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Data protection

Thank you for your interest in our website, our VRS apps and our company.

With this privacy policy, we would like to inform you about the type, scope and purpose of the personal data we collect, use and process in connection with your visit to our website, our apps and our profiles on social networks (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).

It is generally possible to use our website without providing any personal data. However, if the processing of personal data is necessary in order to use certain functions of the website and there is no legal basis for such processing, we will generally obtain your consent.

Definitions

The data protection information of VRS GmbH is based on the terms defined in Art. 4 GDPR.

Name and address of the controller

Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg GmbH
Deutzer Allee 4
50679 Cologne
Germany
Phone: 0221 208080

E-mail: info(a)vrs.de
Website: www.vrs.de

Name and address of the data protection officer

Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg GmbH
Emil Mertens, Data Protection Officer
Deutzer Allee 4
50679 Cologne
Germany
Phone: 0221 208080

E-mail: datenschutz@vrs.de

Any data subject can contact our data protection officer directly at any time with any questions or suggestions regarding data protection.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies. Cookies are text files that are stored on your computer/smartphone via your browser.

Numerous websites and servers use cookies. Many cookies contain a so-called cookie ID. A cookie ID is a unique identifier for the cookie. It consists of a character string that allows websites and servers to be assigned to the specific internet browser in which the cookie was stored. This makes it possible to distinguish your Internet browser from other Internet browsers that contain other cookies. A specific Internet browser can be recognized and identified via the unique cookie ID.

By using cookies, we can make our website more user-friendly. This is not possible without the use of cookies.

By means of a cookie, we can optimize our information and offers in your interest. As already mentioned, cookies enable us to recognize you on our website. The purpose of this recognition is to make it easier for you to use our website. For example, you as a visitor do not have to enter your access data each time you visit our website, as you have consented to the use of cookies.

However, you can also prevent the use of cookies at any time by means of a corresponding setting in the Internet browser used and thus permanently object to the use of cookies. You can also delete cookies that have already been set at any time via the settings of your Internet browser.

You also have the option of changing your cookie settings (at the bottom next to accessibility) and saving them accordingly. If you prevent the use of cookies, you may no longer be able to use our website to its full extent.

Collection of personal data when visiting our website

Our website collects a range of general data and information each time it is accessed. This data and information is stored in the server log files. The following are recorded

  1. Browser types and versions used,
  2. the operating system used by the accessing system
  3. the homepage from which an accessing system reaches our homepage (so-called referrer)
  4. the sub-homepages that are accessed via an accessing system on our homepage,
  5. the date and time of access to the homepage
  6. an internet protocol address (IP address)
  7. the internet service provider of the accessing system and
  8. other similar data and information used for security purposes in the event of attacks on our information technology systems.

When using this general data and information, we do not draw any conclusions about you. Rather, this information is required in order to

  1. deliver the content of our website correctly,
  2. optimize the content of our website and the advertising for it
  3. ensure the long-term functionality of our information technology systems and the technology of our website, and
  4. to provide law enforcement authorities with the information necessary for prosecution in the event of a cyber attack.

This anonymously collected data and information is evaluated with the aim of increasing data protection and data security in our company in order to ultimately ensure an optimal level of protection for the personal data processed by us. The anonymous data of the server log files are stored separately from all personal data provided by a data subject.

Registration on our website

You have the option of registering for events on our website. Which personal data we collect in this process is determined by the respective input mask used for registration. The personal data you enter is collected and stored exclusively for our internal use for our own purposes. We may pass your data on to a processor who will also use the personal data exclusively for internal use attributable to us.

Competitions

Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg GmbH organizes competitions.

Participation in competitions and the entry of data is voluntary. We guarantee that we will only use the data provided in the context of participation in the competition to carry out the competition, will not pass it on to third parties and will not use it to send messages, except in connection with the competition.

Employees of VRS GmbH and go.Rheinland GmbH are excluded from participating in the competitions.

The legal basis for processing is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR.

Contact options via the website and our apps

If you contact us by email or via a contact form, we will automatically store your data and process it exclusively for the purpose of responding to your inquiry. The legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b or lit. f GDPR.

OpenStreetMap

On our website, we use map sections from the OpenStreetMap (OSM for short) project of the OpenStreetMap Foundation based in the United Kingdom with servers at our headquarters and in the Netherlands. OpenStreetMap is an open source mapping tool. Your IP address is forwarded to OpenStreetMap so that the map can be displayed to you.

