Purpose

The purpose of this privacy notice is to let users of empowercommunities.org (the ‘site’) know when we collect personal information and what we do with it.

We do not use, share or transfer personal information in connection with the site except as set out in this notice, or as otherwise set out somewhere on the site (including in terms linking to the site).

Terms of use

Use of personal information

We will only use personal information provided to us for the purpose of:

• administering, evaluating and improving the site
• improving our services
• responding to your feedback and information provided in forms and surveys
• conducting user research if you registered to participate.

No need to disclose personal information

You can use the site — including completing some user research tasks — without sharing any personal information.

Sharing your personal information

You may choose to share personal information with us when you:

• give feedback
• complete survey or feedback forms
• participate in user research.

Do not send us sensitive personal information or include it in feedback forms or surveys.

Feedback you provide

Feedback is important and is used to evaluate and improve the site.

If you provide feedback by email, that feedback is sent to the appropriate Empower Communities Charitable Trust staff or volunteers. We may pass on relevant comments to other people within Empower Communities Charitable Trust who administer or contribute content to the site. This could include your email address and other identifying information that you have provided.

Survey and feedback forms

If you submit a survey or feedback form to us, it will be sent to the appropriate staff or volunteer.

We may pass on relevant content from that form to other people within Empower Communities Charitable Trust or third parties who administer or are participating in the particular project or consultation that the form relates to. This could include your email address and other identifying information.

Storage and deletion of information

If you provide personal information, it is held securely by Empower Communities Charitable Trust and will not be retained once the insights have been documented and are no longer needed.

It may be shared with third-party contractors to the extent necessary for them to administer or work on the site, or to work on special projects with us.

Email addresses are not made available to the public. Unless required by law, we will not disclose the names or email addresses of individuals who provide feedback to us or who provide us with submission forms without their consent.

User research information

Any personal identifying information gathered for user research is stored securely then deleted when the project is completed.

Statistical information and cookies

Statistical information collected

We use Google Universal Analytics to collect statistical information about your visit to help us improve the site. This information is aggregated and does not identify you personally. It includes:

• your IP address
• the search terms you used
• the pages you visited on our site and the links you clicked on
• the date and time you visited the site
• the referring site (if any) from which you clicked through to this site
• your operating system, for example, Windows, MacOS
• the type of web browsers you use, such as Chrome, Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
• other things like your screen resolution and the language setting of your browser.

Use of statistical information

The statistical information referred to above can be viewed by site administrators and certain other Empower Communities Charitable Trust staff. It may also be shared with other agencies.

How Google uses data when you use their partners’ sites or apps 

Cookies

This site generates persistent session cookies (that is, they have an expiry date and are removed on that date) for the purpose of monitoring site usage.

The cookies do not collect personal information. You can disable them or clear them out of your web browser without affecting your ability to use the site.

Records and disclosure statement

Public records, official information and parliamentary processes

Your emails and contributions to the site may constitute public records and be retained to the extent required by the Public Records Act 2005. DIA may also need to disclose those materials under the Official Information Act 1982 or to a Parliamentary Select Committee or in response to a parliamentary question.

Access and correct your personal information

Your rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to access and ask us to correct any personal information you have provided to us.

Contact us if:

• you would like to access or change your personal information Empower Communities Charitable Trust has stored
• you have any concerns regarding your privacy.

Empower Communities Charitable Trust may require proof of your identity before being able to provide you with any personal information.