Privacy Policy

Preamble

With the following privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the types of your personal data (hereinafter also referred to as “data”) we process, for what purposes, and to what extent. This privacy policy applies to all processing of personal data carried out by us, both in the context of providing our services and, in particular, on our websites, in mobile applications, and within external online presences, such as our social media profiles (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Online Services”).

The terms used are not gender-specific. Status: February 8, 2026

Table of Contents

• Preamble

• Controller

• Overview of Processing

• Relevant Legal Bases

• Security Measures

• Transmission of Personal Data

• International Data Transfers

• General Information on Data Storage and Erasure

• Rights of Data Subjects

• Provision of Online Services and Web Hosting

• Use of Cookies

• Sweepstakes and Contests

• Social Media Presence

• Changes and Updates

Controller

maze GmbH Sandforter Straße 65 49086 Osnabrück, Germany Authorized Representatives: Marvin Rohmann E-mail address: info@maze.de

Overview of Processing

The following overview summarizes the types of data processed and the purposes of their processing and refers to the data subjects.

Types of Data Processed

• Inventory data.

• Contact data.

• Content data.

• Usage data.

• Meta, communication, and procedural data.

• Log data.

Categories of Data Subjects

• Users.

• Sweepstake and contest participants.

Purposes of Processing

• Communication.

   

• Security measures.

   

• Execution of sweepstakes and contests.

   

• Feedback.

   

• Provision of our online services and user-friendliness.

   

• Information technology infrastructure.

   

• Public relations.

   

Relevant Legal Bases

Relevant legal bases under the GDPR: Below you will find an overview of the legal bases of the GDPR on which we process personal data. Please note that in addition to the regulations of the GDPR, national data protection requirements in your or our country of residence or seat may apply. Furthermore, should more specific legal bases be relevant in individual cases, we will inform you of these in the privacy policy.

• Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR) – The data subject has given consent to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes.

   

• Performance of a contract and prior requests (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract.

   

• Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR) – Processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data.

National data protection regulations in Germany: In addition to the data protection regulations of the GDPR, national regulations on data protection apply in Germany. This includes, in particular, the Act on Protection against Misuse of Personal Data in Data Processing (Federal Data Protection Act – BDSG). The BDSG contains special regulations on the right to information, the right to erasure, the right to object, the processing of special categories of personal data, processing for other purposes, and transmission as well as automated individual decision-making, including profiling. Furthermore, state data protection laws (Landesdatenschutzgesetze) of the individual federal states may apply.

Security Measures

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures in accordance with legal requirements, taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation, and the nature, scope, circumstances, and purposes of processing, as well as the varying likelihood and severity of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, in order to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.

Measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data by controlling physical and electronic access to the data, as well as the access, entry, transfer, securing of availability, and separation of data. Furthermore, we have established procedures to ensure the exercise of data subject rights, the erasure of data, and responses to data threats. Furthermore, we take the protection of personal data into account as early as the development or selection of hardware, software, and procedures, in accordance with the principle of data protection by design and by default.

Securing online connections through TLS/SSL encryption technology (HTTPS): To protect users’ data transmitted via our online services from unauthorized access, we use TLS/SSL encryption technology. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the cornerstones of secure data transmission on the Internet. These technologies encrypt the information transmitted between the website or app and the user’s browser (or between two servers), thereby protecting the data from unauthorized access. TLS, as the more advanced and secure version of SSL, ensures that all data transmissions meet the highest security standards. When a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate, this is indicated by the display of HTTPS in the URL. This serves as an indicator to users that their data is being transmitted securely and in encrypted form.

Transmission of Personal Data

In the context of our processing of personal data, it may happen that data is transmitted to or disclosed to other offices, companies, legally independent organizational units, or persons. Recipients of this data may include, for example, service providers commissioned with IT tasks or providers of services and content integrated into a website. In such cases, we comply with the legal requirements and, in particular, conclude corresponding contracts or agreements that serve to protect your data with the recipients of your data.

International Data Transfers

Data processing in third countries: If we transmit data to a third country (i.e., outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs in the context of the use of third-party services or the disclosure or transmission of data to other persons, offices, or companies (which is recognizable by the postal address of the respective provider or if the privacy policy expressly points out the data transfer to third countries), this is always done in accordance with the legal requirements.

For data transfers to the USA, we rely primarily on the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), which was recognized as a secure legal framework by an adequacy decision of the EU Commission on July 10, 2023. Additionally, we have concluded Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) with the respective providers, which correspond to the specifications of the EU Commission and establish contractual obligations for the protection of your data.

