data protection

Home > Privacy

A. Name and address of the controller and his/her representative

The controller within the meaning of the EU General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) and other national data protection laws – in particular the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act (HDSIG) – as well as other data protection regulations is:

Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM)
Wiesenstraße 14
Tel.: +49 641 309-0
E-Mail: info@thm.de

Legally represented by its President

Prof. Dr. Matthias Willems
Wiesenstraße 14
Tel.: + 49 641 309-0
E-Mail: praesident@thm.de

B. Contact details of the responsible bodies of the participating universities are:

The data protection officers of the controller are:

Ingmar Böffel (Law)
Prof. Thomas Friedl (Technology)

Wiesenstraße 14
Tel.: + 49 641 309-0
E-mail: datenschutzanwalt@thm.de

C. General information on data processing

1. Scope of processing personal data

Personal data is information that can be used to identify a natural person, i.e., information that makes individuals identifiable. This includes, in particular, names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and telephone numbers. Data about preferences, hobbies, memberships, or even information about websites visited also falls under the category of personal data.

The processing of personal data is always carried out in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act (HDSIG) as well as, where applicable, the relevant provisions of other laws, in particular the Hessian Higher Education Act (HHG).

We generally collect and process personal data of our users only to the extent necessary for the provision of a functional website and our content and services, if a legal basis permits us to do so, or if you have given your consent.

An exception applies in cases where obtaining prior consent is not possible for factual reasons and the processing of the data is permitted by law.

2. Legal basis for the processing of personal data

Insofar as we obtain the consent of the data subject for processing operations involving personal data, Article 6(1)(a) GDPR as the legal basis for the processing.

When processing personal data necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, Article 6(1)(b) GDPR as the legal basis. This also applies to processing operations necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures.

Insofar as the processing of personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which THM is subject, Article 6(1)(c) GDPR as the legal basis.

In the event that the processing of personal data is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person, Article 6(1)(d) GDPR as the legal basis.

If the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in THM, then Article 6(1)(e) GDPR as the legal basis for the processing.

If processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by THM or a third party, and the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not override those interests, then Article 6(1)(f) GDPR as the legal basis for the processing. This does not apply insofar as THM is acting in an official capacity during the processing.

3. Duration of storage of personal data

We only store the personal data of the data subject for as long as the purpose for which it was stored exists. The personal data of the data subject will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose for which it was stored no longer applies.

If processing is based on the data subject's consent, the data will only be stored until the data subject withdraws their consent, unless there is another legal basis for the processing. Storage may also occur if provided for by European or national legislation in EU regulations, laws, or other provisions to which the controller is subject. Data will also be blocked or erased when a storage period prescribed by the aforementioned regulations expires, unless further storage of the data is necessary for entering into or fulfilling a contract.

D. Provision of the website and creation of log files

1. Scope of data processing

Each time our website is accessed, our system automatically collects data and information from the computer system of the accessing computer.

The following data is collected:

  1. Information about the browser type and version used
  2. The user's operating system
  3. The user's internet service provider
  4. The user's IP address
  5. Date and time of access
  6. Websites from which the user's system accessed our website
  7. Websites accessed by the user's system via our website

The data is also stored in our system's log files. This data is not stored together with other personal data of the user.

2. Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for the temporary storage of the data and log files is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR .

3. Purpose of processing

The temporary storage of the IP address by the system is necessary to enable the delivery of the website to the user's computer. For this purpose, the user's IP address must be stored for the duration of the session.

The data is stored in log files to ensure the website's functionality. We also use this data to optimize the website and to ensure the security of our IT systems. The data is not used for marketing purposes.

These purposes also constitute our legitimate interest in data processing pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR .

4. Duration of storage of personal data

The data will be deleted when the respective session ends.

If data is stored in log files, it will be deleted after a maximum of 14 days. Storage beyond this period is possible. In this case, the users' IP addresses will be deleted or anonymized so that it is no longer possible to identify the requesting client.

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 for the user to object.

