Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy of Dorothea Küsters Life Science Communications GmbH for the website dkcommunications.de

Version: 29 September 2023

Our privacy policy

The use of our website is generally possible without providing any personal data. Furthermore, we refrain from automatically recording visitor data as much as possible; this applies especially to the use of cookies (see Clause 3), the use of website tracking systems such as Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics or Matomo, formerly PiWik (see Clause 9) as well as the use of social media plugins (see Clause 10). One exception to this rule is the recording of general access data by our website provider for statistical purposes, to check proper functioning and to protect the website from misuse (see Clause 5).

With this privacy policy, we would like to inform you specifically which data is collected, how we handle such data and which data protection rights you are entitled to when using our website. Some statements in this context constitute general information about your rights that may not concretely relate to this website, since no data collection occurs in those particular cases. For instance, this applies to the subject of profiling or other cases of data collection involving user identification for advertising purposes. Even if no data collection occurs on our website for such purposes, we would still like to inform you of your rights under the framework of the new EU data protection legislation.

1. Definitions

This privacy policy is based on the terminology used by the European legislature when issuing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our privacy policy should be easy to read and comprehensible for the public as well as for specialist circles who contact us. To guarantee this, we would like to clarify the terminology used in advance. We use the following terms, among others, in this privacy policy and on our website:

a)    Personal data

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

b)    Data subject

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

c)    Processing

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

d)    Restriction of processing

Restriction of processing means the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.

e)    Profiling

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

f)    Pseudonymisation

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

g)    Controller or controller of data processing

Controller or controller of data processing means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

h)    Processor

Processor means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body who processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i)    Recipient

Recipient means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to whom the personal data is disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities who may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law are not considered recipients.

j)   Third party

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

k)    Consent

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

2. Name and address of the controller

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

Dorothea Küsters Life Science Communications GmbH

Falkstraße 5
60487 Frankfurt
Phone: 0049 (0)69 / 61 998-0
Fax: 0049 (0)69 / 61 998-10

Website: dkcommunications.de
Email: info@dkcommunications.de

3. Name and address of the data protection officer

Stephan Menzemer,
c/o Graf von Westphalen Verwaltung GmbH
Poststraße-Alte Post 9,
20345 Hamburg,

dsb@gvw.com

Any data subject can directly contact our data protection officer at any time with any questions and concerns regarding data protection.

4. Cookies

4.1. What are cookies?

Websites and servers frequently use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a sequence of characters that make it possible to attribute websites and services to the specific internet browser on which the cookie was stored. This enables the websites and servers visited to differentiate the individual browser of the data subject from other internet browsers containing different cookies. A particular internet browser can be recognized and identified using the unique cookie ID.

Website visitors can prevent the storage of cookies at any time by changing the relevant setting in their internet browser, thereby permanently objecting to the storage of cookies. Additionally, previously stored cookies can be deleted at any time from an internet browser or other software program. This is an option in all common internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the storage of cookies in their internet browser, under certain circumstances not all features of a website may be used to their full extent.

4.2. Use of cookies in our web services

The websites of Dorothea Life Science Communications GmbH (dkcommunications.de, dorothea-kuesters.de) do not use cookies at any point.

5. Collection of general data and information

For every visit to this website by a data subject or automated system, we or the provider of this website collect a series of general data and information. This is stored in the server log files. The data collected may include the (1) browser types and versions used, (2) the operating system used by the accessing system, (3) the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrer), (4) the specific pages on our website that can be controlled by an accessing system, (5) the date and time of access to the website, (6) an Internet Protocol address (IP address), (7) the Internet Service Provider of the accessing system and (8) other similar data and information used to prevent risks in case of attacks to our IT systems.

The processor for the creation of logfiles is the provider of this website:

JEUCK Software, Dustin Jeuck, Pfingstbornstraße 10, 35794 Mengerskirchen-Waldernbach.

Evaluation of this data will generally only take place in an automated form. In this process, no conclusions will be drawn about the personal identity of the website visitor. Instead, the information will be used in order to (1) correctly deliver the content of our website, (2) optimise the content of our website as well as the advertising for this content, (3) ensure the permanent functionality of our IT systems and the technology of our website, as well as (4) provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary information for criminal proceedings in case of a cyber-attack. In particular, if there are concrete indications of unlawful use of our website, we reserve the right to review the server log files subsequently. The logfiles will only be stored for the abovementioned purposes, the files will be routinely deleted in full after 7 days.

6. Registration of personal data

On our website we do not use any contact forms, meaning that no electronic data collection occurs when using our website. If you would like to contact us, please use the options outlined in the Contact Menu as well as on our Applicant Page. Your messages, including the personal data they contain, will be stored within the framework of the statutory retention periods (see Clause 7).

