General information
The following information will provide you with an easy to navigate overview of what will happen with your personal data when you visit our website. The term „personal data“ comprises all data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information about the subject matter of data protection, please consult our Data Protection Declaration, which we have included beneath this copy.
Data recording on our website
Who is the responsible party for the recording of data on this website (i.e. the „controller“)?
The data on this website is processed by the operator of the website, whose contact information is available under section „Information Required by Law“ on this website.
How do we record your data?
We collect your data as a result of your sharing of your data with us. This may, for instance be information you enter into our contact form.
Our IT systems automatically record other data when you visit our website. This data comprises primarily technical information (e.g. web browser, operating system or time the site was accessed). This information is recorded automatically when you access our website.
What are the purposes we use your data for?
A portion of the information is generated to guarantee the error free provision of the website. Other data may be used to analyse your user patterns.
What rights do you have as far as your information is concerned?
You have the right to receive information about the source, recipients and purposes of your archived personal data at any time without having to pay a fee for such disclosures. You also have the right to demand that your data are rectified, blocked or eradicated. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time under the address disclosed in section „Information Required by Law“ on this website if you have questions about this or any other data protection related issues. You also have the right to log a complaint with the competent supervising agency.
Moreover, under certain circumstances, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data. For details, please consult the Data Protection Declaration under section „Right to Restriction of Data Processing.“
Analysis tools and tools provided by third parties
There is a possibility that your browsing patterns will be statistically analysed when your visit our website. Such analyses are performed primarily with cookies and with what we refer to as analysis programmes. As a rule, the analyses of your browsing patterns are conducted anonymously; i.e. the browsing patterns cannot be traced back to you.
You have the option to object to such analyses or you can prevent their performance by not using certain tools. For detailed information about the tools and about your options to object, please consult our Data Protection Declaration below.
External Hosting
This website is hosted by an external service provider (host). Personal data collected on this website are stored on the servers of the host. These may include, but are not limited to, IP addresses, contact requests, metadata and communications, contract information, contact information, names, web page access, and other data generated through a web site.
The host is used for the purpose of fulfilling the contract with our potential and existing customers (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b DSGVO) and in the interest of secure, fast and efficient provision of our online services by a professional provider (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO).
Our host will only process your data to the extent necessary to fulfil its performance obligations and to follow our instructions with respect to such data.
Execution of a contract data processing agreement
In order to guarantee processing in compliance with data protection regulations, we have concluded an order processing contract with our host.
Data protection
The operators of this website and its pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. Hence, we handle your personal data as confidential information and in compliance with the statutory data protection regulations and this Data Protection Declaration.
Whenever you use this website, a variety of personal information will be collected. This Data Protection Declaration explains which data we collect as well as the purposes we use this data for. It also explains how, and for which purpose the information is collected.
We herewith advise you that the transmission of data via the Internet (i.e. through e-mail communications) may be prone to security gaps. It is not possible to completely protect data against third party access.
Information about the responsible party (referred to as the „controller“ in the GDPR)
The data processing controller on this website is:
Value Balancing Alliance e.V.
Bockenheimer Landstraße 22
60323 Frankfurt am Main
Telefon: +49 69 153 2936-10
E-Mail: info@value-balancing.com
The controller is the natural person or legal entity that single-handedly or jointly with others makes decisions as to the purposes of and resources for the processing of personal data (e.g. names, e-mail addresses, etc.).
Revocation of your consent to the processing of data
A wide range of data processing transactions are possible only subject to your express consent. You can also revoke at any time any consent you have already given us. To do so, all you are required to do is sent us an informal notification via e-mail. This shall be without prejudice to the lawfulness of any data collection that occurred prior to your revocation.
Right to object to the collection of data in special cases; right to object to direct advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)
In the event that data are processed on the basis of Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. e or f GDPR, you have the right to at any time object to the processing of your personal data based on grounds arising from your unique situation. This also applies to any profiling based on these provisions. To determine the legal basis, on which any processing of data is based, please consult this Data Protection Declaration. If you log an objection, we will no longer process your affected personal data, unless we are in a position to present compelling protection worthy grounds for the processing of your data, that outweigh your interests, rights and freedoms or if the purpose of the processing is the claiming, exercising or defence of legal entitlements (objection pursuant to Art. 21 Sect. 1 GDPR).
