Privacy declaration

Responsible Authority

We are happy about you visiting our website. We would like to introduce you to the responsible authority in terms of data protection law as applicable:

Gordian Knot by Kirchebner
Lavaterstrasse 45
8002 Zürich
Phone: +41 79 433 03 52
E-mail: info@gordian-knot.ch

General Information

Pursuant to our statutory obligations, we would like to inform you about the collection and use of your personal data.

When you use our website, personal data about you will be collected. This may happen by you entering the data yourself, for example your e-mail address. But our system also collects your data automatically, for example whenever you visit our website. This happens irrespective of the device or the software that you use to visit our website.

All data that you enter in our app is provided voluntarily; there are no disadvantages to you if you do not provide data. But without certain data, we are unable to provide services or to conclude contracts. Whenever such information is necessary, we will point it out to you.

On this website, the user’s personal data is only collected within the framework of the existing data-protection law, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The legal terms used in the text are defined in Art. 4 of the GDPR.

The GDPR allows data processing in three cases in particular:

  • in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 (a) and 7 GDPR, when you have consented to us processing your data; in this Privacy Policy and in the cases of consent pursuant to Art. 4 no. 11 GDPR, we will inform you in detail and each time for what purposes and under what circumstances your data will be processed by us;
  • in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR, when processing your personal data is necessary for negotiating, concluding or performing a contract;
  • in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, if the balancing of interests leads to the conclusion that the processing is necessary to protect our legitimate interests; this means in particular our interests to analyse, optimise and secure the offers on our website – meaning primarily the analysis of user behaviour, setting up profiles for advertisement purposes and storage of access data as well as the use of third-party providers.

Inventory Data

We collect inventory data as far as it is necessary to establish, negotiate or amend a contract (including one without remuneration) between us and the user. This can be: customer data (for example name, address), contact data (for example e-mail address, phone number), service data (for example services ordered, duration, payment). Upon establishing the user relationship, we will ask you for this data (for example name, address and e-mail address) and will also tell you which of the information is required to establish the user relationship.

Usage Data

We also collect usage data to allow users to use the services on our website. These may consist of: usage information (for example visited websites or parts, duration of visit, interest in services), content data (for example data, text, images, sounds, videos entered or uploaded by you), meta data (for example identity of your device, location, IP address).

We will only combine usage data if and insofar as it is necessary for billing purposes. Otherwise, we will only put together usage data pseudonymously and only insofar as you have not objected. You may send this objection to the address indicated in the “About Us” section or the responsible authority indicated in this Privacy Policy at any time.

The legal basis for this data processing are our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR in analysing the website and your use, possibly also the statutory permission to store data as part of the negotiation of a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR.

Hoster

Hostpoint AG

Our Website is presented in the Internet by a service provider. We use the service Hostpoint AG, Neue Jonastrasse 60, 8640 Rapperswil-Jona, Schweiz. We have concluded a data processing agreement with our provider. With this contract, our provider is obliged to process the data according to our instructions. You can find more information on data processing at our provider in his privacy policy at https://www.hostpoint.ch/hostpoint/kontakt-agb.html#infos. The legal basis for this data processing is on the one hand our legitimate interest in a technologically perfect online offering and its design and optimization in an economically efficient manner pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, and, on the other hand, our contractual or pre-contractual legal relationship in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR.

Furthermore, our provider stores information, the so-called server log files, each time the website is used; this is information which is automatically transferred by your browser. In detail, this data consists of:

  • your IP address
  • type and version of your browser
  • host name
  • time of visit
  • the page from which you came to our page
  • name of the page opened
  • exact time of usage as well as
  • the amount of data transferred

This data will only be used for statistical purposes and do not allow us to identify you as a user.

