The data protection declaration of the PLC2 Company Group is based on the terms used by the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

a) Personal data

Therefore, personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (»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, an 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 is any identified or identifiable natural person, whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

The data controller is:

plc2 Programmable Logic Competence Center GmbH
Hugstmattweg 30
79112 Freiburg
Germany
Phone: +49 7664 91313 0
Email: plc2-datenschutz@plc2.de
Internet: www.plc2.com

The Internet pages of the PLC2 Company Group use cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in a computer system via an Internet browser. Some cookies are technically required or are required for security reasons, e.g. as to display the website on any kind of device and under all types of browsers. Beyond this scope of application, we may use cookies for further purposes, such as advertising and analyses, where these latter categories may solely be applied if you have granted consent.

Many Internet sites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier of the cookie. It consists of a character string through which Internet pages and servers can be assigned to the specific Internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This allows visited Internet sites and servers to differentiate the individual browser of the data subject from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognized and identified using the unique cookie ID.

Through the use of cookies, the PLC2 Company Group can provide the users of this website with more user-friendly services that would not be possible without the cookie setting.

By means of a cookie, the information and offers on our website can be optimized with the user in mind. The website user that uses cookies, e.g. does not have to enter access data each time the website is accessed, because this is taken over by the website, and the cookie is thus stored on the user’s computer system. Another example is the cookie of a shopping cart in an online shop. The online store remembers the articles that a customer has placed in the virtual shopping cart via a cookie.

The data subject may, at any time, prevent the setting of cookies through our website by means of a corresponding setting of the Internet browser used, and may thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Furthermore, already set cookies may be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs. This is possible in all popular Internet browsers. If the data subject deactivates the setting of cookies in the Internet browser used, not all functions of our website may be entirely usable.

The website of the PLC2 Company Group collects several personal data when browsed. We may collect  the browser types and versions used, the operating system used by the accessing system, the website from which an accessing system reaches our website (so-called referrers), the sub-websites, the date and time of access to the Internet site, an Internet protocol address (IP address), the Internet service provider of the accessing system, and any other similar data and information that may be used in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using these general data and information, the PLC2 Company Group does not draw any conclusions about the data subject. Rather, this information is needed to deliver the content of our website correctly, ensure the long-term viability of our information technology systems and website technology, and provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for criminal prosecution in case of a cyber-attack. Therefore, the PLC2 Company Group analyzes anonymously collected data and information statistically, with the aim of increasing the data protection and data security of our enterprise, and to ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data we process. The legal basis is our legitimate interest in a technical secure and flawless operation, Art. 7 I 1 f GDPR.

To enable you to control how cookies which require your consent are used on our website and for purposes of administering your consent-preferences, we are using a cookie provided by Borlabs GmbH, Hamburger Str. 11, 22083 Hamburg, Germany. The Cookie is active for the period of one year and it´s use is based on our legitimate interest to collect and administer data protection compliant declarations of consent. The legal basis, therefore, is legitimate interest, Art. 6 I 1 f GDPR.

On our website, you may register for sessions held as ONLINE LIVE, SEMINAR, EASY START, WORKSHOP and POWER WORKSHOP.

To enable us to enroll the participant(s), we require the enroller´s name and surname, an e-mail- and postal address. Additionally, and on a voluntary basis, the company and department, VAT-identification number, title, telephone number, order number, coupon/code, a message and a different shipment address may be entered.

Per participant, a name and surname as well as an e-mail-address are required. On a voluntary basis, there may be entered the day of arrival, the day of departure, the request for a hotel-booking and a title.

Please consider that without the information marked as mandatory in the order form, we cannot enroll the participant(s). Should only the mandatory information be provided, such will not have any adverse effect.

The legal basis of processing is the requirement in regard to the service contract, you intend to enter with us, Art. 6 I b GDPR.