You can find out how and, if applicable, what data is stored by OpenStreetMap in OSM's privacy policy at https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy

Data protection for applications and in the application process

If you apply for a job via our website, an application portal or by email, we collect and process your data for the purpose of handling the application process. If your application is successful, we will store your data for the purpose of processing the employment relationship. However, if your application is unsuccessful, we will automatically delete your data six months after notification of the rejection decision, provided that deletion does not conflict with any other legitimate interests of the controller. A legitimate interest in this sense is, for example, a burden of proof in proceedings under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

Routine erasure and blocking of personal data

We process and store your personal data only for the period of time necessary to achieve the purpose of storage or if this has been provided for by the European legislator or another legislator in laws or regulations to which VRS GmbH is subject.

If the storage purpose no longer applies or if a storage period prescribed by the European legislator or another competent legislator expires, the personal data will be routinely blocked or deleted in accordance with the statutory provisions.

Data processing when using Google Maps

Our Android app uses the map service Google Maps, provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. When you access one of our pages equipped with Google Maps, a connection to Google's servers is established. Your IP address will be transmitted to Google.

Purpose of the data processing

Google Maps is integrated in order to provide you with an interactive map and to enable you to use the map function conveniently. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Data transfer to third countries

Google processes your data in the USA. There is no adequacy decision by the European Commission for the USA. However, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with Google to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

Storage period

The storage period of the processed data is governed by Google's privacy policy. Further information can be found in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads?hl=de

Data processing when using Apple Maps

Our iOS app uses the map service Apple Maps, offered by Apple Inc, One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA. When you access one of our pages equipped with Apple Maps, a connection to Apple's servers is established. Your IP address will be transmitted to Apple.

Purpose of the data processing

Apple Maps is integrated in order to provide you with an interactive map and to enable you to use the map function conveniently. This constitutes a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Data transfer to third countries

Apple processes your data in the USA. There is no adequacy decision by the European Commission for the USA. However, we have concluded standard contractual clauses with Apple to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

Storage period

The storage period of the processed data is based on Apple's data protection regulations. Further information can be found in Apple's privacy policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/de/app-store/

Data protection provisions about the application and use of remarketing

1 Google Remarketing

We also use Google Analytics Remarketing functions in conjunction with the cross-device functions of Google Ads and Google DoubleClick. The provider is Google, contact options (see Google Analytics). The function enables us to link the target groups with the cross-device functions of Google Ads and Google DoubleClick. In this way, you can see advertisements that have been adapted to you depending on your previous surfing behavior on one device (e.g. cell phone), which are also displayed on another of your devices (e.g. tablet or laptop).

If you have given your consent, Google will link your homepage and app browsing history to your Google account for this purpose. In this way, you can see the same adverts on any device on which you log in with your Google account.

To support this function, Google collects Google-authenticated IDs that are temporarily linked to our Google Analytics data in order to define and create target groups for cross-device advertising.

However, you can also permanently object to cross-device remarketing by deactivating personalized advertising; follow this link: https: //www.google.com/settings/ads/onweb/.

The summary of the data collected in your Google account is based exclusively on your consent, which you can give or revoke at Google (Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). In the case of data collection processes that are not merged in your Google account (e.g. because you do not have a Google account or have objected to the merging), the collection of data is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. The legitimate interest arises from the fact that we have an interest in anonymized analysis for advertising purposes.

You can find more information on the handling of your data in Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads?hl=de.


2 LiquidM Remarketing

The data controller has integrated services of LiquidM Technology GmbH (https://liquidm.com) on this website. This function enables a company to present relevant advertisements to users in the course of remarketing measures. The operating company of the services is LiquidM Technology GmbH, Rosenthaler Straße 36, Berlin 10178, Germany.

Data subjects who do not want LiquidM to continue collecting anonymized data can click on liquidm.com/privacy-policy/ ("OptOut"). This OptOut cookie deletes the previously stored information and prevents any further collection of information. If users have already activated the "OptOut", the data subject can cancel this setting at any time by clicking on the "OptIn" button.

