Last Updated: December 19, 2024
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Introduction
Ashen Glide ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.
This policy complies with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and applies to all personal information we collect from Australian residents and visitors to our website.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
- Service-Related Information: Details about antiques you own or seek, appraisal requests, restoration requirements
- Communication Records: Correspondence via email, phone, or in-person consultations
- Financial Information: Payment details for services rendered (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
- Professional Information: Insurance company details for appraisal purposes, legal representative information for estate work
Technical Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address and location data
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent on site
- Referring websites
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see our Cookie Policy for details)
How We Collect Information
We collect personal information through various means:
- Directly from you: When you contact us, request services, fill out forms, or communicate with us
- Website interactions: Through cookies, analytics, and website usage
- Service delivery: During appraisals, consultations, or restoration work
- Third parties: Insurance companies, legal representatives, or estate executors (with appropriate consent)
- Public sources: Publicly available records for research and authentication purposes
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
Primary Purposes
- Providing antique appraisal, restoration, and consultation services
- Communicating with you about your requests and our services
- Processing payments and maintaining financial records
- Scheduling appointments and managing service delivery
- Preparing professional reports and documentation
Secondary Purposes
- Improving our services and customer experience
- Website analytics and optimization
- Marketing communications (with your consent)
- Legal compliance and record-keeping
- Protecting our business interests and preventing fraud
Information Disclosure
We may share your personal information with:
- Professional partners: Restoration specialists, authentication experts, or other antique professionals (with your consent)
- Insurance companies: When providing appraisals for insurance purposes
- Legal professionals: When required for estate or legal matters
- Service providers: Payment processors, website hosting, and technical support (under strict confidentiality agreements)
- Government agencies: When required by law or court order
- Business transfer: In the event of a sale, merger, or transfer of our business (with notification)
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Secure website encryption (SSL/TLS)
- Access controls and staff training
- Regular security assessments
- Secure storage of physical and digital records
- Regular data backups with encryption
- Incident response procedures
However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law:
- Client records: 7 years from last service (for tax and professional liability purposes)
- Appraisal reports: Permanently (as historical records may have ongoing value)
- Marketing communications: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
- Website analytics: 24 months
- Financial records: 7 years (as required by Australian tax law)
Your Rights
Under Australian privacy law, you have the following rights:
Access and Correction
- Request access to your personal information we hold
- Request correction of inaccurate or outdated information
- Receive information about how we collect, use, and disclose your data
Control and Withdrawal
- Withdraw consent for marketing communications
- Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
- Object to certain uses of your information
- Request data portability where technically feasible
Complaints
- Lodge a complaint with us about our handling of your personal information
- Escalate complaints to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze website usage. Please refer to our Cookie Policy for detailed information about:
- Types of cookies we use
- How to manage cookie preferences
- Third-party cookies and analytics
- Your choices regarding tracking
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If you believe we have collected information from a child inappropriately, please contact us immediately.
International Data Transfers
We primarily operate within Australia, but some of our service providers may be located overseas. When we transfer personal information overseas, we ensure:
- The recipient country has adequate privacy protections, or
- We have appropriate contractual arrangements in place, or
- You have provided consent to the transfer
Current overseas service providers may include website hosting and email services in countries with adequate privacy protections.
Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make significant changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- We will notify you via email if you have subscribed to our communications
- We may display a notice on our website
- We will maintain previous versions for your reference
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our privacy practices.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your privacy rights, or need to lodge a complaint, please contact us:
We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 30 days. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: