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Privacy Policy

In the following, we inform you in accordance with the statutory requirements of data protection law about the type, scope and purpose of the processing of personal data by our company. This privacy policy also applies to our websites and social media profiles. Regarding the definition of terms such as “personal data” or “processing”, we refer to Art. 4 GDPR.

Name and contact details of the controller

Our controller (hereinafter referred to as “controller”) within the meaning of Art. 4 (7) GDPR is:

Potabo
Hendrik Lüdemann

Paulinenstraße 94

88046 Friedrichshafen

Email address: ino@potabo.de

Types of data, purposes of processing and categories of data subjects

Below we inform you about the type, scope and purpose of the collection, processing and use of personal data.

1. Types of data we process

Usage data (access times, websites visited, etc.), inventory data (name, address, etc.), contact data (telephone number, email, fax, etc.), payment data (bank details, account details, payment history, etc.), contract data (subject matter of the contract, term, etc.), content data (text entries, videos, photos, etc.), communication data (IP address, etc.),

2. Purposes of processing pursuant to Art. 13 (1) (c) GDPR

Performance of contracts, technically and economically optimizing the website, enabling easy access to the website, fulfilment of contractual obligations, contacting in case of legal objections by third parties, fulfilment of statutory retention obligations, optimization and statistical evaluation of our services, supporting the commercial use of the website, improving user experience, making the website user-friendly, economical operation of advertising and the website, marketing / sales / advertising, creation of statistics, determining the probability of texts being copied, prevention of SPAM and abuse, handling of an application process, customer service and customer care, handling contact inquiries, providing websites with functions and content, security measures, uninterrupted, secure operation of our website,

3. Categories of data subjects pursuant to Art. 13 (1) (e) GDPR

Visitors/users of the website, customers, prospects, applicants, employees, employees of customers or suppliers,

The data subjects are collectively referred to as “users”.

Below we inform you about the legal bases for the processing of personal data:

  1. If we have obtained your consent for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR is the legal basis.
  2. If processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures taken at your request, Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR is the legal basis.
  3. If processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject (e.g. statutory retention obligations), Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR is the legal basis.
  4. If processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person, Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. d) GDPR is the legal basis.
  5. If processing is necessary to safeguard our legitimate interests or those of a third party and your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms do not outweigh these interests, Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR is the legal basis.

Disclosure of personal data to third parties and processors

As a matter of principle, we do not disclose any data to third parties without your consent. Should this nevertheless occur, the disclosure is made on the basis of the aforementioned legal bases, e.g. when disclosing data to online payment providers for the performance of a contract or due to a court order or because of a legal obligation to disclose the data for the purpose of criminal prosecution, to avert danger or to enforce intellectual property rights.
We also use processors (external service providers, e.g. for web hosting of our websites and databases) to process your data. If data is disclosed to processors as part of an agreement on commissioned processing, this is always done in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR. We carefully select our processors, monitor them regularly and have been granted a right to issue instructions regarding the data. In addition, the processors must have taken appropriate technical and organizational measures and comply with the data protection regulations in accordance with the BDSG (new version) and the GDPR

Data transfer to third countries

The adoption of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has created a uniform basis for data protection in Europe. Your data is therefore predominantly processed by companies to which the GDPR applies. Should processing by third-party services nevertheless take place outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, they must meet the special requirements of Art. 44 et seq. GDPR. This means that processing is carried out on the basis of special guarantees, such as the officially recognised determination by the EU Commission of a level of data protection corresponding to that of the EU or compliance with officially recognised special contractual obligations, the so-called “standard contractual clauses”.
Insofar as we obtain your explicit consent to the transfer of data to the USA pursuant to Art. 49 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR due to the invalidity of the so-called “Privacy Shield”, we point out in this respect the risk of secret access by US authorities and the use of data for surveillance purposes, possibly without legal remedies for EU citizens.

Erasure of data and storage period

Unless expressly stated in this privacy policy, your personal data will be deleted or blocked as soon as the consent you have given for processing is revoked or the purpose for storage no longer applies or the data is no longer required for the purpose, unless its further storage is required for evidentiary purposes or is opposed by statutory retention obligations. These include, for example, commercial retention obligations for business letters pursuant to Section 257 (1) of the German Commercial Code (HGB) (6 years) and tax retention obligations pursuant to Section 147 (1) of the German Fiscal Code (AO) for receipts (10 years). When the prescribed retention period expires, your data will be blocked or deleted, unless storage is still required for the conclusion or performance of a contract.