7. Routine deletion and blocking of personal data

Generally, we only process and store personal data relating to the business activities of our agency, including existing contractual relationships, or agreements regarding data processing, for the period necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or insofar as this is provided for by the European legislature or other legislative bodies in laws or regulations to which we are subject. If the purpose of storage no longer applies or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislature or another competent legislative body expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory regulations.

8. General information regarding rights

a)    Right to confirmation

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data shall have the right, granted by the European legislature, to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her is being processed. If a data subject would like to assert this right to confirmation, he or she can contact the responsible data protection officer at any time.

b)    Right to access information

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data shall have the right, granted by the European legislature, to obtain information from the controller regarding the personal data stored concerning him or her, free of charge and at any time, as well as receive a copy of this information. Furthermore, the European legislature has permitted the data subject access to the following information:

  • The purposes of processing
  • The categories of personal data concerned
  • The recipients or categories of recipient to whom the personal data has been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations
  • Where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period
  • The existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing
  • The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
  • Where the personal data is not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source
  • the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22 (1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject

The data subject also has the right to access information as to whether personal data is transferred to a third country or international organisation. Insofar as this is the case, the data subject shall also have the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards relating to the transfer. If a data subject would like to assert this right to information, he or she can contact the responsible data protection officer at any time.

c)    Right to rectification

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data shall have the right, granted by the European legislature, to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning him or her. Furthermore, taking into account the purposes of the processing, the data subject shall have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement. If a data subject would like to assert this right to rectification, he or she can contact the responsible data protection officer for this purpose at any time.

d)    Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data shall have the right, granted by the European legislature, to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies and as long as processing is not necessary:

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

If one of the above reasons applies and a data subject would like to request the deletion of personal data stored with the controller or a service provider commissioned by the controller, he or she can contact the responsible data protection officer for this purpose at any time. This officer will arrange for the deletion request to be fulfilled without delay.

If personal data was made public by the controller responsible for collection and the controller is obliged pursuant to Art. 17(1) GDPR to erase the data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers who are processing the personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, this personal data, as long as this processing is not necessary. The responsible data protection officer will arrange the necessary measures in the individual cases.

e)    Right to restriction of processing

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislature, to obtain from the controller restriction of processing where one of the following applies:

  • The accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data.
  • The processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of its use instead.
  • The controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but this data is required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
  • The data subject has objected to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) and it has not yet been verified whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

If one of the above reasons applies and a data subject would like to request the restriction of processing for personal data stored with the controller, he or she can contact the responsible data protection officer for this purpose at any time. The controller’s responsible data protection officer will arrange for the restriction of processing.

f)    Right to data portability

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislature, to receive the personal data concerning him or her, which he or she has provided to a controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. Every data subject also has the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data has been provided, as long as the processing is based on consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) GDPR and the processing is carried out by automated means, as long as the processing is not necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller. Furthermore, in exercising his or her right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20(1) GDPR, the data subject shall have the right to have the personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible and as long as this does not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others. To assert the right to data portability, the data subject can contact the controller’s responsible data protection officer at any time.

g)    Right to object

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislature, to object at any time the processing of personal data concerning him or her, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation which is based on Article 6 (1)(e or f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. The controller shall no longer process the personal data unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.

If the controller processes personal data for direct marketing purposes, the data subject shall have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning him or her for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. Where the data subject objects to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data shall no longer be processed for such purposes.

The data subject also has the right to object the processing of personal data concerning him or her, on grounds relating to his or her particular situation, when the controller processes personal data for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Art. 89(1) GDPR, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest. To exercise this right to object, the data subject can directly contact the data protection officer. In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject is free to exercise his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

h)    Automated individual decision-making, including profiling

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislature, not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her, unless the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or performance of, a contract between the data subject and a data controller, or (2) is authorised by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, or (3) is based on the data subject's explicit consent.

If the decision (1) is necessary for entering into, or performance of, a contract between the data subject and data controller or (2) is based on the data subject's explicit consent, the data controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the data subject's rights, freedoms and legitimate interests, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

If the data subject would like to assert rights related to automated decision-making, he or she can directly contact the data protection officer for this purpose at any time.

i)    Right to withdraw consent to data processing

Every data subject affected by the processing of personal data has the right, granted by the European legislature, to withdraw his or her consent to the processing of personal data at any time. If the data subject would like to assert his or her right to withdraw consent, he or she can directly contact the data protection officer for this purpose at any time.

9. Data protection regulations regarding the use of tracking systems

On our web services, we completely refrain from using the tracking systems of third-party providers such as Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics or Matomo, formerly PiWik, or any other software for the statistical analysis of visitor access.  

10. Data protection regulations regarding the use of social media plugins

We are happy to receive your recommendation, including via social media. However, to ensure that your data will not be automatically transmitted to social networks, and most importantly that it will not be transmitted without your consent when you visit our website, we completely refrain from the use of so-called social media plugins. These are typically software modules provided by the operators of external social media services that are integrated into websites to enable automatic communication (data exchange) between the website and the external social media pages in question.