Data protection

Introduction

We are pleased about your interest in our products and your visit to this website. Data protection and data security for customers and users are of high priority for us. Therefore, the protection of your personal data throughout our business processes is very important and a special concern for us.

Responsible Entities

The responsible entity for data processing on this website is:

Fine Food International by Flach GmbH
Max-Planck-Straße 1
64572 Büttelborn
Email: info@finefood-flach.com

Collection and Processing of Personal Data

We collect and process personal data only in accordance with legal provisions and only when necessary for the processing of orders, contacting us, or subscribing to our free newsletter.

Order Processing

During the order process, we collect the necessary personal data to process your order. This typically includes name, address, email address, and payment information.

Contact Form

You can send us messages through our contact form. The data collected here (name, email address, and your message) will be used exclusively to process your inquiry.

Newsletter Subscription

To receive our free newsletter, we require your email address. You can revoke your consent to receive the newsletter at any time.

Use and Disclosure of Personal Data

Personal data collected during the use of our website will be used exclusively for the stated purposes. Your data will not be disclosed to third parties unless required by law or with your explicit consent.

1. Collection and Processing of Personal Data

“Personal data” refers to all information related to identified or identifiable natural persons. A person is considered identifiable if they can be directly or indirectly identified. This may include an email address.

In accordance with the legal requirement for data minimization, we aim to collect, process, or use as little personal data as possible.

When you visit our websites, our web server temporarily records the domain name or IP address of the requesting computer, the access date, the client’s file request (file name and URL), the HTTP response code, the website from which you are visiting us, and the number of bytes transferred during the connection, for the purpose of system security.

Additional personal data such as your name, address, telephone number, or email address are not collected unless you provide this information voluntarily, e.g., as part of an online order for one of our products or services, contacting us via our contact form, participating in a survey, a competition, an information request, or subscribing to our free newsletter.

Personal data collected during a visit to our website is processed exclusively in accordance with the legal provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), and the Telemedia Act (TMG).

Notice on Data Transfer to the USA

Our website includes tools from companies based in the USA. When these tools are active, your personal data may be transferred to the respective company’s servers in the USA. We point out that the USA is not considered a safe third country under EU data protection law. US companies are required to hand over personal data to security authorities without you being able to take legal action against this. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that US authorities (e.g., intelligence services) may process, analyze, and permanently store your data located on US servers for surveillance purposes. We have no influence on these processing activities.

Revocation of Your Consent to Data Processing

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

2. Data Collection on This Website

2.1 Cookies

Our websites use "cookies." Cookies are small text files that do not harm your device. They are either stored temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies) on your device. Session cookies are automatically deleted at the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain on your device until you delete them or your web browser automatically deletes them.

Some cookies may also be stored on your device by third-party companies when you enter our site (third-party cookies). These enable us or you to use certain services provided by the third-party company (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 video display). Other cookies are used to evaluate user behavior or display advertising.

Cookies that are required to carry out the electronic communication process, to provide certain functions you desire (e.g., the shopping cart function), or to optimize the website (e.g., cookies to measure web audience) are stored based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. If consent for the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, processing will be based exclusively on this consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR and § 25 para. 1 TTDSG); the consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser to inform you about the setting of cookies and allow cookies only in individual cases, exclude the acceptance of cookies for certain cases or in general, and activate the automatic deletion of cookies when closing the browser. If cookies are deactivated, the functionality of this website may be restricted.

If cookies from third-party companies or for analysis purposes are used, we will inform you about this separately within this privacy policy and, if necessary, request your consent.

2.2 Cookie Consent with CCM19

Our website uses CCM19 to obtain your consent for the storage of certain cookies on your device or the use of certain technologies, and to document this in a data protection-compliant manner. The provider of this technology is Papoo Software & Media GmbH, Auguststr. 4, 53229 Bonn (hereinafter "CCM19").

