Privacy Policy

Courtesy translation. The German version is legally binding.

1. An overview of data protection

General information

The following information will provide you with an easy to navigate overview of what will happen with your personal data when you visit this website. The term “personal data” comprises all data that can be used to personally identify you. For detailed information about the subject matter of data protection, please consult our Data Protection Declaration, which we have included beneath this copy.

Data recording on this website

Who is the responsible party for the recording of data on this website (i.e., the “controller”)?

The data on this website is processed by the operator of the website, whose contact information is available under the section “Information about the responsible party” in this Privacy Policy.

How do we record your data?

We collect your data as a result of your sharing of your data with us. This may, for instance, be information you enter when signing up for the newsletter or that you send us by e-mail.

Other data shall be recorded by our IT systems automatically or after you consent to its recording during your website visit. This data comprises primarily technical information (e.g., web browser, operating system, or time the site was accessed). This information is recorded automatically when you access this website.

What are the purposes we use your data for?

A portion of the information is generated to guarantee the error free provision of the website. Other data may — after your consent — be used to analyze your user patterns.

What rights do you have as far as your information is concerned?

You have the right to receive information about the source, recipients, and purposes of your archived personal data at any time without having to pay a fee for such disclosures. You also have the right to demand that your data are rectified or eradicated. If you have consented to data processing, you have the option to revoke this consent at any time, which shall affect all future data processing. Moreover, you have the right to demand that the processing of your data be restricted under certain circumstances. Furthermore, you have the right to log a complaint with the competent supervising agency.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time if you have questions about this or any other data protection related issues.

Analysis tools

There is a possibility that your browsing patterns will be statistically analyzed when you visit this website — but only after your consent. Such analysis is performed with Google Analytics. For detailed information please consult the section “Reach measurement with Google Analytics” in this Privacy Policy.

2. Hosting

We are hosting the content of our website at the following provider:

Azure Static Web Apps (Microsoft)

The provider is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052, USA, represented in the EU by Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. When you visit our website, the host automatically processes transmitted data: shortened IP address, date and time, requested address, amount of data transferred, browser type and operating system. This data is technically required to deliver the site and keep it secure.

The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in a depiction of our website that is as reliable and secure as possible. Processing outside the EU cannot be ruled out; Microsoft relies on the standard contractual clauses of the EU Commission for this. For more information, please consult the Microsoft privacy statement:https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement.

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement (DPA) for the use of the above-mentioned service. This is a contract mandated by data privacy laws that guarantees that they process personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory information

Data protection

The operators of this website and its pages take the protection of your personal data very seriously. Hence, we handle your personal data as confidential information and in compliance with the statutory data protection regulations and this Data Protection Declaration.

Whenever you use this website, a variety of personal information will be collected. Personal data comprises data that can be used to personally identify you. This Data Protection Declaration explains which data we collect as well as the purposes we use this data for. It also explains how, and for which purpose the information is collected.

We herewith advise you that the transmission of data via the Internet (i.e., through e-mail communications) may be prone to security gaps. It is not possible to completely protect data against third-party access.

Information about the responsible party (referred to as the “controller” in the GDPR)

The data processing controller on this website is:

Ferdi Lethen-Oellers
An der Maar 2
41363 Jüchen

Phone: 01636133462
E-mail: ferdi.lethen(at)googlemail.com

The controller is the natural person or legal entity that single-handedly or jointly with others makes decisions as to the purposes of and resources for the processing of personal data (e.g., names, e-mail addresses, etc.).

Storage duration

Unless a more specific storage period has been specified in this privacy policy, your personal data will remain with us until the purpose for which it was collected no longer applies. If you assert a justified request for deletion or revoke your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted, unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (e.g., tax or commercial law retention periods); in the latter case, the deletion will take place after these reasons cease to apply.

General information on the legal basis for the data processing on this website

If you have consented to data processing, we process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR, if special categories of data are processed according to Art. 9(1) GDPR. In the case of explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third countries, the data processing is also based on Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR. If you have consented to the storage of cookies or to the access to information in your end device (e.g., via device fingerprinting), the data processing is additionally based on Section 25(1) TDDDG. The consent can be revoked at any time. If your data is required for the fulfillment of a contract or for the implementation of pre-contractual measures, we process your data on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. Furthermore, if your data is required for the fulfillment of a legal obligation, we process it on the basis of Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR. Furthermore, the data processing may be carried out on the basis of our legitimate interest according to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. Information on the relevant legal basis in each individual case is provided in the following paragraphs of this privacy policy.

Recipients of personal data

In the scope of our activities, we cooperate with various external parties. In some cases, this also requires the transfer of personal data to these external parties. We only disclose personal data to external parties if this is required as part of the fulfillment of a contract, if we are legally obligated to do so (e.g., disclosure of data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the disclosure pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, or if another legal basis permits the disclosure of this data. When using processors, we only disclose personal data on the basis of a valid contract on data processing. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement is concluded.

