We treat your data confidentially
We greatly appreciate your interest in our website. Data protection is of particular importance to us. The use of the web pages of METAMEANING.COM is generally possible without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use special services of our company via our website, the processing of personal data may become necessary. If the processing of personal data is required and there is no statutory basis for such processing, we will generally obtain the consent of the data subject.
The processing of personal data, such as the name, address, e-mail address or telephone number of a data subject, is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in compliance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to the operators of METAMEANING.COM. By means of this privacy policy, we aim to inform the public about the type, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, this privacy policy informs data subjects of the rights to which they are entitled.
METAMEANING.COM has implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most complete protection possible of the personal data processed through this website. Nevertheless, internet-based data transmissions may generally be subject to security vulnerabilities, so absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to transmit personal data to us by alternative means, such as by telephone.
Definitions
Our privacy policy is based on the terminology used by the European legislator when adopting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our aim is for this privacy policy to be easily readable and understandable for both the public and our customers and business partners. To achieve this, we would like to explain in advance the terms used.
In this privacy policy, we use, inter alia, the following terms:
a) Personal data
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
b) Data subject
A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.
c) Processing
Processing means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.
d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.
e) Profiling
Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements.
f) Pseudonymisation
Pseudonymisation means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
g) Controller or controller responsible for the processing
Controller or controller responsible for the processing means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.
h) Processor
Processor means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
i) Recipient
Recipient means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients.
j) Third party
Third party means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.
k) Consent
Consent of the data subject means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.
Name and Address of the Controller
The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union, and other provisions of a data protection nature is:
Simone Regina Adams and Dr. Josef Rabenbauer
Richard-Künzerstr. 6b
D-79102 Freiburg
Email: mail@metameaning.com
Phone: +49 (0)151 70570300
Cookies
For the management of cookies and similar technologies (tracking pixels, web beacons, etc.) and the related consents, we use the consent tool “Real Cookie Banner.” Details on the functionality of “Real Cookie Banner” can be found at:
https://devowl.io/de/rcb/datenverarbeitung/
The legal bases for the processing of personal data in this context are Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR and Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest lies in the administration of cookies and similar technologies as well as the associated consents.
The provision of personal data is neither contractually required nor necessary for the conclusion of a contract. You are not obliged to provide personal data. If you choose not to provide such data, we cannot manage your consents.
Collection of General Data and Information
Each time our website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system, a range of general data and information is collected and stored in the server’s log files. The following data may be collected:
1 Browser types and versions used
2 The operating system used by the accessing system
3 The website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrer)
4 The sub-websites that are accessed on our website via an accessing system
5 The date and time of access
6 An Internet Protocol (IP) address
7 The Internet service provider of the accessing system
8 Other similar data and information that serve to avert danger in the event of attacks on our IT systems
These general data and information are not used to draw conclusions about the data subject. Instead, they are required in order to:
• correctly deliver the content of our website,
• optimize the content of our website and its advertising,
• ensure the long-term functionality of our IT systems and website technology, and
• provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyberattack.
These anonymously collected data and information are therefore evaluated statistically and with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company in order to ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.
Registration on Our Website
Data subjects have the possibility to register on the website of the controller by providing personal data. The personal data transmitted to the controller results from the respective input mask used for registration. The personal data entered is collected and stored exclusively for internal use by the controller and for the controller’s own purposes.
The controller may arrange for transfer to one or more processors, such as a parcel service provider, who will also use the personal data solely for internal purposes attributable to the controller.
Upon registration, the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP), as well as the date and time of registration, are also stored. The storage of this data is necessary in order to prevent misuse of our services and, if necessary, to enable the investigation of committed offenses. In this respect, the storage of this data is required for the protection of the controller. This data is not disclosed to third parties unless there is a legal obligation to do so or disclosure serves the purpose of criminal prosecution.
The registration of the data subject by voluntarily providing personal data serves to enable the controller to offer content or services that may only be offered to registered users by reason of the nature of the matter. Registered persons are free to modify the personal data provided during registration at any time or to have it completely deleted from the data stock of the controller.
The controller shall, at any time upon request, provide information about which personal data of the data subject are stored. Furthermore, the controller shall correct or erase personal data at the request or indication of the data subject, insofar as this does not conflict with statutory retention requirements. All employees of the controller are available to the data subject in this regard as contact persons.
Subscription to Our Newsletter
On our website, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to the company’s newsletter. The input mask used for this purpose determines which personal data are transmitted to the controller.
We inform our subscribers at regular intervals about offers of the company by means of a newsletter. The newsletter may only be received by the data subject if (1) the data subject has a valid email address and (2) the data subject registers for the newsletter. For legal reasons, a confirmation email is sent to the email address entered by a data subject for the first time for newsletter dispatch, using the double opt-in procedure. This confirmation email is used to check whether the owner of the email address has authorized the receipt of the newsletter as a data subject.
When registering for the newsletter, we also store the IP address assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) of the computer system used by the data subject at the time of registration, as well as the date and time of registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to trace the (possible) misuse of the email address of a data subject at a later time and thus serves the legal protection of the controller.
The personal data collected as part of a registration for the newsletter will be used exclusively for sending our newsletter. In addition, subscribers may be informed by email if this is necessary for the operation of the newsletter service or registration, as may be the case in the event of changes to the newsletter offer or changes in technical circumstances. There is no transfer of personal data collected by the newsletter service to third parties.
The subscription to our newsletter may be terminated by the data subject at any time. The consent to the storage of personal data, which the data subject has given us for the newsletter, may be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revoking consent, a corresponding link can be found in each newsletter. Furthermore, it is also possible to unsubscribe directly on the website of the controller or to notify the controller in another way.
