Question 1

When do I need an Impressum?

Accepted Answer

Websites, apps, and non-purely-private social media profiles require an Impressum. Businesses risk cease-and-desist letters if the Impressum is missing or incorrect.

Question 2

What must an Impressum include?

Accepted Answer

A website Impressum must include certain legally required information. Requirements can vary by country; common elements include:

1. Name and address:
- The full name of the website operator or company.
- The full postal address including street, house number, postcode, and city.

2. Contact options:
- An email address or contact form through which visitors can reach the operator.

3. Authorised representatives:
- Where applicable, authorised persons or managing directors with name and role.

4. Trade register entry (if applicable):
- If the company is registered, register number and registering court.

5. VAT identification number (if applicable):
- Required for VAT-liable businesses.

6. Professional details (if applicable):
- For certain professions (e.g. doctors, lawyers) additional professional information.

7. Registration (if applicable):
- Membership in professional bodies or official registration where required.

Note that exact requirements differ by country. Check local law or seek legal advice to ensure compliance.

Question 3

How do I create an Impressum for my business?

Accepted Answer

Creating an Impressum requires attention to legal requirements in your country. General steps:

1. Research legal requirements:
- Understand Impressum rules in your country. They vary; compliance with local law is essential.

2. Contact information:
- Ensure contact details are complete and current: company name, address, email, and telephone where required.

3. Legal form:
- State your legal form (e.g. GmbH, AG) where applicable.

4. Responsible persons:
- Add names and roles of responsible persons such as managing directors or owners where required.

5. Trade register and VAT ID:
- Include register number and court if registered; VAT ID if VAT-liable.

6. Professional details (if applicable):
- For regulated professions, include required professional information.

7. Privacy policy:
- Link to your privacy policy explaining how you handle personal data.

8. Design and visibility:
- Make the Impressum easy to find, e.g. a visible footer link.

9. Regular updates:
- Review and update when company data or legal requirements change.

10. Legal advice:
- For uncertainty or complex situations, consult a lawyer to ensure compliance.

These steps are general information, not legal advice. Consult a lawyer or internet law specialist for requirements in your situation.

Question 4

How do I create an Impressum with Dieter?

Accepted Answer

When Dieter creates your Impressum, all required information is collected through simple questions. No prior knowledge is needed. The result is a complete document with all mandatory details, ready to embed on your website.

Question 5

What happens if I do not have an Impressum?

Accepted Answer

Missing an Impressum on your website can lead to costly cease-and-desist letters, fines, and lasting loss of trust among users.

Question 6

Data protection is a legal requirement

Accepted Answer

All businesses must meet GDPR requirements. That applies regardless of headcount – including sole traders and solo self-employed professionals.

They must comply with general data protection principles (lawfulness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, among others), inform data subjects about processing, and implement technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. Smaller businesses are also required to maintain a record of processing activities, a deletion concept, and processes for handling personal data breaches, and more.

With Dieter, you no longer need to worry. We take care of everything you need to meet your legal obligations.

Question 7

Cease-and-desist letters are on the rise

Accepted Answer

Cease-and-desist letters for GDPR violations have increased steadily in recent years. A prominent example is the wave of letters over unlawful use of Google Fonts in summer 2022. Although some of those letters were not lawful, they were based on a Munich Regional Court decision from January 2022. In late 2022, the Court of Justice of the EU also ruled that consumer associations may generally send cease-and-desist letters for GDPR breaches. These and other court decisions triggered further waves. EU-wide GDPR fines reached a new record of €1.2 billion in 2024. Any business that neglects its legal duties can be affected.

Question 8

A legally compliant website is essential

Accepted Answer

A GDPR-compliant website is the first step to protect yourself effectively against cease-and-desist letters. In 2022 alone, there were countless letters over unlawful use of Google Fonts – and pressure continues to grow. Since May 2024, the German Digital Services Act (DDG) has also placed further requirements on website operators. Dieter handles your data protection needs and can create your Impressum as well.

Question 9

More fines for small businesses

Accepted Answer

Data protection authorities have begun conducting inspections without a specific trigger. For companies with fewer than 20 employees, the statistical risk of being affected is over 10:1.

Question 10

Cybercrime in Germany is growing sharply

Accepted Answer

According to a Bitkom study, 87% of German companies were recently victims of a cyber attack. Total damage to the German economy exceeds €289 billion per year – and rising. Implementing mandatory technical and organisational measures (TOM) significantly reduces the risk of being affected.

Question 11

Personal data is a form of currency

Accepted Answer

Since 2022, personal data has been legally treated in some respects like a currency – and with the Data Act in force since 2024, data as an economic asset carries even more weight. Awareness is growing. This data should be as secure as a bank account – and implementing the GDPR helps achieve that.

Question 12

The right to data protection is a fundamental right

Accepted Answer

Everyone has the right to decide which personal (and therefore highly private) data about them is collected, stored, and used. It also helps prevent misuse, fraud, and discrimination. Data protection protects privacy, identity, and freedom – and is essential for a democratic society. Respecting it should be a matter of course for every business.

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