First Contact through Electronic Request

If you contact us in electronic form (for example by mail, fax, phone, messenger, etc.), we store and process the data which you have given us (for example name, contact information, content of the request). This is based on our legitimate interest in an effective communication with customers in accordance with Article 6 para. 1 (a) GDPR and, as far as it concerns a request to enter into or to perform a contract, also with Article 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR.
We will only pass on this data to third parties as far as required for the performance of the contract (in accordance with Article 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR), by the overwhelming interest in effective services (in accordance with Article 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR) or based on your consent (in accordance with Article 6 para. 1 (a) GDPR) or if there is another legal permission or obligation.
You may ask us at any time and without any cost to provide information about the purpose of the processing, the origin and the recipient, if any, of your data. You may also request that we correct, delete or limit the processing of your personal data. You may object against the (further) processing of your data at any time and you have a right for the data to be made transferable as well as the right to file a complaint with the competent supervisory agency.
In general, your data will only remain stored as long as required by the purpose of the respective data processing. A longer storage is an option, in particular when required in order to pursue our rights, for other legitimate interests of ours or when there is a statutory duty to keep the data longer (for example record-keeping under tax law, statute of limitations).

Consent

Whenever we ask you for your consent for the processing of your data, we will inform you in clear language and in an easily accessible way about the cases for which you will be granting your consent. Any consent that we ask you for is voluntary. Any advantage that you wish to gain by granting consent is also available without consent; simply ask us.

Regarding any consent, you have the right to revoke any consent given to us for the processing of your personal data at any time. You just need to contact us without any particular formal requirement, for example through our contact form, an e-mail to the e-mail address indicated in the “About Us” section or a link to unsubscribe (if offered by us). Your withdrawal has no effect on the legality of the data processing carried out up to that point.

Storage Period

Generally, your data will only remain stored as long as required by the purpose of the respective data processing. Storage beyond that is possible in particular if it is still required for pursuing our rights or for other legitimate interests of ours.
For your inventory data which were necessary to perform a contract (including one without remuneration), this means that we store this data until the complete performance or termination of the contractual relationship plus the limitation period (which is generally 2 or 3 years) plus an adequate extra time for potential interruptions of the limitation period.
For your usage data which was collected in the course of your use of the website, this means that we will store it only for the time still required for the proper functionality of our website and as long as we still have a legitimate interest. Statistical information will be primarily stored by us in pseudonymous form.
Beyond that, we still store your data for as long as we are required to do so by law. This concerns in particular the tax-law requirements to keep records, usually for 6 or even 10 years.

Upon opening the website, we have asked you to consent to the storing of certain cookies which will be placed while you visit our website. Based on your consent pursuant to Art 6 para. 1 (a) GDPR, our website thus uses cookies, so that our offer can be used in a better, more effective and more secure way.
A cookie is a record of information that is stored on your terminal device (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.). These can be “session cookies”, which are automatically deleted when you leave our website. Other cookies are stored on your computer permanently until you delete them. That allows us to recognize your browser when you visit our website again and to provide you with features or offers according to your previous usage.

Your browser allows you to prevent the use of cookies in general or in specific cases. Please check the instructions for your browser to find out more about this. You can also delete cookies following these instructions which we have listed for you:

for Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
for Safari: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
for Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox
for Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies
for Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/278835/how-to-delete-cookie-files-in-internet-explorer

Blocking cookies may limit the functionality of our website and of other websites visited by you.
More information on this topic, in particular how you can administer, limit or completely disable third-party cookies and technologies with a similar purpose, can be found at:
https://www.aboutads.info/choices
https://www.youronlinechoices.eu
https://www.networkadvertising.org/choices

In order to obtain your consent to store certain cookies on your device and to document this in line with data protection law, and in line with our legal obligations under Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 (c) GDPR and our legitimate interest in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, we use the product Cookiebot of Usercentrics A/S
Havnegade 39
1058 Kopenhagen.
Upon opening our website, the following data will be sent to Cookiebot: your consent or the withdrawal of your consent for placing cookies, a cookie placed in your browser by Cookiebot, type and version of your browser, information about your device, the time of your visit to our website as well as your IP address in an anonymized form. Because it is anonymous, collecting the IP address does not link to any person and only serves the purpose of having evidence for the consent granted.
You can find detailed information about the purpose of the collected data and about the privacy policy of Cookiebot at: https://www.cookiebot.com/de/privacy-policy/
If you want to withdraw your consent, simply delete the cookie in your browser. For information on deleting cookies, we refer you to the chapter „cookies“ in this privacy policy. If you re-enter/reload our website, you will be asked for your consent to place cookies again.

