The Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V. (Consumer Association of North Rhine-Westphalia) attaches great importance to the protection of personal data.

Below we inform you about how we use your data and which rights you have under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

I. Controller

1. Controller responsible for data processing

Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V.

represented by Board Member Wolfgang Schuldzinski

Helmholtzstr. 19

40215 Düsseldorf

Tel.: 0211/91380-1000

Fax: 0211/91380-9-1216

Email: kontakt@siegelklarheit.de

2. Data protection officer

datenschutz@verbraucherzentrale.nrw

II. Provision of the website and creation of log files

1. Scope of data processing

Each access to our website and each retrieval of a file stored on it is logged in order to enable the use of the website. The following data are recorded:

• name of the page accessed,
• date and time of access,
• amount of data transferred,
• duration of visit,
• notification of successful retrieval,
• requesting domain,
• IP address,
• browser used, and
• operating system used.

Additionally, the device type (desktop, tablet, smartphone etc.), device brand and the respective model are recorded.

These data are also stored in our system’s log files. They are not stored together with other personal data of the user.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for the temporary storage of the data and log files is Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

3. Purpose

Temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to deliver the website to the user’s device. For this purpose, the user’s IP address must remain stored for the duration of the session. Storage in log files is carried out to ensure the functioning of the website. The data also serve to optimise the website and to ensure the security of our IT systems. No analysis for marketing purposes takes place.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

4. Retention period

The data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose of their collection. For data collected for the provision of the website, this is the case when the respective session ends. Data stored in log files are deleted after no more than 30 days.

5. Right to object and removal

The collection of data for the provision of the website and the storage of data in log files are essential for the operation of the website. Therefore, there is no possibility to object.

III. Use of cookies

1. Scope of data processing

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files stored in or by the internet browser on the user’s device. When a user visits a website, a cookie may be stored on the user’s operating system. This cookie contains a unique string of characters enabling the browser to be identified when the website is visited again. Session cookies store information used during your current visit. These cookies are automatically deleted when you leave our website.

Our session cookies contain exclusively a unique session identification number. We do not store any further information.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of personal data using technically necessary cookies is Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

3. Purpose

The purpose of technically necessary cookies is to simplify website use. Some website functions cannot be provided without cookies. For these, it is necessary for the browser to be recognised after a page change.

We do not use technically necessary cookies to create user profiles or serve advertising. The information generated by cookies about your use of this website is not passed on to third parties.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

4. Retention period, right to object and removal

Cookies are stored on your device and transmitted from it to our website. You therefore have full control over the use of cookies. You may disable cookies by adjusting the relevant settings in your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera or Safari). Previously stored cookies can be deleted at any time. This may also be done automatically. If cookies are disabled for our website, it may no longer be possible to use all of the website’s functions in full.

IV. Contacting us

You may contact us via:

• contact form
• email (kontakt@siegelklarheit.de)
• telephone
• letter

1. Scope of data processing

Our website includes a contact form that you can use to get in touch with us electronically. If you choose to use this option, the data you enter into the input fields will be transmitted to us and stored.

At the time the message is sent, the following data are additionally stored:

• user’s IP address
• date and time

If you contact us by email, telephone or letter, the personal data transmitted via these channels will be stored.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for the data processing resulting from your contact is Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR. If you have given your consent, the legal basis for processing is Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (a) GDPR. If the contact is aimed at entering into a contract, the additional legal basis is Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (b) GDPR.

3. Purpose

Processing personal data from the contact form and other means of communication serves to handle your enquiry. Additional personal data processed during the electronic submission process help prevent misuse and ensure the security of our IT systems.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

4. Retention period

The data will be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected. For the personal data arising from the contact enquiry, this is the case once the communication with the user has come to an end. Communication is deemed to have ended when the circumstances indicate that the matter in question has been conclusively resolved.

Additional data collected during the electronic submission process are deleted after no more than 30 days.

5. Right to object and removal

If you contact us, you may object to the storage of your personal data at any time. In such cases, communication cannot be continued.

You may send the objection or withdrawal of consent to kontakt@siegelklarheit.de

V. Web analytics with Matomo (formerly PIWIK)

1. Scope of data processing

We use the open-source tool Matomo (formerly PIWIK) to analyse users’ browsing behaviour. The software sets a cookie on the user’s device (see Section III). When individual pages are accessed, the following data are stored:

• 2 bytes of the user’s IP address
• the page accessed
• the page from which the user accessed the page (referrer)
• subpages accessed
• time spent on the page
• frequency of page views

The software runs exclusively on the servers of our website. The data is stored only there. It is not passed on to any third parties. The software is configured so that IP addresses are not stored in full; instead, 2 bytes of the IP address are masked (e.g. 192.168.xxx.xxx). This means that the shortened IP address can no longer be associated with the device accessing the site.

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of users’ personal data is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

3. Purpose

The processing of this personal data allows us to analyse the browsing behaviour of our users. By evaluating the collected data, we are able to compile information on the usage of the various components of our website. This helps us to continuously improve our website and its user-friendliness.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

By anonymising the IP address, the users’ interest in the protection of their personal data is adequately safeguarded.

4. Right to object and removal

Cookies are stored on the user’s device and transmitted from there to our website. As a user, you therefore have full control over the use of cookies. By adjusting the settings in your web browser, you can disable or restrict the transmission of cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time, which can also be done automatically. If cookies are disabled for our website, some features of the site may no longer be fully functional.

For more information on the privacy settings of the Matomo software, please refer to the following link: https://matomo.org/docs/privacy/ 

VI. Enquiries from media representatives

1. Scope of data processing

If you contact us with an interview request, we collect the following data:

• name
• telephone number
• media outlet
• description of your request

2. Legal basis

The legal basis for processing the data is Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR.

3. Purpose

We use the personal data to enable communication between the responsible staff member and you. Where necessary, we store your name, media outlet and a keyword describing the interview for documentation purposes.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Article 6(1) subpara. 1 (f) GDPR.

4. Retention period

On our internal systems, the data are deleted as soon as they are no longer required to achieve the purpose for which they were collected. For journalist enquiries, this is the case when no further inquiries are expected and the evaluation for statistical purposes has been completed. The data are deleted at the end of the calendar year.

5. Right to object

If you contact us, you may object to the storage of your personal data at any time. In such cases, communication cannot be continued.

Objections may be sent to kontakt@siegelklarheit.de 

VII. Rights of the data subject

Where your personal data are processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and have the following rights:

• Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR; restrictions under Section 34 German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) possible)
• Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
• Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR; restrictions under Section 35 BDSG possible)
• Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
• Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
• Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR in conjunction with Section 19 BDSG)

Last updated: December 2025