When you enter our website, a connection to the servers of CCM19 is established to obtain your consents and other declarations regarding the use of cookies. Subsequently, CCM19 stores a cookie in your browser to be able to assign the consents you have given or their revocation. The collected data is stored until you request us to delete it, delete the CCM19 cookie yourself, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply. Mandatory legal retention obligations remain unaffected.

The use of CCM19 is to obtain the legally required consents for the use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c DSGVO.

Order Processing

We have concluded an order processing agreement (AVV) with the above-mentioned provider. This is a data protection legally required contract that ensures the provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only according to our instructions and in compliance with the DSGVO.

2.3 Server Log Data

The provider of the pages automatically collects and stores information in so-called server log files, which your browser automatically transmits to us. These are:

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

These data are not merged with other data sources. The collection of these data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the technically error-free presentation and optimization of their website – for this, the server log files must be recorded.

2.4 Contact Form

If you send us inquiries via the contact form, your details from the inquiry form, including the contact details you provide there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing the inquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We do not pass on these data without your consent.

The processing of these data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b DSGVO, if your request is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries addressed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO) if this has been requested.

The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to store it, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially retention periods – remain unaffected.

2.5 Inquiry by Email, Telephone, or Fax

If 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 do not pass on these data without your consent.

The processing of these data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b DSGVO, if your request is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the processing is based on our legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries addressed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f DSGVO) or on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a DSGVO) if this has been requested.

The data you send to us via contact inquiries will remain with us until you request us to delete it, revoke your consent to store it, or the purpose for data storage ceases to apply (e.g., after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

3. Analysis Tools and Advertising

3.1 Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool that allows us to integrate tracking or statistical tools and other technologies on our website. The Google Tag Manager itself does not create user profiles, store cookies, or conduct any independent analyses. It merely facilitates the management and deployment of the tools integrated through it. However, Google Tag Manager does collect your IP address, which may be transmitted to Google’s parent company in the United States.

The use of Google Tag Manager is based on Art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the quick and easy integration and management of various tools on its website. If a corresponding consent has been requested, the processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG, to the extent that the consent includes the storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s device (e.g., device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.

3.2 Google Analytics

This website uses features of the web analytics service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior of website visitors. The website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, time spent on the site, operating systems used, and the user's origin. This data is assigned to the respective end device of the website visitor and summarized in a user ID.

Google Analytics uses technologies that enable the recognition of the user for the purpose of analyzing user behavior (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information collected by Google about the use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: Google Privacy.

Browser Plugin:

You can prevent the collection and processing of your data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: Google Opt-Out.

More information on how Google Analytics handles user data can be found in Google’s privacy policy: Google Analytics Privacy.

Data Processing Agreement:

We have concluded a data processing agreement with Google and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Google Analytics E-Commerce Measurement:

This website uses the "E-Commerce Measurement" feature of Google Analytics. E-commerce measurement allows the website operator to analyze the purchasing behavior of website visitors to improve its online marketing campaigns. Information such as orders placed, average order values, shipping costs, and the time from viewing a product to purchasing it is collected. This data can be summarized by Google under a transaction ID, which is assigned to the respective user or their device.

3.3 Google DoubleClick

This website uses features of Google DoubleClick. The provider is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

DoubleClick is used to show you interest-based advertisements within the entire Google advertising network. Advertisements can be tailored to the interests of the viewer using DoubleClick. For example, our advertisements may appear in Google search results or in banners associated with DoubleClick.

To display interest-based advertisements to users, DoubleClick needs to recognize the viewer and associate their visited websites, clicks, and other information on user behavior. DoubleClick uses cookies or similar recognition technologies (e.g., device fingerprinting). The collected information is compiled into a pseudonymous user profile to display interest-based advertising to the relevant user.

The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information on how to object to the advertisements displayed by Google, please refer to the following links:

• Google Ads Policies
• Ads Settings

3.4 Facebook Pixel

This website uses Facebook visitor action pixels for conversion tracking. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. However, the data collected may also be transferred to the USA and other third countries according to Facebook.

