Privacy Policy

Last updated: 5 July 2026 | Version 1.0 | ABN 95 855 172 370 Summary: TheRef.com.au is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect only what we need, we don't sell your data, and we comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. 1. About This Policy This Privacy Policy explains how TheRef.com.au ABN 95 855 172 370 ("The Ref", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, discloses, stores, and protects personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). By using TheRef.com.au, registering an account, submitting content, or interacting with our services, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Policy. 2. Who We Are TheRef.com.au is an Australian sports news and community platform. ABN: 95 855 172 370. Contact: editor@theref.com.au 3. What Personal Information We Collect Information you provide directly: name, username, email address, password, favourite sport, article submissions, comments, and contact enquiries. Information collected automatically: pages viewed, device information, IP address, browser type, cookies, and referrer data. From third parties: aggregated analytics data from Google Analytics; advertising data from ad networks; social sharing interactions. 4. How We Use Your Information We use your information to: create and manage your account; publish your articles and comments; communicate with you; send newsletters where opted in; analyse site usage; detect fraud and spam; display advertising; enforce our Terms and Community Guidelines; and comply with legal obligations. 5. Disclosure of Personal Information We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share it with: Ghost Pro / Digital Ocean (hosting); Google Analytics (anonymised usage data); Google AdSense and ad networks (non-identifying behavioural data); Mailgun / Ghost email (transactional email); and Anthropic Claude AI (editorial content generation — no personal user data transmitted). We may also disclose information if required by law or court order. 6. Overseas Disclosure Some service providers are located outside Australia including the United States. By using our Site you consent to your information being processed in these countries. 7. Cookies We use essential cookies (for site function), analytics cookies (Google Analytics), advertising cookies (ad partners), and preference cookies. You can control cookies through your browser settings. 8. Data Security We use SSL/TLS encryption, secure password hashing, and access controls to protect your data. In the event of a data breach likely to cause serious harm we will notify affected individuals and the OAIC under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme. 9. Data Retention Account data: retained for the life of your account and 7 years after closure. Published articles and comments: retained indefinitely. Analytics data: 26 months. Server logs: 90 days. 10. Your Rights You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal information; to opt out of marketing; and to lodge a complaint. Contact us at editor@theref.com.au. We respond within 30 days. You may also complain to the OAIC at www.oaic.gov.au or on 1300 363 992. 11. Children's Privacy Our Site is not directed at children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13 contact us immediately. 12. Changes to This Policy We may update this Policy from time to time. Continued use of the Site constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy. 13. Contact Us Privacy enquiries: editor@theref.com.au