Privacy Policy

We are delighted that you have taken an interest in our company. Data protection is a top priority for the management of Q3i GmbH & Co. KG.

It is generally possible to use the Q3i GmbH & Co. KG website without providing any personal data. However, should a data subject wish to make use of specific services offered by our company via our website, the processing of personal data may be necessary. Where the processing of personal data is necessary and there is no legal basis for such processing, we generally seek the consent of the data subject.

The processing of personal data – such as a data subject’s name, address, email address or telephone number – is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and in compliance with the country-specific data protection regulations applicable to Q3i GmbH & Co. KG. Through this privacy policy, our company aims to inform the public about the nature, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process. Furthermore, this privacy policy informs data subjects of their rights.

As the data controller, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG has implemented numerous technical and organisational measures to ensure the most comprehensive possible protection of the personal data processed via this website. Nevertheless, internet-based data transmissions may, in principle, be subject to security vulnerabilities, meaning that absolute protection cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, any data subject is free to provide us with personal data via alternative channels, such as by telephone.

1. Definitions

Q3i GmbH & Co. KG’s Privacy Policy is based on the terminology used by the European legislators and regulators when enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy is intended to be easy to read and understand for the general public as well as for our customers and business partners. To ensure this, we would like to explain the terms used in advance.

In this privacy policy, we use the following terms, amongst others:

a) personal data

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as the ‘data subject’). A natural person is regarded as identifiable if they can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or one or more specific characteristics that reflect the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject

A data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller.

c) processing

Processing means any operation or set of operations which is carried out on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, distribution or any other form of making available, the alignment or combination, the restriction, erasure or destruction.

(d) Restriction of processing

Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of restricting its future processing.

e) Profiling

Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of such personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s work performance, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements of that natural person.

f) Pseudonymisation

Pseudonymisation means the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures that ensure the personal data is not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Data controller

The controller is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data. Where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union law or the law of the Member States, the controller or the specific criteria for its designation may be laid down in accordance with Union law or the law of the Member States.

h) Data processor

A data processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.

i) Recipient

A recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body to whom personal data are disclosed, irrespective of whether they are a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the course of a specific investigation under Union law or the law of the Member States shall not be regarded as recipients.

j) Third party

A third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor and the persons authorised to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the controller or the processor.

k) Consent

Consent means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, by which the data subject signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to them.

2. Name and address of the data controller

The data controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation, other data protection laws applicable in the Member States of the European Union and other provisions relating to data protection is:

Q3i GmbH & Co. KG
Fürstenwall 69
40217 Düsseldorf
Germany

Tel.: 021195598111
Email: hello@q3i.de
Website: www.q3i.de

3. Cookies

The websites of Q3i GmbH & Co. KG use cookies. Cookies are text files that are placed and stored on a computer system via a web browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain what is known as a cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a string of characters that enables websites and servers to be assigned to the specific web browser in which the cookie was stored. This enables the websites and servers visited to distinguish the data subject’s individual browser from other web browsers that contain different cookies. A specific web browser can be recognised and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG can provide users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the use of cookies.

Cookies enable us to optimise the information and content on our website to suit the user’s needs. As already mentioned, cookies allow us to recognise users of our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for users to use our website. For example, a user of a website that uses cookies does not have to re-enter their login details every time they visit the website, as this is handled by the website and the cookie stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the shopping basket cookie in an online shop. The online shop uses a cookie to remember the items a customer has placed in their virtual shopping basket.

The data subject may prevent our website from setting cookies at any time by adjusting the settings of their web browser accordingly, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Furthermore, cookies that have already been set can be deleted at any time via a web browser or other software programmes. This is possible in all common web browsers. If the data subject disables the setting of cookies in the web browser they are using, it may not be possible to use all the functions of our website to their full extent.