This allows the behavior of site visitors to be tracked after they click on a Facebook advertisement to be redirected to the provider’s website. This enables the evaluation of the effectiveness of Facebook ads for statistical and market research purposes and future advertising campaigns to be optimized.

The collected data is anonymous to us as the operator of this website; we cannot draw any conclusions about the identity of users. However, the data is stored and processed by Facebook so that a connection to the respective user profile is possible, and Facebook can use the data for its own advertising purposes in accordance with Facebook’s data usage policy. This allows Facebook to display advertisements on Facebook pages as well as outside of Facebook. This use of the data cannot be influenced by us as the site operator.

The use of this service is based on your consent in accordance with Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG. The consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the USA is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: Facebook Data Transfer Addendum and Facebook Privacy Help.

Further information on protecting your privacy can be found in Facebook's privacy policy: Facebook Privacy Policy.

You can also deactivate the “Custom Audiences” remarketing feature in the ad settings section at Facebook Ad Preferences. You need to be logged into Facebook for this.

If you do not have a Facebook account, you can disable usage-based advertising from Facebook on the website of the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance: Your Online Choices.

4. Plugins and Tools

4.1 YouTube Videos with Enhanced Privacy

This website integrates YouTube videos. The operator of these pages is Google Ireland Limited ("Google"), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

We use YouTube in enhanced privacy mode. According to YouTube, this mode ensures that YouTube does not store any information about visitors to this website before they watch the video. However, the transfer of data to YouTube partners is not necessarily excluded by the enhanced privacy mode. Regardless of whether you watch a video, YouTube establishes a connection to the Google DoubleClick network.

When you start a YouTube video on this website, a connection to YouTube's servers is established. The YouTube server is informed about which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you enable YouTube to associate your browsing behavior directly with your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

Furthermore, after starting a video, YouTube may store various cookies on your device or use comparable recognition technologies (e.g., device fingerprinting). This way, YouTube can obtain information about visitors to this website. This information is used, among other things, to capture video statistics, improve user experience, and prevent fraud.

Additional data processing operations may be triggered after starting a YouTube video, over which we have no control. The use of YouTube is in the interest of an appealing presentation of our online offerings. This constitutes a legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. If appropriate consent has been requested, processing will take place exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; consent can be revoked at any time.

For more information about YouTube's privacy practices, please see their privacy policy at: YouTube Privacy.

4.2 Userlike with Enhanced Privacy Mode

To handle user inquiries via our support channels or live chat systems, we use Userlike (hereafter "Userlike"). The provider is Userlike UG (limited liability), Probsteigasse 44–46, 50670 Cologne.

Messages you send to us can be stored in the Userlike ticket system or answered by our employees in the live chat. When you communicate with us via Userlike, we and Userlike store your name and email address (if provided) and your chat transcripts. These data are compiled into a profile.

The messages you send to us remain with us until you request their deletion or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (e.g., after your inquiry has been processed). Mandatory statutory provisions, especially retention periods, remain unaffected.

The use of Userlike is based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in processing your inquiries quickly, reliably, and efficiently. If appropriate consent has been requested, processing will take place exclusively based on Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and § 25(1) TTDSG, insofar as 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 revoked at any time.

For more information, see Userlike's privacy policy: Userlike Data Privacy and Userlike Blog on GDPR.

Data Processing Agreement:

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

5. Newsletter

Newsletter Data

If you wish to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you and information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the provided email address and agree to receive the newsletter. No additional data will be collected or only on a voluntary basis. We use this data exclusively to send the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties.

The processing of the data entered in the newsletter subscription form takes place exclusively based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke your consent to the storage of data, the email address, and their use for sending the newsletter at any time, for example through the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you provide us for the purpose of receiving the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe. Data that has been stored for other purposes with us remains unaffected.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored in a blacklist by us or the newsletter service provider to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is only used for this purpose and not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements for sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is indefinite. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

5.1 MailChimp with Deactivated Success Measurement

This website uses MailChimp for sending newsletters. The provider is Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

MailChimp is a service that organizes and analyzes the sending of newsletters, among other things. If you enter data for the purpose of receiving the newsletter (e.g., email address), these will be stored on MailChimp's servers in the USA. We have deactivated success measurement in MailChimp, so MailChimp will not analyze your behavior when opening our newsletters.

