Privacy Policy

1) Introduction and Contact Details of the Controller

1.1 We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. Below, we inform you about the handling of your personal data when using our website. Personal data includes all data that can be used to personally identify you.

1.2 The controller for the data processing on this website within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is koziol »ideas for friends GmbH, Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 90, 64711 Erbach, Germany, Tel.: +49 6062 6040, Fax: +49 6062 604245, E-mail: info@koziol.de. The controller for the processing of personal data is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

1.3 The controller has appointed a data protection officer, who can be contacted as follows: "Amir Zeervi, Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 90, 64711 Erbach, datenschutz@koziol.de"

2) Data Collection When Visiting Our Website

2.1 When you use our website solely for informational purposes, i.e., when you do not register or otherwise submit information to us, we only collect the data that your browser transmits to the page server (so-called "server log files"). When you access our website, we collect the following data that is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:

Our website visited
Date and time at the time of access
Amount of data sent in bytes
Source/referral from which you accessed the page
Browser used
Operating system used
IP address used (if applicable: in anonymized form)

The processing takes place in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data is not shared or used in any other way. However, we reserve the right to review the server log files ex post facto should there be concrete indications of unlawful use.

2.2 This website uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g., orders or inquiries to the controller). You can recognize an encrypted connection by the string "https://" and the padlock symbol in your browser bar.

3) Hosting & Content Delivery Network

Shopify

For the hosting of our website and the display of the page content, we use the system of the following provider: Shopify International Limited, Victoria Buildings, 2nd Floor, 1-2 Haddington Road, Dublin 4, D04 XN32, Ireland ("Shopify")

Data is also transferred to: Shopify Inc., 150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4, Canada

All data collected on our website is processed on the provider's servers. We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our visitors' data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

In the event of a data transfer to Canada, an adequate level of data protection is ensured by an adequacy decision by the European Commission.

4) Cookies

To make visiting our website attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use cookies, i.e., small text files that are stored on your end device. Some of these cookies are automatically deleted again after closing the browser (so-called "session cookies"), while some of these cookies remain on your end device longer and enable the storage of page settings (so-called "persistent cookies"). In the latter case, you can find out the storage duration in the overview of the cookie settings of your web browser.

If individual cookies we use also process personal data, the processing takes place in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR either for the performance of the contract, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR in the event of a given consent, or in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR to safeguard our legitimate interests in the best possible functionality of the website as well as a customer-friendly and effective design of the page visit.

You can set your browser so that you are informed about the setting of cookies and can decide individually on their acceptance or exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or generally.

Please note that if cookies are not accepted, the functionality of our website may be limited.

5) Contact

5.1 WhatsApp Business

You have the option to contact us via the messaging service WhatsApp of WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. For this, we use the so-called "Business Version" of WhatsApp.

If you contact us via WhatsApp on the occasion of a specific transaction (for example, an order placed), we store and use the mobile phone number you use on WhatsApp as well as – if provided – your first and last name in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR to process and answer your request. On the basis of the same legal basis, we will ask you via WhatsApp if necessary to provide further data (order number, customer number, address, or email address) so that we can assign your request to a specific process.

Use our WhatsApp contact for general inquiries (e.g., about the range of services, availability, or our online presence) store and use the mobile phone number you use on WhatsApp as well as – if provided – your first and last name in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in the efficient and timely provision of the requested information.

Your data will always only be used to answer your request via WhatsApp. No disclosure to third parties takes place.

Please note that WhatsApp Business receives access to the address book of the mobile device we use for this purpose and automatically transfers phone numbers stored in the address book to a server of the parent company Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA. For the operation of our WhatsApp Business account, we use a mobile device in whose address book only the WhatsApp contact data of such users are stored who have also contacted us via WhatsApp.

This ensures that every person whose WhatsApp contact data is stored in our address book has already consented to the transmission of their WhatsApp phone number from the address books of their chat contacts in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR upon the first use of the app on their device by accepting the WhatsApp Terms of Service. A transmission of data of such users who do not use WhatsApp and/or have not contacted us via WhatsApp is thus excluded.

For the purpose and scope of the data collection and the further processing and use of the data by WhatsApp as well as your rights and setting options in this regard to protect your privacy, please refer to the privacy notices of WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/?eea=1#privacy-policy

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which protects the data of our visitors and prohibits disclosure to third parties.

As part of the above-mentioned processing, data transfers to servers of Meta Platforms Inc. in the USA may occur.

For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which ensures compliance with the European level of data protection on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission.

5.2 When contacting us (e.g., via a contact form or email), personal data is collected. Which data is collected in the event of using a contact form is evident from the respective contact form. This data is stored and used exclusively for the purpose of answering your request or for contacting and the associated technical administration.