Existence of automated decision-making

We do not use any automated decision-making or profiling.

Provision of our website and creation of log files

  1. If you use our website for information purposes only (i.e. no registration and no other transmission of information), we only collect the personal data that your browser transmits to our server. If you wish to view our website, we collect the following data:
    • IP address;
    • Internet service provider of the user;
    • Date and time of access;
    • Browser type;
    • Language and browser version;
    • Content of the request;
    • Time zone;
    • Access status/HTTP status code;
    • Data volume;
    • Websites from which the request originates;
    • Operating system.
    This data is not stored together with other personal data relating to you.
  2. This data serves the purpose of delivering our website to you in a user-friendly, functional and secure manner with functions and content, as well as its optimization and statistical evaluation.
  3. The legal basis for this is our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR, which also lies in the above purposes.
  4. For security reasons, we store this data in server log files for a storage period of 70 days. After this period has expired, it is automatically deleted, unless we need to retain it for evidentiary purposes in the event of attacks on the server infrastructure or other legal violations.

Cookies

  1. We use so-called cookies when you visit our website. Cookies are small text files that your internet browser stores on your computer. When you visit our website again, these cookies provide information to automatically recognize you. Cookies also include so-called “user IDs”, where user information is stored by means of pseudonymized profiles. When you visit our website, we inform you about the use of cookies for the aforementioned purposes and how you can object to them or prevent their storage (“opt-out”) by means of a reference to our privacy policy.

    A distinction is made between the following types of cookies:

    • Necessary, essential cookies: Essential cookies are cookies that are absolutely necessary for the operation of the website to store certain functions of the website such as logins, shopping cart or user inputs, e.g. regarding the language of the website.

    • Session cookies: Session cookies are required to recognize multiple uses of a service by the same user (e.g. when you have logged in to determine your login status). When you visit our site again, these cookies provide information to automatically recognize you. The information thus obtained is used to optimize our services and to provide you with easier access to our site. When you close the browser or log out, the session cookies are deleted.

    • Persistent cookies: These cookies remain stored even after the browser is closed. They are used to store the login, to measure reach and for marketing purposes. They are automatically deleted after a specified period, which may vary depending on the cookie. You can delete the cookies at any time in the security settings of your browser.

    • Third-party cookies (third-party cookies, in particular from advertisers): In accordance with your wishes, you can configure your browser settings and, for example, refuse to accept third-party cookies or all cookies. However, we would like to point out at this point that you may then not be able to use all functions of this website. Read more about these cookies in the respective privacy policies of the third-party providers.
  2. Data categories: User data, cookie, user ID (in particular the pages visited, device information, access times and IP addresses).
  3. Purposes of processing: The information thus obtained serves the purpose of technically and economically optimizing our web offerings and providing you with easier and more secure access to our website.
  4. Legal bases: If we process your personal data using cookies on the basis of your consent (“opt-in”), Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR is the legal basis. Otherwise, we have a legitimate interest in the effective functionality, improvement and economic operation of the website, so that in that case Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR is the legal basis. The legal basis is also Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR if the cookies are set for the initiation of a contract, e.g. for orders.
  5. Storage period / deletion: The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended.

    Cookies are otherwise stored on your computer and transmitted from it to our site. Therefore, as a user, you also have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in your internet browser, you can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically. If cookies are deactivated for our website, it may no longer be possible to use all functions of the website to their full extent.

    Here you will find information on deleting cookies by browser:

    Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647

    Safari: https://support.apple.com/de-at/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac

    Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/de/kb/cookies-und-website-daten-in-firefox-loschen

    Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/de-at/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies

    Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/de-at/help/4027947/windows-delete-cookies
  6. Objection and “opt-out”: You can generally prevent the storage of cookies on your hard drive, regardless of consent or legal permission, by selecting “do not accept cookies” in your browser settings. However, this may result in a restriction of the functionality of our services. You can object to the use of cookies by third-party providers for advertising purposes via a so-called “opt-out” via this American website (https://optout.aboutads.info) or this European website (http://www.youronlinechoices.com/de/praferenzmanagement/).