If your personal data is being processed in order to engage in direct advertising, you have the right to at any time object to the processing of your affected personal data for the purposes of such advertising. This also applies to profiling to the extent that it is affiliated with such direct advertising. If you object, your personal data will subsequently no longer be used for direct advertising purposes (objection pursuant to Art. 21 Sect. 2 GDPR).
Right to log a complaint with the competent supervisory agency
In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects are entitled to log a complaint with a supervisory agency, in particular in the member state where they usually maintain their domicile, place of work or at the place where the alleged violation occurred. The right to log a complaint is in effect regardless of any other administrative or court proceedings available as legal recourses.
Right to data portability
You have the right to demand that we hand over any data we automatically process on the basis of your consent or in order to fulfil a contract be handed over to you or a third party in a commonly used, machine readable format. If you should demand the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will be done only if it is technically feasible.
SSL and/or TLS encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as purchase orders or inquiries you submit to us as the website operator, this website uses either an SSL or a TLS encryption programme. You can recognise an encrypted connection by checking whether the address line of the browser switches from „http://“ to „https://“ and also by the appearance of the lock icon in the browser line.
If the SSL or TLS encryption is activated, data you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.
Information about, blockage, rectification and eradication of data
Within the scope of the applicable statutory provisions, you have the right to at any time demand information about your archived personal data, their source and recipients as well as the purpose of the processing of your data. You may also have a right to have your data rectified, blocked or eradicated. If you have questions about this subject matter or any other questions about personal data, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time at the address provided in section „Information Required by Law.“
Right to demand processing restrictions
You have the right to demand the imposition of restrictions as far as the processing of your personal data is concerned. To do so, you may contact us at any time at the address provided in section „Information Required by Law.“ The right to demand restriction of processing applies in the following cases:
In the event that you should dispute the correctness of your data archived by us, we will usually need some time to verify this claim. During the time that this investigation is ongoing, you have the right to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data.
If the processing of your personal data was/is conducted in an unlawful manner, you have the option to demand the restriction of the processing of your data in lieu of demanding the eradication of this data.
If we do not need your personal data any longer and you need it to exercise, defend or claim legal entitlements, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its eradication.
If you have raised an objection pursuant to Art. 21 Sect. 1 GDPR, your rights and our rights will have to be weighed against each other. As long as it has not been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to demand a restriction of the processing of your personal data.
If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, these data – with the exception of their archiving – may be processed only subject to your consent or to claim, exercise or defend legal entitlements or to protect the rights of other natural persons or legal entities or for important public interest reasons cited by the European Union or a member state of the EU.
Rejection of unsolicited e-mails
We herewith object to the use of contact information published in conjunction with the mandatory information to be provided in section „Information Required by Law“ to send us promotional and information material that we have not expressly requested. The operators of this website and its pages reserve the express right to take legal action in the event of the unsolicited sending of promotional information, for instance via SPAM messages.
If you would like to exercise your rights, in particular your right to object, just send an email to info@value-balancing.com
Cookies
In some instances, our website and its pages use so-called cookies. Cookies do not cause any damage to your computer and do not contain viruses. The purpose of cookies is to make our website more user friendly, effective and more secure. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer and stored by your browser.
Most of the cookies we use are so-called „session cookies.“ They are automatically deleted after your leave our site. Other cookies will remain archived on your device until you delete them. These cookies enable us to recognise your browser the next time you visit our website.
You can adjust the settings of your browser to make sure that you are notified every time cookies are placed and to enable you to accept cookies only in specific cases or to exclude the acceptance of cookies for specific situations or in general and to activate the automatic deletion of cookies when you close your browser. If you deactivate cookies, the functions of this website may be limited.
Cookies that are required for the performance of the electronic communications transaction or to provide certain functions you want to use (e.g. the shopping cart function), are stored on the basis of Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing cookies to ensure the technically error free and optimised provision of the operator’s services. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g. a consent to the storage of cookies), the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO; the consent can be revoked at any time. If other cookies (e.g. cookies for the analysis of your browsing patterns) should be stored, they are addressed separately in this Data Protection Declaration.
