Data protection

Personal Data (hereinafter referred to as "data") will only be processed by us, Sprachwerk Aachen, to the extent necessary and for the purpose of providing a functional and user-friendly website, including its content and the services offered there.

In accordance with Art. 4 No. 1 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), "processing" refers to any operation or series of operations performed on personal data, whether by automated means or not, such as the collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, modification or alteration, retrieval, querying, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or any other form of provision, reconciliation, or combination, restriction, deletion, or destruction.

With the following privacy policy, we inform you about the type, scope, purpose, duration, and legal basis of the processing of personal data, insofar as we decide either alone or jointly with others on the purposes and means of processing. Additionally, we inform you about third-party components used by us for optimization purposes and to enhance user experience, where third parties process data under their own responsibility.

Our privacy policy is structured as follows:

I. Information about us as the data controller
II. Rights of users and data subjects
III. Information on data processing

I. Information about us as the data controller

The responsible provider of this website in terms of data protection law is:

Sprachwerk Aachen

Gülüzar Toduk
Theaterplatz 6-12
52062 Aachen

Telefon: +49 (241) 475 799 93
E-Mail: info@sprachwerk-aachen.de

No appointment of a Data Protection Officer is required.

II. Rights of Users and Data Subjects

In regard to the data processing described below, users and data subjects have the right:

To confirmation as to whether their personal data is being processed, to information about the processed data, to further information about the data processing, and to copies of the data (cf. Art. 15 GDPR);
To correction or completion of incorrect or incomplete data (cf. Art. 16 GDPR);
To immediate deletion of their personal data (cf. Art. 17 GDPR), or, alternatively, where further processing is required under Art. 17(3) GDPR, to restriction of processing in accordance with Art. 18 GDPR;
To receive their personal data provided by them and to transmit this data to other providers/controllers (cf. Art. 20 GDPR);
To lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority if they believe that their personal data is being processed by the provider in violation of data protection laws (cf. Art. 77 GDPR).
In addition, we are obliged to inform all recipients to whom data has been disclosed about any corrections or deletions of data or restrictions on processing that occur based on Articles 16, 17(1), 18 GDPR, insofar as this is possible. Notwithstanding this, the user has a right to be informed about these recipients.

Furthermore, under Art. 21 GDPR, users and data subjects have the right to object to the future processing of their personal data if the data is processed by us under Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. In particular, objection to data processing for direct marketing purposes is permissible.

III. Information on Data Processing

Your data processed during the use of our website will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies, and there are no legal retention obligations preventing deletion. Specific processing procedures will be described with different instructions.

Cookie Manager

To obtain consent for the use of technically unnecessary cookies on the website, we use a cookie manager.

When visiting the website, a cookie with the settings information is stored on the user's device so that the consent query does not need to be repeated on subsequent visits.

The cookie is necessary to obtain legally compliant consent from the user. Users can prevent or delete the installation of cookies via their browser settings.

a) Session Cookies

We use cookies on our website. Cookies are small text files or other storage technologies that are stored on your device by the browser you use. These cookies process specific information about you, such as your browser or location data or IP address.

This processing makes our website more user-friendly, effective, and secure, as it allows functions such as displaying the site in different languages or offering a shopping cart function.

The legal basis for this processing is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR, provided these cookies process data for contract initiation or execution. If the processing is not for contract initiation or execution, our legitimate interest lies in improving the functionality of our website. In this case, the legal basis is Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.

Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.

b) Third-party Cookies

Cookies from partner companies, with whom we cooperate for advertising, analysis, or functionality purposes, may also be used on our website.

Details on the purposes and legal basis for processing such third-party cookies can be found in the following information.

c) Option to Eliminate Cookies

You can prevent or limit the installation of cookies by adjusting your browser settings. You can also delete already stored cookies at any time. The required steps and measures depend on the browser you are using. For questions, please use your browser’s help function or documentation, or contact its manufacturer or support. The processing of Flash cookies cannot be blocked through browser settings. Instead, you must change your Flash player settings. Again, the required steps depend on your Flash player. For questions, refer to the help function or documentation of your Flash player or contact the manufacturer or user support.

