Privacy Policy

Introduction

As the operator of the website via the digital event platform OPADE, we – K.I.T. Group GmbH together with our subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively: « K.I.T. Group« , « the company« , « we » or « us« ) – take the protection of your personal data seriously and inform you at this point about data protection in our company.

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679; hereinafter: « GDPR« ) obliges us, within the scope of our responsibility under data protection law, to protect personal data of the person affected by a processing (we also address you as a data subject hereinafter with « customer« , « user« , « you », « you » or « data subject« ).

Insofar as we decide either alone or jointly with others on the purposes and means of data processing, this includes above all the obligation to inform you transparently about the nature, scope, purpose, duration, and legal basis of the processing (Art. 13 and 14 GDPR). With this declaration (hereinafter: « data protection notice »), we inform you about the way your personal data is processed by us.

Our data protection information has a modular structure. It consists of a general part for all processing of personal data and processing situations that come into play each time a website is called up (A. General) and a special part, the content of which only relates to the processing situation specified there with the designation of the respective offer or product, in particular the visit to our online presence as detailed here.

In order to be able to find the parts that are relevant to you, please refer to the following overview for the breakdown of the data protection notices:

The following parts may be relevant for you:
Part A General The principles are always relevant for you.
Part B Online presence (website, social media presences) These principles are relevant for you when you visit our website, including our social media presence.
Part C Cookie Policy The cookie policy contains the list of cookies, plugins and tools used as well as the information on revocation options regarding consent to data processing once given.

A. General

(1) Definitions

Following the example of Art. 4 GDPR, these data protection notices are based on the following definitions:

« Personal data » (Art. 4 No. 1 GDPR) means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (« data subject »). A person is identifiable if he or she can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, an online identifier, location data or by means of information regarding his or her physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity characteristics. The identifiability can also be given by means of a linkage of such information or other additional knowledge. The origin, form or embodiment of the information is irrelevant (photographs, video or audio recordings may also contain personal data).
« Processing » (Art. 4 No. 2 GDPR) means any operation which involves the handling of personal data, whether or not by automated (i.e., technology-based) means. This includes, in particular, the collection (i.e., acquisition), recording, organisation, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment, combination, restriction, erasure or destruction of personal data, as well as the change of a purpose or intended use on which a data processing was originally based.
« Controller » (Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR) means 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.
« Third party » (Art. 4 No. 10 GDPR) means any natural or legal person, public authority, agency, or other body other than the data subject, the controller, the processor and the persons who are authorised to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the controller or processor; this also includes other group-affiliated legal entities.
« Processor » (Art. 4 No. 8 GDPR) is a natural or legal person, authority, institution or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the controller, in particular in accordance with the controller’s instructions (e.g., IT service provider). In the sense of data protection law, a processor is in particular not a third party.
« Consent » (Art. 4 No. 11 GDPR) of the data subject means any freely given specific, informed, and unambiguous indication of his or her wishes in the form of a statement or other unambiguous affirmative act by which the data subject signifies his or her agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

(2) Name and address of the controller

We are the controller of your personal data within the meaning of Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR:

K.I.T. Group GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 71
10709 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: +49 30 24603 0
Fax: +49 30 24603 200
info@kit-group.org

For further information on our company, please refer to the Legal notice on our website www.opade.live.

(3) Contact details of the data protection officer

Our company data protection officer is always available to answer any questions you may have and to act as your contact person on the subject of data protection at our company. His contact details are:

Data Protection Officer
exkulpa gmbh
Waldfeuchter Straße 266
52525 Heinsberg
www.exkulpa.de
Tel.: 02452/993311
E-Mail: datenschutz@kit-group.org

Due to the importance of data protection, K.I.T. Group internally has also installed a Data protection coordinator (“DPC)”:

Tel.: +49 30 24603 346 or at
security@kit-group.org.

(4) Legal basis for data processing

In principle, any processing of personal data is prohibited by law and only permitted if the data processing falls under one of the following justifications:

Art. 6(1)(a) of the GDPR (« consent »): where the data subject has freely given his or her unambiguous and informed consent to the processing of personal data relating to him or her for one or more specific purposes by means of a statement or other unambiguous affirmative act;
Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR: If the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject;
Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR: If processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject (e.g., a legal obligation to keep records);
Art. 6 (1) lit. d GDPR: If the processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person;
Art. 6 (1) lit. e GDPR: Where processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller, or
Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR (« Legitimate Interests »): If the processing is necessary to safeguard legitimate (in particular legal or economic) interests of the controller or a third party, unless the conflicting interests or rights of the data subject prevail (in particular if the data subject is a minor).