If you want to register for a webinar that we offer together with our partner GoToWebinar (here we have entered into the required data processing agreement), you must provide your first and last name, your email address, your country, your organization, your job title and a how you found out about the webinar. You can also provide your postal address and/or a telephone number for queries.

The legal basis for the processing of your data is the requirement in connection with the contract for the service that you would like to book with us, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR. Please note that registration is only possible if you provide all the data marked as mandatory. If you only provide the data marked as mandatory, this has no negative effect. We will transfer your data to our partner GoToWebinar for the execution of the underlying contract, insofar as this is objectively required. The data required in this regard is your e-mail address and your name for sending a personal participation link.

On the website of the PLC2 Company Group, users are given the opportunity to subscribe to our enterprise’s newsletter. The input mask used for this purpose determines what personal data are collected. This is usually just your name and an e-mail-address. The legal basis is your declaration of consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR.

To realize a compliant newsletter-process, the double opt-in procedure is implemented. This confirmation e-mail is used to prove whether the owner of the e-mail address as the data subject is authorized to receive the newsletter.

During the registration for the newsletter, we also store the IP address of the computer system assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP) and used by the data subject at the time of the registration, as well as the date and time of the registration. The collection of this data is necessary in order to understand the (possible) misuse of the e-mail address of a data subject at a later date, and it therefore serves the aim of the legal protection of the controller.

You may terminate the subscription to our newsletter any time. The consent to the storage of personal data, you have granted may be revoked at any time. For the purpose of revocation of consent, a corresponding link is found in each newsletter.

The newsletter of the PLC2 Company Group contains so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic embedded in such e-mails, which are sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and analysis. This allows a statistical analysis of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the PLC2 Company Group may see if and when an e-mail was opened by a data subject, and which links in the e-mail were called up by data subjects. The legal basis is your declaration of consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR.

Such personal data collected in the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters are stored and analyzed by the controller in order to optimize the shipping of the newsletter, as well as to adapt the content of future newsletters even better to the interests of the data subject. These personal data will not be passed on to third parties.

We are interested in nurturing our customer relationship and sending you selected information about our services from time to time. We may also process your data for such purposes and send you advertising by post or email.

If you do not want us to send you respective content, you can object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes at any time. If you object, we will no longer process your data for this purpose. The objection can be made free of charge and informally without giving reasons and should be sent to our contact addresses (by post, e-mail or telephone) if possible.

The website of the PLC2 Company Group contains information that enables a quick electronic contact to our enterprise, as well as direct communication with us, which also includes a general address of the so-called electronic mail (e-mail address). If a data subject contacts the controller by e-mail or via a contact form, the personal data transmitted by the data subject are automatically stored. Such personal data transmitted on a voluntary basis by a data subject to the data controller are stored for the purpose of processing or contacting the data subject. There is no transfer of this personal data to third parties. To contact us, you just have to mention your e-mail-address and the message you wish to address, possibly also your name to enable a personalized reply. The legal basis for processing your data in the context of a contact request is the requirement to process the data in regard of a (potential) contractual relationship or your consent which you declare by submitting the data, Art. 6 I 1 a, b GDPR.

In addition, you may provide your feedback on our website through a separate form. For this purpose, you just have to enter your e-mail-address and your message. The legal basis for this processing is the declaration of consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR, you issue by sending the form.

As a data subject, you are entitled to the right of data access, rectification, erasure (Right to be forgotten), restriction of processing, data portability, objection against a processing, withdrawal of declarations of consent and the right not to be made subject to a fully automated individual decision-making, including profiling (such processes are not implemented within our group).

To exercise your rights as a data subject, feel free to contact us -preferably through info@plc2.de or use any other contact option. Additionally, you are entitled to complain about our processing of personal data with a data protection authority at the place of your residence, permanent residence, statutory seat or the location of the presumed violation.

Notice on right of objection:

If we process your personal data for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object to this data processing at any time without having to name any reasons. This also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to direct advertising. If we are processing for direct marketing purposes, we will no longer process your personal data for these purposes. The objection is free of charge and can be made in any form, gladly to info@plc2.de.