Specifically, we use the following cookies for the purposes stated in each case with the expiry dates stated in each case:
| Cookie-Label | Purpose | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|
| Neos_Session | Web server session cookie | Session |
| cookieConsentAccepted | Cookie to store consent for cookies | 3 Months |
| cookieConsent | Cookie for saving the settings for cookies | 3 Months |
| Cookie name | Description | Default expiration time |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Used to distinguish users. | 2 years |
| _gid | Used to distinguish users. | 24 hours |
| _ga_Q4CQKWE2YS | Used to persist session state. | 2 years |
| _gac_gb_Q4CQKWE2YS | Contains campaign related information. If Google Analytics and Google Ads accounts are linked, Google Ads website conversion tags will read this cookie unless opt-out. | 90 days |
A "session" ends when you close your internet browser.
Server log files
The provider of this website and its pages automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser communicates to us automatically. The information comprises:
This data is not merged with other data sources.
This data is recorded on the basis of Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. f GDPR. The operator of the website has a legitimate interest in the technically error free depiction and the optimization of the operator’s website. In order to achieve this, server log files must be recorded.
Request by e-mail, telephone or fax
If you contact us by e-mail, telephone or fax, your request, including all resulting personal data (name, request) will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We do not pass these data on without your consent.
The processing of these data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR, if your request is related to the execution of a contract or if it is necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on your consent (Article 6 (1) a GDPR) and/or on our legitimate interests (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR), since we have a legitimate interest in the effective processing of requests addressed to us.
The data sent by you to us via contact requests remain with us until you request us to delete, revoke your consent to the storage or the purpose for the data storage lapses (e.g. after completion of your request). Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.
Provision of our statutory / business services
We process the data of our members, interested parties, clients or other persons according to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b. DSGVO, insofar as we offer them contractual services or act within the framework of an existing business relationship, e.g. with members, or ourselves are recipients of services. For data processing that goes beyond the fulfilment of statutory and/or business tasks or the initiation and execution of contracts, we refer to the safeguarding of legitimate interests in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f) DSGVO, unless we have obtained your express consent for this purpose (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a) DSGVO).
The processing of this data as well as the type, scope, purpose and necessity of its processing is determined by the underlying contractual relationship. This includes personal and master data (e.g. name, address), contact data (e.g. e-mail address, telephone), contract data and, if required for the contractual relationship, payment data (e.g. bank details).
We delete data that is no longer required for the performance of our statutory and business purposes. Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.
Google Analytics
This website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider of this service is Google Ireland Limited („Google“), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Google Analytics uses so-called cookies. Cookies are text files, which are stored on your computer and that enable an analysis of the use of the website by users. The information generated by cookies on your use of this website is usually transferred to a Google server in the United States, where it is stored.
The storage of Google Analytics cookies and the utilization of this analysis tool are based on Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. f GDPR. The operator of this website has a legitimate interest in the analysis of user patterns to optimize both, the services offered online and the operator’s advertising activities. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g. a consent to the storage of cookies), the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO; the consent can be revoked at any time.
IP anonymization
On this website, we have activated the IP anonymization function. As a result, your IP address will be abbreviated by Google within the member states of the European Union or in other states that have ratified the Convention on the European Economic Area prior to its transmission to the United States. The full IP address will be transmitted to one of Google’s servers in the United States and abbreviated there only in exceptional cases. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google shall use this information to analyse your use of this website to generate reports on website activities and to render other services to the operator of this website that are related to the use of the website and the Internet. The IP address transmitted in conjunction with Google Analytics from your browser shall not be merged with other data in Google’s possession.
Browser plug-in
You do have the option to prevent the archiving of cookies by making pertinent changes to the settings of your browser software. However, we have to point out that in this case you may not be able to use all of the functions of this website to their fullest extent. Moreover, you have the option prevent the recording of the data generated by the cookie and affiliated with your use of the website (including your IP address) by Google as well as the processing of this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available under the following link:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.
Objection to the recording of data
You have the option to prevent the recording of your data by Google Analytics by clicking on the following link. This will result in the placement of an opt out cookie, which prevents the recording of your data during future visits to this website:
Activate Opt-Out-Cookie
If you delete your cookies, you must click this link again.
For more information about the handling of user data by Google Analytics, please consult Google’s Data Privacy Declaration at:
https://policies.google.com/privacy, https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de , Opt-Out possibilities for Google Analytics (https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de), Google settings for data use for marketing purposes: https://adssettings.google.com/
Contract data processing
We have executed a contract data processing agreement with Google and are implementing the stringent provisions of the German data protection agencies to the fullest when using Google Analytics.
