Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 13th, 2026
General
At Swabian Instruments GmbH and its subsidiaries (“Swabian Instruments,” “we,” “our”), we value your trust and take the protection of your personal data seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard personal data when you interact with our websites, products, services, or communications.
We process personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), the German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), and other applicable laws. This policy applies to all individuals who use our online services, contact us, subscribe to newsletters, participate in events, apply for positions, or otherwise engage with us.
Our goal is to provide transparency, clarity, and security regarding the ways in which we handle your personal data.
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law, technology, or business practices. The latest version will always be available on our website. Significant changes will be communicated where legally required.
Business Services & Contract Fulfillment
We process contact and contract data (e.g., name, address, billing details) when necessary to perform and manage relationships. Data is shared only with service providers directly involved in fulfilling the contract (e.g., shipping, logistics). After legal retention periods expire, data will be deleted.
Web Analysis, Monitoring and Optimization
We use Plausible Analytics, which counts page views without cookies and without personal data (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR), and Google Analytics 4 as described below.
Google Analytics 4, provided by Google Ireland Limited, is only loaded after you give consent in our cookie banner (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, § 25 TDDDG). Until then, nothing is sent to Google. With your consent, Google sets cookies that recognise your browser on later visits, so we can see how visitors move across our site over time. Google may transfer this data to the United States. Google relies on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and standard contractual clauses for these transfers. We keep Google Analytics data for 14 months. You can withdraw your consent at any time using the cookie settings icon at the bottom of every page.
Cookies and consent
When you first visit our website, a banner asks which optional services you allow. Your choice is stored in a cookie for 365 days. You can change it at any time using the cookie settings icon at the bottom of every page. Our consent tool, Klaro, runs on our own server and does not send your choice to anyone.
Cookies we set:
| Cookie | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
klaro | Stores your consent choice | Required | 365 days |
_ga | Google Analytics, recognises returning visitors | Only with your consent | 2 years |
_ga_<ID> | Google Analytics, keeps session state | Only with your consent | 2 years |
Cookies set by third-party services only after your consent: Freshworks support chat and Vimeo videos. See the sections Support chat and Plugins and Embedded Content below.
The durations listed are the values set when a cookie is created. The actual lifetime can be shorter, as some browsers limit how long cookies are kept. The _ga cookies are renewed on repeat visits for as long as a valid consent exists; once the consent expires or is withdrawn, they are no longer renewed.
Job Application Process
We process applicant data (e.g., contact details, CV, cover letter, references) for recruitment purposes. Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR and national employment law. If no employment is established, data is deleted after 6 months unless you consent to longer storage in our talent pool.
Newsletter & Contact Form
Contact and Inquiry Management
When you contact us by form, email, or telephone, we process the personal data you provide (e.g. name, email address, company, and message content) in order to respond to your inquiry and manage follow-up communications.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (pre-contractual/contractual obligations) or Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in processing inquiries).
Data is stored as long as necessary to process your request and may be archived for documentation or legal compliance purposes.
Newsletter and Electronic Communications
If you subscribe to our newsletter via our website form, we process your personal data (e.g., name, email address, company, interests) for the purpose of sending regular updates about our products, services, and events.
You may withdraw consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in each email or contacting us at info@swabianinstruments.com.
To measure the effectiveness of our newsletters, we may track interactions (such as whether an email was opened or links were clicked). This processing is based on our legitimate interest in improving communications (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Data is retained until you unsubscribe. For compliance purposes, we keep evidence of your consent for up to three years after unsubscribing.
Support chat
Our support chat is provided by Freshworks Inc., USA. The chat only loads after you accept it, either in the cookie banner or by clicking the support button. Freshworks then sets its own cookies and receives data such as your IP address, browser type and the messages you write. Details are in Freshworks’ cookie policy at freshworks.com/list-of-cookies. Legal basis is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, § 25 TDDDG).
Disclosure
You have the right to request access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, and data portability of your personal data, as well as the right to object to certain processing activities.
To exercise these rights or to withdraw consent, please contact us at info@swabianinstruments.com.
Security Precautions
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, misuse, loss, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.
Transmission of Personal Data
Personal data is transmitted to third parties only when necessary for contract fulfillment (e.g., shipping providers, payment processors), when required by law, or when you have given explicit consent.
International Data Transfers
If personal data is transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure adequate safeguards are in place, such as EU Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent protection measures.
Commercial Communication (Email, Postal Mail, Phone, Fax)
We may contact you regarding orders, service updates, or business inquiries using the communication methods you have provided. Such contact is limited to the scope of our business relationship or based on your consent. You can object to these communications at any time.
Social Media Profiles
We maintain company pages on social networks (e.g., LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube). Data you provide on those platforms is processed by the respective provider under their terms, as well as by us when you interact with our pages.
Plugins and Embedded Content
Some pages embed videos hosted by Vimeo Inc., USA. On our Chinese site, videos are hosted by Bilibili. A video only loads after you accept it in the cookie banner or click the placeholder. When it loads, your IP address and browser information are sent to the provider, and the provider may set cookies. Legal basis is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, § 25 TDDDG).