We are pleased that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. The protection of your privacy when using our website is particularly important to us. In the following, we would like to inform you about how we handle your data in accordance with Article 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Definitions of terms

For easier readability and better understanding, we explain the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In the privacy policy, we use the following terms, among others:

a) Personal Data

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

b) Data Subject

Data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

c) Processing

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

d) Restriction of Processing

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

e) Profiling

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

f) Pseudonymization

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

Controller

The controller responsible for the data collection and processing described below is the Representative of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen to the Federal Government and for Europe.

Responsible body
The Senator for Economics, Labor and Europe is responsible for the data collection and processing described below.

Postal Address
The Plenipotentiary of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen to the Federal Government and for Europe
Secretariat Dr. Joachim
Town Hall
Am Markt 21
28195 Bremen

House address
The Plenipotentiary of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen to the Federal Government and for Europe
European Department Bremen
Hiroshimastrasse 24
10785 Berlin

Further contact details
EuropaPunktBremen
Am Markt 20
28195 Bremen
Tel: +49 421 361 83375
epb@europa.bremen.de

Contact Details of the Data Protection Officer

Mr. Bernd Lührsen
Official Data Protection Officer
Hiroshimastraße 24
10785 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 369 30 34959
Fax: +49 30 269 30 34949
datenschutzbeauftragter@lvhb.bremen.de

General Information on Data Processing

1. Scope of the processing of personal data

We only process our users’ personal data to the extent necessary to provide a functional website and our content and services. The processing of our users’ personal data only takes place regularly with the user’s consent. An exception applies in cases where prior consent cannot be obtained for factual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR serves as the legal basis. When processing personal data that is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR serves as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures. Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary to fulfill a legal obligation to which our authority is subject, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR serves as the legal basis. In the event that vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR serves as the legal basis. If the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our authority or a third party and if the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not outweigh the first-mentioned interest, Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR serves as the legal basis for the processing.

3. Data erasure and storage duration

The personal data of the data subject will be erased or blocked as soon as the purpose of storage no longer applies. Data may also be stored if this has been provided for by the European or national legislator in EU regulations, laws or other provisions to which the controller is subject. The data will also be blocked or deleted if a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned standards expires, unless there is a need for further storage of the data for the conclusion or fulfillment of a contract. If you wish to view and update your personal data or have any questions about data protection on our website, please contact us at any time using the e-mail address provided or by post.

Deletion of data

The data processed by us will be deleted in accordance with the legal requirements as soon as the consent given for processing is revoked or other permissions no longer apply (e.g. if the purpose for processing this data no longer applies or it is not required for the purpose).

If the data is not deleted because it is required for other and legally permissible purposes, its processing is restricted to these purposes. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax law reasons or whose storage is necessary for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person.

Our data protection notices may also contain further information on the retention and deletion of data, which take priority for the respective processing operations.

Provision of the website and creation of log files

1. Description and scope of data processing

Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing computer. The following data is collected:

(1) Information about the browser type and version used
(2) The user’s operating system
(3) The user’s internet service provider
(4) The IP address of the user
(5) Date and time of access
(6) Websites from which the user’s system accesses our website
(7) Websites that are accessed by the user’s system via our website

The data is also stored in the log files of our system. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user.

2. Legal basis for data processing

If IP addresses are stored in log files: The legal basis for the temporary storage of data and log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR.

3. Purpose of the data processing

The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable the website to be delivered to the user’s computer. For this purpose, the user’s IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session.

The data is stored in log files to ensure the functionality of the website. We also use the data to optimize the website and to ensure the security of our information technology systems. The data is not analyzed for marketing purposes in this context. These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. e GDPR.

4. Duration of storage

The data is deleted as soon as it is no longer required to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. In the case of the collection of data for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session has ended.

If the data is stored in log files, this is the case after seven days at the latest. Storage beyond this period is possible. In this case, the IP addresses of the users are deleted or alienated so that it is no longer possible to assign the calling client.

5. Right to Object and Removal

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

Provision of the online offer and web hosting

In order to provide our online offering securely and efficiently, we use the services of one or more web hosting providers from whose servers (or servers managed by them) the online offering can be accessed. For these purposes, we may use infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services as well as security services and technical maintenance services.

The data processed in the context of providing the hosting service may include all information relating to the users of our online service that is generated in the context of use and communication. This regularly includes the IP address, which is necessary in order to be able to deliver the content of online offers to browsers, and all entries made within our online offer or from websites.

Processed data types: Content data (e.g. entries in online forms); usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses). Data subjects: Users (e.g. website visitors, users of online services). Purposes of processing: Provision of our online services and user-friendliness; information technology infrastructure (operation and provision of information systems and technical devices (computers, servers, etc.)); provision of contractual services and customer service. Legal basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f. GDPR).

