Privacy Policy

1) Introduction and contact details of the data controller
1.1 We are delighted that you are visiting our website and thank you for your interest. Below, we provide information on how we handle your personal data when you use our website. Personal data refers to any data that can be used to identify you personally.
1.2 The data controller for this website within the meaning of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, "GDPR") is Max Wisshak, edition speleo-photo, Osterhörn 1, 26446 Friedeburg, Germany, Tel.: +49-(0)4453-4839272, Email: max.wisshak@speleo-photo.de. The data controller is the natural or legal person who, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

2) Data collection when visiting our website
2.1 When you use our website purely for information purposes – i.e. if you do not register or otherwise provide us with information – we only collect data that your browser transmits to the website server (so-called ‘server log files’). When you access our website, we collect the following data, which is technically necessary for us to display the website to you:
- The website you visited
- Date and time of access
- Amount of data transmitted in bytes
- Source/link from which you accessed the page
- Browser used
- Operating system used
- IP address used (where applicable: in anonymised form)
Data processing is carried out in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website. The data will not be disclosed or used for any other purpose. However, we reserve the right to review the server log files retrospectively should there be concrete indications of unlawful use.
2.2 For security reasons and to protect the transmission of personal data and other confidential content (e.g. orders or enquiries to the data controller), this website uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognise an encrypted connection by the string ‘https://’ and the padlock symbol in your browser address bar.

3) Hosting & Content Delivery Network
3.1 Amazon Web Services
We use the system provided by the following provider to host our website and display its content: AWS EMEA SARL, 38 avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg.
Data may also be transferred to: Amazon Web Services, Inc., 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
All data collected on our website is processed on the provider’s servers. We have entered into a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which, on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission, ensures compliance with European data protection standards.
3.2 Ecwid
We use the system provided by the following provider to host our website and display its content: Ecwid, Inc., 144 West D Street, Suite 103, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
All data collected on our website is processed on the provider’s servers. We have entered into a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
For data transfers to the USA, the provider has joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which ensures compliance with European data protection standards on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission.
3.3 AWS CloudFront
We use a content delivery network provided by the following provider: AWS EMEA SARL, 38 avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg
This service enables us to deliver large media files such as graphics, page content or scripts more quickly via a network of regionally distributed servers. Data processing is carried out to safeguard our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. We have entered into a data processing agreement with the provider which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
Data may also be transferred to: Amazon Web Services, Inc., 410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
For data transfers to the USA, the provider has adhered to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which, on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission, ensures compliance with European data protection standards.
3.4 Cloudflare
We use a content delivery network provided by the following provider: Cloudflare Inc., 101 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
This service enables us to deliver large media files, such as graphics, page content or scripts, more quickly via a network of regionally distributed servers. Data processing is carried out to safeguard our legitimate interest in improving the stability and functionality of our website in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. We have entered into a data processing agreement with the provider which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
For data transfers to the USA, the provider has adhered to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which, on the basis of an adequacy decision by the European Commission, ensures compliance with European data protection standards.

4) Cookies
To make your visit to our website more engaging and to enable the use of certain functions, we use cookies, which are small text files stored on your device. Some of these cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser (so-called ‘session cookies’), whilst others remain on your device for longer and enable page settings to be saved (so-called ‘persistent cookies’). In the latter case, you can view the storage duration in the overview of your web browser’s cookie settings.
Where personal data is also processed by individual cookies we use, such processing is carried out in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, either for the performance of a contract, in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR where consent has been given, or in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR to safeguard our legitimate interests in ensuring the best possible functionality of the website and a user-friendly and effective experience for visitors.
You can configure your browser so that you are informed when cookies are set and can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept them, or you can block the acceptance of cookies in specific cases or generally.
Please note that if you do not accept cookies, the functionality of our website may be restricted.

5) Contacting us
When you contact us (e.g. via the contact form or by email), personal data will be processed – solely for the purpose of handling and responding to your enquiry and only to the extent necessary for this purpose.
The legal basis for the processing of this data is our legitimate interest in responding to your enquiry in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR. If your enquiry is aimed at entering into a contract, the additional legal basis for the processing is Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. Your data will be deleted once it is clear from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively resolved, provided that there are no statutory retention obligations to the contrary.

