Privacy Policy

Responsible party under data protection laws, in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is:

HORNGROUP GmbH & Co. KG
Munketoft 42
24937 Flensburg
Germany
T +49-461-86960
Email: info@horngroup.com
Website: www.the-horngroup.com

  1. YOUR RIGHTS AS A DATA SUBJECT

Under the contact details provided by our data protection officer, you can exercise the following rights at any time:

  • Information about your stored data and their processing (Art. 15 GDPR),
  • Correction of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR),
  • Deletion of your stored data (Art. 17 GDPR),
  • Restriction of data processing, if we are not yet allowed to delete your data due to legal obligations (Art. 18 GDPR),
  • Objection to the processing of your data with us (Art. 21 GDPR), and
  • Data portability, provided you have consented to data processing or have concluded a contract with us (Art. 20 GDPR).

If you have given us consent, you can revoke it at any time with future effect. You can always lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, e.g., the competent supervisory authority of your habitual residence or the authority responsible for us as the responsible entity. A list of supervisory authorities (for the non-public sector) with addresses can be found at: [link]

  1. COLLECTION OF GENERAL DATA WHEN VISITING OUR WEBSITE

2.1 Nature and purpose of processing: When you access our website, general information of a non-personal nature (server log files) is automatically collected. This information includes the type of web browser, the operating system used, the domain name of your Internet service provider, your IP address, and similar details. This data is processed for the following purposes:

  • Ensuring a smooth connection setup of the website,
  • Ensuring easy use of our website,
  • Evaluation of system security and stability, and
  • Other administrative purposes.

We do not use this data to draw conclusions about you personally. This information is statistically analyzed by us, if necessary, to optimize our website and its underlying technology.

2.2 Legal basis: Processing is carried out in accordance with Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR based on our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website.

2.3 Recipients: Recipients of the data may be technical service providers who act as processors for the operation and maintenance of our website.

2.4 Storage duration: Data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for the purpose of its collection. This is generally the case for data that serves the provision of the website, when the respective session is ended.

2.5 Provision required or obligatory: The provision of the aforementioned personal data is neither legally nor contractually required. However, without the IP address, the service and functionality of our website cannot be ensured. Additionally, individual services and features may not be available or may be restricted. Therefore, an objection is excluded.

  1. COOKIES

3.1 Nature and purpose of processing: Like many other websites, we use “cookies.” These are small text files that are stored on your device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) when you visit our website. This allows us to receive certain information such as IP address, browser used, and operating system.

Cookies cannot be used to start programs or transmit viruses to a computer. Based on the information contained in cookies, we can facilitate navigation and ensure the correct display of our web pages.

Under no circumstances will the data we collect be passed on to third parties or linked to personal data without your consent.

You can view our website without cookies. Internet browsers are regularly set to accept cookies. You can deactivate the use of cookies at any time via your browser settings. Please use your browser’s help function to learn how to change these settings. Please note that some features of our website may not function properly if you have disabled the use of cookies.

3.2 Storage duration and cookies used: If you allow us to use cookies through your browser settings or consent, the following cookies may be used on our websites:

  • PHPSESSID, PHP session cookie, end of session
  • _utmc, Measurement by Google Analytics, end of session
  • _utma, _utmb, _utmt, _utmz, _ga Measurement by Google Analytics, limited duration
  • _utma, _utmc, _utmz, MATOMO_SESSID, Measurement by Matomo, limited duration

If these cookies may also concern personal data, we will inform you about this in the following sections.

You can delete individual cookies or the entire cookie inventory via your browser settings. You will also receive information and instructions on how these cookies can be deleted or their storage prevented in advance. Depending on your browser provider, you can find necessary information at the following links:

Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/de/kb/cookies-loeschen-daten-von-websites-entfernen
Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies
Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61416?hl=de
Opera: http://www.opera.com/de/help
Safari: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH17191?locale=de_DE&viewlocale=de_DE

  1. REGISTRATION ON OUR WEBSITE

4.1 Nature and purpose of processing: When you register to use our personalized services, some personal data is collected, such as your name, address, contact, and communication details (e.g., phone number and email address). Once registered, you can access content and services that are only available to registered users. Registered users also have the option to modify or delete the data provided at registration at any time. Furthermore, we will provide you with information about the personal data we hold about you at any time.

4.2 Legal basis: The processing of data entered during registration is based on the user’s consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). If registration is required to fulfill a contract to which the data subject is a party or to carry out pre-contractual measures, then Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR also serves as the legal basis for the processing of the data.

4.3 Recipients: Recipients of the data may be technical service providers who act as processors for the operation and maintenance of our website.

4.4 Storage duration: Data is processed only as long as the corresponding consent is given. After that, it will be deleted unless there are legal retention obligations. For contact regarding this matter, please use the contact details provided at the end of this privacy policy.

4.5 Provision required or obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary and solely based on your consent. Without providing your personal data, we cannot grant you access to our offered content and services.

