Data protection information

b. Legal basis

The legal basis for the temporary saving of data and log files is Article 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. Storage occurs in log files in order to ensure the website's functionality. The data also serve to optimize the websites, eliminate malfunctions and ensure our IT system security. Our justified interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6 (1) lit. f GDPR also lies in such purposes.
The recording of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files are essential to operate the website. It is therefore not possible for the users to object.

c. Data deletion

The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required in order to fulfil the purpose of their collection. If data are gathered for the provision of the website, this is the case if the respective visit is ended. In the event that data are stored in log files, this is the case after seven days at the latest. Storage above and beyond this period is possible. In this case, the users' IP addresses are deleted or removed so they can no longer be allocated to the visiting client.

2. User-friendly website design

a. Type of data

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files which are saved in or by the internet browser in the users’ computer systems. If a user accesses a website, a cookie is saved on the user's operating system. These cookies contain a characteristic string of characters which enables definitive identification of the browser the next time the website is accessed.

We use cookies in order to make our website more user-friendly. It is a technical requirement of certain elements of our website that the accessing browser can also be identified after a page change. In the process, the following data are saved and transmitted in cookies:

• Language settings (localisation) of the browser, functionality of the language switch DE-EN also when changing pages: Sessioncookie i18next
• Session data (click path, pages visited, current language, remembering form data (terms used in the internal site search, entries in the contact form) as well as error messages for forms, if applicable): Sessioncookie mpg_session_r

Cookies are saved on your computer and transmitted by the latter to our website. For this reason, you as the user also have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in your internet browser, you can deactivate or limit the transmission of cookies. This can also happen on an automated basis. If cookies are deactivated for our website, the full range of functions of the website may not be entirely available for use.

b. Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of personal data by means of cookies is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR as well as § 25, para. 2, no. 2 of the German Telecommunications-Telemedia Data Protection Act [TTDSG]. Some of the functions of our website cannot be offered without the use of cookies. For these, it is absolutely necessary that the browser is recognized even after a page change.

c. Data deletion

The cookies are deleted after closing the session.

B. Web analysis

1. Type of data

We use the web analytics programme Matomo for statistical data collection in relation to utilization behaviour; this programme uses cookies and JavaScript to collect various information on your computer and transmit this automatically to us. Each time our website is accessed, our system logs the following data and information from the accessing computer system:

• IP address, anonymized by means of abbreviation
• Two cookies to distinguish between different visitors: pk_id and pk_sess
• Previously visited URL (referrer) if communicated by the browser
• Name and version of the operating system
• Name, version and language setting of the browser.

The following data are collected additionally if JavaScript is activated:

• URLs visited on this website
• Times of page visits
• Type of HTML requests
• Screen resolution and colour depth
• Technologies and formats supported by the browser (e.g. cookies, Java, Flash, PDF, WindowsMedia, QuickTime, Realplayer, Director, SilverLight, Google Gears).

The saving and analysis of data is carried out solely on a central server operated by the MPG. In addition to the central website www.mpg.de, it is also used by most Max Planck Institutes and many MPG project websites.

It goes without saying that you have the opportunity to object to your data being collected. The following independent methods are available to you if you wish to object to data collection by the central server:

1. In your browser, activate the Do-Not-Track setting. As long as this setting is active, our central server will not save any of your data. Important: Do-Not-Track generally only applies to the one device and browser on which the setting is activated. If you use several devices/browsers, you must activate Do-Not-Track separately on each one.
2. Use our opt-out function. Click on the check mark in the following selection box under https://www.mpg.de/datenschutzhinweis/datenerhebung-deaktivieren in order to stop or reactivate data collection. As long as the selection box is deactivated, our central server will not save any of your data. Important: For the opt-out, we have to store a special recognition cookie in your browser. If you delete this or use a different PC/browser, you have to object to data collection once again on this page.

There is no storage of these data together with other personal data relating to the user.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of personal data by means of cookies is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR as well as § 25, para. 2, no. 2 TTDSG. The processing of the users' personal data enables us to analyze the usage behaviour of our users. By evaluating the data obtained, we are able to compile information on the use of the individual components of our websites. This helps us improve our websites and their user-friendliness on an ongoing basis. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing according to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR as well as § 25, para. 2, no. 2 TTDSG. By anonymizing the IP address, the users' interest in the protection of their personal data is sufficiently taken into account.

