privacy policy

Scope

This Privacy Policy informs users about the nature, scope, and purpose of the collection and use of personal data by the responsible provider [Andy Stern, Eisenachweg 2, 71672 Marbach, kontakt@sternit.de] on this website (hereinafter referred to as “Service”).

The legal basis of data protection can be found in the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and the Telemedia Act (TMG).

Access Data/Server Log Files

The provider (or their web space provider) collects data about each access to the Service (so-called server log files). The access data includes:

Name of the accessed website, file, date, and time of access, transferred data volume, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), IP address, and the requesting provider.

The provider uses the log data only for statistical analysis for the purpose of operation, security, and optimization of the Service. However, the provider reserves the right to review the log data retroactively if there are concrete indications of a legitimate suspicion of illegal use.

Handling of Personal Data

Personal data refers to information that can be used to identify a person, meaning information that can be traced back to an individual. This includes names, email addresses, or phone numbers. Personal data also includes information about preferences, hobbies, memberships, or the websites someone has visited.

Personal data is only collected, used, and shared by the provider when permitted by law or when users consent to the data collection.

Contacting the Provider

When users contact the provider (e.g., via contact form or email), the user’s information is stored for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in case follow-up questions arise.

Comments and Contributions

When users leave comments or other contributions on the blog, their IP addresses are stored. This is done for the security of the provider in case someone writes illegal content (insults, prohibited political propaganda, etc.). In such cases, the provider could be held liable for the comment or contribution and is thus interested in the author’s identity.

Comment Subscriptions

Users can subscribe to follow-up comments. They will receive a confirmation email to verify that they own the email address provided. Users can unsubscribe from ongoing comment subscriptions at any time. The confirmation email will include instructions for this.

Third-Party Services and Content

It is possible that content from third parties, such as videos from YouTube, maps from Google Maps, RSS feeds, or graphics from other websites, may be integrated into this online service. This always assumes that the third-party providers of this content (hereinafter referred to as “Third-Party Providers”) perceive the IP address of the users. Without the IP address, they could not send the content to the user’s browser. The IP address is therefore necessary for the display of this content. We strive to use only content from providers who use the IP address solely for the delivery of content. However, we have no control over whether the third-party providers store the IP address, e.g., for statistical purposes. If we become aware of this, we inform users accordingly.

Cookies

Cookies are small files that allow specific information related to the user’s device (PC, smartphone, etc.) to be stored on the device. They enhance the usability of websites for users (e.g., storing login information) and are used to collect statistical data on website usage to improve the Service. Users can control the use of cookies. Most browsers have an option to limit or prevent the storage of cookies. However, it is noted that the usability and comfort of using the Service without cookies may be limited.

You can manage many online advertising cookies from companies via the US website http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices/.

Google Analytics

This Service uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses so-called “cookies,” text files that are stored on users’ computers and allow an analysis of how they use the website. The information generated by the cookie about users’ use of this website is usually transmitted to and stored on a Google server in the USA.

If IP anonymization is activated on this website, the IP address of users will be truncated by Google within member states of the European Union or other parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before transmission. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. IP anonymization is active on this website. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate the use of the website by users, 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 in the context of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data from Google. Users can prevent the storage of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings in their browser software. However, this Service points out that, in this case, not all functions of this website may be fully available. Users can also prevent Google from collecting and processing the data generated by the cookie related to their use of the website (including their IP address) by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.

Alternatively to the browser add-on or within browsers on mobile devices, please click this link to prevent the collection of data by Google Analytics on this website in the future. An opt-out cookie will be placed on your device. If you delete your cookies, you must click this link again.

Use of Facebook Social Plugins

This Service uses social plugins (“Plugins”) of the social network facebook.com, operated by Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA (“Facebook”). The plugins are recognizable by one of the Facebook logos (a white “f” on a blue tile or a “thumbs up” icon) or are labeled with “Facebook Social Plugin.” The list and appearance of Facebook Social Plugins can be found here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/.