Preventing or limiting the installation of cookies may, however, result in some functions of our website not being fully available.

Contact Requests / Contact Possibility

If you contact us via the contact form or email, the data you provide will be used to process your inquiry. Providing this data is required for processing and responding to your inquiry – without it, we cannot answer your inquiry or can only do so to a limited extent.

The legal basis for this processing is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR.

Your data will be deleted once your inquiry has been fully answered and no legal retention obligations prevent the deletion, for example, in the case of a subsequent contract execution.

Online Job Applications / Publication of Job Advertisements

We offer you the possibility to apply to us through our website. In these digital applications, your applicant and application data will be electronically collected and processed by us for the purpose of handling the application process.

The legal basis for this processing is § 26(1) sentence 1 BDSG in conjunction with Art. 88(1) GDPR.

If an employment contract is concluded after the application process, we will store your submitted data in your personnel file for the purpose of the usual organizational and administrative process, in compliance with further legal obligations.

The legal basis for this processing is also § 26(1) sentence 1 BDSG in conjunction with Art. 88(1) GDPR.

If your application is rejected, we will automatically delete the submitted data two months after the rejection notification. Deletion will not occur if the data must be stored longer due to legal provisions, for example, due to proof obligations under the AGG, or for up to four months or until the conclusion of a legal process.

The legal basis for this is Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR and § 24(1)(2) BDSG. Our legitimate interest lies in legal defense or enforcement.

If you explicitly consent to a longer storage of your data, for example, for inclusion in a candidate or interested party database, the data will be processed based on your consent. The legal basis for this is Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time under Art. 7(3) GDPR by declaring so to us with effect for the future.

Contract Processing
The data you provide for the use of our goods and/or services will be processed by us for the purpose of contract fulfillment and is necessary for this purpose. Contract formation and contract processing are not possible without providing your data.

The legal basis for processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR.

We delete the data after complete contract fulfillment, but we must observe the tax and commercial retention periods.

As part of contract processing, we will share your data with the transport company commissioned with the delivery of goods or with the financial service provider, as far as necessary for the delivery of goods or for payment purposes.

The legal basis for the transfer of data is then Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR.

Facebook
To promote our products and services, as well as to communicate with prospects or customers, we maintain a company presence on the Facebook platform.
On this social media platform, we are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

The data protection officer of Facebook can be contacted via a contact form:
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/540977946302970

We have regulated the joint responsibility in an agreement regarding the respective obligations according to the GDPR. This agreement, from which the mutual obligations arise, can be accessed via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum

The legal basis for the processing of personal data that occurs as a result of the above and is explained below is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest lies in the analysis, communication, as well as the marketing and promotion of our products and services.

The legal basis can also be the user's consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR to the platform operator. The user can withdraw this consent at any time in accordance with Art. 7 para. 3 GDPR by notifying the platform operator for future processing.

When accessing our online presence on the Facebook platform, Facebook Ireland Ltd. as the operator of the platform in the EU processes user data (e.g., personal information, IP address, etc.).

This data is used to generate statistical information about the use of our company presence on Facebook. Facebook Ireland Ltd. uses this data for market research and advertising purposes, as well as to create user profiles. Based on these profiles, Facebook Ireland Ltd. can, for example, target users with interest-based ads both within and outside of Facebook. If the user is logged into their Facebook account at the time of access, Facebook Ireland Ltd. can also associate the data with the user's account.

In the event of contact by the user via Facebook, the personal data entered at this occasion will be used to process the request. The user's data will be deleted once the user's request has been fully answered and no legal retention obligations, such as those in the case of subsequent contract fulfillment, exist.

