Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 7, 2026

1. Introduction

This policy explains what personal data ianronk.nl ("the Website") processes, why, and what your rights are under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Website is operated by Ian Ronk ("we", "us"). In short: we process what you send us yourself, the technical data any web server needs and, only if you agree, visit statistics from Google Analytics. There is no advertising, and we never sell your data.

2. Data Controller

The data controller for this website is Ian Ronk, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For privacy-related questions, use the contact form or the email address on the contact page.

3. Information We Process

3.1 Information You Provide

  • Contact form: your name, email address, phone number (optional), subject and message. The form sends your message to us by email and sends you a short confirmation. Before sending, the Website checks that the email address is not a disposable or invalid address.
  • Newsletter sign-up: your email address, your language and the page where you signed up.

3.2 Information Processed Automatically

  • Technical data: like any website, the server receives your IP address, the page you request, your browser type and the time of the request. We use this only to deliver the Website, to limit abuse (for example, how often the contact form can be sent from one address) and to fix problems.
  • Visit statistics (only with your consent): if you accept analytics in the cookie banner, Google Analytics records which pages you view, how you arrived (for example from a search engine or LinkedIn), your approximate location (country and city), and your device and browser type. Google Analytics does not store your IP address, and its advertising features and Google signals are turned off. If you decline, none of this is collected.
  • Cookies: one functional cookie that remembers your language, and Google Analytics cookies only if you accept them. See the Cookie Policy for details.

4. How We Use Your Information

  • To read and answer the messages you send through the contact form.
  • To send you updates about new writing, only if you signed up for them.
  • To see which pages are read and how visitors find the Website, only if you accept analytics.
  • To keep the Website secure and working.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

  • Consent: for newsletter sign-ups and visit statistics. You can withdraw it at any time, for analytics via "Cookie preferences" in the footer.
  • Legitimate interest: for answering messages you send us and for the security and functioning of the Website.
  • Steps before a contract: when your message is about working together.

6. Service Providers

  • Hosting: the Website and its database run on a server in the European Union, rented from Hetzner Online GmbH (Germany).
  • Google (Gmail): delivers the contact form emails and stores them in our mailbox.
  • Google Analytics: provided by Google Ireland Limited, which processes the visit statistics for us under Google's data processing terms. It only runs after you accept analytics.
  • Mapbox: some research pages show interactive maps. When you open such a page, your browser loads the map from Mapbox, which then receives your IP address and technical data about your browser.

Google and Mapbox may process data in the United States. They state that they protect such transfers with safeguards recognised under the GDPR, such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework or standard contractual clauses.

7. Data Retention

Contact form messages are kept as long as needed to handle your message and any follow-up. Newsletter sign-ups are kept until you ask to be removed. Visit statistics are kept in Google Analytics for 14 months and then deleted automatically. Technical server logs are kept only for a limited period, for security and troubleshooting.

8. Your Rights (GDPR)

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data.
  • Rectify inaccurate personal data.
  • Erase your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
  • Restrict processing of your personal data.
  • Data portability.
  • Object to processing of your personal data.
  • Withdraw consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, contact us via the contact form or the email address on the contact page. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens).

9. Data Security

We protect your data with encrypted connections (HTTPS), a secured server, access controls and limits on how often forms can be sent.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. If we add other analytics or tracking, we will update this policy first and ask for your consent before anything is stored. Changes are posted on this page with an updated revision date.