Privacy Policy
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit our website. Personal data is any data with which you can be personally identified. Detailed information on the subject of data protection can be found in the privacy policy listed below.
I. Name and Address of the Data Controller
The data controller responsible for processing data on this website is:
USC – Ulrich Stockheim Communications
Habsburgerring 2
50674 Cologne
Germany
Phone: +49 221 280 655 19
Mail: info@us-communications.com
The data controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data (e.g. names, email addresses, etc.).
You can find further information about our company, the persons authorized to represent it, and additional contact details in the Imprint of our website.
II. Data Protection Officer
We are not legally required to appoint a data protection officer.
For any questions regarding data protection, you may contact us at:
III. General Information on Data Processing
1. Scope of Personal Data Processing
We only collect and use personal data of our users to the extent necessary to provide a functional website and our content and services. The collection and use of personal data generally takes place only with the user’s consent. An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for factual reasons and data processing is permitted by law.
2. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data
When processing is based on the data subject’s consent, Art. 6 (1)(a) of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the legal basis.
When processing personal data necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR applies. The same applies to pre-contractual measures.
When processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, Art. 6 (1)(c) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
Where processing is necessary to protect vital interests, Art. 6 (1)(d) GDPR applies.
If processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party and if the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh the first-mentioned interest, Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR provides the legal basis.
3. Data Deletion and Storage Duration
Personal data will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose for its storage no longer applies. Storage may also occur if required by European or national legislation in EU regulations, laws, or other provisions to which the controller is subject. Data will also be deleted or blocked when a legally mandated retention period expires, unless continued storage is necessary for the conclusion or fulfillment of a contract.
IV. Right to Withdraw Consent
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may revoke your consent at any time. An informal email to us is sufficient. The legality of data processing carried out prior to the withdrawal remains unaffected.
V. Website Provision and Log File Creation
1. Description and Scope of Data Processing
Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects the following data:
(1) Browser type and version
(2) Operating system
(3) IP address
(4) Date and time of access
(5) Referrer URL
(6) Hostname of the accessing computer
This data is also stored in our system’s log files. It is not stored together with other personal data.
2. Legal Basis
The legal basis for this temporary storage is Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR.
3. Purpose
Temporary storage of the IP address is necessary to deliver the website to the user’s device. Storage in log files ensures functionality, security, and optimization of the site. No use of data for marketing purposes occurs.
This constitutes our legitimate interest per Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR.
4. Duration
Data is deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected. For website access, this means deletion once the session ends. For log files, deletion occurs after 7 days, unless further storage is required (in which case IPs are anonymized).
5. Objection and Removal
Data collection for website functionality is essential. Users cannot object.
VI. Data Security
We use SSL or TLS encryption for security and to protect the transmission of confidential content. A secure connection is indicated by “https://” in the address bar and a lock icon in your browser.
When SSL or TLS encryption is active, data you send to us cannot be read by third parties.
VII. Contact by Email or Phone
If you contact us via email or phone, the information you provide (e.g., name, email address, phone number, inquiry) will be stored and processed to respond to your request.
Processing is based on Art. 6 (1)(b) GDPR when related to contractual obligations or pre-contractual steps. Otherwise, processing is based on our legitimate interest under Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR.
Your data will not be shared with third parties and will be deleted once no longer needed.
VIII. Applications
We process applicant data for recruitment purposes. This may include electronic communication (e.g., email). If an employment contract is signed, data is stored in compliance with legal requirements. If no contract is signed, application data is deleted six months after the rejection notice, unless legal interests (e.g., under anti-discrimination laws) require longer storage.
IX. External Content and Platforms
1. YouTube
We embed videos from YouTube (Google Inc., San Bruno, CA, USA). By clicking the preview image, a connection is made to YouTube servers, informing them which of our pages you visited.
YouTube with Enhanced Privacy Mode:
We use YouTube’s “enhanced privacy mode,” which stores user data only when a video is played. YouTube may use cookies and tracking tools for usage stats and abuse prevention.
Every time the website is accessed, a connection to Google’s “DoubleClick” network is made. This may involve further data processing beyond our control.
2. LinkedIn
Our site links to our LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland). Clicking the link redirects you to LinkedIn, which may collect personal data. We have no control over LinkedIn’s data processing.
See LinkedIn’s privacy policy.
3. Spotify
We link to our podcast or company profile on Spotify (Spotify AB, Regeringsgatan 19, SE-111 53 Stockholm, Sweden). Clicking the link may allow Spotify to collect usage data.
See Spotify’s privacy policy.
4. Matomo
This website uses the open-source analytics tool Matomo. It helps us analyze site usage, e.g., page visits, regions, actions (clicks, purchases), IP addresses, browser and OS info.
Legal basis: Art. 6 (1)(f) GDPR, unless explicit consent is obtained (Art. 6 (1)(a) GDPR and §25 (1) TTDSG). Consent can be revoked at any time.
IP Anonymization: Your IP is shortened before processing.
No Cookies: Matomo is configured not to store cookies.
Hosting: We host Matomo on our own servers. Data is not shared externally.
X. Data Subject Rights
If your personal data is processed, you are a “data subject” under the GDPR, and you have the following rights:
- Right of Access
- Right to Rectification
- Right to Restriction of Processing
- Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)
- Right to Notification (of Rectification/Erasure)
- Right to Data Portability
- Right to Object
- Right to Withdraw Consent
- Right Not to be Subject to Automated Decisions (including Profiling)
- Right to Lodge a Complaint with a supervisory authority.
The competent supervisory authority is the data protection officer of the federal state where our company is based. A full list of data protection authorities can be found here:
https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html
