As of: 23.10.2022

I am very pleased that you are interested in my work. In general, you can use this website without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to use specific services offered through this website, the processing of personal data may be necessary. If the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, the data subject’s consent will generally be obtained.

The processing of personal data—such as a data subject’s name, address, email address, or phone number—is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with applicable country-specific data protection regulations. Through this Privacy Policy, I wish to inform the public about the nature, scope, and purpose of the personal data collected, used, and processed here. Furthermore, this Privacy Policy informs data subjects of their rights.

As the data controller, I have implemented numerous technical and organizational measures to ensure the most comprehensive protection possible for the personal data processed through this website. However, Internet-based data transmissions may generally involve security vulnerabilities, so absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, every data subject is free to submit personal data through alternative channels as well.

Definitions

This Privacy Policy is based on the terminology used by European legislators and regulators when enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This Privacy Policy is intended to be easy to read and understand for the general public as well as for customers and business partners. To ensure this, I would like to explain the terminology used at the outset.

In this privacy policy, I use the following terms, among others:

1. Personal Data
   Personal data refers to any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as the “data subject”). A natural person is considered identifiable if they can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by association with an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more specific characteristics that reflect the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
2. Data Subject
   A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller.
3. Processing
   Processing means any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, distribution, or any other form of disclosure, the comparison or linking, the restriction, erasure, or destruction.
4. Restriction of Processing
   Restriction of processing refers to the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting its future processing.
5. Profiling
   Profiling is any form of automated processing of personal data that involves using 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 work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements.
6. Pseudonymization
   Pseudonymization is the processing of personal data in such a way 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 that ensure the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
7. Data Controller or Controller
   The controller is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that, 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 law or the law of the Member States, the controller or the specific criteria for its designation may be provided for by Union law or the law of the Member States.
8. Data Processor
   A data processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.
9. Recipient
   A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body to whom personal data is disclosed, regardless of whether or not that entity is a third party. However, public authorities that may receive personal data in the course of a specific investigative mandate under Union law or the law of the Member States are not considered recipients.
10. Third party
    A “third party” is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other entity other than the data subject, the controller, the processor, and the persons authorized to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the controller or the processor.
11. Consent
    Consent means any freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes, expressed in the form of a statement or other clear affirmative action, by which the data subject indicates that he or she consents to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

Cookies / SessionStorage / LocalStorage

Some of these web pages use so-called cookies, LocalStorage, and SessionStorage. This is done to make our website more user-friendly, effective, and secure. LocalStorage and SessionStorage are technologies that allow your browser to store data on your computer or mobile device. Cookies are text files that are placed and stored on a computer system via a web browser. You can prevent the use of cookies, LocalStorage, and SessionStorage by adjusting the settings in your browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain what is known as a cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that allows websites and servers to associate the cookie with the specific web browser in which it was stored. This enables the visited websites and servers to distinguish the data subject’s individual browser from other web browsers that contain different cookies. A specific web browser can be recognized and identified via the unique cookie ID.

The use of cookies allows us to provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without cookies.

Cookies are used to optimize the information and content on this website to better serve the user. As mentioned earlier, cookies make it possible to recognize users of this website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to navigate the website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter their login credentials every time they visit the site, because this information is retrieved by the website from the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the shopping cart cookie in an online store. The online store uses a cookie to remember the items a customer has placed in their virtual shopping cart.

The data subject may prevent our website from setting cookies at any time by adjusting the settings of the web browser being used, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via a web browser or other software programs. This is possible in all common web browsers. If the data subject disables cookies in their web browser, some features of our website may not be fully functional.

Collection of General Data and Information

Every time a data subject or an automated system accesses the website, the website collects a range of general data and information. This general data and information is stored in the server’s log files. The following may be collected: (1) the 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 (known as the referrer), (4) the subpages on our website accessed via an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol (IP) address, (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and (8) other similar data and information used to prevent threats in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, we do not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to (1) correctly deliver the content of our website, (2) optimize the website’s content and advertising, (3) ensure the ongoing functionality of the website’s information technology systems and infrastructure, and (4) provide law enforcement agencies with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyberattack. This anonymously collected data and information is therefore evaluated both for statistical purposes and with the aim of enhancing data protection and data security, ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the processed personal data. The anonymous data from the server log files is stored separately from any personal data provided by a data subject.

Contact options via the website

In accordance with legal requirements, this website contains information that enables quick electronic contact and direct communication with me, including a general electronic mail (email) address. If a data subject contacts me via email or through a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject is automatically stored. Such personal data, voluntarily provided by a data subject to the data controller, is stored for the purpose of processing the request or contacting the data subject. This personal data is not disclosed to third parties.

Routine Deletion and Blocking of Personal Data

The website processes and stores the data subject’s personal data only for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage, or to the extent provided for by European legislators (directives and regulations) or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the data controller is subject.

