What is a privacy policy?
A privacy policy is a statement or a legal document that sets out some or all of the ways a business collects, uses, and manages a customer’s personal information. It is also known as a ‘responsible use of data’, or a ‘use of private and confidential information policy’. But for our purposes, let’s just stick to calling it a privacy policy because that’s a lot easier to remember.
What is personal information?
Under the Privacy Act there is a long winded definition as to what constitutes ‘personal information’. But the Readers Digest condensed version is that personal information is your name (that one was sort of obvious), signature, address, email address, credit card information, telephone number, date of birth, medical records, bank account details and commentary or opinion about a person.
Who needs a privacy policy and why?
The Privacy Act does not apply to small businesses (with an annual turnover of less than $3m). However, a small business may choose to “opt in” to the Privacy Act to increase consumer confidence and trust. In saying the above, if you provide Health related services then you will need a privacy policy, irrespective of how much you turn over.
How do you comply with Australian privacy laws?
• Include details about the kind of personal information you collect, how you collect that information and how you hold that information;
• Explain how the personal information is used;
• Advise how an individual may complain about access to the information and make corrections to any personal information; and
• Indicate whether the information is likely to be disclosed to overseas recipients.
Examples?
Prime examples of businesses that collect personal information are Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.
So, when we sign up to a Facebook account, we agree for Facebook to store the personal information that we provide to it, such as our name, date of birth, mobile number and our relationship status. Now, customers or clients will probably be wondering why on earth would Facebook want to use this information? Well, Facebook could use it for a variety of reasons, such as for market research or for demographic information or marketing purposes.
Are privacy policies easy to draft/make?
Generally, the answer to that is yes. The requirements of a privacy policy are fairly straightforward, and are outlined above. The complexity arises in ensuring that all the potential uses that you will want to make with the personal information you collect are covered in the privacy policy. Also things can get a lot more complicated pretty quickly if you operate in the health sector, then you definitely need a privacy policy that is tailored specifically for your services and industry.
Privacy and Policy
This Privacy Policy regulates how we use, store and protect your personal information. This Privacy Policy is the integral part of our Terms. All capitalised terms used in this Privacy Policy has the similar meaning ascribed to them in the Terms, unless otherwise stated herein. By using Our Website in any way, or by buying from us, you agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.
1. We respect your privacy
2. Your Personal Information
Personal information that may be requested or provided by you includes, but is not limited to:
3. Sensitive Information
4. Collection of Personal Information
We will only collect any personal information about you with your consent including as provided in this Privacy Policy or if it is otherwise lawful to do so. The only personal information collected by us is what has been provided to us in accordance with this Privacy Policy or has been provided to us lawfully by third parties.
Active Information Collection
• Personal information may be collected by us if you:
• Personal information is requested in order to facilitate or provide you with Services, certain content, and information about such content, products or services, any marketing materials, newsletters, electronic newsletters (e-newsletters), news and media releases / launch information, and also to advise you of other Services, offers, or events which may be of interest. You are not obliged to provide personal information. However, failure to do so may result in us being unable facilitate or provide you with certain content or Services, upcoming promotion, competition, offer or event information or accept competition entries (where applicable).
• We may also obtain your personal information from legitimate third party sources including list brokers, social media websites and other data providers or organisations that share data in circumstances where it is lawful and/or you have given permission for them to do so.
Passive Information Collection
5. Eligibility
6. Purpose for collection, use and disclosure of personal information
Personal information will be collected, held, used and disclosed for the following primary purposes jointly and/or severally:
7. Protection of Personal Information
8. Storage and Security of Personal Information
9. Links to Other Websites
10. Access and Correction to Your Personal Information
11. Data Retention
12. Sale of Company
If we merge with, or are acquired by, another company or organisation, or sell all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be disclosed to our advisers and any prospective purchaser or any prospective purchaser’s adviser, and may be among the assets transferred. However, personal information will always remain subject to this Privacy Policy.
13. Changing and Deleting Information we have about you
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