This is a courtesy translation. Only the German version is legally binding.
1. Data protection at a glance
General information
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data by which you can be personally identified. Detailed information on data protection can be found in the privacy policy set out below.
Data collection on this website
Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
Data on this website is processed by the website operator. The operator's contact details can be found in the section "Information on the controller" in this privacy policy.
How do we collect your data?
Some of your data is collected when you provide it to us, for example data you enter in a contact form.
Other data is collected automatically by our IT systems, or after you have given your consent, when you visit the website. This is mainly technical data (e.g. web browser, operating system or time of access). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.
What do we use your data for?
Part of the data is collected to ensure that the website is provided without errors. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour. Where contracts can be concluded or initiated via the website, the data transmitted will also be processed for contract offers, orders or other enquiries.
What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right at any time to obtain information, free of charge, about the origin, recipients and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the rectification or erasure of this data. If you have consented to data processing, you may withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.
You may contact us at any time regarding this and any other questions on data protection.
Analysis tools and third-party tools
When you visit this website, your browsing behaviour may be statistically analysed. This is done mainly by means of analysis programs.
Detailed information on these analysis programs can be found in the privacy policy below.
2. Hosting
We host the content of our website with the following provider:
Strato
The provider is Strato AG, Otto-Ostrowski-Straße 7, 10249 Berlin, Germany ("Strato"). When you visit our website, Strato collects various log files, including your IP address.
For further information, please refer to Strato's privacy policy: https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/.
Strato is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in the most reliable presentation of our website possible. Where consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG (German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act), insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Data processing agreement
We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the provider processes our website visitors' personal data only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
Webflow
The provider is Webflow, Inc., 398 11th Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA ("Webflow"). When you visit our website, Webflow collects various log files, including your IP address. Webflow is a tool for building and hosting websites. Webflow stores cookies or other recognition technologies that are required to display the website, to provide certain website functions and to ensure security (strictly necessary cookies). For details, please refer to Webflow's privacy policy: https://webflow.com/legal/eu-privacy-policy. Webflow is used on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in the most reliable presentation of our website possible. Where consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. The transfer of data to the USA is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses of the European Commission. Details are available at: https://webflow.com/legal/eu-privacy-policy.
The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information is available from the provider at: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/6365.
Data processing agreement
We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the provider processes our website visitors' personal data only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
Cloudflare
We use the "Cloudflare" service. The provider is Cloudflare Inc., 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA ("Cloudflare"). Cloudflare offers a globally distributed content delivery network with DNS. Technically, the transfer of information between your browser and our website is routed through Cloudflare's network. This enables Cloudflare to analyse data traffic between your browser and our website and to act as a filter between our servers and potentially malicious traffic from the internet. Cloudflare may also use cookies or other technologies to recognise internet users, but these are used solely for the purpose described here. Cloudflare is used on the basis of our legitimate interest in providing our website as error-free and securely as possible (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The transfer of data to the USA is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses of the European Commission. Details and further information on security and data protection at Cloudflare are available at: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/.
The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information is available from the provider at: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5666.
Data processing agreement
We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the provider processes our website visitors' personal data only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
3. General information and mandatory information
Data protection
The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.
When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data is data by which you can be personally identified. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.
Please note that data transmission over the internet (e.g. when communicating by email) may be subject to security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.
Information on the controller
The controller responsible for data processing on this website is:
von Balluseck Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
Wilmersdorfer Straße 98/99, 10629 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49 30 45969-248
Email: info@vbk-law.de
The controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data (e.g. names, email addresses).
Storage period
Unless a more specific storage period is stated in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for which it was processed no longer applies. If you submit a justified request for erasure or withdraw your consent to data processing, your data will be erased unless we have other legally permissible grounds for storing it (e.g. retention periods under tax or commercial law). In the latter case, the data will be erased once these grounds cease to apply.
General information on the legal basis for data processing on this website
If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or, where special categories of data under Art. 9(1) GDPR are processed, Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR. In the case of express consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, processing is also based on Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to access to information on your device (e.g. via device fingerprinting), processing is additionally based on § 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. If your data is required for the performance of a contract or for pre-contractual measures, we process it on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. We also process your data where this is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, on the basis of Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. Data may further be processed on the basis of our legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The legal basis applicable in each individual case is set out in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.
Recipients of personal data
In the course of our business, we work with various external parties. In some cases, this requires the transfer of personal data to these parties. We only pass on personal data to external parties where this is necessary for the performance of a contract, where we are legally obliged to do so (e.g. disclosure to tax authorities), where we have a legitimate interest under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR in the disclosure, or where another legal basis permits the disclosure. When using processors, we only disclose our clients' personal data on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, a joint controller agreement is concluded.
Withdrawal of your consent to data processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may withdraw consent you have already given at any time. The lawfulness of the processing carried out until the withdrawal remains unaffected.
Right to object to data collection in special cases and to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)
WHERE DATA IS PROCESSED ON THE BASIS OF ART. 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON GROUNDS RELATING TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA CONCERNED UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING SERVES THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21(1) GDPR).
WHERE YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR SUCH MARKETING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING INSOFAR AS IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION UNDER ART. 21(2) GDPR).
Right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority
In the event of breaches of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the member state of their habitual residence, their place of work or the place of the alleged infringement. This right is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.
Right to data portability
You have the right to have data that we process automatically on the basis of your consent or in performance of a contract handed over to you or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done where technically feasible.
Access, rectification and erasure
Within the scope of the applicable statutory provisions, you have the right at any time to obtain information free of charge about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients and the purpose of the processing, and, where applicable, a right to rectification or erasure of this data. You may contact us at any time regarding this and any other questions on personal data.
