Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of personal data (hereinafter also referred to as "data") we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. This privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both as part of the provision of our services and in particular on our websites, in mobile applications, and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "online offering").

The terms used are gender-neutral.

Last updated: February 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Controller

Michael Backes
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Str. 7a
83043 Bad Aibling
Germany

Email: michael@atc.photography

Legal Notice (Impressum): https://along-the-coast.com/en/impressum

Overview of Data Processing

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed, the purposes of processing, and the categories of affected individuals.

Types of Processed Data

  • Inventory data.
  • Location data.
  • Contact data.
  • Content data.
  • Usage data.
  • Meta, communication, and procedural data.
  • Log data.

Categories of Data Subjects

  • Communication partners.
  • Users.

Purposes of Processing

  • Communication.
  • Security measures.
  • Direct marketing.
  • Feedback.
  • Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Information technology infrastructure.
  • Public relations .

Relevant Legal Bases

Legal Bases under the GDPR: The following section provides an overview of the legal bases of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on which we process personal data. Please note that, in addition to the provisions of the GDPR, national data protection laws applicable in your country or ours may also apply. If more specific legal bases are relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in this privacy policy.

  • Consent (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. a GDPR) - The data subject has given their consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes.
  • Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or a third party, provided that such interests are not overridden by the interests, fundamental rights, or freedoms of the data subject requiring the protection of personal data.

National Data Protection Regulations in Germany: In addition to the GDPR, national data protection regulations apply in Germany. This includes, in particular, the Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – BDSG), which contains specific provisions on the right of access, the right to deletion, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, data transfers, and automated decision-making, including profiling. Additionally, data protection laws of individual German federal states may apply.

Applicability of the GDPR and the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG): This privacy policy serves to provide information under both the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For better clarity and broader applicability, we use the terminology of the GDPR. Specifically, instead of the terms used in the Swiss DSG, such as "processing" of "personal data," "overriding interest," and "particularly sensitive personal data," we use the GDPR terms "processing" of "personal data," "legitimate interest," and "special categories of data." However, where the Swiss DSG applies, the legal meaning of these terms remains as defined under Swiss law.

Security Measures

In accordance with legal requirements and considering the state of the art, implementation costs, the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of risks to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, we implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

These measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as access, input, transmission, availability, and separation of the data itself. Additionally, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the deletion of data, and responses to data security threats. Furthermore, we take data protection into account when developing or selecting hardware, software, and processes in accordance with the principles of data protection by design and by default.

Securing Online Connections with TLS/SSL Encryption Technology (HTTPS): To protect user data transmitted through our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the foundations of secure data transmission on the internet. These technologies encrypt the information exchanged between a website or app and the user's browser (or between two servers), ensuring data remains protected from unauthorized access.

TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, guarantees that all data transfers comply with the highest security standards. When a website is secured with an SSL/TLS certificate, this is indicated by the HTTPS prefix in the URL. This serves as a visible indicator for users that their data is being securely and encryptedly transmitted.

Disclosure of Personal Data

In the course of processing personal data, it may be necessary to disclose such data to other entities, companies, legally independent organizational units, or individuals. Recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers tasked with IT-related responsibilities or providers of services and content integrated into our website. In such cases, we comply with legal requirements and, in particular, enter into contracts or agreements with the recipients of your data to ensure its protection.

International Data Transfers

Data Processing in Third Countries: If we process data in a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if data processing occurs as part of the use of third-party services or through the disclosure or transfer of data to other persons, entities, or companies, such processing is conducted only in compliance with legal requirements.

Where the European Commission has recognized an adequate level of data protection in a third country through an adequacy decision (Art. 45 GDPR), this serves as the legal basis for data transfers. In the absence of such a decision, data transfers will only take place if appropriate safeguards are in place, particularly through Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46(2)(c) GDPR), explicit consent, or where necessary for contractual or legal obligations (Art. 49(1) GDPR).

For each third-country transfer, we provide information on the applicable legal basis. Adequacy decisions take precedence where applicable. Information on third-country transfers and existing adequacy decisions can be found on the European Commission's website: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/international-dimension-data-protection_en.

As part of the "Data Privacy Framework" (DPF), the European Commission recognized certain U.S. companies as providing an adequate level of data protection under its adequacy decision of July 10, 2023. The list of certified companies and additional details on the DPF can be found on the U.S. Department of Commerce website: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/. We provide details in our privacy notices regarding which service providers we use that are certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

General Information on Data Storage and Deletion

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal requirements as soon as the underlying consent is revoked or there are no other legal bases for processing. This applies in cases where the original purpose of processing no longer exists or the data is no longer needed. Exceptions to this rule apply when legal obligations or specific interests require a longer retention or archiving period.

In particular, data that must be retained for commercial or tax purposes or whose storage is necessary for legal prosecution or the protection of the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our privacy notices provide additional information on the retention and deletion of data that apply specifically to certain processing activities.

If multiple retention periods or deletion deadlines apply to a specific dataset, the longest period shall always prevail.