E. Use of cookies

1. Scope of data processing

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored in or by the internet browser on the user's computer system. When a user visits a website, a cookie can be stored on the user's operating system. This cookie contains a characteristic string that enables the browser to be uniquely identified when the website is visited again.

We use cookies to make our website more user-friendly. Some elements of our website require that the requesting browser can be identified even after a page change. The following data is stored and transmitted in the cookies:

  1. Login information
  2. Session settings

Of course, you can generally view our website without cookies. Internet browsers are usually set to accept cookies. You can generally disable the use of cookies at any time via your browser settings. Please use your internet browser's help function to learn how to change these settings. Please note that some features of our website may not function if you have disabled the use of cookies.

To protect your privacy, THM does not use cookies to analyze browsing behavior.

2. Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for processing personal data using technically necessary cookies is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR . The legal basis for processing personal data using cookies for other purposes is, if the user has given their consent, Article 6(1)(a) GDPR .

3. Purpose of processing

The purpose of using technically necessary cookies is to simplify website use for users. Some functions of our website cannot be offered without the use of cookies. For these functions, it is necessary that the browser is recognized even after a page change. Our legitimate interest in processing personal data pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR .

We require cookies for the following applications:

  1. Single Sign-On
  2. Binding login sessions to specific servers ("sticky sessions")

The user data collected through technically necessary cookies is not used to create user profiles.

4. Duration of storage of personal data

Cookies are stored on the user's computer and transmitted from there to our site. Therefore, as a user, you have full control over the use of cookies. By changing the settings in your internet browser, you can deactivate or restrict the transmission of cookies. Cookies that have already been stored can be deleted at any time. This can also be done automatically. If cookies are deactivated for our website, some of its functions may no longer be fully available.

F. Newsletter

1. Scope of data processing

Our website offers the option to subscribe to free newsletters. When you subscribe, the data you enter in the registration form is transmitted to us. This includes the following data:

User's email address

In addition, the following further data is collected during registration:

  1. IP address of the requesting computer
  2. Date and time of registration

Your consent for the processing of your data will be obtained during the registration process, and you will be referred to this privacy policy.

In connection with data processing for sending newsletters, no data is shared with third parties. The data is used exclusively for sending the newsletter.

2. Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for processing the data after registration for the newsletter and granting your consent within the registration process is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR .

3. Purpose of processing

The collection of the user's email address is used for sending the newsletter. The collection of other personal data during the registration process serves to prevent misuse of the services or the email address used.

4. Duration of storage of personal data

Your email address will be stored for as long as your newsletter subscription is active. Other personal data collected during the registration process is generally deleted after seven days.

Users can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. A corresponding link is included in every newsletter for this purpose. Unsubscribing from the newsletter simultaneously revokes consent to the storage of the personal data collected during the registration process.

G. Email contact

1. Scope of data processing

Our website contains contact forms in various sections, which can be used for electronic communication, in particular for contacting us, registering for events, reporting problems, etc. If a user makes use of this option, the data entered in the input form will be transmitted to us and stored. This data includes:

  • First and Last Name
  • E-mail address
  • Regarding
  • Message text
  • Further context-dependent data

The following data is also stored at the time the message is sent:

  • The user's IP address
  • Date and time of registration
  • URL of the registration form

Your consent for the processing of your data will be obtained during the data collection process, and you will be referred to the privacy policy.

Alternatively, you can contact us via the provided email address. In this case, the personal data you transmit with your email will be stored.

In this context, no data will be shared with third parties. The data will be used exclusively for maintaining contact and processing the conversation.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for processing data transmitted via email is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR . The legal basis for processing data via a contact form is, if the user has given consent, Article 6(1)(a) GDPR . If the email contact aims at concluding a contract, the additional legal basis for processing is Article 6(1)(b) GDPR .

3. Purpose of data processing

We process your personal data solely for the purpose of handling your inquiry. The other personal data collected serves to prevent misuse of the contact form and to ensure the security of our IT systems. This also constitutes our legitimate interest in processing the data.

