Privacy policy

Privacy Policy

The responsible party for data processing is:
Wattstone LLC
Border Street 182
46562 Voerde

Email: office@wittstone.com

We are pleased about your interest in our online store. The protection of your privacy is very important to us. Below we provide you with detailed information on how we handle your data.

1. Access data and hosting

You can visit our websites without providing any personal information. Each time a webpage is accessed, the web server automatically saves a so-called server log file, which contains, for example, the name of the requested file, your IP address, the date and time of the access, the amount of data transferred, and the requesting provider (access data) and documents the access. This access data is evaluated solely for the purpose of ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the site and improving our offerings. This serves to protect our predominant legitimate interests in a correct representation of our offerings in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR. All access data will be deleted no later than thirty days after the end of your visit to the site.

1.1 Hosting

The services for hosting and displaying the website are partially provided by our service providers as part of a processing on our behalf. Unless otherwise explained in this privacy policy, all access data and all data collected in designated forms on this website are processed on their servers. If you have questions about our service providers and the basis of our collaboration with them, please contact the option described in this privacy policy.

Our service providers sit and/or use servers in the following countries for which the European Commission has determined an adequate level of data protection by decision: Canada

Our service providers sit and/or use servers in the USA and in other countries outside the EU and the EEA. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for these countries. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. 

1.2 Content Delivery Network

In order to achieve shorter loading times, we use a so-called Content Delivery Network ("CDN") for some offers. With this service, content, e.g. large media files, is delivered via regionally distributed servers of external CDN providers. Therefore, access data is processed on the servers of the service providers. Our service providers act on our behalf as part of a data processing agreement. Our service providers are located and/or use servers in countries outside the EU and the EEA. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for these countries. Our collaboration with them is based on standard data protection clauses of the European Commission. If you have questions about our service providers and the basis of our collaboration with them, please contact the option described in this privacy policy.

2. Data processing for contract execution and for contacting

2.1 Data processing for contract execution

For the purpose of contract processing (including inquiries and processing of any existing warranty and performance disruption claims as well as any legal update obligations) in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR, we collect personal data when you voluntarily provide it to us as part of your order. Mandatory fields are marked as such, as we need the data in these cases for contract processing and cannot ship the order without this information. The data collected can be seen from the respective input forms.

Further information on the processing of your data, in particular regarding the transfer to our service providers for the purposes of order, payment, and shipping processing, can be found in the following sections of this privacy policy. After the complete execution of the contract, your data will be restricted for further processing and deleted after the expiration of the tax and commercial retention periods in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c GDPR, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR or we reserve a further data use that is legally permitted and of which we inform you in this statement.

Inventory Management System

For order and contract processing, we use inventory management systems from external service providers. Our service providers work for us as part of a contract processing agreement. If you have questions about our service providers and the basis of our collaboration with them, please contact the options described in this privacy policy.

2.2 Customer Account

As far as you have given your consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR by choosing to open a customer account, we use your data for the purpose of opening the customer account as well as for storing your data for further future orders on our website. Deletion of your customer account is possible at any time and can be done either by sending a message to the contact option described in this privacy policy or through a designated function in the customer account. After deletion of your customer account, your data will be deleted unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR or we reserve a further data use that is legally permitted and of which we inform you in this statement.

2.3 Contacting

As part of customer communication, we collect personal data to process your inquiries in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR when you voluntarily provide us with this information during a contact with us (e.g. via contact form or email). Mandatory fields are marked as such, as we require this data to process your contact request. The data collected can be seen from the respective input forms. After your inquiry has been fully processed, your data will be deleted unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR or we reserve the right to further data use that is legally permitted and of which we inform you in this statement.

3. Data processing for the purpose of order fulfillment

To fulfill the contract in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR, we will pass your data on to the shipping service provider commissioned with the delivery, as far as this is necessary for the delivery of ordered goods.

Correspondingly, this applies to the data transfer to our manufacturers or wholesalers in cases where they handle the shipping for us (drop shipping). They are considered shipping service providers in the sense of this privacy policy.