Data protection provisions about the application and use of Google AdWords

The controller has integrated Google AdWords on this website. Google AdWords is an internet advertising service that allows advertisers to place ads in Google's search engine results as well as in the Google advertising network. Google AdWords allows an advertiser to specify certain keywords in advance, which are used to display an ad in Google's search engine results only when the user uses the search engine to retrieve a keyword-relevant search result. In the Google advertising network, the ads are distributed to relevant websites using an automatic algorithm and taking into account the previously defined keywords.

The operating company of the Google AdWords services is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin. D04 E5W5, Ireland.

The purpose of Google AdWords is to advertise our website by displaying interest-relevant advertising on the websites of third-party companies and in the search engine results of the Google search engine and by displaying third-party advertising on our website.

If a data subject reaches our website via a Google ad, a so-called conversion cookie is stored on the data subject's IT system by Google. What cookies are has already been explained above. A conversion cookie loses its validity after thirty days and is not used to identify the data subject. If the cookie has not yet expired, the conversion cookie is used to track whether certain sub-pages, such as the shopping cart from an online store system, have been accessed on our website. The conversion cookie enables both us and Google to track whether a data subject who has reached our website via an AdWords ad has generated sales, i.e. completed or abandoned a purchase.

The data and information collected through the use of the conversion cookie is used by Google to compile visit statistics for our website. These visit statistics are in turn used by us to determine the total number of users who were referred to us via AdWords ads, i.e. to determine the success or failure of the respective AdWords ad and to optimize our AdWords ads for the future. Neither our company nor other Google AdWords advertisers receive information from Google that could be used to identify the data subject.
The conversion cookie is used to store personal information, such as the web pages visited by the data subject. Each time our website is visited, personal data, including the IP address of the Internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to Google in the United States of America. This personal data is stored by Google in the United States of America. Google may share this personal data collected through the technical process with third parties.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the web browser used and thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Google from placing a conversion cookie on the data subject's IT system. In addition, a cookie already set by Google AdWords can be deleted at any time via the Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the option of objecting to interest-based advertising by Google. To do this, the data subject must call up Google from each of the Internet browsers they use and make the desired settings there.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Google may be retrieved under https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

Usercentrics Cookiebot

This site uses third-party website tracking technologies to offer and continuously improve its services and to display advertising in line with the interests of users. I agree to this and can revoke or change my consent at any time with effect for the future.

You can find information about the cookies we use in the Usercentrics cookie statement at https://www.cookiebot.com/de/cookie-declaration/.

Processing company
Usercentrics A/S
Havnegade 39
1058 Copenhagen
Denmark
Telephone number: + 45 50 333 777
E-mail address: mail(at)usercentrics.com
Registration number of the company DK34624607

Data processing purposes
This list sets out the purposes of data collection and processing. Consent is only valid for the purposes listed. The data collected cannot be used or stored for purposes other than those listed below.
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Storage of consent

Technologies used
- Local storage
- Cookies

Data collected
This list contains all (personal) data collected during or through the use of the Service.

- Device information Device information
- Browser information
- Anonymized IP address
- Opt-in and opt-out data
- Date and time of visit
- Request URLs of the website
- Page path of the website
- Geographical location

Legal basis
The following is the legal basis for the processing of personal data required under Art. 6 I 1 GDPR.
- Art. 6 para. 1 s. 1 lit. c GDPR

Place of processing
European Union (consent database is located in Belgium)

Retention period
The retention period is the period of time during which the collected data is stored for processing. The data must be deleted as soon as it is no longer required for the specified processing purposes.

The consent data (consent given and withdrawal of consent) is stored for three years. A data export takes place after termination of the contract.

Data recipient
- Usercentrics GmbH

Data protection officer of the processing company
Below you will find the e-mail address of the data protection officer of the processing company.
datenschutz(at)usercentrics.com

Click here to read the data processor's privacy policy
Privacy Policy (cookiebot.com)

Data protection provisions about the application and use of Matomo (formerly Piwik)

The data controller has integrated the Matomo component on this website. Matomo is an open source software tool for web analysis. Web analysis is the collection, gathering and evaluation of data about the behavior of visitors to websites. Among other things, a web analysis tool collects data on the website from which a data subject came to a website (so-called referrer), which subpages of the website were accessed or how often and for how long a subpage was viewed. Web analysis is mainly used to optimize a website and for the cost-benefit analysis of Internet advertising.