Performance of contracts

  1. We process inventory data (e.g. company, title/academic degree, names and addresses as well as contact data of users, email), contract data (e.g. services used, names of contact persons) and payment data (e.g. bank details, payment history) for the purpose of fulfilling our contractual obligations (knowing who the contractual partner is; establishing, structuring and processing the contract; checking the plausibility of the data) and services (e.g. contacting customer service) in accordance with Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR. Entries marked as mandatory in online forms are required for the conclusion of the contract.
  2. As a matter of principle, this data is not disclosed to third parties, unless it is necessary for the pursuit of our claims (e.g. handover to a lawyer for collection) or for the performance of the contract (e.g. handover of data to payment providers) or there is a legal obligation to do so pursuant to Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR.
  3. We may also process the data you provide to inform you about other interesting products from our portfolio or to send you emails with technical information.
  4. The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. This is the case for inventory and contract data when the data is no longer required for the performance of the contract and no more claims can be asserted under the contract because they are time-barred (warranty: two years / regular limitation period: three years). Due to commercial and tax law requirements, we are obliged to store your address, payment and order data for a period of ten years. However, upon termination of the contract, we will restrict processing after three years, i.e. your data will only be used to comply with statutory obligations. Information in the user account will remain until it is deleted.

Contact via contact form / email / fax / post

  1. When you contact us via contact form, fax, post or email, your details will be processed for the purpose of handling the contact request.
  2. The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR if you have given your consent. The legal basis for the processing of data transmitted in the course of a contact request or email, letter or fax is Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR. The controller has a legitimate interest in the processing and storage of the data in order to be able to answer users’ inquiries, to secure evidence for liability reasons and, if necessary, to comply with its statutory retention obligations for business letters. If the contact is aimed at concluding a contract, the additional legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR.
  3. We may store your details and contact request in our Customer Relationship Management System (“CRM System”) or a comparable system.
  4. The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. For the personal data from the input mask of the contact form and those sent by email, this is the case when the respective conversation with you has ended. The conversation is ended when it can be inferred from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively clarified. We store inquiries from users who have an account or contract with us until two years after the end of the contract. In the case of statutory archiving obligations, deletion takes place after their expiry: end of commercial (6 years) and tax (10 years) retention obligations.
  5. You have the option at any time to revoke your consent to the processing of personal data in accordance with Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR. If you contact us by email, you can object to the storage of your personal data at any time.

Contact by telephone

  1. When you contact us by telephone, your telephone number will be processed to handle and process the contact request and temporarily stored or displayed in the RAM / cache of the telephone device / display. Storage takes place for liability and security reasons in order to be able to provide proof of the call and for economic reasons in order to enable a callback. In the case of unauthorized advertising calls, we block the telephone numbers.
  2. The legal basis for the processing of the telephone number is Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR. If the contact is aimed at concluding a contract, the additional legal basis for processing is Art. 6 (1) lit. b) GDPR.
  3. The device cache stores the calls for days and successively overwrites or deletes old data; when the device is disposed of, all data is deleted and the memory is destroyed if necessary. Blocked telephone numbers are checked annually to determine whether blocking is still necessary.
  4. You can prevent the display of your telephone number by calling with your telephone number suppressed.

