1. Data protection at a glance

General information

The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data is any data that can be used to personally identify you. Detailed information on data protection can be found in our privacy policy, which is linked below.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?

Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. Their contact details can be found in the section "Information on the responsible body" in this privacy policy.

How do we collect your data?

Your data is collected, firstly, because you provide it to us. This could include, for example, data that you enter into a contact form.

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

What do we use your data for?

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

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You have the right to obtain information free of charge at any time regarding the origin, recipients, and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the correction or deletion of this data. If you have given your consent to data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time for the future. Furthermore, you have the right, under certain circumstances, to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

You can contact us at any time with regard to this and other questions concerning data protection.

Analytics tools and third-party tools

When you visit this website, your browsing behavior may be statistically analyzed. This is done primarily using so-called analytics programs.

Detailed information about these analytics programs can be found in the following privacy policy.

2. Hosting and Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

Cloudflare

We use the service “Cloudflare”. The provider is Cloudflare Inc., 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA (hereinafter “Cloudflare”).

Cloudflare offers a globally distributed Content Delivery Network (CDN) with DNS. Technically, the transfer of information between your browser and our website is routed through the Cloudflare network. This enables Cloudflare to analyze the traffic between your browser and our website and to act as a filter between our servers and potentially malicious traffic from the internet. Cloudflare may also use cookies or other technologies to recognize internet users, but these are used solely for the purpose described here.

The use of Cloudflare is based on our legitimate interest in providing our website in the most error-free and secure way possible (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR).

Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found here:  https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/ .

Further information on security and data protection at Cloudflare can be found here:  https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/ .

Order processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the aforementioned service. This is a legally required contract under data protection law, which ensures that the service provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only according to our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory disclosures

Data protection

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

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

Please note that data transmission over the internet (e.g., when communicating via email) can have security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.

Note regarding the responsible body

The responsible body for data processing on this website is:

Sernitas GmbH
BioMedical Center Bochum
Universitätsstraße 136
44799 Bochum

Telephone: +49 234 966 46 480
Email: info@sernitas.com

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

Storage duration

Unless a more specific retention period is stated within this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for processing the data no longer applies. If you submit a legitimate request for erasure or withdraw your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted, provided we have no other legally permissible grounds for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, the data will be deleted once these grounds cease to apply.

General information on the legal basis for data processing on this website

If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR if special categories of data pursuant to Article 9(1) GDPR are processed. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, data processing also takes place on the basis of Article 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to access to information on your device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), data processing additionally takes place on the basis of Section 25(1) of the German Telecommunications and Telemedia Data Protection Act (TTDSG). You can withdraw your consent at any time. If your data is required for the performance of a contract or for taking steps prior to entering into a contract, we process your data on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if it is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation, on the basis of Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. Data processing may also be based on our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. Information on the applicable legal bases in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Data Protection Officer

We have appointed a data protection officer.

Dr. Ali YILDIZ
Sernitas GmbH
BioMedizinZentrum Bochum
Universitätsstraße 136
44799 Bochum

Telephone: +49 234 966 46 480
Email: info@sernitas.com

Notice regarding data transfer to the USA and other third countries

We use tools from companies based in the USA or other third countries that do not offer adequate data protection. When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to and processed in these third countries. Please note that a level of data protection comparable to that of the EU cannot be guaranteed in these countries. For example, US companies are obligated to disclose personal data to security authorities without you, as the data subject, having any legal recourse. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that US authorities (e.g., intelligence agencies) may process, analyze, and permanently store your data located on US servers for surveillance purposes. We have no control over these processing activities.

Revocation of your consent to data processing

Many data processing operations are only possible with your explicit consent. You can revoke your consent at any time. The legality of data processing carried out before the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation.

Right to object to data processing in special cases and to direct marketing (Art. 21 GDPR)

If data processing is based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) of the GDPR, you have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. The specific legal basis for each processing operation can be found in this privacy policy. If you object, we will no longer process your personal data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms or the processing serves the purpose of establishing, exercising or defending legal claims (objection pursuant to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR).

If your personal data is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for such marketing; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is related to such direct marketing. If you object, your personal data will subsequently no longer be processed for direct marketing purposes (objection pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR).

Right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, their place of work, or the place of the alleged infringement. This right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy.

Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the data that we process automatically based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, either for yourself or for a third party, in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will only be done if technically feasible.

Information, correction and deletion

Under applicable law, you have the right to request information, free of charge, about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing, as well as the right to rectification or erasure of this data. You can contact us at any time with regard to this and any other questions concerning personal data.

Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data. You can contact us at any time to do so. The right to restrict processing exists in the following cases:

• If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we generally need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification process, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data was/is unlawful, you can request the restriction of data processing instead of deletion.
• If we no longer need your personal data, but you require it for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, you have the right to request restriction of processing of your personal data instead of erasure.
• If you have objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR, a balancing of interests between your interests and ours must be carried out. Until it is determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, this data – apart from being stored – may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or of a Member State.

