Last updated: 11 October 2026
This policy explains how Pinoy in Australia handles personal information in connection with pinoyinaustralia.com, our community directory, accounts and support services. Our directory starts in Sydney. For privacy enquiries, contact admin@pinoyinaustralia.com.
1. Information we collect
- Account information: your name, username, email address, profile picture and profile details you provide. If you use a password, WordPress stores a protected password representation rather than displaying your password to administrators.
- Listings: business or organisation name, description, categories, tags, suburb, address or map position, hours, contact details, website and social links, and uploaded photos or other content.
- Communications: support enquiries, privacy requests, messages, reviews, comments and information you include in them.
- Technical and activity information: IP address, browser and device information, relevant website activity, searches, listing interactions and records needed to operate, troubleshoot, moderate and protect the site.
- Social sign-in information: information described below that you authorise your chosen sign-in provider to share.
We collect information when you register, sign in, submit or edit a listing, use directory features, send a message or contact us. Some technical information is collected automatically by the website and hosting infrastructure. You can browse without an account, but account and listing features need relevant information to work.
2. Public listings and profiles
Published listing details, photos, reviews and public profile information may be visible to visitors and search engines. Listing contact details are intended to help visitors contact the business. Use business contact information and a service area you are comfortable making public. Do not publish a private home address, personal phone number or another person’s information unless you intend it to be public and have authority to share it.
Approved listings and changes appear publicly. Removing information from our site does not automatically remove copies in search engine caches, screenshots or other websites. Private dashboard messages are intended for the conversation participants; authorised administrators may access stored information to provide support, investigate abuse or meet legal obligations.
3. Google and Facebook sign-in
When you choose social sign-in, Google or, when available, Facebook authenticates you. Depending on the provider and your permissions, the sign-in integration may receive and store your name, email address, profile image or image URL, a provider-specific account identifier and authentication tokens needed to connect your account. We use this information to create or identify your website account and manage the connection. We do not receive your Google or Facebook password.
Facebook login is being prepared and is only available if the Facebook button is enabled. We do not request access to your private social messages, friends list or ability to post on your behalf for basic directory sign-in. The provider handles its own processing under its privacy policy: Google Privacy Policy and Meta Privacy Policy.
You can remove the site’s connection through your provider’s account settings and contact us to request removal of the linked website account or its information. Disconnecting a social app alone does not delete your website account or listings.
4. How we use information
- Provide accounts, directory search, listing management and related features.
- Review submissions, communicate moderation decisions and keep listings useful and accurate.
- Send service notifications, respond to enquiries and handle privacy requests.
- Prevent spam, fraud and misuse; maintain security, troubleshoot problems and understand how directory features are used.
- Meet applicable legal obligations and resolve disputes.
Free MVP listing submissions do not require a listing package purchase. Booking and payment functions are currently disabled for this directory MVP. This policy will be updated if those services or additional marketing features are introduced.
5. Cookies, location and external content
The site uses cookies and similar browser storage for sign-in sessions, security checks, preferences and website functions. Social sign-in providers use their own cookies during authentication. You can control cookies through your browser; blocking them may prevent sign-in or other features from working.
Location searches and map features may send the address or location you enter to the service providing the map or geocoding. If you choose a browser location feature, your browser asks for permission. You can decline it and enter a suburb manually. Avoid entering sensitive addresses in public listings.
Pages and listings may link to, or embed, external content such as maps, videos, social pages or business websites. Those services may receive technical information and use their own cookies or tracking. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies. Profile images may be delivered through Google, Meta or Gravatar; see Automattic’s privacy policy for Gravatar.
Our consent panel offers Accept, Reject and View preferences. Optional statistics stay disabled until you allow them. Use the permanent Cookie settings footer button or Manage consent control to change or withdraw a choice. Google Maps is controlled separately under External content; without it, you can still browse the directory. See our Cookies Policy.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand visitor activity and improve the directory. Google Site Kit inserts the Analytics tag and supplies reporting; Complianz controls loading the tag according to your statistics choice. Logged-in website users are excluded from Analytics tracking. Google receives website measurement data such as page views, referral information, browser and device details, approximate location and interactions such as outbound link clicks. Analytics uses cookies or similar identifiers to distinguish visits. This reporting is separate from Google sign-in.
