Privacy Policy According to the GDPR

Name and address of the controller

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection laws of the member states as well as other data protection regulations is:

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
Blechhammer
D-98574 Schmalkalden
Phone: +49 (0) 3683 688-0
Fax: +49 (0) 3683 688 1999
www.hs-schmalkalden.de

Name and address of the data protection officer

The data protection officer of the controller is:

Prof. Dr. Matthias Schneider
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
Blechhammer
D-98574 Schmalkalden
Phone: +49 (0) 3683 688-6112
Fax: +49 (0) 3683 688-6499
Email: datenschutz(at)hs-schmalkalden.de

General information on data processing

Scope of processing personal data

We only process our users' personal data to the extent necessary to provide a functional website and our content and services. The processing of our users' personal data only takes place regularly with the user's consent. An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for factual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

Legal basis for processing personal data

Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.
When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures.
Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which our company is subject, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR serves as the legal basis.
In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR serves as the legal basis.
If the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party and if the interests, fundamental rights, and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh the first-mentioned interest, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

Data erasure and storage duration

The personal data of the data subject will be erased or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies. Data may also be stored if this has been provided for by the European or national legislator in EU regulations, laws, or other provisions to which the controller is subject. The data will also be blocked or erased if a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need for further storage of the data for the conclusion or fulfillment of a contract.

Use of social media plugins

Our website contains links to social networks that establish a direct connection to the servers of social networks such as Facebook and Instagram when the page is accessed. Data may be collected by the networks in the process. This data and its purpose and scope are subject to the respective data protection policies of the individual Facebook products Facebook and Instagram. The processing and use of the data, as well as further setting options for the protection of privacy, can be found in the individual terms of use and data protection declarations at:

http://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/
https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/478745558852511/?helpref=hc_fnav

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences maintains official company pages in the listed social networks. A connection with these university profiles is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for receiving information. If inquiries are sent to us via a contact form in advertisements, this information from the inquiry form, including the contact details provided there, will be stored and processed by Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. Data processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR on the basis of the user's voluntary consent. This consent can be revoked at any time or the consent can be withdrawn at any time (right of withdrawal). The personal data is processed exclusively for a specific purpose and is only stored for as long as it is required for the respective transaction processing or related purposes. They are then deleted and not passed on to third parties.
If the user wishes to prevent the automatic transmission and storage of their data on our website through Facebook or Instagram buttons, the user should log out of Facebook or Instagram before visiting our site.

Embedded videos through YouTube

The Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences website embeds YouTube videos for advertising and information purposes. These are stored on the servers of the provider YouTube and played from our website via embedding. The videos are embedded with the option for extended data protection settings activated. This means that no data is passed on when a university-internal page with an embedded video from our YouTube channel is accessed. User-specific data in the form of YouTube cookies and DoubleClick cookies are only stored and possibly automatically transmitted to YouTube or Google Inc, Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA when such a video is played. Since YouTube is a service of Google Inc., this data is transmitted regardless of whether the user has a Google user account through which they are logged in or whether they do not have an account. If the user is logged in via their own Google account, this data may be assigned to them directly by Google. If the user does not want this assignment to their profile, they must log out before playing the video. Further information on this can be found in Google's privacy policy.

Analysis tools and advertising

This website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Inc, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Google Analytics uses so-called “cookies.” These are text files that are stored on your computer and enable your use of the website to be analyzed. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. The storage of Google Analytics cookies is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the analysis of user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising.

IP anonymization

We have activated the IP anonymization function on this website. This means that your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. Google will use this information on behalf of the operator of this website for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity, and providing other services relating to website activity 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 Google data.

Browser plugin

You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser; however, please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. You can also prevent Google from collecting the data generated by the cookie and relating to your use of the website (including your IP address) and from processing this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

Objection to data collection

When you visit the university website for the first time, you have the option of allowing Google Analytics or confirming the default non-use via a cookie opt-in solution. You can find more information on how Google Analytics handles user data in Google's privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Order data processing

We have concluded a contract with Google for commissioned data processing and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Demographic characteristics with Google Analytics

This website uses the “demographic features” function of Google Analytics. This allows reports to be created that contain statements about the age, gender, and interests of site visitors. This data comes from interest-based advertising from Google and from visitor data from third-party providers. This data cannot be assigned to a specific person. You can deactivate this function at any time via the ad settings in your Google account or generally prohibit the collection of your data by Google Analytics as described in the section “Objection to data collection.”

Provision of the website and creation of log files

Description and scope of data processing

Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing computer. The following data is collected:

Information about the browser type and version used

The user's operating system

The IP address of the user

Date and time of access

The page accessed

The data is stored in the log files of our system. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user.

Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Purpose of the data processing

The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable the website to be delivered to the user's computer. For this purpose, the user's IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session.

The data is stored in log files to ensure the functionality of the website. We also use the data to optimize the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. The data is not analyzed for marketing purposes in this context.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended.

If the data is stored in log files, this is the case after seven days at the latest. Storage beyond this period is possible. In this case, the IP addresses of the users are deleted or anonymized so that it is no longer possible to assign the calling client.

