Privacy policy
Many thanks for your interest in our company. Protecting your data is a matter of the utmost importance to the management of Wolters GmbH. It is generally possible to use the Wolters GmbH website without providing any personal data. However, if a data subject wishes to purchase special services that we offer on our website, the processing of personal data may be necessary. If the processing of personal data is required and there is no legal basis for the processing in question, we generally obtain the consent of the data subject.
The processing of personal data, which may include the data subject’s name, address, email address or telephone number, always takes place in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation and the country-specific data protection regulations to which Wolters GmbH is subject. This privacy policy is designed to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data collected, used and processed by Wolters GmbH. Data subjects can also learn about their rights in this privacy policy.
As the controller, Wolters GmbH has implemented numerous technical and organisational measures to ensure personal data processed via this website is protected to the greatest possible extent. Nevertheless, as Internet-based data transfers may be exposed to security breaches, we are not able to guarantee complete protection for any data disclosed. In light of this, data subjects are also free to send personal data to us using alternative means, i.e. on the phone.
1. Definitions
The Wolters GmbH privacy policy is based on the terminology used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy should be easy to read and understand for the public as well as for our customers and business partners. In order to ensure this, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.
We use the following terms in this privacy policy:
a) Personal data
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘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
The data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data are processed by the controller.
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, organisation, 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 personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, 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 organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.
g) Controller
Controller 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 authorised 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.
2. 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:
Wolters GmbH
Ottilienstr. 19
33332 Gütersloh
Phone: +49 5241 109-0
Fax: +49 5241 109-110
Email address: info@wolters-gmbh.de
Website: www.wolters-gmbh.de
3. Cookies
The Wolters GmbH website uses cookies in several places. Cookies are text files that your browser saves to your computer system for specific websites.
Many websites and servers use cookies. Most cookies contain a unique ID known as a cookie ID, which is a unique identifier for the cookie in question. The cookie ID consists of a string of characters that are used to assign websites and servers to the specific browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows the websites and servers visited to distinguish the data subject’s browser from other browsers that contain other cookies. A unique cookie ID can be used to recognise and identify a specific browser.
By using cookies, Wolters GmbH is able to provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without storing cookies.
Cookies allow the information and services advertised on our website to be optimised for each individual user. As previously mentioned, they also make it possible for us to recognise users of our website. In turn, this makes it easier for users to use our website. For example, users of our website that use cookies do not have to re-enter their login credentials each time they visit the website, as their credentials are already automatically filled in and remembered by the website and the cookie stored on the user's computer system. Another way in which cookies make our website more user-friendly is by remembering items placed in shopping cart on our online shop using a cookie.
Data subjects can opt out of using cookies on our website at any time by adjusting their browser setting and permanently disabling cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time in the data subject’s browser settings or using other software programs. This is possible in all common browsers. If the data subject disables cookies in their browser, this may limit the functionality of our website.
4. Collection of general data and information
The Wolters GmbH website collects a series of general data and information each time a data subject or an automated system accesses the website. This general data and information is stored in server log files. General data and information collected includes (1) information on the types and versions of browsers used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (referrer), (4) the sub-websites accessed via an accessing system on our website, (5) the date and time of the website visit, (6) the Internet protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet service provider of the accessing system and (8) other similar data and information used to safeguard our information technology systems in the event of attacks.
Wolters GmbH does not draw any conclusions about the data subject when using this information. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) correctly deliver the contents of our website, (2) optimise the contents of our website and its advertisement, (3) ensure the permanent functionality of our information technology systems and website technology, and (4) provide law enforcement authorities with any information required for law enforcement in the event of a cyber attack. Wolters GmbH analyses anonymously collected data and information statistically 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 processed by us. Anonymous data found in server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.
5. Contacting us on our website
Due to legal requirements, the Wolters GmbH website contains information that enables data subjects to quickly contact us electronically and get in touch directly, which also includes a general email address. If a data subject contacts the controller by email or using a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are stored automatically. Personal data voluntarily disclosed by a data subject to the controller in the above manner are stored for the purposes of processing the query or contacting the data subject. These personal data are not passed on to third parties.
6. Routine deletion and blocking of personal data
The controller processes and stores the data subject’s personal data solely for the period required to achieve the purpose of storage or to the extent permitted by the European legislator or other legislators in laws or regulations to which the controller is subject.
If the purpose of storage ceases to exist or if a retention period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, personal data will be blocked or deleted routinely and in accordance with the statutory provisions.
7. Rights of the data subject
a) Right to receive confirmation
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether personal data or not relating to him or her are being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to receive confirmation, he or she can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.
b) Right of access
Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data shall have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller at any time and free of charge information on the personal data stored relating to him or her and a copy of the corresponding information. In addition, the European legislator has granted the data subject the right to obtain the following information:
- the purposes of the processing
- the categories of personal data concerned
- the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations
- where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
- the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing
- the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
- where 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, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.