This double safeguarding ensures comprehensive protection of your data: the DPF forms the primary level of protection, while the Standard Contractual Clauses serve as additional security. Should changes occur within the framework of the DPF, the Standard Contractual Clauses step in as a reliable fallback option. This ensures that your data remains adequately protected even in the event of political or legal changes.

We inform you about whether individual service providers are certified according to the DPF and whether Standard Contractual Clauses are in place. Further information on the DPF and a list of certified companies can be found on the website of the US Department of Commerce at https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.

For data transfers to other third countries, corresponding security measures apply, in particular Standard Contractual Clauses, express consents, or legally required transmissions. Information on third-country transfers and applicable adequacy decisions can be found on the EU Commission’s information website.

General Information on Data Storage and Erasure

We delete personal data that we process in accordance with legal regulations as soon as the underlying consents are revoked or there are no further legal bases for processing. This applies to cases where the original purpose of processing no longer applies or the data is no longer required. Exceptions to this rule exist if legal obligations or special interests require longer storage or archiving of the data.

In particular, data that must be kept for commercial or tax reasons or whose storage is necessary for the prosecution of legal claims or the protection of the rights of other natural or legal persons must be archived accordingly.

Our privacy policy contains additional information on the storage and erasure of data specifically applicable to certain processing operations. If several details regarding the retention period or erasure deadlines of data are provided, the longest period shall always apply. Data that is no longer kept for its original purpose but due to legal requirements or other reasons is processed by us exclusively for the reasons justifying its storage.

Retention and erasure of data: The following general periods apply to storage and archiving under German law:

• 10 years – Retention period for books and records, annual financial statements, inventories, management reports, opening balance sheets, as well as the work instructions and other organizational documents required for their understanding (§ 147 Para. 1 No. 1 in conjunction with Para. 3 AO, § 14b Para. 1 UStG, § 257 Para. 1 No. 1 in conjunction with Para. 4 HGB).

   

• 8 years – Accounting vouchers, such as invoices and cost vouchers (§ 147 Para. 1 No. 4 and 4a in conjunction with Para. 3 Sentence 1 AO and § 257 Para. 1 No. 4 in conjunction with Para. 4 HGB).

   

• 6 years – Other business documents: received commercial or business letters, reproductions of sent commercial or business letters, other documents, insofar as they are of importance for taxation, e.g., hourly wage slips, operating accounting sheets, calculation documents, price tags, but also wage slips, insofar as they are not already accounting vouchers and cash strips (§ 147 Para. 1 No. 2, 3, 5 in conjunction with Para. 3 AO, § 257 Para. 1 No. 2 and 3 in conjunction with Para. 4 HGB).

   

• 3 years – Data required to take into account potential warranty and damage claims or similar contractual claims and rights and to process related inquiries, based on past business experience and standard industry practices, are stored for the duration of the regular statutory limitation period of three years (§§ 195, 199 BGB).

Start of the period at the end of the year: If a period does not expressly start on a specific date and is at least one year, it starts automatically at the end of the calendar year in which the event triggering the period occurred. In the case of ongoing contractual relationships under which data is stored, the event triggering the period is the time at which the termination or other end of the legal relationship becomes effective.

Rights of Data Subjects

Rights of data subjects under the GDPR: As a data subject under the GDPR, you have various rights, which result in particular from Art. 15 to 21 GDPR:

• Right to Object: You have the right, for reasons arising from your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6 (1) (e) or (f) GDPR; this also applies to profiling based on these provisions. If the personal data concerning you is processed for direct marketing purposes, you have the right to object at any time to the processing of personal data concerning you for the purpose of such advertising; this also applies to profiling insofar as it is connected with such direct marketing.

• Right to Withdraw Consent: You have the right to withdraw given consent at any time.

• Right of Access: You have the right to request confirmation as to whether data in question is being processed and to information about this data, as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with legal requirements.

• Right to Rectification: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request the completion of the data concerning you or the rectification of incorrect data concerning you.

• Right to Erasure and Restriction of Processing: In accordance with legal requirements, you have the right to request that data concerning you be deleted immediately or, alternatively, in accordance with legal requirements, to request a restriction on the processing of the data.

• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive the data concerning you, which you have provided to us, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format or to demand its transmission to another controller in accordance with legal requirements.

• 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, your place of work, or the place of the alleged infringement, if you believe that the processing of personal data concerning you violates the requirements of the GDPR.

Provision of Online Services and Web Hosting

We process users’ data in order to be able to provide our online services to them. For this purpose, we process the user’s IP address, which is necessary to transmit the content and functions of our online services to the users’ browser or end device.