4. Collection of general data and information

The website of Q3i GmbH & Co. KG collects a range of general data and information each time the website is accessed by a data subject or an automated system. This general data and information is stored in the server’s log files. The following may be collected: (1) the browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (known as the referrer), (4) the sub-pages on our website accessed via an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol address (IP address), (7) the internet service provider of the accessing system; and (8) other similar data and information used for security purposes in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is required in order to (1) deliver the content of our website correctly, (2) to optimise the content of our website and the advertising displayed on it, (3) to ensure the long-term functionality of our IT systems and the technology underlying our website, and (4) to provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in the event of a cyber-attack. This anonymously collected data and information is therefore analysed by Q3i GmbH & Co. KG, on the one hand, for statistical purposes and, on the other, with the aim of enhancing data protection and data security within our company, ultimately to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The anonymous data from the server log files is stored separately from any personal data provided by a data subject.

5. Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

The data controller processes and stores the data subject’s personal data only for the period necessary to fulfil the purpose of storage, or insofar as this is provided for by the European legislative authorities or by another legislator in laws or regulations to which the data controller is subject.

If the purpose of storage ceases to apply or if a retention period prescribed by the European legislative and regulatory authorities or another competent legislator expires, the personal data shall be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.

6. Rights of the data subject

a) Right to confirmation

Every data subject has the right, as granted by the European legislative authorities, to request confirmation from the data controller as to whether personal data concerning them is being processed. If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to confirmation, they may contact a member of staff of the controller at any time.

b) Right of access

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to obtain from the controller, free of charge, information at any time regarding the personal data stored about them and to receive a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislator has granted the data subject the right to be informed of the following:

Furthermore, the data subject has the right to be informed as to whether personal data has been transferred to a third country or to an international organisation. If this is the case, the data subject is also entitled to receive information about the appropriate safeguards in connection with the transfer.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to information, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time.

  • the purposes of processing
  • the categories of personal data being processed
  • the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular where recipients are in third countries or are international organisations
  • where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if this is not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
  • the existence of a right to have personal data concerning them rectified or erased, or to have processing restricted by the controller, or a right to object to such processing
  • the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
  • where the personal data are not collected from the data subject: any available information as to the source of the data
  • the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, in accordance with Article 22(1) and (4) of the GDPR and — at least in such cases — meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the intended consequences of such processing for the data subject

(c) Right to rectification

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, as granted by the European legislator, to request the immediate rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning them. Furthermore, the data subject has the right, taking into account the purposes of the processing, to request that incomplete personal data be completed — including by means of a supplementary statement.

If a data subject wishes to exercise this right to rectification, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time.

d) Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, as granted by European legislation, to request that the controller erase personal data relating to them without delay, provided that one of the following grounds applies and insofar as the processing is not necessary:

If any of the above grounds apply and a data subject wishes to request the erasure of personal data stored by Q3i GmbH & Co. KG, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time. The member of staff at Q3i GmbH & Co. KG will ensure that the request for erasure is complied with without delay.

If the personal data has been made public by Q3i GmbH & Co. KG and our company, as the data controller, is obliged to erase the personal data in accordance with Article 17(1) of the GDPR, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG shall, taking into account the available technology and the costs of implementation, take appropriate measures, including technical measures, to ensure that other data controllers processing the published personal data that the data subject has requested that those other data controllers delete all links to such personal data, or copies or replicas of such personal data, insofar as the processing is not necessary. The employee of Q3i GmbH & Co. KG will take the necessary steps on a case-by-case basis.

  • The personal data was collected or otherwise processed for purposes for which it is no longer necessary.
  • The data subject withdraws their consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR, and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
  • The data subject objects to the processing in accordance with Article 21(1) of the GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing in accordance with Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
  • The personal data has been processed unlawfully.
  • The erasure of the personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.
  • The personal data was collected in relation to information society services offered in accordance with Article 8(1) of the GDPR.

(e) Right to restriction of processing

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to request that the controller restrict processing if one of the following conditions is met:

If any of the above conditions are met and a data subject wishes to request the restriction of personal data stored by Q3i GmbH & Co. KG, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time. The member of staff at Q3i GmbH & Co. KG will arrange for the processing to be restricted.

  • The data subject disputes the accuracy of the personal data, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
  • The processing is unlawful; the data subject objects to the erasure of the personal data and instead requests the restriction of the use of the personal data.
  • The data controller no longer requires the personal data for the purposes of processing, but the data subject requires it to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
  • The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) of the GDPR, and it has not yet been determined whether the controller’s legitimate grounds override those of the data subject.

f) Right to data portability

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to receive the personal data concerning them, which they have provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. They also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, provided that the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) of the GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, and the processing is carried out by automated means, provided that the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

Furthermore, when exercising their right to data portability under Article 20(1) of the GDPR, the data subject has the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, in so far as this is technically feasible and provided that this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

To exercise the right to data portability, the data subject may contact a member of staff at Q3i GmbH & Co. KG at any time.

g) Right to object

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to object, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning them which is carried out on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR. This also applies to profiling based on these provisions.

