Privacy Policy: Farmshare

Farmshare (“we”, “us”, “our”) takes your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information, including how we handle images and user content. By using www.thefarmshare.com (the “Site”) or our services, you agree to the practices described herein. This Privacy Policy is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

1. What Information We Collect

We collect only information reasonably necessary to operate our service, provide support, and comply with legal obligations. This includes:

a) From you (provided directly):

Your name, address, contact details (email, phone)
Business or farm address, property details
Images, descriptions, and content you upload to your listing
Any additional information you supply in support requests, messages, or communications

b) Automatically / technical data:

IP addresses, device identifiers, operating system, browser type
Log files, usage data (pages visited, time spent, click paths)
Cookies and similar technologies

c) Third-party sources:

Public information (e.g. social media or publicly posted listings)
Third-party analytics, advertising, or marketing platforms

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

To create, maintain, and display your listing
To verify your identity and ensure legitimacy
To respond to your queries, feedback, or support needs
To send you service communications (e.g. updates, reminders)
To send optional marketing (with your consent / opt-out)
To analyze usage, improve our website, features, and performance
To detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, unauthorized use, or security risks
To enforce our Terms of Use
To comply with legal obligations

We may also use non-identifiable / aggregated data for research and reporting purposes.

3. Photos, User Content & Consent

Because Farmshare’s platform relies heavily on images and descriptions users upload, we include extra protections here:

You represent and warrant that any image, photo, description, or content you upload is either owned by you, or you have all necessary permissions (e.g. model releases) to use it for the purposes of listing, advertising, and promotion.
Consent for third parties in images: If a person appears in one of your photos and can reasonably be identified, you agree (or have obtained consent) that we may use that image in our marketing, social media, paid ads, newsletters, or promotional materials.
If you upload a photo with someone in the background without their knowledge or consent, you must promptly remove it (or request removal) upon notice.
We reserve the right, at our discretion, to remove or disable access to content you upload that we believe violates these terms or privacy laws.

4. Disclosure & Third Parties

We may share your information (or parts of it) with:

Service providers (hosting, email, analytics, marketing) under confidentiality obligations
Payment processors or billing services (if applicable)
Legal, audit or professional advisors
Relevant authorities if required by law or court order
Acquirers or successors in business transfers (e.g. sale, merger)

If we ever disclose data overseas, we will ensure appropriate safeguards or that the recipient adheres to standards equivalent to the APPs.

5. Cross-Border Transfers

Your personal data may be processed or stored outside Australia (e.g. cloud servers). Before data is transferred overseas, we will take reasonable steps to ensure it is handled in a way that is consistent with this policy and the APPs.

6. Data Security, Retention & Deletion

We implement technical and organizational security measures (encryption, firewalls, access controls) to protect your personal information.
We retain your data no longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by law.
Once data is no longer needed, we will anonymize or securely delete it.
In case of an eligible data breach (i.e. likely to result in serious harm), we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in accordance with legal requirements.

7. Access, Correction & Complaints

You may request access to your personal information or ask us to correct it by contacting our Privacy Officer. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
If we refuse access or correction, we will provide reasons for refusal (where legally allowed) and explain how you can escalate the matter (e.g. external complaints).
If you have any complaints about how we handle your personal information, you may contact us. If your complaint is unresolved, you can lodge a complaint with the OAIC.

8. Marketing & Communications

We will not rent, trade, or sell your email address to third parties.
You may opt out of marketing communications at any time (via unsubscribe links or by contacting us).
We seek your consent (express or implied) before using your personal information for marketing unrelated to your listing.
We avoid “bundled consent” (forcing many uses under one checkbox) where possible, and make opting out simple.

9. Photography & Promotional Use by Farmshare

We may use images and descriptions from your listings in our marketing — websites, ads, social media, partner promotions.
We will not alter images in misleading ways (e.g. cropping to misrepresent or associating with content that suggests endorsement by someone in the image).
If you believe an image featuring you or your property has been used without proper consent, you may contact us for removal, and we will respond promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time (e.g. for new features or legal changes). We will post the updated version on our Site with a “Last Updated” date. Where required by law, we’ll notify users of major changes.