Effective Date: 3 October 2024

1. Introduction

Highlight Sustainability (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to safeguarding your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information when you visit our website, www.highlightsustainability.com.au (the “Site”). By accessing or using our Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

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

  • Fill out contact forms
  • Subscribe to our mailing list
  • Leave comments or feedback
  • Register for an account
  • Upload media content

The personal information we collect may include:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Postal address
  • Telephone number
  • Any other information you choose to provide

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Referring website
  • Pages you view
  • Dates and times of your visits

2.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Site. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

3. Use of Your Information

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

  • To Operate and Maintain Our Site: Ensuring the Site functions properly and securely.
  • To Improve Our Site: Analysing data to enhance user experience.
  • To Communicate with You: Responding to inquiries, comments, and providing customer support.
  • For Marketing Purposes: Sending newsletters, promotions, and updates (you may opt out at any time).
  • To Enforce Our Policies: Preventing fraudulent activities and protecting our rights.

4. Comments

When you leave comments on our Site:

  • Data Collected: We collect the data shown in the comments form, your IP address, and browser user agent string to help with spam detection.
  • Gravatar Service: An anonymized hash of your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar privacy policy is available at https://automattic.com/privacy/.
  • Public Visibility: After approval, your comment and profile picture (if applicable) are visible to the public.

5. Media

If you upload images to our Site:

  • Embedded Data: Avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download and extract this information.
  • User Responsibility: You are responsible for ensuring your uploaded content complies with our policies and does not infringe on others’ rights.

6. Cookies

6.1 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Site to function.
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings.
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our Site.

6.2 Your Choices

You may choose to disable cookies through your browser settings. However, this may affect the functionality of the Site.

7. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on our Site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images). Embedded content behaves as if you have visited the other website, which may collect data about you, use cookies, and monitor your interaction. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party websites.

8. Contact Forms and Mailing List

By submitting a contact form:

  • Consent to Contact: You consent to us using your information to respond and communicate with you.
  • Mailing List: We may add your email to our mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time by following the link in the email or contacting us directly.

9. Who We Share Your Data With

We may share your information:

  • With Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist in operating our Site (e.g., hosting services, email services).
  • For Legal Reasons: To comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

10. Data Retention

  • Comments: Retained indefinitely to recognize and approve follow-up comments automatically.
  • Registered Users: Personal information is stored in user profiles. Users can view, edit, or delete their information (excluding username changes).
  • Contact Information: Retained as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.

11. Your Rights Over Your Data

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: Correct any inaccuracies in your personal data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
  • Objection: Object to processing your personal data for direct marketing purposes.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Where consent is the basis for processing, you may withdraw it at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at admin@highlightsustainability.com.au.

12. Data Security

  • Protection Measures: We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
  • No Absolute Guarantee: While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

13. Data Hosting and Compliance

  • Australian Hosting: Our Site is hosted in Australia, adhering to Australian Government privacy regulations.
  • Legal Compliance: We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable Australian laws.

14. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your personal data.

15. Third-Party Services

We may employ third-party companies to:

  • Facilitate our Service
  • Provide the Service on our behalf
  • Perform Site-related services
  • Assist us in analysing how our Site is used

These third parties have access to your personal data only to perform these tasks and are obligated not to disclose or use it for other purposes.

16. Links to Other Websites

Our Site may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

17. Children’s Privacy

  • Age Limitation: Our Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 13.
  • Parental Consent: We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
  • Deletion of Data: If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child under 13 without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

19. Limitation of Liability

  • No Liability for Unauthorized Access: We are not liable for any unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data.
  • No Warranty: The Site is provided on an “as is” basis without warranties of any kind.
  • Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims arising out of your use of the Site.

20. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Australia. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Australia for the resolution of any disputes.

21. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

  • Email: admin@highlightsustainability.com.au

Security Measures and Web Application Security

  • Technical Safeguards: We employ industry-standard security measures, including encryption and secure socket layer (SSL) technology, to protect your data.
  • Administrative Safeguards: Access to your personal data is limited to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions.
  • Physical Safeguards: Our hosting facilities are secured with appropriate physical access controls.
  • Regular Audits: We regularly review our security procedures to consider appropriate new technology and methods.

Data Breach Procedures

In the unlikely event of a data breach:

  • Notification: We will notify affected users promptly in accordance with applicable laws.
  • Mitigation Efforts: We will take necessary steps to mitigate the breach and prevent future occurrences.

Acceptance of This Policy

By using our Site, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Site. Continued use following the posting of changes will indicate your acceptance of those changes.

Disclaimer

This Privacy Policy does not create rights enforceable by third parties or require disclosure of any personal information relating to users of the Site.