PRIVACY POLICY
1. Data protection at a glance
General information
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit our website. Personal data is any data that can be used to identify you personally. For detailed information on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy set out below this text.
Data collection on our 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 their contact details in the legal notice section of this website.
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 that you enter into a contact form.
Other data is collected automatically by our IT systems when you visit the website. This consists primarily of technical data (e.g. internet browser, operating system or time of page view). This data is collected automatically as soon as you access our website.
What do we use your data for?
Some of the data is collected to ensure the website functions correctly. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour.
What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right at any time to obtain, free of charge, information about the origin, recipients and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the rectification, restriction or erasure of this data. You can contact us at any time at the address given in the legal notice regarding this and any other questions on the subject of data protection. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.
You also have the right, in certain circumstances, to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted. For further details, please refer to the privacy policy under ‘Right to restriction of processing’.
Analytics tools and third-party tools
When you visit our website, your browsing behaviour may be analysed for statistical purposes. This is primarily done using cookies and so-called analytics tools. The analysis of your browsing behaviour is generally carried out anonymously; your browsing behaviour cannot be traced back to you. You may object to this analysis or prevent it by not using certain tools. You will find detailed information on this in the following privacy policy.
You may object to this analysis. We will inform you of the options for objecting in this privacy policy.
2. General information and mandatory details
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 and this privacy policy.
When you use this website, various types of personal data are collected. Personal data is data that can be used to identify you personally. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.
Please note that data transmission over the internet (e.g. when communicating by email) may be subject to security vulnerabilities. It is not possible to guarantee complete protection of data against access by third parties.
Information regarding the data controller
The data controller for this website is:
HSF GROUP GmbH
Wissenbacher Weg 3
35684 Dillenburg
Represented by:
Uwe Pfeiffer
Peter Pfeiffer
Phone: +49 2776 922780
E-Mail: info@hsf-group.de
The data controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data (e.g. names, email addresses, etc.).
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. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The lawfulness of any 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 (Article 21 of the GDPR)
Where data processing is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR, you have the right at any time to object to the processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. The specific legal basis on which processing is based can be found in this privacy policy. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data in question, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to establish, exercise or defend legal claims (objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR).
If your personal data is processed for the purposes of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for the purposes of such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If you object, your personal data will no longer be used for the purposes of direct marketing (objection under Article 21(2) of the GDPR).
Right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority
In the event of infringements 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 place of work or the place where the alleged infringement occurred. This 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 on the basis of your consent or in fulfilment 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.
SSL or TLS encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential information – such as orders or enquiries that you send to us as the website operator – this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the fact that the address bar in your browser changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.
When SSL or TLS encryption is enabled, the data you send to us cannot be read by third parties.
Encrypted payments on this website
If, following the conclusion of a contract subject to a fee, you are required to provide us with your payment details (e.g. account number for direct debit authorisation), these details are required for payment processing.
Payment transactions using standard payment methods (Visa/MasterCard, direct debit) are carried out exclusively via an encrypted SSL or TLS connection. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the fact that the address bar of your browser changes from ‘http://’ to ‘https://’ and by the padlock icon in your browser bar.
With encrypted communication, the payment details you send to us cannot be read by third parties.
Access, restriction, erasure and rectification
In accordance with the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to obtain, free of charge, information about your stored personal data, its source and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing, and, where applicable, the right to have this data rectified, restricted or erased. You may contact us at any time at the address given in the legal notice regarding this matter and any other queries relating to personal data.
Right to restriction of processing
You have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted. To do so, you may contact us at any time at the address given in the legal notice. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:
- If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data held by us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification process, 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 require your personal data, but you require it to exercise, defend or assert legal claims, you have the right to request that the processing of your personal data be restricted instead of it being erased.
- If you have lodged an objection under Article 21(1) of the GDPR, a balancing of interests between yours and ours must be carried out. Until it has 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 only be processed with your consent, or for the purpose of asserting, exercising or defending 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.
Objection to promotional emails
We hereby object to the use of contact details published in accordance with the legal requirement to provide an imprint for the purpose of sending unsolicited advertising and information material. The operators of this website expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of unsolicited advertising being sent, for example via spam emails.
3. Data collection on our website
Cookies
Some of the web pages on this site use so-called cookies. Cookies do not cause any damage to your computer and do not contain viruses. Cookies serve to make our website more user-friendly, effective and secure. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer and saved by your browser.
Most of the cookies we use are so-called ‘session cookies’. They are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Other cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them. These cookies enable us to recognise your browser the next time you visit.
You can configure your browser so that you are notified when cookies are set and can choose to allow cookies only on a case-by-case basis, block the acceptance of cookies in specific cases or generally, and enable the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. If you disable cookies, the functionality of this website may be restricted.
Cookies that are necessary for the execution of the electronic communication process or for the provision of specific functions requested by you (e.g. the shopping basket function) are stored on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing cookies to ensure the technically fault-free and optimised provision of its services. Where other cookies (e.g. cookies used to analyse your browsing behaviour) are stored, these are dealt with separately in this privacy policy.
Server log files
The website provider automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:
- Browser type and 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 optimisation of its website – to this end, the server log files must be recorded.
