Privacy

The cosmogenius app is designed for focused, collaborative discussions—either in a public or, optionally, a private setting. To use certain features of the app (such as saving theses to your library, creating new theses, or contributing to existing ones), you must register once using an email address and password. If you use the Pro version, you will also need to create a nickname to identify yourself during internal discussions.

Legal Basis

Data processing in connection with the cosmogenius app is carried out to enable the technical use of personalized tools, such as saving favorites and accessing paid content within the app (in-app purchases via the Pro version).

Purposes of Data Processing (Art. 13 Para. 1 lit. c GDPR)

a) Google Sign-In (Firebase Auth)
Purpose: User authentication, creation of a user account
Data collected: Name, email address
Provider: Google Ireland Limited
→ Google Privacy Policy
Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (performance of a contract – account registration)
or Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a (consent)

b) The standard version of the cosmogenius app uses AdMob (advertising), while the website uses AdSense.
Purpose: Displaying personalized or non-personalized advertisements
Data transfer to Google / third-party providers
Use of cookies / tracking technologies
→ Google AdMob Privacy Policy
→ Google AdSense Privacy Policy

c) In-app purchases (Google Play Billing)
Purpose: Processing of purchases, subscriptions, and other payment transactions
Purchase processing is handled via Google (Play Store)
Payment and account processing is carried out by Google.
Google Privacy Information
Legal basis: Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (contract / purchase)

Server service providers, hosting, and server log files

Our app utilizes server services provided by IONOS SE (Elgendorfer Straße 57, 56410 Montabaur, Germany). These servers are used for the technical provision of our app, including user management, data processing, and communication with our backend systems.
When accessing the server, information is automatically stored in what are known as server log files, which your device transmits to our server. This may include, in particular:
– IP address
– Date and time of the server request
– Operating system of the device used
– App version or client software used
– API endpoints accessed
This data is technically necessary to ensure the stable and secure operation of the app and is processed exclusively for this purpose.
IONOS, acting as our hosting service provider, processes personal data on our behalf and has been contractually obligated—in accordance with Art. 28 of the GDPR—to comply with data protection regulations.
The processing is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR (legitimate interest in the secure and functional operation of the app). This data is not combined with other data sources.

Data Transfer to Third Countries (Art. 13 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR)

Data may be transferred to the USA through Google services. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) pursuant to Art. 46 of the GDPR are in place.

Duration of Storage (Art. 13 Para. 2 lit. a GDPR)

Data is stored for as long as the user account exists.
Cookie/Consent Banner Notice (TTDSG)
Personalized advertising (via AdMob, see above) is only used if you were informed about tracking via a consent banner when first launching the app and provided your consent. Otherwise, you will see non-personalized advertising in the standard version.

Data Controller

The data controller as defined by data protection laws, in particular the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is: Myriam Hengstmann, myriam.hengstmann@cosmogenius.de
You may exercise the following rights at any time by contacting the data protection representative using the contact details provided:

Information regarding the data we hold about you and how it is processed,
Correction of inaccurate personal data,
Deletion of the data we hold about you,
Restriction of data processing, in cases where we are not yet permitted to delete your data due to legal obligations,
the right to object to the processing of your data by us, and
the right to data portability, provided that you have consented to the data processing or have entered into a contract with us.

If you have provided us with consent, you may revoke it at any time with effect for the future.
You may also lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority at any time. The competent supervisory authority depends on the federal state in which you reside, work, or where the alleged infringement occurred. A list of supervisory authorities (for the non-public sector) along with their addresses can be found at: https://www.bfdi.bund.de/DE/Infothek/Anschriften_Links/anschriften_links-node.html.

Purposes of data processing by the controller and third parties

We process your personal data only for the purposes stated in this privacy policy. Your personal data will not be transferred to third parties for purposes other than those mentioned. We will only share your personal data with third parties if:

you have given your explicit consent,
the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you,
the processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation,
the processing is necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests, and there is no reason to assume that you have an overriding interest in the non-disclosure of your data that warrants protection.

Deletion or blocking of data

We adhere to the principles of data avoidance and data minimization. We therefore store your personal data only for as long as is necessary to achieve the purposes stated here, or for the duration of the various retention periods prescribed by law. Once the respective purpose no longer applies or these retention periods have expired, the corresponding data are routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with legal requirements.

