Privacy Policy for VictorianRailPhotos.com
Effective Date: September 3, 2025
Welcome to VictorianRailPhotos.com (the "Site"), a platform dedicated to sharing and viewing photographs of train carriages, locomotives, and other railway-related items, primarily focused on Victoria, Australia. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you access or use the Site, including logging in via Discord or Google and uploading photos. By using the Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
We collect the following types of information:
- Account Information: When you log in via Discord or Google, we collect your username, email address, and profile information provided by these third-party services.
- User Content: Photographs, descriptions, or other content you upload to the Site, which may include metadata (e.g., location, date, or camera details embedded in photos).
- Communications: Information you provide when you contact us, such as through the Site’s contact form or email.
- Usage Data: We collect information about your interactions with the Site, such as pages visited, features used, time spent, and IP address.
- Device Information: Details about your device, including browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to track your activity, improve functionality, and personalize your experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
- Third-Party Authentication: When you log in via Discord or Google, we receive information such as your username, email, and profile details, subject to their respective privacy policies.
- Analytics: We use Microsoft Clarity to collect and analyze usage data, such as user behavior, heatmaps, and session recordings, to improve the Site’s performance and user experience.
We use your information to:
- Provide and improve the Site’s functionality, such as enabling photo uploads and account management.
- Personalize your experience, such as displaying relevant content.
- Communicate with you, including responding to inquiries or sending service-related notifications.
- Analyze Site usage through tools like Microsoft Clarity to optimize performance and user experience.
- Ensure security, prevent fraud, and enforce our Terms of Service.
- Comply with legal obligations or protect our legal rights.
We may share your information as follows:
- Publicly Shared Content: Photos and other User Content you upload may be visible to other users or the public.
- Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors (e.g., hosting providers, Microsoft Clarity for analytics) who assist in operating the Site, subject to confidentiality agreements.
- Third-Party Authentication: Logging in via Discord or Google involves sharing data with these platforms, governed by their privacy policies.
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a court order or government request, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
- Business Transfers: If the Site is sold or transferred, your information may be shared as part of the transaction.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
4. Your Choices
- Account Information: You may update or delete your account information by contacting us or managing settings via Discord or Google, where applicable.
- Cookies: You can disable cookies through your browser, though this may limit Site functionality, including Microsoft Clarity’s tracking features.
- User Content: You can request to delete your uploaded content, but copies may remain in backups or if shared by others.
- Opt-Out: To opt out of non-essential communications, follow unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contact us. For Microsoft Clarity analytics, you can opt out via your browser’s Do Not Track settings or by contacting us.
5. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Site’s services, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. User Content you upload may remain on the Site indefinitely unless you delete it, subject to our Terms of Service. Metadata or analytics data (e.g., from Microsoft Clarity) may be retained for analysis purposes in anonymized or aggregated form.
7. International Data Transfers
The Site is operated from Australia, but your information may be processed or stored in other countries, including by third-party providers like Microsoft Clarity, Discord, or Google. By using the Site, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside Australia, which may have different data protection laws.
8. Children’s Privacy
The Site is not intended for users under 13 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn such information has been collected, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with information, please contact us.
9. Third-Party Links and Services
The Site may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., Discord, Google, Microsoft Clarity). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third parties before interacting with them.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Site or via email. Your continued use of the Site after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.
11. Your Rights
Depending on your location (e.g., under Australian privacy laws or other applicable regulations), you may have rights to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal information.
- Object to or restrict certain processing activities.
- Request portability of your data. To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We may require verification of your identity before processing requests.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at [email protected] or via the Site’s contact form.
By using VictorianRailPhotos.com, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.