Privacy Policy

1. Purpose 

This document reassures staff, customers and users of Connected Farms products, that their privacy is protected and outlines the Privacy Policy, as applied to all personal information collected, held, used and disclosed by Connected Farms (“Connected Farms”, “we”, “us”, “our”).  The policy is consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the Privacy Act 1988, the Farm Data Code of Practice and addresses our obligations as a Licensed Telecommunications Carrier under the Telecommunications Act 1997 and upholds the intent of the principles set out in the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code.  These obligations include to protect the confidentiality of information that relates to: 
1. the content of communications that we carry 
2. the carriage services that we supply (e.g. call records, usage data), 
3. customer particulars. 
4. special provisions for vulnerable and disadvantaged customers. 

2. Information we collect from you 

We collect and hold personal information that is reasonably necessary for business activities, including: 

  • Name, company name, and contact details (email, phone, address)
  • Billing and payment information (including encrypted credit card details)
  • Connectivity solution service usage information (e.g., data usage, device identifiers)
  • Connectivity solution location and IP address data
  • Farm data, sensor data, and connectivity solution telemetry (where applicable)
  • Survey responses, support queries, blog comments, and social media handles
  • Any other information you provide to us directly (e.g. bank account details for payment of staff wages)

We do not collect Sensitive Information (e.g. health, biometric or racial/ethnic data). 

Children: Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will promptly delete it. 

 

 

3. How we collect your information 

We collect information: 

  • Directly from you (e.g., through our website, customer sales, customer support, account registration, surveys, forms)
  • Automatically when you use our services (e.g., via cookies, server logs, devices, and network connections)
  • From third parties (e.g., resellers, business partners, credit agencies, government bodies) where permitted by law

Where we collect unsolicited personal information, we will determine whether it is necessary for our functions. If not, we will destroy or de-identify it as soon as practicable. 

4. How we use your information 

We use your personal information for purposes including: 

  • Providing and managing our telecommunications and connectivity solution services
  • Customer support and technical assistance
    To enable us to diagnose problems or conduct maintenance checks on some products, some of which equipped with GNSS antennas or cameras, we may access data showing signal strengths at locations and/or camera still images and/or video.  Access to this data is for diagnostic purposes only and is not stored nor disclosed to others by Connected Farms except as set out in the relevant sections below.
  • Account management, billing, and payment processing
  • Service improvement, analytics, and product development (using de-identified or aggregated data where possible)
  • Marketing and communications (with your consent and opt-out options)
  • Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations
  • Fraud prevention, network security, and protecting our rights and property

We will not use your personal information for secondary purposes unless you consent, or it is otherwise permitted under the APPs. 

We use non-personal information for purposes including administering our website, producing reports and analytics, advertising our products and services and identifying user demands. 

Any information you choose to make publicly available, such as blog comments and testimonials on our website, will be available for others to see. If you subsequently request to have this information removed, copies can remain viewable in cached and archived pages on other websites or if others have copied or saved the information. 

5. Anonymity and Pseudonymity 

Where lawful and practicable, you may interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym (e.g., general website browsing, general enquiries). However, full-service provision usually requires accurate identification. 

6. Notification of your collected information 

At or before the time of collecting your personal information, or as soon as practicable afterwards, we will notify you of: 

  • The fact and purpose of collection
  • The intended recipients
  • Our contact details
  • Whether the collection is required or authorised by law
  • The consequences of not providing the information
  • Your rights to access and correct your information

7. Disclosure of your information 

We may disclose your personal information: 