Furthermore, the data subject has a right to know whether personal data have been transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. If this is the case, the data subject shall also have the right to obtain information on the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer.
If a data subject wishes to exercise this right of access, he or she can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.
c) Right to rectification
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject shall have 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, he or she can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.
d) Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and insofar as 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 according to point (a) of Article 6(1) GDPR, or point (a) of Article 9(2) 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 personal data have to be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in 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 grounds applies and a data subject wishes to have personal data stored by Wolters GmbH erased, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time. The data protection officer appointed by Wolters GmbH or another employee will arrange for the erasure request to be executed without undue delay.
Where the personal data has been made public by Wolters GmbH and our company as controller is obliged to erase the personal data in accordance with Art. 17(1) GDPR, Wolters GmbH, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers which are processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data to the extent that processing is not necessary. The data protection officer of Wolters GmbH or another employee will arrange the necessary measures in individual cases.
e) Right to restriction of processing
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to obtain from the controller the restriction of processing of personal data concerning him or her 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 defence 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 the restriction of personal data stored by Wolters GmbH, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time. The data protection officer of Wolters GmbH or another employee will arrange the restriction of processing accordingly.
f) Right to data portability
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable formatand 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 point (a) of Article 6(1) GDPR or point (a) of Article 9(2) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to point (b) of Article 6(1) GDPR; and the processing is carried out by means of automated procedure. The right to data portability shall not apply to processing 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 his or her right to data portability pursuant to Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and where this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
To assert the right to data portability, the data subject can contact the data protection officer appointed by Wolters GmbH or another employee at any time.
g) Right to object
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to object, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.
Wolters GmbH shall no longer process the personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
Where personal data are processed by Wolters GmbH for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. Where the data subject objects to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data shall no longer be processed by Wolters GmbH for such purposes.
In addition, where personal data are processed by Wolters GmbH for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, the data subject, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, shall have the right to object to processing of personal data concerning him or her, unless the 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 can contact the data protection officer appointed by Wolters GmbH or another employee. In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject may exercise his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.
h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
Data subjects have 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 him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, provided that the decision (1) is not necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorised 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 the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller or (2) is based on the data subject's explicit consent, Wolters GmbH shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.
If the data subject wants to assert his or her rights relating to automated decision-making, they can contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.
i) Right to withdraw consent under data protection law
Data subjects have the right granted by the European legislator to withdraw consent to the processing of his or her personal data at any time.
If the data subject wishes to exercise his or her right to withdraw his or her consent, he or she may contact our data protection officer or another employee of the controller at any time.
8. Legal basis for processing
Article 6 I lit. a GDPR forms one of the legal bases used by our company for processing for which 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 with data processing required for the supply of goods or the provision of another service or consideration for example, the processing takes place on the basis of Art. 6 I lit. b GDPR. The same applies to data processing required for the performance of pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of enquiries regarding our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation that requires the processing of personal data, such as for the fulfilment of tax obligations, this processing takes place on the basis of Art. 6 I lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor to our company sustained injuries and their name, age, health insurance information or other vital information had to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. The corresponding data processing would then take place on the basis of Art. 6 I lit. d GDPR. Data processing may also take place on the basis of Art. 6 I lit. f GDPR. Data processing not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases takes place on the basis of Art. 6 I lit. f GDPR if the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that these interests are not overridden by the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. We are permitted to carry out corresponding data processing, in particular due to its specific mention by the European legislator. In this respect, it took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47(2) GDPR).
9. Legitimate interests in processing pursued by the controller or a third party
Where personal data is processed on the basis of Article 6 I lit. f GDPR, our legitimate interest lies in the performance of our business activities for the benefit of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.
10. Retention periods for personal data
The duration for which personal data are stored is determined by the respective legal retention period. Once a retention period comes to an end, the corresponding data will be routinely deleted, provided they are no longer required for the performance or initiation of a contract.
11. Legal or contractual requirements for the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of the contract; obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of the failure to provide personal data
Please note that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data that must subsequently be processed by us in order to conclude a contract. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data when our company enters into a contract with them. Failure to provide personal data means that the contract cannot be concluded with the data subject. Before personal data is provided by the data subject, the data subject must contact our data protection officer. Our data protection officer will inform the data subject on an individual basis whether the provision of the personal data is required by law or on the basis of a contract, or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide personal data and what the consequences would be if the personal data were not provided.
12. Automated decision-making
As a responsible company, we do not use automatic decision-making or profiling.
13. Data Protection Officer for Wolters GmbH
STA-Rempel
Boelkoven Straße 7
33699 Bielefeld
Phone: +49 176 56 53 17 52
Email address: info( a. t )sta-rempel.de