Archiving period
Data on the user or incident level stored by Google linked to cookies, user IDs or advertising IDs (e.g. DoubleClick cookies, Android advertising ID) will be anonymized or deleted after 14 month. For details please click the following link:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7667196?hl=de
HubSpot
We use HubSpot for our online marketing activities. HubSpot is an integrated chatbot and software solution for the control and realization of inbound marketing with which we cover various aspects of our online marketing, including Contact management (e.g. user segmentation & CRM) and contact forms. Cookies (see above) are used. The storage of cookies can be prevented at any time by a corresponding setting in the browser software or the cookies already stored can be deleted there. Please note that if cookies are blocked, the services provided on our website may not be fully usable.
The legal basis for the use of Hubspot’s services is Art. 6 I f DSGVO – legitimate interest (optimization of our marketing measures and the improvement of our service quality on the website).
The stored information is stored on HubSpot’s servers. It may be used by us to contact visitors to our website and to determine which services of our company are of interest to them. All information we collect is subject to this Privacy Policy. We use all information collected solely to improve our marketing.
HubSpot is a software company based in the USA with an office in Ireland. Contact Us: HubSpot, 2nd Floor 30 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland, telephone: +353 1 5187500. HubSpot is subject to TRUSTe’s Privacy Seal and the U.S. – EU Safe Harbor Framework and the U.S. – Swiss Safe Harbor Framework. We have entered into an order processing agreement with HubSpot Ireland pursuant to Art. 28 DSGVO and fully implement the resulting requirements.
More information in the terms of use and privacy policy of HubSpot Inc: https://legal.hubspot.com/legal-stuff. https://legal.hubspot.com/de/terms-of-service und https://legal.hubspot.com/de/privacy-policy.
For more information on the cookies used by HubSpot click here: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/reports/what-cookies-does-hubspot-set-in-a-visitor-s-browser#consent-banner-cookies and https://knowledge.hubspot.com/account/hubspot-cookie-security-and-privacy
Newsletter data
If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter offered on this website, we will need from you an e-mail address as well as information that allow us to verify that you are the owner of the e-mail address provided and consent to the receipt of the newsletter. No further data shall be collected or shall be collected only on a voluntary basis. We shall use such data only for the sending of the requested information and shall not share such data with any third parties.
Double-Opt-In and Protocol: The registration to our newsletter takes place in a so-called Double-Opt-In procedure. This means that you will receive an e-mail after your registration in which you will be asked to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that nobody can register with external e-mail addresses. The registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to prove the registration process according to the legal requirements. This includes the storage of the registration and confirmation time, as well as the IP address. Likewise the changes of your data stored with the service provider are recorded.
The processing of the information entered into the newsletter subscription form shall occur exclusively on the basis of your consent (Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. a GDPR). You may revoke the consent you have given to the archiving of data, the e-mail address and the use of this information for the sending of the newsletter at any time, for instance by clicking on the „Unsubscribe“ link in the newsletter. This shall be without prejudice to the lawfulness of any data processing transactions that have taken place to date.
The data you archive with us for the purpose of the newsletter subscription shall be archived by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Once you cancel your subscription to the newsletter, the data shall be deleted. This shall not affect data we have been archiving for other purposes.
MailChimp
This website uses the services of MailChimp to send out its newsletters. The provider is the Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.
Among other things, MailChimp is a service that can be deployed to organise and analyse the sending of newsletters. Whenever you enter data for the purpose of subscribing to a newsletter (e.g. your e-mail address), the information is stored on MailChimp servers in the United States. MailChimp is in possession of a certification that is in compliance with the „EU-US-Privacy-Shield.“ The „Privacy-Shield“ is a compact between the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA) that aims to warrant the compliance with European data protection standards in the United States.
With the assistance of the MailChimp tool, we can analyse the performance of our newsletter campaigns. If you open an e-mail that has been sent through the MailChimp tool, a file that has been integrated into the e- mail (a so-called web-beacon) connects to MailChimp’s servers in the United States. As a result, it can be determined whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links the recipient possibly clicked on. Technical information is also recorded at that time (e.g. the time of access, the IP address, type of browser and operating system). This information cannot be allocated to the respective newsletter recipient. Their sole purpose is the performance of statistical analyses of newsletter campaigns. The results of such analyses can be used to tailor future newsletters to the interests of their recipients more effectively.
If you do not want to permit an analysis by MailChimp, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter. We provide a link for you to do this in every newsletter message. Moreover, you can also unsubscribe from the newsletter right on the website. You can also unsubscribe directly through this link: unsubscribe.