Data transfer to shipping service providers for the purpose of shipping notification

If you have given us your explicit consent during or after your order, we will pass on your email address and phone number to the selected shipping service provider based on this in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR, so that they can contact you before delivery for the purpose of delivery notification or coordination.
The consent can be revoked at any time by sending a message to the contact option described in this privacy policy or directly to the shipping service provider at the contact address listed below. After revocation, we will delete the data you provided for this purpose, unless you have expressly consented to further use of your data or we reserve a further use of data that is legally permitted and of which we inform you in this statement.

DHL Parcel GmbH
Sträßchensweg 10
53113 Bonn
Germany

KM-Lager logistics LLC
Ravensstraße 38
41334 Nettetal
Germany

4. Data processing for payment processing

In processing payments in our online store, we work with these partners: technical service providers, credit institutions, payment service providers.

4.1 Data processing for transaction processing

Depending on the selected payment method, we will pass on the data necessary for processing the payment transaction to our technical service providers, who work for us as part of a contract processing agreement, or to the commissioned credit institutions or the selected payment service provider, as far as this is necessary for processing the payment. This serves the fulfillment of the contract in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR. In part, the payment service providers collect the data necessary for processing the payment themselves, e.g. on their own website or through a technical integration in the ordering process. In this respect, the privacy policy of the respective payment service provider applies.
If you have questions about our partners for payment processing and the basis of our collaboration with them, please contact the option described in this privacy policy.

4.2 Data processing for the purpose of fraud prevention and optimization of our payment processes

If necessary, we provide our service providers with additional data, which they use together with the data necessary for processing the payment as our processors for the purpose of fraud prevention and optimizing our payment processes (e.g., invoicing, handling disputed payments, supporting accounting). This serves, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR, to safeguard our overriding legitimate interests in protecting against fraud and in efficient payment management.

4.3 Engagement of Collection Service Providers

We forward your data to a commissioned debt collection service provider Creditreform Wesel, Trappstraße 16, 46483 Wesel, Germany, if our payment claim has not been settled despite a prior reminder. In this case, the claim will be collected directly by the debt collection service provider. This serves the fulfillment of the contract in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. b GDPR as well as the protection of our overriding legitimate interests in the effective assertion or enforcement of our payment claim in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR.

5. Cookies and other technologies

 General Information

To make visiting our website attractive and to enable the use of certain functions, we use technologies including so-called cookies on various pages. Cookies are small text files that are automatically stored on your device. Some of the cookies we use are deleted after the browser session ends, that is, after you close your browser (so-called session cookies). Other cookies remain on your device and allow us to recognize your browser on your next visit (persistent cookies).

Protection of privacy on devices
When using our online services, we necessarily employ essential technologies to provide the expressly requested telemedia service. The storage of information on your device or access to information already stored on your device does not require consent in this regard.

For non-essential functions, the storage of information on your device or access to information already stored on your device requires your consent. We would like to point out that if consent is not granted, certain parts of the website may not be fully usable. Any consents you may have given will remain in effect until you adjust or reset the respective settings on your device.

Any subsequent data processing through cookies and other technologies
We use technologies that are essential for the use of certain functions of our website (e.g. shopping cart function). These technologies collect and process IP address, time of visit, device and browser information, as well as information about your use of our website (e.g. information about the contents of the shopping cart). This serves, within the framework of a balancing of interests, predominant legitimate interests in an optimized presentation of our offerings in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f GDPR.

In addition, we use technologies to fulfill the legal obligations to which we are subject (e.g., to be able to prove consent to the processing of your personal data) as well as for web analysis and online marketing. Further information on this, including the respective legal basis for data processing, can be found in the following sections of this privacy policy.

You can find the cookie settings for your browser at the following links: Microsoft Edge™ / Safari™ / Chrome™ / Firefox™ / Opera™

As far as you have consented to the use of technologies in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR, you can revoke your consent at any time by sending a message to the contact option described in the privacy policy.

