Privacy Policy

Foreword

We, Sea Machines Robotics Inc., together with our subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively: “The Company”, “we” or “us”) are pleased that you have visited our website and are interested in our company. On this website, we process personal data from visitors in connection with the use of the website. We take the protection of your personal data seriously and would like to inform you at this point about data protection in our company.

Insofar as we decide either alone or jointly with others on the purposes and means of data processing, this includes above all the obligation to inform you transparently about the nature, scope, purpose, duration and legal basis of the processing (cf. Articles 13 and 14 GDPR). With this statement (hereinafter: “Privacy Notice“), we inform you about the way your personal data is processed by us.

This privacy policy applies to the processing of personal data of citizens of the European Union by our business in Europe.

1. Definitions

Following the example of Art. 4 of the GDPR, this privacy notice is based on the following definitions:

  • “Personal data” (Art. 4 No. 1 GDPR) means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“data subject”). A person is identifiable if he or she can be identified, directly or indirectly, by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, an online identifier, location data or by means of information relating to his or her physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity characteristics. The identifiability can also be given by means of a linkage of such information or other additional knowledge. The origin, form or embodiment of the information is irrelevant (photographs, video or audio recordings may also contain personal data).
  • “Processing” (Art. 4 No. 2 GDPR) means any operation which involves the handling of personal data, whether or not by automated (i.e. technology-based) means. This includes, in particular, the collection (i.e. acquisition), recording, organization, arrangement, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment, combination, restriction, erasure or destruction of personal data, as well as the change of a purpose or intended use on which a data processing was originally based.
  • “Controller” (Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR) means 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.
  • “Third Party” (Art. 4 No. 10 GDPR) means any natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body other than the data subject, the Controller, the processor and the persons who are authorized to process the personal data under the direct responsibility of the controller or processor; this also includes other group-affiliated legal entities.
  • A “processor” (Art. 4 No. 8 GDPR) is a natural or legal person, authority, institution or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the controller, in particular in accordance with the controller’s instructions (e.g. IT service provider). In particular, a processor is not a third party in the sense of data protection law.
  • “Consent” (Art. 4 No. 11 GDPR) means any freely given specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes in the form of a statement or other unambiguous affirmative act by which the data subject signifies his or her agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.

2. Name and address of the controller

We are the controller for the processing of your personal data within the meaning of Art. 4 No. 7 GDPR:

  • In the U.S.:
    Sea Machines Robotics Inc.
    Headquarters
    256 Marginal St. Building 16A
    Boston, MA 02128 USA
    Tel.: +1-617-455-6266
    sales@sea-machines.com
  • In Germany:
    Sea Machines Robotics GmbH
    MediaFleet
    Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 6,
    20537 Hamburg, Germany
    Tel.: +49 1520 2094 070
    sales@sea-machines.com
  • In Denmark:
    Sea Machines Robotics ApS
    Dokken 16b
    DK-6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
    Tel.: +45 49409895
    sales@sea-machines.com

For further information about our company, please refer to the imprint details on our website: https://sea-machines.com/home/impressum 

3. Legal basis for data processing

By law, in principle, any processing of personal data is prohibited and only permitted if the data processing falls under one of the following justifications:

  • 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a GDPR (“consent”): If the data subject has voluntarily, in an informed manner and unambiguously indicated by a statement or other unambiguous affirmative action that he or she consents to the processing of personal data relating to him or her for one or more specific purposes;
  • 6 (1) p. 1 lit. b GDPR: If the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the performance of pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject;
  • 6 (1) p 1 lit. c GDPR: If processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the controller is subject (e.g. a legal obligation to preserve records);
  • 6 (1) p. 1 lit. d GDPR: If the processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person;
  • 6 (1) p. 1 lit. e GDPR: Where processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller, or
  • 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f GDPR (“Legitimate Interests”): If the processing is necessary to protect legitimate (in particular legal or economic) interests of the controller or a third party, unless the conflicting interests or rights of the data subject prevail (in particular if the data subject is a minor).