Transfer of data

Transfer to Third Parties

We dislike spam as much as you do. We will therefore not transfer your data to third parties, unless permitted by law.

Transfer of customer data may either

  • be required for the performance of a contract and in that case be permitted according to Art. 6 para. 1 (b) GDPR, or
  • be permitted based on our legitimate interest in an effective service structure pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, or
  • covered by your consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (a) GDPR, or
  • become necessary if we will be legitimately asked by a government or an agency to hand over your data pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (c) GDPR.

If your data are transferred to third parties, this is mentioned in this privacy policy.

Transfer to other countries, particularly USA

Our website uses external providers located outside of the EU for different features. In particular, the use of cookies, active Java scripts and other technology can lead to processing and storage of your data outside of the EU. But we will not transfer your data to a third country, unless the EU Commission has determined that there is a similar level of data protection as in the EU or unless you have provided us with your informed consent or we have agreed on the standard contractual clauses for the protection of your data with the provider.

Users‘ Rights

You may request us anytime to provide information about the personal data stored about you free of charge. To avoid misuse, this will require personal identification.

Deletion, Correction, Limitation

You may at any time demand from us that we correct (or complete) incorrect data as well as a limitation of the processing of data or deletion of your data. This applies in particular if the reason for processing the data is no longer valid, if a required consent has been revoked and there is no other legal basis or if our data processing is unlawful. We will then correct, block or even delete your personal data without delay as far as permitted by law.

Objection

The right to object to advertisement is governed by our text regarding consent:
Regarding any consent, you have the right to revoke any consent given to us for the processing of your personal data at any time. You just need to contact us without any particular formal requirement, for example through our contact form, an e-mail to the e-mail address indicated in the “About Us” section or a link to unsubscribe (if offered by us). Your withdrawal has no effect on the legality of the data processing carried out up to that point.

Data Transfer

You may request us to transfer the data stored about you in machine-readable form.

Complaint

If you feel that our data processing has violated any of your rights, you may file a complaint with the competent regulatory agency (here you find a list of the agencies).

Changes to the Privacy Policy

If and when factual or legal reasons will compel us to amend the Privacy Policy, we will update this page accordingly. This will not change the consent provided by the user.

Social Media

We refer with links to our social media presences. When you follow any such link to the social media site, your data will be broadcasted to that site. The social media site will normally store a cookie in your browser and to your account information there, especially, if you are logged into your social media account on the site. The social media site can analyse your use of the platform and your browsing habits and will use these for targeting advertisements based on your interests. That can lead to ads being shown to you when browsing in- and outside of the social media site. Please inform yourself about the use of your data on these sites and use them only, when you agree to that use of your data, that happens on that social media site, in particular, when you are not using that social media site for the first time. We have added links to all the privacy policies of the social media site for your information.

Our page uses links to our presence on the social network LinkedIn, provided by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, as a subsidiary of LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Ct. Ste. 200 Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

It is just a normal link, which means that upon opening our page, LinkedIn won’t learn anything of your visit to our website. But when you click on the link, you will be taken to LinkedIn, and then LinkedIn will also learn that you visited our page.

Thus, your data may be forwarded to the USA.

We have neither knowledge of, nor any influence on the possible collection and processing of your data by LinkedIn after clicking on the link. Further information can be found in LinkedIn’s privacy policy at https://www.LinkedIn.com/legal/privacy-policy?_l=de_DE.

Our page uses links to our presence on the social network Twitter, provided by Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07 IRELAND
It is just a normal link, which means that upon opening our page, Twitter won’t learn anything of your visit to our website. But when you click on the link, you will be taken to Twitter, and then Twitter will also learn that you visited our page.