Contact form
If you send us enquiries via the contact form, the details you provide in the enquiry form – including the contact details you enter there – will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your enquiry and in the event of any follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent.
The processing of the data entered in the contact form is therefore carried out exclusively on the basis of your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR). You may withdraw this consent at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The lawfulness of the data processing operations carried out up to the point of withdrawal remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request its deletion, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g. once your enquiry has been dealt with). Mandatory legal provisions – in particular retention periods – remain unaffected.
Registration on this website
You can register on our website to access additional features on the site. We use the data you provide for this purpose solely for the purpose of using the specific offer or service for which you have registered. The mandatory details requested during registration must be provided in full. Otherwise, we will reject the registration.
In the event of important changes, such as to the scope of our services or technically necessary changes, we will use the email address provided during registration to inform you accordingly.
The processing of the data entered during registration is based on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR). You may withdraw your consent at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The lawfulness of any data processing that has already taken place remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
We will store the data collected during registration for as long as you remain registered on our website, after which it will be deleted. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.
Processing of data (customer and contract data)
We collect, process and use personal data only to the extent that it is necessary for the establishment, substance or amendment of the legal relationship (customer data). This is done on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, which permits the processing of data for the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures. We collect, process and use personal data relating to the use of our website (usage data) only to the extent necessary to enable the user to access the service or to bill them for it.
The customer data collected will be deleted once the order has been completed or the business relationship has ended. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.
Data transmission upon conclusion of a contract for online shops, retailers and parcel delivery services
We only transfer personal data to third parties where this is necessary for the fulfilment of the contract, for example to companies responsible for delivering the goods or to the bank commissioned to process payments. No further transfer of data takes place, or only if you have expressly consented to such a transfer. Your data will not be passed on to third parties without your express consent, for example for advertising purposes.
The legal basis for data processing is Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, which permits the processing of data for the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
4. Social media
Safe Social Sharing
The content on our website can be shared on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter or Google+ in accordance with data protection regulations. This website only establishes direct contact between the networks and users once the user actively clicks on one of these buttons. Clicking on the button constitutes consent within the meaning of Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. This consent may be withdrawn at any time with future effect.
This website does not automatically transfer user data to the operators of these platforms. If the user is logged in to one of the social networks, an information window will appear when using the social buttons for Facebook, Google+1, Twitter and others, in which the user can confirm the text before submitting it.
Our users can share the content of this site on social networks in a manner that complies with data protection regulations, without the network operators creating comprehensive browsing profiles.
5. Newsletter
Newsletter sign-up with Cleverreach
If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter offered on the website, we require your email address and information that enables us to verify that you are the owner of the email address provided and that you consent to receiving the newsletter.
We use the CleverReach service to send out the newsletter. The provider is CleverReach GmbH & Co. KG, Schafjückenweg 2, 26180 Rastede, Germany.
Data processing is carried out on the basis of your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR). Subscription to our newsletter takes place via a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that, after subscribing, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription.
You may withdraw your consent to receive the newsletter at any time, for example via the ‘Unsubscribe’ link in the newsletter or by sending us an informal email to the address given in the legal notice. The lawfulness of any data processing operations that have already taken place remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
Measuring success: The newsletters contain a so-called ‘web beacon’, i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server or from the Cleverreach server when the newsletter is opened. As part of this retrieval, technical information (e.g. browser, operating system, IP address) is collected. This information is used to improve the technical aspects of our services and to analyse reading habits (open and click-through rates). This analysis is also covered by your consent.
Data processing on behalf of a client We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) with Cleverreach.
6. Consent management, analytics and advertising
Borlabs Cookie (Consent-Tool)
This website uses Borlabs Cookie’s consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies in your browser or to the use of certain technologies, and to document this in accordance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Borlabs GmbH, Rübenkamp 32, 22305 Hamburg (hereinafter ‘Borlabs’).
When you visit our website, a Borlabs cookie is stored in your browser, which records the consents you have given or any withdrawal of these consents. This data is not passed on to the provider of Borlabs Cookie.
The data collected is stored until you request its deletion, delete the Borlabs cookie yourself, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected. Details on the processing of data by the Borlabs cookie can be found at: https://de.borlabs.io/kb/welche-daten-speichert-borlabs-cookie/
The Borlabs Cookie Consent technology 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.
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 enables 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 carry out any independent analyses. It is used solely to manage and deploy the tools integrated via it. However, Google Tag Manager does record 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.
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 analyse the behaviour 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 may be aggregated by Google into a profile assigned to the respective user or their device.
Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the user to be recognised for the purpose of analysing user behaviour (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 USA and stored there.
Use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
The transfer of data to the USA is based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Further details can be found here:
https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/
Google’s parent company (Google LLC) is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when data is processed in the US.
IP anonymisation
We have enabled the IP anonymisation feature on this website. This means that 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 USA.
Google Signals
We use Google Signals. When you visit our website, Google Analytics collects, amongst other things, your location, search history and YouTube history, as well as demographic data (visitor data). This data may be used for personalised advertising via Google Signals. If you have a Google account, the visitor data from Google Signals will be linked to your Google account and used for personalised advertising.