For the processing operations carried out by us, we indicate below the applicable legal basis in each case. A processing operation may also be based on several legal bases.

4. Data deletion and storage period

For the processing operations carried out by us, we indicate below in each case how long the data will be stored by us and when it will be deleted or blocked. If no explicit storage period is specified below, your personal data will be deleted or blocked as soon as the purpose or legal basis for the storage no longer applies. In principle, your data will only be stored on our servers in the U.S., subject to any transfer that may take place in accordance with the regulations in (7).

However, storage may be necessary beyond the specified time in the event of a (threatened) legal dispute with you or for reasons of tax law or commercial law. If the storage period prescribed by the statutory provisions expires, the personal data will be blocked or deleted, unless further storage by us is necessary and there is a legal basis for this.

However, you have the option to delete your customer account at any time. To do this, write a message to the above contact options.

5. Data security

We use appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your data against accidental or intentional manipulation, partial or complete loss, destruction or against unauthorized access by third parties (e.g. TSL encryption for our website), taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the nature, scope, context and purpose of the processing, as well as the existing risks of a data breach (including its probability and impact) for the data subject. Our security measures are continuously improved in line with technological developments.

We will be happy to provide you with more detailed information on request. Please contact us using the contact options above under (2).

6. Cooperation with processors

As with any larger company, we also use external domestic and foreign service providers (e.g. for IT, logistics, telecommunications, sales and marketing) to handle our business transactions. They are only active according to our instructions and are contractually obligated to comply with the data protection regulations according to Art. 28 GDPR.

If personal data of you is passed on by us to our subsidiaries or is passed on to us by our subsidiaries (e.g. for advertising purposes), this is done on the basis of existing order processing relationships.

7. Conditions for the transfer of personal data to third countries

During our business relationships, your personal data may be transferred or disclosed to third party companies. These may also be located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), i.e. in third countries. Such processing takes place exclusively for the fulfillment of contractual and business obligations and to maintain your business relationship with us. We will inform you about the respective details of the transfer in the following at the relevant points.

Some third countries are certified by the European Commission as having a level of data protection comparable to the EEA standard through so-called adequacy decisions (a list of these countries and a copy of the adequacy decisions can be obtained here). However, in other third countries to which personal data may be transferred, there may not be a consistently high level of data protection due to a lack of legal provisions. If this is the case, we ensure that data protection is adequately guaranteed. This is possible through binding corporate rules, standard contractual clauses of the European Commission for the protection of personal data, certificates or recognized codes of conduct. Please contact us at the contact details provided in (2) if you would like more information on this.

8. Your rights

You can assert your rights as a data subject regarding your processed personal data at any time by contacting us using the contact details provided at the beginning of (2). As a data subject, you have the right:

  • In accordance with Art. 15 GDPR, you may request information about your data processed by us. In particular, you can request information about the processing purposes, the category of data, the categories of recipients to whom your data has been or will be disclosed, the planned storage period, the existence of a right to rectification, erasure, restriction of processing or objection, the existence of a right of complaint, the origin of your data if it was not collected by us, as well as the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling and, if applicable, meaningful information about its details;
  • In accordance with Art. 16 GDPR, you have the right to demand the correction of incorrect data or the completion of your data stored by us without delay;
  • In accordance with Art. 17 GDPR, you may request the deletion of your data stored by us, unless the processing is necessary for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information, for compliance with a legal obligation, for reasons of public interest, or for the assertion, exercise or defense of legal claims;
  • In accordance with Art. 18 GDPR, you have the right to demand the restriction of the processing of your data, insofar as the correctness of the data is disputed by you or the processing is unlawful;
  • According to Art. 20 GDPR to receive your data that you have provided to us in a structured, common and machine-readable format or to request the transfer to another controller (“data portability“);
  • You have the right to object to processing in accordance with Article 21 of the GDPR, provided that the processing is based on Article 6 (1) sentence 1 lit. e or lit. f of the GDPR. This is particularly the case if the processing is not necessary for the performance of a contract with you. Unless it is an objection to direct marketing, when exercising such an objection, we ask you to explain the reasons why we should not process your data as we have done. In the event of your justified objection, we will review the merits of the case and either discontinue or adapt the data processing or show you our compelling legitimate grounds on the basis of which we will continue the processing;
  • According to Art. 7 (3) GDPR your consent given once (also before the validity of the GDPR, i.e. before 25.5.2018) – i.e. your voluntary will made understandable in an informed manner and unambiguously by means of a declaration or other unambiguous confirming action that you agree to the processing of the personal data in question for one or more specific purposes to be revoked at any time vis-à-vis us, if you have given such consent. This has the consequence that we may no longer continue the data processing, which was based on this consent, for the future and
  • In accordance with Art. 77 GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority about the processing of your personal data in our company.