The legal basis for the processing of this data is our legitimate interest in answering your request in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. If your contact is aimed at concluding a contract, then the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR. Your data will be deleted after the final processing of your request. This is the case if it can be inferred from the circumstances that the relevant matter has been conclusively clarified and provided that no statutory retention obligations stand in the way.

6) Use of customer data for direct advertising

6.1 Registration for our email newsletter

If you register for our email newsletter, we will regularly send you information about our offers. The only mandatory information for sending the newsletter is your email address. The provision of further data is voluntary and is used to be able to address you personally. For the sending of the newsletter, we use the so-called Double Opt-in procedure. This means that we will only send you an email newsletter after you have expressly confirmed that you consent to receiving newsletters. We will then send you a confirmation email, with which you are asked to confirm by clicking on a corresponding link that you want to receive the newsletter in the future.

By activating the confirmation link, you grant us your consent for the use of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR. When registering for the newsletter, we store your IP address registered by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) as well as the date and time of registration so that we can later trace a possible misuse of your email address. The data we collect when registering for the newsletter is used exclusively for the purposes of advertising communication via the newsletter. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time via the link provided for this purpose in the newsletter or by sending a corresponding message to the controller mentioned at the beginning. After unsubscribing, your email address will be immediately deleted from our newsletter distribution list, unless you have expressly consented to the further use of your data or we reserve the right to a further use of data that is legally permitted and about which we inform you in this declaration.

6.2 Sending the email newsletter to existing customers

If you have provided us with your email address when purchasing goods or services, we reserve the right to regularly send you offers of similar goods or services from our range via email. For this, we do not have to obtain a separate consent from you in accordance with § 7 para. 3 UWG. The data processing is thus solely based on our legitimate interest in personalized direct advertising in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. If you initially objected to the use of your email address for this purpose, no email will be sent by us.

You are entitled to object to the use of your email address for the indicated advertising purpose at any time with effect for the future by sending a message to the controller mentioned at the beginning. For this, only transmission costs according to the basic tariffs apply to you. Upon receipt of your objection, the use of your email address for advertising purposes will be immediately discontinued.

6.3 HubSpot

The sending of our email newsletters takes place via this provider: HubSpot Ireland Ltd., 2nd Floor 30 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland

On the basis of our legitimate interest in effective and user-friendly newsletter marketing, we pass on your data provided during the newsletter registration to this provider in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR, so that this provider can take over the newsletter sending on our behalf.

Subject to your express consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR, the provider also carries out a statistical success evaluation of newsletter campaigns using web beacons or counting pixels in the sent emails, which can measure open rates and specific interactions with the content of the newsletter. In this process, end-device information (e.g., time of access, IP address, browser type, and operating system) is also collected and evaluated, but not merged with other data sets.

You can revoke your consent to newsletter tracking at any time with effect for the future.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which protects the data of our visitors and prohibits disclosure to third parties.

6.4 MailChimp

The sending of our email newsletters takes place via this provider: The Rocket Science Group, LLC d/b/a MailChimp, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA

You can revoke your consent to newsletter tracking at any time with effect for the future.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which protects the data of our visitors and prohibits disclosure to third parties.

7) Online Marketing

HubSpot

This website uses the software-based marketing service of the following provider for the provision and synchronization of various customer management services: HubSpot Ireland Ltd., 2nd Floor 30 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland

The service enables the automated processing of feed activities, the control of advertising in deployed marketing channels, and the success analysis of marketing measures as well as centralized email marketing and contact management.

To fulfill the various functions, cookies are used, i.e., small text files that are stored locally in the cache of your web browser on your end device and enable us to analyze your use of the website. In this process, the cookies collect certain information, such as the IP address, location, and time of the page access.

All the above-described processing, in particular the setting of cookies for reading information on the used end device, only takes place if you have expressly consented to this in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR. You can revoke your given consent at any time with effect for the future by deactivating this service in the "Cookie Consent Tool" provided on the website.

Other legal bases for data processing that apply in the context of specific service functions (such as the necessity of express consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR when sending newsletters) remain unaffected by this.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our visitors' data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

8) Web Analysis Services

Google Analytics 4

This website uses Google Analytics 4, a web analysis service of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland ("Google"), which enables the analysis of your use of our website.

By default, cookies are set by Google Analytics 4 when visiting the website, which are stored as small text blocks on your end device and collect certain information. The scope of this information also includes your IP address, which is however shortened by Google by the last digits to exclude direct personal identifiability.

The information is transferred to servers of Google and further processed there. In this process, transmissions to Google LLC with its seat in the USA are also possible.

Google uses the collected information on our behalf to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports about the website activities for us, and to provide further services associated with website use and internet use. The IP address submitted by your browser and shortened in the context of Google Analytics is not merged with other data from Google. The data collected in the context of using Google Analytics 4 are stored for a period of two months and subsequently deleted.

All processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies on the device you use, will only take place if you have given us your express consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR.
Without your consent, Google Analytics 4 will not be used during your visit to the website. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect. To exercise your right of withdrawal, please disable this service using the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google, which ensures the protection of our visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

Further legal information about Google Analytics 4 can be found at https://business.safety.google/intl/de/privacy/, https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de and at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Demographic characteristics
Google Analytics 4 uses the special “demographic characteristics” feature and can create statistics that make inferences about the age, gender, and interests of website visitors. This is done by analyzing advertising and information from third parties. This can be used to identify audiences for marketing activities. However, the collected data cannot be associated with any specific individual and is deleted after being stored for two months.

Google Signals
As an extension of Google Analytics 4, Google Signals can be used on this website to create reports across devices. If you have enabled personalized ads and linked your devices to your Google account, Google can analyze your usage across devices and create database models, including for cross-device conversions, subject to your consent to use Google Analytics pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. We do not receive any personal data from Google, only statistics. If you want to stop cross-device analysis, you can disable the “Personalized Advertising” feature in your Google account settings. Follow the instructions on this page: https://support.google.com/My-Ad-Center-Help/answer/12155764?hl=de
Further information about Google Signals can be found at the following link: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7532985?hl=de

UserIDs
As an extension of Google Analytics 4, the “UserIDs” feature can be used on this website. If you have consented to the use of Google Analytics 4 pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, have set up an account on this website, and log in with this account on different devices, your activities, including conversions, can be analyzed across devices.

9) Retargeting/Remarketing and Conversion Tracking

Meta Pixel with enhanced matching

Within our online offer, we use the “Meta Pixel” service in enhanced matching mode from the following provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland (“Meta”)

If a user clicks on an advertisement we have placed on Facebook or Instagram, the URL of our linked page is appended with a parameter using the “Meta Pixel”. This URL parameter is then entered into the user’s browser after redirection by a cookie that our linked page itself sets. In addition, this cookie captures specific customer data, such as the email address we collect on our website linked to the Facebook or Instagram ad during processes such as completing a purchase, creating an account, or registering (enhanced matching). The cookie is then read and enables the transmission of the data, including the specific customer data, to Meta.

We use the “Meta Pixel” with enhanced matching to make our advertisements (so-called “Ads”) on Facebook and/or Instagram more effective and to ensure that they correspond to the users’ interests or exhibit certain characteristics (e.g., interests in certain topics or products determined based on the websites visited), which we transmit to Meta (so-called “Custom Audiences”).

Furthermore, we analyze the effectiveness of our advertisements by tracking whether users are redirected to our website after clicking on an advertisement (conversion). Compared to the standard version of the “Meta Pixel”, the enhanced matching feature helps us better measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns by capturing more attributed conversions.

All transmitted data is stored and processed by Meta so that it can be associated with the respective user profile and Meta can use the data for its own advertising purposes in accordance with Meta’s Data Use Policy (https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/). The data may enable Meta and its partners to place ads on and off Facebook.

All processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies to read information on the device you use, will only take place if you have given us your express consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect by disabling this service in the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website.

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

The information generated by Meta is generally transferred to and stored on a Meta server; in this context, it may also be transferred to Meta Platforms Inc. servers in the USA.

10) Website Functionality

10.1 Instagram Plugins

Plugins from the following provider’s social network are used on our website: Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland

These plugins enable direct interaction with content on the social network.

To enhance the protection of your data when visiting our website, the plugins are initially disabled and integrated into the page using a so-called “2-click” or “Shariff” solution.

This integration ensures that no connection is established with the provider’s servers when you access a page on our website that contains such plugins.

Only when you activate the plugins and thereby give your consent to the data transfer pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR does your browser establish a direct connection to the provider’s servers. In this process, regardless of whether you log in to an existing user profile, information about your device (including your IP address), your browser, and your browsing history is transmitted to the provider to a certain extent and may be further processed there.

If you are logged in to an existing user profile on the provider’s social network, information about interactions carried out via the plugins will also be published there and displayed to your contacts.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the activated plugin again to deactivate it. However, the withdrawal has no effect on the data that has already been transferred to the provider.

Data may also be transferred to: Meta Platforms Inc., USA

We have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

10.2 YouTube

This website uses plugins from the following provider to display and play videos: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland

Data may also be transferred to: Google LLC, USA

If you access a page on our website that contains such a plugin, your browser will establish a direct connection to the provider’s servers at the latest at the time the video is played to load the content. During this process, certain information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

If playback of embedded videos is started via the plugin, the provider also sets cookies to collect information about user behavior, create playback statistics, and prevent abusive behavior.