Thus, your data may be forwarded to the USA.

However, we have ensured that your data is only transferred to the USA on the basis of a contract in accordance with the standard contractual clauses. According to the GDPR and the EuGH, this is a legal basis for the transfer of data to the USA. This applies in particular since the US Presidential Decree of 07.10.2022.

We have concluded an data processing agreement with this provider, according to which this provider will only process your data on our behalf within the scope of the GDPR and according to our instructions. Further information can be found in the privacy policy of Twitter at https://twitter.com/privacy?lang=en.

Our website uses links to our presence in the social network of YouTube by YouTube LLC, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA, represented by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Irland. It is just a normal link. Thus, when you open our site, YouTube will not learn of your visit to our website. But once you click on the link, you will be led to YouTube, allowing YouTube to learn that you have visited out site.

The data collected by Google may be transferred by Google to countries outside of the EU, in particular to the USA.

However, we have ensured that your data is only transferred to the USA on the basis of a contract in accordance with the standard contractual clauses. Furthermore this provider is certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This means that the transfer of data to the USA is possible in a legally secure manner on the basis of the adequacy decision concluded on 10.07.2023.

You may find further information in YouTube’s privacy policy at
https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

Social Media Videos

Youtube (Two Click)

Based on our legitimate interest in a technologically perfect online offering and its design and optimisation in an economically efficient manner pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR we use YouTube, a service provided by YouTube LLC, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066, USA, represented by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Irland in order to embed videos.
To protect your data, we have installed a two-click solution. That way, Google won’t learn about your visit once you access our website, but only once you actually click the button. If you confirm the plugin while being logged in at YouTube, Google may attribute your use to your user account.

The data collected by Google may be transferred by Google to countries outside of the EU, in particular to the USA.

However, we have ensured that your data is only transferred to the USA on the basis of a contract in accordance with the standard contractual clauses. Furthermore this provider is certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This means that the transfer of data to the USA is possible in a legally secure manner on the basis of the adequacy decision concluded on 10.07.2023.

We have concluded an data processing agreement with this provider, according to which this provider will only process your data on our behalf within the scope of the GDPR and according to our instructions.
You may find further information in YouTube’s privacy policy at
https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

Regarding the general approach to cookies and their deactivation, we refer you to our general information in this Privacy Policy.

Google

Google Tag Manager

With the Google Tag Manager, marketers can use an interface to administer website tags. The Tag Manager itself, which places the tags, works without cookies and collects no personal data. The Tag Manager only activates other tags, which may in turn collect data. About these third-party providers, you will find the respective declarations in this Privacy Policy. The Google Tag Manager does not use this data. If you have deactivated cookies, it will be respected for all tracking tags that were placed with the Google Tag Manager, so the tool does not change your cookie preferences.

Google may ask you for permission to pass on some product data (e.g. your contact information) to other google products in order to activate certain features, e.g. adding new conversion-tracking tags to simplify AdWords. Google’s developers will also check the information about the usage of the product from time to time, in order to further improve the product. But Google will never pass on such data to other Google products without your consent.

When using this provider, it may happen that your data is transferred to the USA. However, we have ensured that your data is only transferred to the USA on the basis of a contract in accordance with the standard contractual clauses. Furthermore this provider is certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This means that the transfer of data to the USA is possible in a legally secure manner on the basis of the adequacy decision concluded on 10.07.2023.

We have concluded an data processing agreement with this provider, according to which this provider will only process your data on our behalf within the scope of the GDPR and according to our instructions see the Google Ads Data Processing Terms for further information. The Google Ads Data Processing Terms are available here: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/.

Further information can be found in the user guidelines of Google and the privacy policy of Google for this product.

