Privacy Policy

1. General Information

German Horse Trading GmbH, hereinafter referred to as “GHT”, takes the protection of personal data very seriously. Personal data is processed confidentially and in accordance with applicable data protection laws, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the German Federal Data Protection Act and applicable rules on telecommunications and digital services privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains which personal data is processed when visiting our website, registering on the platform, participating in auctions, contacting us and during contractual processing.


2. Controller

The controller responsible for data processing is:

German Horse Trading GmbH
Steinheide 9
47918 Tönisvorst 
Germany

Handelsregisternummer HRB 21726
Amtsgericht Krefeld
E-mail: info@germanhorsetrading.auction
Phone: +49 173 5361993

Represented by its managing directors:
Sebastian Nosbisch, Paul Nosbisch, Niels Fabrie


3. Data Protection Officer

Data protection inquiries may be sent directly to the contact details stated above.


4. Categories of Personal Data Processed

Depending on the use of our website and platform, we may process in particular the following categories of personal data:

  • first and last name,
  • address,
  • e-mail address,
  • telephone number,
  • company details,
  • VAT identification number,
  • registration data,
  • login data,
  • bidder data,
  • bids and auction history,
  • billing and payment data,
  • communication content,
  • uploaded documents,
  • information about horses offered,
  • photos, videos and other media files,
  • IP address,
  • browser type and version,
  • operating system,
  • referrer URL,
  • date and time of access,
  • pages visited,
  • cookie and tracking information.

5. Purposes of Processing

We process personal data in particular for the following purposes:

  • provision and operation of the website,
  • registration of users,
  • execution of online auctions,
  • verification of bidding eligibility,
  • distinction between traders and consumers,
  • communication with buyers, sellers and interested parties,
  • mediation of purchase agreements between sellers and buyers,
  • payment and invoice processing,
  • transfer of contact details between buyer and seller after a successful award,
  • handling inquiries,
  • provision of veterinary documents, X-rays or other documents,
  • prevention of misuse, fraud or technical attacks,
  • compliance with legal obligations,
  • marketing, newsletters and advertising,
  • analysis and improvement of our services.

6. Legal Bases for Processing

The processing of personal data is based on the following legal bases:

  • Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, where consent has been given,
  • Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR, where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures,
  • Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR, where processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation,
  • Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, where processing is necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests.

Legitimate interests may include the secure operation of the platform, prevention of misuse, enforcement of legal claims, improvement of our services and direct marketing to existing customers to the extent permitted by law.


7. Website Visits / Server Log Files

When visiting our website, technical data is automatically collected by the server. This may include:

  • IP address,
  • date and time of access,
  • pages accessed,
  • amount of data transferred,
  • browser type and version,
  • operating system,
  • referrer URL,
  • hostname of the accessing device.

This data is processed to technically provide the website, ensure stability and security and detect misuse. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.


8. Registration and User Account

Participation in auctions requires registration. During registration, we process the data provided by the user, in particular name, contact details, company details, VAT identification number and login data.

The processing is carried out to create and manage the user account, verify eligibility to participate and conduct auctions. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR.

GHT may request further evidence, in particular to verify trader status, identity or solvency.


9. Participation in Auctions / Bids

When participating in auctions, we process information about submitted bids, awards, auction history, time of bid submission and technical transaction data.

This data is required to properly conduct the auction, document bids, make awards traceable and clarify disputes. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) and Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.


10. Buyer and Seller Data

After a successful award, GHT may transfer personal data of the buyer and seller to the respective other contracting party, insofar as this is necessary for the performance of the purchase agreement.

This may include:

  • name,
  • address,
  • telephone number,
  • e-mail address,
  • company details,
  • VAT data,
  • information about the horse,
  • payment and processing information.

The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR.


11. Seller Data and Horse Information

Sellers may provide information, photos, videos, veterinary documents, X-rays, pedigree documents and other documents relating to horses.

Where such materials contain personal data, they are processed for the purpose of publication, review, presentation and execution of the auction.

Sellers are responsible for ensuring that they are entitled to submit and publish the provided data, photos, videos and documents and that no third-party rights are infringed.


12. Payment and Billing Data

For payment and billing processing, we process in particular payment data, bank details, invoice data, tax data and transaction data.

The processing is carried out for contract performance, payment processing and compliance with tax and commercial law obligations. The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) and Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR.

Payment data may be transferred to banks, payment service providers, tax advisors or authorities where necessary or legally required.