Newsletter Tracking
The newsletters contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in such emails sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows for a statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, we can determine whether and when an email was opened by a data subject and which links contained in the email were accessed.
Personal data collected through tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and evaluated by the controller in order to optimize newsletter dispatch and to better adapt the content of future newsletters to the interests of the data subject. These personal data are not passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to revoke their separate declaration of consent given through the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation, these personal data will be deleted by the controller. Unsubscribing from receiving the newsletter is automatically interpreted as a revocation.
Contact Possibility via the Website
Due to legal requirements, the website of metameaning.com contains information that enables quick electronic contact with our company as well as direct communication with us, including a general address of electronic mail (email address).
If a data subject contacts the controller by email or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. No transfer of this personal data to third parties takes place.
Subscription to Comments on the Blog
At present, the comments function is deactivated for organizational reasons.
Routine Erasure and Blocking of Personal Data
The controller processes and stores the personal data of the data subject only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or insofar as this is provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.
If the purpose of storage ceases to apply, or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or erased in accordance with the statutory provisions.
Rights of the Data Subject
a) Right to Confirmation
Every data subject has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to obtain confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning them are being processed.
If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of confirmation, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
b) Right to Access
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain free information from the controller at any time about the personal data stored concerning them and to receive a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject access to the following information:
• the purposes of the processing
• the categories of personal data that are processed
• the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been disclosed or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations
• if possible, the planned duration for which the personal data will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine this duration
• the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning them, or restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing
• the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• if the personal data are not collected from the data subject: any available information as to their source
• the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and intended consequences of such processing for the data subject
Furthermore, the data subject has the right to know whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organization. If this is the case, the data subject also has the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.
If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
c) Right to Rectification
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject also has the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.
If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of rectification, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
d) Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning them without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies, and insofar as the processing is not necessary:
• The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
• The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
• The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR.
• The personal data have been unlawfully processed.
• The erasure of the personal data is necessary to comply with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
• The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1) GDPR.
If one of the above reasons applies and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by us, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. We will ensure the erasure request is complied with immediately.
Where personal data have been made public and our company, as controller pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR, is obliged to erase the personal data, we will take reasonable steps, taking account of available technology and implementation costs, including technical measures, to inform other controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure of any links to, or copies or replications of, those personal data, insofar as processing is not required. We will take the necessary steps in each individual case.
e) Right to Restriction of Processing
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to obtain restriction of processing from the controller where one of the following applies:
• The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
• The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead.
• The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
• The data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.
If one of the above conditions is met and a data subject wishes to request restriction of personal data stored by us, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time. We will arrange the restriction of processing.
f) Right to Data Portability
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. They also have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, where the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR, or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
Furthermore, in exercising their right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
To assert the right to data portability, the data subject may contact us at any time.
g) Right to Object
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, at any time, to processing of personal data concerning them which is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on those provisions.
We will no longer process the personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing serves the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.
We do not process personal data for direct marketing purposes or profiling. Furthermore, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object to processing of personal data concerning them for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.
To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact us directly. In addition, the data subject is free, in the context of the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise their right to object by automated means using technical specifications.
h) Automated Individual Decision-Making, Including Profiling
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing — including profiling — which produces legal effects concerning them, or similarly significantly affects them, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between the data subject and a controller, or (2) is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.
If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into or the performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent, we will implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, which include at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express their point of view, and to contest the decision.
If the data subject wishes to exercise rights concerning automated decision-making, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
i) Right to Withdraw Consent under Data Protection Law
Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.
If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact an employee of the controller at any time.
Legal Basis of Processing
Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company for processing operations where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party — as is the case, for example, with processing operations required for the supply of goods or to provide another service or consideration — the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of inquiries concerning our products or services.
If our company is subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, such as for fulfilling tax obligations, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. In rare cases, processing of personal data may be necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured in our company and their name, age, health insurance data, or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital, or other third party. In that case, the processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) GDPR.
Finally, processing operations could be based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. This legal basis is used for processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases, if the processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by our company or by a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights, and freedoms of the data subject do not override such interests. Such processing operations are particularly permitted because they were specifically mentioned by the European legislator, who considered that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a client of the controller (Recital 47, Sentence 2 GDPR).
Legitimate Interests Pursued by the Controller or a Third Party
Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business for the well-being of all our employees and shareholders.
Duration for Which Personal Data Are Stored
The criterion used to determine the period of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiry of that period, the corresponding data are routinely deleted, provided they are no longer necessary for the fulfillment or initiation of a contract.
Statutory or Contractual Requirements for Providing Personal Data; Necessity for Contract Conclusion; Obligation of the Data Subject to Provide Personal Data; Possible Consequences of Non-Provision
We inform you that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or can also result from contractual provisions (e.g., information on the contracting party). Sometimes it may be necessary to conclude a contract that the data subject provides us with personal data that must subsequently be processed by us. The data subject is, for example, obliged to provide us with personal data when our company concludes a contract with them. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.
Before providing personal data by the data subject, they must contact one of our employees. Our employee will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is legally or contractually required, or necessary for the conclusion of a contract, whether there is an obligation to provide personal data, and the consequences of non-provision of personal data.
Existence of Automated Decision-Making
As a responsible company, we do not use automated decision-making or profiling.
Source
This privacy policy was created by the GDPR Privacy Policy Generator of the German Society for Data Protection, in cooperation with the law firm WILDE BEUGER SOLMECKE | Lawyers from Cologne.