Privacy Policy

Scope

This privacy policy informs users about the nature, scope, and purposes of the collection and use of personal data by the responsible provider, Formal Mind GmbH (contact details in the legal notice) on this and other websites operated by the provider (hereinafter “service”).

The legal basis for data protection can be found in the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and the Telemedia Act (TMG).

Handling of Personal Data

Personal data is information that can be used to identify a person, meaning data that can be traced back to a person. This includes names, email addresses, or phone numbers. It also includes data about preferences, hobbies, memberships, or which websites a person has viewed.

Personal data is only collected, used, and disclosed by the provider if this is permitted by law or if users consent to the data collection.

Contact

When contacting the provider (for example via contact form, email, phone, or letter), the user’s information is stored for the purpose of processing the request and in case follow-up questions arise.

Formal Mind Software

Formal Mind provides users with several software products:

ReqIF Studio

ReqIF Studio is software for editing ReqIF files. ReqIF Studio is based on the Eclipse platform and may contact Eclipse or Formal Mind servers to check for updates. This can be disabled in the settings.

All user data (in particular ReqIF specifications) is processed only locally on the user’s computer and is never shared.

Semiant

Semiant is a quality assistant consisting of a web application and a browser extension. Semiant processes the following data:

  • User name and email — Required for user login and to access configured features such as glossary management.
  • Website content — Content is processed only when the user explicitly activates Semiant. The content is sent to a Formal Mind server hosted in the EU for processing. Content is not stored.

User data is not shared.

Third Parties

Formal Mind GmbH uses a number of third-party providers that store data in the USA. All listed providers process this data on our behalf. Additionally, the providers may use the data to optimize or improve their own services. However, they do not use the data to contact users directly or share it with third parties. All providers are certified under the US-EU data protection agreement “Privacy Shield” and are committed to complying with EU data protection requirements.

MailerLite

  • Trigger: The user subscribes to newsletters, emails, or other electronic notifications with promotional information (hereinafter “newsletter”)
  • Purpose: The user receives regular information and can unsubscribe at any time
  • Data: Email address, optional data such as name and gender
  • Contact: MailerLite, Inc., 548 Market St, PMB 98174, San Francisco, CA 94104-5401, United States

HubSpot

  • Trigger: The user subscribes to newsletters, emails, or other electronic notifications with promotional information (hereinafter “newsletter”)
  • Purpose: The user receives regular information and can unsubscribe at any time
  • Data: Email address, optional data such as name and gender
  • Contact: HubSpot, 1 Harbour Pl, Suite 175 Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

Google

  • Trigger: A user visits a website with Google content (Google Analytics is handled separately below). This includes embedded YouTube videos, maps, etc.
  • Purpose: Viewing videos, navigation, etc.
  • Data: IP address, cookies
  • Contact: Google

Amazon

  • Trigger: A user visits a website with Amazon content or follows a link to Amazon content, including videos or affiliate links
  • Purpose: Viewing Amazon content or purchasing products
  • Data: IP address, cookies
  • Contact: Amazon

Stripe

  • Trigger: A user purchases a product or service
  • Purpose: Payment processing
  • Data: Information required for payment processing, such as credit card details, name, address, etc.
  • Contact: Stripe

Crowdsignal

  • Trigger: A user visits a website containing a survey form from Crowdsignal
  • Purpose: Conducting surveys
  • Data: IP address, cookies
  • Contact: Crowdsignal

Integration of Third-Party Services and Content and IP Addresses

This service may include third-party content. This always requires that the providers of such content (“third-party providers”) are aware of the user’s IP address, as they cannot deliver content to the user’s browser without it. The IP address is therefore required for displaying this content. We aim to use only content where providers use the IP address solely for delivery. However, we have no control if third-party providers store IP addresses, for example for statistical purposes. Where known, we inform users accordingly.

Google Analytics

Unfortunately, in Germany there is uncertainty regarding internet services (also known as “Neuland”). Combined with the potential misuse of warning letters, this results in privacy policies containing more information than strictly necessary:

This service uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, text files stored on users’ computers that enable analysis of website usage. The information generated by cookies about usage is usually transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there.

If IP anonymization is activated on this website, Google shortens the user’s IP address within EU member states or other EEA countries before transmission. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. IP anonymization is active on this website. Google uses this information on behalf of the website operator to evaluate website usage, compile reports, and provide related services.

The IP address transmitted by your browser within Google Analytics is not combined with other Google data. Users can prevent cookie storage through browser settings. However, some functions of the website may then not be fully available. Users can also prevent data collection and processing by Google by downloading and installing the browser plugin: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

Further information on Google’s use of data for advertising, settings, and opt-out options can be found here:
https://www.google.com/intl/de/policies/privacy/partners/
http://www.google.com/policies/technologies/ads
http://www.google.de/settings/ads
http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/

Alternatively, to prevent Google Analytics tracking on mobile devices, click this link to set an opt-out cookie. If you delete cookies, you must click the link again.

VG Wort

We use “session cookies” from VG Wort, Munich, to measure access to texts and determine copying probability. Session cookies are small pieces of information stored in the visitor’s computer memory. They contain a randomly generated session ID and information about origin and storage duration. They cannot store other data. Measurements are carried out by INFOnline GmbH using the Scalable Central Measurement Method (SZM) to determine compensation for authors and publishers. No personal data is collected.

Some pages include JavaScript calls reporting access to VG Wort, enabling participation in VG Wort distributions according to § 53 UrhG.

Use of the service is possible without cookies. Most browsers accept cookies automatically. Users can disable cookies or configure notifications.

Privacy policy for SZM:

Our website uses the SZM method by INFOnline GmbH to determine statistical values for copying probability.

Anonymous data is collected. Recognition uses either a session cookie or a signature derived from browser information. IP addresses are processed in anonymized form.

The system was developed with data protection in mind. No users are identified. No advertising is delivered.

Access Data / Server Log Files

The provider (or its hosting provider) collects data on every access (server log files). This includes:

Name of accessed webpage, file, date and time, data volume, success message, browser type and version, operating system, referrer URL, IP address, and requesting provider.

These logs are used for statistical analysis, operation, security, and optimization. The provider reserves the right to review logs if there is suspicion of unlawful use.

Cookies

See Cookie Policy for details.

Revocation, Changes, Corrections, and Updates

Users have the right to request free information about stored personal data. They also have the right to correct inaccurate data, block, or delete personal data, unless legal retention obligations apply.