ABC Blinds & Awnings Privacy Policy

ABC Blinds & Awnings ("ABC Blinds", "we", "our" or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose your information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

By providing your personal information to us, you acknowledge you have read and understood this policy.

1. The information we collect

We collect personal information that's reasonably necessary to provide our products and services, including:

Contact details: name, address, phone number, email, preferred contact method.

Transaction details: purchase history, product preferences, delivery or installation details.

Payment information: limited payment details (we do not store full credit-card numbers).

Home visit details: window measurements, layout photos, installation notes, property type. We collect this information to enable our installers to plan safe and compliant installations and to provide accurate quotes.

Online data: IP address, browser type, device details, referring pages, and cookies for analytics and advertising.

Feedback and communications: enquiries, quotes, service feedback, warranty claims.

Employment information: if you apply for a job, we may collect résumé details, qualifications, work history, references, and right-to-work information. Separate employment collection notices apply during the recruitment process.

We do not usually collect sensitive information (such as health, racial or biometric data). If we ever need to, we'll only do so with your consent or as authorised by law.

2. The information we collect

We may collect information when you:

• Contact us by phone, email, online form, or social media.
• Visit our showrooms or request a free measure & quote.
• Make a purchase or service booking.
• Interact with our website or digital advertising.
• Apply for employment.

We may also collect limited information from service providers who assist in delivering our products and services, where permitted by law. If you choose not to provide certain information, we may be unable to offer some products or services.

3. The information we collect

We use your information to:

• Process orders, quotes, payments and service bookings.
• Deliver and install our products safely and efficiently.
• Manage warranties, after-sales service, and customer support.
• Send updates, promotions or offers (you can opt out anytime).
• Analyse customer preferences to improve product recommendations and showroom layouts.
• Comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests.
• Recruit and manage staff and contractors.

We will only use or disclose your personal information for the purposes it was collected, or as otherwise permitted under the APPs.

4. Direct marketing

We may use your contact details to send you updates, offers or promotions about our products and services by email or SMS.

When we'll contact you:

• If you've explicitly subscribed to our mailing list
• If you've purchased from us or requested a quote (we consider this an ongoing business relationship under the Spam Act 2003)
• If you've entered a competition or promotion and consented to marketing

We will not send marketing communications if you've previously unsubscribed or if you would not reasonably expect to hear from us.

How to opt out:

You can unsubscribe anytime by:

• Clicking "unsubscribe" in any email
• Replying "STOP" to any SMS
• Contacting sales@abcblinds.com.au

We will action your request within 5 business days.

We do not sell, rent or exchange your contact details with other businesses for their marketing purposes.

Online advertising:

We may use your information for targeted advertising through Google and Meta/Facebook platforms as described in Section 5 (Cookies). This is separate from direct email/SMS marketing and is managed through your browser/device settings and the advertising platforms' opt-out tools.

Our marketing communications comply with the Spam Act 2003. We will only send commercial electronic messages where you've consented or we have an existing business relationship with you.

5. Cookies and online tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve performance, analyse website usage, and deliver targeted advertising.

What cookies do we use?

Essential cookies: Required for website functionality (e.g., session management, security). These cannot be disabled.

Analytics cookies:

• Google Analytics 4 (_ga, _gid, ga<container-id>): Tracks how visitors use our website, including pages viewed, time on site, and navigation patterns. Data is processed by Google LLC in the United States. Cookies typically expire after 24 months.

Advertising cookies:

• Google Ads / DV360: Enables conversion tracking and retargeting across Google's advertising network (Search, Display, YouTube). May track your browsing across multiple websites. Data shared with Google LLC (United States).
• Meta Pixel (_fbp, _fbc): Tracks your interactions with our website to measure ad performance and enable retargeting on Facebook and Instagram. Data shared with Meta Platforms Inc. (United States).

These advertising cookies may create detailed profiles of your browsing behaviour for targeted advertising purposes.

How long are cookies stored?