Google Ads

Based on our legitimate interest in a technologically perfect online offering and its design and optimisation in an economically efficient manner pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, we use Google Ads, an online advertisement network provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

With this system we can advertise in the Google ads network, which will be displayed on other websites, search results or other places on the internet. With Google Ads our ads will be primarily shown to users, who are most likely interested in them. This allows us, to market more specific. Google uses a Cookie to display the ads based on the interests of the user. The Cookie will be read by “web beacons” on the Website of the Google ads network.
The Cookies contain data about technical specifications of your system, the websites visited, the interests shown and which ads were clicked.
At the same time we have a „Conversion Cookie“. With it Google shows us anonymize statstics without personal data. It is just about how often our ads were clicked.
Also Google will use all data out of these Cookies just in a pseudonymized way, without being able, to follow your actions individually. The data is just analysed concerning the cookie itself, otherwise only, if you have given Google your specific consent to use the data with respect to you individually.

The data collected by Google may be transferred by Google to countries outside of the EU, in particular to the USA. We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google, according to which Google only processes your data according to our instructions. This agreement ensures, that your data will be transferred to the US solely on the base of the standard contractual clauses, see the Google Ads Data Processing Terms for further information. The Google Ads Data Processing Terms are available here: https://business.safety.google/adsprocessorterms/.

As we have already explained about cookies in general in our Privacy Policy, you can prevent the saving of cookies through the relevant preferences in your browser, but this may limit the functionality of our website.

Alternatively, you can use your browser to deactivate only interest-targeted ads on Google as well as interest-targeted Google ads on the web. To do this, you have to go to http://www.google.de/settings/ads and activate the “Off” button or use the deactivation at https://myaccount.google.com/privacycheckup?. Further information about your preference options regarding this issue and the data protection of Google can be found at https://www.google.de/intl/en/policies/privacy/?fg=1.

For the general approach to cookies and their deactivation as well as regarding the passing of data to third parties, particularly to the USA, we refer you to our general information in this Privacy Policy. This provider is certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This means that the transfer of data to the USA is possible in a legally secure manner on the basis of the adequacy decision concluded on 10.07.2023.

You will find more information about Google’s precautions regarding data protection at the following link: https://www.google.de/intl/en/policies/privacy/.

Google Ads Conversion Tracking

Based on our legitimate interest in a technologically perfect online offering and its design and optimisation in an economically efficient manner pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, we additionally to Google Ads we use the Google Ads Conversion Tracking, to track the result of our ads and to allow us to display ads based on the interest of the user.

If you perform certain actions on our Website – as ordering something, send a contact form or order out Newsletter – will this Conversion send to Google. Google can therewith measure the numbers of conversions. Additionally Google will be able to identify the cookie saved by Google on your Computer by Google before and can see, on which ads you have clicked before.

If you do not wish to be tracked, you can use the Google Ad Manager https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads/authenticated to modify your settings or even deactivate your Google Ads entirely. Additionally we refer for further settings and deactivation-measures to our general information in this Privacy Policy and especially for Google Ads.

Google remarketing and similar target groups

Based on our legitimate interest in a technologically perfect online offering and its design and optimisation in an economically efficient manner pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 (f) GDPR, we use remarketing and other target-group services provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Irland, on our website.

This technology applied through cookies allows Google to present you targeted ads based on previously visited websites. Thus, we can better approach users of our website with ads. When you visit our page, a cookie will be placed in your browser, unless you have objected to the use of cookies when you opened our page.

The cookie is a small file with a number code, with which your visit of the website and anonymised data about your use of the website are collected. When it is transmitted to Google, your IP address will be shortened and thus anonymised. Your personal data will neither be stored, nor connected with other data by Google.

The anonymized data may be forwarded to the USA and stored by Google. However, we have ensured that your data is only transferred to the USA on the basis of a contract in accordance with the standard contractual clauses. According to the GDPR and the EuGH, this is a legal basis for the transfer of data to the USA. Furthermore this provider is certified according to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This means that the transfer of data to the USA is possible in a legally secure manner on the basis of the adequacy decision concluded on 10.07.2023.

We have concluded an data processing agreement with this provider, according to which this provider will only process your data on our behalf within the scope of the GDPR and according to our instructions.

