Effective date: October 26, 2026
This policy explains what personal information gokuldhamodaran.com (“the site”) collects, why, how long it is kept, and the choices you have. The site is run by Gokul Dhamodaran (“I”, “me”), based in Illinois, USA. I keep data collection to the minimum the site needs.
Summary
- I collect what you choose to send me (contact messages and newsletter signups) and basic technical data needed to run, secure and measure the site.
- I do not sell or rent your personal information, and I do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
- Every newsletter email has a one-click unsubscribe link.
- You can ask to see, correct or delete your data at any time through the contact form.
Information you give me
Contact form. Your name, email address, optional company name, the topic you choose and your message. It is saved in the site’s private admin area, which only I can access, and emailed to me so I can reply.
How you found the site (sent with a form). When you send the contact form or sign up for the newsletter, the site also records which form and page you used, how you arrived (the referring website, such as a search engine or LinkedIn, or campaign tags in the link such as utm_source), the first page of your visit, how many pages you viewed, how long you had been on the site, and whether you used a phone, tablet or computer. This is gathered in your browser while you browse and is sent to me only if you submit a form. It helps me understand which content and channels lead to useful conversations.
Newsletter signup. Your email address, optional first name, the topics you choose (for example new articles, blog posts or newsletter issues), the page where you signed up, and the date, time and wording of your consent. Signups are confirmed by email (double opt-in) before you receive anything.
Information collected automatically
- Server and security logs: IP address, browser type, pages requested and time of request, kept by my hosting provider to run and protect the site.
- Bot protection: forms use Cloudflare Turnstile, which checks signals such as IP address and browser characteristics to tell people from automated bots.
- Analytics: Google Analytics (through Google Site Kit) measures visits, pages viewed, referral sources and approximate location. It uses cookies or similar technologies.
- Email engagement: the newsletter service records whether emails are opened and which links are clicked, so I can see what readers find useful.
- Preferences on your device: your light or dark mode choice is saved in your browser’s local storage and is never sent to me. A short note of how you arrived (referring site, campaign tags, first page and number of pages viewed) is also kept in your browser’s local and session storage; it is sent to me only if you submit a form, as described above.
How I use your information
- To reply to your messages and discuss roles or projects you contact me about.
- To send the newsletter and post alerts you asked for, and to honor your topic choices.
- To keep the site secure, block spam and bots, and prevent abuse.
- To understand which content is useful and improve the site.
- To comply with legal obligations.
If you are in the European Economic Area or the UK, the legal bases are: your consent (newsletter, analytics and ad cookies where required), my legitimate interests (replying to messages, security and spam prevention, basic site measurement), and legal obligations.
Cookies and similar technologies
The site uses essential cookies (for example for logged-in administrators and caching), analytics cookies from Google Analytics, and, if ads are shown, advertising cookies from Google AdSense. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Where the law requires it, the site will ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies. You can opt out of Google Analytics with Google’s opt-out add-on and manage ad personalization at Google Ad Settings.
Who processes data for me
I use a small number of service providers that process data on my behalf, under their own privacy terms:
- Hostinger (web hosting, content delivery network and server logs).
- MailPoet (newsletter subscriber management and email sending).
- Cloudflare (Turnstile bot protection).
- Google (Google Analytics, Search Console and, if enabled, AdSense). Fonts are served from this site itself, not from Google.
- Calendly and LinkedIn, only if you follow links to book a call or view my profile; their own policies then apply.
I may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety or security of the site and its users.
How long I keep it
- Contact messages and the details sent with forms: as long as needed to handle your request and any follow-up, and deleted automatically after 24 months at the latest.
- Newsletter data: until you unsubscribe or ask me to delete it. Unconfirmed signups are removed regularly, and the site’s own signup record is deleted after 24 months at the latest.
- Analytics data: according to the retention period set in Google Analytics.
- Server and security logs: for the limited period set by my hosting and security providers.
Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete or receive a copy of your personal information, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to withdraw consent at any time. California and other US state residents may have rights to know, delete and correct personal information and to opt out of its sale or sharing; I do not sell or share personal information as those laws define it, and I will not treat you differently for exercising your rights.
To use any of these rights, send a request through the contact form. I will respond within 30 days and may need to confirm your identity. If you are in the EEA or UK, you can also complain to your local data protection authority.
To stop newsletter emails, click “Unsubscribe” in any email or use the “Manage subscription” link to change your topics.
Security
The site uses HTTPS everywhere, server-side form verification, bot protection, regular software updates, limited admin access and off-site backups. No website can guarantee perfect security, but I work to protect your information and will notify affected users of a breach where the law requires.
International visitors
I am based in the United States, and my service providers may process data in the United States and other countries. Where required, transfers are protected by the providers’ standard contractual safeguards.
Children
The site is meant for professionals and is not directed to children under 16. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has sent me information, contact me and I will delete it.
Changes to this policy
I may update this policy when the site or the law changes. The effective date at the top shows when it was last revised, and significant changes will be highlighted on the site.
Contact
Questions or requests about privacy: use the contact form and choose “Something else”.