Thank you for visiting our website. As the protection of your personal data is particularly important to us, we will inform you in detail below about the data processing that takes place in connection with our website https://factory-x.org/.

As a company under private law, we are subject to the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and the German Act on Data Protection and Privacy in Telecommunications and Digital Services (TTDSG).

We consider it our primary task to maintain the confidentiality of the personal data provided by you and to protect it from unauthorized access. We have therefore taken technical and organizational measures to ensure that the data protection regulations are observed both by us and by our external service providers.

Below we inform you in detail about the purposes for which and the form in which we process your personal data.

1. Person responsible
2. Definitions
3. Lawfulness of the processing
4. Purely informational use of our website
5. General inquiries
6. Children & teenagers
7. Obligation to make available
8. Profiling
9. Your rights
10. Changes

1. responsible person

is responsible under data protection law:

Open Industry 4.0 Alliance Implementation GmbH

Willy-Brandt-Platz 6

81829 Munich, Germany

Phone: +49 1801 610 610

E-mail: info@factory-x.org

If you have any questions about data protection or wish to assert one of your rights, please contact us at the above address or e-mail address. We will process your request as quickly as possible.

2. definitions

The legislator requires that personal data be processed lawfully, fairly and in a manner that is comprehensible to the data subject (“lawfulness, fairness and transparency”). To ensure this, we will first inform you in this section about the individual legal definitions that are also used in this privacy policy:

2.1 Personal data

“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter referred to as “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

2.2 Processing

“Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

2.3 Restriction of processing

“Restriction of processing” is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of restricting its future processing.

2.4 Profiling

“Profiling” means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyze or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements.

2.5 Pseudonymization

“Pseudonymization” means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

2.6 File system

“File system” means any structured collection of personal data that is accessible according to specific criteria, regardless of whether this collection is managed centrally, decentrally or according to functional or geographical aspects.

2.7 Person responsible

“Controller” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law.

2.8 Processor

“Processor” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

2.9 Receiver

“Recipient” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body, to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not. However, public authorities which may receive personal data in the framework of a particular inquiry in accordance with Union or Member State law shall not be regarded as recipients; the processing of those data by those public authorities shall be in compliance with the applicable data protection rules according to the purposes of the processing.

2.10 Third party

“Third party” means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorized to process personal data.

2.11 Consent

Consent” of the data subject is any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

3. lawfulness of the processing

The processing of personal data is only lawful if there is a legal basis for the processing. The legal basis for processing may be in particular pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letters a) to f) GDPR:

1. The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes;
2. processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;
3. the processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject;
4. processing is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;
5. processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
6. processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.

4. purely informational use of our website

In this section, we inform you which data we process if you use our website for information purposes only, i.e. if you do not actively transmit data to us when you visit our website.

4.1 Log files

When you view our website, we collect the following data in so-called log files, which are technically necessary for us to display our website to you and to ensure stability and security:

• IP address
• Date and time of the request
• Time zone difference to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Content of the request (specific page)
• Access status/HTTP status code
• Amount of data transferred in each case
• Website from which the request comes
• Operating system and its interface
• Information about the browser, version and language used
• Name of your access provider

We are entitled to collect and store this data in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter f) GDPR, as we have a legitimate interest in the security and stability of our website. They are automatically deleted after seven days at the latest, unless there is reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity.

4.2 Cookies

Cookies are stored on your computer when you use our website. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your end device and through which certain information flows to the place that sets the cookie. Cookies cannot execute programs or transfer viruses to your computer. They are used to make the website more user-friendly and effective overall.

All information on the use of cookies – in particular information on the names of the operators of the cookies, explanations on the storage period and existing access rights of third parties – can be found in the so-called cookie banner.

4.2.1 Necessary cookies

We use cookies that are necessary to enable certain functions of our website in order to make your visit here as pleasant as possible. These include session cookies in particular. These store a so-called session ID, with which various requests from your browser can be assigned to the joint session. This allows your device to be recognized when you return to our website. The session cookies are deleted when you log out or close the browser.

