Privacy

Who is responsible

This website is run by Michael Zhang, PhD, trading as Dr. Mike Zhang. If you have a question about your information, or you want it deleted, email mike@drmikezhang.com or call or text 801-801-0184.

What the site collects from you

Nothing directly. There is no contact form, no newsletter signup and no account to create. You can read every word on this site without giving anything.

The site does not set cookies, does not run analytics, and does not carry advertising or social media tracking pixels.

What the hosting provider records

The site is hosted by Vercel. Like any web host, Vercel records technical information for each request so the site can be delivered and protected from abuse. That includes your IP address, the page requested, the time of the request, your browser and device type, and the page you arrived from.

These logs are used for security and for keeping the site working. They are not used to build a profile of you, and they are not sold or shared for advertising. Vercel holds them for a short period and then deletes them. Their handling is covered by the Vercel privacy policy.

Images loaded from YouTube

The podcast and interview section shows episode thumbnails served by YouTube. Loading one of those images means your browser makes a request to Google, and Google can see your IP address and browser details in the same way any website you visit can. No YouTube video player is embedded on this site, so nothing plays and no viewing history is recorded unless you click through to YouTube yourself.

When you book a call

The booking button sends you to Cal.com, which is a separate service. Anything you type there, such as your name, email address, phone number and what you want to talk about, is collected by Cal.com and passed to Michael. That is covered by the Cal.com privacy policy as well as this one, and Michael handles what he receives as described here.

When you email, call or text

If you contact Michael directly, he keeps your message and your contact details so he can reply and keep track of the conversation. Email is handled through his email provider. Phone calls and text messages go to his own mobile number.

Please do not send sensitive personal or health information by email or text. Neither is a secure channel, and a message can be read if your device or your account is compromised. Bring anything sensitive to the call instead.

What the information is used for

• Replying to you and arranging a call.
• Providing coaching, consulting or speaking work you have asked about.
• Keeping records of who was worked with and when.
• Keeping the site secure and working.
• Meeting legal and tax obligations.

Your information is never sold, rented, or shared for anyone else’s advertising. There is no targeted advertising on this site.

Who else sees it

Only the service providers needed to run the work, which today are the website host, the booking service, the email provider and the phone network. Each sees only what it needs. Information can also be disclosed where the law requires it, or where there is a serious and immediate risk to someone’s safety.

How long it is kept

Enquiries that do not lead to work are deleted within twelve months. Records tied to paid work are kept for seven years, which is the period tax and business records generally need to be available for. Server logs are kept for the short retention period set by the host.

Your choices and rights

You can ask at any time for a copy of what is held about you, ask for it to be corrected, or ask for it to be deleted. Email mike@drmikezhang.com and you will get an answer within thirty days. You will not be treated differently for asking.

If you are in California, you have the right to know what personal information is collected and why, to request deletion or correction, and to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. There is nothing to opt out of here: personal information is not sold or shared, and it has not been in the past twelve months. If you are in Nevada, the same applies to the sale of covered information.

If you are in the United Kingdom or the European Economic Area, the lawful bases used are your consent when you contact Michael, the performance of a contract when work is agreed, and legitimate interests for site security. You also have the right to object to processing, to request portability, and to complain to your local data protection authority.

Where information is held

Michael works from the United States, and the providers above store information in the United States. If you contact him from outside the United States, your information will be transferred there.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS. Accounts used for email, booking and hosting are protected with strong passwords and two factor authentication. No system is perfectly secure, so if something ever goes wrong with information held about you, you will be told promptly and directly.

Children

This site and this work are for adults. Nothing here is directed at anyone under eighteen, and information is not knowingly collected from anyone under eighteen. If you believe a child has sent information, email mike@drmikezhang.com and it will be deleted.

Changes

If this policy changes, the new version will be posted here with a new date at the top. Material changes will be described in plain language rather than buried.