Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 30, 2025

1. Introduction

LocalVendor Pty Ltd ("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 use our LocalVendor platform, website, and services (collectively, the "Service").

We recognize privacy as a fundamental personal right protected under Australian law, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024. We are committed to upholding this right through transparent and accountable data practices.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

  • Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, password, phone number, company name, ABN, and role.
  • Profile Information: Information you provide in your profile, including company details, services offered, certifications, insurance information, and project history.
  • Content: Information you provide through the Service, including tender details, bid information, project specifications, document uploads, and messages.
  • Transaction Information: Details of transactions you carry out through our Service, including project awards and payments.
  • Communications: Information you provide when you contact us for support or participate in promotions or surveys.

Definition of Personal Information: Under Australian privacy law, 'personal information' includes any information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether true or not, and whether recorded in material form or not. This includes technical identifiers, location data, online identifiers, and inferences drawn from other personal information that contribute to a profile about you.

Sensitive Information: We do not generally collect sensitive information as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (such as information about racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, health information, or criminal records). However, if we do need to collect sensitive information, we will only do so with your consent and for a purpose directly related to our functions and activities.

We also automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our Service, including:

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, and browser type.
  • Usage Information: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, and other actions taken within the Service.
  • IP Address and Location Information: General location inferred from IP address.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies.

Collection Methods: We collect information directly from you when you register, create or modify your profile, submit forms, upload documents, or communicate with other users. We also collect information automatically when you use our Service through cookies, log files, web beacons, and similar technologies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve our Service.
  • Process transactions and send related information.
  • Connect principal contractors with subcontractors.
  • Verify identity and compliance documentation.
  • Send service-related notifications and communications.
  • Respond to your comments, questions, and customer service requests.
  • Monitor and analyze trends, usage, and activities in connection with our Service.
  • Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent transactions and other illegal activities.
  • Protect the rights and property of LocalVendor and others.
  • Personalize your experience and deliver content relevant to your interests.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share information in the following circumstances:

  • With other users of the platform as necessary to facilitate connections between contractors and subcontractors.
  • With vendors, consultants, and other service providers who need access to such information to perform services on our behalf.
  • In response to a request for information if we believe disclosure is in accordance with any applicable law, regulation, or legal process.
  • If we believe your actions are inconsistent with our user agreements or policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of LocalVendor or others.
  • In connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business by another company.
  • With your consent or at your direction.

5. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable measures to help protect information about you from loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Your data is stored on secure servers in Australia. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Under the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, you have certain rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access Your Information: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. You can access and view most information through your account settings. For information not accessible there, you can contact us using the details provided below.
  • Correction of Information: You have the right to request correction of your personal information if it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading. You can update most information through your account settings, or you can contact us to request corrections.
  • Deletion of Information: In certain circumstances, you may request deletion of your personal information. We will comply with such requests unless we are required or authorized to retain the information under Australian law or a court/tribunal order.
  • Opt-out of Marketing: You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contacting us directly.
  • Cookies and Tracking: Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can choose to set your browser to remove or reject cookies. Please note that some features of our Service may not function properly without cookies.
  • Anonymity and Pseudonymity: Where practicable, you may have the option of dealing with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, this may not be possible for core business functions requiring verified identity, such as tender submissions or contract processes.
  • Object to Automated Decision-Making: You have the right to object to automated decision-making that significantly affects your rights or interests, to request human intervention, and to express your point of view regarding such decisions.
  • Protection from Serious Invasions of Privacy: You have the right to be protected from serious invasions of privacy as defined in Australian privacy law, including intrusions upon seclusion and misuse of personal information.
  • Complaints: If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, you can lodge a complaint with us using our contact details below. We will investigate your complaint and respond within 30 days.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we learn we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will delete that information.

8. Automated Decision-Making

Our platform uses technological systems that may assist in or automate certain decisions. These include:

  • Project matching algorithms that connect contractors with suitable subcontractors based on location, services, and availability
  • Compliance verification processes that validate business credentials and documentation
  • Bid evaluation tools that analyze and compare tender responses

For each automated system:

  • We ensure human oversight and review of significant decisions
  • We regularly test for fairness and accuracy
  • We implement technical and organizational safeguards against bias

You have the right to:

  • Request information about the logic involved in automated decisions affecting you
  • Contest automated decisions and request human intervention
  • Express your point of view regarding automated decisions
  • Opt out of certain automated processes where feasible

For more information on how these systems work or to exercise your rights regarding automated decisions, please contact [email protected].

9. International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process your personal information on servers located in Australia. However, we may transfer your personal information to third-party service providers located overseas in the following circumstances:

  • For cloud storage and hosting services (potentially in the United States, Singapore, or European Union)
  • For customer support and technical services (potentially in the United States, India, or Philippines)
  • For analytics and marketing services (potentially in the United States or European Union)

When we disclose personal information to entities outside Australia, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the overseas recipient does not breach the Australian Privacy Principles. These steps may include:

  • Entering into contracts with overseas recipients that require them to handle personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles
  • Ensuring overseas recipients are subject to privacy laws similar to the Australian Privacy Act
  • Obtaining your consent to such overseas disclosure where appropriate
  • Verifying whether the recipient is in a jurisdiction that has been recognized under Australian law as having adequate privacy protections

By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your personal information to these overseas recipients as described in this Privacy Policy.

10. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this 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. You are advised to review this privacy policy periodically for any changes.

11. Complaints Handling Process

If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles or have concerns about how we have handled your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details provided below. To help us investigate your complaint, please include the following details:

  • Your name and contact details
  • Details of your complaint
  • Any previous correspondence on the issue
  • Any supporting documentation
  • How you would like your complaint to be resolved

We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 7 days and investigate it thoroughly. We will aim to resolve your complaint within 30 days and will inform you of the outcome.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
Sydney NSW 2001
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oaic.gov.au

12. Protection Against Doxxing

We recognize that doxxing (the malicious publication of personal information) is now a criminal offense in Australia under the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024. We take the following steps to protect our users from doxxing:

  • We implement technical measures to prevent unauthorized access to personal information
  • We moderate user-generated content to detect and remove personal information shared without consent
  • We provide tools for users to report suspected instances of doxxing
  • We take immediate action to remove content that constitutes doxxing
  • We cooperate with law enforcement in investigating criminal doxxing incidents

If you believe you have been a victim of doxxing through our platform, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or our privacy practices, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact our Privacy Officer at:

LocalVendor Pty Ltd
Privacy Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (07) XXXX XXXX
Address: Brisbane, QLD, Australia