This policy explains how Useful Vanity ("we", "the site") handles information about you when you visit usefulvanity.com. It is written to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
1. What information we collect
We keep collection minimal. The site does not have accounts, logins, shopping carts or comment forms.
- Information you send us: if you email us via the contact page, we receive your email address, the content of your message and anything else you choose to include.
- Analytics data: with your consent, Google Analytics 4 collects page views, referring site, approximate country/state (derived from IP and then IP-redacted), device type and browser. We do not use advertising cookies or personalisation features.
- Amazon Associates tracking: when you click a product link, Amazon receives a referral identifier so we can be credited if you purchase. That identifier does not include your name or email from us; Amazon handles the rest under their own privacy policy.
2. Cookies
- Essential (no consent required): your cookie consent choice is stored in
localStorageso we don't ask again on every visit. - Analytics (only with consent): if you click "Accept analytics" on the banner, Google Analytics 4 sets
_gaand_ga_*cookies to measure how the site is used. Declining means these cookies are never set.
You can change your choice at any time by clearing the uv:cookie-consent entry in your browser's storage, or by using the "Do Not Track" / "Limit ad tracking" settings in your browser (we respect them at the analytics configuration level).
3. How we use information
- To respond to messages you send us.
- To understand which guides are useful and which categories need refreshing (aggregate analytics only).
- To detect and prevent abuse, spam submissions, or automated scraping of the site.
We do not sell personal information. We do not use it for automated decision-making or profiling.
4. Disclosure to third parties
- Google (Analytics): data processed under Google's Privacy Policy. IP anonymisation is enabled and data retention is set to the shortest GA4 tier.
- Amazon (Associate tracking): when you click a product link, Amazon handles your data under their own Privacy Policy.
- Our web host and email provider: only to the extent needed to run the site and reply to messages.
5. Cross-border disclosure
Analytics and email providers may store data outside Australia. When they do, we take reasonable steps to ensure the overseas recipient is subject to a law or binding scheme with protections substantially similar to the APPs, in line with APP 8.
6. Data retention
- Contact emails and their replies: up to 24 months, then deleted unless they're part of an unresolved complaint.
- GA4 analytics: aggregated and retained for the shortest GA4 tier we can select at the property level (currently 2 months).
- Cookie consent record: 12 months in your browser's
localStorage— never sent to our servers.
7. Security
The site is served over HTTPS. Emails are stored in a password-managed inbox with two-factor authentication. We do not store credit card numbers, order history or product-level shopping data — those live with Amazon under their security arrangements.
8. Your rights
Under the APPs you can request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you. To make a request, email privacy@usefulvanity.com. We'll respond within 30 days. If we can't give you access, we'll explain why in writing and tell you about your right to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
9. Complaints
If you think we've breached the APPs, contact us first at privacy@usefulvanity.com. If you're not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the OAIC.
10. Changes to this policy
When we make material changes, we update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, note the change on the homepage for a period. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.
11. Contact
Privacy officer: Useful Vanity Editorial Team. Email: privacy@usefulvanity.com. Postal contact available on request via the same address.