Thank you for your interest in Understory Markets. Data protection is a priority for me as the individual behind this publication. You can visit Understory Markets without providing any personal data. This website does not operate contact forms, newsletter signups, or any mechanism that collects names, email addresses, or telephone numbers from visitors. Where any processing of personal data occurs, this policy explains what, why, and your rights.

Any personal data processed in connection with this website will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable national data protection law.

1. Definitions

This privacy policy is based on the terms used by the European legislator for the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is written to be legible and understandable for anyone visiting this publication. Key terms are explained below.

a) Personal data
Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“data subject”). An identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

b) Data subject
Data subject is any identified or identifiable natural person whose personal data is processed by the controller responsible for the processing.

c) Processing
Processing is any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.

d) Restriction of processing
Restriction of processing is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of limiting their processing in the future.

e) Profiling
Profiling means any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements.

f) Pseudonymisation
Pseudonymisation is the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person.

g) Controller
Controller or controller responsible for the processing is the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.

h) Processor
Processor is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

i) Recipient
Recipient is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or another body to which the personal data are disclosed, whether a third party or not.

j) Third party
Third party is a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or body other than the data subject, controller, processor and persons who, under the direct authority of the controller or processor, are authorised to process personal data.

k) Consent
Consent of the data subject is any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and Address of the Controller

The controller responsible for the processing of personal data on this website within the meaning of the GDPR is:

Understory Markets
Erik Schellenberger
Waldackerstraße 21a
63743 Aschaffenburg
Germany
Email: [email protected]
Website: understorymarkets.com

Note: My email address appears within published articles as a means of contact. Sending an email to this address is voluntary and constitutes direct communication between you and me as an individual. Any personal data included in such emails (e.g. your name or email address) is used solely to respond to your inquiry and is not stored in any database or shared with third parties.

3. Collection of General Data and Information

This website collects a series of general data and information when a visitor or automated system calls up the website. This data is stored in server log files. Collected data may include: (1) browser type and version, (2) operating system, (3) referring website (referrer), (4) sub-pages visited, (5) date and time of access, (6) IP address, (7) internet service provider, and (8) similar technical data that may be relevant in the event of attacks on this website.

I do not use this data to draw conclusions about individual visitors. It is used to (1) deliver website content correctly, (2) optimise content, (3) ensure long-term technical viability, and (4) provide law enforcement with information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyber-attack. Anonymised log data is stored separately from any data you may voluntarily provide.

4. Hosting and Cloudflare DNS

This website is hosted by MagicPages. The website operator is:

Jannis Fedoruk-Betschki
Wiesingerstraße 2, 4820 Bad Ischl
VAT Identification: ATU80756629
Website: magicpages.co

As part of its infrastructure, MagicPages uses Cloudflare, Inc. as a DNS and content delivery provider. Cloudflare is a company based in the United States (101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA). This means that DNS queries and, depending on configuration, web traffic to this website may pass through Cloudflare’s network infrastructure, including servers located in the United States.
Cloudflare may process technical data such as IP addresses as part of its DNS resolution and network security services. This processing occurs at the infrastructure level and is outside my direct control. Cloudflare acts as a processor within the meaning of the GDPR.
Further information about Cloudflare’s data handling practices is available at: https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/

5. No Collection of Personal Data via This Website

This website does not collect personal data through forms, newsletter subscriptions, user accounts, comment sections, or any other input mechanism. I do not store names, email addresses, telephone numbers, or any other personally identifiable information submitted by visitors, because no such submission mechanism exists on this website.

The only personal data processed is technical data described in Section 3 above, and data arising from voluntary direct email contact as described in Section 2.

This website contains links to external websites operated by third parties. These links are provided for informational purposes only. I have no influence over the content or data protection practices of linked external websites and cannot accept any responsibility for them. At the time of linking, the respective pages were checked for obvious legal violations; no such violations were apparent. Permanent monitoring of linked external content is not reasonable without concrete evidence of a legal violation.

If you become aware of any legal violations on linked pages, please notify me at [email protected] so I can review and remove the link if necessary.

7. Cookies

This website does not set tracking cookies. Any cookies that may be set are strictly technical and necessary for the operation of the website (e.g. session management by the hosting infrastructure).

8. Analytics — Tinybird

On this website, I use Tinybird for website traffic analytics. Tinybird is a cookie-free, first-party analytics solution that processes traffic data without setting cookies on the visitor’s device and without tracking users across websites.

The purpose of the Tinybird analytics integration is to analyse visitor flows on this website in a privacy-preserving manner. I use the obtained data to evaluate the use of this publication and compile reports on site activity, with the aim of improving website content and user experience.

Because Tinybird analytics operates without cookies and does not collect personally identifiable information, it does not require consent under the ePrivacy Directive. No cookies are set on the information technology system of the data subject, and no cross-site tracking of individual users is performed.