We do not intentionally send names, email addresses, private messages or submitted listing content to Analytics. Email redaction is enabled, and automatic site-search and form-interaction measurement are disabled. These controls reduce accidental collection but do not guarantee that every possible personal detail is removed. Do not put sensitive information in website URLs or search fields.
You can manage cookies through your browser and use Google’s Analytics opt-out browser add-on where supported. For information about Google’s processing, see the Google Privacy Policy. Contact admin@pinoyinaustralia.com with privacy questions.
Owner confirmation and listing reports
We keep the minimum information needed to check that an owner or authorised representative approved a listing, including the confirmation method, date and reviewer. Listing reports and correction requests are reviewed privately by authorised administrators. We may contact the reporter or business and share only details needed to investigate. A report does not automatically change or remove a listing. See our verification process and reporting instructions.
Newsletter preparation
Pinoy Local Finds newsletter signup is being prepared and is not collecting email addresses yet. When enabled, it will require separate permission and email confirmation. Creating an account, adding a listing or appearing in an outreach list will not subscribe you automatically. Each edition will include an unsubscribe option. We will update this policy with the connected email provider and actual subscription records before signup opens.
6. Service providers and overseas processing
The website is hosted through Hostinger. Hosting, email delivery, social sign-in, map, security and technical support providers may process relevant information to supply their services. Hostinger describes its handling in its privacy policy. Public content is also disclosed to directory visitors. We may disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to address misuse, protect people or resolve a dispute.
Some providers operate internationally, so information may be stored or processed outside Australia, including in the United States for services operated by Google and Meta, and other countries where the relevant provider operates. Processing locations depend on the provider, account and service configuration. Contact us for current information about our providers and locations. Information you share directly with a listed business is handled by that business under its own practices.
7. Storage, security and retention
Information is stored in the website database, uploaded files, service systems and operational records. We use access controls and HTTPS to help protect information. No internet service can guarantee complete security. Keep your sign-in accounts secure and contact us promptly if you suspect misuse.
Account information is generally kept while your account remains registered. Listings remain stored until removed; unpublished or archived content may remain for administration and recovery. Reviews, comments, messages and moderation records may be retained to preserve context, manage disputes and prevent abuse. Technical logs, caches and backups follow the retention and rotation settings of the relevant system or provider.
We assess deletion requests and remove or de-identify information that is no longer needed, subject to lawful retention, security and dispute-resolution needs. Deleted information may remain in backups until those backups are replaced or expire. If a data breach occurs, we will assess it and make notifications where required by applicable law.
8. Access, correction and data deletion
You can update available profile and listing fields in My Account. To request access, an export, correction, account closure or deletion of your personal information, email admin@pinoyinaustralia.com. For a deletion request, use the subject Privacy / Data Deletion Request and identify your account email or username and the listing or information concerned.
We may need to verify that you control the account before acting. Do not email passwords, social-login tokens or identity documents unless we have discussed a necessary, appropriate verification process. We aim to respond within a reasonable time, generally within 30 days. We will explain any information we must retain or any request we cannot fulfil, subject to applicable law.
Removing the app in Google or Facebook settings revokes that provider connection. To remove the associated account and site information as well, send the request above. We can also help you use the website’s available account-removal tools. Public contributions may need to be removed or de-identified separately.
9. Sensitive information and children
Do not submit identity documents, financial account details, medical records, immigration case files or other sensitive personal information in listings, reviews or messages. Our directory’s community focus does not require you to disclose your ethnicity, nationality, religion or other sensitive characteristics. Submit only what is relevant to your business or directory activity and that you are authorised to share.
The service is intended for adults managing or finding businesses and community services. If you believe a child has provided personal information inappropriately, contact us so we can review and address it.
10. Privacy complaints and policy changes
For concerns or complaints, email admin@pinoyinaustralia.com with the details and the outcome you seek. We will review the matter, seek further information if needed and respond within a reasonable time. If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner about available complaint options and whether it can consider your complaint.
We may update this policy as the site, providers or applicable requirements change. The current version and revision date will be published here. Contact us if you need this policy in another accessible format.