  • To our related entities, service providers, and business partners who assist in operating our business (under strict confidentiality and privacy obligations). To the extent that we do share your personal information with a service provider, we would only do so if that party has agreed to comply with our privacy standards as described in this privacy policy and in accordance with applicable law. Our contracts with service providers prohibit them from using any of your personal information for any purpose other than that for which it was shared.
  • To law enforcement, regulatory authorities (e.g. ACMA) for compliance purposes, courts, or government agencies as required or authorised by law (including under Part 13 of the Telecommunications Act)
    Location data can only be accessed by law enforcement agencies, and then, generally only when presented with an appropriate Intercept Order
  • To emergency services in urgent situations, e.g. if Connected Farms were contacted by the Emergency Services if there were immediate and real concern for the welfare of the occupants of a vehicle containing a communication device whose location could be identified, if those occupants could not be contacted and were missing – this of course is for safety and we reinforce that would only be by request of the Police or other Emergency Services.
  • To third parties in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (subject to confidentiality)
  • To directory services, only with your consent
  • For network interoperability, service provisioning, or billing with other carriers and suppliers (only where relevant)

We maintain records of disclosures as required or authorised by law (including under Part 13 of the Telecommunications Act).  
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. 

8. Farm Data Code of Practice 

Where we collect and use farm data, we also comply with the Farm Data Code of Practice, ensuring: 

  • Transparency about data collection, use, and sharing
  • Fairness and value for farmers
  • Farmer control over data access, portability, and deletion
  • Security and prudent data management practices
  • Notification of changes in legal jurisdiction, ownership, or corporate structure

9. Storage and security of your information 

Connected Farms has a well-developed IT security system, relying on the expertise of their IT service provider to provide and maintain access to an up-to-date and operational distribution of computer software and hardware products and network arrangements.  The IT service provider conducts periodical security audits and implements a number of security measures to mitigate various cyberthreats.  These measures include: 

  • Multi-factor authentication for staff access to platforms containing personal information
  • Access and privilege controls applied
  • Application control (including macros)
  • Data encryption (in transit and at rest)
  • In conjunction with our service providers, secure data centres and cloud services (primarily located in Australia)
  • Regular security audits and monitoring
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures

We retain your personal information for as long as needed to provide services to you and as otherwise necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.  In most cases for a minimum of 2 years or for a further 2 years after the closure of a subscriber account, after which it is securely destroyed or de-identified. 

In the event there is a breach of our security and your personal information is compromised, we will promptly notify you in compliance with the applicable law. 

10. Overseas disclosure 

Your personal information may be disclosed or stored overseas (e.g., in conjunction with our service providers, for cloud hosting, data processing, or support services). We take reasonable steps to ensure overseas recipients comply with the APPs or are subject to similar privacy laws. You will be informed of the countries involved where practicable. 

11. Access and correction of your information 

We take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information we collect, use, or disclose is accurate, up-to-date, and complete.  . 

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading. 

  • Requests can be made by contacting us.
  • We will respond within 2 business days.
  • We may refuse access or correction in limited circumstances (with written explanation), as permitted by law.
  • If we refuse to correct your information, you may request a statement be attached to your record.

12. Cookies and pixels 

A cookie or pixel is a small file placed in your web browser that collects information about your web browsing behaviour.  Cookies do not access information stored on your computer or any personal information.  Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to: 

  • Enhance your browsing experience
  • Analyse website traffic and usage
  • Provide social media features
  • Serve relevant advertisements

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect website functionality. 

13. Change in Privacy Policy 

As we plan to ensure our privacy policy remains current, this policy is subject to change. We periodically review and may modify this policy at any time, in our sole discretion and all modifications will be effective immediately upon reissue of the policy and our posting of the updated issue on our website. 

14. Complaints and Dispute Resolution 

If you have a concern or complaint about how we handle your personal information: 

1.Contact us with details of your complaint. 

2.We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 business days and aim to resolve it within 14 days. 

3.If you are not satisfied, you may escalate your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) (www.oaic.gov.au) or, for telecommunications issues, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) (www.tio.com.au). 

15. Contact us 

If you have any questions or concerns at any time about our privacy policy or the use of your personal information, please contact: 

CEO 
Connected Farms Pty Ltd 
Email: info@connectedfarms.co   
Phone: 1800 147 984 
Address: 20 Blue Haze Crescent 
BANORA  POINT  NSW  2486 

and we will respond within 48 hours.