If you visit other websites after ours and these other websites are also part of the Google Display network, you will probably be shown interest-targeted ads on the basis of the websites previously visited by you.

You can perpetually prevent the saving of cookies by Google in your browser by downloading and installing the plugin linked to hereinafter.
https://www.google.com/settings/ads/plugin?hl=de

You can also prevent the use of cookies by third-party providers by declaring your opt-out on the deactivation page of the Network Advertising Initiative, following the instructions there: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/

Further information about Google’s remarketing service and Google’s privacy policy can be found at http://www.google.com/privacy/ads/.

For the general approach to cookies and their deactivation as well as regarding the passing of data to third parties, particularly to the USA, we refer you to our general information in this Privacy Policy.

 

We work together with Doctena for our online appointment bookings. You can find information on Doctena’s data protection at: https://cdn.doctena.com/legal/20230225-Privacy_Policy_Doctena_Application_EN.pdf.

Built with Datenschutz Generator of https://easyrechtssicher.de

This is our current valid privacy policy from 10.11.2023

 

GOOGLE ANALYTICS

WHAT IS GOOGLE ANALYTICS?

We use on our website the analysis tracking tool Google Analytics in the version Google Analytics 4 (GA4) of the American company Google Inc. For the European area the company Google Ireland Limited (Gordon House, Barrow Street Dublin 4, Ireland) is responsible for all Google services. Google Analytics collects data about your actions on our website. However, through the combination of various technologies such as cookies, device IDs and login information, you as a user can be identified across different devices. This also allows your actions to be analyzed across platforms.

For example, when you click on a link, that event is stored in a cookie and sent to Google Analytics. With the help of the reports we receive from Google Analytics, we can better tailor our website and service to your needs. In the following, we will go into more detail about the tracking tool and, in particular, inform you about what data is processed and how you can prevent it.

Google Analytics is a tracking tool that is used to analyze the traffic on our website. The basis of these measurements and analyses is a pseudonymous user identification number. This number does not contain any personal data such as name or address, but is used to assign events to an end device. GA4 uses an event-based model that captures detailed information about user interactions such as page views, clicks, scrolling, conversion events. In addition, various machine learning features have also been incorporated into GA4 to better understand user behavior and certain trends. GA4 relies on modeling with the help of machine learning functions. This means that on the basis of the collected data, missing data can also be extrapolated in order to optimize the analysis and also to be able to give forecasts.

For Google Analytics to work in principle, a tracking code is built into the code of our website. When you visit our website, this code records various events that you perform on our website. GA4’s event-based data model allows us, as website operators, to define and track specific events to obtain analytics on user interactions. Thus, in addition to general information such as clicks or page views, we can also track specific events that are important for our business. Such specific events can be, for example, the submission of a contact form or the purchase of a product.

As soon as you leave our website, this data is sent to Google Analytics servers and stored there.

Google processes the data and we receive reports about your user behavior. These reports may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Audience reports: through audience reports, we get to know our users better and know more precisely who is interested in our service.
  • Ad reports: Ad reports help us analyze and improve our online advertising.
  • Acquisition reports: Acquisition reports give us helpful information on how to attract more people to our service.
  • Behavior reports: This is where we learn how you interact with our website. We can track the path you take on our site and which links you click.
  • Conversion reports: Conversion is when you take a desired action based on a marketing message. For example, you go from being a mere website visitor to a buyer or newsletter subscriber. These reports help us learn more about how our marketing efforts are working for you. This is how we aim to increase our conversion rate.
  • Real-time reports: Here we always know immediately what is happening on our website. For example, we can see how many users are currently reading this text.

In addition to the analytics reports mentioned above, Google Analytics 4 also offers the following features, among others:

  • Event-based data model: This model captures very specific events that can take place on our website. For example, playing a video, purchasing a product, or signing up for our newsletter.
  • Advanced analytics: These features allow us to further understand your behavior on our website or certain general trends. For example, we can segment user groups, do comparative analysis of target groups, or track your path or path on our website.
  • Predictive modeling: based on collected data, machine learning can extrapolate missing data that predicts future events and trends. This can help us develop better marketing strategies.
  • Cross-platform analytics: data collection and analysis are possible from both websites and apps. This gives us the opportunity to analyze user behavior across platforms, provided of course you have consented to the data processing.