Possibility of objection and removal

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files is absolutely necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, there is no possibility for the user to object.

Contact form and e-mail contact

Description and scope of data processing

Your consent is obtained for the processing of the data as part of the sending process and reference is made to this privacy policy.

Alternatively, you can contact us via the e-mail address provided. In this case, the user's personal data transmitted with the e-mail will be stored.

The data will not be passed on to third parties in this context. The data is used exclusively for processing the conversation.

Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR if the user has given consent.

The legal basis for the processing of data transmitted in the course of sending an e-mail is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. If the e-mail contact is aimed at the conclusion of a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR.

Purpose of the data processing

The processing of the personal data from the input mask serves us solely to process the contact. If you contact us by email, this also constitutes the necessary legitimate interest in processing the data.
The other personal data processed during the sending process is used to prevent misuse of the contact form and to ensure the security of our information technology systems.

Duration of storage

The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. For the personal data from the input screen of the contact form and those sent by email, this is the case when the respective conversation with the user has ended. The conversation is ended when it can be inferred from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified.

The additional personal data collected during the sending process will be deleted after a period of seven days at the latest.

Possibility of objection and removal

The user has the option to withdraw their consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the user contacts us by e-mail, they can object to the storage of their personal data at any time. In such a case, the conversation cannot be continued.

The revocation of consent and the revocation of storage must be made in writing by e-mail.

All personal data stored in the course of contacting us will be deleted in this case.

Rights of the data subject

If your personal data is processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and you have the following rights vis-à-vis the controller:

Right to information

You can request confirmation from the controller as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed by us.

If such processing is taking place, you can request the following information from the controller:

The purposes for which the personal data are processed;

The categories of personal data being processed;

The recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been or will be disclosed;

The envisaged period for which the personal data concerning you will be stored, or, if specific information on this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;

The existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you, a right to restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing;

The existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;

All available information about the origin of the data if the personal data is not collected from the data subject;

The existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Art. 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.

You have the right to request information as to whether the personal data concerning you is transferred to a third country or to an international organization. In this context, you may request to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer.

This right of access may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

Right to rectification

You have a right to rectification and/or completion vis-à-vis the controller if the processed personal data concerning you is incorrect or incomplete. The controller must carry out the rectification without undue delay.

Your right to rectification may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

Right to restriction of processing

You may request the restriction of the processing of your personal data under the following conditions:

If you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;

The processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request 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 you for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims; or

If you have objected to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR and it is not yet certain whether the legitimate reasons of the controller outweigh your reasons.

If the processing of personal data concerning you has been restricted, this data - apart from its storage - may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State.
If the restriction of processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.
Your right to restriction of processing may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

Right to erasure

a) Obligation to erase
You have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

The personal data concerning you are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.

You revoke your consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR and there is no other legal basis for the processing.

You object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR.

The personal data concerning you has been processed unlawfully.

The deletion of personal data concerning you is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.

The personal data concerning you have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Art. 8 (1) GDPR.

b) Information to third parties
If the controller has made the personal data concerning you public and is obliged to erase it pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR, it shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, taking into account the available technology and the cost of implementation, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that you as the data subject have requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data.

c) Exceptions
The right to erasure does not apply if the processing is necessary:

For exercising the right of freedom of expression and information;

For compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;

For reasons of public interest in the area of public health pursuant to Art. 9 (2) (h) and (i) and Art. 9 (3) GDPR;

For archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 para. 1 GDPR, insofar as the right referred to in section a) is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing; or

For the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

Right to information

If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure, or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to notify all recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed of this rectification or erasure of the data or restriction of processing, unless this proves impossible or involves a disproportionate effort.

You have the right vis-à-vis the controller to be informed about these recipients.

Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to the controller, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. You also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data has been provided, where:

The processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR and

The processing is carried out by automated means.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to obtain that the personal data concerning you be transferred directly from one controller to another controller, insofar as this is technically feasible. The freedoms and rights of other persons must not be affected by this.

The right to data portability does not apply to the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Right to object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point (e) or (f) of Article 6(1) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

The controller will no longer process the personal data concerning you unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights, and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

If the personal data concerning you are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is associated with such direct marketing.

If you object to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data concerning you will no longer be processed for these purposes.

You have the option, in connection with the use of information society services - notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC - to exercise your right to object by means of automated procedures that use technical specifications.

You also have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Art. 89 (1) GDPR.

Your right to object may be restricted to the extent that it is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the research or statistical purposes and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

Right to revoke the declaration of consent under data protection law

You have the right to withdraw your declaration of consent under data protection law at any time. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling

You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you. This does not apply if the decision:

Is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between you and the controller;

Is authorized by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests; or

Is made with your express consent.

However, these decisions may not be based on special categories of personal data pursuant to Art. 9 para. 1 GDPR, unless Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a or g GDPR applies and appropriate measures have been taken to protect the rights and freedoms as well as your legitimate interests.

With regard to the cases referred to in (1) and (3), the data controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express your point of view, and to contest the decision.

Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the GDPR.

The supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant on the progress and the outcome of the complaint including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Art. 78 GDPR.