For the processing operations carried out by us, we indicate below the applicable legal basis in each case. A processing operation may also be based on several legal bases.

(5) Data deletion and storage period

For the processing operations carried out by us, we indicate below in each case how long the data will be stored by us and when it will be deleted or blocked. If no explicit storage period is specified below, your personal data will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose or legal basis for the storage no longer applies. As a matter of principle and as far as possible, your data will only be stored on our servers in Germany, subject to any transfer that may take place in accordance with the provisions under sections A.(7) and A.(8).

However, storage may take place beyond the specified time in the event of a (possible) legal dispute with you or other legal proceedings or if storage is provided for by statutory regulations to which we are subject as the responsible party (e.g. § 257 HGB, § 147 AO). If the storage period prescribed by the legal regulations expires, the personal data will be blocked or deleted unless further storage by us is necessary and there is a legal basis for this.

(6) Data security

We use appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your data against accidental or intentional manipulation, partial or complete loss, destruction or against unauthorised access by third parties (e.g. TSL encryption for our website), taking into account the state-of-the-art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, context and purpose of the processing, as well as the existing risks of a data breach (including its probability and impact) for the data subject. Our security measures are continuously improved in line with technological developments.

We will be happy to provide you with more detailed information on request. Please contact our data protection officer (see section A.(3)).

(7) Cooperation with processors

As with any larger company, we also use external domestic and foreign service providers (e.g. for IT, logistics, telemedia services and telecommunications, sales and marketing) to process our business transactions. These service providers only act on our instructions and are contractually obliged to comply with data protection regulations in accordance with Article 28 GDPR or – if applicable – on the basis of standard contractual clauses.

If personal data of yours is passed on by us to our subsidiaries or is passed on to us by our subsidiaries (e.g. for advertising purposes), this is done on the basis of existing order processing relationships or joint responsibilities. You can find an overview of our subsidiaries at https://www.kit-group.org/de/offices/.

(8) Conditions for the transfer of personal data to third countries

In the course of our business relationships, your personal data may be passed on or disclosed to third party companies. These may also be located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), i.e., in third countries. Such processing takes place exclusively for the fulfilment of contractual and business obligations and to maintain your business relationship with us. We will inform you about the respective details of the transfer in the following at the relevant points.

Some third countries are certified by the European Commission as having a level of data protection comparable to the EEA standard through so-called adequacy decisions (a list of these countries and a copy of the adequacy decisions can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/international-transfers/adequacy/index_en.html). However, in other third countries to which personal data may be transferred, there may not be a consistently high level of data protection due to a lack of legal provisions. If this is the case, we ensure that data protection is sufficiently guaranteed. This is possible through binding company regulations, standard contractual clauses of the European Commission for the protection of personal data, certificates or recognised codes of conduct. Please contact our data protection officer (see section A.(3)) if you would like more information on this.

(9) No automated decision making (including profiling)

We do not intend to use any personal data collected from you for any automated decision-making process (including profiling).

(10) No obligation to provide personal data

We do not make the conclusion of contracts with us dependent on you providing us with personal data in advance. As a customer, you are under no legal or contractual obligation to provide us with your personal data; however, we may only be able to provide certain services to a limited extent or not at all if you do not provide the necessary data. If this should exceptionally be the case in the context of the products we offer presented below, you will be informed of this separately.

(11) Legal obligation to transmit certain data

We may be subject to a specific legal or statutory obligation to provide the lawfully processed personal data to third parties, in particular public bodies (Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR).

