This privacy policy clarifies the nature, scope and purpose of the processing of personal data (hereinafter referred to as "data") within our online offer and the associated websites, functions and content as well as external online presences, such as our social media profile. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "online offering"). With regard to the terms used, such as "processing" or "controller", we refer to the definitions in Art. 4 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Controller
Sommer GmbH
Steinbeisstraße 9
D - 71691 Freiberg a.N.
Phone +49.7141.2745 0
Fax +49.7141.2745 10
info@sommer.de

Managing Director:
Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Theurer
Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Dirk Theurer

Data protection officer:
Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Theurer
info@sommer.de


Types of data processed:
- Inventory data (e.g., names, addresses).
- Contact data (e.g., e-mail, telephone numbers).
- Content data (e.g., text entries, photographs, videos).
- Usage data (e.g., websites visited, interest in content, access times).
- Meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).

Purpose of the processing
- Provision of the online offering, its functions and content.
- Answering contact enquiries and communicating with users.
- Security measures.
- Reach measurement/marketing

Terminology used
"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 (e.g. cookie) or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

"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. The term is broad and covers practically every handling of data.

The term "controller" refers to 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.

Relevant legal bases
In accordance with Art. 13 GDPR, we inform you of the legal basis of our data processing. If the legal basis is not stated in the privacy policy, the following applies The legal basis for obtaining consent is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a and Art. 7 GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfil our services and implement contractual measures and respond to enquiries is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfil our legal obligations is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR, and the legal basis for processing to protect our legitimate interests is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR serves as the legal basis.

Security measures
We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We will adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes to the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require your cooperation (e.g. consent) or other individual notification.
Cooperation with processors and third parties
If we disclose data to other persons and companies (processors or third parties) as part of our processing, transfer it to them or otherwise grant them access to the data, this will only be done on the basis of legal permission (e.g. if the transfer of data to third parties, such as payment service providers, is required to fulfil a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR), you have given your consent, a legal obligation provides for this or on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. when using agents, web hosts, etc.).

If we commission third parties to process data on the basis of a so-called "order processing contract", this is done on the basis of Art. 28 GDPR.

Transfers to third countries
If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs in the context of the use of third-party services or disclosure or transfer of data to third parties, this will only take place if it is done to fulfil our (pre)contractual obligations, on the basis of your consent, on the basis of a legal obligation or on the basis of our legitimate interests. Subject to legal or contractual authorisations, we only process or have the data processed in a third country if the special requirements of Art. 44 et seq. GDPR are met. This means, for example, that the processing takes place on the basis of special guarantees, such as the officially recognised determination of a level of data protection corresponding to the EU (e.g. for the USA through the "Privacy Shield") or compliance with officially recognised special contractual obligations (so-called "standard contractual clauses").

Rights of the data subjects
You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to request information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR.

You have accordingly. Art. 16 GDPR, you have the right to request the completion of data concerning you or the rectification of inaccurate data concerning you.

In accordance with Art. 17 GDPR, you have the right to demand that the data in question be deleted immediately or, alternatively, to demand that the processing of the data be restricted in accordance with Art. 18 GDPR.

You have the right to request to receive the data concerning you that you have provided to us in accordance with Art. 20 GDPR and to request its transfer to other controllers.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority in accordance with Art. 77 GDPR.

Right of cancellation
You have the right to withdraw your consent in accordance with Art. 7 para. 3 GDPR with effect for the future, e.g. by sending an email to info@sommer.de.

Right to object
You can object to the future processing of data concerning you in accordance with Art. 21 GDPR at any time. The objection can be made in particular against processing for direct marketing purposes, e.g. by e-mail to info@sommer.de.

Cookies and right to object to direct marketing
"Cookies" are small files that are stored on users' computers. Different information can be stored within the cookies. A cookie is primarily used to store information about a user (or the device on which the cookie is stored) during or after their visit to an online service. Temporary cookies, or "session cookies" or "transient cookies", are cookies that are deleted after a user leaves an online service and closes their browser. The content of a shopping basket in an online shop or a login status, for example, can be stored in such a cookie. "Permanent" or "persistent" cookies are cookies that remain stored even after the browser is closed. For example, the login status can be saved if the user visits the website after several days. The interests of users can also be stored in such a cookie and used for reach measurement or marketing purposes. "Third-party cookies" are cookies that are offered by providers other than the controller who operates the online service (otherwise, if they are only their cookies, they are referred to as "first-party cookies").

We may use temporary and permanent cookies and clarify this in our privacy policy.

If users do not want cookies to be stored on their computer, they are asked to deactivate the corresponding option in the system settings of their browser. Saved cookies can be deleted in the system settings of the browser. The exclusion of cookies can lead to functional restrictions of this online offer.

