Privacy Policy for Home Safe Alert

Effective Date: 1 January 2026

1. Introduction

Home Safe Alert ("the App") is committed to protecting the privacy of its users in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles ("APPs"). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, store, use, and disclose your personal information, including sensitive information such as your location data, and ensures the security and privacy of such information.

Home Safe Alert (ABN 83 694 095273) ("we", "our", or "us") operates the App as a one-stop alert system designed to enhance community safety through SMS notifications in emergencies.

By using the App, you consent to the collection, storage, use, and sharing of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please refrain from using the App.

2. Definitions

• App Features: The '000' emergency call button, Medical Alert button, Threat Alert button, and Incident Reporting feature provided within the App.
• Community Area: The geographical area within a radius of up to 10 kilometers from your nominated position where you will receive and send notifications.
• Google Maps API: The application programming interface provided by Google that enables location services within the App.
• Incident Report: Any report submitted through the App's Incident Reporting feature, including any associated photos, videos, or text descriptions.
• Location Data: Information that indicates the geographical position of your device or the location you have manually entered or pinned using the App.
• Medical Alert: A notification sent via SMS to your Nominated Contacts indicating a medical emergency at your location.
• Nominated Contacts: Up to five individuals nominated by you to receive Medical Alert notifications.
• Personal Information: Information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether the information or opinion is true and whether or not recorded in a material form.
• Privacy Laws:
  • The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
  • The Spam Act 2003 (Cth)
  • The Australian Privacy Principles
  • Any other applicable privacy or data protection laws, regulations, or codes in Australia
• Sensitive Information: Information about an individual's health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs, membership of a professional or trade association, membership of a trade union, sexual orientation or practices, criminal record, genetic information, biometric information, or biometric templates.
• Threat Alert: A notification sent to users within your Community Area indicating a threatening situation at your location.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Types of Personal Information

• Your full name
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• Home address
• Location Data
• Details of your Nominated Contacts
• Your preferred Community Area radius (up to 10km)
• Information contained in Incident Reports

3.2 Method of Collection

• Directly from you during registration
• Through your use of App Features
• Via Location Data when you:
  • Manually enter your location
  • Pin your location using Google Maps
  • Enable automatic location services
• Through Incident Reports you submit

4. Use of Your Information

4.1 Primary Purposes

• Provide App Features
• Send emergency notifications
• Alert your Nominated Contacts
• Share location-based alerts within your Community Area
• Enable Incident Reporting
• Maintain and improve the App

4.2 Secondary Purposes

• Analyse App usage patterns
• Improve user experience
• Comply with legal obligations
• Respond to your enquiries

5. Disclosure of Your Information

• Your Nominated Contacts (for Medical Alerts)
• Users in your Community Area (for Threat Alerts)
• Emergency services (when using the '000' feature)
• Google Maps API service providers
• SMS service providers
• Professional advisers
• Law enforcement agencies (where required by law)

5.2 Third-Party Service Providers

Google Maps: Use of Google Maps API is subject to Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
SMS Providers: Twilio processes SMS notifications in accordance with Twilio Privacy Policy.

6. Data Security

6.1 Protection Measures

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure servers located in Australia
• Access controls and authentication measures
• Regular security assessments
• Staff training on privacy and security

6.2 Data Breach Response

• Investigate the incident
• Notify affected individuals
• Report to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner if required
• Take steps to prevent future breaches

7. Account Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your account at any time directly within the App by navigating to:

Home → Settings → Delete Account

When you delete your account:

• All personal data associated with your account will be permanently deleted from our active systems, except where retention is required for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.
• Once deleted, your account cannot be recovered.

8. Your Rights

• Access your Personal Information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Opt-out of certain data collection
• Withdraw consent for location sharing
• Request deletion of your account

8.1 Exercise of Rights

To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Officer at:
Email: admin@homesafealertapp.com.au

9. Data Retention and Destruction

9.1 We retain Personal Information for:

• Active accounts: Duration of your use of the App
• Deleted accounts: 30 days after deletion
• Incident Reports: 30 days

9.2 Data Destruction

We securely destroy Personal Information when:

• No longer needed for any purpose
• Required by law
• Requested by you (subject to legal requirements)

10. Complaints

10.1 If you have a privacy complaint:

• Contact our Privacy Officer
• If unresolved, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

11. Changes to This Policy

11.1 We may update this Privacy Policy by:

• Posting the revised version on the App
• Notifying you via email
• Requiring renewed consent upon significant changes

12. Contact Us

Privacy Officer
Administrator Home Safe Alert
ABN: 24 535 780643
Address: Melbourne, Australia
Email: admin@homesafealertapp.com.au
Phone: Contact via email

Effective Date: 01/01/2026
Last Updated: 01/01/2026