If we process your data to protect legitimate interests, you can object to this processing at any time for reasons that originate from your particular situation; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. We will then no longer process your personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for processing that outweigh your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to assert, exercise, or defend legal claims.

If you apply for a job vacancy, we may process your personal data of for the purpose of the processing of the application procedure. The processing may also be carried out electronically. This is especially the case, if you submit corresponding application documents by e-mail. We do not ask you to provide certain information, which means that we are processing all data you provide as per your own decision when submitting your application. The legal basis is the requirement for our decision on whether to initiate an employment relationship, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR.

Should you apply through our online application form, you have to mention your name, surname, the vacant position you apply for and your message. You may provide further information as per your preference. The legal basis is the requirement for our decision on whether to initiate an employment relationship, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR. Please consider that we may not accept your application if you do not enter information into the fields marked as mandatory. Should you only provide the mandatory information, this will not have any negative consequence.

On this website, we have the component of Google Analytics (with the anonymizer function). Google Analytics is a web analytics service. Web analytics is the collection, gathering, and analysis of data about the behavior of visitors to websites. A web analysis service collects, inter alia, data about the website from which a person has come (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages were visited, or how often and for what duration a sub-page was viewed. Web analytics are mainly used for the optimization of a website and in order to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of Internet advertising. The legal basis for this processing is your consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR.

This declaration of consent does also cover the transfer of data to the US. Google has obtained certification under the Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework, which means that for both the transfer of data to Google to the USA and for the processing of data by Google in the US, a level of data protection may be expected which is adequate to the one in the EU.

The operator of the Google Analytics component is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

For the web analytics through Google Analytics the controller uses the application »_gat. _anonymizeIp« and uses Google Analytics in basic consent mode. By means of this application the IP address of the Internet connection of the data subject is abridged by Google and usually anonymised before the data is transferred to the US when accessing our websites from a Member State of the European Union or another Contracting State to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

The purpose of the Google Analytics component is to analyze the traffic on our website. Google uses the collected data and information, inter alia, to evaluate the use of our website and to provide online reports, which show the activities on our websites, and to provide other services concerning the use of our Internet site for us.

Google Analytics places a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. With the setting of the cookie, Google is enabled to analyze the use of our website. With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and into which a Google Analytics component was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject will automatically submit data through the Google Analytics component for the purpose of online advertising and the settlement of commissions to Google. During the course of this technical procedure, the enterprise Google gains knowledge of personal information, such as the IP address of the data subject, which serves Google, inter alia, to understand the origin of visitors and clicks, and subsequently create commission settlements.

The cookie is used to store personal information, such as the access time, the location from which the access was made, and the frequency of visits of our website by the data subject.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the web browser used and thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such an adjustment to the Internet browser used would also prevent Google Analytics from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, cookies already in use by Google Analytics may be deleted at any time via a web browser or other software programs.

In addition, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to a collection of data that are generated by Google Analytics, which is related to the use of this website, as well as the processing of this data by Google and the chance to preclude any such. For this purpose, the data subject must download a browser add-on under the link tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout and install it. This browser add-on tells Google Analytics through a JavaScript, that any data and information about the visits of Internet pages may not be transferred to Google Analytics. The installation of the browser add-ons is considered an objection by Google. If the browser cache is later deleted, formatted, or newly installed, then the browser add-ons must be re-installed to disable Google Analytics.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google may be retrieved under www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/ and under www.google.com/analytics/terms/us.html. Google Analytics is further explained under the following Link www.google.com/analytics/. Concerning Google Consent Mode, please consult the information Google provides thru www.business.safety.google/privacy/, as well as thru www.policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and which is kept up to date at Google´s own discretion.

If you grant us your consent, Art. 6 I 1 a EU-GDPR, Google Analytics 4, a web analysis service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland (“Google”), is used on this website. With this technology, we can analyze your use of our website.