A general objection to the use of cookies used for online marketing purposes can be declared for a large number of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the US website http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or the EU website http://www.youronlinechoices.com. Furthermore, the storage of cookies can be achieved by switching them off in the browser settings. Please note that you may then not be able to use all the functions of this website.

Deletion of data
The data processed by us will be deleted or restricted in their processing in accordance with Art. 17 and 18 GDPR. Unless expressly stated in this privacy policy, the data stored by us will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for its intended purpose and the deletion does not conflict with any statutory retention obligations. If the data is not deleted because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing will be restricted. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons.

According to legal requirements in Germany, data is stored in particular for 10 years in accordance with §§ 147 para. 1 AO, 257 para. 1 no. 1 and 4, para. 4 HGB (books, records, management reports, accounting vouchers, commercial books, documents relevant for taxation, etc.) and 6 years in accordance with § 257 para. 1 no. 2 and 3, para. 4 HGB (commercial letters).

According to legal requirements in Austria, storage is carried out in particular for 7 years in accordance with § 132 para. 1 BAO (accounting documents, receipts/invoices, accounts, receipts, business papers, statement of income and expenses, etc.), for 22 years in connection with real estate and for 10 years for documents in connection with electronically provided services, telecommunications, radio and television services provided to non-entrepreneurs in EU member states and for which the Mini-One-Stop-Shop (MOSS) is used.

Hosting
The hosting services we use serve to provide the following services: Infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, security services and technical maintenance services that we use for the purpose of operating this online offering.

In doing so, we or our hosting provider process inventory data, contact data, content data, contract data, usage data, meta and communication data of customers, interested parties and visitors to this online offer on the basis of our legitimate interests in the efficient and secure provision of this online offer in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR in conjunction with Art. 28 GDPR (conclusion of contract). Art. 28 GDPR (conclusion of order processing contract).

Collection of access data and log files
We, or our hosting provider, collect on the basis of our legitimate interests within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. GDPR, we collect data about every access to the server on which this service is located (so-called server log files). They contain the following data: IP, directory protection user, date, time, pages accessed, logs, status code, data volume, referrer, user agent, host name accessed.

For security reasons (e.g. to investigate misuse or fraud), log file information is stored in anonymised form for a maximum of 60 days and then deleted. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is excluded from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

Error logs, which record incorrect page views, are deleted after seven days. In addition to the error messages, these include the accessing IP address and, depending on the error, the website accessed.

Administration, financial accounting, office organisation, contact management
We process data as part of administrative tasks and the organisation of our business, financial accounting and compliance with legal obligations, such as archiving. In doing so, we process the same data that we process as part of the provision of our contractual services. The processing bases are Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c. GDPR, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. GDPR. Customers, interested parties, business partners and website visitors are affected by the processing. The purpose and our interest in the processing lies in the administration, financial accounting, office organisation, archiving of data, i.e. tasks that serve to maintain our business activities, perform our tasks and provide our services. The deletion of data with regard to contractual services and contractual communication corresponds to the information specified in these processing activities.

We disclose or transmit data to the tax authorities, consultants such as tax advisors or auditors as well as other fee centres and payment service providers.

We also store information on suppliers, event organisers and other business partners on the basis of our business interests, e.g. for the purpose of contacting them at a later date. We generally store this mainly company-related data permanently.

Business analyses and market research
In order to operate our business economically and identify market trends, customer and user wishes, we analyse the data we have on business transactions, contracts, enquiries, etc. In doing so, we process inventory data, communication data, contract data, payment data, usage data, metadata on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. GDPR. GDPR, whereby the data subjects include customers, interested parties, business partners, visitors and users of the online offer.

The analyses are carried out for the purpose of business evaluations, marketing and market research. In doing so, we can take into account the profiles of registered users with information on their purchase transactions, for example. We use the analyses to increase user-friendliness, optimise our offer and improve business efficiency. The analyses are used solely by us and are not disclosed externally, unless they are anonymous analyses with summarised values.

If these analyses or profiles are personal, they are deleted or anonymised when the user terminates the contract, otherwise after two years from the conclusion of the contract. Otherwise, the overall business analyses and general trend determinations are created anonymously where possible.

Data protection information in the application process
We process applicant data only for the purpose and within the scope of the application process in accordance with the legal requirements. Applicant data is processed to fulfil our (pre-)contractual obligations as part of the application process within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b. GDPR Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. GDPR if the data processing becomes necessary for us, e.g. in the context of legal proceedings (in Germany, § 26 BDSG also applies).

The application process requires that applicants provide us with the applicant data. If we offer an online form, the necessary applicant data is labelled, otherwise it results from the job descriptions and basically includes personal details, postal and contact addresses and the documents belonging to the application, such as cover letter, CV and certificates. Applicants can also voluntarily provide us with additional information.