We are entitled to use these cookies in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter f) GDPR, as we have a legitimate interest in the functionality and correct display of our website.

4.2.2 Tracking for reach measurement & control of advertising

We also use cookies to measure the reach of our website in order to analyze the use of our website and thus improve it. In addition, we also use cookies to control personalized advertising. In this way, we want to ensure that users are only shown advertising that is of presumed interest to the respective user and, in particular, does not have a harassing effect.

When you visit our website for the first time, we ask for your express consent that we may set cookies for the aforementioned purposes. The legal basis for this data processing is therefore Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter a) GDPR.

The following statistics and marketing cookies are used:

Name	Provider	Purpose	Procedure
_gid	Google Analytics	Collects and stores data on the number of views	1 day
_gat_gtag_UA_*	Google Analytics	Used to assign a unique user ID	1 minute

4.2.3 Cookie settings

Cookies are stored on the user’s computer and transmitted by it to our website. As a user, you therefore have full control over the use of cookies. You can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies by changing the settings in your Internet browser. Cookies that have already been saved can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically.

You can of course also visit our website without cookies. However, if you wish to use our website fully or conveniently, you should accept cookies. Most web browsers are set by default to accept cookies. However, you have the option of setting your browser to display cookies before they are saved, to accept or reject only certain cookies or to reject cookies in general. Please note that changes to settings only ever affect the respective browser. If you use different browsers or change your end device, you will have to make the settings again. You can also delete cookies from your storage medium at any time. Information on cookie settings, how to change them and how to delete cookies can be found in the help section of your web browser.

4.3 Use of Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics on our website, a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, parent company: Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA (hereinafter referred to as “Google”).

Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. Google Analytics also uses so-called tracking pixels (also known as “web beacons”). These are usually invisible graphic elements on our website that can be used to register page views and collect further information about the page view.

The information generated about your use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. However, if IP anonymization is activated on this website, your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of our website, compiling reports on website activity and providing us with other services relating to website activity and internet usage. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with other Google data.

This website uses Google Analytics with the extension “_anonymizeIp()”. This means that IP addresses are further processed in abbreviated form, thus excluding the possibility of personal references. If the data collected about you is personally identifiable, it is immediately excluded and the personal data is deleted immediately.

We use Google Analytics to analyze and regularly improve the use of our website. We can use the statistics obtained to improve our offer and make it more interesting for you as a user.

Google Analytics is only used if you expressly consent to its use. The legal basis for the processing is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter a) GDPR (consent) in conjunction with § 25 para. 1 TTDSG. The transfer of data to the USA is based on the adequacy decision of the European Commission of 10.07.2023. In accordance with Art. 45 GDPR, the European Commission may determine by adequacy decision that a level of data protection equivalent to that of the EU prevails in a country outside the European Union. For the USA, the European Commission has stipulated that companies based there must also be certified under the Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (“TADPF”). Through certification, the companies concerned undertake to comply with certain regulations stipulated by the TADPF, which ensure an appropriate level of data protection. Google is also certified under the TADPF.

We have compiled some links with further information for you below:

• Google Analytics terms of use: http://www.google.com/analytics/terms/de.html

• Google Analytics & data protection: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245

• Data protection information Google:

http://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy

5. general inquiries

If you contact us by post, e-mail, contact form, telephone or fax, we will store and process your request, including all resulting personal data, for the purpose of processing your request. We will not pass on this data without your consent.

5.1 Legal basis for data processing

This data is processed on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter b) GDPR if your request is related to the performance of a contract concluded with us or is necessary for the implementation of pre-contractual measures and on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter a) GDPR if it is based on your prior consent. Otherwise, the processing is based on Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter f) GDPR, as we have a legitimate interest in the effective processing of the inquiries addressed to us. In addition, we may also be authorized pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. c) GDPR, as we are legally obliged to enable fast electronic contact and direct communication to or with us.