6. Use of Cookies and Other Technologies

As far as you have given your consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR, we use the following cookies and other technologies from third parties on our website. After the purpose has ceased and the use of the respective technology by us has ended, the data collected in this context will be deleted. You can revoke your consent at any time with effect for the future. Further information on your revocation options can be found in the section "Cookies and other technologies". More information, including the basis of our collaboration with the individual providers, can be found with the individual technologies. If you have questions about the providers and the basis of our collaboration with them, please contact the contact option described in this privacy policy.

6.1 Use of Google Services

We use the technologies of Google Ireland Ltd., Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland ("Google") as outlined below. The information automatically collected about your use of our website through Google technologies is generally transmitted to a server of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043, USA, and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Unless otherwise stated for individual technologies, data processing is carried out on the basis of an agreement concluded between joint controllers in accordance with Art. 26 GDPR. Further information about data processing by Google can be found in the Google's privacy policy.

 Google Analytics

For the purpose of website analysis, data (IP address, time of visit, device and browser information, as well as information about your use of our website) is automatically collected and stored using Google Analytics, from which usage profiles are created using pseudonyms. Cookies may be used for this purpose. If you visit our website from the EU, your IP address will be stored on a server located in the EU for the derivation of location data and will then be immediately deleted before the traffic is forwarded for processing to other Google servers. Data processing is carried out on the basis of an agreement on data processing by Google.

 Google Ads

For advertising purposes in Google search results as well as on third-party websites, the so-called Google is used when visiting our website. Remarketing Cookie set, which automatically enables interest-based advertising through the collection and processing of data (IP address, time of visit, device and browser information, as well as information about your use of our website) and using a pseudonymous cookie ID based on the pages you visited. Further data processing only takes place if you have activated the "personalized advertising" setting in your Google account. If you are logged into Google during your visit to our website in this case, Google uses your data together with Google Analytics data to create and define audience lists for cross-device remarketing.

 Google Maps

For the visual representation of geographic information, Google Maps collects data about your use of the Maps features, particularly the IP address and location data, which is transmitted to Google and subsequently processed by Google. We have no influence over this subsequent data processing.

 Google reCAPTCHA

In order to protect against misuse of our web forms and against spam from automated software (so-called bots), Google reCAPTCHA collects data (IP address, time of visit, browser information, and information about your use of our website) and conducts an analysis of your use of our website using a so-called JavaScript and cookies. In addition, other cookies stored by Google services in your browser are evaluated. There is no reading or storage of personal data from the input fields of the respective form.

 YouTube Video Plugin

To integrate third-party content, data (IP address, time of visit, device and browser information) is collected via the YouTube video plugin in the enhanced privacy mode we use, transmitted to Google, and subsequently processed by Google, only when you play a video.

6.2 Use of Facebook Services

 Usage of Facebook Pixel

We use the Facebook Pixel as part of the technologies presented below. Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Facebook (von Meta)" or "Meta Platforms Ireland"). The Facebook Pixel automatically collects and stores data (IP address, time of visit, device and browser information, as well as information about your use of our website based on events we define, such as visiting a webpage or signing up for a newsletter), from which usage profiles are created using pseudonyms. To this end, a cookie is automatically set by the Facebook Pixel when you visit our website, which allows for the recognition of your browser during visits to other websites through a pseudonymous cookie ID. Facebook (by Meta) will combine this information with other data from your Facebook account and use it to compile reports on website activities and to provide additional services related to website usage, particularly personalized and group-based advertising.
The information automatically collected by Facebook (by Meta) technologies about your use of our website is usually transmitted to a server of Meta Platforms, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA, and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. If the data transfer to the USA falls under our responsibility, our cooperation is based on the standard data protection clauses of the European Commission. Further information about data processing by Facebook can be found in the privacy notices of Facebook (by Meta).

7. Social Media

7.1 Social plugins from Facebook (by Meta), Instagram (by Meta), Pinterest, Whatsapp

On our website, social buttons from social networks are used. These are merely integrated as HTML links into the page, so that when you visit our website, no connection is established with the servers of the respective provider. When you click on one of the buttons, the website of the respective social network opens in a new window of your browser. There you can, for example, use the like or share button.