4. Duration of storage of personal data

Personal data transmitted via email will be deleted once the respective conversation with the user has ended and there is no other legal basis for its retention. A conversation is considered ended when it is clear from the circumstances that the matter in question has been conclusively resolved.

The user has the right to withdraw their consent to the processing of their personal data at any time. If the user contacts us only by email, they can also object to the storage of their personal data at any time; however, in such a case, the conversation cannot be continued.

All personal data stored during the contact process will be deleted in the event of revocation.

H. Site plan/Google Maps

1. Scope of data processing

We use the Google Maps API, a map service provided by Google Inc. ("Google"), on our website to display an interactive map. By using Google Maps, information about your use of this website (including your IP address) may be transmitted to and stored on a Google server in the USA.

Please note Google's terms of service and Google's privacy policy .

Google may transfer the collected data to third parties if required by law or if third parties process this data on Google's behalf.

It would be technically possible for Google to identify at least some individual users based on the data it receives. It is also possible that Google could process personal data and user profiles from our website for other purposes over which we have no control.

2. Legal basis for data processing

The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR .

3. Purpose of processing

The use of Google Maps is for the purpose of making it easier to find the locations listed on our website.

I. Use of Social Media Plugins

1. Scope of data processing

We may use social plugins from various providers on our website. When you visit one of our websites that contains such a plugin, your browser establishes a direct connection to the servers of the respective provider. The plugin content is then transmitted directly from the provider to your browser and integrated into the website.

By integrating these plugins, the provider receives information that you have accessed the corresponding page of our website. If you are logged in to the respective provider's service, they can associate this information with your account.

2. Legal basis for processing

The legal basis for the processing of the data is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR .

J. Rights of the data subject

If your personal data is processed, you, as a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR, have the following rights against the controller:

To assert these rights, please contact datenschutz@thm.de

1. Right to information

You can request confirmation from the data controller as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed.

If such processing takes place, you can request the following information from the controller:

  1. the purposes for which the personal data are processed;
  2. the categories of personal data that are processed;
  3. the recipients or categories of recipients to whom your personal data have been or will be disclosed;
  4. the planned duration of the storage of your personal data or, if specific information on this is not possible, criteria for determining the storage period;
  5. the existence of a right to rectification or erasure of personal data concerning you, a right to restriction of processing by the controller or a right to object to such processing;
  6. the existence of a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;
  7. all available information about the origin of the data if the personal data are not collected from the data subject;
  8. the existence of automated decision-making including profiling pursuant to Article 22(1) and (4) GDPR and – at least in these cases – meaningful information about the logic involved as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

You have the right to request information as to whether your personal data is being transferred to a third country or to an international organization. In this context, you may request to be informed of the appropriate safeguards pursuant to Article 46 GDPR relating to the transfer.

If the data processing is carried out for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, the right to information may be restricted insofar as it is likely to make the achievement of the research or statistical purposes impossible or seriously impair it, and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

2. Right to rectification

You have the right to rectification and/or completion of your data by the data controller if the processed personal data concerning you is inaccurate or incomplete. The data controller must carry out the rectification without undue delay.

In the case of data processing for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, your right to rectification may be restricted insofar as it is likely to make the achievement of the research or statistical purposes impossible or seriously impair it, and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

3. Right to erasure

a) Obligation to delete

You can request that the data controller delete your personal data without undue delay. The data controller is obligated to delete this data without undue delay if one of the following grounds applies:

  1. The personal data concerning you is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or otherwise processed.
  2. You withdraw your consent on which the processing was based pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a) GDPR , and there is no other legal basis for the processing.
  3. You object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) GDPR object to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2) GDPR
  4. Your personal data has been processed unlawfully.
  5. The erasure of your personal data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
  6. Your personal data was collected in relation to information society services offered, in accordance with Article 8(1) of the GDPR .

b) Information to third parties

If the controller has made the personal data concerning you public and is obliged to erase it pursuant to Article 17(1) GDPR , the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that you, as the data subject, have requested the erasure of all links to, or copies or replications of, that personal data.