3. Data deletion

The data are deleted after the final annual totals have been arrived at for access statistics.

C. Newsletter

1. Type of data

Our website offers users the opportunity to sign up for a free newsletter. When users sign up for the newsletter, the data from the input screen are transmitted to us. This generally consists of your email address, last name and first name. We inform you about the concrete processing of your data in the course of the sign-up process and obtain your consent accordingly. There is also a reference to this Data Privacy Statement. The data are solely used for sending out the newsletter.

We use tracking to adapt contents to the interests of the users and to measure our information activity.. When registering, each user can activate tracking themselves (activated by default). Subsequently, each user can independently activate/deactivate tracking at any time in the profile editing.

The following data are collected as part of tracking:

• Successful delivery of the newsletter
• Opening of the newsletter yes/no via tracking pixels (mini graphic in the newsletter)
  • Type of browser, type of operating system
  • Mobile terminal or normal terminal
  • User Agent (e-mail client used)
  • IP address
  • Date and time of the opening of the newsletter
• Links clicked in the newsletter

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for processing the data after a user signs up for the newsletter is the user's consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. The purpose of collecting data is to deliver the newsletter.

The legal basis for voluntary tracking is Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR as well as § 25, para.1 TTDSG.

3. Data deletion

The user's email address is therefore only saved for as long as the newsletter subscription is active. The newsletter subscription can be cancelled by the user in question at any time.
Link to unsubscribe from the newsletter

If a user consents to the tracking, these data will be stored as long as the subscription to the newsletter is active or the user revokes their consent to tracking via their personal profile. 

D. Push news

1. Type of data

On our website, it is possible to activate push news for the browser. For this purpose, the login time and a push token or device ID are stored. On the one hand, these data serve to be able to send you the push news and, on the other hand, as proof of your registration. As part of the activation process, we obtain your consent and refer you to this Data Privacy Statement. The data are solely used for sending out the push news. Tracking or the collection of statistics is not performed.

The subscription can be activated via the bell symbol next to the search field by placing a check mark in the selection field. For this to function, receiving notifications must be activated in the browser. The notifications are limited to the browser used when activating the push news; for use in further browsers, the push news must be activated separately. Notifications are only delivered when the browser is open.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for processing the data after a user signs up for push news is the user's consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. The purpose of data collection is to be able to send out the push news.

3. Data deletion

The user's token is therefore only saved for as long as the subscription to the push news is active. The subscription to the push news can be cancelled by the user in question at any time.
In the same way as activation, deactivation is carried out via the bell. Removing the check mark from the selection box deactivates the subscription. 

E. Contact form

1. Type of data

On our website, there is a contact form which can be used to make contact electronically. If you make use of this option, the details entered in the input screen are transmitted to us and saved. This generally consists of your email address, last name and first name. We inform you about the concrete processing of your data in the course of the operation and obtain your consent accordingly. There is also a reference to this Data Privacy Statement. The data are used solely for processing the dialogue.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for processing data in connection with the use of the contact form is your consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit a GDPR. Processing of personal data from the input screen serves the sole purpose of processing the contact request. You have the option to withdraw your consent to the processing of personal data at any time vis-à-vis the listed contact persons.

3. Data deletion

The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required in order to fulfil the purpose of their collection. This is the case when the relevant dialogue with the user is finished or the processing of the user's request has been finalized. The dialogue is finished when circumstances indicate that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified.

F. Registration for subscription management

1. Type of data

On our websites, we offer you the opportunity to register for the subscription management of our scientific magazine MaxPlanckResearch by entering personal data via an input screen. As a rule, we ask for your email address, last name and first name. We inform you about the concrete processing of your data in the course of the registration operation and obtain your consent accordingly. There is also a reference to this Data Privacy Statement.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for processing data is the existence of the user's consent according to Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR. If registration serves to fulfil a contract of which you are a contractual party or to implement pre-contractual measures, the additional legal basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) lit. b GDPR.

