Data Protection Policy for AFMG Network Forum

Overview

1. General

  1.1. Data Controller and Data Processor Identification
  1.2. Definitions

2. Automated data processing when accessing the AFMG Network Forum

  2.1. IP Address and device information
  2.2. Use of cookies

3. Data processing

  3.1. Data processing when registering for the AFMG Network Forum
  3.2. Data processing when using the AFMG Network Forum
  3.3. Duration of the processing
  3.4. Lawfulness of the processing

4. Recipients of the Personal Data

5. Your rights as a Data Subject

 

 

1. General

  1.1. Data Controller and Data Processor Identification

The Data Controller in relation to the processing of personal data in the context of the AFMG Network Forum is AFMG Technologies GmbH (hereinafter: “AFMG”, “we”, and “us”), Borkumstr. 2, 13189 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 467 092 – 30, Fax.: +49 (0)30 467 092 – 27, email: @email.

AFMG’s Data Processor in this respect is STRATO AG, Pascalstr. 10, 10587 Berlin, Germany.

  1.2. Definitions

Personal Data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“Data Subject”).

Cookie is a simple computer file made of text, which is typically stored by the end user’s browser when visiting a website. It can include a range of information, such as details about your device and usage behavior, previously visited websites, and custom configurations. This data can be used, e.g. to allow websites to operate properly, to personalize the user’s experience when visiting a website, and to find out if someone has visited a website before.

Data Controller means the entity that determines the purposes and means for the processing of Personal Data.

Data Processor means the entity that processes Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller.

Sub-processor means any Data Processor engaged by STRATO AG or its affiliates to assist in fulfilling its obligations with respect to providing services as Data Processor to AFMG.

GDPR is an abbreviation for REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation).

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2. Automated data processing when accessing the AFMG Network Forum

  2.1. IP Address and device information

  Explanation and purposes of processing

The following information is automatically processed when you visit and use the AFMG Network Forum website:

• The IP address and operating system of your computer or other end device (e.g. tablet or smartphone)

• Browser data, such as type, version, display settings, language, and requests sent by your browser

The IP address and operating system of your device are necessary for technical reasons, so that you can visit and browse through this website. The website cannot be accessed and operate properly without this data being processed. The IP address is also used for internal system administration, security, and compliancy purposes. The IP address related to the access and your activity in the Forum is saved within your Forum profile data, as well as in server log files by our Data Processor.

Browser data is also necessary for technical reasons, so that the website can operate properly and be displayed suitably. This data is also used for optimization of the Website and as a basis for future improvements to it (when applicable).

The collected Personal Data described above will be stored and processed only for as long as it is required for the purposes for which they have been collected, provided no exception as per Art. 17 (3) GDPR applies. Art. 17 (3) GDPR lays out the exceptional conditions for not erasing Personal Data.

  Legal basis

The legal basis for this processing of data is Art. 6 (1), first sentence, (f) GDPR. The legitimate interest in processing the relevant data is that it makes accessing and using the AFMG Network Forum technically possible, allows optimization of the content display for the user, allows monitoring the service and traffic through it, and enables the continued improvement of the internet service in the future.

 

 2.2. Use of cookies

  Explanation and purposes of processing

When you visit the AFMG Network Forum e.g. to view its contents, to register for the forum, to login to it, and to perform other activities as a registered user, such as to manage your account, we set first-party cookies on your device for the purposes described below. These cookies are automatically removed after they expire.

The following essential cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services and to use some of the features available through the AFMG Network Forum.

Cookie Name	Description	Expiration
phpbb2mysql_sid	This cookie is a session cookie. It allows you to preserve the session state across page requests to stay logged in as you navigate between our forum webpages and use its features. If you do not accept this cookie, you will not be able to login and use the features available for registered users.	End of the browser session.
phpbb2mysql_data	Allows users to login to the forum automatically at each visit, and it is needed for this feature to operate properly.	1 year.
phpbb2mysql_t	This functional cookie is only set for authenticated users, and it is needed for the forum to operate properly. It allows you to be recognized within the forum so that page changes or item selection you do is remembered from page to page. Without this session cookie, the new page does not recognize your past activities on prior pages, such as previous visits to other forum topics.	End of the browser session.
phpbb2mysql_f_all	This cookie is only set for authenticated users. It allows you to use the feature "Mark all forums read”, and it is needed for this feature to operate properly.	1 year.

