Data Protection Information

When you use this website, we process your personal data as data controllers and save them for the duration required to fulfill the defined purposes and legal obligations. The sections below provide further details about the data this involves, how they will be processed and which rights you have in this regard.

Personal data, as defined by Article 4 (1) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) include all information related to an identified or identifiable natural person.

1 Scope of Application

2 Name and Contact Information of Controller and Corporate Data Protection Office

3 Personal Data Processing and Purposes of Data Processing

4 Transfer of Data

5 Cookies

6 Social Media Plug-ins

7 YouTube

8 Rights of the Data Subject

9 Data Security

10 Timeliness and Amendments to this Data Protection Information

1 Scope of Application

This data protection information applies to data processing all project websites of our project, as well as to all associated project service offers in the form of web utilities or mobile apps (hereinafter: Website to facilitate readability), in each case whenever reference is made to this data protection information. The controller is:

2 Name and Contact Information of Controller and Corporate Data Protection Office

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft 
zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.

Hansastrasse 27 c, 
80686 München, Germany

on behalf of its 
Fraunhofer-Institut für Graphische Datenverarbeitung IGD 

Fraunhoferstr. 5
64283 Darmstadt

(hereinafter referred to as Fraunhofer-IGD)

E-Mail:
info@igd.fraunhofer.de
Telefon: 
+49 6151 155-0
Fax:
+49 6151 155-199

The corporate data protection officer at Fraunhofer can be reached at the above-mentioned address in Munich, c/o Data Protection Officer or at datenschutz@zv.fraunhofer.de.

Please feel free to contact the data protection officer directly at any time with your questions concerning your data protection rights and/or your rights as data subject.

3 Personal Data Processing and Purposes of Data Processing

When visiting the website

You may access our website without having to disclose any details on your identity. The browser installed on your device merely transmits information automatically to the server of our website (e.g., browser type and version, date and time of access) to enable a connection with the website. This includes the IP address of your requesting device. This information is temporarily stored in a so-called log file and will be deleted after 30 Tage.

Your IP address is processed for technical and administrative purposes regarding connection set-up and stability, to guarantee the security and functioning of our website and, if necessary, to be able to track any illegal attacks on the website.

The legal basis for processing the IP address is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. Our legitimate interest ensues from said security interest and the necessity of the unobstructed availability of our website.

We cannot draw any direct conclusions about your identity from processing the IP address and other information in the log file.

Moreover, we use cookies and analytics services when you visit our website. Further details can be found below in this data protection information.

When registering for events

We regularly offer a variety of events through our website, for which you can register online.

In order to register online, our website’s visitors have to provide some mandatory data, which generally include:

  • First and last name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Payment information (only for events that require payment and depending on the method of payment you select)

Any other mandatory data are marked as such (e.g., with *). Often, additional information can be provided voluntarily.

The purpose of processing the mandatory data is to identify you as event participant, to reserve a spot for you as well as to establish and implement a contractual relationship regarding your participation, and to provide you before, during and after the event with information that will optimize your participation, and to help us plan and ensure a smooth event experience. If we collect your payment information for events that require payment, those data are needed to process the registration fee. Voluntary data allow us to plan and conduct the event based on participants’ interest.

We process data at your request, and it is mandatory pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. b GDPR for the purposes named to fulfill the obligations of the participant agreement and implement precontractual measures.

We store the data we collect in the context of event registrations for 6 months unless you have consented to a longer storage period under Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR.

When subscribing to a newsletter or other email list

Once you have given your explicit consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR, we will use your email address to regularly send you selected information about the work in our Institute and/or in other institutions and/or events of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The subjects and contents of the selected information are determined by the list you subscribed to..

Once you have subscribed, you will receive a registration notification by email, which you need to confirm to receive the newsletter (so-called double opt-in). Your email response serves as confirmation that you are in fact the person who initiated the subscription.

You may unsubscribe at any time, e.g., via a link at the end of each newsletter. Alternatively, you may also unsubscribe by email or by using the following link: https://www.fraunhofer.de/de/fraunhofer-newsletter-abmeldung.html.

Once we have received your cancellation of the newsletter subscription, we will immediately delete your email address.

When using contact forms

Our website gives visitors the opportunity to post comments on our articles and blog posts. Your comments will appear with your name below the article/post you are commenting on.

