Fairfax Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important

This policy applies to John Fairfax Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries ("Fairfax") except for f2 Limited and its subsidiaries ("f2") (together "Fairfax Group"). The f2 Network Privacy Policy applies to f2 and can be accessed by visiting www.f2.com.au. This statement sets out Fairfax's policy on managing the personal information that it collects.

Fairfax is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act, except for its activities carried on in the course of journalism. Fairfax is exempt from complying with the Privacy Act in relation to journalism activities. Fairfax has, however, publicly committed to complying with the Australian Press Council Privacy Standards for the use of personal information in the course of journalism.

Fairfax may, from time to time, review and update this privacy policy statement to take account of new laws and technology and changes to Fairfax's operations. All personal information held by Fairfax will be governed by Fairfax's most recent policy.


What kind of personal information does Fairfax collect and how does Fairfax collect it?

Fairfax collects personal information from a variety of sources, including from members of the public, advertisers, prospective employees, newsagents, mailing lists, recruitment agencies, contractors and business partners.

In general, the personal information Fairfax collects includes (but is not limited to) name, address, contact details, gender, occupation, in some cases membership of professional associations and, where relevant, financial information, including credit card information, banking details and income information.

Where Fairfax enters into a transaction with an individual, Fairfax may collect other types of personal information, depending on the nature of the transaction. Fairfax will generally state the specific purposes for which this personal information will be used and to whom it may be disclosed, other than as set out in this policy.

Personal information you provide: You may provide information when you acquire a product or service from Fairfax, provide a product or service to Fairfax, complete a questionnaire, enter a competition, enter an event, seek employment, or when you communicate with Fairfax by e-mail, telephone or in writing (for example if you contact customer service or provide feedback).

Indirect collection: Although Fairfax generally collects personal information about individuals directly from those individuals, in some circumstances Fairfax may obtain personal information from a third party, for example from a commercially available mailing list.


How will Fairfax use your information?

Fairfax may use personal information for the primary purpose for which it is collected, for secondary purposes related to the primary purpose and in other ways permitted by law.


In general, Fairfax uses personal information to:

  1. provide you with products or services you have requested from Fairfax, including subscription and advertising services;
  2. communicate with you;
  3. provide you with information about Fairfax's products and services; and
  4. provide some third parties with an opportunity to contact company officers on our specialist business databases.

In most cases where Fairfax asks you to provide information about yourself it is necessary to enable Fairfax to provide you with the requested product or service.


Disclosure

Fairfax may disclose personal information to other companies in the Fairfax Group who may only use it as set out above.


Fairfax may also provide your information to:

newsagents for the purpose of fulfilling subscriptions;
third parties engaged by Fairfax to perform functions on its behalf, such as processing credit card information, mailouts, debt collection, marketing, research and advertising;
third parties authorised by you to receive information held by Fairfax;
organisations in Australia and overseas accessing specialist business databases, such as MIS, CEO and CFO Marketbase products.
If Fairfax sells part of its business, personal information may be part of the assets transferred to the purchaser.


How does Fairfax treat Sensitive Information?

"Sensitive Information" means information relating to a person's racial or ethnic origin, membership of political bodies, religion, membership of a trade union or professional or trade association, sexual preferences, criminal record and health.

Fairfax may use and disclose Sensitive Information only for the purpose for which it was provided or a directly related secondary purpose or as allowed by law unless you have agreed otherwise.


Management and security of personal information

Fairfax protects personal information it holds from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure by various means, including firewalls, pass word access, and secure servers.

Fairfax has appointed a Privacy Officer to co-ordinate Fairfax's management of personal information under this policy and the Privacy Act.


Updating personal information

Fairfax endeavours to ensure that personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Please contact Fairfax at the address below if you wish to update your personal information. Where personal information is no longer required by Fairfax, it will be destroyed or de-identified.


Seeking access to the personal information Fairfax holds about you

You have the right to seek access the personal information held about you and to advise Fairfax of any inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Privacy Act.

If you make an access request, Fairfax will ask you to verify your identity and specify what information you require. Fairfax may charge a fee to cover the costs of meeting your request.


How to contact Fairfax

To make an access request or otherwise contact Fairfax about privacy issues, please write to the Privacy Officer at GPO Box 506 Sydney, 2001 or fax 02 9282 3656.