Data Processing Agreement
We have entered into a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with Google.
Google Ads and Google Conversion-Tracking
This website uses Google Ads. Google Ads is an online advertising programme provided by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
As part of Google Ads, we use what is known as conversion tracking. When you click on an advert displayed by Google, a conversion tracking cookie is set. If the user visits certain pages on this website and the cookie has not yet expired, Google and we can recognise that the user clicked on the advert and was redirected to that page.
Google Ads Remarketing
We also use the features of Google Ads Remarketing. We use this to target you again on other websites within the Google advertising network. To this end, your browsing behaviour on our website is analysed. To do this, Google stores a cookie in your browser.
The use of Google Ads, conversion tracking and remarketing is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, and Google LLC is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
You can find more information on data protection at Google here:
Lead Forensics
For marketing purposes and to identify B2B prospects, our website utilises products and services provided by Lead Forensics, Communication House, 26 York Street, London, W1U 6PZ, United Kingdom (UK).
Lead Forensics collects details of your organisation (provided the visit is for business purposes), including telephone number, website address, SIC code and a description of the company. Lead Forensics uses IP tracking technology to identify business IP addresses. In doing so, Lead Forensics tracks the history of your visit to this website.
Under no circumstances is the data used to personally identify an individual visitor (a private individual).
The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
An adequacy decision by the European Commission (UK-GDPR) is in place for the transfer of data to the United Kingdom. We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) with Lead Forensics.
Further information on Lead Forensics’ terms of use and data protection can be found at:
7. Plugins and Tools
Google Fonts (local integration)
This page uses what are known as Google Fonts to ensure consistent font display. These fonts are installed locally on our server. No connection is made to Google’s servers.
YouTube (in enhanced privacy mode)
Our website embeds videos from YouTube, a site operated by Google. The site is operated by Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
We use YouTube in enhanced privacy mode. According to YouTube, this mode ensures that YouTube does not store any information about visitors to this website before they watch the video.
As soon as you start a YouTube video (by giving your consent), a connection is established with YouTube’s servers. In doing so, the YouTube server is informed which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you allow YouTube to link your browsing behaviour directly to your personal profile.
Furthermore, once a video has started playing, YouTube may store various cookies on your device or use comparable recognition technologies (e.g. device fingerprinting).
The use of YouTube is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in their privacy policy at:
Google Maps
This site uses the Google Maps mapping service. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
In order to use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there. When Google Maps is activated, Google may use Google Fonts to ensure consistent font display.
The use of Google Maps is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, and Google LLC is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
Further information on the handling of user data can be found in Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de
Google reCAPTCHA
We use Google reCAPTCHA on our website. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
reCAPTCHA is designed to verify whether data is being entered on this website (e.g. in a contact form) by a human or by an automated programme (bot).
reCAPTCHA only becomes active once you have given your consent. Once activated, reCAPTCHA analyses the website visitor’s behaviour based on various characteristics (e.g. IP address, time spent on the site, mouse movements). The data collected during the analysis is transmitted to Google. This data is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.
Please note that, as part of this service, fonts may also be loaded from Google servers (Google Fonts) in order to display the reCAPTCHA window correctly. This also involves the transfer of data (in particular the IP address) to Google. This process is covered by your consent to reCAPTCHA.
The use of reCAPTCHA is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, and Google LLC is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
Further information on Google reCAPTCHA can be found in the privacy policy of Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de
Tawk.to Live-Chat
On our website, we use the chat function provided by Tawk, a live chat software service offered by tawk.to Inc., 187 East Warm Springs Rd, SB298, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, USA (hereinafter “Tawk.to”).
Tawk.to uses cookies to enable a personalised conversation with you in the form of a real-time chat on the website.
When you use the chat function, the following data is collected, processed and stored: the content of the chat, the date and time of the session, browser type and version, operating system used, the URL of the previously visited website, the amount of data transmitted, and your IP address (truncated).
The data is stored on Tawk.to’s servers in the USA. Tawk.to Inc. is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which ensures an adequate level of data protection. We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) with Tawk.to.
The use of Tawk.to is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Further information on data protection at Tawk.to can be found at:
Yumpu
We use the service provider i-magazine AG (“Yumpu”), Gewerbestrasse 3, 9444 Diepoldsau, Switzerland, to display flipbooks on our website.
Yumpu is used to display the content of PDF files as flipbooks. To view the flipbook, a connection is established with Yumpu’s servers. In doing so, Yumpu receives your IP address as well as information about your browser and operating system. Yumpu also uses cookies.
The use of Yumpu is based on your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR and Section 25(1) of the TTDSG. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Switzerland has an adequacy decision from the European Commission confirming an adequate level of data protection.
Further information can be found in Yumpu’s privacy policy:
8. Payment providers and resellers
PayPal
On our website, we offer, amongst other things, payment via PayPal. The provider of this payment service is PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter “PayPal”).
If you select payment via PayPal, the payment details you enter will be transmitted to PayPal.
The transfer of your data to PayPal is based on Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR (consent) and Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR (processing necessary for the performance of a contract). You may withdraw your consent to data processing at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of data processing operations carried out in the past.