The software is operated on the server of the controller, and the log files, which are sensitive under data protection law, are stored exclusively on this server.
The purpose of the Matomo component is to analyze the flow of visitors to our website. The data controller uses the data and information obtained, among other things, to evaluate the use of this website in order to compile online reports that show the activities on our website.

Matomo places a cookie on the data subject's IT system. What cookies are has already been explained above. By setting the cookie, we are able to analyze the use of our website. Each time one of the individual pages of this website is accessed, the Internet browser on the information technology system of the data subject is automatically prompted by the Matomo component to transmit data to our server for the purpose of online analysis. As part of this technical process, we obtain knowledge of personal data, such as the IP address of the data subject, which serves us, among other things, to trace the origin of visitors and clicks.

Cookies are used to store personal information, such as the access time, the location from which access was made and the frequency of visits to our website. Each time you visit our website, this personal data, including the IP address of the internet connection used by the data subject, is transmitted to our server. This personal data is stored by us. We do not pass this personal data on to third parties.

The data subject may, as stated above, prevent the setting of cookies through our website at any time by means of a corresponding adjustment of the web browser used and thus permanently deny the setting of cookies. Such a setting of the Internet browser used would also prevent Matomo from setting a cookie on the information technology system of the data subject. In addition, a cookie already set by Matomo can be deleted at any time via an Internet browser or other software programs.

Furthermore, the data subject has the possibility of objecting to and preventing the collection of data generated by Matomo relating to the use of this website. To do this, the data subject must click on the link https://www.vrs.de/#uc-central-modal-showto change the cookie settings and save them accordingly. If the data subject's information technology system is deleted, formatted or reinstalled at a later date, the data subject must set the cookie settings again via the link.

However, if the cookie settings are changed, it is possible that the data subject will no longer be able to use the controller's website to its full extent.

Further information and the applicable data protection provisions of Matomo may be retrieved under matomo.org/privacy/

Data protection provisions about the application and use of Eye-Able

Eye-Able® is software developed by Web Inclusion GmbH to ensure barrier-reduced access to information on the Internet for all people. The necessary files such as JavaScript, stylesheets and images are loaded locally from this website. When functions are activated, Eye-Able uses the browser's local storage to save the settings. All settings are only saved locally and are not transmitted further.

The processing of your personal data is based on our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 subpara. 1 lit. f GDPR to make our website accessible to the widest possible audience.

Further information on Eye-Able® can be found in the following privacy policy: https://eye-able.com/datenschutz/. If you have any questions about data protection regarding the use of Eye-Able, please contact us at support(at)eye-able.com.

Data protection provisions about the application and use of YouTube

We have also integrated components from YouTube. YouTube is a video portal. It allows you to post free video clips, but also to view, rate and comment on video clips from other users. YouTube allows the publication of all types of videos, which is why both complete film and television programs, but also music videos, trailers or videos made by users themselves can be accessed via the Internet portal.

The operating company of YouTube is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, D04 E5W5, Ireland.

If a YouTube video is integrated and you call it up, the following happens: your browser downloads YouTube components in order to display the corresponding YouTube content. You can find more information about YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/yt/about/de/. YouTube and Google therefore receive information about what specific content you have viewed.

If you are also logged in to YouTube, YouTube recognizes which specific content you have viewed when you access it. YouTube and Google collect this information and assign it to your YouTube account; this takes place regardless of whether you click on a YouTube video or not. If you do not want the information to be transmitted to YouTube and Google, you can prevent this transmission by logging out of your YouTube account before accessing our website.

We have set up a company profile on YouTube. If you visit our company website, we will process your data in order to be able to communicate with you. For detailed information, we link to YouTube's data protection information below.

You can find the data protection provisions published by YouTube at https://www.google.de/intl/de/policies/privacy/.

Data protection provisions about the application and use of Rollbar

We have integrated components from Rollbar. Rollbar is a service for error analysis and correction. Rollbar helps us to quickly identify and resolve technical problems in order to improve the user experience.

Information about the data collected and used by Rollbar can be found in Rollbar's statement at https://docs.rollbar.com/docs/privacy-policy

The operating company of Rollbar is located at:

548 Market St Suite #60587
San Francisco
United States of America

If you have any questions about the privacy policy, please contact privacy(at)rollbar.com directly .

Data processing purposes

The data collected is used exclusively for error analysis and correction. This helps us to ensure the stability and security of our website.