(12) Your rights

You can exercise your rights as a data subject regarding your processed personal data at any time by contacting us using the contact details provided at the beginning of section A.(2). You have the right as a data subject:

In accordance with Art. 15 GDPR, you may request information about your data processed by us. In particular, you can request information about the processing purposes, the category of data, the categories of recipients to whom your data has been or will be disclosed, the planned storage period, the existence of a right to rectification, erasure, restriction of processing or objection, the existence of a right of complaint, the origin of your data if it has not been collected by us, as well as the existence of automated decision-making including profiling and, if applicable, meaningful information about its details;
In accordance with Art. 16 GDPR, you have the right to demand the correction of incorrect data or the completion of your data stored by us without delay;
In accordance with Art. 17 GDPR, you may request the deletion of your data stored by us, unless the processing is necessary for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information, for compliance with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest or for the assertion, exercise or defenсe of legal claims;
In accordance with Art. 18 GDPR, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your data, insofar as the correctness of the data is disputed by you or the processing is unlawful;
In accordance with Art. 20 GDPR, you have the right to receive the data you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format or to request that it be transferred to another controller (« data portability »);
To object to the processing in accordance with Art. 21 GDPR, provided that the processing is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. e or lit. f GDPR. This is particularly the case if the processing is not necessary for the performance of a contract with you. Unless it is an objection to direct marketing, when exercising such an objection, we ask you to explain the reasons why we should not process your data as we have done. In the event of your justified objection, we will review the merits of the case and either cease or adapt the data processing or show you our compelling legitimate grounds on the basis of which we will continue the processing;
In accordance with Art. 7 (3) of the GDPR, you have the right to revoke your consent – i.e., your voluntary, informed and unambiguous declaration or other unambiguous affirmative action that you agree to the processing of the personal data in question for one or more specific purposes – at any time, if you have given such consent. This has the consequence that we may no longer continue the data processing based on this consent for the future and
In accordance with Art. 77 GDPR, you have the right to complain to a data protection supervisory authority about the processing of your personal data in our company, such as the data protection supervisory authority responsible for us:

Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Friedrichstr. 219
10969 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 30 13889 0
Fax: +49 30 2155050

(13) Changes to the data protection notice; Language notice

In the context of the further development of data protection law as well as technological or organisational changes, our data protection information is regularly checked for the need to adapt or supplement it. You will be informed of any changes in particular on our German website at [address of the company’s website]. This data protection notice is valid as of 11.10.2021.

This Privacy Policy has been translated from the original German version. In case of discrepancy between the English and the German version, the German version shall prevail.

B. Visiting websites

(1) Explanation of the function

You can obtain information about OPADE, our company and the services we offer in particular on this website and the associated subpages as well as on our company’s website (hereinafter collectively referred to as « websites »). When you visit these websites, your personal data may be processed.

(2) Personal data processed

During the informative use of the websites, the following categories of personal data are collected, stored and processed by us:

« Log data »: When you visit our websites, a so-called log data record (so-called server log files) is stored temporarily and anonymously on our web server. This consists of:

the page from which the page was requested (so-called referrer URL).
the name and URL of the requested page
the date and time of the call
the description of the type, language and version of the web browser used
the IP address of the requesting computer, which is shortened in such a way that a personal reference can no longer be established
the amount of data transferred
the operating system
the message whether the call was successful (access status/http status code).
the GMT time zone difference.

« Offer data » and « Demo data »: When using functions such as requests for quotations or contacting us to make an appointment for demo purposes, the data transmitted as a result are processed (e.g. gender, surname and first name, address, institution/company, email address and the time of transmission).

« ChatBot data »: When using the communication option via the ChatBot function, the data transmitted thereby are processed (e.g., name, institution/company, email).

« Contact form data »: When contact forms are used, the data transmitted through them are processed (e.g., gender, surname and first name, address, institution/company, email address and the time of transmission).

« Download data »: When using the various download functions for the e-book, a Case Study or a Video the data transmitted thereby are processed (e.g., name, institution/company, email and time of transmission).

« Newsletter Data »: In addition to the purely informational use of our website, we offer the subscription to our newsletter, with which we inform you about current developments at OPADE and related news. If you subscribe to our newsletter, the following « newsletter data » will be collected, stored and processed by us:

the page from which the page was requested (so-called referrer URL)
the date and time of the call
the description of the type of web browser used
the IP address of the requesting computer, which is shortened in such a way
that a personal reference can no longer be established.
the email address
the date and time of registration and confirmation

We would like to point out that we evaluate your user behaviour when sending the newsletter. For this evaluation, the emails sent contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which are single-pixel image files that are stored on our website. For the evaluations, we link the aforementioned data and the web beacons with your e-mail address and an individual ID. Links contained in the newsletter also contain this ID. The data is only collected pseudonymously, i.e. the IDs are not linked to your other personal data, a direct personal reference is excluded.