When you visit our website, Google Analytics 4 places cookies on your device. This information also includes your IP address. However, we have implemented the “Anonymize-IP” procedure, so that your IP address is regularly shortened by the last four digits before it is transferred to the Google server. Therefore, the data usually is no longer personal.

However, in exceptional cases, your IP address may be shortened after it has been transferred to the Google server. Such servers can be located outside the EU, particularly in the USA at the parent company Google LLC.

We shall mention that there is currently no equivalent level of data protection in the USA and, in particular, access to data processed there or by US companies or their foreign companies worldwide may potentially be accessed by US authorities or such information may have to be disclosed to them. As a non-US citizen, you may also not be entitled to take action at all or at least my not be entitled take effective action against this. We have minimized this risk as far as possible by using suitable data protection instruments (EU standard contracts), but cannot mitigate the risk to zero, so that your consent to the use of Google Analytics also entails this risk.

Google uses the data collected on our behalf to enable an evaluation of how you use our website and to create reports on your interaction with our content. According to Google, the IP address transferred and shortened by your browser to Google in this context will not be merged with other data from Google or other data relating to you that is available at Google. The data collected as part of the use of Google Analytics 4 is stored for a maximum of 14 months and then deleted or anonymized.

In order to accompany the transfer of data to Google with a suitable instrument in terms of data protection law, we have concluded so-called EU standard contractual clauses on data protection with Google. In this way, we ensure that your data is protected as best as possible, even if it is transferred to the USA. Information on how Google handles your data in its sphere and additional information on Google Analytics 4 can be found at https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de&gl=de and at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites/.

You can revoke your consent any time with effect for the future and without having to name reason and without requiring a specific form. In order to exercise your right of withdrawal, you can in particular make use of our cookie settings area.

You can also prevent the storage of cookies on your device by setting your browser software accordingly; however, we shall mention that in this case you may not be able to use all functions of this website in full. You can also prevent the data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the website (including your IP address) being sent to Google and the processing of this data by Google by using the browser add-on available under the following link. The current link is http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

Google Analytics 4 uses the special function »demographic characteristics«. This function is used to create statistics that allow statements about the age, gender, and interests of site visitors. For this purpose, advertising and information from third-party providers are evaluated so that suitable target groups for marketing measures can be identified, defined, and addressed. According to Google, however, this data cannot be assigned to a specific person and will be deleted in accordance with the information on Google Analytics 4.

With your consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR, we may use components of the LinkedIn Corporation on this website. The operating company of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court Mountain View, CA 94043, UNITED STATES. For privacy matters outside of the UNITED STATES LinkedIn Ireland, Privacy Policy Issues, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, is responsible.
 

This declaration of consent does also cover the transfer of data to the US. We allow to mention that there is no equivalent level of data protection in the US and especially that US-authorities may be entitled to access or having disclosed data processed in the US or processed by any subsidiary of a US-company also abroad. It cannot be excluded that you as a non-US citizen might not be entitled to any (effective) remedy. We have minimized this risk to the extent possible by applying adequate data protection instruments (EU Standard Contractual Clauses). However, this may not limit the risk to zero.
 

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a LinkedIn component (LinkedIn plug-in) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to the download of a display of the corresponding LinkedIn component of LinkedIn. Further information about the LinkedIn plug-in may be accessed under developer.linkedin.com/plugins. During the course of this technical procedure, LinkedIn gains knowledge of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.
 

If the data subject is logged in at the same time on LinkedIn, LinkedIn detects with every call-up to our website—and for the entire duration of their stay on our Internet site—which specific sub-page of our Internet page was visited by the data subject. This information is collected through the LinkedIn component and associated with the respective LinkedIn account of the data subject. If the data subject clicks on one of the LinkedIn buttons integrated on our website, then LinkedIn assigns this information to the personal LinkedIn user account of the data subject and stores the personal data.
 

