1. Introduction
DisabilityX is committed to protecting your privacy. We understand that many of our contributors share sensitive personal experiences, and we treat this responsibility seriously.
This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following information:
Contact Form
- Name
- Email address
- Message content
Story Submissions
- Name (optional - you may submit anonymously)
- Email address (required for follow-up)
- Publication preference (named, pseudonymous, or anonymous)
- Story content
Podcast Pitches
- Name (optional)
- Email address (required for follow-up)
- Appearance preference
- Topic information
Automatically Collected
- Browser type and version
- Pages visited and time spent
- Accessibility preferences (stored locally on your device)
3. How We Use Your Information
- To respond to your enquiries
- To review and potentially publish submitted stories (with your consent)
- To follow up on podcast pitch submissions
- To improve our website and services
- To comply with legal obligations
We never sell your personal information. We do not share your information with third parties except as described in this policy.
4. Anonymous & Pseudonymous Submissions
We understand that many contributors need to protect their identity. When you choose anonymous or pseudonymous publication:
- Your real name will never be published without explicit consent
- Your email is used only for editorial communication
- We will use AI-generated avatars for podcast appearances if requested
- We will take reasonable steps to remove identifying details from your story if requested
Important: While we protect your identity, we cannot guarantee absolute anonymity if your story contains identifying details. We'll work with you to minimise this risk.
5. Data Storage & Security
Your information is stored securely using industry-standard practices:
- Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest
- Access is restricted to authorised personnel only
- We use Australian-based or privacy-compliant hosting services
- Accessibility preferences are stored locally on your device only
6. Data Retention
- Contact messages: Retained for 2 years then deleted
- Unpublished submissions: Deleted within 12 months if not published
- Published content: Retained indefinitely unless you request removal
7. Your Rights
Under the Privacy Act 1988, you have the right to:
- Access personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Withdraw consent for publication at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
8. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services:
- YouTube: For hosting podcast videos (subject to Google's privacy policy)
- HeyGen: For AI avatar generation (subject to HeyGen's privacy policy)
We do not use tracking cookies or analytics that identify individuals.
9. Contact Us
For privacy-related enquiries, to access your data, or to request deletion, contact us at axel@disabilityx.com.au
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.