9. Changes to the data protection notice

In the context of the further development of data protection law as well as technological or organizational changes, our data protection information is regularly reviewed to determine whether it needs to be adapted or supplemented. You will be informed of any changes on our website at www.sea-machines.com.

This privacy notice is current as of July 2021.

10. Personal data processed

During the informative use of this website, the following categories of personal data are collected, stored, and processed by us:

  • “Log data”: When you visit our websites, a so-called log data record (so-called server log files) is stored temporarily and anonymously on our web server. This consists of:
    • The page from which the page was requested (so-called referrer URL).
    • The name and URL of the requested page.
    • The date and time of the call.
    • The description of the type, language and version of the web browser used.
    • The IP address of the requesting computer, which is shortened in such a way that a personal reference can no longer be established.
    • The amount of data transferred.
    • The operating system.
    • The message whether the call was successful (access status/http status code).
    • The GMT time zone difference.
  • “Contact form data”: When contact forms are used, the data transmitted through them are processed (e.g. gender, surname and first name, address, company, e-mail address and the time of transmission).
  • Newsletter: In addition to the purely informational use of our website, we offer the subscription to our newsletter, with which we inform you about current developments and events. If you subscribe to our newsletter, the following “newsletter data” will be collected, stored and processed by us:
    • The page from which the page was requested (so-called referrer URL).
    • The date and time of the call.
    • The description of the type of the used web browser.
    • The IP address of the requesting computer, which is shortened in such a way that a personal reference can no longer be established.
    • The e-mail address.
    • The date and time of registration and confirmation.

We would like to point out that we evaluate your user behavior when sending the newsletter. For this evaluation, the emails sent contain so-called web beacons or tracking pixels, which are single-pixel image files that are stored on our website. For the evaluations, we link the aforementioned data and the web beacons with your e-mail address and an individual ID. Links contained in the newsletter also contain this ID. The data is collected exclusively pseudonymously, i.e. the IDs are not linked with your other personal data, a direct personal reference is excluded.

If you no longer wish to subscribe to the newsletter, you can do so using the unsubscribe link provided in each newsletter, or you can declare your revocation by sending an e-mail to info@sea-machines.com or by sending a message to the contact details provided in the imprint.

11. Purpose and legal basis of data processing

We process the personal data described in more detail above in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR, the other relevant data protection regulations and only to the extent necessary. Insofar as the processing of personal data is based on Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f GDPR, the aforementioned purposes also represent our legitimate interests.

The processing of the log data serves statistical purposes and the improvement of the quality of our website, in particular the stability and security of the connection (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f GDPR).

Contact form data is processed for the purpose of handling customer inquiries (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. b or lit. f GDPR).

The newsletter data is processed for the purpose of sending the newsletter. When registering for our newsletter, you consent to the processing of your personal data (legal basis is Art. 6 (1) lit. a GDPR). For the registration to our newsletter, we use the so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after your registration, we will send you an e-mail to the e-mail address you provided, in which we ask you to confirm that you wish to receive the newsletter. The purpose of this procedure is to prove your registration and, if necessary, to be able to clarify a possible misuse of your personal data.

You can revoke your consent to the sending of the newsletter at any time and unsubscribe from the newsletter. You can declare the revocation by clicking on the link provided in every newsletter e-mail, by e-mail to info@sea-machines.com or by sending a message to the contact details provided under (2).