If a retention period does not explicitly begin on a specific date and is at least one year, it will automatically start at the end of the calendar year in which the triggering event occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships where data is stored, the triggering event for the retention period is the date on which the termination becomes effective or the legal relationship otherwise ends.

Data that is no longer needed for its originally intended purpose but must be retained due to legal requirements or other reasons will only be processed for the purposes that justify its retention.

Further Information on Processing Activities, Procedures, and Services:

  • Retention and Deletion of Data: The following general retention and archiving periods apply under German law:
    • 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, as well as the necessary work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (§ 147(1) No. 1 in conjunction with § 147(3) German Fiscal Code (AO), § 14b(1) German VAT Act (UStG), § 257(1) No. 1 in conjunction with § 257(4) German Commercial Code (HGB)).
    • 8 years – Retention period for accounting records such as invoices and cost receipts (§ 147(1) No. 4 and 4a in conjunction with § 147(3) Sentence 1 AO, § 257(1) No. 4 in conjunction with § 257(4) HGB).
    • 6 years – Retention period for other business records, including received commercial or business letters, copies of sent commercial or business letters, and other documents relevant to taxation, such as payroll records, cost accounting documents, pricing records, and cash register receipts, unless they are already accounting records (§ 147(1) No. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with § 147(3) AO, § 257(1) No. 2 and 3 in conjunction with § 257(4) HGB).
    • 3 years – Retention period for data required to consider potential warranty and compensation claims or similar contractual claims and rights, as well as related inquiries. This period is based on standard legal limitation periods of three years, as derived from past business experience and common industry practices (§§ 195, 199 German Civil Code (BGB)).

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of Data Subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject, you have various rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly as set out in Articles 15 to 21 GDPR:

  • Right to Object: You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of your personal data based on Article 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If your personal data is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of your personal data for such marketing; this also applies to profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: You have the right to withdraw any consent you have given at any time.
  • Right of Access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether your personal data is being processed and to receive information about this data, as well as additional details and a copy of the data, in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to Rectification: You have the right, in accordance with legal requirements, to request the completion of your data or the correction of inaccurate personal data concerning you.
  • Right to Erasure and Restriction of Processing: You have the right, under legal requirements, to request the immediate deletion of your personal data, or alternatively, to request the restriction of its processing in accordance with legal provisions.
  • Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive the personal data you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, or to request its transfer to another controller, in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority: Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, particularly in the EU Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement, if you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the GDPR.

Provision of the Online Offering and Web Hosting

We process user data to provide our online services. For this purpose, we process the user's IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the user's browser or device.

  • Types of Processed Data: Usage data (e.g., page views and duration of visits, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Log data (e.g., log files related to logins, data retrievals, or access times).
  • Categories of Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness. Information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices such as computers, servers, etc.). Security measures.
  • Retention and Deletion: Data is deleted in accordance with the provisions outlined in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion."
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further Information on Processing Activities, Procedures, and Services:

  • Hosting the Online Offering on Own/Dedicated Server Hardware: We provide our online services using server hardware operated by us, including associated storage space, computing capacity, and software. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).
  • Collection of Access Data and Log Files: Access to our online offering is logged in so-called "server log files." These log files may include: The address and name of the accessed web pages and files. Date and time of access. Transferred data volume. Status message regarding successful retrieval. Browser type and version. The user's operating system. Referrer URL (the previously visited page). Typically, IP addresses and the requesting provider. Purpose of Log File Processing: Security purposes, such as preventing server overload (particularly in cases of abusive attacks, e.g., DDoS attacks). Ensuring server performance and stability. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Data deletion: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data required for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident is fully resolved.

Use of Cookies

The term "cookies" refers to functions that store and retrieve information on users' devices. Cookies may be used for various purposes, including ensuring the functionality, security, and usability of online services, as well as analyzing visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. Where required, we obtain users' prior consent. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies when storing and retrieving information is essential to provide explicitly requested content and functions, such as saving preferences or ensuring the functionality and security of our online offering.

Users can withdraw their consent at any time. We provide clear information about the scope of consent and the cookies used.

Legal Basis for Data Processing Using Cookies: Whether we process personal data using cookies depends on user consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, as described in this section and in the context of the respective services and processes.

Storage Duration of Cookies: The following types of cookies are distinguished based on their storage duration:

  • Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user leaves an online service and closes their device (e.g., browser or mobile application).
  • Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the user closes their device. This allows login statuses to be retained and preferred content to be displayed directly when a user revisits a website. Additionally, cookies may be used for reach measurement. If we do not explicitly specify the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., when obtaining consent), users should assume that they are permanent and may be stored for up to two years.

General Information on Withdrawal and Objection (Opt-Out): Users can withdraw their consent at any time and object to data processing in accordance with legal requirements, including by adjusting their browser's privacy settings.