7.2 Our online presence on Facebook (by Meta), Instagram (by Meta), YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn

As far as you have given your consent in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. a GDPR to the respective social media operator, your data will be automatically collected and stored for market research and advertising purposes when visiting our online presences on the aforementioned social media, from which usage profiles are created using pseudonyms. These can be used, for example, to display advertisements both within and outside the platforms that presumably match your interests. Cookies are usually used for this purpose. For detailed information on the processing and use of data by the respective social media operator, as well as a contact option and your related rights and settings for protecting your privacy, please refer to the privacy notices of the providers linked below. If you still need assistance in this regard, you can contact us.

Facebook (by Meta) is an offer from Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Meta Platforms Ireland"). The information automatically collected by Meta Platforms Ireland about your use of our online presence on Facebook (by Meta) is usually transmitted to a server of Meta Platforms, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA, and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. The data processing in the context of visiting a Facebook (by Meta) fan page is carried out on the basis of an agreement between joint controllers in accordance with Art. 26 GDPR. Further information (information on insights data) can be found here.

Instagram (by Meta) is an offer from Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Meta Platforms Ireland"). The information automatically collected by Meta Platforms Ireland about your use of our online presence on Instagram is generally transmitted to a server of Meta Platforms, Inc., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA, and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. Data processing in the context of visiting an Instagram (by Meta) fan page is carried out on the basis of an agreement between joint controllers in accordance with Art. 26 GDPR. More information (information on insights data) can be found here.

YouTube is an offer from Google Ireland Ltd., Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland ("Google"). The information automatically collected by Google about your use of our online presence on YouTube is usually transmitted to a server of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043, USA and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard data protection clauses of the European Commission. 

Pinterest is an offer from Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland ("Pinterest"). The information automatically collected by Pinterest about your use of our online presence on Pinterest is usually transmitted to a server of Pinterest, Inc., 505 Brannan St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. 

LinkedIn is an offer from LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland ("LinkedIn"). The information automatically collected by LinkedIn about your use of our online presence on LinkedIn is usually transmitted to a server of LinkedIn Corporation, 1000 W. Maude Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA, and stored there. There is no adequacy decision from the European Commission for the USA. Our collaboration with them is based on standard contractual clauses of the European Commission. 

8. Contact options and your rights

8.1 Your Rights

As an affected person, you have the following rights:

  • You have the right, in the scope specified therein, to request information about your personal data processed by us in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR;
  • according to Art. 16 GDPR the right to request the immediate correction of inaccurate or completion of your personal data stored with us;
  • You have the right, according to Art. 17 GDPR, to request the deletion of your personal data stored with us, unless further processing
    • for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information;
    • to fulfill a legal obligation;
    • for reasons of public interest or
    • necessary for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims;
  • According to Art. 18 GDPR, the right to request the restriction of the processing of your personal data, as far as
    • the accuracy of the data is disputed by you;
    • the processing is unlawful, but you refuse its deletion;
    • we no longer need the data, but you need it for the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or
    • You have lodged an objection to the processing in accordance with Article 21 GDPR;
  • According to Art. 20 GDPR, you have the right to receive your personal data that you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format or to request the transfer to another controller;
  • According to Art. 77 GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. In general, you can contact the supervisory authority of your usual place of residence or workplace or our company's registered office for this purpose.

Right of withdrawal

As far as we process personal data as explained above in order to safeguard our overriding legitimate interests within the framework of a balancing of interests, you can object to this processing with effect for the future. If the processing is for the purposes of direct marketing, you can exercise this right at any time as described above. If the processing is for other purposes, you have a right to object only if there are reasons arising from your particular situation.

After exercising your right of objection, we will not process your personal data for these purposes any further, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing that override your interests, rights, and freedoms, or if the processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

This does not apply if the processing is carried out for the purposes of direct marketing. In that case, we will not further process your personal data for this purpose.

8.2 Contact Options

For questions regarding the collection, processing, or use of your personal data, requests for information, correction, restriction, or deletion of data, as well as the withdrawal of granted consents or objections to a specific use of data, please contact us directly using the contact details in our imprint.

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