5.2 Duration of storage

Your data will only be used strictly for the purpose of processing and answering your request and will be deleted after final processing, provided that we are not subject to any statutory retention obligations.

You have the option to withdraw your consent to the processing of personal data at any time and to object to the storage of your personal data that you have transmitted to us. In this case, the conversation cannot be continued. All personal data stored in the course of contacting us will then be deleted.

We would like to point out that the confidentiality of e-mails or other electronic forms of communication on the Internet cannot be guaranteed. We recommend sending confidential information by post.

5.3 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 the event of follow-up questions. We will not pass on this data without your consent. The data entered in the contact form is therefore processed exclusively on the basis of your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time. All you need to do is send us an informal email. The legality of the data processing operations carried out until the revocation remains unaffected by the revocation. We will retain the data you provide on the contact form until you request its deletion, revoke your consent for its storage, or the purpose for its storage no longer pertains (e.g. after fulfilling your request). Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular retention periods – remain unaffected. The paperform.co contact form used for our inquiries is GDPR compliant. You can find more information here: https://help.paperform.co/about-paperform/security/paperform-and-gdpr

6. integration of social media plugins

We currently use various social media plug-ins, which are listed below. We use the so-called two-click solution. This means that when you visit our site, no personal data is initially passed on to the providers of the plug-ins. You can recognize the provider of the plug-in by the marking on the box above its initial letter or the logo. We give you the option of communicating directly with the provider of the plug-in via the button. Only if you click on the marked field and thereby activate it will the plug-in provider receive the information that you have accessed the corresponding website of our online offering. In addition, the data collected when you visit our website is transmitted. By activating the plug-in, your personal data is therefore transmitted to the respective plug-in provider and stored there (in the case of US providers in the USA). As the plug-in provider collects data in particular via cookies, we recommend that you delete all cookies via your browser’s security settings before clicking on the grayed-out box.

We have no influence on the data collected and data processing procedures, nor are we aware of the full extent of data collection, the purposes of processing or the storage periods. We also have no information on the deletion of the data collected by the plug-in provider.

The plug-in provider stores the data collected as user profiles and uses them for the purposes of advertising, market research and/or the needs-based design of its website. Such an evaluation is carried out in particular (even for users who are not logged in) to display needs-based advertising and to inform other users of the social network about your activities on our website. You have the right to object to the creation of these user profiles, whereby you must contact the respective plug-in provider to exercise this right. We offer you the opportunity to interact with the social networks and other users via the plug-ins so that we can improve our offering and make it more interesting for you as a user. The legal basis for the use of the plug-ins is Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 letter f) GDPR.

Data is passed on regardless of whether you have an account with the plug-in provider and are logged in there. If you are logged in with the plug-in provider, your data collected by us will be assigned directly to your existing account with the plug-in provider. If you click the activated button, the plug-in provider also saves this information in your user account and can share it publicly with your contacts. We recommend that you log out regularly after using a social network, but especially before activating the button, as this will prevent you from being assigned to your profile with the plug-in provider.

Further information on the purpose and scope of data collection and its processing by the plug-in provider can be found in the data protection declarations of these providers provided below. There you will also find further information on your rights in this regard and setting options to protect your privacy.

Addresses of the respective plug-in providers used and URL with their data protection notices:

6.1.1 LinkedIn

Provider: LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland

Privacy policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

Opt-out: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out

7. children & teenagers

Our services are generally aimed at adults. Persons under the age of 18 should not transmit any personal data to us without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

8. obligation to make available

There is no legal obligation to provide us with personal data.

9. profiling

Automated decision-making within the meaning of Art. 22 GDPR does not take place.

10. your rights

In this section, we inform you about your rights in relation to your personal data.

Requests for information, correction and deletion as well as the revocation or objection regarding the further use of the data possibly given to us can be declared informally to the above-mentioned addresses.