Right to restriction of processing
You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You may contact us at any time for this purpose. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:
Where you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data – apart from being stored – may only be processed with your consent, for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or of a member state.
SSL/TLS encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or enquiries that you send to us as the website operator, this website uses SSL/TLS encryption. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the change in your browser's address bar from "http://" to "https://" and by the padlock symbol in your browser bar.
When SSL/TLS encryption is activated, the data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.
4. Data collection on this website
Cookies
Our website uses so-called "cookies". Cookies are small data packets and do not cause any damage to your device. They are stored on your device either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (persistent cookies). Session cookies are deleted automatically at the end of your visit. Persistent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or your web browser deletes them automatically.
Cookies may originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable certain services of third-party companies to be integrated into websites (e.g. cookies for processing payment services).
Cookies have various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g. the shopping basket function or the display of videos). Other cookies may be used to analyse user behaviour or for advertising purposes.
Cookies that are necessary to carry out the electronic communication process, to provide certain functions you have requested (e.g. the shopping basket function) or to optimise the website (e.g. cookies for measuring web audiences) (strictly necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, unless another legal basis is stated. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing strictly necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimised provision of its services. Where consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG); consent may be withdrawn at any time.
You can set your browser so that you are informed about the setting of cookies and only allow cookies in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. If cookies are deactivated, the functionality of this website may be limited.
The cookies and services used on this website are listed in this privacy policy.
5. Plugins and tools
Google Maps
This website uses the map service Google Maps. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. This service enables us to embed map material on our website.
To use the functions of Google Maps, your IP address must be stored. This information is generally transferred to and stored on a Google server in the USA. The operator of this website has no influence on this data transfer. When Google Maps is activated, Google may use Google Fonts for the uniform display of fonts. When Google Maps is accessed, your browser loads the required web fonts into its cache in order to display texts and fonts correctly.
Google Maps is used in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online services and to make the locations we indicate on the website easy to find. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Where consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's device (e.g. device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
The transfer of data to the USA is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses of the European Commission. Details are available at: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/ and https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/sccs/.
Further information on the handling of user data can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.
The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information is available from the provider at: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.
Google Fonts (local hosting)
This website uses so-called Google Fonts, provided by Google, for the uniform display of fonts. The Google Fonts are installed locally. No connection to Google's servers is established. Further information on Google Fonts is available at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.
6. Audio and video conferencing
Data processing
Among other means, we use online conferencing tools to communicate with our clients. The specific tools we use are listed below. When you communicate with us by video or audio conference via the internet, your personal data is collected and processed by us and by the provider of the respective conferencing tool.
The conferencing tools collect all data that you provide or use in order to use the tools (email address and/or telephone number). The conferencing tools also process the duration of the conference, the start and end time of participation, the number of participants and other "context information" relating to the communication (metadata).
The provider of the tool also processes all technical data required to handle the online communication. This includes, in particular, IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone or loudspeaker and the type of connection.
Where content is exchanged, uploaded or otherwise provided within the tool, it is also stored on the tool provider's servers. Such content includes, in particular, cloud recordings, chat and instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards and other information shared while using the service.
Please note that we do not have full control over the data processing operations of the tools used. Our options are largely determined by the policies of the respective provider. Further information on data processing by the conferencing tools can be found in the privacy policies of the tools used, which are listed below.
Purpose and legal basis
The conferencing tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners or to offer certain services to our clients (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR). The use of the tools also serves to generally simplify and accelerate communication with us or our firm (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). Where consent has been requested, the tools concerned are used on the basis of this consent; consent may be withdrawn at any time with effect for the future.
Storage period
The data collected directly by us via the video and conferencing tools is deleted from our systems as soon as you request its deletion, withdraw your consent to storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your device until you delete them. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected.
We have no influence on the storage period of your data stored by the operators of the conferencing tools for their own purposes. For details, please contact the operators of the conferencing tools directly.
Conferencing tools used
We use the following conferencing tools:
Microsoft Teams
We use Microsoft Teams. The provider is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. Details on data processing can be found in Microsoft's privacy statement: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-gb/privacystatement.
The company is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the USA intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the USA. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards. Further information is available from the provider at: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/6474.
Data processing agreement
We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above service. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the provider processes our website visitors' personal data only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.
7. Our own services
Handling of applicant data
We offer you the opportunity to apply to us (e.g. by email, by post or via an online application form). Below, we inform you about the scope, purpose and use of the personal data collected during the application process. We assure you that your data will be collected, processed and used in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other statutory provisions and that your data will be treated in strict confidence.
Scope and purpose of data collection
When you send us an application, we process the personal data associated with it (e.g. contact and communication data, application documents, notes taken during interviews) insofar as this is necessary to decide whether to establish an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is § 26 BDSG (German Federal Data Protection Act; initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (general initiation of a contract) and – where you have given consent – Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. Within our firm, your personal data is only disclosed to persons involved in processing your application.
If your application is successful, the data you have submitted will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of § 26 BDSG and Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR for the purpose of carrying out the employment relationship.
Data retention period
If we are unable to offer you a position, if you decline an offer or if you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have submitted on the basis of our legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) for up to six months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application). The data will then be erased and the physical application documents destroyed. Retention serves in particular as evidence in the event of a legal dispute. If it is apparent that the data will be required after the six-month period has expired (e.g. due to impending or pending litigation), it will only be erased once the purpose of further retention no longer applies.
Data may also be retained for longer if you have given your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations prevent erasure.