(3) Purpose and legal basis of the data processing

We process the personal data described in more detail above in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR, the other relevant data protection regulations and only to the extent necessary. Insofar as the processing of personal data is based on Art. 6 (1) lit. f DSGVO, the aforementioned purposes also represent our legitimate interests.

The processing of the log data serves statistical purposes and the improvement of the quality of our website, in particular the stability and security of the connection (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR).

The processing of offer data and demo data is carried out for the processing of enquiries from interested parties and customers (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR).

ChatBot data is processed for the purpose of communicating and processing enquiries from interested parties and customers (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR).

Contact form data is processed for the purpose of handling enquiries from interested parties and customers (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR).

Download data is processed for the purpose of handling enquiries from interested parties and customers and providing the e-book, a case study or a video (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR).

The newsletter data is processed for the purpose of sending the newsletter. When registering for our newsletter, you consent to the processing of your personal data (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR). We use the so-called double opt-in procedure to register for our newsletter. This means that after your registration, we will send you an e-mail to the e-mail address you provided in which we ask you to confirm that you wish to receive the newsletter. The purpose of this procedure is to verify your registration and, if necessary, to be able to clarify any possible misuse of your personal data. You can revoke your consent to receive the newsletter at any time and unsubscribe from the newsletter. You can declare the revocation by clicking on the link provided in every newsletter email, by email to info@opade.live or by sending a message to the contact details given in the imprint.

(4) Duration of the data processing

Your data will only be processed for as long as is necessary to achieve the above-mentioned processing purposes; the legal bases stated under the processing purposes apply accordingly. With regard to the use and storage duration of cookies, please refer to section A.(5) as well as – also with regard to data processing by means of plugins and tools – the Cookie Policy under section C.

Third parties engaged by us will store your data on their system for as long as is necessary in connection with the provision of the services for us in accordance with the respective order.

For more details on the storage period, please refer to section A.(5) and the Cookie Policy in section C.

(5) Transfer of personal data to third parties; justification basis

The following categories of recipients, which are usually processors (see section A.(7)), may have access to your personal data:

Service providers for the operation of our websites and the processing of data stored or transmitted by the systems (e.g., for data centre services, programming and maintenance tasks, payment processing, IT security, participant management, sponsor and exhibitor management). The legal basis for the transfer is then Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR, insofar as it does not involve order processors;
Government agencies/authorities, insofar as this is necessary to fulfil a legal obligation. The legal basis for the disclosure is then Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR;
Persons/institutions appointed to carry out our business operations (e.g. auditors, banks, insurance companies, legal advisors, supervisory authorities, Messe Berlin GmbH as group parent company in supporting function). The legal basis for the disclosure is then Art. 6 (1) lit. b or lit. f GDPR.

For the guarantees of an adequate level of data protection in the event of a transfer of the data to third countries, see section A.(8).

Furthermore, we will only pass on your personal data to third parties if you have given your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR.

(6) Use of cookies, plugins and other services on our website

a) Cookies

We use cookies on our websites. Cookies are small text files that are assigned to the browser you are using and stored on your hard drive by means of a characteristic character string, and through which certain information flows to the body that sets the cookie. Cookies cannot execute programmes or transfer viruses to your computer and therefore cannot cause any damage. They serve to make the internet offer as a whole more user-friendly and effective, i.e., more pleasant for you.

Cookies can contain data that make it possible to recognize the device used. In some cases, however, cookies only contain information on certain settings that are not personally identifiable. However, cookies cannot directly identify a user.

A distinction is made between session cookies, which are deleted as soon as you close your browser, and permanent cookies, which are stored beyond the individual session. With regard to their function, a distinction is made between cookies:

Technical cookies: these are mandatory to move around the website, use basic functions and ensure the security of the website; they do not collect information about you for marketing purposes nor do they store which web pages you have visited;
Performance cookies: these collect information about how you use our website, which pages you visit and, for example, whether errors occur during website use; they do not collect information that could identify you – all information collected is anonymous and is only used to improve our website and find out what interests our users;
Advertising cookies, targeting cookies: These are used to offer the website user tailored advertising on the website or offers from third parties and to measure the effectiveness of these offers; advertising and targeting cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months;
Sharing cookies: These are used to improve the interactivity of our website with other services (e.g. social networks); sharing cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months.