  • Types of Processed Datan: Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons).
  • Categories of Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Newsletter and Electronic Notifications

We send newsletters, emails, and other electronic notifications (hereinafter referred to as "newsletters") only with the recipient's consent or based on a legal basis. If the content of a newsletter is specified during the subscription process, it is relevant for user consent. To subscribe to our newsletter, providing your email address is usually sufficient. However, to offer a more personalized experience, we may ask for your name (for personalized greetings in the newsletter) or other information necessary for the purpose of the newsletter.

Deletion and Restriction of Processing: We may store unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them, to demonstrate prior consent if necessary. The processing of this data is strictly limited to defending against potential claims. A request for individual deletion is possible at any time, provided that the former existence of consent is confirmed.

If we are required to permanently respect objections, we reserve the right to store the email address in a suppression list (also known as a "blocklist") for this purpose alone.

We log the subscription process based on our legitimate interests to verify its proper execution. If we engage a service provider to send emails, this is done based on our legitimate interest in an efficient and secure email distribution system.

Content:

Information about new images and posts on the website.

  • Types of Processed Data: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact details, customer number, etc.). Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses, phone numbers). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Usage data (e.g., page views, time spent on the site, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems, interactions with content and functions).
  • Categories of Data Subjects: Communication partners.
  • Purpose of Processing: Direct marketing (e.g., via email or postal mail).
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. a GDPR).
  • Opt-Out Option: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time, meaning you can withdraw your consent or object to further receipt. A link to unsubscribe is provided at the bottom of every newsletter, or you can use one of the contact options listed above (preferably via email) to request removal.

Presence on Social Networks (Social Media)

We maintain online presences on social networks and process user data in this context to communicate with active users or provide information about our services.

We note that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may pose risks for users, as it could make it more difficult to enforce their rights.

Additionally, user data within social networks is typically processed for market research and advertising purposes. User profiles may be created based on user behavior and interests. These profiles can, in turn, be used to display advertisements within and outside the networks that are presumed to match user interests.

To facilitate this, cookies are generally stored on users' devices, collecting information about their usage behavior and interests. These user profiles may also include cross-device data, particularly if users are logged into their respective social media accounts.

For detailed information on the respective forms of processing and opt-out options, please refer to the privacy policies and settings of the social network operators.

If you have requests for information or wish to exercise your data subject rights, we recommend that you contact the platform providers directly, as they have access to the relevant user data and can take appropriate action. However, if you need further assistance, you may contact us.

  • Types of Processed Data: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses, phone numbers). Content data (e.g., text or image-based messages and posts, as well as metadata such as authorship details or timestamps). Usage data (e.g., page views, time spent on the platform, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems, interactions with content and features).
  • Categories of Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Communication. Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online forms). Public relations.
  • Retention and Deletion: Data is deleted in accordance with the provisions outlined in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion."
  • Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Further Information on Processing Activities, Procedures, and Services:

  • Pinterest: Social network allowing users to share photos, comment, favorite, curate posts, send messages, and subscribe to profiles. Service provider: Pinterest Europe Limited, 2nd Floor, Palmerston House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Irland; Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR). Website: https://www.pinterest.com. Privacy Policy: https://policy.pinterest.com/en/privacy-policy.

Plug-ins and Embedded Functions and Content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offering that are retrieved from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as "third-party providers"). These elements may include, for example, graphics, videos, or maps (collectively referred to as "content").

Embedding such content always requires that the third-party providers process the user's IP address, as they cannot send the content to the user's browser without it. The IP address is therefore necessary for displaying these contents or functions. We strive to use only content whose providers use the IP address solely for delivering the content.

Third-party providers may also use pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as "web beacons") for statistical or marketing purposes. These pixel tags allow visitor traffic on this website to be analyzed. Additionally, the pseudonymous information collected through pixel tags may be stored in cookies on the user’s device. These cookies may contain technical details about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times, and additional information about the use of our online offering. Such data may also be linked to other information from different sources.

Legal Basis: If we request users’ consent to the use of third-party services, the legal basis for data processing is the granted consent. Otherwise, user data is processed based on our legitimate interests (i.e., interest in efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly services). We also refer users to the section on cookies in this privacy policy for further information on the use of cookies.

  • Usage data (e.g., page views, time spent on pages, click paths, usage intensity and frequency, device types and operating systems, interactions with content and features). Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, timestamps, identification numbers, involved persons). Location data (e.g., geographical position of a device or person).
  • Categories of Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
  • Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online offering and user-friendliness.
  • Retention and Deletion: Data is deleted in accordance with the provisions outlined in the section "General Information on Data Storage and Deletion." Cookies and similar storage methods may be stored on users’ devices for up to two years, unless otherwise specified.
  • Legal Basis: Consent (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. a GDPR). Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1) Sentence 1 lit. f GDPR).

Changes and Updates

We encourage you to regularly review the contents of this privacy policy. We will update this privacy policy whenever changes to our data processing activities make this necessary. We will inform you if these changes require your cooperation (e.g., providing consent) or any other form of individual notification.

If we provide addresses and contact details of companies or organizations in this privacy policy, please note that these addresses may change over time. We kindly ask you to verify the information before contacting them.

Created using the free privacy policy generator from Dr. Thomas Schwenke. The translation has been provided by the website operator.