PRIVACY POLICY

1. Data Protection at a Glance
General Information
The following information provides a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data means any data that can be used to identify you personally. Detailed information on data protection can be found in the Privacy Policy set out below.
Data Collection on This Website
Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
Data processing on this website is carried out by the website operator. The operator’s contact details can be found in the section “Information on the Controller” in this Privacy Policy.
How do we collect your data?
Some data is collected when you provide it to us. This may, for example, include data that you enter into a contact form.
Other data is collected automatically by our IT systems when you visit the website or after you have given your consent. This primarily comprises technical data, such as your internet browser, operating system or the time at which a page was accessed. This data is collected automatically as soon as you access this website.
What do we use your data for?
Some of the data is collected to ensure that the website functions properly. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour. If contracts can be concluded or initiated via the website, the data submitted will also be processed for contractual offers, orders or other enquiries relating to our services.
What rights do you have regarding your data?
You have the right at any time to obtain information, free of charge, about the origin, recipients and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to request the rectification or erasure of this data. If you have given consent to data processing, you may withdraw this consent at any time with effect for the future. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to request restriction of the processing of your personal data. Furthermore, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.
You may contact us at any time if you have any questions about this or any other matter relating to data protection.

2. Hosting
We host the content of our website with the following provider:
Strato
The provider is Strato AG, Otto-Ostrowski-Straße 7, 10249 Berlin, Germany, hereinafter referred to as “Strato”. When you visit our website, Strato collects various log files, including your IP addresses.
For further information, please refer to Strato’s Privacy Policy:
https://www.strato.de/datenschutz/
The use of Strato is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in ensuring that our website is displayed as reliably as possible. Where consent has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG, insofar as the consent covers the storage of cookies or access to information on the user’s terminal equipment, for example device fingerprinting, within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Data Processing Agreement
We have entered into a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the service referred to above. This is an agreement required under data protection law that ensures that the provider processes the personal data of our website visitors only in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. 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 confidentially and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and this Privacy Policy.
When you use this website, various types of personal data are collected. Personal data means data that can be used to identify you personally. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect and what we use it for. It also explains how and for what purpose this processing takes place.
Please note that data transmitted via the internet, for example when communicating by email, may be subject to security vulnerabilities. Complete protection of data against access by third parties is not possible.
Information on the Controller
The controller responsible for data processing on this website is:
Melanie Viola
Knobelsdorffstraße 94
14050 Berlin
Telefon: +49 (0)172 4477805
E-Mail: contact@melanieviola-fotodesign.de
The controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, such as names, email addresses or similar information.
Storage Period
Unless a more specific storage period is stated in this Privacy Policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for which it was processed no longer applies. If you submit a legitimate request for erasure or withdraw your consent to data processing, your data will be erased unless we have other legally permissible grounds for storing your personal data, for example retention periods under tax or commercial law. In the latter case, the data will be erased once these grounds no longer apply.
General Information on the Legal Bases for Data Processing on This Website
If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 9(2)(a) GDPR where special categories of personal data pursuant to Article 9(1) GDPR are processed. Where you have expressly consented to the transfer of personal data to third countries, the data processing is additionally based on Article 49(1)(a) GDPR.
If you have consented to the storage of cookies or access to information on your terminal equipment, for example by means of device fingerprinting, the processing is additionally based on Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
If your data is required for the performance of a contract or in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract, we process your data on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, where processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation, we process your data on the basis of Article 6(1)(c) GDPR.
Data processing may also be based on our legitimate interests pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. Information on the legal basis applicable in each individual case is provided in the following sections of this Privacy Policy.
Recipients of Personal Data
In the course of our business activities, we work with various external parties. In some cases, it is necessary to transfer personal data to these external parties.
We disclose personal data to external parties only where this is necessary for the performance of a contract, where we are legally obliged to do so, for example by disclosing data to tax authorities, where we have a legitimate interest in disclosure pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, or where another legal basis permits disclosure.
When using processors, we disclose our customers’ personal data only on the basis of a valid data processing agreement. In the case of joint processing, an agreement governing joint controllership is concluded.
Withdrawal of Your Consent to Data Processing
Many data processing operations are only possible with your express consent. You may withdraw consent that you have already given at any time. The lawfulness of data processing carried out prior to withdrawal remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
Right to Object to Data Collection in Specific Cases and to Direct Marketing (Article 21 GDPR)
WHERE DATA PROCESSING IS BASED ON ARTICLE 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME, ON GROUNDS RELATING TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THOSE PROVISIONS. THE APPLICABLE LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING CAN BE FOUND IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY.
IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS THE PERSONAL DATA CONCERNED UNLESS WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR THE PROCESSING IS NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 21(1) GDPR).