Further information on processing operations, procedures and services:

Collection of access data and log files: We ourselves (or our web hosting provider) collect data on every access to the server (so-called server log files). The server log files may include the address and name of the web pages and files accessed, date and time of access, data volumes transferred, notification of successful access, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page) and, as a rule, IP addresses and the requesting provider. The server log files may be used for security purposes, e.g. to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the event of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks) and to ensure the utilization of the servers and their stability; legal basis: legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 sentence 1 lit. f. GDPR); deletion of data: Log file information is stored for a maximum of 30 days and then deleted or anonymized. Data whose further storage is required for evidentiary purposes is exempt from deletion until the respective incident has been finally clarified.

Data Security

We take technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access as comprehensively as possible. We use an encryption process on our website. Your data is transmitted from your computer to our server and vice versa via the Internet using TLS encryption. You can recognize this by the fact that the lock symbol in the status bar of your browser is closed and the address line begins with https://.

Cookies

Cookies are small text files or other storage notes that store information on end devices and read information from the end devices. For example, to store the login status in a user account, the contents of a shopping cart in an e-shop, the content accessed or the functions used in an online offering. Cookies can also be used for various purposes, e.g. to ensure the functionality, security and convenience of online services and to analyze visitor flows.

Notes on consent: We use cookies in accordance with the statutory provisions. We therefore obtain prior consent from users, unless this is not required by law. In particular, consent is not required if the storage and reading of information, including cookies, is absolutely necessary in order to provide the user with a telemedia service expressly requested by them (i.e. our online offering). The revocable consent is clearly communicated to the users and contains the information on the respective cookie use.

Information on legal bases under data protection law: The legal basis under data protection law on which we process users’ personal data with the help of cookies depends on whether we ask users for their consent. If users give their consent, the legal basis for processing their data is the consent given. Otherwise, the data processed with the help of cookies is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests (e.g. in the business operation of our online offering and improving its usability) or, if this is done in the context of fulfilling our contractual obligations, if the use of cookies is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations. We explain the purposes for which we process cookies in the course of this privacy policy or as part of our consent and processing procedures.

Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, a distinction is made between the following types of cookies:

Temporary cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed their end device (e.g. browser or mobile application). Permanent cookies: Permanent cookies remain stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved or preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. The user data collected with the help of cookies can also be used to measure reach. If we do not provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g. when obtaining consent), users should assume that cookies are permanent and can be stored for up to two years.

General information on revocation and objection (opt-out): Users can revoke the consent they have given at any time and also object to the processing in accordance with the legal requirements in Art. 21 GDPR (further information on objection can be found in this data protection declaration). Users can also declare their objection using their browser settings.

Further information on processing processes, procedures and services:

Processing of cookie data on the basis of consent: We use a cookie consent management procedure in which the consent of users to the use of cookies, or the processing and providers mentioned in the cookie consent management procedure, can be obtained and managed and revoked by users. The declaration of consent is stored so that it does not have to be requested again and the consent can be proven in accordance with the legal obligation. Consent can be stored on the server and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie or with the help of comparable technologies) in order to be able to assign the consent to a user or their device. Subject to individual information on the providers of cookie management services, the following information applies: Consent may be stored for up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created and stored with the time of consent, information on the scope of consent (e.g. which categories of cookies and/or service providers) as well as the browser, system and end device used.

Cookie Notice & Compliance for GDPR/CCPA:
Service Provider: Humanityco
Website: https://hu-manity.co/

Data Transfer to Third Parties

We treat your personal data confidentially and do not disclose it to unauthorized third parties.

Traffic Analysis

We use the traffic analysis software Matomo Analytics.
Service Provider: Matomo
Website: https://matomo.org/
Additional Privacy Information: https://matomo.org/gdpr-analytics/

Order Processing

In operating this website and related processes, we may be supported by other service providers (e.g., for hosting and web development). These service providers are strictly bound by our instructions and contractually obligated under Article 28 GDPR.

Your Rights as a User

If your personal data is processed, you are a data subject under the GDPR and have the following rights:

1. Right of Access

You can request confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed by us. If such processing exists, you can request the following information:

The purposes of the processing.

The categories of personal data being processed.

The recipients or categories of recipients to whom your personal data has been or will be disclosed.

The planned storage period of your personal data or, if specific information is not possible, criteria for determining the storage period.

The existence of a right to rectification or erasure of your personal data, a right to restriction of processing by the controller, or a right to object to such processing.

The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

All available information about the origin of the data if the personal data was not collected from you.

The existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, under Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for you.

You have the right to request information as to whether your personal data is transferred to a third country or an international organization. In this context, you may request to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 GDPR relating to the transfer.

2. Right to Rectification

You have the right to request the rectification and/or completion of your personal data if it is inaccurate or incomplete. The controller must rectify the data without undue delay.

3. Right to Restriction of Processing

You may request the restriction of processing of your personal data under the following conditions:

If you contest the accuracy of your personal data for a period enabling the controller to verify its accuracy.

If the processing is unlawful, and you oppose the erasure of the personal data and request the restriction of its use instead.

If the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but you require it for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

If you have objected to processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR pending the verification whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.

Where processing has been restricted, such personal data shall, with the exception of storage, only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the EU or a member state.

If the restriction of processing has been restricted under the above conditions, you will be informed before the restriction is lifted.