Q3i GmbH & Co. KG will no longer process the personal data in the event of an objection, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject, or the processing serves to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

Where Q3i GmbH & Co. KG processes personal data for the purposes of direct marketing, the data subject has the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data for the purposes of such marketing. This also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If the data subject objects to Q3i GmbH & Co. KG processing their personal data for the purposes of direct marketing, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG will no longer process the personal data for these purposes.

Furthermore, the data subject has the right, on grounds relating to their particular situation, to object to the processing of their personal data carried out by Q3i GmbH & Co. KG for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) of the GDPR, unless such processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

To exercise the right to object, the data subject may contact any member of staff at Q3i GmbH & Co. KG or another member of staff directly. The data subject is also free, in connection with the use of information society services, notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, to exercise their right to object by means of automated procedures using technical specifications.

h) Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, as granted by the European legislator, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing — including profiling — which produces legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affects them, provided that the decision (1) is not necessary for entering into or performing a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject, and that law provides for appropriate measures to safeguard the data subject’s rights and freedoms as well as their legitimate interests; or (3) is based on the data subject’s explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between the data subject and the controller, or (2) is made with the data subject’s explicit consent, Q3i GmbH & Co. KG shall take appropriate measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms as well as the legitimate interests of the data subject, which shall include, at a minimum, the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the data controller, to set out their own point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject wishes to exercise rights in relation to automated decisions, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time.

i) Right to withdraw consent to data processing

Any data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislator, to withdraw consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

If the data subject wishes to exercise their right to withdraw consent, they may contact a member of staff of the data controller at any time.

7. Data protection provisions regarding the use of Google AdWords

The data controller has integrated Google AdWords into this website. Google AdWords is an online advertising service that allows advertisers to place adverts both in Google’s search engine results and on the Google Display Network. Google AdWords enables an advertiser to specify certain keywords in advance, whereby an advert is displayed in Google’s search results only when the user searches for a keyword-relevant result using the search engine. Within the Google Display Network, adverts are distributed across thematically relevant websites using an automated algorithm and in accordance with the pre-defined keywords.

The operator of the Google AdWords services is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043-1351, USA.

The purpose of Google AdWords is to promote our website by displaying interest-based adverts on third-party websites and in the search results of the Google search engine, as well as by displaying third-party adverts on our website.

If a data subject accesses our website via a Google advert, Google places a so-called ‘conversion cookie’ on the data subject’s IT system. What cookies are has already been explained above. A conversion cookie expires after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. Provided the cookie has not yet expired, the conversion cookie is used to track whether certain subpages – for example, the shopping basket in an online shop system – have been accessed on our website. The conversion cookie enables both us and Google to determine whether a data subject who arrived at our website via an AdWords advert generated a transaction, i.e. whether they completed or abandoned a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie are used by Google to compile visitor statistics for our website. We, in turn, use these visitor statistics to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords adverts, i.e. to assess the success or failure of the respective AdWords advert and to optimise our AdWords adverts for the future. Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertisers receive any information from Google that could be used to identify the data subject.

The conversion cookie is used to store personal information, such as the web pages visited by the data subject. Consequently, each time our website is visited, personal data – including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject – is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may, under certain circumstances, pass on this personal data, collected via the technical process, to third parties.

As explained above, the data subject may at any time prevent our website from setting cookies by adjusting the settings of their web browser accordingly, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Adjusting the settings of the internet browser in this way would also prevent Google from setting a conversion cookie on the data subject’s computer system. Furthermore, any cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the internet browser or other software programmes.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to interest-based advertising by Google. To do so, the data subject must access the link www.google.de/settings/ads from each of the web browsers they use and configure the desired settings there.

