1. Controller

Responsible for data processing on this website
(hereinafter referred to as “website operator”):

Benjamin Schnabel
Lutherstraße 35
08468 Reichenbach (Vogtland)
Germany
E-mail: benjamin.schnabel@gmx.net

2. General Information on Data Processing

Protecting your personal data is very important to me. I treat your data confidentially and in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations (GDPR, BDSG, TTDSG) and this Privacy Policy.

Personal data are processed only when permitted by law or when you have given your consent.
This website is operated for freelance purposes (courses, consulting, lectures, software development, translation, and editing).

3. Data Collection When Visiting This Website

When you visit this website, your browser automatically transmits certain data to the server. These include:

  • IP address (anonymized or truncated)
  • Date and time of the request
  • Name and URL of the accessed file
  • Referrer URL
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system used

These data are processed to ensure the technical operation and security of the website (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
The website is hosted by Strato AG, Otto-Ostrowski-Str. 7, 10249 Berlin, Germany.
A data processing agreement (Art. 28 GDPR) has been concluded with Strato.

4. Cookies and Consent Management (CookieYes)

This website uses cookies. Cookies are small text files stored on your device to improve usability, security, and analytics.

A cookie consent banner provided by CookieYes (cookieyes.com) appears upon your first visit, allowing you to manage and withdraw consent at any time.
Legal basis: your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) and the website operator’s legitimate interest in a user-friendly website (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

5. Hosting Security (Wordfence)

This website uses the Wordfence security plugin (Defiant Inc., USA) to protect against unauthorized access and cyberattacks.
Wordfence analyzes traffic and may process IP addresses and technical data.
Processing is based on legitimate interest in ensuring IT security (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
A Data Processing Agreement with Defiant is in place in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR.

6. Google Services

a) Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics (Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland).
Cookies are used to analyze website usage. The information generated is usually transmitted to Google servers in the USA.
IP anonymization (“IP masking”) is enabled.
Legal basis: your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).
A Data Processing Agreement and Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46 GDPR) are in place.

b) Google Fonts

This site uses Google Fonts to display web fonts consistently.
Google may process technical data such as IP addresses or browser details.
Legal basis: legitimate interest in consistent presentation (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

c) Google Maps

To display locations, Google Maps is integrated into the site.
When loading a map, data such as your IP address may be transmitted to Google.
Legal basis: your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

d) Google reCAPTCHA

To protect forms from spam and abuse, this site uses Google reCAPTCHA.
Legal basis: legitimate interest in IT and spam protection (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

7. Contact Form

When you send inquiries via the contact form, the data you enter (e.g., name, e-mail, message) are processed to handle your request.
Data are not shared without your consent.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (pre-contractual or contractual communication).

8. Newsletter (Mailchimp)

This site uses Mailchimp (Intuit Inc., 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA) for newsletter delivery.
When signing up, your e-mail address (and optionally your name) is stored.
Registration uses a double opt-in procedure, which is logged for legal compliance.

Legal basis: your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).
Data transfer to the USA is based on Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46 GDPR).
You may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in each newsletter.

9. Online Shop (WooCommerce)

This website uses WooCommerce (Automattic Inc., USA) to operate the online shop.
When you place an order, personal data such as name, address, e-mail, and payment information are processed for contract fulfillment.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (performance of a contract).

Payment providers:

  • PayPal (PayPal Europe S.à r.l., Luxembourg)
  • Others if applicable (e.g., Stripe)

Data are transferred only to the extent necessary for payment processing and accounting.
Retention follows statutory requirements (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR).

10. VG Wort Tracking Pixel

This website uses VG Wort tracking pixels for statistical and copyright compensation purposes.
A session cookie may be stored on your device for measurement purposes.
Legal basis: legitimate interest in royalty reporting and usage statistics (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

11. Embedded Content (YouTube)

This site embeds videos from YouTube (Google Ireland Limited).
When a video is played, cookies and data may be transmitted to Google.
Whenever possible, the privacy-enhanced youtube-nocookie.com domain is used.
Legal basis: your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

12. Social Media Links

This website includes links to social media profiles on:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • X (Twitter)

These are pure links, not embedded plugins.
No data are transferred before you actively click the link.
Legal basis: legitimate interest in online presence (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

13. SSL / TLS Encryption

This website uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect transmitted data.
You can recognize an encrypted connection by “https://” and the lock icon in your browser’s address bar.

14. Data Subject Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
  • Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
  • Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”) (Art. 17 GDPR)
  • Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
  • Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
  • Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
  • Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3) GDPR)
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR), e.g., the Data Protection Commissioner of Saxony, Germany.

15. Data Retention

Personal data are stored only for as long as necessary to achieve the processing purposes or as required by statutory retention periods.

16. Updates to This Privacy Policy

The website operator reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy to comply with legal requirements or to reflect changes in services.
The latest version applies at the time of your visit.

Last updated: October 2025