• Types of data processed: Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions); Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, times, identification numbers, persons involved); Log data (e.g., log files regarding logins or the retrieval of data or access times). Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation).

• 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.)). Security measures.

• Storage and erasure: Erasure according to the details in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Erasure”.

• Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Provision of online services on rented storage space: For the provision of our online services, we use storage space, computing capacity, and software that we rent or otherwise obtain from a corresponding server provider (also called “web hoster”); Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

• Collection of access data and log files: Access to our online services is logged in the form of so-called “server log files”. The server log files may include the address and name of the retrieved web pages and files, the date and time of the retrieval, the amount of data transferred, notification of successful retrieval, browser type and version, the user’s operating system, referrer URL (the previously visited page), and usually IP addresses and the requesting provider. Server log files can be used, on the one hand, for security purposes, e.g., to avoid overloading the servers (especially in the case of abusive attacks, so-called DDoS attacks), and on the other hand, to ensure the capacity utilization of the servers and their stability; Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Erasure 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 excluded from erasure until the final clarification of the respective incident.

   

• Mittwald: Services in the field of providing information technology infrastructure and connected services (e.g., storage space and/or computing capacities); Service provider: Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KG, Königsberger Straße 4-6, 32339 Espelkamp, Germany; Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.mittwald.de; Privacy Policy: https://www.mittwald.de/datenschutz. Data Processing Agreement: https://www.mittwald.de/faq/service-informationen/faq/datenschutz-alles-wichtige-zur-dsgvo.

   

• WordPress.com: Hosting and software for the creation, provision, and operation of websites, blogs, and other online services; Service provider: Aut O’Mattic A8C Ireland Ltd., Grand Canal Dock, 25 Herbert Pl, Dublin, D02 AY86, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://wordpress.com; Privacy Policy: https://automattic.com/en/privacy/; Data Processing Agreement: https://wordpress.com/support/data-processing-agreements/. Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Standard Contractual Clauses (Provided by the service provider).

Use of Cookies

The term “cookies” refers to functions that store information on users’ end devices and read it from them. Cookies can also be used for different purposes, such as the functionality, security, and convenience of online services, as well as the creation of analyses of visitor flows. We use cookies in accordance with legal regulations. For this purpose, we obtain the users’ prior consent if necessary. If consent is not necessary, we rely on our legitimate interests. This applies if the storage and reading of information is essential to be able to provide explicitly requested content and functions. These include, for example, the storage of settings and ensuring the functionality and security of our online services. Consent can be revoked at any time. We inform clearly about their scope and which cookies are used.

Notes on legal bases under data protection law: Whether we process personal data with the help of cookies depends on consent. If consent is given, it serves as the legal basis. Without consent, we rely on our legitimate interests, which are explained above in this section and in the context of the respective services and procedures.

Storage duration: With regard to the storage duration, the following types of cookies are distinguished:

• Temporary Cookies (also: session cookies): Temporary cookies are deleted at the latest after a user has left an online service and closed his or her end device (e.g., browser or mobile application).

   

• Permanent Cookies: Permanent cookies remains stored even after the end device is closed. For example, the login status can be saved and preferred content can be displayed directly when the user visits a website again. Likewise, user data collected with the help of cookies can be used for range measurement. Unless we provide users with explicit information on the type and storage duration of cookies (e.g., as part of obtaining consent), they should assume that these are permanent and the storage duration can be up to two years.

   

General notes on revocation and objection (Opt-out): Users can revoke the consents they have given at any time and also declare an objection to the processing in accordance with legal requirements, including by means of the privacy settings of their browser.

• Types of data processed: Meta, communication, and procedural data (e.g., IP addresses, times, identification numbers, persons involved).

• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

• Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR). Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Processing of cookie data based on consent: We use a consent management solution in which users’ consent is obtained for the use of cookies or the procedures and providers mentioned in the context of the consent management solution. This procedure serves to obtain, log, manage, and revoke consents, in particular regarding the use of cookies and comparable technologies used to store, read, and process information on users’ end devices. In the context of this procedure, users’ consents for the use of cookies and the associated processing of information, including the specific processing and providers mentioned in the consent management procedure, are obtained. Users also have the possibility to manage and revoke their consents. The consent declarations are stored to avoid a new query and to be able to provide proof of consent in accordance with legal requirements. Storage takes place on the server side and/or in a cookie (so-called opt-in cookie) or by means of comparable technologies in order to be able to assign the consent to a specific user or their device. Unless specific details on the providers of consent management services are available, the following general information applies: The duration of the storage of consent is up to two years. A pseudonymous user identifier is created, which is stored together with the time of consent, details on the scope of consent (e.g., relevant categories of cookies and/or service providers), as well as information about the browser, the system, and the end device used; Legal bases: Consent (Art. 6 (1) (a) GDPR).