Newsletter

  1. You can subscribe to our newsletter with your voluntary consent by entering your email address. Only this is mandatory. The provision of further data is voluntary and serves only the purpose of personal addressing. We use the so-called “double opt-in procedure” for registration. After you register with your email, you will receive an email from us to confirm your registration with a link to confirm. If you click this confirmation link, your email will be added to the newsletter distribution list and stored for the purpose of sending emails. If you do not click the confirmation link within 24 hours, your registration data will be blocked and automatically deleted after 30 days.
  2. In addition, we log your IP address used during registration as well as the date and time of the double opt-in (registration and confirmation). The purpose of this storage is to fulfil legal requirements regarding proof of your registration and to prevent misuse with regard to your email.
  3. As part of your declaration of consent, the contents (e.g. advertised products/services, offers, advertising and topics) of the newsletter will be described in concrete terms.
  4. When sending the newsletter, we evaluate your user behaviour. For this purpose, the newsletters contain so-called “web beacons” or “tracking pixels” which are called up when the newsletter is opened. For the evaluations, we link the web beacons with your email address and an individual ID. Links contained in the newsletter also contain this ID. The data is collected exclusively in pseudonymized form, so the IDs are not linked to your other personal data and direct personal reference is excluded. With this data we can determine whether and when you have opened the newsletter and which links in the newsletter have been clicked. This serves the purpose of optimizing and statistically evaluating our newsletter.
  5. We create a user profile with the data obtained above in order to identify the reading habits and interests of our users and thus to personalize the newsletter. If you have also performed further actions on our website, we also link this data to it in order to adapt our newsletter content to your interests.
  6. The legal basis for sending the newsletter, measuring its success and storing the email is your consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 (2) No. 3 UWG (German Act Against Unfair Competition) and for logging the consent Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR, as this serves our legitimate interest in legal provability.
  7. You can object to tracking at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the end of the newsletter. In that case, however, receipt of the newsletter would also be terminated. If you deactivate the display of images in your email software, tracking is also not possible. However, this may result in restrictions regarding the functions of the newsletter and images contained therein will then not be displayed.
  8. You can revoke your consent to receive the newsletter at any time. You can exercise your revocation by clicking the unsubscribe link at the end of the newsletter, by email or by notifying our contact details above. We store your data as long as you have subscribed to the newsletter. After unsubscribing, your data will only be stored anonymously for statistical purposes.

Presence on social media

  1. We maintain profiles or fan pages on social media. When you use and access our profile in the respective network, the respective privacy notices and terms of use of the respective network apply.
  2. Data categories and description of data processing: Usage data, contact data, content data, inventory data. Furthermore, user data within social networks is generally processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on user behaviour and the resulting interests of users. The usage profiles can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For these purposes, cookies are generally stored on the users’ computers, in which the usage behaviour and interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data independent of the devices used by the users may also be stored in the usage profiles (especially if the users are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there). For a detailed presentation of the respective forms of processing and the possibilities to object (opt-out), we refer to the privacy policies and information provided by the operators of the respective networks. In the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we also point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the providers have access to the users’ data and can directly take appropriate measures and provide information. Should you nevertheless require assistance, you can contact us.
  3. Purpose of processing: Communication with users connected and registered on the social networks; information and advertising for our products, offers and services; external presentation and image cultivation; evaluation and analysis of the users and content of our presences on social media.
  4. Legal bases: The legal basis for the processing of personal data is our legitimate interest in the above purposes pursuant to Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR. Insofar as you have given us or the controller of the social network consent to the processing of your personal data, the legal basis is Art. 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. a) in conjunction with Art. 7 GDPR.
  5. Data transfer / recipient category: Social network.
  6. You can find the privacy notices, information options and objection options (opt-out) of the respective networks / service providers here:

    • Facebook – Service provider: Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland); Website: www.facebook.com; Privacy policy: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/, Opt-out: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads and http://www.youronlinechoices.com; Objection: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/2061665240770586; Agreement on joint processing of personal data on Facebook pages (Art. 26 GDPR): https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum, Privacy notices for Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data.
    We are jointly responsible with Facebook for our fan page pursuant to Art. 26 GDPR. For this purpose, an agreement called “Page Insights Information”, available at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum, has been concluded, according to which Facebook must observe certain security measures and will also directly fulfil the data subject rights itself. You can therefore also contact Facebook directly, in particular with regard to rights of access and erasure. However, your data subject rights, such as in particular access, erasure, objection and complaint to the competent supervisory authority, are not affected thereby. Further information on joint responsibility can be found in the “Page Insights Data Information” at https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/information_about_page_insights_data.

    • Instagram – Service provider: Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland) – Privacy policy / Opt-out:  https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875, Objection: https://help.instagram.com/contact/186020218683230; Agreement on joint processing of personal data on Instagram pages (Art. 26 GDPR): https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum.

