Privacy Policy

At AroundSchools, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services.

By using AroundSchools, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account
• Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing list
• Submit school reviews or ratings
• Contact us through our support channels
• Use our embedded widgets and services

This information may include:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• Account credentials (username, password)
• Location information (suburb, postcode) when searching for schools
• User-generated content (reviews, comments, ratings)
• Communication preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you access our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• IP address
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Device information

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

• Providing and maintaining our services
• Communicating with you about how to use our website and services
• Processing your requests and transactions
• Personalising your experience and delivering relevant content
• Sending newsletters, updates, and marketing communications (with your consent)
• Improving our website functionality and user experience
• Analysing usage patterns and trends
• Detecting, preventing, and addressing technical issues
• Complying with legal obligations

Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following lawful bases:

• Consent: We need to communicate with customers about how to use our website and services
• Contractual necessity: To provide the services you have requested
• Legitimate interests: To improve our services and ensure website security
• Legal compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

Your information will be processed until you withdraw your consent or it expires based on our data retention policies.

Sharing of Information

We DO NOT share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and providing services (e.g., email marketing platforms, analytics providers, hosting services)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorise us to share your information

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and store certain information. Cookies are files with a small amount of data that are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Session Cookies: Store your favourites and preferences during your visit
• Authentication Cookies: Maintain your login session
• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics tracking to analyse visitor behaviour and improve our services
• Functional Cookies: Enable specific functionality and personalisation

We use cookies for:

• Tracking user behaviour and preferences
• Logging message views and interactions
• Maintaining login sessions
• Displaying relevant content
• Referring visitors to third-party websites

Managing Cookies

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our website. Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings preferences.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of our website. Google Analytics gathers information about website use by means of cookies. The information gathered relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of our website.

For more information about Google's privacy policy, please visit: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Email Marketing and Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing emails about our services, updates, and educational content. These marketing campaigns are distributed through third-party email marketing service providers.

Our marketing emails may contain tracking beacons to monitor subscriber activity, including:

• Email open rates
• Link clicks
• Engagement with content

You can unsubscribe from our marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email, or by managing your preferences in your account settings. Please note that even if you unsubscribe from marketing emails, we may still send you administrative emails related to your account or services.

Data Security

We implement secure data storage technologies and precise procedures for handling personal information to protect against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Our security measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Secure server infrastructure
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

However, please note that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

Your Data Protection Rights

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights:

• Right to be Informed: You have the right to know how your data is being collected and used
• Right of Access: You can request copies of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: You can request transfer of your data to another organisation or to you
• Right to Object: You can object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing
• Right Not to be Subject to Automated Decision-Making: You have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing, including profiling

You also have the right to complain if you feel there is a problem with the way we are handling your data. You can contact us directly or lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact us. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

We may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request to ensure the security of your personal information.

Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for parents, educators, and individuals seeking information about schools. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from children without parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including school websites and educational resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. Your continued use of our services after any modifications indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Compliance with Australian Privacy Principles

As an Australian-based service, we comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). These principles govern the way we collect, use, disclose, store, secure, and dispose of your personal information.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us.