When a user accesses a website that contains such a plugin, their browser establishes a direct connection with Facebook’s servers. The content of the plugin is transmitted directly from Facebook to the user’s browser and integrated into the website. Therefore, the provider has no influence over the scope of the data Facebook collects with the help of this plugin and informs users according to their knowledge:

Through the integration of the plugins, Facebook receives information that a user has accessed the corresponding page of the Service. If the user is logged into Facebook, Facebook can associate the visit with their Facebook account. If users interact with the plugins, for example, by clicking the Like button or leaving a comment, the corresponding information is transmitted directly from their browser to Facebook and stored there. Even if a user is not a Facebook member, there is still the possibility that Facebook can find out and store their IP address. According to Facebook, only anonymized IP addresses are stored in Germany.

For the purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Facebook, as well as users’ rights in this regard and settings options for protecting their privacy, users can refer to Facebook’s privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/.

If a user is a Facebook member and does not want Facebook to collect data about them through this Service and link it to their member data stored with Facebook, they must log out of Facebook before visiting the website.

It is also possible to block Facebook social plugins with add-ons for your browser, such as the “Facebook Blocker.”

+1 Button of Google+

This Service uses the “+1” button of the Google Plus social network, which is operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States (“Google”). The button is recognizable by the “+1” sign on a white or colored background.

When a user accesses a page of this Service that contains such a button, their browser establishes a direct connection to Google’s servers. The content of the “+1” button is transmitted directly from Google to their browser and integrated into the website. Therefore, the provider has no influence over the scope of the data that Google collects with the button. According to Google, no personal data is collected without clicking on the button. Only for logged-in members is such data, including the IP address, collected and processed.

For the purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Google, as well as users’ rights and settings options for protecting their privacy, users can refer to Google’s privacy policy for the “+1” button: http://www.google.com/intl/en/+/policy/+1button.html and the FAQ: http://www.google.com/intl/en/+1/button/.

Twitter

This Service uses the buttons of the Twitter service. These buttons are provided by Twitter Inc., 795 Folsom St., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. They are recognizable by terms like “Twitter” or “Follow,” along with a stylized blue bird. The buttons allow you to share a post or page of this Service on Twitter or follow the provider on Twitter.

When a user accesses a page of this website that contains such a button, their browser establishes a direct connection with Twitter’s servers. The content of the Twitter buttons is transmitted directly from Twitter to the user’s browser. Therefore, the provider has no influence over the scope of the data that Twitter collects via this plugin and informs users according to their knowledge. According to this, only the IP address of the user and the URL of the respective website are transmitted when the button is retrieved, but not for other purposes than the display of the button.

Further information can be found in Twitter’s privacy policy: http://twitter.com/privacy.

Jetpack/Wordpress.com-Stats

This website uses Jetpack (formerly WordPress.com-Stats), a tool for statistical analysis of visitor access, operated by Automattic Inc., 60 29th Street #343, San Francisco, CA 94110-4929, USA, utilizing the tracking technology of Quantcast Inc., 201 3rd St, Floor 2, San Francisco, CA 94103-3153, USA. WordPress.com-Stats uses cookies, text files stored on your computer, which allow an analysis of your usage of the website. The information generated by the cookie about your usage of this website is stored on a server in the USA. Your IP address is anonymized immediately after processing and before storage. You can prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting your browser settings, but be aware that in this case, you may not be able to use all functions of this website to their full extent. You can opt-out of data collection and use by Quantcast for the future by clicking this link to set an opt-out cookie in your browser: http://www.quantcast.com/opt-out. If you delete all cookies on your computer, you will need to set the opt-out cookie again.

Google AdSense

This website uses Google AdSense, a service for integrating advertisements provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google AdSense uses cookies, text files stored on users’ computers, which allow an analysis of the usage of the website. Google AdSense also uses so-called web beacons (invisible graphics). These web beacons allow information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website to be analyzed.

The information generated by cookies and web beacons about the use of this website (including users’ IP addresses) and the delivery of advertising formats is transmitted to and stored on a Google server in the USA. This information may be shared by Google with Google’s contractual partners. However, Google will not combine your IP address with other data held by Google.

Users can prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting their browser settings, but the provider informs users that in this case, not all functions of this website may be fully usable. By using this website, users agree to the processing of the data collected about them by Google in the manner described above and for the purposes mentioned.

Revocation, Changes, Corrections, and Updates

Users have the right to request free information about the personal data stored about them. In addition, users have the right to correct inaccurate data, block, or delete their personal data, as long as no legal retention obligation exists.