Privacy Policy

1. An overview of data protection

General

The following gives a simple overview of what happens to your personal information when you visit our website. Personal information is any data with which you could be personally identified. Detailed information on the subject of data protection can be found in our privacy policy found below.

Data collection on our website

Who is responsible for the data collection on this website?

The data collected on this website are processed by the website operator. The operator's contact details can be found in the website's required legal notice.

How do we collect your data?

Some data are collected when you provide it to us. This could, for example, be data you enter on a contact form.

Other data are collected automatically by our IT systems when you visit the website. These data are primarily technical data such as the browser and operating system you are using or when you accessed the page. These data are collected automatically as soon as you enter our website.

What do we use your data for?

Part of the data is collected to ensure the proper functioning of the website. Other data can be used to analyze how visitors use the site.

What rights do you have regarding your data?

You always have the right to request information about your stored data, its origin, its recipients, and the purpose of its collection at no charge. You also have the right to request that it be corrected, blocked, or deleted. You can contact us at any time using the address given in the legal notice if you have further questions about the issue of privacy and data protection. You may also, of course, file a complaint with the competent regulatory authorities.

Analytics and third-party tools

When visiting our website, statistical analyses may be made of your surfing behavior. This happens primarily using cookies and analytics. The analysis of your surfing behavior is usually anonymous, i.e. we will not be able to identify you from this data. You can object to this analysis or prevent it by not using certain tools. Detailed information can be found in the following privacy policy.

You can object to this analysis. We will inform you below about how to exercise your options in this regard.

2. General information and mandatory information

Data protection

The operators of this website take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We treat your personal data as confidential and in accordance with the statutory data protection regulations and this privacy policy.

If you use this website, various pieces of personal data will be collected. Personal information is any data with which you could be personally identified. This privacy policy explains what information we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this happens.

Please note that data transmitted via the internet (e.g. via email communication) may be subject to security breaches. Complete protection of your data from third-party access is not possible.

Notice concerning the party responsible for this website

The party responsible for processing data on this website is:

The American Dream -
US GreenCard Service GmbH
Danckelmannstr. 9
14059 Berlin
Germany

Telephone: +49-30-511 0 511
Contact Form

The responsible party is the natural or legal person who alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (names, email addresses, etc.).

Revocation of your consent to the processing of your data

Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may revoke your consent at any time with future effect. An informal email making this request is sufficient. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

Right to file complaints with regulatory authorities

If there has been a breach of data protection legislation, the person affected may file a complaint with the competent regulatory authorities. The competent regulatory authority for matters related to data protection legislation is the data protection officer of the German state in which our company is headquartered. A list of data protection officers and their contact details can be found at the following link: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html.

Right to data portability

You have the right to have data which we process based on your consent or in fulfillment of a contract automatically delivered to yourself or to a third party in a standard, machine-readable format. If you require the direct transfer of data to another responsible party, this will only be done to the extent technically feasible.

SSL or TLS encryption

This site uses SSL or TLS encryption for security reasons and for the protection of the transmission of confidential content, such as the inquiries you send to us as the site operator. You can recognize an encrypted connection in your browser's address line when it changes from "http://" to "https://" and the lock icon is displayed in your browser's address bar.

If SSL or TLS encryption is activated, the data you transfer to us cannot be read by third parties.

Encrypted payments on this website

If you enter into a contract which requires you to send us your payment information (e.g. account number for direct debits), we will require this data to process your payment.

Payment transactions using common means of payment (Visa/MasterCard, direct debit) are only made via encrypted SSL or TLS connections. You can recognize an encrypted connection in your browser's address line when it changes from "http://" to "https://" and the lock icon in your browser line is visible.

In the case of encrypted communication, any payment details you submit to us cannot be read by third parties.

Information, blocking, deletion

As permitted by law, you have the right to be provided at any time with information free of charge about any of your personal data that is stored as well as its origin, the recipient and the purpose for which it has been processed. You also have the right to have this data corrected, blocked or deleted. You can contact us at any time using the address given in our legal notice if you have further questions on the topic of personal data.