SSL or TLS encryption

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

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

Encrypted payment transactions on this website

If, after concluding a paid contract, you are obligated to provide us with your payment details (e.g., account number for direct debit), this data is required for payment processing.

Payments via common payment methods (Visa/MasterCard, direct debit) are processed exclusively via an encrypted SSL or TLS connection. You can recognize an encrypted connection by the fact that the browser's address bar changes from "http://" to "https://" and by the padlock symbol in your browser's address bar.

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

4. Data collection on this website

Cookies

Our website uses so-called "cookies." Cookies are small data packets and do not harm your device. They are stored on your device either temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (persistent cookies). Session cookies are automatically deleted after you leave our website. Persistent cookies remain stored on your device until you delete them yourself or until they are automatically deleted by your web browser.

Cookies can originate from us (first-party cookies) or from third-party companies (so-called third-party cookies). Third-party cookies enable the integration of certain services from third-party companies within websites (e.g., cookies for processing payment services).

Cookies serve various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, as certain website functions would not work without them (e.g., the shopping cart function or the display of videos). Other cookies can be used to analyze user behavior or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are necessary for carrying out electronic communication, for providing certain functions you have requested (e.g., for the shopping cart function), or for optimizing the website (e.g., cookies for measuring website traffic) (necessary cookies) are stored on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies to ensure the technically flawless and optimized provision of its services. If consent to the storage of cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of this consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TTDSG); this consent can be revoked at any time.

You can configure your browser to notify you when cookies are set and to allow cookies only in individual cases, to accept cookies in certain cases or to generally reject them, and to automatically delete cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

You can find information about which cookies and services are used on this website in this privacy policy.

Consent with compliance

Our website uses Complianz's consent technology to obtain your consent to the storage of certain cookies on your device or the use of certain technologies and to document this in accordance with data protection regulations. The provider of this technology is Complianz BV, Kalmarweg 14-5, 9723 JG Groningen, Netherlands (hereinafter referred to as "Complianz").

Complianz is hosted on our servers, so no connection is established to the servers of the Complianz provider. Complianz stores a cookie in your browser to associate your given consents or their revocation with you. The data collected in this way is stored until you request its deletion, delete the Complianz cookie yourself, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies. Mandatory legal retention obligations remain unaffected.

Complianz is used to obtain the legally required consent for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(c) GDPR.

Server log files

The website provider automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. This information includes:

• Browser type and browser version
• Operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Hostname of the accessing computer
• Time of server request
• IP address

This data will not be combined with other data sources.

This data is collected on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically flawless presentation and optimization of its website – for this purpose, the server log files must be recorded.

Contact form

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

The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR if your request is related to the performance of a contract or is necessary for taking steps prior to entering into a contract. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries addressed to us (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR), if such consent has been obtained; you may withdraw your consent at any time.

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

Inquiries via email, telephone or fax

When you contact us by email, telephone, or fax, your inquiry, including all resulting personal data (name, inquiry), will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of handling your request. We will not share this data without your consent.

The processing of this data is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR if your request is related to the performance of a contract or is necessary for taking steps prior to entering into a contract. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries addressed to us (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR), if such consent has been obtained; you may withdraw your consent at any time.

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

Use of chatbots

We use chatbots to communicate with you. Chatbots are able to respond to your questions and other input without human intervention. To do this, the chatbots analyze additional data besides your input to provide appropriate answers (e.g., names, email addresses and other contact details, customer numbers and other identifiers, orders, and chat histories). Furthermore, your IP address, log files, location information, and other metadata may be collected via the chatbot. This data is stored on the chatbot provider's servers.

User profiles can be created based on the collected data. Furthermore, the data can be used to display interest-based advertising, provided the other legal requirements (in particular, consent) are met. For this purpose, the chatbots can be linked to analytics and advertising tools.

The collected data can also be used to improve our chatbots and their response behavior (machine learning).

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

The legal basis for the use of chatbots is Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, provided the chatbot is used for initiating or fulfilling a contract. If corresponding consent has been obtained, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) of the German Telecommunications and Telemedia Data Protection Act (TTDSG), insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. In all other cases, the use is based on our legitimate interest in the most effective customer communication possible (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).

5. Plugins and Tools

Google Fonts (local hosting)

This website uses Google Fonts, provided by Google, for consistent font display. The Google Fonts are installed locally. No connection to Google servers is established.

Further information about Google Fonts can be found at  https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq  and in Google's privacy policy:  https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de .

Font Awesome (local hosting)

This website uses Font Awesome for consistent font display. Font Awesome is installed locally. No connection is made to servers of Fonticons, Inc.