You can set or amend your web browser controls to accept or refuse cookies. If you choose to reject cookies you may still use the AFMG Network Forum although your access to some functionality and areas of this website may be restricted or not possible. As the means by which you can refuse cookies through your web browser controls varies from browser to browser, please refer to your browser’s help menu for more information. You will also find instructions on how to change your cookie preferences for some of the most popular browsers here:

Cookie settings in Chrome
Cookie settings in Firefox
Cookie settings in Safari on Mac
Cookie settings in Internet Explorer 

  Legal basis

The legal basis for this processing of data is Art. 6 (1), first sentence, (f) GDPR. The legitimate interest in processing the data is that it enables the use of the Website and its functions, as well as the optimization of the content displayed to the user.

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3. Data processing

  3.1. Processing when registering to the AFMG Network Forum

  Explanation and purposes of processing

You have the possibility to register for the AFMG Network Forum in order to use features that are only available to registered users, such as posting a new topic for discussion, and replying to posts of other users.

The email address provided by you during registration is thereafter stored and used for the following purposes:

• To create your account at the AFMG Network Forum, to allow you to manage this account, to allow you to use and interact with the Forum, and to receive notifications from the Forum as described in Section 3.2 (Data processing when using the AFMG Network Forum).

• To allow AFMG to identify you as a user, in order to provide you with support and answer private requests.

• To allow other Forum users and visitors to communicate with you via email. By default, the email address provided by you is not visible to users of the Forum and visitors. When registering for the Forum, as well as from within your profile preferences, you can choose to display this data publicly.

• To allow AFMG to communicate with you about the management of the Forum and your account.

The registered email address can be changed at any time via your profile page in the Forum.

The user name provided via registration is stored and used for the following purposes:

• To allow you, other registered users and visitors to the Forum to identify you in the discussions, as well as the topics and replies entered by you.
• It is also used for notifications from the Forum as described in the Section 3.2 (Data processing when using the AFMG Network Forum).
• The user name also allows AFMG to identify you so that support and private requests can be handled properly.

The user name can be changed at any time via your profile page in the Forum.

The password entered by you during registration to the Forum is stored in an encrypted format that is not human-readable, and allows you to log in to the Forum and use it as a registered user. You can change your password at any time via your profile page.

As part of the provision of this service, we also store the date you joined the forum and your member type, as well as any optional Personal Data you may choose to enter, such as your ICQ number, AIM number, MSN number, Yahoo messenger, website, location, your avatar, occupation, interests, and your forum signature. Except for your signature, which can be hidden, this data is always publicly viewable and cannot be hidden. If you do not want to share this information with other users of the forum and visitors, please do not fill in these fields.

Your Forum preferences, such as display language, board style, notification settings, as well as other options are stored in order to allow you to use the services provided through this portal, and are only visible to you.

By default, your online status is displayed to other users in the Forum, allowing them to e.g. communicate with you through private messages in the Forum while you are online. You have the option to turn this feature off while registering to the Forum. You will also find the option “Hide your online status” in your profile page at any time. If you switch this option on, you'll only appear online to board administrators or to yourself. This data is also used for basic analytics, to count the number of visitors currently online, that is publicly visible through the forum. When “Hide your online status” option is switched on, you will be counted as a hidden user.

Your registration for the AFMG Network Forum will only take place once you have confirmed the registration by clicking the activation link that is sent to you via email (double opt-in registration procedure). Your Personal Data described above will only be stored once your registration is confirmed.

Any Personal Data you provided through the Forum will not be used by AFMG for email marketing or publicity purposes, unless previously agreed with or requested by you. Your data will not be sold to third parties.