Opposition to promotional emails

We hereby expressly prohibit the use of contact data published in the context of website legal notice requirements with regard to sending promotional and informational materials not expressly requested. The website operator reserves the right to take specific legal action if unsolicited advertising material, such as email spam, is received.

3. Data collection on our website

Cookies

Some of our web pages use cookies. Cookies do not harm your computer and do not contain any viruses. Cookies help make our website more user-friendly, efficient, and secure. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer and saved by your browser.

Most of the cookies we use are so-called "session cookies." They are automatically deleted after your visit. Other cookies remain in your device's memory until you delete them. These cookies make it possible to recognize your browser when you next visit the site.

You can configure your browser to inform you about the use of cookies so that you can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept or reject a cookie. Alternatively, your browser can be configured to automatically accept cookies under certain conditions or to always reject them, or to automatically delete cookies when closing your browser. Disabling cookies may limit the functionality of this website.

Cookies which are necessary to allow electronic communications or to provide certain functions you wish to use (such as the shopping cart) are stored pursuant to Art. 6 paragraph 1, letter f of DSGVO. The website operator has a legitimate interest in the storage of cookies to ensure an optimized service provided free of technical errors. If other cookies (such as those used to analyze your surfing behavior) are also stored, they will be treated separately in this privacy policy.

Server log files

The website provider automatically collects and stores information that your browser automatically transmits to us in "server log files". These are:

• Browser type and browser version
• Operating system used
• Referrer URL
• Host name of the accessing computer
• Time of the server request
• IP address

These data will not be combined with data from other sources.

The basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) (f) DSGVO, which allows the processing of data to fulfill a contract or for measures preliminary to a contract.

Usercentrics

We use the consent management service Usercentrics, of Usercentrics GmbH, Sendlinger Str. 7, 80331 Munich, Germany (Usercentrics). This allows us to obtain and manage the consent of website users for data processing. The processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation (article 7, paragraph 1, GDPR) to which we are subject (article 6, paragraph 1, sentence 1, letter c, GDPR).

The following data is processed for this purpose:

• Date and time of access
• Browser information
• Device information
• Geographic location
• Cookie preferences
• URL of the visited page

The functionality of the website is not guaranteed without the processing. Usercentrics is a recipient of your personal data and acts as a processor for us.

The processing takes place in the European Union. For more information on objection and removal options towards Usercentrics, please visit: https://usercentrics.com/privacy-policy/

The data will be deleted after 3 years.

Please take note of our general comments about deleting and deactivating cookies above.

Contact form

Should you send us questions via the contact form, we will collect the data entered on the form, including the contact details you provide, to answer your question and any follow-up questions. We do not share this information without your permission.

We will, therefore, process any data you enter onto the contact form only with your consent per Art. 6 (1)(a) DSGVO. You may revoke your consent at any time. An informal email making this request is sufficient. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

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). Any mandatory statutory provisions, especially those regarding mandatory data retention periods, remain unaffected by this provision.

Registration on this website

You can register on our website in order to access additional functions offered here. The input data will only be used for the purpose of using the respective site or service for which you have registered. The mandatory information requested during registration must be provided in full. Otherwise, we will reject your registration.

To inform you about important changes such as those within the scope of our site or technical changes, we will use the email address specified during registration.

We will process the data provided during registration only based on your consent per Art. 6 (1)(a) DSGVO. You may revoke your consent at any time with future effect. An informal email making this request is sufficient. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

We will continue to store the data collected during registration for as long as you remain registered on our website. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

Processing of data (customer and contract data)

We collect, process, and use personal data only insofar as it is necessary to establish, or modify legal relationships with us (master data). This is done based on Art. 6 (1) (b) DSGVO, which allows the processing of data to fulfill a contract or for measures preliminary to a contract. We collect, process and use your personal data when accessing our website (usage data) only to the extent required to enable you to access our service or to bill you for the same.

Collected customer data shall be deleted after completion of the order or termination of the business relationship. Legal retention periods remain unaffected.