Sweepstakes and Contests

We process personal data of participants in sweepstakes and contests only in compliance with the relevant data protection provisions, insofar as the processing is contractually required for the provision, execution, and handling of the sweepstake, the participants have consented to the processing, or the processing serves our legitimate interests (e.g., in the security of the sweepstake or the protection of our interests against misuse by possible recording of IP addresses when submitting sweepstake entries).

If participants’ entries are published within the scope of the sweepstakes (e.g., as part of a vote or presentation of the sweepstake entries or the winners or the reporting on the sweepstake), we point out that the participants’ names may also be published in this context. Participants can object to this at any time.

If the sweepstake takes place within an online platform or a social network (e.g., Facebook or Instagram, hereinafter referred to as “Online Platform”), the terms of use and data protection provisions of the respective platforms also apply. In these cases, we point out that we are responsible for the information provided by participants within the scope of the sweepstake and that inquiries regarding the sweepstake are to be directed to us.

Participants’ data will be deleted as soon as the sweepstake or contest has ended and the data is no longer required to inform the winners or because questions regarding the sweepstake are no longer to be expected. In principle, participants’ data will be deleted no later than 6 months after the end of the sweepstake. Winners’ data can be retained longer, e.g., to answer questions about the prizes or to be able to fulfill the prize services; in this case, the retention period depends on the type of prize and is, for example, up to three years for objects or services, e.g., to be able to process warranty cases. Furthermore, participants’ data can be stored longer, e.g., in the form of reporting on the sweepstake in online and offline media.

Insofar as data was also collected for other purposes within the scope of the sweepstake, its processing and retention duration are determined by the privacy policy for this use (e.g., in the case of a registration for the newsletter as part of a sweepstake).

• Types of data processed: Inventory data (e.g., full name, residential address, contact information, customer number, etc.); Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers). Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation).

• Data subjects: Sweepstake and contest participants.

• Purposes of processing: Execution of sweepstakes and contests.

• Storage and erasure: Erasure according to the details in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Erasure”.

• Legal bases: Performance of a contract and prior requests (Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR). Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

Social Media Presence

We maintain online presences within social networks and process user data in this context in order to communicate with the users active there or to offer information about us.

We point out that user data may be processed outside the European Union. This may result in risks for users because, for example, the enforcement of user rights could be made more difficult.

Furthermore, user data within social networks is usually processed for market research and advertising purposes. For example, usage profiles can be created based on the usage behavior and resulting interests of the users. The latter can in turn be used, for example, to place advertisements within and outside the networks that presumably correspond to the interests of the users. For this purpose, cookies are usually stored on the users’ computers, in which the usage behavior and interests of the users are stored. Furthermore, data can also be stored in the usage profiles independently of the devices used by the users (especially if they are members of the respective platforms and are logged in there).

For a detailed description of the respective processing forms and the objection possibilities (opt-out), we refer to the privacy policies and details of the operators of the respective networks.

In the case of requests for information and the assertion of data subject rights, we point out that these can be asserted most effectively with the providers. Only the latter have access to the user data and can take corresponding measures and provide information directly. Should you nevertheless need help, you can contact us.

• Types of data processed: Contact data (e.g., postal and email addresses or telephone numbers); Content data (e.g., textual or visual messages and posts as well as information concerning them, such as information on authorship or time of creation). Usage data (e.g., page views and dwell time, click paths, intensity and frequency of use, device types and operating systems used, interactions with content and functions).

• Data subjects: Users (e.g., website visitors, users of online services).

• Purposes of processing: Communication; Feedback (e.g., collecting feedback via online form). Public relations.

• Storage and erasure: Erasure according to the details in the section “General Information on Data Storage and Erasure”.

• Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR).

   

Further notes on processing operations, procedures, and services:

• Instagram: Social network, enables sharing of photos and videos, commenting and favoriting posts, sending messages, subscribing to profiles and pages; Service provider: Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland; Legal bases: Legitimate Interests (Art. 6 (1) (f) GDPR); Website: https://www.instagram.com; Privacy Policy: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/. Basis for third-country transfers: Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

   

Changes and Updates

We ask you to inform yourself regularly about the content of our privacy policy. We adapt the privacy policy as soon as changes in the data processing carried out by us make this necessary. We will inform you as soon as the changes require an act of cooperation on your part (e.g., consent) or other individual notification.

Insofar as we provide addresses and contact information of companies and organizations in this privacy policy, please note that the addresses may change over time and please check the details before contacting us.