  1. CONTACT FORM

5.1 Nature and purpose of processing: The data you enter will be stored for the purpose of individual communication with you. Providing a valid email address and your name is required. This information is necessary for identifying the request and subsequently responding to it. Providing additional data is optional.

5.2 Legal basis: The processing of data entered in the contact form is based on a legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). By providing the contact form, we aim to facilitate an easy method of communication. The information you provide will be stored for the purpose of processing the request and for possible follow-up questions. If you contact us to request a quote, the processing of data entered in the contact form is for the purpose of carrying out pre-contractual measures (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).

5.3 Recipients: Recipients of the data may include processors.

5.4 Storage duration: Data will be deleted no later than 6 months after the request has been processed. If a contractual relationship is established, we are subject to statutory retention periods according to the German Commercial Code (HGB) and will delete your data after these periods expire.

5.5 Provision required or obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary. However, we can only process your request if you provide us with your name, email address, and the reason for your request.

 

  1. NEWSLETTER

6.1 Nature and purpose of processing: The newsletters are sent using the newsletter distribution platform “rapidmail,” operated by rapidmail GmbH, Wentzingerstraße 21, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, VAT ID: DE262810345, HRB 706983. When you subscribe to our newsletter, we use your email address to regularly send you information about us and our offers via email.

When you sign up for the newsletter, we require your email address. No additional data is collected, except on a voluntary basis. This data is used solely for sending the newsletter. We then verify that you are the owner of the provided email address and that you consent to receiving the newsletter. To do this, we first send a confirmation email to the address you provided, requesting confirmation. Your subscription becomes effective only when you click the activation link in this email. You can withdraw your consent for the use of your data for newsletter dispatch at any time with future effect, for example, via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter or by sending a message to marketing@the-horngroup.com.

We use service providers to send newsletters and provide or maintain our IT infrastructure. These providers are obliged to maintain confidentiality.

If you have subscribed to our newsletter, the legal basis for data processing is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). As an existing customer, you receive our newsletters based on our legitimate interests to provide you with up-to-date information about us.

When you open the newsletter or click on a link within it, this is anonymously logged via web servers (date, time, open/clicked link). This serves statistical purposes and helps us improve our services in accordance with Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.

  1. USE OF GOOGLE ANALYTICS

7.1 Nature and purpose of processing: This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service from Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA (hereinafter: “Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies,” which are text files stored on your computer and allow analysis of your use of the website. 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. However, due to the activation of IP anonymization on this website, your IP address is shortened by Google within the member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the USA and then shortened. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on website activities, and provide additional services related to website and internet use to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics is not merged with other data from Google.

The purposes of data processing are to evaluate website usage and compile reports on website activities. Based on website and internet usage, additional related services are to be provided.

7.2 Legal basis: The processing of data is based on the user’s consent (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

7.3 Recipients: The recipient of the data is Google as a processor. We have concluded the appropriate data processing agreement with Google.

7.4 Storage duration: Data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for our recording purposes.

7.5 Third country transfer: Google processes your data in the USA and has adhered to the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework.

7.6 Provision required or obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary, solely based on your consent. If you block access, this may result in limitations on website functionality.

7.7 Withdrawal of consent: You can prevent the storage of cookies by adjusting your browser settings; however, please note that in this case, you may not be able to use all functions of this website. You can also prevent the collection of data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address) by Google, as well as the processing of this data by Google, by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: Browser Add-On to Disable Google Analytics. Alternatively, or in addition to the browser add-on, you can prevent tracking by Google Analytics on our pages by clicking this link. This will install an opt-out cookie on your device, preventing the collection by Google Analytics for this website and this browser as long as the cookie remains installed in your browser.

7.8 Profiling: With the help of the Google Analytics tracking tool, we can evaluate the behavior of website visitors and analyze interests. For this purpose, we create a pseudonymous user profile.

  1. USE OF MATOMO

8.1 Nature and purpose of processing: This website uses Matomo (formerly Piwik), an open-source software for statistical analysis of visitor access. The software provider is InnoCraft Ltd., 150 Willis St, 6011 Wellington, New Zealand. Matomo uses “cookies,” which are text files stored on your computer that enable analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the online service is stored on a server within the EU. The IP address is anonymized immediately after processing and before storage. You can choose whether a unique web analysis cookie can be placed in your browser to enable the website operator to collect and analyze various statistical data. For more information on Matomo’s privacy settings, please refer to the following link: matomo.org/docs/privacy/.

8.2 Legal basis: The processing of data is based on the user’s consent (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

8.3 Recipients: Recipients of the data may include processors.

8.4 Storage duration: Data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for our recording purposes. In our case, this occurs after 6 months.

8.5 Provision required or obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary, solely based on your consent. If you block access, this may result in limitations on website functionality.

8.6 Withdrawal of consent: You can prevent the storage of cookies by adjusting your browser settings; however, please note that in this case, you may not be able to use all functions of this website fully.