Data transferred when signing up for services and digital content

We transmit personally identifiable data to third parties only to the extent required to fulfill the terms of your contract with us, for example, to banks entrusted to process your payments.

Your data will not be transmitted for any other purpose unless you have given your express permission to do so. Your data will not be disclosed to third parties for advertising purposes without your express consent.

The basis for data processing is Art. 6 (1) (b) DSGVO, which allows the processing of data to fulfill a contract or for measures preliminary to a contract.

4. Analytics and advertising

Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service. It is operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.

Google Analytics uses so-called "cookies". These are text files that are stored on your computer and that allow an analysis of the use of the website by you. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

Google Analytics cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) DSGVO. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

IP anonymization

We have activated the IP anonymization feature on this website. Your IP address will be shortened by Google within the European Union or other parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area prior to transmission to the United States. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address sent to a Google server in the US and shortened there. Google will use this information on behalf of the operator of this website to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity, and to provide other services regarding website activity and Internet usage for the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be merged with any other data held by Google.

Browser plugin

You can prevent these cookies being stored by selecting the appropriate settings in your browser. However, we wish to point out that doing so may mean you will not be able to enjoy the full functionality of this website. You can also prevent the data generated by cookies about your use of the website (incl. your IP address) from being passed to Google, and the processing of these data by Google, by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.

Objecting to the collection of data

You can prevent the collection of your data by Google Analytics by clicking on the following link. An opt-out cookie will be set to prevent your data from being collected on future visits to this site: Disable Google Analytics.

For more information about how Google Analytics handles user data, see Google's privacy policy: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en.

Outsourced data processing

We have entered into an agreement with Google for the outsourcing of our data processing and fully implement the strict requirements of the German data protection authorities when using Google Analytics.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is used as a web traffic proxy to help ensure our website is secure. Web traffic is sent firstly to Cloudflare & then on to our web server. Cloudflare proactively filters web traffic to ensure bots are blocked & legitimate requests are allowed. Cloudflare logs a visitors’ IP address which helps it to mitigate attacks from bots & filter out good/bad traffic. These logs are cleared periodically & save no personal data about the users visiting our website.

You can view Cloudflare’s privacy policy here: https://www.cloudflare.com/security-policy/

Rollbar

We use Rollbar as an error tracking tool to identify any errors in the system or software code and thus provide our users with better service. It may happen that personal user data is also registered together with the information about the error. Rollbar, Inc. is certified under the EU/Swiss-US Privacy Shield. You can find further information on Rollbar’s data protection policies at https://rollbar.com/privacy. 

Google Adwords

This website uses Google AdWords. AdWords is an online advertising program from Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States (“Google”).

As part of Google AdWords, we use so-called conversion tracking. When you click on an ad served by Google, a conversion tracking cookie is set. Cookies are small text files that your internet browser stores on your computer. These cookies expire after 30 days and are not used for personal identification of the user. Should the user visit certain pages of the website and the cookie has not yet expired, Google and the website can tell that the user clicked on the ad and proceeded to that page.

Each Google AdWords advertiser has a different cookie. Thus, cookies cannot be tracked using the website of an AdWords advertiser. The information obtained using the conversion cookie is used to create conversion statistics for the AdWords advertisers who have opted for conversion tracking. Customers are told the total number of users who clicked on their ad and were redirected to a conversion tracking tag page. However, advertisers do not obtain any information that can be used to personally identify users. If you do not want to participate in tracking, you can opt-out of this by easily disabling the Google Conversion Tracking cookie by changing your browser settings. In doing so, you will not be included in the conversion tracking statistics.

Conversion cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) DSGVO. The website operator has a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both its website and its advertising.

For more information about Google AdWords and Google Conversion Tracking, see the Google Privacy Policy: https://www.google.de/policies/privacy/. 

5. Newsletter

Newsletter data

If you would like to receive our newsletter, we require a valid email address as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and that you agree to receive this newsletter. No additional data is collected or is only collected on a voluntary basis. We only use this data to send the requested information and do not pass it on to third parties.