By submitting their application to us, applicants consent to the processing of their data for the purposes of the application process in accordance with the type and scope set out in this privacy policy.

Insofar as special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR are voluntarily communicated as part of the application process, their processing is also carried out in accordance with Art. 9 para. 2 lit. b GDPR (e.g. health data, such as severely disabled status or ethnic origin). Insofar as special categories of personal data within the meaning of Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR are requested from applicants as part of the application process, their processing is also carried out in accordance with Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR (e.g. health data if this is necessary for the exercise of the profession).

If provided, applicants can send us their applications using an online form on our website. The data is transmitted to us in encrypted form in accordance with the state of the art.
Applicants can also send us their applications by e-mail. Please note, however, that emails are generally not sent in encrypted form and applicants must ensure that they are encrypted themselves. We therefore cannot accept any responsibility for the transmission path of the application between the sender and receipt on our server and therefore recommend using an online form or sending it by post. Instead of applying via the online form and e-mail, applicants still have the option of sending us their application by post.

In the event of a successful application, we may process the data provided by applicants for the purposes of the employment relationship. Otherwise, if the application for a job offer is unsuccessful, the applicant's data will be deleted. Applicants' data will also be deleted if an application is withdrawn, which applicants are entitled to do at any time.

Subject to a justified cancellation by the applicant, the deletion will take place after a period of six months so that we can answer any follow-up questions about the application and fulfil our obligations to provide evidence under the Equal Treatment Act. Invoices for any reimbursement of travel expenses will be archived in accordance with tax regulations.

Making contact
When contacting us (e.g. by contact form, e-mail, telephone or via social media), the user's details are processed to process the contact enquiry and its handling in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR. The user's details may be stored in a customer relationship management system ("CRM system") or comparable enquiry organisation.

We delete the enquiries if they are no longer required. We review the necessity every two years; the statutory archiving obligations also apply.

Newsletter
With the following information, we inform you about the contents of our newsletter as well as the registration, dispatch and statistical evaluation procedure and your rights of objection. By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to receive it and to the procedures described.
Content of the newsletter: We only send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications with advertising information (hereinafter "newsletter") with the consent of the recipient or with legal authorisation. If the content of the newsletter is specifically described when registering for the newsletter, it is decisive for the user's consent. Otherwise, our newsletters contain information about our services and us.
Double opt-in and logging: Registration for our newsletter takes place in a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after registering, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary to ensure that no-one can register using other people's e-mail addresses. Subscriptions to the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the time of registration and confirmation as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored with the mailing service provider are also logged.

Registration data: In order to offer you the best possible service and to welcome you personally, we collect your title, your name and your e-mail address.

The newsletter and the performance measurement associated with it are sent on the basis of the recipient's consent in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a, Art. 7 GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 Para. 2 No. 3 UWG or on the basis of legal authorisation in accordance with Section 7 Para. 3 UWG.

The logging of the registration process is based on our legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. We are interested in using a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that serves both our business interests and the expectations of users and also allows us to provide proof of consent.

Newsletter - cancellation/cancellation/unsubscribe
You can cancel the receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter at the end of each newsletter or directly at https://www.sommer.de/newsletter/abmelden/. We may store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years on the basis of our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of a possible defence against claims. An individual request for erasure is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed at the same time.

Newsletter - dispatch service provider
Newsletter2Go is used as newsletter software. Your data is transmitted to Newsletter2Go GmbH. Newsletter2Go is prohibited from selling your data and using it for purposes other than sending newsletters. Newsletter2Go is a German, certified provider that has been selected in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Federal Data Protection Act.
You can find more information here: https://www.newsletter2go.de/informationen-newsletter-empfaenger/

Newsletter - performance measurement
The newsletters contain a so-called "web-beacon", i.e. a pixel-sized file that is retrieved from our server when the newsletter is opened or, if we use a dispatch service provider, from their server. As part of this retrieval, technical information, such as information about the browser and your system, as well as your IP address and time of retrieval, is initially collected.

This information is used for the technical improvement of the services based on the technical data or the target groups and their reading behaviour based on their retrieval locations (which can be determined with the help of the IP address) or the access times. The statistical surveys also include determining whether the newsletters are opened, when they are opened and which links are clicked. For technical reasons, this information can be assigned to individual newsletter recipients. However, it is neither our endeavour nor, if used, that of the mailing service provider to observe individual users. Instead, the analyses help us to recognise the reading habits of our users and to adapt our content to them or to send different content according to the interests of our users.

Web fonts from Adobe Typekit
We use fonts via "Adobe Typekit" from Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited, 4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland for the uniform presentation of our brand presence. Privacy policy: https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/policy.html, Opt-Out: https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/opt-out.html.