13. Contact

If you contact us by e-mail, telephone, contact form, WhatsApp or social media, we process the data you provide to handle your inquiry.

The legal basis is Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR where the inquiry relates to a contract or pre-contractual measures, and otherwise Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.


14. Newsletter and Advertising

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we process your e-mail address and any further voluntary information in order to send you information about auctions, horse offers, news and events.

Subscription is generally based on your consent pursuant to Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You may withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future, for example via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter.

To the extent permitted by law, we may also inform existing customers about similar offers without separate consent. You may object to such use at any time.


15. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. Cookies are small text files stored on the user’s device.

We use:

  • technically necessary cookies,
  • preference cookies,
  • statistics cookies,
  • marketing cookies,
  • tracking technologies.

Technically necessary cookies are required to provide the website and auction platform, for example for login, security, language settings or bidding functions.

Non-essential cookies, in particular for statistics, marketing or tracking, are used only with the user’s consent. Consent can be withdrawn or adjusted at any time via the cookie consent tool.

The legal bases are Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR and applicable German rules on cookies and similar technologies.


16. Analytics and Marketing Tools

GHT may use analytics and marketing tools to evaluate website usage, measure reach and display targeted advertising.

These services may include in particular:

  • Google Analytics,
  • Google Tag Manager,
  • Meta Pixel,
  • Meta Ads,
  • Google Ads,
  • YouTube integrations,
  • Instagram or Facebook plugins,
  • newsletter tools.

These services are only used where there is a legal basis, in particular consent via the cookie consent tool.

Please specify the actual providers once it is clear which tools are used.


17. Social Media

GHT may maintain profiles on social networks, in particular Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok or LinkedIn.

When users interact with these profiles, personal data may be processed by GHT and the respective platform operator. The respective platform’s own privacy policy applies to processing by the platform operator.

GHT processes social media data in particular for communication, public relations, advertising and responding to inquiries.


18. WhatsApp and Messenger Communication

If users communicate with GHT via WhatsApp or other messengers, the transmitted data is processed to handle the inquiry.

Please note that when using messenger services, data may also be processed by the respective provider. Use is voluntary. For confidential or legally relevant communication, we recommend contacting us by e-mail.


19. Disclosure of Personal Data

Personal data is only disclosed where necessary or legally permitted. Recipients may include in particular:

  • buyers,
  • sellers,
  • payment service providers,
  • banks,
  • tax advisors,
  • lawyers,
  • authorities,
  • IT service providers,
  • hosting providers,
  • shipping and transport companies,
  • insurers,
  • veterinarians or experts where required.

Disclosure to third parties for advertising purposes only takes place with consent or where legally permitted.


20. Transfers to Third Countries

Where personal data is transferred to countries outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, this only takes place if there is an appropriate legal basis.

This may be the case in particular when using services of international providers such as Google, Meta, YouTube or other cloud and marketing services.

In such cases, the transfer is based on an adequacy decision by the European Commission, appropriate safeguards, standard contractual clauses or explicit consent.


21. Storage Period

Personal data is stored only for as long as necessary for the respective purposes.

In addition, statutory retention periods may apply, in particular under commercial and tax law. Invoice and accounting data are usually stored in accordance with statutory retention periods.

After the purpose of processing ceases to apply and statutory retention periods have expired, personal data is deleted or anonymized.


22. Data Security

GHT implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against loss, manipulation, unauthorized access, destruction or misuse.

These measures include access restrictions, encryption, secure server structures, password protection and organizational security measures.


23. Rights of Data Subjects

Data subjects have the following rights in accordance with statutory provisions:

  • right of access,
  • right to rectification,
  • right to erasure,
  • right to restriction of processing,
  • right to data portability,
  • right to object to processing,
  • right to withdraw consent,
  • right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority.

To exercise these rights, you may contact GHT at any time.


24. Withdrawal of Consent

Consent given may be withdrawn at any time with effect for the future. The lawfulness of processing prior to withdrawal remains unaffected.


25. Objection to Direct Marketing

You may object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes at any time. After receipt of the objection, your data will no longer be used for direct marketing.


26. Minors

The use of the platform and participation in auctions is generally not directed at minors. Registration and participation are permitted only for persons of legal age or validly represented legal entities.


27. Amendments to this Privacy Policy

GHT reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy where necessary, in particular in the event of changes to the website, services used or legal requirements.

The current version published on the website shall apply.