We will, therefore, process any data you enter onto the contact form only with your consent per Art. 6 (1) (a) DSGVO. You can revoke consent to the storage of your data and email address as well as their use for sending the newsletter at any time, e.g. through the "unsubscribe" link in the newsletter. The data processed before we receive your request may still be legally processed.

The data provided when registering for the newsletter will be used to distribute the newsletter until you cancel your subscription when said data will be deleted. Data we have stored for other purposes (e.g. email addresses for the members area) remain unaffected.

inxmail

Our email newsletters are sent via the technical service provider Inxmail GmbH, Wentzigerstr. 17, 79106 Freiburg, Germany, Tel.: +49 761 296979-0, Email: [email protected], https://www.inxmail.de, to whom we pass on the data you provided when registering for the newsletter.

This forwarding takes place within the scope of order processing by Inxmail. Please note that your data is usually transferred to a server of Inxmail and stored there.

Inxmail uses this information to send and statistically evaluate the newsletters on our behalf. For the evaluation, the emails sent contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which are single-pixel image files stored on our website.

This makes it possible to determine whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links, if any, have been clicked on. Technical information is also recorded (e.g. time of retrieval, IP address, browser type and operating system). The data is collected only in a pseudonymous form and is not linked to your other personal data, a direct personal reference is excluded.

This data is used only for the statistical analysis of newsletter campaigns. The results of these analyses can be used to better adapt future newsletters to the interests of the recipients. If you wish to object to the data analysis for statistical evaluation purposes, you must unsubscribe from the newsletter.

You can revoke the consent you have given at any time. You can also prevent the processing at any time by unsubscribing from the newsletter. You can also prevent the storage of cookies by setting your web browser accordingly. You can also prevent the storage and transmission of personal data by deactivating JavaScript in your web browser or installing a JavaScript blocker (e.g. https://noscript.net or https://www.ghostery.com). We would like to point out that these measures may mean that not all functions of our website are available.

Furthermore, Inxmail may use this data itself in accordance with Art. 6 (1) f) DSGVO on the basis of its own legitimate interest in designing and optimizing the service in line with demand, as well as for market research purposes, for example to determine which countries the recipients come from. However, Inxmail does not use the data of our newsletter recipients to write to them itself or to pass it on to third parties.

You can view Inxmail's data protection provisions here: https://www.inxmail.de/datenschutz.

Newsletter tracking

Our newsletters contain so-called tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a miniature graphic that is embedded in such emails that are sent in HTML format to enable log file recording and log file analysis. This enables statistical evaluation of the success or failure of online marketing campaigns. Based on the embedded tracking pixel, the company can see if and when an e-mail was opened by you and which links in the e-mail were called up by you.

Such personal data collected via the tracking pixels contained in the newsletters, are stored and evaluated by us in order to optimize the newsletter dispatch and to better adapt the content of future newsletters to your interests. This personal data will not be passed on to third parties. Data subjects are entitled at any time to revoke the separate declaration of consent given in this regard via the double opt-in procedure. After a revocation, this personal data will be deleted by us. We automatically interpret an unsubscription from the receipt of the newsletter as a revocation.

Such an evaluation is carried out in particular in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) DSGVO on the basis of our legitimate interests in the insertion of personalized advertising, market research and/or needs-based design of our website.

6. Payment service providers

For the use of payment systems on our internet store portal we use GiroSolution GmbH as payment service provider. By means of an interface to their system "GiroCheckout", GiroSolution GmbH ensures the system-side connection of our store portal to the following payment procedures for us:

a) giropay

b) eps

c) IDeal

d) paydirekt

e) credit cards

f) GiroCode

g) direct debit

h) PayPal

i) Sofort 

Depending on the payment method, the following data is first passed on or retrieved to GiroSolution GmbH via GiroCheckout and then to the respective payment system and their service providers for the processing of payments: 

a) Name and first name

b) IBAN

c) e-mail address

d) Information on the age of majority for giropay ID - age verification (the date of birth is not forwarded)

e) Information on the confirmation of the account details for giropay ID - account verification (IBAN and the BIC as well as the first and last name of the associated account holder)

 Further information can be found in the GiroSolution GmbH terms and conditions (www.girosolution.de).