WHERE YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PROCESSED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR SUCH MARKETING. THIS INCLUDES PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 21(2) GDPR).
Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Competent Supervisory Authority
In the event of infringements of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of their habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement. This right to lodge a complaint is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy.
Right to Data Portability
You have the right to receive data that we process by automated means on the basis of your consent or in performance of a contract, or to have such data transmitted to a third party, in a commonly used, machine-readable format. If you request the direct transmission of the data to another controller, this will be carried out only where technically feasible.
Right of Access, Rectification and Erasure
Within the framework of the applicable statutory provisions, you have the right at any time to obtain, free of charge, information about your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, and the purpose of the data processing. Where applicable, you also have the right to have this data rectified or erased. You may contact us at any time regarding this or any other questions concerning personal data.
Right to Restriction of Processing
You have the right to request restriction of the processing of your personal data. You may contact us at any time to exercise this right. The right to restriction of processing applies in the following cases:
If you contest the accuracy of your personal data stored by us, we generally require time to verify its accuracy. For the duration of this verification, you have the right to request restriction of the processing of your personal data.
If the processing of your personal data was or is unlawful, you may request restriction of data processing instead of erasure.
If we no longer require your personal data, but you require it for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, you have the right to request restriction of processing instead of erasure.
If you have objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR, your interests and our interests must be weighed against one another. Until it has been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to request restriction of the processing of your personal data.
Where processing of your personal data has been restricted, such data may, apart from storage, be processed only with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of important public interest of the European Union or a Member State.
SSL and TLS Encryption
For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as orders or enquiries that you send to us as the website operator, this website uses SSL or TLS encryption.
You can recognise an encrypted connection by the fact that the browser’s address bar changes from “http://” to “https://” and by the padlock symbol displayed in your browser.
When SSL or TLS encryption is enabled, data that you transmit to us cannot be read by third parties.

4. Data Collection on This Website
Cookies
Our website uses so-called “cookies”. Cookies are small data files and do not cause any damage to your terminal equipment. They are stored either temporarily for the duration of a session, known as session cookies, or permanently, known as persistent cookies, on your terminal equipment. Session cookies are automatically deleted when your visit ends. Persistent cookies remain stored on your terminal equipment until you delete them yourself or they are automatically deleted by your web browser.
Cookies may be set by us, known as first-party cookies, or by third-party companies, known as third-party cookies. Third-party cookies make it possible to integrate certain services provided by third parties into websites, for example cookies used to process payment services.
Cookies perform various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary because certain website functions would not work without them, for example shopping cart functionality or the display of videos. Other cookies may be used to analyse user behaviour or for advertising purposes.
Cookies that are necessary for carrying out electronic communications, providing certain functions requested by you, for example shopping cart functionality, or optimising the website, for example cookies used to measure website audiences, are stored on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) GDPR unless another legal basis is specified.
The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies in order to provide its services in a technically error-free and optimised manner. Where consent to the storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies has been requested, processing is carried out exclusively on the basis of that consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
You can configure your browser to notify you when cookies are set, to allow cookies only in individual cases, to reject cookies in certain cases or generally, and to automatically delete cookies when you close your browser. Disabling cookies may restrict the functionality of this website.
If additional cookies and services are used on this website, information about them can be found in this Privacy Policy.
Contact Form
If you send us enquiries via the contact form, the information you provide in the enquiry form, including the contact details entered there, will be stored by us for the purpose of processing your enquiry and in case of follow-up questions. We do not disclose this data without your consent.
This data is processed on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR if your enquiry relates to the performance of a contract or is necessary in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in effectively handling enquiries addressed to us pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, or on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR where such consent has been requested. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
The data you enter in the contact form will remain with us until you request its erasure, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies, for example after your enquiry has been fully processed. Mandatory statutory provisions, in particular statutory retention periods, remain unaffected.
Enquiries by Email, Telephone or Fax
If you contact us by email, telephone or fax, your enquiry, including all personal data arising from it, such as your name and the content of your enquiry, will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of handling your request. We do not disclose this data without your consent.
This data is processed on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) GDPR if your enquiry relates to the performance of a contract or is necessary in order to take steps prior to entering into a contract. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in effectively handling enquiries addressed to us pursuant to Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, or on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR where such consent has been requested. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
The data you send to us in connection with enquiries will remain with us until you request its erasure, withdraw your consent to its storage, or the purpose for storing the data no longer applies, for example after your request has been fully processed. Mandatory statutory provisions, in particular statutory retention periods, remain unaffected.