8.7 Profiling: With the help of the Matomo tracking tool, we can evaluate the behavior of website visitors and analyze interests. For this purpose, we create a pseudonymous user profile.

 

  1. USE OF GOOGLE MAPS

9.1 Nature and Purpose of Processing: We use Google Maps on this website, operated by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA (hereinafter “Google”). This allows us to display interactive maps directly on the website and facilitates the convenient use of map functions.

For more information on how Google processes data, you can consult Google’s privacy notices. There, you can also change your personal privacy settings in the Privacy Center. Detailed instructions for managing your data in connection with Google products can be found here.

9.2 Legal Basis: The legal basis for embedding Google Maps and the associated data transfer to Google is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

9.3 Recipients: By visiting the website, Google receives information that you have accessed the relevant subpage of our website. This occurs regardless of whether Google provides a user account to which you are logged in or if no user account exists. If you are logged into Google, your data will be directly associated with your account. If you do not want this association, you must log out of Google before activating the button. Google stores your data as usage profiles and uses it for advertising, market research, and/or designing its website to meet your needs. Such evaluation also occurs (even for non-logged-in users) to provide targeted advertising and to inform other users of the social network about your activities on our website. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles, and you must contact Google to exercise this right.

9.4 Storage Duration: We do not collect personal data through the integration of Google Maps.

9.5 Third Country Transfer: Google processes your data in the USA and has adhered to the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework.

9.6 Withdrawal of Consent: If you do not want Google to collect, process, or use data about you through our website, you can disable JavaScript in your browser settings. However, this may limit your ability to use our website fully.

9.7 Provision Required or Obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary and solely based on your consent. Blocking access may result in limitations on website functionality.

  1. EMBEDDED YOUTUBE VIDEOS

10.1 Nature and Purpose of Processing: We embed YouTube videos on some of our web pages. The operator of the related plugins is YouTube, LLC, 901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066, USA (hereinafter “YouTube”). When you visit a page with the YouTube plugin, a connection to YouTube’s servers is established. YouTube is informed about which pages you visit. If you are logged into your YouTube account, YouTube can associate your browsing behavior with you personally. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account before activating the plugin. When a YouTube video is played, the provider uses cookies to collect information about user behavior. For more details on the purpose and scope of data collection and processing by YouTube, please refer to the provider’s privacy policy. You will also find additional information on your rights and privacy settings here. Google processes your data in the USA and has adhered to the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework.

10.2 Legal Basis: The legal basis for embedding YouTube and the associated data transfer to Google is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

10.3 Recipients: Accessing YouTube automatically triggers a connection to Google.

10.4 Storage Duration and Withdrawal of Consent: If you have disabled cookies for Google’s advertising program, you will not have to deal with such cookies when watching YouTube videos. However, YouTube also stores non-personal usage information in other cookies. To prevent this, you must block the storage of cookies in your browser. Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in the provider’s privacy policy here.

10.5 Third Country Transfer: Google processes your data in the USA and has adhered to the EU-U.S. Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework.

10.6 Provision Required or Obligatory: Providing your personal data is voluntary and solely based on your consent. Blocking access may result in limitations on website functionality.

  1. GOOGLE TAG MANAGER

11.1 Nature and Purpose of Processing: The Google Tag Manager is used on this website. This allows us to centrally integrate and manage website tags, for example, to track and analyze your behavior as a visitor using tracking tools. The Google Tag Manager facilitates the central execution of other services that may collect data themselves. We will provide information on these services in the subsequent sections of this document.

11.2 Legal Basis: The legal basis for using Google Tag Manager is your consent. You can provide or withdraw your consent here.

11.3 Recipients: Data processing is carried out by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, 4 Dublin, Ireland. According to Google, the collected data is also transferred to the USA, which has a lower level of data protection than the EU. Consequently, U.S. authorities may have easier access to personal data, with limited rights to challenge such measures. By giving your consent, you explicitly agree to the transfer of data to Google’s servers in the USA as described above. Data transfer is based on the Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework and the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses.

Information on Google Tag Manager can be found here; information on Google’s data protection practices can be found here.

  1. SSL ENCRYPTION

To protect the security of your data during transmission, we use encryption methods that are up-to-date with current technology (e.g., SSL) over HTTPS.

  1. USE OF PROCESSORS

Data processing for this website is performed by a service provider.

  1. CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to adjust this privacy policy to ensure it always meets current legal requirements or to implement changes to our services in the privacy policy, for example, with the introduction of new services. The new privacy policy will apply to your next visit.

  1. QUESTIONS TO THE DATA PROTECTION OFFICER

If you have questions about data protection, please email us or contact the person responsible for data protection directly:

fox-on Datenschutz GmbH
Pollerhofstr. 33a
51789 Lindlar
dsb@fox-on.com
T 02266 / 9015920

Effective Date: August 2024