12. Duration of data processing

Your data will only be processed for as long as it is necessary to achieve the above-mentioned processing purposes; the legal bases specified in the context of the processing purposes apply accordingly. Regarding the use and storage duration of cookies, please note point (4).

Third parties engaged by us will store your data on their systems for as long as is necessary in connection with the provision of services for us in accordance with the respective order.

You can also find more details on the storage period under (4).

13. Transfer of personal data to third parties; basis for justification

  • The following categories of recipients, which are usually processors (see (6)), may receive access to your personal data:
  • The data is transferred to a third-party service provider for the operation of our website and the processing of data stored or transmitted by the systems (e.g. for data center services, payment processing, IT security). The legal basis for the transfer is then Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. b or lit. f GDPR, insofar as it does not involve order processors.
  • State agencies/authorities, insofar as this is necessary for the fulfillment of a legal obligation. The legal basis for the disclosure is then Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. c GDPR.
  • Persons appointed to carry out our business operations (e.g. auditors, banks, insurance companies, legal advisors, supervisory authorities, parties involved in company acquisitions or the establishment of joint ventures). The legal basis for the disclosure is then Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. b or lit. f GDPR.
  • For the guarantees of an adequate level of data protection in the event of a transfer of the data to third countries, see (7).
  • In addition, we will only disclose your personal data to third parties if you have given your express consent to do so in accordance with Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a GDPR.

14. Use of cookies, plugins and other services on our website

A) Cookie

We use cookies on our websites. Cookies are small text files that are assigned to the browser you are using and stored on your hard drive by means of a character string and through which certain information flows to the body that sets the cookie. Cookies cannot execute programs or transfer viruses to your computer and therefore cannot cause any damage. They serve to make the Internet more user-friendly and effective, i.e. more pleasant for you.

Cookies can contain data that makes it possible to recognize the device used. In some cases, however, cookies only contain information about certain settings that are not personally identifiable. Cookies cannot directly identify a user.

A distinction is made between session cookies, which are deleted as soon as you close your browser, and permanent cookies, which are stored beyond the individual session. Regarding their function, these are the different between cookies:

  • Technical cookies: these are mandatory to move around the website, use basic functions and ensure the security of the website; they do not collect information about you for marketing purposes, nor do they store which web pages you have visited;
  • Performance cookies: these collect information about how you use our website, which pages you visit and, for example, whether errors occur during website use; they do not collect information that could identify you – all information collected is anonymous and is only used to improve our website and find out what interests our users;
  • Advertising cookies, targeting cookies: These are used to offer the website user tailored advertising on the website or offers from third parties and to measure the effectiveness of these offers; advertising and targeting cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months;
  • Sharing cookies: These are used to improve the interactivity of our website with other services (e.g. social networks); sharing cookies are stored for a maximum of 13 months.

Any use of cookies that is not absolutely technically necessary constitutes data processing that is only permitted with your explicit and active consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a GDPR. This applies in particular to the use of advertising, targeting or sharing cookies. In addition, we will only share your personal data processed through cookies with third parties if you have given your express consent to do so pursuant to Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a GDPR.

Most web browsers (see help function in the menu bar of your browser) can be set by you to not accept new cookies, to receive a message that a new cookie has been placed or to disable all cookies received. For smartphones, tablets and other mobile and stationary devices, you can read the necessary settings in the respective operating instructions. However, we recommend that you leave the cookie functions completely switched on, as it is only possible to further improve our websites for your needs with cookies. Our cookies do not store any sensitive data such as passwords, credit card details or similar. They do not cause any damage to your end device and do not contain viruses.

Cookies that are required to carry out the electronic communication process or to provide certain functions requested by you (e.g. language settings) are stored on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing cookies for the technically error-free and optimized provision of its services. Insofar as other cookies (e.g. cookies for analyzing your surfing behavior) are stored, these are treated separately in this privacy policy.

