Scope

This statement applies to user interactions with the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) website, at http://www.heardisland.aq

General

The HIMI website makes some use of data that directly or indirectly identifies users. We take great care with practices that affect personal privacy. Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) employees welcome feedback from users in relation to the site's design and practices, and to this Privacy Statement. Questions and comments should be submitted via the online form on the Contact Us page.

Data Collection

Data that in some way identifies the user is gathered during interactions with the AAD website in the following circumstances:

1. Computer Information
   It is a necessary part of visiting any website, including the AAD site, that the user's web browser provides the machine's identity (its IP address) to the web server, so that the server can address the reply to the correct machine. In addition, the browser type and operating system are provided, and if you clicked on a link at another site (e.g. a search engine) to get to our page, then the address of this referring site may be recorded.
   
   
2. Navigation, ClickStream Data and Cookies
   Browsing any website, including the AAD site, generates a trail of pages visited and the time at which each page was visited. The AAD web site does not store cookies on your computer, but does use 'session cookies', that are deleted when you close your web browser.
   
   
3. User Feedback
   We seek feedback from our users in order to improve the service offered by the site. Answering feedback questions is voluntary and does not in any way affect your access to the AAD site.
   
   
4. Information Provided for Specific Purposes (e.g. AAS grants)
   Information solicited for specific interactions and transactions with the AAD. Information may include personal details, employment and research associations, and such detail as is necessary to facilitate those interactions.

Data Storage, Use and Disclosure, and Retention

All personal data described in the preceding section is stored in transmission logs, and archived for a period that is yet to be determined but is likely to be at least 12 months and quite probably 7 years.

The data described in 1, 2 and 3 above is used by AAD site software, and by employees involved in the AAD web site operation, only for:

• website and system administration, including monitoring to prevent security breaches;
• customisation of the website to the user's needs; and
• evaluation, research and development.

Data described in 4 above is used only for the purposes for which it is collected, as described at the point of collection.

Identified data can only be re-disclosed to the user if the user provides the unique request session number. Identified data may be disclosed to a third party only in circumstances in which such disclosure is legally authorised, such as in the investigation of a criminal offence, and in compliance with a search warrant or subpoena.

Accountability

The staff who operate the AAD web site, and most Commonwealth government agencies, are subject to the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988.