If you want to use the comment function on our website, we ask you to provide the following mandatory data:

  • Name and
  • Email address

Instead of your name, you may use a pseudonym/alias. The process requires that you provide your email address to send your comment. However, we do not publish your email address together with your comment. We use your email address only to inform you of a reaction to your comment.

In addition, when you post a comment on our website, we store your IP address, which we will delete after 30 Tage. This storage period is required so that we can defend ourselves against liability claims in case of publication of possibly illegal content.

The processing of data is in response to your comments and is justified in the context of publishing online contributions together with user reactions and on the basis of our legitimate interest in an opinion and information exchange pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. f GDPR.

The personal data are processed for as long as the comment is published on the website and are then deleted.

When using the commenting function

Our website gives visitors the opportunity to leave comments on our web content. Your comments will appear with your name underneath the contribution, which triggered your comment.

If you want to use the commenting function on our website, we ask you to provide the following mandatory data:

  • Name and
  • Email address

Instead of your name, you may also use a pseudonym/alias. The process requires your email address to send your comment. However, we do not publish your email address together with your comment. We use your email address only to inform you of a reaction to your comment.

In addition, we save your IP address when you leave a comment on our website, which will be deleted after 30 Tage. This storage period is required so that we can defend ourselves in liability cases against accusations of publishing illegal content.

The processing of data in the course of publishing online comments and user reactions is justified because it is in our legitimate interests to partake in an opinion and information exchange according to Article 6 (1) lit. f GDPR.

The personal data are processed for as long as the comment appears on the website. We will then delete the data.

When using our online shop

We offer an online shop on our website, where you can purchase Fraunhofer publications. As part of the order process, we collect the following mandatory data:

  • Title
  • First and last name
  • Address
  • Email address

The collection and processing of these data has the following purposes:

  • To identify you as our contract partner
  • To check the provided data for plausibility
  • To complete the order and invoicing processes

In addition, you may voluntarily provide more data (company name, different billing address, contact information).

We process these data at your request, and this processing is required pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. b GDPR for the purposes listed to fulfill your order and to implement precontractual measures. In the process, we use your email address to send you an order confirmation. We use all contact information exclusively to handle any inquiries connected to your order.

We will store the personal data collected in connection with your order until the end of the statutory warranty period (2 years, Sec. 438 (1) No. 3 BGB [German Civil Code]). At that time, the data will be deleted unless pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. c GDPR longer storage is required due to statutory retention and documentation obligations for tax purposes (in particular pursuant to Sec. 147 AO [German Fiscal Code]). During this storage period (ordinarily ten years after entering into the sales contract), we will reprocess the data solely in the case of audits by fiscal authorities. Aside from that, the data will be blocked from any further processing.

When creating a user account

You can create a password-protected user account on our website.

Setting up the user account requires the following information:

  • Title
  • First and last name
  • Valid email address

These data are processed in order to identify you as a user and create your user account.

To set up the user account, you must also enter a password you choose yourself. To access your user account, you will need to enter your email address and this password. In your user account, you can view the data saved in your user profile and change it at any time.

We process data at your request and for the purposes described by Article 6 (1) lit. b GDPR for the setup and usage of your user account and to meet the precontractual conditions. We will also use your email address for notification functions, if these are activated.

After your user account is deleted, your data will be deleted to prevent further use except if we are required pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. c GDPR to observe a longer storage period due to retention and documentation obligations pursuant to tax and commercial law (in particular Sec. 147 AO in regard to taxes) or if you have consented to longer storage pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. a GDPR.

4 Transfer of Data

If we transfer personal data collected through websites to processors, we will notify you in this data protection information regarding the respective data processing operation, citing the specific recipient.

Aside from that, we will transfer your personal data only if

  • you have given explicit consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR;
  • this is necessary pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. b GDPR for the performance of a contract with you (for example, transfer to shipping companies for the purpose of delivering goods ordered by you, or transmitting payment information to payment service providers or credit institutions in order to process a payment transaction);
  • there is a legal obligation for transfer pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR.

The recipients must not use the transferred data for any purposes other than the above-mentioned ones.

5 Cookies

General

This website uses cookies. Cookies are small files that your browser automatically generates and stores on your device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) when you visit our site. Cookies do not harm your device nor do they contain viruses, Trojans or other malware.