3. Data deletion

The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required in order to fulfil the purpose of their collection. This applies to the data collected during the registration operation if registration on our websites is withdrawn or altered. It applies to the registration operation to fulfil a contract or to implement pre-contractual measures if the data are no longer required in order to implement the contract. It may also be necessary to save the contractual partner's personal data after conclusion of the contract in order to meet contractual or statutory requirements.

You can withdraw registration at any time. You can have the data relating to you altered at any time; the procedure is described in detail during the actual registration operation. If the data are required to fulfil a contract or implement pre-contractual measures, premature deletion of the data is only possible if this is not prevented by contractual or statutory obligations.

G. Measures for the secure use of forms

1. Prevention of the misuse of forms

a. Type of data

To prevent any misuse of the form, the Google Invisible reCaptcha function is used. reCaptcha serves to exclude mass machine use of the forms offered  

• Newsletter sign-up,
• Contact form, 
• Registration for subscription management

by registering cursor movements in the background in addition to the IP address, e.g. when filling out the form – switching between form fields. reCaptcha is an embedded JavaScript that establishes a connection to Google's servers when one of the aforementioned forms is called up and reloads Google Fonts within the Captcha symbol to ensure correct display and function. In the course of this, Google records the IP address, the page accessed, the browser type and the browser language set by the user. You can find out details from a reference to data processing by the provider that is included in the form.

b. Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of personal data by means of reCaptcha is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR as well as § 25, para. 2, no. 2 TTDSG. reCaptcha is used to ensure the functional capability of the forms and prevent their misuse. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing according to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The use of reCaptcha is absolutely necessary in order to operate the mentioned forms.

It is therefore not possible for the user to object.

c.Data deletion

The MPG itself does not collect any data through the use of reCaptcha.

The data collected by Google itself when using reCaptcha is deleted or anonymized after nine months.

2. Securing communication through forms

a.Type of data

To protect the integrity of the data entered into a form while the form is being transmitted, a digital token is retrieved from the MPG servers and transmitted back when the completed form is submitted. The token is not stored on the users’ devices.
The token csrf_token is used to secure the communication through the following forms:

• Newsletter sign-up,
• Contact form, 
• Registration for subscription management

b. Legal basis

The legal basis for the data processing is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR as well as § 25, para. 2, no. 2 TTDSG. The token is used to ensure the security of communication through forms and prevent misuse. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing according to Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR. The use of the token is absolutely necessary in order to operate the mentioned forms. It is therefore not possible for the users to object.

c. Data deletion

The MPG does not store any data when using the token.

H. Data transmission

The management and storage of your personal details is carried out by selected services

• Newsletter (Section E)
• Contact form (Section F)
• Registration for subscription management “abo.mpg.de” (Section G)

within the scope of commissioned data processing on systems of our service providers.

Your personal data are only transmitted to public institutions and authorities if legally required or for the purpose of criminal prosecution due to attacks on our network infrastructure. The data are not shared with third parties for any other purposes.

I. General details

1. Contact details of the controller

The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation and other national data protection acts as well as other data protection legislation is the

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. (MPG)
Hofgartenstrasse 8
D-80539 Munich
Germany
Telephone: +49 (89) 2108-0
Contact form: https://www.mpg.de/kontakt/anfragen
Internet: https://www.mpg.de

2. Data Protection Officer's contact details

The controller’s data protection officer is

Data Protection Officer of the MPG
Hofgartenstrasse 8
D-80539 Munich
Germany
Telephone: +49 (89) 2108-1554
datenschutz@mpg.de

J. Rights of the data subjects

As a data subject whose personal data are collected in the context of the above-mentioned services, you generally have the following rights unless legal exceptions apply in individual cases:

• Information (Article 15 GDPR)
• Correction (Article 16 GDPR)
• Deletion (Article 17 (1) GDPR)
• Restriction of processing (Article 18 GDPR)
• Data transmission (Article 20 GDPR)
• Revocation of processing (Article 21 GDPR)
• Revocation of consent (Article 7 (3) GDPR)
• Right to complain to the regulator (Article 77 GDPR). For the MPG, this is the Bayerische Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht [Bavarian Data Protection Authority], Postfach 1349, 91504 Ansbach, Germany.