    • Twitter – Service provider: Twitter Inc., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA) - Privacy policy: https://twitter.com/de/privacy, Opt-out: https://twitter.com/personalization

    • XING – Service provider: XING AG, Dammtorstrasse 29-32, 20354 Hamburg, Germany) - Privacy policy / Opt-out: https://privacy.xing.com/de/datenschutzerklaerung.

    • Pinterest – Service provider: Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland) – Privacy policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy, Opt-out: https://help.pinterest.com/de/articles/personalized-ads-pinterest

    • LinkedIn – Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland) – Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy, Cookie Policy and Opt-out: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy.

    • Flickr – Service provider: Flickr Inc., 475 Sansome St San Francisco, CA 94111, USA) - Website: https://www.flickr.com; Privacy Policy: https://www.flickr.com/help/privacy.

    • SlideShare – Service provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland) - Website: https://www.linkedin.com, Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

Data protection for applications and in the application process

  1. Applications sent to the controller electronically or by post will be processed electronically or manually for the purpose of handling the application process.
  2. We expressly point out that application documents containing “special categories of personal data” pursuant to Art. 9 GDPR (e.g. a photo that allows conclusions to be drawn about your ethnic origin, religion or marital status), with the exception of any severe disability that you wish to disclose of your own free will, are not desired. You should submit your application without this data. This will have no effect on your chances as an applicant.
  3. The legal bases for processing are Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. b) GDPR and Section 26 BDSG (new version).
  4. If an employment relationship is entered into with the applicant after completion of the application process, the applicant data will be stored in compliance with applicable data protection regulations. If you are not offered a position after completion of the application process, your submitted application letter and accompanying documents will be deleted 6 months after the rejection is sent in order to be able to comply with any claims and obligations to provide evidence under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

Rights of the data subject

  1. Objection to or withdrawal of consent to the processing of your data

    Where processing is based on your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. a), Art. 7 GDPR, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. The lawfulness of processing carried out on the basis of consent until withdrawal remains unaffected.

    Where we base the processing of your personal data on the balancing of interests pursuant to Art. 6(1) sentence 1 lit. f) GDPR, you may object to the processing. This is the case if processing is not necessary in particular to fulfil a contract with you, which is described by us in each case in the following description of the functions. When exercising such an objection, we ask you to explain the reasons why we should not process your personal data as we have done. In the event of your justified objection, we will examine the situation and will either discontinue or adapt the data processing or show you our compelling legitimate grounds on the basis of which we will continue the processing.

    You may object to the processing of your personal data for advertising and data analysis purposes at any time. You may exercise your right to object free of charge. You can inform us of your objection to advertising using the following contact details:

    Potabo
    Paulinenstraße 94, 88046 Friedrichshafen
    Email address: info@potabo.de
  2. Right of access
    You have a right of access to your personal data stored with us pursuant to Art. 15 GDPR. This includes, in particular, information about the purposes of processing, the category of personal data, the categories of recipients to whom your data has been or will be disclosed, the planned storage period, the origin of your data if it was not collected directly from you.
  3. Right to rectification
    You have a right to have inaccurate data rectified or accurate data completed pursuant to Art. 16 GDPR.
  4. Right to erasure
    You have a right to erasure of your data stored with us pursuant to Art. 17 GDPR, unless statutory or contractual retention periods or other statutory obligations or rights to further storage preclude this.
  5. Right to restriction
    You have the right to request restriction of the processing of your personal data if one of the conditions in Art. 18(1) lit. a) to d) GDPR is met:
    • If you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;

    • the processing is unlawful and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request the restriction of the use of the personal data instead;

    • the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but you need it for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, or

    • if you have objected to processing pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR and it has not yet been determined whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.
  6. Right to data portability
    You have a right to data portability pursuant to Art. 20 GDPR, which means that you can receive the personal data stored about you with us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or request that it be transmitted to another controller.
  7. Right to lodge a complaint
    You have a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. As a rule, you can contact the supervisory authority in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement.

Data security

In order to protect all personal data transmitted to us and to ensure that data protection regulations are complied with by us and also by our external service providers, we have taken appropriate technical and organisational security measures. For this reason, among other things, all data between your browser and our server is transmitted in encrypted form via a secure SSL connection.


As of: 11.09.2026