c) Exceptions

The right to erasure does not apply insofar as the processing is necessary

  1. to exercise the right to freedom of expression and information;
  2. for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject, or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller;
  3. for reasons of public interest in the area of ​​public health pursuant to Art. 9 para. 2 lit. h) and i as well as Art. 9 para. 3 GDPR ;
  4. for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR , insofar as the right referred to in point (a) is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing, or
  5. for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims

4. Right to restriction of processing

Under the following conditions, you can request the restriction of the processing of your personal data:

  1. if you contest the accuracy of the personal data concerning you for a period enabling the controller to verify the accuracy of the personal data;
  2. the processing is unlawful and you object to the erasure of the personal data and instead request the restriction of the use of the personal data;
  3. the controller no longer needs the personal data for the purposes of processing, but you require it for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims, or
  4. if you have objected to the processing pursuant to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR and it is not yet clear whether the legitimate grounds of the controller override your grounds.

If the processing of your personal data has been restricted, this data – apart from being stored – may only be processed with your consent or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims or for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person or for reasons of important public interest of the Union or of a Member State.

If processing has been restricted in accordance with the above conditions, you will be informed by the controller before the restriction is lifted.

When data is processed for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes, your right to restrict processing may be limited insofar as it is likely to make the achievement of the research or statistical purposes impossible or seriously impair it, and the restriction is necessary for the fulfillment of the research or statistical purposes.

5. Right to information

If you have asserted your right to rectification, erasure or restriction of processing against the controller, the controller is obliged to communicate this rectification or erasure of data or restriction of processing to all recipients to whom the personal data concerning you have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort.

They have the right to be informed about these recipients by the data controller.

6. Right to data portability

You have the right to receive the personal data concerning you, which you have provided to the controller, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. Furthermore, you have the right to transmit this data to another controller without hindrance from the controller to whom the personal data was provided, provided that

  1. the processing is based on consent pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 lit. a) GDPR or on a contract pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR and
  2. The processing is carried out using automated procedures.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to have your personal data transmitted directly from one controller to another, where technically feasible. This must not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

The right to data portability does not apply to the processing of personal data necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.

7. Right to object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on point ( e) of Article 6(1) of the GDPR , including profiling based on those provisions.

In the event of an objection, the controller will no longer process the personal data concerning you unless he can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves the purpose of establishing, exercising or defending legal claims.

In the case of data processing for scientific, historical or statistical research purposes pursuant to Article 89(1) GDPR, you also have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to the processing of personal data concerning you, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

8. Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

You have the right to withdraw your consent to data processing at any time. The withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

9. Automated decision-making in individual cases, including profiling

You have the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning you or similarly significantly affects you.

This does not apply if the decision

  1. is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract between you and the controller,
  2. is permitted under Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject and which contains appropriate measures to safeguard your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests or
  3. This is done with your explicit consent.

However, these decisions must not be based on special categories of personal data pursuant to Article 9(1) GDPR , unless Article 9(2)(a) or (g) GDPR applies and appropriate measures to protect your rights and freedoms and legitimate interests have been taken.

With regard to the cases referred to in (1) and (3), the controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms and legitimate interests of the data subject, at least the right to obtain human intervention on the part of the controller, to express his or her point of view and to contest the decision.

K. Rights and complaint options

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 consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

The supervisory authority with which the complaint has been lodged shall inform the complainant of the progress and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy pursuant to Article 78 GDPR .

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the responsible supervisory authority of the state of Hesse regarding data protection issues.

Contact address of the supervisory authority of the Technical University of Central Hesse:

The Hessian Data Protection Commissioner,
P.O. Box 3163,
65021 Wiesbaden

Email to HDSB 

Telephone: +49 611 1408 – 0
Fax: +49 611 1408 – 611

Name and address of the data protection officer

The contact details of the official data protection officer of the university receiving the service can be found at https://www.thm.de/datenschutz

The contact details of the official data protection officer of the participating universities can be found here: