Skip to content

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 11, 2025

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use my website. I am committed to ensuring your privacy and protecting any personal information you share with me. This policy complies with multiple privacy regulations including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UK GDPR, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and other applicable privacy laws.

2. Data Controller

I, Dr. Matthias Kleespies, am the data controller responsible for your personal data collected through this website (innerworldwisdom.com).

Complete contact details of the data controller:

Website: https://innerworldwisdom.com

Name: Dr. Matthias Kleespies

Address: Am Bächle 8, 87784 Westerheim, Germany

Please use the contact form to send me an email.

Phone: 0049 – 8336-4219501

3. Personal Data I Collect

I collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Information you provide directly: Name, email address, and any other information you voluntarily submit through forms on my website
  • Technical information: Browser type, device information, and cookies
  • Usage data: How you interact with my website
  • Comments: If you leave comments, I collect the data shown in the comments form
  • Account information: For registered users, I store the information provided in their user profile

Note: I do not save IP addresses in conjunction with any personal data, except temporarily for spam detection in comments.

If you choose to join my email list, you can request to opt out at any time. Each corresponding email you receive includes an opt-out link for your convenience.

4. Website-Specific Features

Comments

When you leave comments on the site:

  • An anonymized string (hash) of your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service if you use it
  • After approval of your comment, your profile picture (if using Gravatar) is visible to the public in the context of your comment
  • Comments and their metadata are stored in the WordPress database until they are removed

Media Uploads

If you upload images to the website:

  • The images may contain embedded location data (EXIF GPS)
  • This data may be visible to visitors who download these images
  • Consider removing sensitive location data before uploading images

Note: I do not currently offer third-party uploads.

Embedded Content

My website may include embedded content (videos – YouTube.com, images, articles, etc.):

This content behaves as if you visited the other website directly

These websites may:

  • Collect data about you
  • Use their own cookies
  • Embed additional third-party tracking
  • Monitor your interaction with the embedded content
  • Track your interaction if you are logged into their services

You can manage third-party cookies and tracking related to embedded content through the ‘Real Cookie Banner’ tool on my website (see Point 10 for more details).
You can adjust your cookie settings at any time using the ‘Real Cookie Banner’ tool by clicking on the ‘Cookie Settings’ link at the bottom of the website.

W3 Total Cache

This site utilizes BoldGrid’s caching tool (https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/) in order to facilitate a faster response time and better user experience. Caching potentially stores a duplicate copy of every web page that is on display on this site. All cache files are temporary, and are never accessed by any third party, except as necessary to obtain technical support from the cache plugin vendor. Cache files expire on a schedule set by the site administrator, but may easily be purged by the admin before their natural expiration, if necessary.
Please see BoldGrid’s (inmotionhosting.com) Privacy Policy  for more details.

CDN Provider

This site uses a content delivery network (CDN) provided by QUIC to enhance performance and improve security, ensuring a faster response time and a safer user experience. QUIC operates under secure contractual agreements that prioritize data security and may process certain personal data to optimize content delivery. For more details, please see QUIC’s Privacy Policy.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

I process your personal data based on the following specific legal grounds:

a) Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR):

  • When you join my email list
  • When you choose to post comments (optional)
  • When you accept non-essential cookies

b) Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR):

  • When you contact me through the contact form
  • When you register for an account (if applicable)

c) Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR):

  • Technical cookies necessary for website functionality
  • Spam protection for comments
  • Website security measures
  • Statistical analysis of website usage (in anonymized form)

For each legitimate interest, I have conducted a balancing test to ensure your rights and freedoms do not override these interests.

6. Data Retention

I retain different types of personal data only for as long as necessary:

a) Essential Website Data

  • Technical cookies: These are used to ensure the functionality of the website. While they are intended to last only for the duration of your browser session, their exact behavior may depend on browser configurations or user actions.
  • Regional content cookie: This cookie, which customizes content based on your region, is retained for a maximum of 12 hours.

Third-party Cookies
My website may embed content from third-party providers (e.g., YouTube or similar services). These providers may set their own cookies, which are not fully under my control. If you have consented to such cookies via Real Cookie Banner or a similar tool, their duration and processing are governed by the privacy policies of the respective providers. I recommend reviewing these policies for more information.

b) User Interaction

  • Comments: Comments are retained indefinitely as they are an integral part of the website’s content and community discussion. You can request removal of your individual comments at any time.
  • Email addresses (newsletter subscribers): Until unsubscription
  • Contact form submissions: 30 days or until query is resolved

You can request deletion of your personal data at any time (see Section 7: Your Privacy Rights). Upon request, I will remove your personal information while preserving your comments’ content if you wish to keep them visible but anonymous.

I regularly review stored data to ensure I only keep what is necessary for providing you with the requested services and maintaining our community discussions.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have some or all of the following rights:

For EU/UK Residents (GDPR Rights):

  • Right to access your personal data
  • Right to rectification of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent

For California Residents (CCPA Rights):

  • Right to know what personal information is collected
  • Right to know whether personal information is sold or disclosed
  • Right to say no to the sale of personal information
  • Right to access your personal information
  • Right to equal service and price (non-discrimination)
  • Right to delete your personal information

For Virginia Residents (VCDPA Rights):

  • Right to access
  • Right to correction
  • Right to deletion
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to opt out of targeted advertising
  • Right to opt out of data sales

8. Data Security

I protect your personal data through several technical and organizational measures:

  • SSL encryption for all data transfers
  • Regular website backups
  • Restricted administrative access
  • Website firewall protection

While I implement these security measures, please note that no method of Internet transmission is 100% secure.

