Russmedia Digital GmbH has published a detailed privacy policy outlining how personal data is collected, processed, and protected for users of its VOL.AT website and associated subdomains. The company, located at Gutenbergstraße 1, 6858 Schwarzach, Austria, serves as the data controller under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other national privacy laws.

The privacy policy defines personal data as any information that can identify an individual, including names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. The company emphasizes that all data processing occurs exclusively based on legal provisions, including GDPR, the Telecommunications Act 2021, and national data protection laws. Personal data is collected only when necessary for the requested purpose or when voluntarily provided by users, following principles of data minimization and data economy.

For newsletter services, Russmedia Digital processes user data based on consent under Article 6 of GDPR. The company shares this data with several recipients, including Salesforce in San Francisco, California, Magenta T-Mobile Austria GmbH in Vienna, Piano Software LLC in Amsterdam, and Inxmail in Freiburg, Germany. Data transfers to third countries like the United States are protected through appropriate safeguards, with Salesforce certified under the Data Privacy Framework.

The website registration system allows users to access certain features after completing the registration process. This processing is based on VOL.AT's terms and conditions in conjunction with Article 6 of GDPR. User data for registration is shared with Evolver, located in Chemnitz, Germany, and is processed until users revoke their consent.

Russmedia Digital operates several interactive features including contests, surveys, competitions, and feedback systems. Contest and survey data is processed based on the website's terms and conditions, with data shared with data center operators. The company also manages a WhatsApp news service, requiring user consent for message delivery through Meta Platforms Ireland Limited and other messaging service providers.

The platform includes community engagement features such as a citizen forum, local community sections, and reader reporter functions. These services allow users to submit articles and images that may be published on VOL.AT. All community features operate under the website's terms and conditions, with data processed until users withdraw consent.

A unique loyalty program called "Ländle Points" rewards user engagement on the platform. Users earn points for browsing, reading articles, commenting, sharing content, and completing quizzes. These points can be exchanged for prizes or exclusive contest participation. The system also displays high scores from the ländlejass.at gaming platform, both requiring user consent for data processing.

The company implements paywall management through Piano Software LLC in Amsterdam, Atex Media Limited in Wells, England, and Evolver's single sign-on system. This processing continues until users revoke their consent.

Users possess comprehensive rights regarding their personal data, including the right to access, rectification, restriction of processing, and deletion. The company must provide confirmation of data processing upon request and correct inaccurate or incomplete information immediately. Users can request processing restrictions under specific circumstances, such as disputing data accuracy or when processing becomes unlawful.

The right to deletion applies when personal data is no longer necessary for original purposes, when consent is withdrawn without alternative legal basis, when users object to processing without overriding legitimate grounds, or when data has been unlawfully processed. Deletion requests should be directed to datenschutz@vol.at.

Data portability rights allow users to receive their personal data in structured, commonly used, and machine-readable formats. Users can also request direct data transfer to another controller when technically feasible, provided processing is based on consent or contract and uses automated procedures.

Users maintain the right to object to data processing based on public interest or legitimate interests of the controller. For direct marketing purposes, users can object at any time, including profiling related to such marketing. Once objection is raised for marketing purposes, personal data will no longer be processed for those objectives.

The privacy policy grants users the right to withdraw consent at any time and protection against automated decision-making, including profiling, that produces legal effects or significantly impacts individuals. Users can file complaints with supervisory authorities, particularly in their country of residence, workplace, or where alleged violations occurred.

For data protection inquiries, the company encourages users to contact datenschutz@russmedia.com, though all requests are answered regardless of the communication channel used. The Austrian Data Protection Authority can be reached at Barichgasse 40-42, 1030 Vienna, for users believing their rights have been violated.

The privacy notice will be updated when procedures change or technical adjustments are made. Users are advised to regularly review the current version of the privacy notice. This policy was last updated on April 19, 2024, and users can contact the company at info@russmedia.com or by phone at +43 (0) 5572 501-0 for additional information.