Cookie Information

Legal Information on the Use of Cookies on Our Website

1. General Information

We use cookies and similar technologies on our website. Technically necessary cookies are required to ensure the proper functioning of the website and its core features (e.g., session control, form protection). All non-essential cookies (e.g., for statistics/tracking) are used only with your prior consent (opt-in). This complies with the requirements of the GDPR and the German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG/TTDSG).

2. Cookie Categories

(a) Technically Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for the operation of the website and its essential functionalities (e.g., session/security cookies, CSRF protection, login access). They do not require consent.

(b) Statistics/Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics 4)
These cookies help us understand how visitors use our pages (e.g., page views, navigation paths). We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) only with your consent. GA4 uses the following cookies, among others:

• _ga (default expiration: up to 2 years): Used to distinguish users.
• _ga_<container-id> (default expiration: up to 2 years): Used to maintain session state.

Note: Modern browsers may limit the lifetime of technical cookies (e.g., to approx. 400 days).

(c) External Media (YouTube Embeds)
When playing embedded YouTube videos, cookies or comparable storage technologies (e.g., Local Storage) may be set by the provider. We block YouTube content by default and load it only after your consent (two-click solution/consent category “External Media/Marketing”). This also applies when using the youtube-nocookie.com domain (privacy-enhanced mode).

3. Legal Basis

Technically necessary cookies: legitimate interest in the technical provision and security of the website (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR). For storing/accessing information on end devices, the provisions of the TDDDG/TTDSG also apply; no consent is required for necessary cookies.

Non-essential cookies (statistics/YouTube): consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR in conjunction with § 25 TTDSG). Processing begins only after your active consent via the consent banner; you can change your selection at any time.

4. Services & Providers Used

Google Analytics 4 (Statistics)
Provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. GA4 uses first-party cookies to recognize returning users and sessions (including _ga, _ga_<container-id>). The standard lifetime is up to 2 years (depending on the browser).

Purpose: reach measurement, error analysis, website improvement. Legal basis: consent (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). Withdrawal: possible at any time via the consent banner.

YouTube (Embedded Videos)
Provider: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. When displaying/activating an embedded video, YouTube may set cookies or Local Storage entries; for this reason, we load YouTube iframes only after your consent (two-click solution). Consent is generally still required even when using “privacy-enhanced mode”.

5. Data Transfer to Third Countries

When using Google services, data may be transferred to servers in third countries (especially the USA). Google relies on the EU–US Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses, among other mechanisms. Data transfer is carried out only with your consent (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR); you may withdraw this consent at any time.

6. Storage Duration / Criteria

Cookie lifetimes are listed below; in addition, browsers may limit storage durations.

• Technically necessary cookies: end of session to several days (depending on server/CMS configuration).
• _ga: up to 2 years (depending on the browser).
• _ga_<container-id>: up to 2 years (depending on the browser).
• YouTube/External Media: variable; loaded only after consent.

7. Consent Management / Withdrawal

When visiting the site for the first time, we display a consent layer. There, you can accept or reject all non-essential categories or make an individual selection. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future (e.g., via the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer). Before consent is given, no non-essential cookies are set (no pre-tracking).

8. Overview of Our Cookies

Below is an overview of the main cookies/technologies:

Name	Category	Purpose	Provider	Lifetime	Legal Basis
Session/Security Cookies (e.g., CMS/CSRF)	Necessary	Operation, security, session control	Own domain	Session up to several days	Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR; § 25 TTDSG (exception)
_ga	Statistics	User distinction (client ID)	Google Analytics 4	up to 2 years	Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR
_ga_<container-id>	Statistics	Session state / interaction measurement	Google Analytics 4	up to 2 years	Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR
YouTube technologies (cookies/local storage)	External Media	Playback of embedded videos	Google/YouTube	variable	Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR

9. User Management of Cookies

You can delete, block, or allow cookies at any time via your browser settings. Disabling technically necessary cookies may impair website functionality. For statistics/YouTube cookies, you can change your decision at any time in the consent layer.