Legal basis for data processing:

The legal basis for the data processing and for the transfer of the data to the above-mentioned third parties is Art. 6 paragraph 1 lit. b DSGVO. In addition, Art. 6 paragraph 1 lit. f DSGVO is the legal basis for data processing.

Purpose of data processing:

The transmission of the data and the processing of the same is necessary in order to carry out the payment of the transaction made by you on our Shopportal with the payment method selected by you and thus to be able to complete the transaction. The connection of many different payment methods is complex and cost-intensive. Therefore, we use a service provider for the technical connection, in which our legitimate interest in the above data processing by GiroSolution GmbH is justified according to Art. 6 paragraph 1 lit. f DSGVO.

Duration of storage:

The data will be deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. In the case of the above-mentioned data, this is the case when the contract has been settled and there are no longer any claims for return, i.e. after expiry of the statutory warranty or guarantee periods granted. Subject to legal retention periods beyond this point, the data will then be deleted.

Possibility of objection and removal:

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of the data in log files is absolutely necessary for the operation of the website. Consequently, there is no possibility of objection on the part of the user.

PayPal

Our website accepts payments via PayPal. The provider of this service is PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l & Cie, S.C.A. (22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg.

If you select payment via PayPal, the payment data you provide will be supplied to PayPal based on Art. 6 (1) (a) (Consent) and Art. 6 (1) (b) DSGVO (Processing for contract purposes). You have the option to revoke your consent at any time with future effect. It does not affect the processing of data previously collected.

Sofortüberweisung

Our website accepts payments via Sofortüberweisung. The provider of this service is Sofort GmbH, Theresienhöhe 12, 80339 Munich, Germany.

Sofortüberweisung provides us with real-time payment confirmations, allowing us to begin fulfilling our end of our contract right away.

If you opt to pay using Sofortüberweisung, you will be submitting a PIN and a valid TAN to Sofort GmbH so that it can access your online banking account. Sofort GmbH will automatically check your account balance and perform the transfer to our account using the TAN you supply. It then sends an immediate transaction confirmation. After logging in, your income, the overdraft protection, and the availability of other accounts and their balances will be checked.

In addition to the PIN and TAN, the payment details you provide as well as personal information will be sent to Sofort GmbH. This personal information includes your name, address, telephone numbers, email address, IP address, and any other data required to process your payment. This data must be transferred to identify you securely and to prevent fraud.

Data is transmitted to Sofort GmbH based on Art. 6 (1) (a) (Consent) and Art. 6 (1) (b) DSGVO (Processing for contract purposes). You have the option to revoke your consent at any time with future effect. It does not affect the processing of data previously collected.

Please refer to the payment with Sofortüberweisung links below: https://www.sofort.de/datenschutz.html and https://www.klarna.com/sofort/.

7. Chatbot usage

We use a chatbot service from Chatbase on our website. The chatbot enables you to ask questions and receive information.

Data processing by the chatbot

Chatbase's chatbot collects and processes, among other things, personal data that you provide via the chat function. This may include information such as your name, e-mail address, telephone number and other information you provide voluntarily.

Purpose of data processing

The information you provide is used to answer your queries and help you with your request. The processing of your data by the chatbot is based on your consent and is necessary to provide you with the chat function.

Data security

We take appropriate security measures to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the information you provide to us. Please note, however, that the transmission of information via the Internet is never completely secure.

Data transfer

We do not pass on your data to third parties unless this is required by law, or you have given your express consent.

Your rights

You have the right to withdraw your consent to data processing by the chatbot at any time. Further information on your data protection rights can be found in our general privacy policy.

How to contact us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of the Chatbase chatbot, you can contact us at any time.

Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our data processing practices or legal requirements. Please check this statement regularly to stay informed of any updates.

The official Chatbase privacy policy can be found at https://www.chatbase.co/privacy.