Cookies store information associated with the specific device used. That does not mean that we can directly identify you..

Overview of the cookies we use:

Cookie-BezeichnungNutzungszweckCookie-InhaltLebensdauerVerantwortlicherCookie-Typ
      
      

 

Cookies that are not absolutely technically necessary for you to use a web service expressly requested by you are only set after you have consented. You can give this consent via the cookie banner that is displayed when you visit the website. This consent then becomes the legal basis for the storage of and access to the content of the cookies (Sec. 15 (3) TMG in conjunction with Art. 5 (3) clause 1 of Directive 2002/58/EC).

Necessary cookies

The processing of personal data in the context of technically necessary cookies is based on our legitimate interest in providing our web services that you have expressly requested (Art. 6 (1) clause 1 lit. f GDPR, if applicable in conjunction with Art. 95 GDPR, Art. 5 (3) of Directive 2002/58/EC).

For example, we use so-called session cookies to allow session controls or to store data entries in forms or shopping carts during the session. Session cookies are deleted no later than when you close your browser.

Right of withdrawal

You may revoke your consent to the storage of and access to the content of the cookies at any time with effect for the future pursuant to Art. 7 (3) GDPR or object to the use in whole or in part of cookies that are not technically necessary.

If you revoke your consent or object to the use, we will set a cookie (an opt-out cookie) that documents your decision and allows us to implement it. The opt-out cookie works only in this browser and only for our website. It is stored on your device. If you delete the cookies in this browser, you will have to set the opt-out cookie again.

Most browsers automatically accept cookies. However, you can configure your browser to not store any cookies on your computer or to display a notice before new cookies are set. Completely disabling cookies may mean that you cannot make full use of all functions of our website.

Your revocation has no effect on the lawfulness of the processing activities we perform on the basis of our legitimate interests (Art. 6 (1) clause 1 lit. f) GDPR).
 

6 Social Media Plug-ins

We use so-called social media buttons (also called social media plug-ins) on our website. These are small icons you can use to publish contents from our website on social networks under your own profile.

If you activate such an icon, a connection is established between our website and the social network. In addition to the contents in question, the operator of the social network obtains further, in part also personal information. For example, this includes the fact that you are currently visiting our site.

The social media buttons are integrated using the so-called Shariff solution. This solution prevents your device from establishing a link to the social network merely because you visit a website featuring a social media plug-in button without you having clicked on that button. This means that information is only transmitted to the social network when you activate the button.

We integrate the following social plug-ins on our website:

Facebook Ireland Limited: Sharing on Facebook

In part, information is transmitted to the parent company Facebook Inc., headquartered in the USA, to other Facebook-companies and external partners of Facebook, each of which may be located outside the European Union. Facebook utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission and relies on the European Commission's adequacy decisions about certain countries.

For the purpose and scope of data collection, further processing and use of data by Facebook as well as your related rights and configuration options for protecting your privacy, please refer to Facebook’s privacy policy at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/.

Twitter International Company: Sharing on Twitter

Teilweise werden Informationen an die Muttergesellschaft Twitter Inc. mit Sitz in den USA, an andere Twitter-Unternehmen und an externe Partner von Twitter übermittelt, die sich jeweils außerhalb der Europäischen Union befinden können. Twitter verwendet dafür von der Europäischen Kommission genehmigte Standardvertragsklauseln und verlässt sich auf Ihre Einwilligung.

Weitere Informationen zum Datenschutz bei Twitter finden Sie in der Datenschutzerklärung von Twitter unter https://twitter.com/privacy.

XING SE: Sharing on XING

In part, information is transmitted to other NEW WORK-companies and external partners of NEW WORK, each of which may be located outside the European Union. NEW WORK utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission or other appropriate safeguards as set forth in article 46 GDPR and relies on the European Commission's adequacy decisions about certain countries as well as your consent.

For the purpose and scope of data collection, further processing and use of data by NEW WORK as well as your related rights and configuration options for protecting your privacy, please refer to XING’s privacy policy https://www.xing.com/privacy.

LinkedIn Corporation: Sharing on LinkedIn

In part, information is transmitted to the parent company LinkedIn Corporation, headquartered in the USA, to other LinkedIn-companies and external partners of LinkedIn, each of which may be located outside the European Union. LinkedIn utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission.