Further information about Font Awesome can be found in the Font Awesome privacy policy at:  https://fontawesome.com/privacy .

Google Maps

This page uses the Google Maps service. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

To use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is generally transmitted to and stored on a Google server in the USA. The provider of this website has no influence on this data transfer. When Google Maps is activated, Google may use Google Fonts for the purpose of consistent font display. When you access Google Maps, your browser loads the required web fonts into its browser cache to display texts and fonts correctly.

The use of Google Maps is in our legitimate interest in presenting our online services in an appealing manner and ensuring that the locations we specify on the website are easy to find. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. If consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) of the German Telecommunications and Telemedia Data Protection Act (TTDSG), insofar as the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information on the user's device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found  here : https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/
 and
https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/sccs/
.

For more information on how user data is handled, please see Google's privacy policy:  https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de .

6. eCommerce and payment providers

Processing of customer and contract data

We collect, process, and use personal customer and contract data to establish, define the content of, and modify our contractual relationships. We collect, process, and use personal data relating to the use of this website (usage data) only to the extent necessary to enable the user to access the service or for billing purposes. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(b) GDPR.

The collected customer data will be deleted after completion of the order or termination of the business relationship and expiry of any applicable statutory retention periods. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

Data transfer during contract conclusion for online shops, retailers and shipping companies

When you order goods from us, we share your personal data with the transport company responsible for delivery and the payment service provider handling your payment. Only the data required by each service provider to fulfill their task will be shared. The legal basis for this is Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, which permits the processing of data for the performance of a contract or for taking steps prior to entering into a contract. If you have given your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR, we will share your email address with the transport company responsible for delivery so that they can inform you about the shipping status of your order via email; you can withdraw this consent at any time.

Data transfer upon conclusion of contracts for services and digital content

We only transfer personal data to third parties if this is necessary for the execution of the contract, for example to the credit institution commissioned with processing the payment.

Your data will not be transmitted further, or only if you have expressly consented to such transmission. Your data will not be shared with third parties without your express consent, for example for advertising purposes.

The legal basis for data processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR, which permits the processing of data for the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures.

Payment services

We integrate payment services from third-party companies on our website. When you make a purchase with us, your payment data (e.g., name, payment amount, bank account details, credit card number) is processed by the payment service provider for the purpose of payment processing. The respective terms and conditions and privacy policies of the respective providers apply to these transactions. The use of these payment service providers is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR (contractual necessity) and in the interest of ensuring the smoothest, most convenient, and most secure payment process possible (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). Where your consent is requested for specific actions, Article 6(1)(a) GDPR serves as the legal basis for data processing; consent can be withdrawn at any time for the future.

We use the following payment services/payment providers on this website:

PayPal

The provider of this payment service is PayPal (Europe) S.à.rl et Cie, SCA, 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter referred to as “PayPal”).

Data transfers to the USA are based on the EU Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses. Details can be found  here : https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/pocpsa-full

For details , please refer to PayPal's privacy policy:  https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full
.

7. Own services

Handling of applicant data

We offer you the opportunity to apply to us (e.g., by email, post, or via our online application form). Below, we inform you about the scope, purpose, and use of your personal data collected during the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing, and use of your data will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection law and all other legal provisions, and that your data will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Scope and purpose of data collection

When you submit an application to us, we process your associated personal data (e.g., contact and communication data, application documents, notes from job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary for deciding whether to establish an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is Section 26 of the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) (initiation of an employment relationship), Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter b of the GDPR (general contract initiation), and – if you have given your consent – ​​Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter a of the GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time. Within our company, your personal data will only be shared with individuals involved in processing your application.

If your application is successful, the data you have submitted will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of Section 26 BDSG and Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter b GDPR for the purpose of carrying out the employment relationship.

Data retention period

If we are unable to offer you a position, you decline a job offer, or you withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you submitted for up to six months from the conclusion of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application) based on our legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR). After this period, the data will be deleted and any physical application documents destroyed. This retention serves, in particular, as evidence in the event of legal proceedings. If it becomes apparent that the data will be required after the six-month period (e.g., due to threatened or pending legal proceedings), deletion will only occur once the purpose for the extended retention no longer applies.

Longer storage may also take place if you have given your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR) or if statutory retention obligations preclude deletion.

Inclusion in the applicant pool

If we do not make you a job offer, we may be able to add you to our applicant pool. If you are added, all documents and information from your application will be transferred to the applicant pool so that we can contact you if suitable vacancies arise.

Inclusion in the applicant pool is based solely on your explicit consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). Providing this consent is voluntary and is not related to the current application process.  You may withdraw your consent at any time.  In this case, your data will be permanently deleted from the applicant pool, unless there are legal grounds for retention.

The data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent has been given.