Data protection

General

Thank you for your interest in our company. Your privacy is important to us, and you should always feel safe and comfortable when visiting our website. That is why we have put both technical and organizational measures in place to ensure we observe the relevant legislation at all times. This document describes the information we may collect and how we handle it.

I. Who is responsible?

RWE Aktiengesellschaft
RWE Platz 1
45141 Essen
P +49(0)201-51790
F +49(0)201-51795005
E-mail RWE Aktiengesellschaft

II. How can you contact the data protection officer?

You can reach our data protection officer at:

RWE Aktiengesellschaft
Data Protection Officer
RWE Platz 6
45141 Essen
E-mail dataprotection@rwe.com

III. Provision of the website and logfiles

In the following, we will inform you how we process your personal data in connection with the provision of the website and creation of log files.

1. Which of your personal data is used by us?

Every time you visit our website, our system automatically collects data and information from the system of the accessing device. In addition to non-personal data (e. g. the domain name of the website which you came from; the websites that you visited on our domain; the names of the retrieved files (incl. date and time of the retrieval); the name of your Internet service provider; and, if applicable, the operating system and browser version of your device; host name of the accessing device; language settings), your IP address is processed.

2. What are the sources of the data?

The data is collected from you by being automatically transmitted by your device to our system.

3. What do we process your data for and on what legal basis?

The data is primarily collected in order to make the website technically available. In this case the legal basis is art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In addition, we store the data – in pseudonymized form in log files – for security purposes, in particular to recognize and counteract attacks on our website, for statistical purposes and to optimize our Internet presence. In these cases the processing is based on art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest is to guarantee the above mentioned purposes.

4. To whom will your data be passed on?

In certain cases, the data may be passed on to other Group companies. In addition, we use external service providers who may also receive personal data in the course of performing their duties. In these cases, we ensure that your personal data is processed in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR and the German Federal Data Protection Act.

As a matter of principle, your data will not be passed on to other third parties, unless we are obliged to do so by legal or official orders.

5. How long will your data be stored?

We store the data for a period of 30 days.

6. Is there an obligation to provide your data?

There is no legal or contractual obligation to provide the data. If you do not provide the data, it is not possible to use the website to its full extent.

IV. Web analysis and web optimization through cookies

We use cookies on our website. Cookies are text files that contain a characteristic string of signs and enable a unique identification of the device. They are stored in the Internet browser or by the Internet browser on the user's operating system when the website is accessed. When the website is opened again, the operating system can be identified in this way and certain information can be transferred automatically.

The information that is stored via cookies fulfils various functions. We categorize them as follows:

  • Essential Cookies
  • Analytical Cookies
  • Marketing Cookies

1. Which of your personal data is used by us?

Depending on the cookie used, we collect different personal data. You can find a list of which data is involved in individual cases here.

2. What are the sources of the data?

All data that we collect in the form of cookies originate from you.

3. What do we process your data for and on what legal basis?

Depending on the cookie used, we pursue different purposes with the use of cookies. The first time you visit our website, you will be asked to select which cookies you wish to allow. Here you have the possibility to view and change your selection.

a. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are required for the technical operation of our website and to ensure its stability. What purpose is pursued with the respective cookie can be seen here. When you visit our websites, a dedicated banner informs you about the use of cookies and refers you to this data protection information. The legal basis for this processing is art. 6 para. 1 lit. f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest is to be able to guarantee the purposes mentioned.

The data collected from you in this way is pseudonymized by technical precautions and is not stored together with other personal data of yours. Hence we can no longer assign the data to you personally.

b. Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies enable us to analyze your surfing behaviour on our website so that we can measure and improve the performance of our pages. In doing so, we create statistical profiles that are not attributable to individuals but only to groups. These profiles are used to analyze visitor and click behaviour as well as demographic characteristics of the website visitors. What purpose is pursued with the respective cookie in individual cases can be seen here.

When you visit our websites, our info banner informs you about the use of analysis cookies by referring to this data protection information. If you agree to the processing, you click on this cookie category and thereby give your consent, which serves as a legal basis, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 a) GDPR.

The data collected from you in this way is pseudonymized by technical precautions and is not stored together with other personal data of yours. Hence we can no longer assign the data to you personally.

c. Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies help us to offer you personalized advertisements on and outside americas.rwe.com that are tailored to your interests.

When you visit our websites, our so-called cookie banner informs you about the use of marketing cookies by referring to this data protection information. If you agree to the processing, click on this cookie category and thereby give your consent, which serves as a legal basis, in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR.

The created usage profiles, including those exchanged with the operators of social networks, are pseudonymized and only then processed. This means that we can only assign the analyzed advertising interests to the pseudonym, but not to you personally.

4. To whom will your data be passed on?

In certain cases, the data may be passed on to other Group companies. In addition, third-party companies that offer the respective cookie will receive your data within the scope of data processing on our behalf pursuant to art. 28 GDPR. The list will inform you in detail about which ones these are.

5. How long will your data be stored?

The storage time varies depending on the cookie category:

  • Essential cookies: 24 months
  • Session cookies, as subset of the essential cookies: 24 hours
  • Analytical cookies: 24 months

6. Is there an obligation to provide your data?

There is no obligation to provide the data. However, the essential cookies are necessary for the website to function properly.

7. Your rights with regard to cookies 

In addition to the rights mentioned under point IX, you have the right:

  • to object to the use of the essential cookies at any time.
  • to revoke/withdraw your consent here regarding the analytical cookies used by us.

Microsoft Application Insights

Application Insights is a service of the Azure cloud platform of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA ("Microsoft"). This service collects telemetry data from the application being used. This data is anonymous statistical data. It is not possible to establish a personal reference based on this data. The IP address used by the user is shortened and thus anonymized. The legal basis for the processing of the users' personal data is the Legitimate Interest (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR). Raw telemetry data is deleted after 90 days.