Further information and Google’s applicable privacy policy can be found at www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

8. Data Protection Policy on the Use of Matomo

The data controller has integrated the Matomo component into this website. Matomo is an open-source web analytics tool. Web analytics refers to the collection, gathering and analysis of data regarding the behaviour of website visitors. Among other things, a web analytics tool records data on which website a data subject came from (known as the ‘referrer’), which subpages of the website were accessed, and how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analytics is primarily used to optimise a website and to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of online advertising.

The software is operated on the data controller’s server; the log files, which are sensitive under data protection law, are stored exclusively on this server.

The purpose of the Matomo component is to analyse visitor traffic on our website. The data controller uses the data and information obtained, amongst other things, to evaluate the use of this website in order to compile online reports showing activity on our website.

Matomo places a cookie on the data subject’s IT system. What cookies are has already been explained above. The setting of the cookie enables us to analyse the use of our website. Each time a page on this website is accessed, the Matomo component automatically instructs the web browser on the data subject’s IT system to transmit data to our server for the purposes of online analysis. As part of this technical process, we obtain personal data, such as the data subject’s IP address, which enables us, amongst other things, to trace the origin of visitors and clicks.

Cookies are used to store personal information, such as the time of access, the location from which access originated and the frequency of visits to our website. Each time our website is visited, this personal data – including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject – is transmitted to our server. We store this personal data. We do not pass this personal data on to third parties.

As explained above, the data subject may at any time prevent our website from setting cookies by adjusting the settings of their web browser accordingly, thereby permanently objecting to the setting of cookies. Adjusting the settings of the web browser in this way would also prevent Matomo from setting a cookie on the data subject’s IT system. Furthermore, any cookie already set by Matomo can be deleted at any time via a web browser or other software programmes.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option to object to the collection of data generated by Matomo relating to the use of this website and to prevent such collection. To do so, the data subject must set an opt-out cookie. If the data subject’s information technology system is subsequently deleted, formatted or reinstalled, the data subject must set an opt-out cookie again.

However, setting the opt-out cookie may mean that the data subject can no longer make full use of the data controller’s website.

Further information and Matomo’s applicable data protection provisions can be found at matomo.org/privacy/.

9. Legal basis for processing

Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR serves as the legal basis for our company’s processing operations where we obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party – as is the case, for example, with processing operations required for the delivery of goods or the provision of other services or consideration – the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. The same applies to processing operations necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, such as in cases of enquiries regarding our products or services. Where our company is subject to a legal obligation which necessitates the processing of personal data, such as to fulfil tax obligations, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were to be injured on our premises and their name, age, health insurance details or other vital information subsequently had to be disclosed to a doctor, a hospital or other third parties. In such cases, the processing would be based on Article 6(1)(d) of the GDPR. Finally, processing operations may be based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. This legal basis applies to processing operations not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases, where the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms of the data subject do not override those interests. We are permitted to carry out such processing operations in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this regard, the legislator took the view that a legitimate interest might be presumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47, second sentence, of the GDPR).

10. Legitimate interests in processing pursued by the controller or a third party

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, our legitimate interest is the conduct of our business activities for the benefit of all our employees and shareholders.

11. Period for which personal data is stored

The criterion for the duration of the storage of personal data is the relevant statutory retention period. Once this period has expired, the relevant data is routinely deleted, provided it is no longer required for the performance of a contract or for entering into a contract.

12. Legal or contractual requirements regarding the provision of personal data; necessity for the conclusion of a contract; the data subject’s obligation to provide personal data; possible consequences of non-provision

We would like to inform you that the provision of personal data is, in some cases, required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also arise from contractual provisions (e.g. details of the contracting party). In some cases, it may be necessary for a data subject to provide us with personal data in order to conclude a contract, which we must then process. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company enters into a contract with them. Failure to provide personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded. Before providing personal data, the data subject must contact one of our staff members. Our staff member will explain to the data subject, on a case-by-case basis, whether the provision of personal data is required by law or under a contract, or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract; whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data; and what the consequences of failing to provide the personal data would be.

13. Use of automated decision-making

As a responsible company, we do not engage in automated decision-making or profiling.

This privacy policy was created using the privacy policy generator provided by Datenschutz Köln in cooperation with RC GmbH, which recycles used laptops, and the file-sharing lawyers at WBS-LAW.

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