The analytics data collected may include aggregated information such as page views, referrer sources, browser type, operating system, and country-level location derived from IP addresses. IP addresses are not stored in their full form; they are used only to derive approximate geographic information and are not retained in a way that would allow identification of individual data subjects.

All analytics data is processed as first-party data and is not shared with advertising networks or third-party trackers. The data is used solely by me to understand website performance.

Because no cookies or persistent identifiers are used, visitors do not need to take any action to opt out of Tinybird analytics. The use of this analytics tool does not affect the full usability of the website in any way.

Further information about Tinybird and its privacy practices is available at: https://www.tinybird.co/privacy-policy

9. Data Protection Provisions — Instagram

On this website, I have integrated components of the service Instagram. Instagram is an audiovisual platform which allows users to share photos and videos and disseminate such data in other social networks.

The operating company of the services offered by Instagram is Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland.

With each call-up to a page on this website on which an Instagram component has been integrated, the visitor’s internet browser is automatically prompted to download a display of the corresponding Instagram component. During this technical procedure, Instagram becomes aware of what specific sub-page of this website was visited.

If the visitor is logged in to Instagram at the same time, Instagram detects which specific sub-page was visited for the entire duration of their stay on this website. This information is collected through the Instagram component and associated with the respective Instagram account of the visitor. If the visitor clicks on one of the Instagram buttons integrated on this website, Instagram matches this information with the personal Instagram user account and stores the personal data.

If such a transmission of information to Instagram is not desirable, the visitor can prevent this by logging out of their Instagram account before visiting this website.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Instagram are available at: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/

10. Data Protection Provisions — LinkedIn

I have integrated components of LinkedIn Corporation on this website. LinkedIn is a web-based social network that enables users to connect with existing business contacts and make new business contacts.

The operating company of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Corporation, 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States. For privacy matters outside of the United States, LinkedIn Ireland, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland is responsible.

With each call-up to a page on this website on which a LinkedIn component has been integrated, the visitor’s internet browser is automatically prompted to download a display of the corresponding LinkedIn component. During this technical procedure, LinkedIn gains knowledge of what specific sub-page of this website was visited.

If the visitor is logged in to LinkedIn at the same time, LinkedIn detects which specific sub-page was visited for the entire duration of their stay on this website. This information is collected through the LinkedIn component and associated with the respective LinkedIn account of the visitor. If the visitor clicks on one of the LinkedIn buttons integrated on this website, LinkedIn assigns this information to the personal LinkedIn user account and stores the personal data.

If such a transmission of information to LinkedIn is not desirable, the visitor can prevent this by logging out of their LinkedIn account before visiting this website.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of LinkedIn are available at: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

Art. 6(1) lit. a GDPR serves as the legal basis for processing operations for which I obtain consent for a specific processing purpose. If the processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party, the processing is based on Art. 6(1) lit. b GDPR. The same applies to processing operations necessary for carrying out pre-contractual measures. Should I be subject to a legal obligation requiring the processing of personal data, the processing is based on Art. 6(1) lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may be necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person, in which case the processing would be based on Art. 6(1) lit. d GDPR. Finally, processing operations not covered by any of the above grounds may be based on Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR, where processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by me or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject.

12. Legitimate Interests Pursued by the Controller

Where the processing of personal data is based on Art. 6(1) lit. f GDPR, my legitimate interest is to operate this publication and provide informative content to its visitors.

13. Period for Which Personal Data Will Be Stored

The criteria used to determine the period of storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. After expiration of that period, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, as long as it is no longer necessary for the fulfilment of the contract or the initiation of a contract.

14. Provision of Personal Data as Statutory or Contractual Requirement

This website does not require visitors to provide personal data as a condition of use. Where personal data is voluntarily provided (e.g. by sending an email), I will handle it solely for the purpose for which it was provided.

15. Existence of Automated Decision-Making

I do not use automatic decision-making or profiling.

16. Rights of the Data Subject

a) Right of confirmation — You have the right to obtain confirmation as to whether personal data concerning you is being processed.

b) Right of access — You have the right to obtain free information about your personal data stored and a copy of this information at any time.

c) Right to rectification — You have the right to obtain without undue delay the rectification of inaccurate personal data concerning you.

d) Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten) — You have the right to obtain the erasure of personal data concerning you without undue delay where one of the grounds set out in Art. 17 GDPR applies.

e) Right to restriction of processing — You have the right to obtain restriction of processing where one of the conditions of Art. 18 GDPR is met.

f) Right to data portability — You have the right to receive personal data concerning you in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

g) Right to object — You have the right to object at any time, on grounds relating to your particular situation, to processing of personal data concerning you which is based on Art. 6(1) lit. e or f GDPR.

h) Automated individual decision-making — 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.

i) Right to withdraw consent — You have the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me directly at: [email protected]