If the purpose of storage no longer applies or if a retention period prescribed by European directives and regulations or by another competent legislative body expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with legal requirements.

Period for which personal data is stored

The criterion for the duration of personal data storage is the applicable statutory retention period. Once this period has expired, the relevant data is routinely deleted.

Legal or contractual requirements regarding the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; the data subject’s obligation to provide personal data; possible consequences of failure to provide such data

I would like to inform you that the provision of personal data is, in some cases, required by law (e.g., tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g., information about the contracting party).

In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide me with personal data in order to conclude a contract, which we must then process. For example, the data subject is obligated to provide me with personal data when I enter into a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.

Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact me. I will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of personal data is required by law or contract, or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract; whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data; and what the consequences of failing to provide the personal data would be.

Existence of Automated Decision-Making

As a responsible person, I refrain from using automated decision-making or profiling.

General Cookies

The following cookies are classified as technically necessary cookies.

WordPress Cookies

Name	Purpose	Validity
wordpress_test_cookie	This cookie determines whether cookies have been disabled in the browser. Storage duration: Until the end of the browser session (deleted when you close your web browser).	Session
PHPSESSID	This cookie stores your current session for PHP applications, ensuring that all features of this website based on the PHP programming language are displayed properly. Duration: Until the end of the browser session (deleted when you close your web browser).	Session
wordpress_akm_mobile	These cookies are used only for the WordPress admin area.	1 year
wordpress_logged_in_akm_mobile	These cookies are used only for the WordPress admin area and do not apply to other site visitors.	Session
wp-settings-akm_mobile	These cookies are used only for the WordPress admin area and do not apply to other site visitors.	Session
wp-settings-time-akm_mobile	These cookies are used only for the WordPress admin area and do not apply to other site visitors.	Session
ab	is used for A/B testing of new features.	Session
akm_mobile	stores whether the visitor wants to view the mobile version of a website.	1 day

Google Analytics

This website uses various services provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. The individual services are described in more detail in the following section.

In general, by using the services listed below and collecting personal data in connection therewith (in particular IP addresses), we pursue a legitimate interest in presenting the content on our website in an appealing manner, analyzing it, improving it, and tailoring any advertising to your needs (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Google Analytics uses so-called “cookies” (see also 3.1 “Cookies”). These are stored on your computer and enable an analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie regarding your use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the United States and stored there.

IP Anonymization

We have enabled the IP anonymization feature on this website. As a result, Google will truncate your IP address within member states of the European Union or in other signatory states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before transmitting it to the United States. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services related to website and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other data held by Google.

Objection to Data Collection

You can prevent cookies from being stored by adjusting your browser settings accordingly; however, please note that in this case, you may not be able to use all features of this website to their full extent. You can also prevent Google from collecting the data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address), as well as from processing this data, by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please see Google’s Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Order Processing

We have entered into a data processing agreement for the use of Google Analytics and fully comply with the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using these services.

Demographic Characteristics in Google Analytics

This website uses the “demographic characteristics” feature of Google Analytics. This allows for the creation of reports that provide information about the age, gender, and interests of site visitors. This data is derived from Google’s interest-based advertising and from visitor data provided by third parties. This data cannot be linked to any specific individual. You can disable this feature at any time via the ad settings in your Google Account, or you can generally prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data as described in the previous paragraph.

Google Analytics Cookies

Name	Purpose	Validity
_ga	Distinguishing Between Website Visitors.	2 years
_gid	Distinguishing Between Website Visitors.	24 hours
_gat_gtag_UA_	Used to throttle the request rate. If Google Analytics is deployed via Google Tag Manager, this cookie is named _dc_gtm_.	1 Minute
_dc_gtm_	Used to monitor the number of Google Analytics server requests.	1 Minute
AMP_TOKEN	Contains a token code used to retrieve a client ID from the AMP Client ID Service. By matching this ID with the one from Google Analytics, users can be tracked as they switch between AMP and non-AMP content.	30 Seconds to 1 year
_gat	Used to monitor the number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager.	1 Minute
_gac_	Contains information about the user’s marketing campaigns. This information is shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked.	90 days
__utma	An ID used to identify users and sessions.	2 years
__utmt	Used to monitor the number of Google Analytics server requests.	10 minutes
__utmb	Used to distinguish between new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js JavaScript library is loaded and no __utmb cookie exists. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.	30 minutes
__utmc	Used only with older Urchin versions of Google Analytics, not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.	Session
__utmz	Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed the user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js JavaScript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Analytics server.	6 months
__utmv	Contains custom information set by the web developer using the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.	2 years
__utmx	Used to determine whether a user is included in an A/B or multivariate test.	18 months
__utmxx	Used to determine when the A/B or multivariate test in which the user is participating ends.	18 months