Rollbar collects and processes the following data:

  • Error reports: Information about errors that have occurred, including error messages and stack traces.
  • Data: Data about the use of the website, such as which pages were visited and which actions were performed.
  • Device information: Information about the device and browser used, such as operating system, browser type and version.

The legal basis for the processing of personal data required under Art. 6 I 1 GDPR is stated below.

  • Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Retention period: The data is stored on Rollbar's servers in the USA. Rollbar undertakes to comply with the data protection provisions of the GDPR and offers appropriate protective measures. Rollbar complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Rollbar has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the EU-U.S. Privacy Framework Principles with respect to its processing of personal data received from the European Union in reliance on the Data Privacy Framework.

Legal basis of the processing

Art. 6 para. 1 lit. a GDPR serves our company as the legal basis for processing operations for which we 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, as is the case, for example, when processing operations are necessary for the supply of goods or to provide any other service or consideration, the processing is based on Article 6(1)(b) GDPR. The same applies to such processing operations that are necessary to carry out pre-contractual measures, for example in cases of inquiries about our products or services. If our company is subject to a legal obligation which requires the processing of personal data, such as for the fulfillment of tax obligations, the processing is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. c GDPR. In rare cases, the processing of personal data may become necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person. This would be the case, for example, if a visitor were injured in our company and their name, age, health insurance data or other vital information would have to be passed on to a doctor, hospital or other third party. The processing would then be based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. d GDPR. Finally, processing operations could be based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR.

Processing operations that are not covered by any of the aforementioned legal bases are based on this legal basis if the processing is necessary to safeguard a legitimate interest of our company or a third party, provided that the interests, fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject do not prevail. We are permitted to carry out such processing operations in particular because they have been specifically mentioned by the European legislator. In this respect, it took the view that a legitimate interest could be assumed if the data subject is a customer of the controller (Recital 47 Sentence 2 GDPR).

Legitimate interests in the processing pursued by the controller or a third party

Where the processing of personal data is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR, our legitimate interest is to carry out our business in favor of the well-being of all our employees and our shareholders.

Duration for which the personal data is stored

The criterion for the duration of the storage of personal data is the respective statutory retention period. Once this period has expired, the corresponding data is routinely deleted, provided that it is no longer required to fulfill or initiate a contract.

Legal or contractual regulations for the provision of personal data...

... Necessity for the conclusion of the contract; obligation of the data subject to provide the personal data; possible consequences of non-provision

We inform you and thus the data subject that the provision of personal data is partly required by law (e.g. tax regulations) or may also result from contractual provisions (e.g. information on the contractual partner). Sometimes it may be necessary for a contract to be concluded for a data subject to provide us with personal data that must subsequently be processed by us. For example, the data subject is obliged to provide us with personal data if our company concludes a contract with them. Failure to provide the personal data would mean that the contract with the data subject could not be concluded.

Before the data subject provides personal data, the data subject must contact our data protection officer. Our data protection officer will inform the data subject on a case-by-case basis whether the provision of the personal data is required by law or contract or is necessary for the conclusion of the contract, whether there is an obligation to provide the personal data and what the consequences would be if the personal data were not provided.

Rights of the data subject

In accordance with Art. 15 GDPR, you have the right to obtain information about the personal data stored about you, including any recipients and the planned storage period. If we have processed incorrect data, you have the right to rectification in accordance with Art. 16 GDPR. If the legal requirements are met, you can request the deletion or restriction of processing. You can also object to the processing (Art. 17, 18 and 21 GDPR). In accordance with Art. 20 GDPR, you have the right to data portability with regard to your data. If you believe that the processing of your data violates data protection law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority of your choice in accordance with Art. 77 (1) GDPR. We are very happy if you contact us directly. We hope to answer your request to your satisfaction.

Right to object

You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time to processing of your data which is based on Article 6(1) GDPR. We will then no longer process your data unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which relate to your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing serves the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims. All data that we collect for the provision of our website and all data that we store for logging purposes are absolutely necessary for the operation of our website.

Right to withdraw consent under data protection law

If we have obtained your consent for the processing of personal data and you decide to withdraw this consent, please use the following email address info(at)vrs.de or the contact details in our legal notice.

Adapted by the website owner (last change: 25.06.2025).