Revocation of your consent to the processing of data

A wide range of data processing transactions are possible only subject to your express consent. You can also revoke at any time any consent you have already given us. This shall be without prejudice to the lawfulness of any data collection that occurred prior to your revocation.

Right to object to the collection of data in special cases; right to object to direct advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)

IN THE EVENT THAT DATA ARE PROCESSED ON THE BASIS OF ART. 6(1)(E) OR (F) GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO AT ANY TIME OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA BASED ON GROUNDS ARISING FROM YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO ANY PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. TO DETERMINE THE LEGAL BASIS, ON WHICH ANY PROCESSING OF DATA IS BASED, PLEASE CONSULT THIS DATA PROTECTION DECLARATION. IF YOU LOG AN OBJECTION, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA, UNLESS WE ARE IN A POSITION TO PRESENT COMPELLING PROTECTION WORTHY GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING OF YOUR DATA, THAT OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OR IF THE PURPOSE OF THE PROCESSING IS THE CLAIMING, EXERCISING OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(1) GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING PROCESSED IN ORDER TO ENGAGE IN DIRECT ADVERTISING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR AFFECTED PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH ADVERTISING AT ANY TIME. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS AFFILIATED WITH SUCH DIRECT ADVERTISING. IF YOU OBJECT, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NO LONGER BE USED FOR DIRECT ADVERTISING PURPOSES (OBJECTION PURSUANT TO ART. 21(2) GDPR).

Right to log a complaint with the competent supervisory agency

In the event of violations of the GDPR, data subjects are entitled to log a complaint with a supervisory agency, in particular in the member state where they usually maintain their domicile, place of work or at the place where the alleged violation occurred. The right to log a complaint is in effect regardless of any other administrative or court proceedings available as legal recourses. For me, the competent authority is the State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Right to data portability

You have the right to demand that we hand over any data we automatically process on the basis of your consent or in order to fulfil a contract be handed over to you or a third party in a commonly used, machine readable format. If you should demand the direct transfer of the data to another controller, this will be done only if it is technically feasible.

Information about, rectification and eradication of data

Within the scope of the applicable statutory provisions, you have the right to at any time demand information about your archived personal data, their source and recipients as well as the purpose of the processing of your data. You may also have a right to have your data rectified or eradicated. If you have questions about this subject matter or any other questions about personal data, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Right to demand processing restrictions

You have the right to demand the imposition of restrictions as far as the processing of your personal data is concerned. To do so, you may contact us at any time. The right to demand restriction of processing applies in the following cases:

• In the event that you should dispute the correctness of your data archived by us, we will usually need some time to verify this claim. During the time that this investigation is ongoing, you have the right to demand that we restrict the processing of your personal data.
• If the processing of your personal data was/is conducted in an unlawful manner, you have the option to demand the restriction of the processing of your data in lieu of demanding the eradication of this data.
• If we do not need your personal data any longer and you need it to exercise, defend or claim legal entitlements, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your personal data instead of its eradication.
• If you have raised an objection pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, your rights and our rights will have to be weighed against each other. As long as it has not been determined whose interests prevail, you have the right to demand a restriction of the processing of your personal data.

If you have restricted the processing of your personal data, these data – with the exception of their archiving – may be processed only subject to your consent or to claim, exercise or defend legal entitlements or to protect the rights of other natural persons or legal entities or for important public interest reasons cited by the European Union or a member state of the EU.

SSL and/or TLS encryption

For security reasons and to protect the transmission of confidential content, such as inquiries you submit to us as the website operator, this website uses either an SSL or a TLS encryption program. You can recognize an encrypted connection by checking whether the address line of the browser switches from “http://” to “https://” and also by the appearance of the lock icon in the browser line.

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

Rejection of unsolicited e-mails

We herewith object to the use of contact information published in conjunction with the mandatory information to be provided in our Site Notice to send us promotional and information material that we have not expressly requested. The operators of this website and its pages reserve the express right to take legal action in the event of the unsolicited sending of promotional information, for instance via SPAM messages.

4. Recording of data on this website

Cookies

Our websites and pages use what the industry refers to as “cookies.” Cookies are small data packages that do not cause any damage to your device. They are either stored temporarily for the duration of a session (session cookies) or they are permanently archived on your device (permanent cookies). No cookies are needed to run this site. Cookies for reach measurement (Google Analytics, see below) are only set if you actively agree in the banner. If you decline or make no choice, no analytics script is loaded and no such cookie is stored.

If your consent to the storage of the cookies and similar recognition technologies has been requested, the processing occurs exclusively on the basis of the consent obtained (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG); this consent may be revoked at any time.

Consent via our own cookie banner

This website obtains your consent to the storage of statistics cookies via a self-operated opt-in banner. No external consent tool is integrated; no data is transferred to third parties in order to obtain or document your consent.