If you do not want your data to be transferred to MailChimp, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter. We provide a link for this purpose in every newsletter message. You can also unsubscribe from the newsletter directly on the website.

Data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time by unsubscribing from the newsletter. The legality of the data processing operations already carried out remains unaffected by the revocation.

The data you have provided us for the purpose of receiving the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe. Data that has been stored for other purposes with us remains unaffected.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored in a blacklist by us or the newsletter service provider to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist is only used for this purpose and not merged with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements for sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The storage in the blacklist is indefinite. You can object to the storage if your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

6. Mobile Apps

Our online offerings also include the apps "Service-Bund" and "Service-Bund Webshop." Through our "Service-Bund Webshop" app, you as our customer can place orders and send them to your Service-Bund partner. The current version of the app includes a barcode scanner. For the barcode scanner function, access to your device's camera is required. No images are stored or transmitted to us; only the section of the image for barcode capture is used. Without access to the camera, the scanner function is not available.

7. Purpose Limitation, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Data

Your personal data will only be disclosed to third parties or otherwise transmitted if you have given us voluntary consent to do so or if it is necessary for processing your request. Potential recipients may include companies within the Service-Bund Group and, if applicable, data processors with whom we have concluded the appropriate data processing agreements.

If you have provided personal data in the context of an online order for one of our products or services, the data processing conditions stated in the respective product terms and conditions apply. These include details on data categories processed, purposes, and legal bases, as well as information on storage duration.

Data will only be transferred to state institutions based on and within the framework of mandatory legal provisions.

If data processing is based on voluntary consent (e.g., contacting us via our contact form, participating in a survey or contest, requesting information, or subscribing to our free newsletter), you can revoke this consent at any time with future effect. In such a case, we will immediately delete your personal data unless contractual or legal obligations prevent this. Your personal data will only be stored as long as necessary for contacting you, conducting the survey, processing the contest, or sending the newsletter.

8. Rights of Data Subjects

8.1 Right to Information, Deletion, and Correction

Within the scope of applicable legal provisions, you have the right to request free information about your stored personal data, its origin, recipients, and the purpose of data processing, and if applicable, a right to correction or deletion of this data at any time. For this purpose, and for further questions regarding personal data, you can contact us at any time.

8.2 Right to Restriction of Processing

You have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data. To do this, you can contact us at any time. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:

• If you dispute the accuracy of your personal data stored with us, we usually need time to verify this. For the duration of the verification, you have the right to request the restriction of processing 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 need it to exercise, defend, or assert legal claims, you have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data instead of deletion.
• If you have filed an objection pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, a balance must be struck between your and our interests. As long as it is not yet clear whose interests prevail, you have the right to request the restriction of processing your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, such data – apart from their storage – may only be processed with your consent or for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or a member state.

8.3 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to have data that we process based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract, delivered to you or a third party in a common, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transfer of data to another responsible party, this will only be done to the extent technically feasible.

8.4 Right to Object to Data Collection in Specific Cases and Direct Advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)

WHEN THE DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ART. 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH THE PROCESSING IS BASED CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS, AND FREEDOMS OR THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE ASSERTION, EXERCISE, OR DEFENSE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR SUCH MARKETING AT ANY TIME; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL THEN NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) GDPR).

8.5 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, particularly in the member state of their habitual residence, place of work, or the place of the alleged violation. This right to lodge a complaint exists without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedies.

The addresses of the supervisory authorities responsible for you can be found below:

9. Security Notice

We protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, manipulation, or destruction through technical and organizational measures. Our security measures are continuously updated in line with technological developments.

However, complete data security cannot be guaranteed when communicating via email, so we recommend using postal mail for confidential information.