Privacy Policy
Last Updated: March 15, 2025
At sparkly-shine, we take your privacy seriously. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our comparative company analysis services. We're committed to transparency and giving you control over your data.
This privacy policy applies to all users of sparkly-shine.com and our related services. By using our platform, you agree to the practices described here. If something doesn't make sense or you have questions, reach out—we're here to help.
Questions about your privacy? Contact our privacy team at contact@sparkly-shine.com or call +61393487100
Information We Collect
We collect different types of information to provide you with accurate financial comparisons and improve our services. Here's what we gather and why it matters:
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and company details. This helps us personalize your experience and keep your account secure.
Usage Data
We track how you interact with our platform—which companies you compare, features you use, and time spent on different sections. This helps us understand what's working and what needs improvement.
Technical Information
Your IP address, browser type, device information, and operating system are automatically collected. We use this for security purposes and to make sure our platform works smoothly across all devices.
Financial Preferences
Industry sectors you're interested in, company sizes you typically compare, and your saved searches help us tailor recommendations to your specific needs.
Information You Provide Directly
This includes anything you voluntarily share with us through forms, surveys, or direct communication. When you contact our support team, we keep records of those conversations to better assist you in the future.
- Contact form submissions and inquiry details
- Feedback and survey responses about our services
- Custom report requests and specific comparison criteria
- Payment information processed through secure third-party processors
- Professional credentials when accessing premium features
Automatically Collected Data
Some information is gathered automatically when you use our platform. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies—standard tools that help websites remember your preferences and analyze traffic patterns.
You can control cookie settings through your browser, though disabling them might affect how certain features work. We respect your choices about tracking, and you can opt out of analytics cookies while still using our core comparison tools.
How We Use Your Information
Every piece of data we collect serves a specific purpose. We don't gather information just to have it—we use it to make your experience better and our services more valuable.
Primary Uses
Your data powers the personalized financial comparisons you see, helps us maintain platform security, and allows us to communicate important updates about your account or changes to our services.
- Generating customized company comparison reports based on your preferences
- Sending notifications about significant changes in companies you're tracking
- Improving our algorithms to provide more accurate financial analysis
- Detecting and preventing fraudulent activity or unauthorized access
- Responding to your support requests and technical issues
- Conducting internal research to develop new features and services
- Complying with legal obligations under Australian financial regulations
- Sending educational content about financial analysis (you can unsubscribe anytime)
We analyze aggregated, anonymized data to identify trends in how businesses are compared across different industries. This research helps us understand market patterns without compromising individual privacy.
If we want to use your information for purposes not covered in this policy, we'll ask for your explicit consent first. You'll always have the right to decline without affecting your access to core services.
Your Privacy Rights Under Australian Law
The Australian Privacy Act 1988 grants you specific rights regarding your personal information. We're committed to honoring these rights and making them easy to exercise.
Access Your Data
Request a copy of all personal information we hold about you. We'll provide this in a commonly used electronic format within 30 days.
Correct Inaccuracies
If we have incorrect information about you, let us know. We'll update our records promptly and notify any third parties we've shared that data with.
Delete Your Information
Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements. Some information may need to be kept for regulatory compliance.
Restrict Processing
Ask us to limit how we use your data while you're disputing its accuracy or questioning the lawfulness of processing.
Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured format that you can transfer to another service provider. Useful if you're switching platforms.
Object to Processing
Opt out of certain data uses, particularly for marketing purposes or automated decision-making that significantly affects you.
To exercise any of these rights, send a detailed request to contact@sparkly-shine.com. Include your account information and specify which right you're invoking. We'll respond within 30 days and won't charge fees unless your request is clearly unfounded or excessive.
If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We don't sell your personal information to anyone. Period. However, we do share data with certain trusted partners who help us operate our platform and provide you with quality service.
