This statement explains how I, Dr John F. Müller, handle and use data I collect about my customers and clients. In broad terms, I use your data to manage the ongoing relationship between you and me as part of our working association, keeping you up to date on my work on your project, and engaging with you on possible further ideas. I also need to keep records of my transactions for legal reasons.

I will retain your data indefinitely or until you request me to do otherwise. When changes are made to this statement, I will publish the updated version to my website or notify you by other communications channels as I deem appropriate or necessary. The controller for your personal data is Dr John F. Müller, Historian & Heraldist, Scheffelstr. 31, 79102 Freiburg, Germany. The person responsible for data protection at the time of issue, and the person who is responsible for monitoring compliance with relevant legislation in relation is me, Dr John F. Müller, contactable at: wappen-mueller(at)gmx.de

The legal basis for processing your personal data is that it is necessary for the purposes of my legitimate interests, where I have concluded that my interests do not impact inappropriately on your fundamental rights and freedoms, except where elsewhere in this statement I have indicated otherwise. You may ask me to explain my rationale at any time.

What data do I collect?
Legally I am obliged to keep records of all financial transactions with you, your full name and means of communication with you (email or physical address or
social media contact or telephone number or some or all of these). Beyond this data I will retain no further information on you. Beyond my legal obligation to do so I pride myself in the fact that many clients or customers become acquaintances or friends. As such, I like to communicate with you on a social level, perhaps sending Christmas cards or other unsolicited greetings or communications that may or may not also include an element of promotion.

Why do I collect data?
Primarily I have to collect data for legal reasons, first and foremost for tax purposes. I collect and process your personal data, as specified below, for a number of other purposes, including:
A. maintaining a formal record of your order or commission and my work in response to that order or commission,
B. retaining a formal record of my achievements in order to promote and improve the reputation of my work and to help you to network with other customers effectively,
C. engaging you with events, special offers, promotions etc. that I believe will be of interest to you,
D. providing you with information about the development of my heraldic and historic work,
E. and the, unlikely, event of me wishing to promote third party services I believe will be of interest to you.

Telling me what you want.
You are able to change your communication preferences (or ask me to cease sending you news and other communications completely) by emailing wappen-mueller(at)gmx.de. You may request changes at any time. You have the right to ask me for access to, rectification or erasure of your data; to restrict processing (pending correction or deletion); to object to communications or direct marketing; and to ask for the transfer of your data electronically to a third party (data portability). Some of these rights are not automatic, and I reserve the right to discuss with you why I might not comply with a request from you to exercise them. Where you opt out of all future communications or exercise your right to erasure, I will continue to maintain a core set of personal data for
statutory purposes.

How I share your data.
I aim, from the outset, not to share your data except when I legally have to or believe it is in your overwhelming interest that I do so.