privacy policy

last updated: july 13, 2025

our commitment to privacy

at dormsyde, we take your privacy seriously. this privacy policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal information when you use our platform to connect with other australian university students for collaborative projects.

1. information we collect

information you provide directly:

  • project information: project titles, descriptions, skills needed, and collaboration preferences
  • contact details: name, email address (preferably university email), and university affiliation
  • profile information: faculty, course of study, skills, and interests (optional)
  • communications: messages sent through our contact forms or support channels

information we collect automatically:

  • usage data: how you interact with the platform, pages visited, time spent
  • device information: browser type, operating system, ip address
  • cookies: small data files to improve your experience (see our cookie policy below)

2. how we use your information

we use your information to:

  • facilitate connections: display your projects to potential collaborators and help you find relevant projects
  • improve our service: analyse usage patterns to enhance platform functionality
  • communication: send important updates about your projects or platform changes
  • safety & security: detect and prevent fraudulent or harmful activity
  • legal compliance: meet our legal obligations and protect our rights

3. information sharing and disclosure

public information:

the following information is visible to other platform users:

  • project titles and descriptions
  • skills you're looking for or offering
  • your first name and university
  • contact email address (only to facilitate collaboration)

we do not sell your personal information to third parties.

we may share information with:

  • service providers: trusted partners who help operate our platform (hosting, analytics)
  • universities: aggregate, non-personal statistics about platform usage
  • legal authorities: when required by law or to protect safety
  • business transfers: if dormsyde is acquired or merged (with notice to users)

4. data security

we implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

  • encryption: data transmission is protected using ssl/tls encryption
  • access controls: limited employee access to personal information
  • regular audits: periodic security reviews and updates
  • incident response: procedures for handling potential data breaches

however, no internet transmission is 100% secure. we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. data retention

we retain your information for as long as:

  • your project posts remain active on the platform
  • necessary to provide our services
  • required by law or for legitimate business purposes
  • to resolve disputes or enforce our agreements

you can request deletion of your information at any time (see your rights below).

6. your privacy rights

you have the right to:

  • access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
  • correction: ask us to correct inaccurate information
  • deletion: request deletion of your personal information
  • portability: receive your data in a machine-readable format
  • objection: object to certain uses of your information
  • withdrawal: withdraw consent for data processing

to exercise these rights, contact us at dormsyde@gmail.com

7. cookies policy

we use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • remember your preferences and settings
  • analyze platform usage and performance
  • provide personalised content and features
  • ensure security and prevent fraud

you can control cookies through your browser settings, but some platform features may not work properly without them.

8. third-party services

our platform may contain links to external websites or services. we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. please review their privacy policies before sharing information.

9. international data transfers

dormsyde operates primarily in australia. if you access our platform from outside australia, your information may be transferred to and processed in australia, where data protection laws may differ from your country.

10. children's privacy

dormsyde is designed for university students. we do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18 without parental consent. if you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately.

11. changes to this policy

we may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. we will notify users of significant changes via email or platform notifications. continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

12. contact us

if you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us:

13. australian privacy principles

as an australian platform, we comply with the australian privacy principles (apps) under the privacy act 1988. this includes:

  • transparent handling of personal information
  • giving individuals control over their information
  • implementing reasonable security measures
  • providing access and correction rights

your privacy matters to us. by using dormsyde, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this privacy policy.