Privacy and Cookies Statement

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to our website. We are committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This statement explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have in relation to it.

This policy is written in clear and plain language to be transparent and easily understandable.

2. Who We Are & Contact Details

This website is operated by counsellinghongkong. For any privacy-related questions or to exercise your data protection rights, you can contact us:

  • Email: bowie@counsellinghongkong.com
  • Mailing Address: Sebastian Droesler, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central Hong Kong

We are the “data controller” for the information collected through this website.

3. What Personal Data We Collect and Why

We collect personal data in the following ways:

a) Information You Provide Directly

  • Contact Form: When you use our contact form, we collect your Name (required), Email Address (required), and Phone Number (optional).
    • Purpose: To respond to your inquiries, questions, or comments.
    • Legal Basis (GDPR): We process this data based on our legitimate interest to respond to your communication (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

b) Information We Collect Automatically

  • Website Analytics: We collect technical information to understand how visitors interact with our site. This includes:
    • IP address (anonymized)
    • Browser type and version
    • Pages visited and time spent on pages
    • Referring website
    • Purpose: To analyze website performance, improve user experience, and ensure security.
    • Legal Basis (GDPR): Your consent for analytics cookies (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) and our legitimate interest for security and basic functionality (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies, which are small text files placed on your device. We provide you with full control over non-essential cookies via our cookie consent banner.

  • Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the website to function correctly (e.g., security features). They do not require your consent but cannot be disabled.
    • Example Cookie: [e.g., session_id, Provider: Our Website, Purpose: To maintain your session, Duration: End of session]
  • Analytics Cookies: These help us understand website traffic and user behavior.
    • Example Cookie: _ga (Google Analytics), Provider: Google, Inc., Purpose: To distinguish users for statistical purposes, Duration: 2 years
  • Marketing Cookies: We do NOT use those cookies.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell your personal data. We only share it with trusted third-party service providers who act as “data processors” on our behalf.

5. Hosting & Analysing

6. Data Retention

We do not keep your personal data for longer than necessary.

  • Contact Form Submissions: Retained for up to 24 months to manage ongoing conversations. Data is securely deleted after this period if there is no further interaction.
  • Analytics Data: Anonymized analytics data is retained for 26 months within Google Analytics.

7. Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously and have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it. These include:

  • Using SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted to our server.
  • Regularly updating our website software and plugins.
  • Limiting internal access to personal data to only those employees who need it.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Under data protection laws like GDPR, you have rights over your personal data. If you are in a relevant jurisdiction (like the EU), these rights include:

  • Right of Access: You can ask for a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to Rectification: You can ask us to correct any inaccurate information.
  • Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You can ask us to delete your personal data.
  • Right to Restrict Processing: You can ask us to suspend the processing of your data.
  • Right to Data Portability: You can ask for your data in a machine-readable format.
  • Right to Object: You can object to our processing of your data (e.g., for marketing purposes).
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for cookies at any time.
  • Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at bowie@counsellinghongkong.com

9. International Data Transfers

Our service providers (e.g., Google) may transfer data outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). When this happens, they ensure that appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, are in place to protect your data.

10. Policy for Minors

Our services are not directed at individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us to have it removed.

11. Use of AI and Automated Decision-Making

We do not currently use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated systems to analyze your personal data or make decisions that would have a legal or significant effect on you. If we introduce such technology in the future, this policy will be updated to explain how it is used.

12. Changes to This Statement

We may update this privacy statement from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will always indicate the latest version. We recommend you review this page periodically.