5. Social Media
Facebook
This website incorporates elements of the Facebook social network. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland. According to Facebook, however, the data collected is also transferred to the United States and other third countries.
An overview of Facebook social media elements is available here:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/?locale=de_DE
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your terminal equipment and Facebook’s servers. Facebook thereby receives information that you have visited this website using your IP address. If you click the Facebook “Like” button while logged into your Facebook account, you can link content from this website to your Facebook profile. This enables Facebook to associate your visit to this website with your user account.
We would like to point out that, as the provider of this website, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how Facebook uses it. Further information can be found in Facebook’s Privacy Policy:
https://de-de.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
This service is used on the basis of your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Where personal data is collected on our website using the tool described here and forwarded to Facebook, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland, are joint controllers for this processing pursuant to Article 26 GDPR.
Joint controllership is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transmission to Facebook. Processing carried out by Facebook after the data has been transmitted does not form part of the joint controllership.
Our respective obligations have been set out in a joint processing agreement. The wording of the agreement is available at:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum
According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing data protection information when using the Facebook tool and for implementing the tool on our website in a manner compliant with data protection law. Facebook is responsible for the data security of Facebook products.
You may exercise your rights as a data subject, for example requests for access, regarding data processed by Facebook directly with Facebook. If you exercise your data subject rights with us, we are obliged to forward your request to Facebook.
Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Further details are available at:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum
https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381
https://www.facebook.com/policy.php
The company is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when personal data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards.
Further information is available from the provider at:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/4452
X (Formerly Twitter)
This website incorporates features of the X service, formerly Twitter. These features are provided by its parent company, X Corp., 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. For the processing of data relating to individuals residing outside the United States, the responsible establishment is Twitter International Unlimited Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your terminal equipment and X’s servers. X, formerly Twitter, thereby receives information about your visit to this website.
By using X, formerly Twitter, and the “Re-Tweet” or “Repost” function, the websites you visit are linked to your X account and made known to other users. We would like to point out that, as the provider of this website, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how X, formerly Twitter, uses it.
Further information can be found in X’s Privacy Policy:
https://x.com/de/privacy
This service is used on the basis of your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Further details are available at:
https://gdpr.x.com/en/controller-to-controller-transfers.html
You can change your privacy settings on X, formerly Twitter, in your account settings at:
https://x.com/settings/account
The company is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when personal data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards.
Further information is available from the provider at:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/2710
Instagram
This website incorporates features of the Instagram service. These features are provided by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.
When the social media element is active, a direct connection is established between your terminal equipment and Instagram’s servers. Instagram thereby receives information about your visit to this website.
If you are logged into your Instagram account, clicking the Instagram button allows you to link content from this website to your Instagram profile. This enables Instagram to associate your visit to this website with your user account. We would like to point out that, as the provider of this website, we have no knowledge of the content of the data transmitted or how Instagram uses it.
This service is used on the basis of your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Where personal data is collected on our website using the tool described here and forwarded to Facebook or Instagram, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland, are joint controllers for this processing pursuant to Article 26 GDPR.
Joint controllership is limited exclusively to the collection of the data and its transmission to Facebook or Instagram. Processing carried out by Facebook or Instagram after the data has been transmitted does not form part of the joint controllership.
Our respective obligations have been set out in a joint processing agreement. The wording of the agreement is available at:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum
According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing data protection information when using the Facebook or Instagram tool and for implementing the tool on our website in a manner compliant with data protection law. Facebook is responsible for the data security of Facebook and Instagram products.
You may exercise your rights as a data subject, for example requests for access, regarding data processed by Facebook or Instagram directly with Facebook. If you exercise your data subject rights with us, we are obliged to forward your request to Facebook.
Data transfers to the United States are based on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Further details are available at:
https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/
https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381
Further information can be found in Instagram’s Privacy Policy:
https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/
The company is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when personal data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards.
Further information is available from the provider at:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/4452
Pinterest
This website uses elements of the Pinterest social network, which is operated by Pinterest Europe Ltd., Palmerston House, 2nd Floor, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
When you access a page containing such an element, your browser establishes a direct connection to Pinterest’s servers. The social media element transmits log data to Pinterest’s servers in the United States. This log data may include your IP address, the addresses of websites you have visited that also contain Pinterest features, the type and settings of your browser, the date and time of the request, the way in which you use Pinterest, and cookies.
This service is used on the basis of your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Further information about the purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of data by Pinterest, as well as your rights and options for protecting your privacy, can be found in Pinterest’s Privacy Policy:
https://policy.pinterest.com/de/privacy-policy
The company is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the United States intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards when personal data is processed in the United States. Every company certified under the DPF undertakes to comply with these data protection standards.
Further information is available from the provider at:
https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/4203