Privacy Policy

1. Data protection at a glance
GENERAL INFORMATION
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit our website. Personal data is all data that can be used to identify you personally. Detailed information on data protection can be found in our privacy policy listed below this text.

DATA COLLECTION ON OUR WEBSITE
Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. You can find their contact details in the website's imprint.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, on the one hand, when you provide it to us. This may, for example, be data you enter in a contact form.

Other data is automatically collected by our IT systems when you visit the website. This primarily involves technical data (e.g., internet browser, operating system, or time of page access). This data is collected automatically as soon as you enter our website.

What do we use your data for?

Some of the data is collected to ensure the website functions correctly. Other data may be used to analyze your user behavior.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right to obtain information about the origin, recipient, and purpose of your stored personal data free of charge at any time. You also have the right to request the correction, blocking, or deletion of this data. You can contact us at any time at the address provided in the imprint for this purpose and for other questions regarding data protection. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the responsible supervisory authority.

ANALYSIS TOOLS AND THIRD-PARTY TOOLS
When you visit our website, your browsing behavior may be statistically analyzed. This is done primarily with cookies and so-called analysis programs. The analysis of your browsing behavior is generally anonymous; it cannot be traced back to you. You can object to this analysis or prevent it by not using certain tools. Detailed information can be found in the following privacy policy.

You can object to this analysis. We will inform you about your options for objecting in this privacy policy.

2. General information and mandatory information
DATA PROTECTION
The operators of these websites take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

When you use this website, various personal data is collected. Personal data is data that can be used to identify you personally. This privacy policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose.

We would like to point out that data transmission over the Internet (e.g., when communicating via email) may be subject to security gaps. Complete protection of data from access by third parties is not possible.

NOTE ON THE RESPONSIBLE BODY
The responsible body for data processing on this website is:

ETA Grading Service GbR
Otto-Hahn-Str. 7b
50997 Cologne

Email: info@eta-gs.com

The responsible body is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (e.g. names, e-mail addresses, etc.).

REVOCATION OF YOUR CONSENT TO DATA PROCESSING
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You can revoke your previously granted consent at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The legality of the data processing carried out up to the time of revocation remains unaffected.

RIGHT TO LODGE APPEAL TO THE COMPETENT SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
In the event of violations of data protection law, the data subject has the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority. The competent supervisory authority for data protection issues is the state data protection officer of the federal state in which our company is headquartered. A list of data protection officers and their contact details can be found at the following link: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html.

Data Protection Officer
ETA Grading Service GbR
Otto-Hahn-Str. 7b
50997 Cologne
Email: info@eta-gs.com

RIGHT TO DATA PORTABILITY
You have the right to have data that we process automatically based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract handed over to you or to a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done if technically feasible.

SSL OR TLS ENCRYPTION
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or inquiries that you send to us as the site operator, this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the address line of your browser changes from "http://" to "https://" and by the lock symbol in your browser's address bar.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you send to us cannot be read by third parties.

ENCRYPTED PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS ON THIS WEBSITE
If, after concluding a paid contract, you are obliged to provide us with your payment details (e.g. account number for direct debit authorization), these details will be required for payment processing.

Payment transactions using common payment methods (Visa/MasterCard, direct debit) are carried out exclusively via an encrypted SSL or TLS connection. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the browser's address line changing from "http://" to "https://" and by the lock symbol in your browser's address bar.

With encrypted communication, your payment data that you send to us cannot be read by third parties.

INFORMATION, BLOCKING, DELETION
Within the scope of applicable law, you have the right at any time to obtain free information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipient, and the purpose of data processing, as well as the right to correct, block, or delete this data. You can contact us at any time at the address provided in the legal notice if you have any questions about this or other questions regarding personal data.

OBJECTION TO ADVERTISING EMAILS
The use of contact information published in accordance with the imprint obligation to send unsolicited advertising and information materials is hereby prohibited. The operators of these pages expressly reserve the right to take legal action in the event of unsolicited advertising, such as spam emails.

3. Data collection on our website
COOKIES
Some of our websites use so-called cookies. Cookies do not harm your computer and do not contain viruses. Cookies serve to make our services more user-friendly, effective, and secure. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer and saved by your browser.

Most of the cookies we use are so-called "session cookies." They are automatically deleted after your visit. Other cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them. These cookies allow us to recognize your browser the next time you visit.

You can configure your browser to inform you about the use of cookies and to only accept cookies on a case-by-case basis, to exclude cookies for specific cases or in general, and to automatically delete cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

Cookies that are necessary to carry out electronic communication or to provide certain functions you have requested (e.g., shopping cart function) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing cookies to ensure the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If other cookies (e.g., cookies for analyzing your surfing behavior) are stored, these are treated separately in this privacy policy.

CONTACT FORM
If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your information from the form, including the contact details you provided there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We will not share this data without your consent.

The data entered into the contact form will therefore be processed exclusively on the basis of your consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time. To do so, simply send us an informal email. The legality of the data processing operations carried out up to the time of revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request its deletion, revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions—in particular, retention periods—remain unaffected.

