Privacy Policy

DadAssist ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website dadassist.com.au and use our services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you use our services, we may collect the following personal information:

• Client Information: Name, email address, phone number, location, legal matter details, family situation
• Legal Professional Information: Name, email address, phone number, law firm/employer, areas of expertise, professional credentials
• Support Person Information: Name, email address, phone number, employer, areas of support expertise
• Communication Data: Messages, responses to client matching, feedback, and correspondence

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns, referral sources
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Cookies and Tracking: We use Google Analytics to understand website usage patterns

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Primary Services

• Client Matching: Connect clients with appropriate legal professionals and support persons
• Communication Facilitation: Enable secure communication between clients and service providers
• Service Delivery: Process requests, send notifications, and provide ongoing support
• Quality Assurance: Monitor service quality and gather feedback for improvements

2.2 Administrative Purposes

• Account management and authentication
• Customer support and technical assistance
• Legal compliance and dispute resolution
• Service improvement and development

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 Service Provision

• Client-Professional Matching: We share relevant client information with matched legal professionals and support persons to facilitate services
• Professional Details: We share professional contact information with clients when a match is accepted

3.2 Legal Requirements

• When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users
• In connection with legal proceedings or investigations

3.3 Service Providers

• Technology Partners: AWS (hosting), Google Analytics (website analytics)
• Communication Services: Email service providers for notifications
• All service providers are bound by confidentiality agreements

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption: Data transmission and storage encryption
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Infrastructure Security: Secure cloud hosting with AWS
• Regular Monitoring: Ongoing security assessments and updates

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Improve our services

Typical retention periods:

• Active client/professional accounts: Duration of service relationship plus 7 years
• Communication records: 7 years for legal compliance
• Website analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

• Access: Request copies of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

6.2 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

7. Third-Party Services

7.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage. Google Analytics may collect and process data according to their privacy policy. You can opt-out using Google's opt-out tools.

7.2 External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

9. Australian Privacy Law Compliance

DadAssist complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This includes:

• Transparent handling of personal information
• Secure storage and transmission of data
• Individual access and correction rights
• Notification of data breaches where required

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored on servers located outside Australia (including AWS servers in various regions). We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy

12. Contact Information