Your choice is stored locally in your browser (local storage, key “rm-consent”) so the banner does not reappear on every visit. You can withdraw or change your consent at any time via the “Cookie settings” link in the footer of every page. The legal basis for storing and reading is Section 25(1) TDDDG (your consent).

Request by e-mail or telephone

If you contact us by e-mail or telephone, your request, including all resulting personal data (name, request) will be stored and processed by us for the purpose of processing your request. We do not pass these data on without your consent.

These data are processed on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR if your inquiry is related to the fulfillment of a contract or is required for the performance of pre-contractual measures. In all other cases, the data are processed on the basis of our legitimate interest in the effective handling of inquiries submitted to us (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) or on the basis of your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) if it has been obtained; the consent can be revoked at any time.

The data sent by you to us remain with us until you request us to delete them, revoke your consent to the storage or the purpose for the data storage lapses (e.g. after completion of your request). Mandatory statutory provisions – in particular statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

5. Social media and sharing function

Share buttons and book links

The share buttons below the notes are plain links. No script from LinkedIn, Instagram or any other service is loaded, and no data goes there unless you click yourself. Only the click opens that service's page, where its privacy policy applies. The click on such a button constitutes consent as defined in Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG and may be revoked at any time with effect for the future. The same goes for the links to the book at Wiley and Amazon and for the links to my profiles on social networks in the footer.

6. Analysis tools and advertising

Google Analytics

After your consent, this website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider of this service is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics enables the website operator to analyze the behavior patterns of website visitors. To that end, the website operator receives a variety of user data, such as pages accessed, time spent on the page, the utilized operating system and the user's origin. This data is assigned to the respective end device of the user. An assignment to a user-ID does not take place.

Google Analytics uses technologies that make the recognition of the user for the purpose of analyzing the user behavior patterns possible (e.g., cookies or device fingerprinting). The information recorded by Google about the use of this website is, as a rule, transferred to a Google server in the United States, where it is stored.

The use of this service is based exclusively on your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Section 25(1) TDDDG. You give it via the cookie banner and can withdraw it at any time with effect for the future — via “Cookie settings” in the footer or by deleting the cookies in your browser. Without consent, Google Analytics is not loaded.

Data transmission to the US is based on the Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) of the European Commission. Details can be found here:https://business.safety.google/adscontrollerterms/sccs/.

The company is certified in accordance with the “EU-US Data Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an agreement between the European Union and the US, which is intended to ensure compliance with European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Every company certified under the DPF is obliged to comply with these data protection standards. For more information, please contact the provider under the following link:https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/5780.

IP anonymization

Google Analytics IP anonymization is active. As a result, your IP address will be abbreviated by Google within the member states of the European Union or in other states that have ratified the Convention on the European Economic Area prior to its transmission to the United States. The full IP address will be transmitted to one of Google's servers in the United States and abbreviated there only in exceptional cases. The IP address transmitted in conjunction with Google Analytics from your browser shall not be merged with other data in Google's possession.

Browser plug-in

You can prevent the recording and processing of your data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin available under the following link:https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en. For more information about the handling of user data by Google Analytics, please consult Google's Data Privacy Declaration at:https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en.

Data processing

We have concluded a data processing agreement for the use of Google Analytics (Google Ads Data Processing Terms). It guarantees that Google processes the personal data of our website visitors only based on our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

7. Newsletter “m365 Macchiato”

Sign-up uses double opt-in: after entering your address you receive an email with a confirmation link. You only receive the newsletter after confirming, starting with a welcome email. Unconfirmed sign-ups are deleted automatically after 48 hours.

Stored are your email address, the language you chose, the times of sign-up and confirmation and the version of the consent text. To prevent abuse of the form, we count sign-ups per IP address and hour. The IP address is only stored as a hash with a random value that changes daily; the counters are deleted after two days at the latest.

The legal basis is your consent under Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, for abuse prevention Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time via the unsubscribe link in every issue; your address is then deleted immediately.

Sign-up and sending run on Microsoft Azure services: Azure Functions and Azure Storage in the West Europe region, email delivery via Azure Communication Services with data location Germany. A data processing agreement with Microsoft is in place. Processing outside the EU cannot be ruled out; Microsoft relies on standard contractual clauses. Operational logs contain no email addresses and are deleted after 30 days.

We don't measure whether or when you open the newsletter or click links. The emails contain no tracking pixels. We don't pass your address on.

8. Plug-ins and tools

Fonts (local embedding)

This website uses self-hosted fonts that are served from its own server to ensure the uniform use of fonts. There is no connection to Google Fonts or other providers; your IP address is not transmitted to them.

9. Use of AI tools

I use AI tools as writing aids when creating articles. Every article is reviewed by me before publication; editorial responsibility lies with me personally. Your data does not flow into these tools.