DATA TRANSFER WHEN CONCLUDING A CONTRACT FOR ONLINE SHOPS, RETAILERS AND SHIPPING OF GOODS
We only transfer personal data to third parties if this is necessary for the execution of the contract, for example, to the company entrusted with delivering the goods or the credit institution responsible for processing the payment. Data will not be transferred to any other parties or will only be transferred if you have expressly consented to the transfer. Your data will not be passed on to third parties without your express consent, for example for advertising purposes.

The basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR, which permits the processing of data to fulfill a contract or for pre-contractual measures.

DATA TRANSFER WHEN CONCLUDING A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AND DIGITAL CONTENT
We only transmit personal data to third parties if this is necessary for the execution of the contract, for example to the credit institution commissioned with payment processing.

Your data will not be transferred to any other party, or only if you have expressly consented to such transfer. Your data will not be passed on to third parties without your express consent, for example, for advertising purposes.

The basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR, which permits the processing of data to fulfill a contract or for pre-contractual measures.

4. Analysis tools and advertising
GOOGLE ANALYTICS
This website uses features of the web analysis service Google Analytics, provided by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google Analytics uses "cookies," which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website is typically transferred to a Google server in the United States and stored there.

Google Analytics cookies are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising.

IP anonymization

We have activated the IP anonymization function on this website. This means that your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity and to provide the website operator with other services relating to website activity and internet usage. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data.

Browser plug-in

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

Objection to data collection

You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by clicking the following link. This will set an opt-out cookie that prevents the collection of your data on future visits to this website: Disable Google Analytics.

For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please see Google’s privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Contract data processing

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

Demographic characteristics in Google Analytics

This website uses the "demographics" feature of Google Analytics. This allows reports to be created that contain information about the age, gender, and interests of site visitors. This data comes from interest-based advertising from Google as well as visitor data from third-party providers. This data cannot be assigned to a specific individual. You can deactivate this feature at any time via the ad settings in your Google Account or generally prohibit the collection of your data by Google Analytics as described in the "Objection to data collection" section.

GOOGLE ADSENSE
This website uses Google AdSense, a service for integrating advertisements provided by Google Inc. ("Google"). The provider is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google AdSense uses "cookies," which are text files placed on your computer, to help analyze website usage. Google AdSense also uses web beacons (invisible graphics). These web beacons allow the analysis of information such as visitor traffic on these pages.

The information generated by cookies and web beacons about your use of this website (including your IP address) and the delivery of advertising formats is transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. Google may also transfer this information to Google's contractual partners. However, Google will not combine your IP address with any other data stored about you.

AdSense cookies are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising.

You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser; however, please note that if you do this, you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

GOOGLE ANALYTICS REMARKETING
Our websites use Google Analytics Remarketing in conjunction with the cross-device features of Google AdWords and Google DoubleClick. The provider is Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

This feature allows you to link the advertising target groups created with Google Analytics Remarketing with the cross-device features of Google AdWords and Google DoubleClick. This allows interest-based, personalized advertising messages tailored to you based on your previous usage and browsing behavior on one device (e.g., mobile phone) to also be displayed on another of your devices (e.g., tablet or PC).

If you have given your consent, Google will link your web and app browsing history to your Google Account. This allows the same personalized advertising messages to be displayed on every device on which you log in with your Google Account.

To support this feature, Google Analytics collects Google-authenticated user IDs, which are temporarily linked to our Google Analytics data to define and create audiences for cross-device ad delivery.

You can permanently opt out of cross-device remarketing/targeting by deactivating personalized advertising in your Google Account; to do so, follow this link: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/onweb/.

The collected data is aggregated in your Google Account solely on the basis of your consent, which you can give or withdraw to Google (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). For data collection processes that are not aggregated in your Google Account (e.g., because you do not have a Google Account or have objected to the aggregation), the data is collected on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The legitimate interest arises from the website operator's interest in the anonymized analysis of website visitors for advertising purposes.

Further information and the data protection provisions can be found in Google's privacy policy at: https://www.google.com/policies/technologies/ads/.

GOOGLE ADWORDS AND GOOGLE CONVERSION TRACKING
This website uses Google AdWords. AdWords is an online advertising program from Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States ("Google").

As part of Google AdWords, we use so-called conversion tracking. When you click on an ad placed by Google, a cookie is set for conversion tracking. Cookies are small text files that the Internet browser stores on the user's computer. These cookies expire after 30 days and are not used to personally identify users. If the user visits certain pages of this website and the cookie has not yet expired, Google and we can recognize that the user clicked on the ad and was redirected to this page.

Each Google AdWords customer receives a different cookie. The cookies cannot be tracked across AdWords customers' websites. The information collected using the conversion cookie is used to compile conversion statistics for AdWords customers who have opted for conversion tracking. Customers learn the total number of users who clicked on their ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. However, they do not receive any information that can be used to personally identify users. If you do not wish to participate in tracking, you can object to this use by easily deactivating the Google Conversion Tracking cookie in your internet browser under user settings. You will then not be included in the conversion tracking statistics.

Conversion cookies are stored on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior in order to optimize both its website and its advertising.