6) Data processing for order fulfilment
6.1 To the extent necessary for the performance of the contract for delivery and payment purposes, the personal data we collect will be passed on to the contracted transport company and the contracted bank in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR.
Where we are obliged, under the terms of a relevant contract, to provide updates for goods containing digital elements or for digital products, we process the contact details you provided when placing your order in order to inform you personally, in accordance with our statutory information obligations under Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. Your contact details will be used strictly for the specific purpose of notifying you of updates to which we are obliged to provide, and will be processed by us for this purpose only to the extent necessary to provide the relevant information.
To process your order, we also work with the service provider(s) listed below, who assist us, either wholly or in part, in the performance of concluded contracts. Certain personal data is transferred to these service providers in accordance with the following information.
6.2 To fulfil our contractual obligations, we may use direct shipping by suppliers (drop shipping). For this purpose, we pass on your name and delivery address to a supplier selected by us, solely for the purpose of delivering the goods, in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. Where the delivery involves goods that cannot be sent by parcel post (freight goods, bulky goods, etc.), and where prior coordination of a delivery date by telephone is required, we will also pass on your telephone number to the said supplier in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR.
6.3 Use of payment service providers (payment services)
- PayPal
This website offers one or more online payment methods from the following provider: PayPal (Europe) S.a.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg
If you select a payment method from this provider that requires you to pay in advance, your payment details provided during the ordering process (including your name, address, bank and payment card details, currency and transaction number), as well as information about the contents of your order, will be passed on to the provider in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. In this case, your data is transferred solely for the purpose of processing the payment with the provider and only to the extent necessary for this purpose.
If you select a payment method where we advance the payment, you will also be asked during the ordering process to provide certain personal data (first name and surname, street, house number, postcode, town, date of birth, email address, telephone number and, where applicable, details of an alternative payment method).
In order to safeguard our legitimate interest in assessing your creditworthiness in such cases, we will pass this data on to the provider in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR for the purpose of a credit check. The provider uses the personal data you have provided, as well as other data (such as your shopping basket, invoice amount, order history and payment history), to assess whether the payment method you have selected can be authorised in view of the risks of non-payment and/or bad debt.
The credit report may contain probability values (so-called ‘score’ values). Where score values are included in the credit report’s findings, they are based on a scientifically recognised mathematical and statistical method. The calculation of these score values takes into account, amongst other things but not exclusively, address details.
You may object to this processing of your data at any time by sending a message to us or to the provider. However, the provider may still be entitled to process your personal data where this is necessary for the contractual processing of payments.
6.4 Electronic withdrawal function for distance contracts
Consumers who conclude contracts on this website for which a statutory right of withdrawal applies have the option of exercising their right of withdrawal via an electronic withdrawal function in accordance with the applicable withdrawal provisions.
When using the withdrawal function, in addition to details identifying the contract to be withdrawn from, further personal information such as the consumer’s first name, surname and email address must be provided or confirmed.
The collection of this information and its transmission to us is carried out in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR and only to the extent necessary for the proper processing of the withdrawal. Also on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, the personal data provided is used to confirm receipt of the notice of withdrawal by email. A further legal basis for the processing is Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. We are legally obliged to provide an electronic withdrawal function for consumer distance contracts subject to a fee.

7) Tools and Miscellaneous
Cookie Consent Tool
This website uses a so-called ‘Cookie Consent Tool’ to obtain valid user consent for cookies and cookie-based applications that require consent. The “Cookie Consent Tool” is displayed to users when they visit the site in the form of an interactive user interface, on which they can give their consent to specific cookies and/or cookie-based applications by ticking the relevant boxes. Through the use of this tool, all cookies and services requiring consent are only loaded once the user has given their consent by ticking the relevant boxes. This ensures that such cookies are only set on the user’s device once consent has been given.
The tool sets technically necessary cookies to store your cookie preferences. Personal user data is not processed in this context.
Should the storage, assigning or logging cookie settings, this is carried out in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR on the basis of our legitimate interest in legally compliant, user-specific and user-friendly consent management for cookies and, consequently, in the legally compliant design of our website.
A further legal basis for the processing is Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR. As the data controller, we are subject to the legal obligation to make the use of cookies that are not technically necessary conditional upon the user’s consent.
Where necessary, we have entered into a data processing agreement with the provider, which ensures the protection of our website visitors’ data and prohibits unauthorised disclosure to third parties.
Further information on the operator and the settings options for the cookie consent tool can be found directly in the relevant user interface on our website.

8) Rights of the data subject
8.1 The applicable data protection legislation grants you the following rights as a data subject (rights of access and intervention) vis-à-vis the data controller with regard to the processing of your personal data; please refer to the legal basis cited for the respective conditions for exercising these rights:
- Right of access pursuant to Article 15 of the GDPR;
- Right to rectification pursuant to Article 16 of the GDPR;
- Right to erasure pursuant to Article 17 of the GDPR;
- Right to restriction of processing pursuant to Article 18 of the GDPR;
- Right to be informed pursuant to Article 19 of the GDPR;
- Right to data portability pursuant to Article 20 of the GDPR;
- Right to withdraw consent pursuant to Article 7(3) of the GDPR;
- Right to lodge a complaint pursuant to Article 77 of the GDPR.
8.2 RIGHT TO OBJECT
IF, AS PART OF A BALANCING OF INTERESTS, WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA ON THE BASIS OF OUR OVERRIDING LEGITIMATE INTEREST, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO OBJECT TO SUCH PROCESSING WITH EFFECT FOR THE FUTURE ON GROUNDS RELATING TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.
IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL CEASE PROCESSING THE DATA IN QUESTION. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE PROCESSING, HOWEVER, IF WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING WHICH OVERRIDE YOUR INTERESTS, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, OR IF THE PROCESSING IS NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXERCISE OR DEFENCE OF LEGAL CLAIMS.
IF WE PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH MARKETING. YOU MAY EXERCISE THIS RIGHT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
IF YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OBJECT, WE WILL CEASE PROCESSING THE RELEVANT DATA FOR DIRECT MARKETING PURPOSES.

9) Duration of storage of personal data
The duration for which personal data is stored is determined by the relevant legal basis, the purpose of processing and – where applicable – also by the relevant statutory retention period (e.g. retention periods under commercial and tax law).
Where personal data is processed on the basis of explicit consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR, the data in question will be retained until you withdraw your consent.
Where statutory retention periods apply to data processed in the context of contractual or quasi-contractual obligations on the basis of Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR, such data will be routinely deleted upon expiry of the retention periods, provided that it is no longer required for the performance of a contract or for entering into a contract and/or we no longer have a legitimate interest in continuing to store it.
Where personal data is processed on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object under Article 21(1) of the GDPR, unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
When personal data is processed for the purposes of direct marketing on the basis of Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, this data will be stored until you exercise your right to object under Article 21(2) of the GDPR.
Unless otherwise specified in the other information contained in this statement regarding specific processing situations, stored personal data will otherwise be erased when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.