Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 3, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how Robert Michels (“I”, “me”) handles information when you visit rmichels.com (the “Site”). I am based in British Columbia, Canada. Questions: contact@rmichels.com. See also the Legal Notice and Privacy settings.
Summary
- The Site does not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
- I use cookieless, EU-hosted analytics (Umami) to understand traffic, unless you opt out or send Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control.
- Embedded videos and interactive demos (YouTube, Sketchfab, Figma, Clirio View) load only when you click to load them, unless you opt in on Privacy settings.
- Code samples on case studies are rendered at build time; your browser does not load GitHub unless you follow a link.
- I do not sell personal information.
Scope
This policy applies to the portfolio Site only. Tourguide ( tourguide.rmichels.com) is a separate product with its own privacy policy.
The Site is a static website hosted by Hostinger. I do not operate user accounts or registration on the Site.
Information I collect
What you provide
The Site has no contact forms. If you email me at contact@rmichels.com, I receive whatever you choose to send (for example your email address and message content) through your and my email providers.
Hosting and server logs
When you visit the Site, Hostinger (and any content delivery network in front of it) may process server logs such as IP address, request time, requested URL, referrer, and browser user agent to deliver and secure the Site. Retention is governed by Hostinger’s configuration in my hosting account. I do not operate a separate application database for visitors.
Analytics
Unless you opt out (see Privacy settings) or your browser sends Do Not Track or
Global Privacy Control, I use Umami Analytics (Umami Software, EU cloud region) to
collect aggregated usage data such as pages viewed and referrer. Umami is configured without
cookies and without storing full IP addresses. Analytics scripts are limited to production on
rmichels.com and do not run on local preview builds.
Legal bases: Canada (PIPEDA) — reasonable purposes with notice; EEA/UK (GDPR) — legitimate interests in operating and improving the Site (Art. 6(1)(f)), balanced against your rights. You may object at any time via the opt-out on Privacy settings.
Application links
Links I share with employers may include ?portfolio_link= followed by a short
reference (for example a company name). When analytics is active, I record a single custom event
that an application link was opened with that reference. I do not combine this with other personal
data about you.
External media (embeds)
Some case studies offer embedded content from third parties. Until you click Load content, no request is sent to these providers. You may opt in on Privacy settings to always load embeds on this device, or use Always load embedded content on a case study (same choice for all listed providers). Those preferences are stored in your browser (see table below) until you change them on Privacy settings.
- YouTube (Google) — privacy information
- Sketchfab — privacy information
- Figma — privacy information
- Clirio View (Azure) — privacy information
Legal bases: consent when you load or remember an embed (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); Germany TDDDG §25(1)). Providers in the United States may rely on the EU–US Data Privacy Framework or standard contractual clauses.
Code snippets
GitHub Gist content referenced in markdown is fetched when I build the Site and served as static HTML from rmichels.com. Viewing a case study does not call GitHub’s servers unless you click “View gist on GitHub”.
Fonts and assets
Fonts and other assets are self-hosted from rmichels.com; I do not load Google Fonts or similar CDNs.
Browser storage
The Site does not set HTTP cookies. I use browser storage only as follows:
| Key | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
rmExternalMedia | Remembers embed providers you chose to always load (site-wide or per provider) | Until you change or remove entries on Privacy settings |
rmVisitorFilter (session) | Project filter on home/projects for this browser tab | Until you close the tab |
lenisSmoothScrolling | Smooth scrolling on/off preference | Until you clear site data |
rmAnalyticsOptOut | Stores your decision to disable analytics | Until you clear site data or re-enable |
Why I use information and legal bases (email)
If you email me about a job or collaboration, I process your message to respond and keep reasonable records. Legal bases: steps at your request before a contract (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b)) and legitimate interest in professional communication (Art. 6(1)(f)); Canada — PIPEDA compatible purposes.
Sharing and processors
- Hostinger — web hosting (privacy policy)
- Umami Software — cookieless analytics, EU region (privacy policy)
- Embed providers — only after you load content (listed above)
International transfers
Canada has an EU adequacy decision for many transfers from the EEA. Hostinger, Umami (EU), and US embed providers may process data outside your country; they use appropriate safeguards where required.
Retention
- Server logs: per Hostinger settings in my account.
- Umami analytics: per my Umami project settings (aggregated data).
- Browser storage keys: as in the table above.
- Email: as long as needed to respond and for reasonable professional record-keeping, then deleted or archived.
Your rights
Canada
You may request access to or correction of personal information I hold about you. You may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at priv.gc.ca and the BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner at oipc.bc.ca.
EEA / UK / Switzerland
You may have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, object (including to analytics under Art. 21), and data portability where applicable, and to withdraw consent for embeds at any time. You may lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority (EU list).
There is no automated decision-making or profiling on this Site.
Children
The Site is not directed at children under 18.
Security
I use reasonable measures appropriate to a static personal website.
Changes
I may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when I do. Material changes will be described on this page.
Your choices
Manage analytics and embed preferences on the Privacy settings page.
Contact
Email: contact@rmichels.com (Robert Michels, British Columbia, Canada).