Further information on data protection on LinkedIn can be found in the company’s privacy policy at https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

Pinterest Europe Ltd.: Sharing on Pinterest

In part, information is transmitted to the parent company Pinterest Inc., headquartered in the USA, to other Pinterest-companies and external partners of Pinterest, each of which may be located outside the European Union. Pinterest utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission and relies on the European Commission's adequacy decisions about certain countries.

Further information on data protection on Pinterest can be found in Pinterest’s privacy policy at https://policy.pinterest.com/en/privacy-policy

Facebook Ireland Limited: Sharing on Instagram

In part, information is transmitted to the parent company Facebook Inc., headquartered in the USA, to other Facebook-companies and external partners of Facebook, each of which may be located outside the European Union. Facebook utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission and relies on the European Commission's adequacy decisions about certain countries.

For the purpose and scope of data collection, further processing and use of data by Facebook as well as your related rights and configuration options for protecting your privacy, please refer to Instagram’s privacy policy at https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875.

7 YouTube

We embed components (videos) of the video hosting service “YouTube” of the company Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland (hereinafter “Google”) in our websites. The implementation is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR; our legitimate interest in this case is the smooth integration of the videos and the attractive design of our website.

In part, information is transmitted to the parent company Google Inc., headquartered in the USA, to other Google-companies and external partners of Google, each of which may be located outside the European Union. Google utilizes standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission and relies on the European Commission's adequacy decisions about certain countries.

Further information on data protection in connection with YouTube can be found in Google’s privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.

8 Rights of the Data Subject

You have the right:

  • pursuant to Art. 7(3) GDPR, to withdraw your consent at any time. This means that we may not continue the data processing based on this consent in the future;
  • pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR, to obtain access to your personal data processed by us. In particular, you may request information about the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data concerned, the categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, and the envisaged period for which the data will be stored. Moreover, you have the right to request rectification, erasure, or restriction of processing, to object to processing, the right to lodge a complaint, and to obtain information about the source of your data if they were not collected by us as well as about the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, and, if applicable, meaningful information about the details involved;
  • pursuant to Art. 16 GDPR, to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate data or the completion of your personal data stored by us;
  • pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR, to obtain the erasure of personal data stored by us unless processing is necessary to exercise the right of freedom of expression and information, to comply with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest, or to establish, exercise or defend legal claims;
  • pursuant to Art. 18 GDPR, to obtain restriction of processing of your personal data if you contest the accuracy of the data, the processing is unlawful but you oppose the erasure of the personal data, or if we no longer need the personal data while you still require it for establishing, exercising or defending legal claims, or if you have filed an objection to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 GDPR;
  • pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR, to receive your personal data that you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to demand the transfer of those data to another controller and
  • pursuant to Art. 77 GDPR, the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Generally, you may contact the supervisory authority of your usual residence, place of work or the registered offices of our organization.

Information on your right to object pursuant to Art. 21 GDP

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of your personal data pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. e GDPR (data processing carried out in the public interest) and Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR (data processing for purposes of legitimate interests). This also applies to any profiling as defined in Art. 4 (4) GDPR that is based on said provision in Art. 6. 

If you file an objection, we will no longer process your personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for processing that override your interests, rights and freedoms, or unless the processing serves the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

If your objection is directed against the processing of data for the purpose of direct advertising, we will stop the processing immediately. In this case, citing a special situation is not necessary. This includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct advertising.

If you would like to assert your right to object, simply send an email to datenschutzkoordination@zv.fraunhofer.de.

9 Data Security

All your personal data are transmitted in encrypted format, using the widely used and secure TLS (Transport Layer Security) standard. TLS is a secure and proven standard that is also used, for instance, in online banking. You will recognize a secure TLS connection by the additional s after http (i.e., https://...) in the address bar of your browser or by the lock icon in the bottom part of your browser window.

In all other regards, we use suitable technical and organizational security measures to protect your data against accidental or intentional manipulations, partial or complete loss, destruction, or the unauthorized access of third parties. We continuously improve our security measures in accordance with the state of the art.

10 Timeliness and Amendments to this Data Protection Information

The further development of our website and the products and services offered or changed due to statutory or regulatory requirements, respectively, may make it necessary to amend this data protection information. You may access and print out the latest data protection information at any time from our website.