4. Right to Erasure

a) Obligation to Erase

You may request the erasure of your personal data without undue delay, and the controller shall have the obligation to erase such data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies:

The personal data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.

You withdraw your consent on which the processing was based (Art. 6(1)(a) or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR), and there is no other legal ground for the processing.

You object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21(1) GDPR, and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or you object to the processing pursuant to Art. 21(2) GDPR.

The personal data has been unlawfully processed.

The personal data must be erased for compliance with a legal obligation under EU or member state law to which the controller is subject.

The personal data was collected in relation to information society services offered pursuant to Art. 8(1) GDPR.

b) Information to Third Parties

Where the controller has made the personal data public and is obliged to erase it, the controller shall take reasonable steps (including technical measures) to inform other controllers processing the personal data that you have requested the erasure of any links to, or copies or replications of, such personal data.
c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not apply to the extent that processing is necessary:

For exercising the right of freedom of expression and information.

For compliance with a legal obligation requiring processing under EU or member state law to which the controller is subject, or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

For reasons of public interest in the area of public health (Art. 9(2)(h) and (i) and Art. 9(3) GDPR).

For archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes (Art. 89(1) GDPR), insofar as the right referred to in section (a) is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing.

For the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

5. Right to Notification

If you have exercised your right to rectification, erasure, or restriction of processing, the controller must communicate this to all recipients to whom your personal data has been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort.

You have the right to be informed about these recipients.

6. Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. You also have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to which the personal data was provided, where:

The processing is based on consent (Art. 6(1)(a) or Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR) or on a contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).

The processing is carried out by automated means.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to have your personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible. This must not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

7. Right to Object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to the processing of your personal data based on Art. 6(1)(e) or (f) GDPR, including profiling based on those provisions.

The controller shall no longer process the personal data unless they demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights, and freedoms or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

Where 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, including profiling to the extent that it is related to such direct marketing.

You may exercise your right to object in connection with the use of information society services—notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC—by automated means using technical specifications.

8. Right to Withdraw Consent

You have the right to withdraw your data protection consent at any time. The withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

9. Automated Individual Decision-Making, Including Profiling

You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you. This does not apply if the decision:

Is necessary for entering into or performing a contract between you and the controller.

Is authorized by EU or member state law to which the controller is subject and which also lays down suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests.

Is based on your explicit consent.

However, these decisions must not be based on special categories of personal data (Art. 9(1) GDPR) unless Art. 9(2)(a) or (g) GDPR applies and suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests are in place.

In the cases referred to in (1) and (3), the controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, including at least the right to obtain human intervention, to express your point of view, and to contest the decision.

10. 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, in particular in the member state of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of your personal data infringes the GDPR.

The supervisory authority where the complaint was lodged shall inform the complainant on the progress and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy under Art. 78 GDPR.

The competent supervisory authority is:

The State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of Bremen
Freie Hansestadt Bremen
Die Landesbeauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit
Arndtstr. 1
27570 Bremerhaven
Email: office@datenschutz.bremen.de

Does This Privacy Policy Apply to Other Providers’ Websites?

Our online offer contains links to other websites. We are not responsible for the content of websites accessed via these links. The links are only cursorily reviewed when included. Continuous monitoring of content is neither intended nor possible. We expressly distance ourselves from any content that may be criminally or civilly liable or violate good morals.

Plugins and Embedded Functions and Content

We integrate functional and content elements into our online offer that are obtained from the servers of their respective providers (hereinafter referred to as “third-party providers”). These may include graphics, videos, or maps (hereinafter uniformly referred to as “content”).

Integration requires that the third-party providers of this content process the users’ IP addresses, as they could not send the content to their browsers without the IP address. The IP address is thus necessary to display this content or these functions. We strive to use only content whose providers use the IP address solely to deliver the content.

Third-party providers may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. “Pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymized information may also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may contain technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visit times, and other details about the use of our online offer, as well as be linked to such information from other sources.

Types of Data Processed: Usage data (e.g., visited websites, interest in content, access times); meta/communication data (e.g., device information, IP addresses); inventory data (e.g., names, addresses); contact data (e.g., email, phone numbers); content data (e.g., entries in online forms).
Data Subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).
Purposes of Processing: Provision of our online offer and user-friendliness; profiles with user-related information (creating user profiles).
Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Additional Information on Processing Procedures, Methods, and Services:
We use Adobe Fonts (Typekit web fonts) for the visual design of our website. Adobe Fonts is a service provided by Adobe Systems Software Ireland Companies (4-6 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland; hereinafter “Adobe”), which grants us access to a font library.

To display the fonts we use, your browser must establish a connection to an Adobe server in the USA and download the font required for our website. Adobe thereby receives the information that our website was accessed from your IP address.

Further information about Adobe Fonts can be found in Adobe’s privacy policy:
https://www.adobe.com/de/privacy/policies/adobe-fonts.html

If your browser does not support web fonts or you do not give your consent, a standard font from your computer will be used.

Validity and Amendment of the Privacy Policy

The privacy policy is valid as of 06/2025. We reserve the right to amend this privacy policy at any time with effect for the future in accordance with the GDPR. A current version is available on the website. Please search the website.