If you wish to revoke your consent for the use of cookies, you can change your cookie settings at any time using the following link:

Update Settings Here

The following cookies, plug ins and other tools are used on this website:

B) Google Analytics

On this website, if you have consented to it, we use the analysis tool Google Analytics, a web analysis service of the company Google Ireland Ltd. Gordon House, Borrow street, Dublin 4, Ireland for visitors from the EU, a subsidiary of Google LLC with headquarters at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. This is a web analytics service to analyze the use of this website. For this purpose, Google sets cookies that are stored on your device and enable the analysis of your user behavior. The information thus generated is usually transferred to Google servers in the USA and also stored there. Since we have activated IP address anonymization, your IP address is usually shortened within the European Union before being sent to Google’s servers in the USA. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to Google’s servers in the USA and only shortened there. We have concluded an order processing agreement with Google in accordance with Art. 28 (3) GDPR. Your IP address will not be merged with other Google data.

You can prevent the storage of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser software. However, this could lead to impairments in the use of this website. You can also prevent Google from processing the information generated by the cookies by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link:

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

In addition, you can change the cookie settings you have selected on this website at any time and object to the use of Google Analytics at the following link:

Further information on the subject of data protection at Google Analytics can be found here: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de&ref_topic=2919631 and here: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

C) CRM System

We use a CRM system from Salesforce Inc., 415 Mission Street, 3rd Floor, 94105 San Francisco, USA, England to optimize our business. Salesforce has implemented binding corporate rules that have been accepted by the European data protection authorities. On this basis, Salesforce receives personal data from us. More information about the binding corporate rules at Salesforce can be found at the following link: https://compliance.salesforce.com/en/salesforce-bcrs. The data that is collected, stored and processed by us in the process is usually:

  • the name of the customer
  • the name of the customer’s contact persons
  • the address of the customer
  • the order history

For more information about Salesforce’s privacy policy, please visit this link: https://www.salesforce.com/company/privacy/.

If you have any questions, you can also contact us at any time using the contact details provided in section (2).

D) Social media plugins

We do not use social media plugins on our websites. If our websites contain icons of social media providers (e.g. facebook, Instagram, linkedin), we use these only for passive linking to the pages of the respective providers.

E) Social media fan pages

We maintain social media fanpages at Sea Machines Robotics. These fanpages serve to make contact with you as a user tangible and to share interesting news, content and offers with you. On our fanpages you can keep up to date and also get in touch with us. The operators of these fan pages use cookies to record your user behavior when you move around and interact on the fan pages. You can find out which data is collected in the process and the type, scope and purpose of the processing of the data in the privacy policy of the respective operator.

Here you will find a link to the privacy policy of the page operator:

We generally collect information on the fan pages about messages to us, content and other information that you share with us on the fan pages, by posting and the like. If you have a profile with the operator and have set your settings so that we can view your profile, then we also receive information about your profile such as the username, etc..

In addition, the operators of the fan pages share the findings of the so-called “page insights” with us. These are statistical and, above all, depersonalized, i.e. anonymized, information about the visitors of the fan pages and their user behavior collected by cookies. This data can thus not be assigned to any specific person. The personal data processed in connection with the “page insights” are collected exclusively by the operators. We have no access to this process. We only receive information about how our fan pages are used and visited and which areas are interesting for the user, and which are not. This gives us the opportunity to optimize and further develop our fan pages for the user’s pleasure. We would like to respond to the needs and wishes of our users in order to offer them the best service at all times.

When processing your personal data and providing the “Site Insights” to us, we and the site operator are joint data controllers pursuant to Article 26 of the GDPR. Therefore, we have entered into an agreement with the site operator to determine who is responsible for the processing of personal data in relation to the “Site Insights” and which data protection obligations must be fulfilled in accordance with the GDPR.

The main contents of the agreement and a list of the “Page Insights Data” can be accessed and viewed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum/

Insofar as you have given your consent to the site operator regarding the creation of “site insights” described above, the legal basis is Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. a GDPR (consent). Otherwise, the legal basis is Art. 6 (1) p. 1 lit. f GDPR, whereby our legitimate interests lie in the above-mentioned purposes.