Processing of Personal Data

We collect and use your personal data—obtained through your use of our online services—only within the scope permitted by law and solely for the purpose for which you provided it to us (e.g., requesting informational materials, submitting comments, or subscribing to a newsletter). The data collected is protected by comprehensive security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, destruction, or loss. Data transmission over the internet is encrypted using SSL.
If you choose to provide personal data—such as your name, address, telephone number, or email address—via our contact form, clicking the "Send Now" button constitutes your consent for us to collect, process, and use the provided data for the intended purpose, such as handling your inquiry or sending you further information. If you request information regarding products or services, for example, we will use your data to provide you with the relevant information.
You may revoke this consent at any time, with effect for the future. Please send your revocation in text form to info@cosmogenius.de or by mail to the address provided in the legal notice (Impressum).

Collection of general information when visiting the website

When you access our website, general information is automatically collected via a cookie. This information (server log files) includes, for example, the type of web browser, the operating system used, the domain name of your internet service provider, and similar data. This information does not allow for any conclusions to be drawn about your identity.
This information is technically necessary to correctly deliver the web content you have requested and is inevitably generated when using the internet. It is processed, in particular, for the following purposes:

Ensuring a seamless connection to the website,
Ensuring the smooth use of our website,
Evaluating system security and stability, and
Other administrative purposes.

The processing of your personal data is based on our legitimate interest in collecting data for the aforementioned purposes. We do not use your data to draw conclusions about your identity. The recipients of the data are solely the party responsible and, where applicable, data processors. We may analyze such anonymous information statistically to optimize our website and the underlying technology.

Information regarding visits to our website is collected with the help of cookies.

Cookies

Like many other websites, we use so-called "cookies." Cookies are small text files that are transferred from a website server to your hard drive. This allows us to automatically receive certain data, such as your IP address, the browser you are using, your operating system, and details about your internet connection.

Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. The information contained in cookies helps us make navigation easier for you and ensures that our websites are displayed correctly.
Under no circumstances will the data we collect be shared with third parties, nor will it be linked to personal data without your consent.
You can, of course, view our website without cookies. Most internet browsers are set to accept cookies by default. Generally, you can disable the use of cookies at any time via your browser settings. Please consult your 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.

If you contact us with any questions via email or our contact form, you are providing your voluntary consent for us to get in touch with you. This requires you to provide a valid email address, which is used to categorize your inquiry and subsequently respond to it. Providing any additional information is optional. The details you provide will be stored for the purpose of processing your inquiry and for any potential follow-up questions. Once your inquiry has been addressed, any personal data will be automatically deleted.

Use of Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. (hereinafter: Google). Google Analytics uses "cookies"—text files stored on your computer—that enable an analysis of your use of the website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website is generally transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. However, because IP anonymization has been activated on this website, your IP address will be truncated by Google within the member states of the European Union or in other states that are party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and truncated there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on website activity, and provide other services related to website and internet usage to the website operator. The IP address transmitted by your browser as part of Google Analytics will not be combined with other data held by Google.

The purpose of this data processing is to evaluate the use of the website and to compile reports on website activity. Furthermore, additional related services are provided based on the use of the website and the internet. This processing is based on the legitimate interest of the website operator.

You may prevent the storage of cookies by adjusting the settings in your browser software; however, please note that if you do so, you may not be able to use all the functions of this website to their full extent. Furthermore, you can prevent Google from collecting data generated by the cookie regarding your use of the website (including your IP address) and from processing this data by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link: Browser add-on for deactivating Google Analytics.

In addition to, or as an alternative to, the browser add-on, you can prevent tracking by Google Analytics on our pages by clicking this link. This will install an opt-out cookie on your device. This prevents Google Analytics from collecting data for this website and this browser in the future, as long as the cookie remains installed in your browser.

Use of script libraries (Google Web Fonts)

To ensure that our content is displayed correctly and in a visually appealing manner across different browsers, we use script and font libraries on this website, such as Google Web Fonts (https://www.google.com/webfonts/). Google Web Fonts are transferred to your browser's cache to avoid multiple loading. If your browser does not support Google Web Fonts or prevents access to them, content will be displayed in a standard font.
Accessing script or font libraries automatically triggers a connection to the operator of the library. It is theoretically possible—though currently unclear whether or for what specific purposes—that the operators of such libraries may collect data.
You can find the privacy policy of the library operator, Google, here: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/

Changes to our privacy policy

We reserve the right to update this privacy policy to ensure it always complies with current legal requirements or to reflect changes in our services, for example, when introducing new features. The updated privacy policy will apply to any subsequent visits you make to our website.

Questions for the Data Protection Officer

If you have any questions regarding data protection, please send us an email or contact the person responsible for data protection for the website cosmogenius.de directly: Myriam Hengstmann, → Contact