Why do we use Google Analytics on our website?

Our goal with this website is clear: we want to provide you with the best possible service. The statistics and data from Google Analytics help us achieve this goal.

The statistically evaluated data shows us a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of our website. On the one hand, we can optimize our site so that it can be found more easily by interested people on Google. On the other hand, the data helps us to better understand you as a visitor. We thus know exactly what we need to improve on our website in order to provide you with the best possible service. The data also helps us to carry out our advertising and marketing measures in a more individual and cost-effective way. After all, it only makes sense to show our products and services to people who are interested in them.

What data is stored by Google Analytics?

Google Analytics uses a tracking code to create a random, unique ID associated with your browser cookie. This is how Google Analytics recognizes you as a new user and a user ID is assigned to you. The next time you visit our site, you will be recognized as a “returning” user. All collected data is stored together with this user ID. This makes it possible to evaluate pseudonymous user profiles.

In order to analyze our website with Google Analytics, a property ID must be inserted into the tracking code. The data is then stored in the corresponding property. For each newly created property, the Google Analytics 4 property is standard. Depending on the property used, data is stored for different lengths of time.

Through identifiers such as cookies, app instance IDs, user IDs, or custom event parameters, for example, your interactions are measured across platforms if you have consented. Interactions are all types of actions you take on our website. If you also use other Google systems (such as a Google account), data generated through Google Analytics may be linked to third-party cookies. Google does not share Google Analytics data unless we, as the website operator, authorize it. Exceptions may occur if required by law.

According to Google, Google Analytics 4 does not log or store IP addresses. However, Google uses the IP address data to derive location data and deletes it immediately afterwards. All IP addresses collected from users in the EU are therefore deleted before the data is stored in a data center or on a server.

Since Google Analytics 4 focuses on event-based data, the tool uses significantly fewer cookies compared to previous versions (like Google Universal Analytics). Nevertheless, there are some specific cookies that are used by GA4. These include, for example:

Name: _ga
Wert: 2.1326744211.152112661870-5
Purpose: By default, analytics.js uses the _ga cookie to store the user ID. Basically, it is used to distinguish website visitors.
Expiration date: after 2 years

Name: _gid
Wert: 2.1687193234.152112661870-1
Purpose: The cookie is also used to distinguish the website visitors.
Expiration date: after 24 hours

Name: _gat_gtag_UA_<property-id>
Value: 1
Intended use: used to lower the request rate. If Google Analytics is deployed via Google Tag Manager, this cookie will be named _dc_gtm_ <property-id>.
Expiration date: after 1 minute

Note: This enumeration cannot claim to be exhaustive, as Google is always changing the choice of their cookies as well. The goal of GA4 is also to improve privacy. Therefore, the tool offers some options to control the data collection. For example, we can set the storage duration ourselves and also control the data collection.

Here we show you an overview of the main types of data collected with Google Analytics:

Heatmaps: Google creates so-called heatmaps. Heatmaps allow you to see exactly those areas that you click on. This gives us information about where you are “on the move” on our site.

Session duration: Google defines session duration as the time you spend on our site without leaving. If you have been inactive for 20 minutes, the session ends automatically.

Bounce rate: A bounce is when you view only one page on our site and then leave our site.

Account creation: when you create an account or make an order on our website, Google Analytics collects this data.

Location: IP addresses are not logged or stored in Google Analytics. However, just before the IP address is deleted, derivations are used for location data.

Technical Information: Technical information includes your browser type, internet service provider, or screen resolution.

Source of origin: Google Analytics respectively we are of course also interested in via which website or which advertisement you came to our site.

Other data include contact details, any ratings, playing media (for example, if you play a video via our site), sharing content via social media or adding to your favorites. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and is provided only as a general guide to data storage by Google Analytics.

