PRIVACY POLICY

1. About this Policy

LaunchLink Communications Pty Ltd ACN 626 496 839 of 54 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066 (LaunchLink, we, us or our) is committed to protecting personal information and handling it responsibly.

This Privacy Policy explains how LaunchLink collects, holds, uses, discloses and otherwise manages personal information through its website at https://www.launchlink.co/ and in connection with its business operations, including public relations, media relations, thought leadership, social media, events, media training, strategy and messaging, government relations and related communications services.

This Policy is intended to reflect applicable Australian privacy law, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, to the extent applicable, and other privacy obligations that may apply to LaunchLink’s operations.

2. Consent

By using the website, contacting LaunchLink, subscribing to LaunchLink’s newsletter, submitting information through a form, or otherwise providing personal information to LaunchLink, the individual acknowledges that LaunchLink may collect, hold, use and disclose that information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

A person does not have to provide personal information, but if they do not, LaunchLink may be unable to respond to enquiries, provide updates, consider an engagement, send newsletters or provide services.

3. What personal information LaunchLink collects

LaunchLink may collect personal information such as a person’s name, job title, employer, business name, email address, phone number, social media handle, postal address, billing details, communications preferences, enquiry details, project details, marketing preferences and any other information voluntarily submitted.

LaunchLink may also collect professional and business information relevant to media opportunities or PR services, including spokesperson biographies, company descriptions, product information, campaign objectives, media angles, quotes, approvals, brand information and communications history.

When a person uses the website, LaunchLink may collect technical and usage information such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, referral source, pages viewed, dates and times of visits, clickstream data, approximate geolocation, session duration and interactions with website content, newsletters or advertising.

If a person applies for employment or contractor work with LaunchLink, LaunchLink may collect application materials, resumes, references and related information.

4. Sensitive information

LaunchLink does not ordinarily seek to collect sensitive information through its website. If sensitive information is provided to LaunchLink, it will only be used or disclosed for the purpose for which it was provided, with consent, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

5. How LaunchLink collects personal information

LaunchLink may collect personal information directly when a person:

(a)   submits an enquiry through the website;

(b)  emails, calls or messages LaunchLink;

(c)   subscribes to a newsletter or marketing update;

(d)  books or requests a meeting;

(e)   engages LaunchLink for services;

(f)   interacts with LaunchLink or its associates on social media;

(g)  downloads content or responds to a campaign; or

(h)  otherwise communicates with LaunchLink.

LaunchLink may also collect personal information from third parties, such as clients, service providers, social media platforms, analytics providers, referral partners, public sources, media databases or publicly available websites, where lawful and appropriate.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

LaunchLink’s website may use cookies, pixels, tags, scripts and similar technologies to operate the website, remember preferences, analyse traffic, improve performance, measure campaign effectiveness and support advertising or retargeting.

These technologies may be provided by LaunchLink or by third-party providers. Most browsers allow cookies to be blocked or deleted, but doing so may affect website functionality.

7. Why LaunchLink collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information

LaunchLink may collect, hold, use and disclose personal information to:

(a)   respond to enquiries and requests;

(b)  communicate with potential and existing clients;

(c)   provide services and manage engagements;

(d)  prepare proposals, presentations and onboarding materials;

(e)   assess and use information, stories or background details submitted to LaunchLink for potential media, publicity or case study opportunities, including engaging with media contacts or outlets where that information is provided for that purpose or where otherwise permitted by law;

(f)   send newsletters, updates, promotional communications and event invitations;

(g)  analyse website traffic, user engagement and campaign performance;

(h)  administer, secure and improve the website and business systems;

(i)    manage billing, accounts and payments;

(j)    comply with legal obligations;

(k)  investigate complaints or security incidents; and

(l)    protect LaunchLink’s legal rights and legitimate business interests.

LaunchLink may also use personal information to send direct marketing communications where permitted by law. A person may opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe facility or contacting LaunchLink.

8. Service providers and software platforms

LaunchLink may disclose personal information to third-party service providers that assist with operating the website or business. Depending on the systems used by LaunchLink from time to time, these providers may include:

(a)   website hosting provider:  GoDaddy
(b)  domain and website management provider: Squarespace
(c)   content management system:  Google Workspace
(d)  analytics provider: Google Analytics
(e)   advertising or tracking provider: Meta, LinkedIn
(f)   newsletter or email marketing platform: Mailchmp, Twilio
(g)  cloud storage and document management provider: Google Workspace
(h)  payment processor: GoCardless, Pay.com.au
(i)    video conferencing or scheduling platform: Google Workspace
(j)    IT, cyber security, legal, accounting, administrative and business support providers.

LaunchLink takes reasonable steps to use reputable providers, but each provider’s handling of personal information is governed by its own policies and terms.

9. Overseas disclosure

Some of LaunchLink’s service providers or systems may store or process personal information outside Australia, including in Singapore and USA.

Where personal information is disclosed overseas, LaunchLink will take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles the information in a manner consistent with applicable privacy requirements, unless an exception applies. However shall not be held vicariously liable for same.

10. Direct marketing

LaunchLink may send marketing communications about PR services, industry updates, newsletters, events, thought leadership or related opportunities. These communications may be sent by email, social media or other permitted channels.

A person can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in an email or contacting LaunchLink using the details below.

11. Security

LaunchLink takes reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps may include access controls, passwords, multi-factor authentication, encryption, secure hosting, contractual controls with providers, internal policies and reasonable cyber security measures.

No internet transmission or electronic storage system is completely secure. Accordingly, LaunchLink cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Retention

LaunchLink retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with legal requirements, to resolve disputes, to enforce agreements or for legitimate business records and backup purposes.

When personal information is no longer required, LaunchLink will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, subject to lawful retention obligations.

13. Access and correction

A person may request access to personal information held by LaunchLink and may request correction of inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date information. LaunchLink may require verification of identity before processing a request.

LaunchLink may refuse access or correction where permitted by law, but if it does so, it will provide reasons where required.

14. Third-party links and platforms

LaunchLink’s website may contain links to third-party websites, social media pages or external services. LaunchLink is not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Individuals should review the relevant third-party privacy policies before providing personal information.

15. Children

LaunchLink’s website and services are not directed to children. LaunchLink does not knowingly collect personal information from children through the website.

16. Changes to this Policy

LaunchLink may update this Privacy Policy from time to time by publishing the updated version on its website. The updated version takes effect when published.

17. Complaints

If a person has a complaint about how LaunchLink has handled personal information, that person may contact LaunchLink using the details below. LaunchLink will investigate the complaint and respond within a reasonable period, and generally within 30 days where practicable.

18. Contact details
Email:  hello@launchlink.co
Address: 54 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066

19. Complaint

If the complainant is not satisfied with LaunchLink’s response, or considers that the complaint has not been resolved within a reasonable time, the complainant may make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/
Privacy complaints information: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints
Online privacy complaint form: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints/lodge-a-privacy-complaint-with-us
Telephone: 1300 363 992
Post: GPO Box 5288, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia