Privacy Policy

Last updated: 17 January 2026

Overview

This website (jwilliams.science) is the personal academic website of Dr James Williams. I am committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about any data collection.

What Data We Collect

Contact Form Submissions

When you submit the contact form, the following information is collected:

  • Name - To address you properly
  • Email address - To respond to your inquiry
  • Message content - Your inquiry or message
  • Area of interest (optional) - To categorize your inquiry

This data is processed via Web3Forms and sent directly to my email address. Form submissions are securely stored on Web3Forms servers for 30 days (free plan retention period), after which they are automatically deleted. Web3Forms is EU-based and fully GDPR compliant.

Analytics (When Enabled)

This website uses GoatCounter, a privacy-friendly, open-source analytics service that respects your privacy:

  • No cookies or persistent identifiers
  • No cross-site tracking
  • No personal data collection
  • GDPR compliant
  • Open source and transparent
  • Collects only: page URLs, referrers, browser/OS type, screen size, and country (from IP address, not stored)

GoatCounter does not track individuals and all data is aggregated and anonymized. Learn more at GoatCounter's privacy policy.

Cookies

This website does not use cookies. GoatCounter analytics is completely server-side and does not set any cookies or tracking identifiers.

Essential Browser Storage (localStorage)

The following data is stored in your browser's localStorage for essential functionality only. This storage is strictly necessary for the website to function as you request and does not require consent under GDPR:

  • theme preference - Your dark/light mode choice (remembers your preference)

This data never leaves your device and is used only to remember your preferences. Under GDPR Article 6(1)(f) and ePrivacy exceptions, strictly necessary storage for functionality explicitly requested by the user does not require consent.

Third-Party Services

This website uses the following third-party services:

  • Google Fonts - For typography. Fonts are served via Google's API but no personal data is collected.
  • Phosphor Icons CDN - For icons (unpkg CDN, no tracking).

These services may log technical information (IP addresses, request data) as part of standard CDN operations, but do not use tracking cookies.

Data Retention

  • Contact form data: Emails are stored on Web3Forms servers for 30 days (their retention period), then automatically deleted. Emails are retained in my personal email inbox indefinitely. Emails will be removed from both locations upon request.
  • Analytics data: If enabled, anonymized aggregated data may be retained for up to 24 months.
  • Browser storage: You can clear at any time via browser settings.

Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights:

  • Right to access - Request a copy of data I hold about you
  • Right to rectification - Correct inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure - Request deletion of your data
  • Right to restrict processing - Limit how I use your data
  • Right to object - Opt out of analytics or communications
  • Right to data portability - Receive your data in machine-readable format

To exercise any of these rights, contact me at: James.Williams4@Nottingham.ac.uk

Security

This website is served over HTTPS to ensure encrypted communication. Contact form submissions are processed via secure third-party services. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure.

Children's Privacy

This website is not intended for individuals under 16 years of age. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

I may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

For questions about this privacy policy or data handling practices, please email:

James.Williams4@Nottingham.ac.uk

Technical Details

Hosting

  • Hosting: GitHub Pages (see GitHub's privacy policy)
  • Technical logging: GitHub may log IP addresses, request URLs, and browser information for security and operations purposes.

Form Processing

  • Service: Web3Forms
  • GDPR Compliance: Yes (EU-based service)
  • Data Storage: Form submissions stored for 30 days on secure servers, then automatically deleted
  • Data Security: HTTPS encryption, hCaptcha spam protection
  • Spam Protection: hCaptcha (may set temporary cookies for verification)

Commitment to Privacy: This is a personal academic website with minimal data collection. I prioritize transparency and your control over your data. If you have concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.