This service provider is deployed on the basis of our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. DSGVO and a data-processing-agreement pursuant to Art. 28 (3) sentence 1 DSGVO.
Data processing is based on the basis of our legitimate interests pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f. DSGVO and a data-processing-agreement pursuant to Art. 28 (3) sentence 1 DSGVO or of your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO). You can revoke this consent at any time by unsubscribing the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations that have already taken place remains unaffected by the revocation.
The data you archive with us for the purpose of the newsletter subscription shall be archived by us until you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Once you cancel your subscription to the newsletter, the data shall be deleted from our servers as well as those of MailChimp. This shall not affect data we have been archiving for other purposes.
For more details, please consult the Data Privacy Policies of MailChimp at: https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/.
YouTube
Our website uses plug-ins of the YouTube platform, which is operated by Google. The website operator is Google Ireland Limited („Google“), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.
If you visit a page on our website into which a YouTube plug-in has been integrated, a connection with YouTube’s servers will be established. As a result, the YouTube server will be notified, which of our pages you have visited.
Furthermore, YouTube will be able to place various cookies on your device. With the assistance of these cookies, YouTube will be able to obtain information about our website visitor. Among other things, this information will be used to generate video statistics with the aim of improving the user friendliness of the site and to prevent attempts to commit fraud. These cookies will stay on your device until you delete them.
If you are logged into your YouTube account while you visit our site, you enable YouTube to directly allocate your browsing patterns to your personal profile. You have the option to prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account. The use of YouTube is based on our interest in presenting our online content in an appealing manner. Pursuant to Art. 6 Sect. 1 lit. f GDPR, this is a legitimate interest. If a corresponding consent has been requested (e.g. a consent to the storage of cookies), the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO; the consent can be revoked at any time.
For more information on how YouTube handles user data, please consult the YouTube Data Privacy Policy under:
https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de , Opt-Out: https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated.
We have online presence on the following social media platforms:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/value-balancing/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/valuebalancing
In this respect, these social media platforms are also responsible for data processing, over which we have only limited influence. We would therefore like to point out that you use these social media sites and their functions under your own responsibility. This applies in particular to the use of the interactive functions (e.g. commenting, sharing, rating).
Data processing by us
Unless otherwise stated in our data protection declaration, we process the data of users who communicate with us within social networks and platforms, e.g. post articles on our online presence or send us messages. The data you enter yourself on our social media pages, such as comments, videos, pictures, likes, public messages, etc. are published by the social media platform and used or processed by us only for the information of users and communication with them. We also reserve the right to delete content if this should be necessary. We may share your content on our site if this is a function of the social media platform and communicate with you via the social media platform. The processing of users’ personal data is carried out on the basis of our legitimate interests in effective user information and communication with users in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f. DSGVO. If the users are requested by the respective providers of the platforms to consent to the aforementioned data processing, the legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. a., Art. 7 DSGVO.
Data processing by the operator of the social media platform
Data processing by the operator of the social media platform: When calling up the respective networks and platforms, the terms and conditions and the data processing guidelines of their respective operators apply. In this context it is pointed out that via these social networks and platforms, which are US providers, the data can be processed outside the area of the European Union. However, if US providers are certified under the Privacy Shield, they undertake to comply with the data protection standards of the EU. Facebook and LinkedIn have submitted to the EU-US Privacy Shield and thus offer a guarantee of compliance with European data protection law.
Web tracking can also take place regardless of whether you are logged in or registered with the social media platform. For the purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of the data by the respective social networks and platforms, please refer directly to the data protection information of the respective social networks and platforms. There you will also find information about contact possibilities to the operators as well as about the setting possibilities for the protection of privacy as a user.
Further information on data processing by the providers of the social media platform and other objection options as well as privacy shield certification can be found under the following links of the respective providers:
LinkedIn: LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043
Setting options (objection options, opt-out): https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out
Twitter: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
On the website we link to the online presence of Facebook and LinkedIn. Our icon (/Button/Link) acts as an external link so that no information is transferred to Facebook without clicking on the icon. If the user clicks on the icon, he will be redirected to the website of the respective provider. The URL of the current page is passed as a parameter. We have no influence on whether or how Facebook and LinkedIn may use this data for evaluation. If you do not want Facebook and LinkedIn to collect information about the use of our websites, please do not click on the button mentioned.
We reserve the right to update this privacy statement at any time in accordance with applicable data protection laws.