Information about Application Insights: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-monitor/app/data-retention-privacy

V. Google Services

We have integrated Google Maps on our website via an API. The service is provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Its parent company is Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Further information on data processing by Google can be found in the Google Privacy Policy.

1. Which of your personal data is used by us?

To be able to display the content in your browser, Google must receive your IP address and location data, otherwise Google would not be able to provide you with this embedded content. The generated information is transferred to a Google server in the USA and processed there.

2. What are the sources of the data?

The data is collected from you.

3. What do we process your data for and on what legal basis?

We need the data so that we can offer the Google services. When you visit our websites, our cookie banner informs you about the use of Google services by referring to this data protection information. If you agree to the processing, you click on this cookie category and thereby give your consent, which serves as a legal basis, in accordance with art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR. 

4. To whom will your data be passed on?

With your consent, the data will be passed on to Google.

5. How long will your data be stored?

Google stores your data. For more information visit their data protection information here.

6. Is there an obligation to provide your data? 

There is no obligation to provide the data.

7. Right to withdraw your consent

In addition to the rights mentioned under point IX, you have the right to withdraw your consent to the Google services here.

VI. Contact Form

On our website you have the possibility to contact us via a form. In the following we explain to you how we process your data in this context.

1. Which of your personal data is used by us?

We process the data you provide in the respective form. These are:

  • Salutation/Title,
  • Name, 
  • Title, 
  • E-Mail, 
  • Address, 
  • Phone number, 
  • Company.

In addition, you have the possibility to provide us with further data via a free text. 

2. What are the sources of the data?

You enter the data into the form yourself.

3. What do we process your data for on what legal basis?

We need the data so that we know who has sent us the inquiry and to answer this inquiry. The legal basis of the processing is your consent under art. 6 para. 1 lit. a) GDPR, which you give by sending the request.

4. To whom will your data be passed on?

We will pass on your data to the Group company responsible for your request. In addition, we use service providers in certain cases who may also receive your data.

5. How long will your data be stored?

The data will be stored as long as it is necessary to answer your request and beyond this time period if required by legal retention periods.

6. Is there an obligation to provide your data? 

There is no obligation to provide the data. Without the data, we are not able to answer your inquiry.

7. Right to withdraw your consent

Within the scope of using the contact form you have the rights mentioned under point IX. 

VII. Does automated decision-making including profiling take place?

No automated decision-making including profiling takes place.

VIII. Is your data transferred to countries outside the European Union (so called third countries)?

We also use service providers located in third countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area ("EEA") to process your data. To protect your personal data, we conclude standard data protection clauses issued by the EU Commission with service providers in third countries. These clauses provide appropriate safeguards for the protection of your data with service providers in the third country.

You have the opportunity to request further information and to receive copies of the relevant agreements at any time. You can reach us using the contact details mentioned under point I or II.

IX. What rights do you have in connection with the processing of your data?

1. Right of access

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

You also have the right to request information as to whether the personal data concerning you is 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 art. 46 GDPR in connection with the transfer. 

2. Right to rectification

You have the right to ask the data controller to rectify and/or complete the data, if the personal data processed concerning you is incorrect or incomplete. The data controller shall make the correction without delay.

3. Right to restriction of processing

Under the conditions laid down in the GDPR, you may request that the processing of personal data concerning you be restricted. 

4. Right to erasure

You may request the controller to delete the personal data concerning you and the controller is obliged to delete such data immediately, unless an exception is provided for by law. 

5. Right to data portability

You have the right to obtain your personal data, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, which you have provided to the controller and the processing of which is based on consent or on a contract with you.

In exercising this right, you also have the right to obtain that the personal data concerning you be transferred directly from one data controller to another, as far as this is technically feasible. The freedoms and rights of other persons must not be affected by this. 

6. Right to withdraw your consent

You have the right to revoke your data protection declaration of consent at any time. Revocation of your consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing that has taken place on the basis of your consent until revocation. This also applies to the revocation of declarations of consent that were issued to us prior to the validity of the GDPR, i. e. prior to 25 May 2018. In this case, all personal data stored on the basis of the consent will be deleted, unless the law provides another legal basis for further storage.

7. How to excercise your rights

To exercise your above rights, please contact us using the contact details given under point I or II.

If you want to revoke your consent regarding the Google services, you can change this setting here.

Revocation of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of the consent until revocation.

8. Right to object

You have the right to object at any time, for reasons arising from your particular situation, to the processing of personal data relating to you which is carried out pursuant to art. 6 para. 1 lit. e) or f) GDPR, including profiling based on these provisions.

If the personal data concerning you are processed for the purpose of direct marketing, you have the right to object at any time, including profiling, insofar as it relates to such direct marketing. In the event of an objection, the personal data concerning you will no longer be processed for these purposes.

In order to declare your revocation, please contact us using the contact details given under point 1 or 2.

9. Right to complain to 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 in which you are resident, your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement, if you consider that the processing of personal data concerning you is in breach of the GDPR. The supervisory authority which the complaint has been lodged with shall inform the complainant of the status and outcome of the complaint, including the possibility of a judicial remedy under art. 78 GDPR. To make it easier for you to assert your rights, you will find below the address of the supervisory authority responsible for us:

State Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information North Rhine-Westphalia 
PO Box 20 04 44
40102 Düsseldorf 
T: +49 211 38424 – 0
F: +49 211 38424 – 10
E-Mail: poststelle@ldi.nrw.de

An overview and contacts of all state data protection authorities and global Data Protection Commissioners can be found here.