How long and where is the data stored?

Google has their servers spread all over the world. You can read exactly where Google’s data centers are located here: https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/locations/?hl=en

Your data is distributed on different physical disks. The advantage of this is that the data can be accessed more quickly and is better protected from tampering. In each Google data center, there are corresponding emergency programs for your data. If, for example, the hardware at Google fails or natural disasters paralyze servers, the risk of a service interruption at Google still remains low.

The retention period of the data depends on the properties used. The storage period is always specified for each individual property. Google Analytics offers us four options to control the retention period:

  • 2 months: this is the shortest storage period.
  • 14 months: by default, GA4 keeps the data for 14 months.
  • 26 months: you can also store the data for 26 months.
  • Data will be deleted only when we delete it manually

In addition, there is also an option that data will be deleted only when you stop visiting our website within the period we have chosen. In this case, the retention period will be reset each time you visit our website again within the specified period.

Once the specified period has expired, the data is deleted once a month. This retention period applies to your data associated with cookies, user recognition and advertising IDs (e.g. DoubleClick domain cookies). Reporting results are based on aggregated data and are stored separately from user data. Aggregated data is a merging of individual data into a larger unit.

How can I delete my data or prevent data storage?

Under European Union data protection law, you have the right to access, update, delete or restrict your data. Using the browser add-on to disable Google Analytics JavaScript (analytics.js, gtag.js), you can prevent Google Analytics 4 from using your data. You can download and install the browser add-on at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en. Please note that this add-on only disables the collection of data by Google Analytics.

If you generally want to disable, delete or manage cookies, you will find the relevant links to the respective instructions for the most popular browsers under the section “Cookies”.

Legal basis

The use of Google Analytics requires your consent, which we have obtained with our cookie popup. According to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO (consent), this consent constitutes the legal basis for the processing of personal data, as may occur during the collection by web analytics tools.

In addition to consent, there is a legitimate interest on our part to analyze the behavior of website visitors and thus to improve our offer technically and economically. With the help of Google Analytics, we detect website errors, can identify attacks and improve the economic efficiency. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO (Legitimate Interests). Nevertheless, we only use Google Analytics if you have given your consent.

Google also processes data from you in the USA, among other places. Google is an active participant in the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which regulates the correct and secure transfer of personal data of EU citizens to the USA. More information on this can be found at https://commission.europa.eu/document/fa09cbad-dd7d-4684-ae60-be03fcb0fddf_en.

In addition, Google uses so-called standard contractual clauses (= Art. 46. para. 2 and 3 DSGVO). Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) are templates provided by the EU Commission and are intended to ensure that your data complies with European data protection standards even if it is transferred to third countries (such as the USA) and stored there. Through the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and through the standard contractual clauses, Google undertakes to comply with the European level of data protection when processing your relevant data, even if the data is stored, processed and managed in the US. These clauses are based on an implementing decision of the EU Commission. You can find the decision and the corresponding standard contractual clauses here, among other places: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/914/oj?locale=en.

The Google Ads Data Processing Terms, which refer to the standard contractual clauses, can be found at https://business.safety.google/intl/en/adsprocessorterms/.

We hope we have been able to provide you with the most important information regarding Google Analytics data processing. If you want to learn more about the tracking service, we recommend these two links: https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/terms/us/ and https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en.

If you want to learn more about data processing, use the Google Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en.

Google Analytics reports on demographic characteristics and interests

We have enabled promotional reporting features in Google Analytics. The demographic characteristics and interests reports contain information on age, gender and interests. This allows us – without being able to assign this data to individual persons – to get a better picture of our users. You can learn more about advertising features at https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/10607798#zippy=%2Cin-this-article.

You can stop the use of the activities and information of your Google account under “Settings for advertising” on https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated via checkbox.

All texts are protected by copyright.

Source: Created with AdSimple’s privacy generator, translated with https://www.deepl.com/translator. In the event of any conflict or difference in interpretation between the different language versions of this declaration, the German version shall prevail.

 

Cookies