Any use of cookies that is not absolutely technically necessary constitutes data processing that is only permitted with your explicit and active consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. This applies in particular to the use of advertising, targeting or sharing cookies. Furthermore, we will only pass on your personal data processed by cookies to third parties if you have given your express consent in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR.

b) Cookie Policy

For more information about which cookies, plugins and tools we use and how you can manage your cookie settings, disable certain types of tracking and withdraw your consent, please see our Cookie Policy in section C.

c) Social media plugins

We do not use social media plugins on our websites. If our websites contain symbols of social media providers (e.g., logos or symbols of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram on the OPADE website), we only use these for passive linking to the pages of the respective providers.

C. Cookie Policy

(1) Cookies used on the website

a) Consent with Borlabs Cookie

Our website uses Borlabs Cookie Consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies in your browser or to the use of certain technologies and to document this in accordance with data protection law. The provider of this technology is Borlabs – Benjamin A. Bornschein, Rübenkamp 32, 22305 Hamburg (hereinafter referred to as Borlabs).

When you enter our website, a Borlabs cookie is stored in your browser, which stores the consents you have given or the revocation of these consents. This data is not shared with the Borlabs cookie provider.

The collected data will be stored until you request us to delete it or until you delete the Borlabs cookie yourself or until the purpose for storing the data no longer applies. Mandatory legal retention periods remain unaffected.

Details on the data processing of Borlabs Cookie can be found at https://de.borlabs.io/kb/welche-daten-speichert-borlabs-cookie/.
The use of Borlabs cookie consent technology takes place to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 (1) lit. c GDPR.

b) ChatBot

The service provider for the communication via ChatBot on the Website is LiveChat, Inc., 101 Arch Street, 8th Floor, Boston MA 02110, USA (hereinafter ChatBot).

ChatBot is primarily used for communication via the website. ChatBot processes all data entered as well as log data (browser end device, etc.) and your IP address as part of the interaction with you. ChatBot generates suitable responses based on the user’s input. Furthermore, an analysis of user behaviour may take place.

By using the Chatbot function, you consent to data processing in accordance with Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. If you refuse data processing by ChatBot, you must use other communication channels on the website.

You can find ChatBox’s privacy policy here: https://www.chatbot.com/legal/privacy-policy/

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://www.chatbot.com/legal/gdpr-faq/

Data processing agreement

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) in the form of the EU standard contractual clauses with the above-mentioned provider. This is a contract required by data protection law, which ensures that the provider only processes the personal data of our website visitors in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

(2) Plugins and tools used on the website

a) Google Web Fonts (local hosting)

This site uses so-called web fonts provided by Google for the uniform display of fonts. The Google Fonts are installed locally. A connection to Google servers does not take place.

Further information on Google Web Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

b) Font Awesome (local hosting)

This site uses Font Awesome for the uniform display of fonts. Font Awesome is installed locally. A connection to servers of Fonticons, Inc. does not take place.
For more information on Font Awesome, please see the Font Awesome privacy policy at: https://fontawesome.com/privacy.

c) Fontspace/Poppins Font (local hosting)

This site uses Poppins Font for the uniform display of fonts. Poppins Font is installed locally. A connection to servers of FontSpace, LLC does not take place.
For more information on Poppins Font, please see the Fontspace privacy policy at: https://www.fontspace.com/about/privacy.

d) Mailchimp (with plugin Mailchimp for WordPress: MC4WP)

MailChimp with deactivated performance measurement

This website uses the services of MailChimp for sending newsletters. The provider is Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

MailChimp is a service that can be used to organise the sending of newsletters, among other things. When you enter data for the purpose of receiving newsletters (e.g., email address), this data is stored on MailChimp’s servers in the USA. We have deactivated Mailchimp’s performance measurement so that Mailchimp will not evaluate your behaviour when opening our newsletter.

If you do not want your data to be transferred to Mailchimp, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter. For this purpose, we provide a corresponding link in every newsletter message.

The data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time by unsubscribing from the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you provide for the purpose of receiving the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Data that has been stored by us for other purposes remains unaffected by this.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission. Details can be found here: https://mailchimp.com/eu-us-data-transfer-statement/ and https://mailchimp.com/legal/data-processing-addendum/#Annex_C_-_Standard_Contractual_Clauses.

After you have unsubscribed from the newsletter distribution list, your email address will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider in a blacklist, if necessary, in order to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist will only be used for this purpose and will not be merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with the legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is not limited in time. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

For more details, please refer to MailChimp’s privacy policy at: https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/