  3.2. Data processing when using the AFMG Network Forum

  Explanation and purposes of processing

Whenever using the AFMG Network Forum as a registered user, the Personal Data provided by you e.g. via posts, private messages, and your profile page will be stored and processed to allow you to provide us feedback about our products and services, to allow you to discuss with us or other users about how to use our products in different applications, to allow you to discuss about solutions to typical application problems, to allow AFMG to provide you with support, for general discussions and questions related to the AV (Audio and Video) industry via the Forum, to allow you to interact and discuss with other users about ideas and problems related to our products, to allow you to provide AFMG with information that may be used for future improvements to our products, for internal research and development by AFMG, to allow AFMG staff to be informed about feedback and requests coming from you, to manage these feature, bug-fix and general improvement requests internally, to inform you about their possible completion, and other related business as reasonably expected in this context. AFMG´s product development occurs at AFMG’s on discretion and AFMG receiving your feedback does not imply that AFMG will implement the related features or solve problems with the products.

Posts and replies entered by you are visible publicly, i.e. both registered users and visitors to the Forum can view them. You have the option to view, edit and delete posts entered by you at any time.

Potentially confidential data, such as real acoustic design project files, personal files and data, as well as confidential documents shall not be shared via posts to the Forum. Private communications with AFMG can be accomplished via one of the communication channels listed on our contact page.

Private messages sent or received by you are stored in your Private Messages area of the Forum and are not visible to other users or visitors. You are free to manage these messages, for instance by saving them, or by permanently deleting them.

Your activity in the Forum - i.e. the information about which topics and replies you created and when they were last modified, and statistical data such as the total number of posts and replies entered by you along with their date and times - is stored and processed as part of the provision of this service, in order to e.g. allow you and other users of the forum to view the content you entered in the Forum, as well as to allow AFMG to manage the Forum. Information about which topics and posts you have already read is stored within your profile data for your own convenience and it is visible only to you.

Within the AFMG Network Forum, there are a number of subforums for different main discussions points. You can opt to use the feature “Watch this forum for posts” for each of these subforums and be notified via email about new posts to them. Information about which topics you are watching is stored within your profile data and is not visible to other users and visitors of the Forum.

By default, you are not notified via email about replies to a topic you have posted. You are, however, notified via email about new private messages to you, for your own convenience. These are optional settings that can be changed at any time from your profile page. You also have the option to change them while registering to the forum.

  3.3 Duration of the processing

The collected Personal Data described above will be stored and processed only for as long as it is required for the purposes for which it has been collected, provided no exception as per Art. 17 (3) GDPR applies. Art. 17 (3) GDPR lays out the exceptional conditions for not erasing Personal Data.

At any time at the discretion of AFMG, and with prior announcement through the Forum and/or via email to you, the AFMG Network Forum shall be made read-only. Users and visitors may still be able to access its contents, however changing or adding new content will not be possible. Prior to the fact, you will have the chance to request deactivation of your account and have the posts entered by you anonymized, however kept in the Forum. You will also have the option to have your data completely removed from the Forum. The AFMG Network Forum will be deactivated and all Personal Data will be permanently removed at a point of time up to five years after entering read-only state.

You can request deactivation of your account of the AFMG Network Forum at any time, via email to @email. Posts previously entered by you will be anonymized and retained as a resource in the forum. You also have the option to have your data completely removed from the Forum, by simple request to @email. You request will be processed within 30 days from the date we receive it. In case of complete removal, we will permanently delete all Personal Data entered by you or collected by automated means in the Forum. You will no longer be able to login to the AFMG Network Forum, and to receive notifications from the Forum, unless you create a new account.

We do not intend to store your Personal Data longer than needed.

  3.4 Lawfulness of the processing

  Consent

The consent granted by you when registering for the AFMG Network Forum is voluntary, as you are free to decide not to register for it. The Registration Agreement Terms reads as follows:

“While the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to remove or edit any generally objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message. Therefore, you acknowledge that all posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.

You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned (and your service provider being informed). The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. You agree that the webmaster, administrator and moderators of this forum have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should they see fit. As a user you agree to any information you have entered above being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent the webmaster, administrator and moderators cannot be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised.

This forum system uses strictly necessary cookies to store information on your local computer, as described in the Section 2.2 (Usage of cookies) of the Data Protection Policy for AFMG Network Forum.

You authorize AFMG to store and use the data provided by you, or collected by automated means, according to Section 3 (Data Processing) of the Data Protection Policy for the AFMG Network Forum. This includes amongst others using your email address for identification and communication purposes, e.g. for sending you notifications within the context of the service provided by the forum, and for communication related to the management of the forum and/or of your account. Data entered in the forum may be publicly available. AFMG may also collect and process basic information on your activity on the forum. The consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future (by email to sales [at] afmg.eu). Further usage of the forum as a registered user will then no longer be possible.