For more information about Google AdWords and Google Conversion Tracking, please see Google’s privacy policy: https://www.google.de/policies/privacy/.

You can configure your browser to inform you about the use of cookies and to only accept cookies on a case-by-case basis, to exclude cookies for specific cases or in general, and to automatically delete cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

FACEBOOK PIXEL
Our website uses the visitor action pixel from Facebook, Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA (“Facebook”) to measure conversions.

This allows the behavior of site visitors to be tracked after they have been redirected to the provider's website by clicking on a Facebook ad. This allows the effectiveness of Facebook ads to be evaluated for statistical and market research purposes and to optimize future advertising measures.

The data collected is anonymous to us as the operator of this website; we cannot draw any conclusions about the identity of the users. However, the data is stored and processed by Facebook, allowing a connection to the respective user profile and allowing Facebook to use the data for its own advertising purposes, in accordance with the Facebook Data Use Policy. This allows Facebook to enable the placement of advertisements on Facebook pages and outside of Facebook. We, as the website operator, cannot influence this use of the data.

You can find further information on protecting your privacy in Facebook’s privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/.

You can also deactivate the "Custom Audiences" remarketing feature in the Ad Settings section at https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/?entry_product=ad_settings_screen. You must be logged in to Facebook to do so.

If you do not have a Facebook account, you can opt out of Facebook's usage-based advertising on the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/de/praferenzmanagement/.

5. Newsletter
NEWSLETTER DATA
If you would like to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and that you agree to receive the newsletter. No further data will be collected or will only be collected on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively to send the requested information and do not share it with third parties.

The data entered into the newsletter registration form will be processed exclusively on the basis of your consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the storage of your data, your email address, and their use for sending the newsletter at any time, for example, via the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you provide us with for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and will be deleted after you unsubscribe. Data stored by us for other purposes (e.g., email addresses for the members' area) will remain unaffected.

MAILCHIMP
This website uses the services of MailChimp to send 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, among other things, can be used to organize and analyze the distribution of newsletters. If you enter data for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter (e.g., email address), this data will be stored on MailChimp's servers in the USA.

MailChimp is certified under the EU-US Privacy Shield. The Privacy Shield is an agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States designed to ensure compliance with European data protection standards in the United States.

With the help of MailChimp, we can analyze our newsletter campaigns. When you open an email sent with MailChimp, a file contained in the email (a so-called web beacon) connects to MailChimp's servers in the USA. This makes it possible to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened and, if so, which links have been clicked. Technical information is also recorded (e.g., time of retrieval, IP address, browser type, and operating system). This information cannot be assigned to the respective newsletter recipient. It is used exclusively for the statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better tailor future newsletters to the interests of the recipients.

If you do not want MailChimp to analyze your data, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter. We provide a link for this in every newsletter message. You can also unsubscribe directly from the newsletter on the website.

Data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6 (1) (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 us with for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter. After you unsubscribe from the newsletter, the data will be deleted from both our servers and the MailChimp servers. Data stored by us for other purposes (e.g., email addresses for the members' area) will remain unaffected.

For more information, please see MailChimp’s privacy policy at: https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/.

Conclusion of a data processing agreement

We have entered into a so-called "Data Processing Agreement" with MailChimp, in which we obligate MailChimp to protect our customers' data and not to share it with third parties. This agreement can be viewed at the following link: https://mailchimp.com/legal/forms/data-processing-agreement/sample-agreement/.

6. Online marketing and affiliate programs
AMAZON PARTNER PROGRAM
The operators of these pages participate in the Amazon EU Affiliate Program. Amazon advertisements and links to the Amazon.de website are integrated into our website, through which we can earn money through advertising fees. Amazon uses cookies to track the origin of orders. This allows Amazon to recognize that you have clicked on the affiliate link on our website.

The storage of "Amazon cookies" is based on Art. 6 (f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in this, as only through cookies can the amount of its affiliate compensation be determined.

For more information about Amazon’s data usage, please see Amazon’s privacy policy: https://www.amazon.de/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=footer_privacy?ie=UTF8&nodeId=3312401.

7. Payment providers
PAYPAL
On our website, we offer payment via PayPal, among other options. This payment service is provided by PayPal (Europe) S.à.rl et Cie, SCA, 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter "PayPal").

If you choose to pay via PayPal, the payment details you enter will be transmitted to PayPal.

Your data will be transferred to PayPal on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR (consent) and Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR (processing to fulfill a contract). You have the option to revoke your consent to data processing at any time. Revoking your consent will not affect the effectiveness of past data processing operations.

8. Plugins and tools
GOOGLE WEB FONTS
This website uses so-called web fonts provided by Google for consistent font display. When you visit a page, your browser loads the required web fonts into your browser cache to display text and fonts correctly.

For this purpose, the browser you use must establish a connection to Google's servers. This allows Google to know that our website was accessed via your IP address. Google Web Fonts are used in the interest of a consistent and appealing presentation of our online offerings. This represents a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR.

If your browser does not support web fonts, a standard font from your computer will be used.

Further information about Google Web Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s privacy policy: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.