10.1 Revocation of consent

If the processing of personal data is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw this consent at any time. As a result, we may no longer continue the data processing that was based on this consent in the future. The withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

10.2 Right to confirmation

You have the right to request confirmation from the controller as to whether we are processing personal data concerning you. You can request confirmation at any time using the contact details above.

10.3 Right to information

If personal data is processed, you can request information about this personal data and the following information at any time:

1. the purposes of processing;
2. the categories of personal data that are processed;
3. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organizations;
4. where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;
5. the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you or to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
6. the existence of a right of appeal to a supervisory authority;
7. if the personal data are not collected from the data subject, all available information about the origin of the data;
8. the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

If personal data is transferred to a third country or to an international organization, you have the right to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer. We will provide a copy of the personal data that is the subject of the processing. We may charge a reasonable fee based on administrative costs for any further copies you request. If you make the request electronically, the information shall be provided in a commonly used electronic format, unless otherwise specified. The right to receive a copy in accordance with paragraph 3 must not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of other persons.

10.4 Right to rectification

You have the right to obtain from us without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, you have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement.

10.5 Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)

You have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay and we are obliged to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

1. The personal data are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
2. The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1), or point (a) of Article 9(2) GDPR, and where there is no other legal ground for the processing.
3. The data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 (2) GDPR.
4. The personal data was processed unlawfully.
5. The deletion of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation under Union law or the law of the Member States to which the controller is subject.
6. The personal data was collected in relation to information society services offered in accordance with Art. 8 para. 1 GDPR.

If the controller has made the personal data public and is obliged to erase it pursuant to paragraph 1, it shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, taking into account the available technology and the cost of implementation, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that a data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, that personal data.

The right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”) does not exist if the processing is necessary:

• to exercise the right to freedom of expression and information;
• for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
• for reasons of public interest in the area of public health pursuant to Art. 9 (2) (h) and (i) and Art. 9 (3) GDPR;
• for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 para. 1 GDPR, insofar as the right referred to in para. 1 is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing, or
• for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims.

10.6 Right to restriction of processing

You have the right to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data if one of the following conditions is met:

• the accuracy of the personal data is contested by the data subject, for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data,
• the processing is unlawful and the data subject opposes the erasure of the personal data and requests the restriction of their use instead;
• the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of the processing, but they are required by the data subject for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, or
• the data subject has objected to processing pursuant to Art. 21 (1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override those of the data subject.

Where processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, such personal data shall, with the exception of storage, only be processed with the data subject’s consent or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State.

10.7 Right to information

If you have asserted the right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to notify all recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed of this rectification or erasure of the data or restriction of processing, unless this proves impossible or involves a disproportionate effort.

You have the right to be informed about these recipients by the controller.

10.8 Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format and you have the right to transmit those data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data have been provided, where one of the following applies

1. the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) or Art. 9(2)(a) or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR, and
2. the processing is carried out using automated procedures.

When exercising the right to data portability pursuant to para. 1, you have the right to obtain that the personal data be transferred directly from one controller to another controller, insofar as this is technically feasible. The exercise of the right to data portability does not affect the right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”). This right does not apply to processing that is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

10.9 Right of objection

Pursuant to Art. 21 GDPR, you have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6 (1) e) or f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions. The controller shall no longer process the personal data unless the controller demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights and freedoms of the data subject or for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

Where personal data are processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to processing of personal data concerning you for such marketing, which includes profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing. If you object to processing for direct marketing purposes, the personal data will no longer be processed for these purposes.

In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, you may exercise your right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you which is carried out for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89 (1), unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

10.10 Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes this Regulation.

The supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Art. 78 GDPR.

A list of the supervisory authorities and their contact details can be found at the following link: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html.

11. changes

Due to the rapid development of the Internet and data protection law, we expressly reserve the right to make changes to this privacy policy.