By clicking ´I Agree´ below you agree to be bound by these conditions.”

It is not possible to register to the AFMG Network Forum without agreeing to the Registration Agreement Terms, which include granting consent for the processing of your data according to Section 3 (Data Processing) of this data protection policy.

Your registration to the Forum, as well as the processing and storage of your Personal Data as described above, will only take place after your registration was successfully completed.

  Legal basis

The legal basis for the processing of data subject to Section 3 above is Art. 6 (1), first sentence, (a) GDPR.

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4. Recipients of the Personal Data

Processor

The storage and processing of the Personal Data as described in Section 2 (Automated data processing when accessing the AFMG Network Forum) and in Section 3 (Data Processing) is carried out by STRATO AG on behalf of AFMG. That data is stored within the EU based on a controller-processor-agreement with STRATO AG, whose data centers have been consistently TÜV-certified according to ISO 27001 since 2004. DIN ISO/IEC 27001 is the most widely used international standard for IT security management.

The storage and processing of the Personal Data when contacting AFMG via email to @email, @email or via one the channels stated on our contact page, is carried out by AFMG.

Sub-Processors

STRATO AG uses and a range of third-party Sub-processors to assist in providing the web hosting services used by AFMG in the context of the AFMG Network Forum. STRATO AG is required to enter into written agreement with its Sub-processors imposing data-protection terms that require the Sub-processors to protect the Personal Data to the standard required by data-protection laws.

An up-to-date list of Sub-processors can be viewed here:

https://www.strato.de/subunternehmer-strato-ag/

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5. Your rights as a Data Subject

You may exercise certain rights regarding AFMG’s processing of the Personal Data that relates to you.

Right to rectification

You have the right to obtain from AFMG the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you. Taking into account the purposes of the processing, you have the right to have incomplete personal data completed, including by means of providing a supplementary statement (Art. 16 GDPR).

Right to erasure

You have the right to obtain from AFMG the erasure of Personal Data concerning you (Art. 17 (1) GDPR), provided no exception as per Art. 17 (3) GDPR applies.

Within 30 days after we have received your request, we will permanently delete the Personal Data concerning you we might have stored.

Right to revoke consent

You have the right to revoke consent to have your data processed as described in Section 3 (Data Processing) at any time and with effect for the future. Consent can be revoked by email to @email with a simple declaration.

Right to object to processing on the basis of legitimate interests

To the extent that processing of data is based on Art. 6 (1), first sentence, (f) GDPR ("legitimate interests"), you have the right, under Art. 21 GDPR, and on grounds relating to your particular situation, to object at any time to the processing of Personal Data concerning you.

In the case of an objection, AFMG will no longer process the personal data, unless the processing serves the assertion, exercise, or defense of legal claims or AFMG can prove necessary, legitimate grounds for the processing that override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the Data Subject. Services that include functional components which are provided on this basis shall no longer be used.

Right to access your data

You have the right, under Art. 15 GDPR, to obtain from AFMG confirmation as to whether or not Personal Data concerning you are being processed and, if applicable, to obtain a copy of the Personal Data undergoing processing.

Right to restrict the processing of your data

In certain cases, you have the right to obtain from AFMG restriction of processing of Personal Data concerning you. These cases are laid out in Art. 18 (1) GDPR.

Right to portability

You have the right to receive the Personal Data concerning you, that you have provided to AFMG, in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and have the right to transmit those data to another Data Controller, in the cases laid out in Art 20 (1) GDPR.

Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular within the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or place of the alleged infringement if you consider that the processing of Personal Data relating to you infringes the GDPR (Art. 77 GDPR). Please refer to your local data protection authority for more information. On the European Commission website, you can refer to the list of data protection authorities within the European Economic Area.

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We may review and, where necessary, update this data protection policy. If we plan to use the Personal Data of users for a new purpose, that is incompatible with the original purposes for which consent has been provided, we will update this policy and request consent for the new purpose.

Version 2.0

Berlin, March 26, 2024