Effective Date: 23rd February 2026
Last Updated: 23rd February 2026

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The Beach Search (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and transparently.

 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you access or use The Beach Search app and website (the “Service”).

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We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
 

1. Who We Are

The Beach Search is a registered Australian business.

For privacy-related questions or requests, please contact hello@thebeachsearch.com
 

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2. What Information We Collect

We only collect information reasonably necessary to operate and improve the Service.

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• A. Account Information

  • When you create an account, we may collect:

    • Email address

    • Name (if provided)

    • Login credentials (if using email/password)

    • Authentication confirmation from Google (if signing in via Google)
      
      We do not receive or store your Google password.
       

• B. Location Information (Check-Ins)

  • When you check in to a beach, we collect:
     

    • Your live GPS location at the moment of check-in

    • Confirmation that your location falls within the relevant beach boundary
      
      ​We store your check-in history to:

    • Validate badge eligibility

    • Track your beach progress

    • Maintain your personal activity history
      
      Location data is stored in association with an internal user ID.
      We do not publicly display your check-in history unless you choose to share it.
      We do not continuously track your location.
      Location access occurs only when required for check-in functionality.
      
       

C. Beach Preferences & Personalisation Data

If you provide beach preferences (e.g. kid-friendly, sheltered, good for swimming, etc.), we store these selections in our database.

We use this information to:
 

• Personalise beach recommendations

• Improve your in-app experience

• Tailor content and suggestions
   

We may use automated processes to personalise recommendations based on your preferences, activity, and interactions within the app.
 

We do not use this information for external behavioural advertising.

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D. Usage & Analytics Data

We use Google Analytics to collect general, non-identifiable usage data such as:
 

• Pages or features visited

• Device and browser type

• Approximate location region

• Session duration
   

This data helps us improve performance, usability, and features.

 

E. Payment Information

When we introduce paid features in the future:
 

• Payments will be processed by Stripe

• We will not store full credit card details

• Stripe will process payment data under their own privacy and security obligations
  
   

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We collect and process personal information based on:
 

• Your consent (e.g. when creating an account or opting into marketing)

• Our legitimate interests in operating, improving, and protecting the Service

• Compliance with legal obligations
  
   

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:
 

• Provide and operate the Service

• Validate check-ins and badge eligibility

• Personalise recommendations

• Improve features and user experience

• Send product-related updates

• Send marketing communications (where you have opted in)

• Detect misuse or fraud

• Comply with legal requirements
   

We do not sell your personal information.

 

5. Marketing Communications

We may send:
 

• Product updates and service communications

• Marketing communications (only if you opt in)
   

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.

 

6. Children’s Privacy

The Service may be used by individuals under 18.
 

We collect only minimal information necessary to operate the Service and do not knowingly collect sensitive personal information from children.
 

If a parent or guardian believes inappropriate data has been collected, please contact us and we will review and remove information where required.

 

7. Data Storage & Security

The Beach Search is built and hosted on Base44.
 

Base44 maintains:

• SOC 2 Type II compliance

• ISO 27001 certification
   

These certifications indicate strong information security controls and data management practices.

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:
 

• Unauthorised access

• Loss

• Misuse

• Disclosure

• Alteration
   

However, no online system is completely secure.

 

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
 

• Maintain your account

• Preserve badge and check-in history

• Provide the Service

• Comply with legal obligations
   

You may request account deletion at any time.

Upon deletion, your personal account data will be removed or anonymised, unless retention is required by law.

 

9. Disclosure of Information

We may disclose information:
 

• To service providers such as hosting, analytics, and payment processors

• Where required by law

• As part of a business restructuring, merger, asset transfer, or acquisition
   

Any successor entity would be required to handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties.

 

10. Overseas Data Transfers

Some service providers (such as Google Analytics or Stripe) may process data outside Australia.

We take reasonable steps to ensure that overseas recipients handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy standards.

 

11. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and monitor performance.

You can adjust your browser settings to manage cookies, although this may impact functionality.

 

12. Access & Correction

You may request:
 

• Access to your personal information

• Correction of inaccurate data

• Deletion of your account
   

To make a request, contact hello@thebeachsearch.com.
 

We will respond within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with Australian privacy law.

 

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.

If significant changes are made, we will notify users within the app or via email.

 

14. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy rights, please contact us first.
 

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
 

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
https://www.oaic.gov.au