Privacy Policy

Controller (Data Responsible Party)

Peter Eulberg, Digital Virtues GmbH
Jugenheimer Strasse 19
55270 Engelstadt
privacy@digitalvirtues.com

1. General Information

We take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data confidentially and in accordance with statutory data protection regulations (especially GDPR) and this privacy policy.

This website uses cookies and third-party services as described below. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To control cookies, see Section 3.

2. Collection and Processing of Personal Data

a) When Visiting Our Website

Our web server automatically stores server log files transmitted by your browser:

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

This data ensures website operation and troubleshooting. Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest).

Web Beacons/Pixels: We may use tracking pixels in conjunction with cookies to gather statistics about website usage.

b) When Contacting Us

Contact via email or contact form stores:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Message content
  • Time of contact

Purpose: Processing inquiries and follow-up questions.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (contract initiation/performance).

c) Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics (Google LLC, USA) to analyze website usage:

Data collected:

  • Anonymized IP address
  • Browser type, device information
  • Pages visited, session duration
  • Traffic source
  • User interactions

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent by continued use of website)
Storage duration: 14 months (events), 26 months (user data)
Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on or browser cookie settings

d) Comments

Comment submissions collect:

  • Name (required/optional)
  • Email address (required/optional)
  • Comment content
  • IP address
  • Browser user agent
  • Timestamp

Comments are checked for spam using Akismet (see section e).
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in user interaction).

e) Akismet Spam Protection

Akismet (Automattic Inc., USA) processes comment and contact form data for spam detection:

Data transmitted:

  • IP address
  • User agent
  • Referrer
  • Name, email, message content

Storage: Up to 30 days (spam), longer if flagged
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in spam prevention)

f) WordPress.com Hosting

Hosting provider: Automattic Inc., USA
Processing activities:

  • Server operation and maintenance
  • Security monitoring
  • Traffic analysis
  • Backup creation
  • May place additional cookies for site functionality
  • May display third-party advertisements (with associated cookies)

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in website operation)

3. Cookies

By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

Required/Essential:

  • Authentication and login status
  • User preferences and settings
  • Security and fraud prevention
  • Session management Purpose: Enable basic website functions
    Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest)

Analytics and Performance:

  • WordPress.com Statistics (first-party analytics)
  • Google Analytics
  • Visitor tracking and behavior analysis
  • Page views and interaction metrics Purpose: Understand site usage and improve performance
    Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent by continued use)

Cookies range from session-only (deleted when browser closes) to persistent (up to 2 years). Authentication cookies typically last for session duration, while analytics cookies may persist for months.

Managing Cookies

Browser Controls:

Opt-Out Options:

  • Google Analytics: Opt-Out Browser Add-on
  • WordPress.com Analytics: Through your WordPress.com account settings (if logged in)
  • Advertising cookies: Via industry opt-out platforms (NAI, YourAdChoices)

Note: Blocking cookies may affect website functionality including comments, login capabilities, and personalized features.

4. International Data Transfers

Data is transferred to the USA for:

  • Google Analytics (Google LLC)
  • WordPress.com hosting (Automattic Inc.)
  • Akismet spam protection (Automattic Inc.)

Safeguards: EU Standard Contractual Clauses and adequacy decisions where applicable.

5. Storage Periods

  • Server logs: 30 days
  • Contact messages: 6 months or until resolved
  • Comments: Indefinitely (until deletion requested)
  • Google Analytics data: 14/26 months
  • Spam data (Akismet): 30 days minimum

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your stored personal data
  • Rectification of inaccurate data
  • Erasure of your data (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Restriction of processing
  • Object to processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdraw consent at any time (for consent-based processing)

Contact: privacy@digitalvirtues.com

7. Right to Lodge a Complaint

You may lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority if you believe processing violates data protection law. The competent authority for our company is:

Der Landesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit Rheinland-Pfalz
Postfach 30 40
55020 Mainz
Germany

8. Data Security

We use technical and organizational security measures to protect your data against accidental or intentional manipulation, loss, destruction, or unauthorized access. These measures are regularly reviewed and updated.

10. Data Breach Notification

In case of a personal data breach that poses risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify you within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, as required by GDPR.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect legal changes or service modifications. Current version always available on this website. Material changes will be communicated via website notice.

Last updated: 2025-08-18

Version: 1.2