LinkedIn receives information via the LinkedIn component that the data subject has visited our website, provided that the data subject is logged in at LinkedIn at the time of the call-up to our website. This occurs regardless of whether the person clicks on the LinkedIn button or not. If such a transmission of information to LinkedIn is not desirable for the data subject, then he or she may prevent this by logging off from their LinkedIn account before a call-up to our website is made.
 

LinkedIn provides under www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls the possibility to unsubscribe from e-mail messages, SMS messages and targeted ads, as well as the ability to manage ad settings. LinkedIn also uses affiliates such as Eire, Google Analytics, BlueKai, DoubleClick, Nielsen, Comscore, Eloqua, and Lotame. The setting of such cookies may be denied under www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy. The applicable privacy policy for LinkedIn is available under www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy. The LinkedIn Cookie Policy is available under www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.
 

With your consent, Art. 6 I 1 a GDPR, components of YouTube may be used on this website. The operating company of YouTube is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

This declaration of consent does also cover the transfer of data to the US. We allow to mention that there is no equivalent level of data protection in the US and especially that US-authorities may be entitled to access or having disclosed data processed in the US or processed by any subsidiary of a US-company also abroad. It cannot be excluded that you as a non-US citizen might not be entitled to any (effective) remedy. We have minimized this risk to the extent possible by applying adequate data protection instruments (EU Standard Contractual Clauses). However, this may not limit the risk to zero.

With each call-up to one of the individual pages of this Internet site, which is operated by the controller and on which a YouTube component (YouTube video) was integrated, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted to download a display of the corresponding YouTube component. Further information about YouTube may be obtained under www.youtube.com/yt/about/en/. During the course of this technical procedure, YouTube and Google gain knowledge of what specific sub-page of our website was visited by the data subject.

If the data subject is logged in on YouTube, YouTube recognizes with each call-up to a sub-page that contains a YouTube video, which specific sub-page of our Internet site was visited by the data subject. This information is collected by YouTube and Google and assigned to the respective YouTube account of the data subject.

YouTube and Google will receive information through the YouTube component that the data subject has visited our website, if the data subject at the time of the call to our website is logged in on YouTube; this occurs regardless of whether the person clicks on a YouTube video or not. If such a transmission of this information to YouTube and Google is not desirable for the data subject, the delivery may be prevented if the data subject logs off from their own YouTube account before a call-up to our website is made.

YouTube’s data protection provisions, available at www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/, provide information about the collection, processing, and use of personal data by YouTube and Google.

The criteria used to determine the period of storage of personal data is especially the respective statutory retention period. This, especially, means the general statutory retention of three years as per the Civil Code, as well as commercial retention a retention for tax purposes with a duration of usually ten years. After expiration of that period, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, as long as it is no longer necessary for the fulfillment of the contract or the initiation of a contract or if we are otherwise entitled to retain your data (e.g. based on your declaration of consent).

We clarify that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or can also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). Sometimes it may be necessary to conclude a contract that you provide us with personal data. The non-provision or partial provision of the objectively required personal data would have the consequence that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.

We will only transfer your data to third parties within the framework of the statutory provisions or with the appropriate consent. Otherwise, your data will not be transferred to third parties unless we are obliged to do so by mandatory legal provisions (transfer to external bodies such as supervisory authorities or law enforcement authorities).

Within our company, we ensure that only those people may handle your data who objectively require it to fulfill their contractual and legal obligations.

Insofar as service providers support us in the processing of personal data, we have entered into the required data protection agreements. This also applies to data processing within our group of companies, unless just one legally independent company is involved.

Data will only be transferred to third countries (outside the European Union or the European Economic Area) if this is required to execute the contractual relationship, is required by law or if you have granted us your consent. We do currently not transfer your data to third countries unless otherwise specified in the respective processing (see in particular cookies). In such cases, we have entered into the required data protection contracts (usually EU standard contractual clauses).