Data protection

Where there is a possibility of entering personal or business data (email addresses, names, postal addresses) in the internet presence, the disclosure of this data by the user shall take place on an expressly voluntary basis. Where technically possible and within reason, it shall be possible to use and pay for all the services on offer without having to disclose such data or by entering anonymised data or a pseudonym.

Access data / server log files

The service provider (or the service provider’s webspace provider) collects data relating to each access to the service (known as server log files). The access data includes: Name of the website accessed, file, date and time of the access, data volume transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (of the site visited previously), IP address and the requesting provider. The service provider uses the log data only for statistical evaluations and for the purposes of operation, security and optimisation of the services on offer. However, the service provider reserves the right to inspect the log data retrospectively if there is specific evidence justifying a suspicion of unlawful use.

Handling personal data

Personal data refers to information that could be used to identify a person; in other words, information that can be traced back to a specific person. This includes names, email addresses and telephone numbers. Personal data also includes information such as preferences, hobbies, memberships or information about which websites someone has visited. Personal data is only collected, used and passed on by the service provider in the cases where this is permitted by law or in cases where users consent to data collection

Making contact

When a user contacts the service provider (e.g. using the contact form or by email), the information provided by the user is saved for the purposes of processing the request and in the event of follow-up questions.

Inclusion of services and content from third parties

It is possible that the services offered online include content from third parties, such as videos from YouTube, maps from Google Maps, RSS feeds or images from other websites. This always requires the providers of this content (referred to in the following as “third-party providers”) to be aware of the user’s IP address. Without this IP address, they would be unable to send the content to the browser of the user in question. The IP address is therefore necessary in order to display said content. We endeavour to only use content from providers that use the IP address only in order to deliver the content in question. Nevertheless, we have no influence on whether third-party providers save the IP addresses – for statistical purposes, for example. We shall inform users of these circumstances accordingly, to the best of our knowledge.

Inclusion of YouTube videos

Our website uses social plugins from the social network YouTube.

These plugins enable users to view, share and, where applicable, comment on content. The plugins may, under certain circumstances, be used to transfer personal data to the providers. The content of the plugin is transferred directly to your browser, which then incorporates it into the website. As a result, we have no influence over the scope of data collected through the plugin.

To prevent unwanted data transmission, the plugins are disabled by default on this website. The plugin is only activated if you click on the corresponding icon, after which data can be transmitted to the provider. To make this possible, a connection is established between your browser and the social network’s server when the plugin is enabled. Naturally, the plugins can be disabled again at any time. If the plugins are enabled, simply accessing our website will cause information to be transferred, such as your IP address, a notification that you visited our site, and other browser-related information.

If you are logged in to the social network, this information can be attributed to your account. However, when the plug is enabled, it will send information regardless of whether you are currently logged in or have an active account. When you access our website, a cookie is stored in your browser to save this information, which is then transferred to the social network the next time you access that network.

For more information on which data is collected through the use of social plugins and the purposes for which this data is used, see Google’s privacy policy.

Cookies

Cookies are small files that make it possible to save specific information related to the user’s access device (PC, smartphone etc.) on that device. They are used, in part, to improve the usability of websites for the benefit of users (e.g. by saving login data). They are also used to record statistical data concerning website use, which can then be analysed to improve the services offered. Users can influence the use of cookies. Most browsers have an option that allows you to restrict the saving of cookies or prevent them entirely. However, it should be noted that disallowing cookies will restrict the use of a website and, above all, impair user convenience. You can manage many online advertising cookies from companies with the help of the American website www.aboutads.info/choices or the EU website www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices. For more information on the use of cookies when Google Analytics and Piwik are used, see the sections below.

Revocation, changes, corrections and updates

Users have the right to receive information, on request and free of charge, concerning which of their personal data is stored. In addition, users have the right to correct incorrect data, and block or delete their personal data, provided that this data is not subject to a statutory retention requirement.

Links to websites of other providers

Our websites may contain links to websites of other providers. Please note that this data protection declaration applies exclusively to the website of Vakona GmbH. We have no influence over and do not check whether other providers comply with the applicable data protection provisions.

Security

This internet presence deploys technical and organisational security measures to protect the personal data you provide against accidental or intentional manipulation, loss, destruction or access by unauthorised persons. However, the possibility that unauthorised persons may become aware of or even falsify data during transmission cannot be ruled out. If you send confidential inquiries to us, you should therefore sign these electronically or, where necessary, encrypt them.

Right to information and contact data

You have a legal right to information concerning stored personal data relating to you, and you also have the right to have incorrect data corrected, or to have data blocked or deleted. If you want information regarding your personal data or you wish to correct or delete said data, or if you have any further questions concerning the use of personal data of yours that has been entrusted to us, please contact: s.hoening@vakona.de.