Policy

Last updated: 5 October 2026

The Weight of Things is a personal publication written and run by Max Jacob Koekkoek, based in the Netherlands. This page explains what personal data the site collects, why, and what you can do about it. I collect as little as I can.

Who is responsible

Max Jacob Koekkoek is the controller of your personal data. For any question or request about it, write to max@weightofthings.com.

What I collect, and why

  • Newsletter. If you subscribe, I store your email address and the date you signed up, so I can send you new essays. The legal basis is your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.

  • Contact form and email. If you write to me, I receive your name, email address and message, so I can reply. The legal basis is my legitimate interest in answering correspondence.

  • Technical data. Like every website, the site's host receives basic technical information when you visit, such as your IP address and browser type, to deliver and secure the site.

I do not sell your data, use it for advertising, or share it with anyone except the service providers below.

Where your data is kept

  • Squarespace hosts the website and processes form submissions.

  • Google (Google Workspace and Google Drive) stores newsletter sign-ups and handles email.

These providers may process data outside the European Economic Area, including in the United States. Where they do, they rely on the safeguards required by EU law, such as Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU–US Data Privacy Framework.

How long I keep it

  • Newsletter: until you unsubscribe. Your address is then deleted.

  • Messages: as long as needed to deal with them, and no longer than two years.

Your rights

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you can ask to see the data I hold about you, correct it, delete it, restrict or object to its use, or receive a copy of it. You can withdraw consent at any time; every newsletter includes an unsubscribe link. To use any of these rights, email max@weightofthings.com. I will reply within one month.

You also have the right to complain to a data protection authority. In the Netherlands, that is the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl).

Cookies

The site uses a small number of cookies.

  • Necessary cookies keep the site working and secure, and remember your cookie choice. They do not need consent.

  • Analytics cookies, if enabled, count visits and show which pages are read. They are only set if you accept them in the cookie banner, and you can change your choice at any time through the cookie settings link in the footer.

The site does not use advertising or tracking cookies.

Changes

If this policy changes, the date at the top will change with it.