• Essential cookies: Duration of your browsing session
• Analytics cookies: Up to 24 months
• Advertising cookies: Up to 13 months (Google), 90 days (Meta)

Your choices:

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. However:

• Blocking essential cookies may prevent website functionality
• Blocking analytics/advertising cookies will not stop advertising, but ads may be less relevant to your interests

To opt out of targeted advertising:

• Google: Visit google.com/settings/ads or optout.aboutads.info
• Meta: Visit facebook.com/ads/preferences
• Industry opt-out: youronlinechoices.com.au

Third-party privacy practices:

Information collected by Google and Meta is also subject to their privacy policies:

• Google Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
• Meta Privacy Policy: facebook.com/privacy/policy

Do Not Track:

Our website does not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals.

By continuing to use our website, you acknowledge that cookies will be placed on your device as described above. If you do not agree, please adjust your browser settings or discontinue using our website.

6. Disclosing your information

We may share personal information with trusted third parties who help us deliver our services, including:

• Email marketing services (Mailchimp)
• Website analytics and advertising platforms (Google Analytics, Google Ads, DV360, Meta/Facebook)
• Payment gateways and finance providers
• IT and cloud-hosting services
• Independent contractors for product installation (see below)
• Professional advisers (legal, accounting, insurance)
• Government bodies or regulators when required by law

Independent Installers (Important Notice):

Many of our installers operate as independent contractors with their own ABN. When we engage an installer for your project, we share necessary information with them including:

• Your name and contact details
• Property address
• Installation specifications and measurements
• Access requirements

These installers are separate businesses and are responsible for protecting your information in accordance with privacy law. We select installers carefully and require them to maintain confidentiality, but we are not responsible for their privacy practices once your information is shared.

If you have concerns about a specific installer handling your information, please contact us before the installation is scheduled.

Whenever we disclose personal information, we take reasonable steps to ensure recipients handle it securely and in accordance with this policy.

7. Overseas data processing

We use trusted technology providers that may process or store data on servers located overseas, including in the United States. These include:

• Email marketing platforms
• Website analytics tools
• Digital advertising services

We do not share your personal information with overseas business partners, franchisees, or third-party marketers.

These technology providers process data on our behalf under strict contractual obligations that include data protection requirements. We remain responsible under Australian privacy law for their handling of your information.

8. CCTV and showroom data

For safety and security, some of our showrooms and offices use CCTV. CCTV cameras are clearly signposted at our locations.

Video footage is retained for up to 30 days, then automatically deleted unless required for an investigation or legal purpose. Footage is not used for marketing.

9. Retention and secure destruction

We keep personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Typical examples:

• Customer and transaction records: up to 7 years (to meet tax and warranty obligations).
• Marketing contact details: until you opt out or remain inactive for 24 months. We may contact you before removing your details to confirm whether you wish to remain on our list.
• CCTV footage: 30 days, unless required longer for investigations.

When no longer needed, information is securely deleted or de-identified. De-identified information is information that can no longer reasonably identify you and is not subject to this privacy policy.

Deleted information may remain in backup systems for up to 90 days before permanent removal.

10. Data security

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Our security measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Access controls and authentication procedures
• Regular security audits and staff training
• Secure destruction of information no longer required

Data breach notification:

If we experience a data breach likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required by law, and take immediate steps to contain and remediate the breach.

While we implement robust security measures, no internet transmission is completely secure. We encourage you to take precautions when transmitting sensitive information online.

11. Access and correction

You can request access to, or correction of, your personal information at any time.

Please contact our Privacy Officer (details below). We may require proof of identity before providing access to your personal information. We aim to respond within 30 days.

We generally provide access free of charge, but may charge a reasonable fee for complex or voluminous requests. We'll advise you of any fees before proceeding.

If we cannot provide access (for example, due to legal reasons), we will tell you why in writing.

If we don't agree to correct your information, we'll note your requested correction on our records and notify you of our reasons.

12. Making a privacy complaint

If you believe we've breached your privacy or mishandled your information:

Contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@abcblinds.com.au or (08) 9249 2900.

Please submit complaints in writing (email preferred) to help us investigate efficiently. However, we'll accept complaints by phone if writing is difficult.

We'll investigate and respond within 30 days.

If you're not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

• Website: www.oaic.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 363 992
• Mail: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001

Updates to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available at www.abcblinds.com.au/privacy.

If changes are significant, we'll notify you by email (where possible).

14. Contact us

Privacy Officer – ABC Blinds & Awnings

19 Prosperity Avenue, Wangara WA 6065

Email: sales@abcblinds.com.au
Phone: (08) 9249 2900