Use of Cookies
Cookies are text files containing data from visited websites or domains that are stored by a browser on the user's computer. The primary purpose of a cookie is to store information about a user during or after their visit to an online service. Stored information may include language settings on a website, login status, a shopping cart, or the location where a video was watched. The term "cookies" also includes other technologies that fulfill the same functions as cookies (e.g., when user information is stored using pseudonymous online identifiers, also known as "user IDs").
The following cookie types and functions are distinguished:
Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their browser.
Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after closing the browser. For example, login status can be saved, or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, user interests used for performance measurement or marketing purposes can be stored in such a cookie.
First-party cookies: First-party cookies are set by us.
Third-party cookies: Third-party cookies are primarily used by advertisers (so-called third parties) to process user information.
Necessary (also: essential or strictly necessary) cookies: Cookies may be strictly necessary for the operation of a website (e.g., to save logins or other user input, or for security reasons).
Analytics, marketing, and personalization cookies: Cookies are also generally used for audience measurement and when user interests or behavior (e.g., viewing specific content, using functions, etc.) are stored in a user profile for individual websites. Such profiles serve to show users content that corresponds to their potential interests. This process is also referred to as "tracking." Where we use cookies or tracking technologies, we will inform you separately in our privacy policy or when obtaining consent.
Notes on legal bases: The legal basis on which we process your personal data using cookies depends on whether we ask for your consent. If this applies and you consent to the use of cookies, the legal basis for processing your data is your declared consent. Otherwise, the data processed using cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g., in the business operation of our online service and its improvement) or if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations.
General notes on revocation and objection (Opt-Out): Depending on whether processing is based on consent or legal authorization, you have the option at any time to revoke consent given or object to the processing of your data by cookie technologies (collectively referred to as "opt-out"). You can initially declare your objection using your browser settings, e.g., by disabling the use of cookies (which may also restrict the functionality of our online service). An objection to the use of cookies for online marketing purposes can also be declared via a variety of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the websites https://optout.aboutads.info and https://www.youronlinechoices.com/. In addition, you can receive further notices of objection within the framework of the information on the service providers and cookies used.
- Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., visited websites, interest in content, access times), meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses).
- Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
- Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR), Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).