In doing so, your browser establishes a connection to Adobe’s servers in the U.S. As a result, Adobe becomes aware that this website has been accessed via your IP address. According to Adobe, no cookies are stored when the fonts are provided.
The storage and analysis of the data are based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in ensuring a consistent font display on its website. If consent has been requested, processing is based exclusively on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TDDDG, provided that the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be revoked at any time.
Data transfers to the U.S. are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found here: https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/eudatatransfers.html.
For more information about Adobe Fonts, please visit: https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/policies/adobe-fonts.html.
Adobe’s privacy policy can be found at: https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/policy.html
The company is certified under the “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF commits to complying with these data protection standards. For more information, please visit the provider’s website at the following link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5660.
Font Awesome (locally hosted)
This site uses Font Awesome to ensure consistent font display. Font Awesome is installed locally. No connection is established with servers operated by Fonticons, Inc.
For more information about Font Awesome, please see the Font Awesome Privacy Policy at: https://fontawesome.com/privacy.
6. Our Own Services
Handling of Applicant Data
We offer you the opportunity to apply for a position with us (e.g., via email, by mail, or through our online application form). Below, we provide information about the scope, purpose, and use of your personal data collected as part of the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing, and use of your data are carried out in accordance with applicable data protection laws and all other legal provisions, and that your data will be treated as strictly confidential.
Scope and Purpose of Data Collection
When you submit an application to us, we process your associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication information, application documents, notes taken during job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary to decide whether to establish an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is Section 26 of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR (general contract initiation), and—if you have provided consent—Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. You may revoke your consent at any time. Your personal data will be shared within our company exclusively with individuals involved in processing your application.
If your application is successful, the data you submitted will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of Section 26 of the BDSG and Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR for the purpose of carrying out the employment relationship.
As part of the application process, we may also conduct an online search regarding you. This primarily includes Google searches, LinkedIn, and Xing. The legal basis for this type of processing is our legitimate interest in obtaining a general impression of publicly available information about you in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.
Data Retention Period
If we are unable to offer you a position, you decline a job offer, or you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you submitted based on our legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR) for up to 6 months from the conclusion of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). Afterward, the data will be deleted and the physical application documents will be destroyed. Retention serves, in particular, for evidentiary purposes in the event of a legal dispute. If it becomes apparent that the data will be required after the 6-month period has expired (e.g., due to an impending or pending legal dispute), the data will not be deleted until the purpose for continued retention no longer applies.
Data may also be retained for a longer period if you have provided the necessary consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations prevent deletion.
Inclusion in the Candidate Pool
If we do not extend a job offer to you, there may be the option to add you to our applicant pool. If you are added to the applicant pool, all documents and information from your application will be transferred to the applicant pool so that we can contact you in the event of suitable vacancies.
Inclusion in the applicant pool is based exclusively on your explicit consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). Providing consent is voluntary and is unrelated to the ongoing application process. The data subject may withdraw their consent at any time. In this case, the data will be irrevocably deleted from the applicant pool, provided there are no legal grounds for retention.
Data from the applicant pool will be permanently deleted no later than two years after consent is granted.