Service Providers We Work With
These companies process data on our behalf under strict contractual obligations to protect your privacy:
- Cloud hosting providers who store our databases and ensure platform uptime
- Payment processors who handle subscription transactions securely
- Email service providers who deliver account notifications and updates
- Analytics tools that help us understand platform usage patterns
- Customer support software that manages our help desk operations
- Security services that protect against cyber threats and data breaches
Legal Disclosures
We may disclose your information when required by Australian law or to protect rights and safety. This includes responding to valid legal requests from law enforcement, complying with court orders, or addressing potential fraud.
Business Transfers
If sparkly-shine is acquired or merged with another company, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction. We'll notify you beforehand and explain any changes to how your information will be handled.
International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers operate outside Australia, which means your data might be processed overseas. We only work with partners in countries with adequate privacy protections or who agree to equivalent safeguards through standard contractual clauses.
Currently, we use servers located in Australia and Singapore. Data transferred to Singapore is protected under agreements that meet Australian Privacy Principles standards.
Data Security Measures
Protecting your information is something we take seriously—not just because it's required by law, but because your trust depends on it. We've implemented multiple layers of security to keep your data safe.
Encryption
All data transmitted between your browser and our servers uses TLS 1.3 encryption. Sensitive information stored in our databases is encrypted at rest using AES-256 standards.
Access Controls
Only authorized employees with legitimate business needs can access personal data. All access is logged and regularly audited for suspicious activity.
Network Security
Our infrastructure is protected by enterprise-grade firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability scanning.
Regular Backups
Data is backed up daily to secure, geographically separate locations. Backups are encrypted and tested regularly to ensure recovery capability.
We conduct annual security audits performed by independent third parties and maintain an incident response plan in case of data breaches. If a breach occurs that affects your personal information, we'll notify you within 72 hours as required by Australian law.
While we implement strong security measures, no system is completely invulnerable. You play a role too—use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and don't share your login credentials with others.
Data Retention Periods
We don't keep your information forever. How long we retain data depends on why we collected it and whether we're legally required to maintain it.
| Data Type | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Account information | Duration of account plus 3 years | Legal compliance and dispute resolution |
| Usage analytics | 24 months | Service improvement and trend analysis |
| Transaction records | 7 years | Australian tax and financial regulations |
| Support communications | 3 years | Customer service quality and training |
| Marketing preferences | Until you opt out | Respecting your communication choices |
| Security logs | 12 months | Incident investigation and prevention |
When data reaches the end of its retention period, we securely delete or anonymize it. Anonymized data—which can't be traced back to you—may be retained indefinitely for statistical analysis and research purposes.
If you close your account, we'll delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except for records we must keep for legal reasons. You can request immediate deletion, though we'll need to verify your identity first.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Like most websites, we use cookies—small text files stored on your device that help our platform function properly and remember your preferences.
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential cookies that enable core functionality like login authentication and secure browsing
- Preference cookies that remember your settings and customization choices
- Analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors use our platform
- Performance cookies that monitor site speed and identify technical issues
We don't use advertising cookies or sell your browsing data to third-party advertisers. Our analytics are handled through privacy-focused tools that don't track you across other websites.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, though this might affect certain features. Our platform will still work with essential cookies disabled, but you'll need to log in more frequently and reset preferences each visit.
Do Not Track Signals
We respect Do Not Track browser settings. When your browser sends a DNT signal, we disable non-essential tracking and analytics for your session.
Children's Privacy
Our services are designed for business professionals and aren't intended for anyone under 18. We don't knowingly collect information from minors.
If we discover that we've inadvertently gathered data from someone under 18, we'll delete it immediately. If you're a parent or guardian who believes your child has provided us with personal information, contact us right away at contact@sparkly-shine.com.
Changes to This Policy
We update this privacy policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we'll notify you through email or a prominent notice on our platform.
Minor updates—like clarifying existing language or correcting typos—won't trigger notifications, but we'll always update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes take effect means you accept the updated terms. If you don't agree with changes, you can close your account and request data deletion.