For processing the data, Facebook Ireland Ltd. may also set cookies.

If the user disagrees with this processing, they have the option to prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting the browser settings accordingly. Already stored cookies can also be deleted at any time. The settings for this depend on the browser being used. For Flash cookies, processing cannot be blocked via browser settings but by adjusting the Flash player settings. If the user prevents or restricts the installation of cookies, it may result in some features of Facebook being unavailable.

Further information on the processing activities, prevention, and deletion of data processed by Facebook can be found in Facebook's privacy policy:
https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation

It is possible that the processing by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited may also be carried out through Meta Platforms, Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.

Instagram
To promote our products and services, as well as to communicate with prospects or customers, we maintain a company presence on the Instagram platform.

On this social media platform, we are jointly responsible with Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

The data protection officer of Instagram can be contacted via a contact form:
https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/540977946302970

When accessing our online presence on the Instagram platform, Facebook Ireland Ltd. as the operator of the platform in the EU processes user data (e.g., personal information, IP address, etc.).

This data is used to generate statistical information about the use of our company presence on Instagram. Facebook Ireland Ltd. uses this data for market research and advertising purposes, as well as to create user profiles. Based on these profiles, Facebook Ireland Ltd. can, for example, target users with interest-based ads both within and outside of Instagram. If the user is logged into their Instagram account at the time of access, Facebook Ireland Ltd. can also associate the data with the user's account.

In the event of contact by the user via Instagram, the personal data entered at this occasion will be used to process the request. The user's data will be deleted once the user's request has been fully answered and no legal retention obligations, such as those in the case of subsequent contract fulfillment, exist.

For processing the data, Facebook Ireland Ltd. may also set cookies.

Further information on the processing activities, prevention, and deletion of data processed by Instagram can be found in Instagram's privacy policy:
https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875

It is possible that the processing by Facebook Ireland Ltd. may also be carried out through Meta Platforms, Inc., 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.

YouTube
We maintain an online presence on YouTube to present our company and services and communicate with customers/prospects. YouTube is a service of Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, a subsidiary of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA.

Therefore, we would like to point out that there is a possibility that user data may be processed outside of the European Union, particularly in the USA. This may pose increased risks to users, as access to user data may be more difficult later on. We also do not have access to this user data. The ability to access the data lies solely with YouTube.

YouTube's privacy policy can be found at
https://policies.google.com/privacy

General Linking to Third-Party Profiles
The provider links to the following social networks on the website.

The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. The legitimate interest of the provider lies in improving the quality of use of the website.

The integration of the plugins is done via a linked graphic. Only by clicking on the corresponding graphic will the user be redirected to the service of the respective social network.

After the user is redirected, the respective network collects information about the user. Initially, data such as IP address, date, time, and visited page will be collected. If the user is logged into their account on the respective network during this time, the network operator may associate the collected information with the user's personal account. If the user interacts with a “share” button from the respective network, this information may be stored and possibly published in the user's personal account. To prevent the collected information from being associated with the user's account directly, the user must log out before clicking the graphic. There is also the option to configure the respective user account accordingly.

The following social networks are linked by the provider:

Facebook
Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/policy.php

Instagram
Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Privacy policy: https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875

YouTube
Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, a subsidiary of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA.
Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

OpenStreetMap
For directions, we use OpenStreetMap, a service of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB 4 0 WS, United Kingdom, hereinafter referred to as "OpenStreetMap."

When accessing one of our websites that integrates the OpenStreetMap service, a cookie is stored on your device via your internet browser. This allows OpenStreetMap to process your usage settings and user data for the purpose of displaying the page or ensuring the functionality of the OpenStreetMap service. As a result of this processing, OpenStreetMap can recognize from which website your request was sent and to which IP address the directions should be transmitted.

If you have given consent for this processing, the legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR. The legal basis may also be Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest lies in optimizing and economically operating our website.