9. Data Sharing and Third Parties

I may share your data in the following circumstances:

  • With Gravatar service if you choose to use it for comment profile pictures
  • Through WordPress’s built-in spam detection services for comments
  • With embedded content providers as described above

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookie Management

To manage cookies, similar technologies (tracking pixels, web beacons, etc.), and related consents, I use the consent tool “Real Cookie Banner”. Details on how “Real Cookie Banner” works can be found at https://devowl.io/rcb/data-processing/

Cookie Types and Duration

I use the following cookies:

  1. Technical and Functional Cookies:
    • Regional content cookie: A technically necessary cookie (is_dach_country) to enhance user experience by adapting content based on the user’s region. This cookie does not store personal data and serves exclusively functional purposes (duration: 12 hours)
    • Comment cookies (optional): Save your name, email, and website for future comments (duration: one year)
    • WordPress test cookie: A temporary cookie to check if your browser accepts cookies
    • WPForms cookies (technically necessary):
       – Form submission processing and spam protection
       – Entry storage in the WordPress backend
       – These cookies are temporary and only active during form interaction
  2. Authentication Cookies (only if you log in): Note: I do not currently offer third-party user accounts. However, WordPress may set the following cookies for administrative access:
    • Login session cookies
    • “Remember Me” cookie (duration: 14 days) if this option is selected
  3. Additional Cookies: The exact cookies present on this website may vary depending on:
    • Installed fplugins
    • Your interaction with the website
    • WordPress version and configuration

For a detailed, current list of all cookies used on this website, please use the Real Cookie Banner tool, which provides real-time information about active cookies.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers have a “Do Not Track” feature that lets you tell websites that you do not want to have your online activities tracked. At this time, my website does not respond to browser “Do Not Track” signals. However, you can control tracking through:

  • Individual opt-out choices for specific cookies
  • Your browser’s cookie settings
  • The Real Cookie Banner consent management tool

Online Tracking Opt-out

You can opt out of certain tracking technologies through:

  • The Real Cookie Banner consent management tool
  • Your browser settings
  • The opt-out tools provided by various industry groups

11. International Data Transfers

International Data Transfers

Your personal data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your own, including the United States, for the following purposes:
a) Website Delivery:

  • Content Delivery Network (CDN) servers located in the United States to ensure fast and reliable website performance.
  • Google Analytics for analyzing website usage and improving user experience.
  • Newsletter services (when implemented).

b) Safeguards:
We are committed to ensuring that your data is handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection standards. This includes:

  • Adopting contractual agreements or frameworks that align with international data protection standards (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses, where applicable).
  • Implementing additional technical and organizational measures to safeguard your information.
  • Working exclusively with service providers who adhere to globally recognized data protection practices.

Each service provider used for these transfers is carefully selected to ensure compliance with relevant privacy regulations:

  • Google Analytics: 
    Participates in recognized frameworks for international data transfers, such as the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. For more information about how Google collects and uses your data, visit the Google Privacy Statement.
  • YouTube (Google):
    If YouTube videos are embedded on this website, personal data such as your IP address, as well as the date and time the video is viewed, may be transmitted to Google (USA) when the video is played. This transmission can occur even if you do not interact with the video (e.g., by clicking play).
    Google is part of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. For more information on how Google and YouTube process personal data, please refer to the Google Privacy Policy.
    If you have concerns about the transfer of your data to the USA, you can choose to disable the playback of YouTube videos on this website.
  • Newsletter Service: Details will be provided upon implementation.

If data is transferred to the USA (e.g., Google Analytics, YouTube), please note that the USA is not considered a secure third country under the GDPR.
For more information about the measures we take to protect your data during international transfers, please contact us via the details in Section 15.

12. Children’s Privacy

My website is not intended for children under 16 years of age (13 years in the United States). I do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

I reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. I will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last updated” date.

14. California-Specific Disclosures

Categories of Personal Information Collected

As required by the CCPA, I disclose the categories of personal information collected in the last 12 months in Section 3.

“Sale” of Personal Information

I do not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA.

Shine the Light Law

California residents may request certain information regarding the disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or my data protection practices, please use the contact form to contact me:

16. Supervisory Authorities

For EU Residents

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local EU data protection authority.

For UK Residents

You can lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/

For US Residents

  • California residents can contact the California Attorney General’s Office
  • Virginia residents can contact the Virginia Attorney General’s Office
  • Other US residents can contact their state’s Attorney General’s Office

17. Additional Rights and Controls

Registered Users

If you have an account on this site, you can:

  • Request an exported file of your personal data
  • Request erasure of your personal data (except data required for administrative, legal, or security purposes)
  • Edit your personal information at any time (except username)
  • View your profile information

Website Address

My website is located at: https://innerworldwisdom.com

This site participates in affiliate programs. I may earn a commission when you click on and make purchases through affiliate links.

Copyright innerworldwisdom.com © 2025.