Cookies Policy

Last updated: 15 January 2026 · WirtschaftsEcho, Ballindamm 27, 20095 Hamburg, Germany

This Cookies Policy explains how WirtschaftsEcho ("we", "us", "our"), as the data controller, uses cookies and similar technologies on wirtschaftsecho.com in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Telecommunication Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG, formerly TTDSG). By using our website after making a choice in the cookie consent banner, you agree to the use of cookies as described below.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone or tablet) when you visit a website. They allow the website to remember your actions and preferences over a period of time, and they may collect information about your browsing behaviour. Similar technologies such as pixels, local storage and software development kits (SDKs) are treated in the same way as cookies in this policy.

2. Controller and Contact

The controller responsible for the processing of your personal data in connection with cookies on this website is:

WirtschaftsEcho
Ballindamm 27
20095 Hamburg
Germany
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +49 911 456 6738

If you have any questions about this Cookies Policy or wish to exercise your rights regarding cookie-related data, please contact us at [email protected].

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary (Essential) Cookies

These cookies are required for the operation of our website and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are set in response to actions made by you, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. The legal basis for processing is Section 25(2) TDDDG in conjunction with Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (our legitimate interest in providing a secure and functional website). You may configure your browser to block these cookies, but some parts of the site may then not function correctly. Essential cookies do not require your consent and are therefore always active.

3.2 Analytics (Performance) Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously or in pseudonymised form, for example which pages are visited most often and how long readers spend on an article. This data allows us to improve the structure and content of our reporting. Analytics cookies are only set with your prior consent in accordance with Section 25(1) TDDDG and Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. You may withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future.

3.3 Marketing (Advertising) Cookies

These cookies are used to display relevant advertising, measure the effectiveness of campaigns and, where applicable, build pseudonymised profiles of your interests across websites. Marketing cookies are only set with your prior consent (Section 25(1) TDDDG, Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). If you reject marketing cookies, you will still be able to use our website without restriction; you may simply see less relevant advertising.

4. Overview of Cookies Used

Cookie Name	Category	Purpose	Duration
wse_ck_v1	Essential	Stores your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask again on every visit.	180 days
wse_session	Essential	Maintains your session while browsing the website and secures forms against misuse.	Session
wse_paywall	Essential	Tracks which articles you have read for subscription access purposes.	30 days
_analytics_id	Analytics	Assigns a pseudonymous identifier to measure page views and visitor behaviour.	14 months
_analytics_session	Analytics	Groups page views into a single session for statistical evaluation.	30 minutes
_mkt_uid	Marketing	Pseudonymous identifier used to display and measure relevant advertising.	13 months

Third parties involved in analytics and marketing may process data on servers located outside the European Economic Area. In such cases, transfers are based on adequacy decisions of the European Commission or, where no adequacy decision exists, on standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission in conjunction with Art. 44 et seq. GDPR.

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

When you first visit wirtschaftsecho.com, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept all cookies, reject all non-essential cookies, or select categories individually. Your choice is stored in an essential cookie and applies to future visits. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by clearing the cookie named "wse_ck_v1" in your browser settings; the consent banner will then appear again on your next visit.

In addition, most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can configure your browser to refuse all cookies, delete existing cookies or notify you when a cookie is set. Please note that blocking essential cookies may impair the functionality of the website, including your ability to manage your subscription or submit contact forms.

6. Data Subject Rights

Under the GDPR you have the following rights with respect to personal data processed via cookies:

Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR) – to obtain confirmation of whether we process your data and a copy of that data.
Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR) – to have inaccurate data corrected.
Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR) – to have your data deleted, subject to legal retention obligations.
Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR) – to request that processing be limited in certain circumstances.
Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR) – to receive data you have provided in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR) – to object to processing based on our legitimate interests at any time.
Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3) GDPR) – to withdraw consent to analytics or marketing cookies at any time with effect for the future.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within one month of receiving your request, in accordance with Art. 12(3) GDPR.

7. Right to Lodge a Complaint

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the member state of your habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement (Art. 77 GDPR). For WirtschaftsEcho, the competent authority is the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (Hamburgischer Beauftragter für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit), Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 22, 20459 Hamburg, Germany.

8. Data Security and Retention

We and our processors apply appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect cookie-related personal data against unauthorised access, loss or alteration, including TLS encryption for all connections to our website. Cookie data is retained only for the durations listed in Section 4 and deleted thereafter, unless longer storage is required by law.

9. Changes to This Cookies Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law or our services. The current version is always available on this page, together with the date of the last update. Significant changes will be announced on our website before they take effect.

10. Contact

For questions regarding this Cookies Policy, please contact WirtschaftsEcho, Ballindamm 27, 20095 Hamburg, Germany, by email at [email protected] or by phone at +49 911 456 6738.