If you are logged in to a user account with the provider during your visit to the website, your data will be directly associated with your account when you click on a video. If you do not wish for it to be associated with your account, you must log out before clicking the play button.

All processing described above, in particular the setting of cookies to read information on the device you use, will only take place if you have given us your express consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect by disabling this service using the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website.

10.3 Google Web Fonts

This page uses so-called web fonts from the following provider to display fonts uniformly: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland

When you access a page, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache to display text and fonts correctly and establishes a direct connection to the provider’s servers. During this process, certain browser information, including your IP address, is transmitted to the provider.

Data may also be transferred to: Google LLC, USA

The processing of personal data in the course of establishing a connection with the font provider will only take place if you have given us your express consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect by disabling this service using the “Cookie Consent Tool” provided on the website. If your browser does not support web fonts, a default font from your computer will be used.

Further information about Google’s privacy policies can be found here: https://business.safety.google/intl/de/privacy/

11) Tools and Other Items

11.1 Cookie Consent Tool

This website uses a so-called “Cookie Consent Tool” to obtain valid user consent for cookies and cookie-based applications that require consent. The “Cookie Consent Tool” is displayed to users when they access the website in the form of an interactive user interface, where consent can be given for specific cookies and/or cookie-based applications by checking boxes. In this process, all cookies/services requiring consent are only loaded if the respective user gives the corresponding consent by checking the boxes. This ensures that such cookies are only set on the user’s respective device in the event that consent has been given.

The tool sets technically necessary cookies to store your cookie preferences. Personal user data is generally not processed in this process.

If, in individual cases, personal data (such as an IP address) is processed for the purpose of storing, associating, or logging cookie settings, this is done pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in a legally compliant, user-specific, and user-friendly consent management system for cookies and, consequently, in a legally compliant design of our website.

Another legal basis for processing is Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. As the data controller, we are legally obliged to make the use of cookies that are not technically necessary dependent on the respective user’s consent.

Where necessary, we have concluded a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorized disclosure to third parties.

Further information about the operator and the adjustment options of the Cookie Consent Tool can be found directly in the corresponding user interface on our website.

11.2 Elasticsearch

This website uses the search technology service from the following provider: ELASTIC, 800 West El Camino Real, Suite 350, Mountain View, California 94040, USA

To provide the search function for articles via the search field and for navigation and filters, the provider collects and stores certain user information (such as the user or session ID) in anonymized form.

If personal data is also processed in this process, the processing is carried out pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in providing a fault-tolerant search for articles and, consequently, in optimally marketing our offer.

For the transmission of data to the USA, the provider relies on the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses, which are intended to ensure compliance with the European level of data protection.

12) Data Subject Rights

12.1 The applicable data protection law grants you the following data subject rights (rights of access and intervention) against the data controller regarding the processing of your personal data, whereby the respective requirements for exercising them are indicated by reference to the stated legal basis:

Right of access pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR;
Right to rectification pursuant to Art. 16 GDPR;
Right to erasure pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR;
Right to restriction of processing pursuant to Art. 18 GDPR;
Right to be informed pursuant to Art. 19 GDPR;
Right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR;
Right to withdraw consent pursuant to Art. 7(3) GDPR;
Right to lodge a complaint pursuant to Art. 77 GDPR.

12.2 RIGHT TO OBJECT

IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA BASED ON OUR OVERRIDING LEGITIMATE INTERESTS IN THE COURSE OF A BALANCING OF INTERESTS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THIS PROCESSING FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION WITH FUTURE EFFECT.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL CEASE THE PROCESSING OF THE DATA SUBJECT TO IT. HOWEVER, FURTHER PROCESSING REMAINS RESERVED IF WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS NECESSARY FOR THE INSTITUTION, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS.

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED BY US FOR DIRECT MARKETING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR SUCH MARKETING PURPOSES. YOU CAN EXERCISE THIS RIGHT OF OBJECTION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL CEASE THE PROCESSING OF THE DATA SUBJECT TO IT FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES.

13) Duration of Storage of Personal Data

The duration for which personal data is stored is determined by the respective legal basis, the purpose of processing, and—where applicable—in addition by the respective statutory retention period (e.g., commercial and tax retention periods).

When personal data is processed on the basis of express consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, the data concerned will be stored until you withdraw your consent.

If statutory retention periods exist for data processed pursuant to Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR in the course of legal or quasi-legal obligations, this data will be routinely deleted after the retention periods expire, provided it is no longer required for the fulfillment or establishment of the contract and/or we no longer have a legitimate interest in continuing to store it.

When processing personal data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object under Art. 21(1) GDPR, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

When processing personal data for direct marketing purposes on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object under Art. 21(2) GDPR.

Unless the other information in this notice indicates otherwise regarding specific processing situations, stored personal data will otherwise be deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.