If you do not agree with this processing, you can prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting the settings in your internet browser. Further details can be found above under the "Cookies" section.

OpenStreetMap provides further information about the collection and use of data, as well as your rights and options for privacy protection at:

https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy

YouTube
We use YouTube on our website, a video portal by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, hereinafter referred to as "YouTube."

We use YouTube in connection with the "Enhanced Privacy Mode" function to display videos to you. If you have given consent for this processing, the legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR. The legal basis may also be Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest lies in improving the quality of our website. The "Enhanced Privacy Mode" function ensures that only the data specified below is transmitted to YouTube's server when you actually start the video.

Without this "Enhanced Privacy Mode," a connection to YouTube's server in the USA is established as soon as you visit a page on our website where a YouTube video is embedded. This connection is necessary to display the video on our website via your internet browser. In this process, YouTube will collect at least your IP address, the date and time, and the website you visited. Additionally, a connection is established with the Google advertising network "DoubleClick."

If you are logged into YouTube at the same time, YouTube will associate the connection information with your YouTube account. If you want to prevent this, you must either log out of YouTube before visiting our website or adjust the settings in your YouTube user account accordingly.

For functionality and usage behavior analysis, YouTube stores cookies permanently via your internet browser on your device. If you disagree with this processing, you can prevent the storage of cookies by adjusting the settings in your internet browser. Further details can be found above under "Cookies."

Further information about the collection and use of data, as well as your rights and privacy protection options, is available in Google's privacy policy at:

https://policies.google.com/privacy

Use of PayPal as a Payment Method
If you choose PayPal as a payment method during your order process, your contact details will be transmitted to PayPal as part of the order process. PayPal is a service provided by PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. & Cie. S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg. PayPal acts as an online payment service provider and trustee, offering buyer protection services.

The personal data transmitted to PayPal typically includes first name, last name, address, phone number, IP address, email address, or other data necessary for processing the order, as well as data related to the order, such as the number of items, item number, invoice amount, taxes, billing information, etc.

This transmission is necessary for processing your order with the payment method you selected, particularly for confirming your identity, administering your payment, and managing the customer relationship. The transmission of your data to PayPal is therefore based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR.

Please note that PayPal may also transmit personal data to service providers, subcontractors, or other affiliated companies to fulfill the contractual obligations arising from your order or to process the personal data on behalf of PayPal.

Depending on the payment method selected via PayPal, e.g., invoice or direct debit, the personal data transmitted to PayPal may be forwarded to credit rating agencies. This transmission serves the purpose of identity and credit checks for the order you placed. To find out which credit agencies are involved and which data PayPal generally collects, processes, stores, and shares, please refer to PayPal's privacy policy at www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full.

WhatsApp Contact
To facilitate contact, the provider allows customers to contact via the messaging service WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a service of WhatsApp Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, a subsidiary of Facebook.

By communicating with the provider via WhatsApp, both the provider and WhatsApp receive the user's mobile number and the information that the user contacted the provider.

The above data is also transmitted by WhatsApp to Facebook servers in the USA and processed by WhatsApp and Facebook in accordance with WhatsApp's privacy policy, including for their own purposes, such as improving the WhatsApp service.

Currently, according to data protection authorities, the USA does not have an adequate level of data protection. However, there are so-called standard contractual clauses:

https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/about-standard-contractual-clauses

These are private agreements and therefore do not have a direct impact on the access possibilities of authorities in the USA.

For more details on the purpose and scope of data collection and further processing of this data by WhatsApp and Facebook, as well as your rights and privacy protection options, refer to WhatsApp's privacy policy at:

https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/#privacy-policy.

The legal basis for this processing and the transfer to WhatsApp is Art. 6 para. 1 S. 1 b) GDPR, if the contact is related to an existing contractual relationship or the initiation of such a relationship. If the contact is not for the aforementioned purposes, the legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. The legitimate interest of the provider is improving service quality.