Privacy Policy

Effective date: 22 October 2026

Marine Connect Pty Ltd ("Marine Connect", "we", "us", or "our") operates the Marine Connect mobile application and website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information when you use our services.

By using Marine Connect, you acknowledge and agree to the collection and use of your data as described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you register for an account, submit a service request, or communicate through our platform, we collect:

• Full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Vessel details (type, make, model, registration, location)
• Profile photos, trade licences, and business information (for service providers)
• Messages, reviews, and feedback submitted through the platform
• Payment and billing information

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our app or website, we automatically collect data for analytics and service improvement, including:

• Device information (model, operating system, unique device identifiers)
• IP address and approximate geolocation
• Browser type, language preferences, and referring URLs
• Usage data: pages visited, features used, tap/click patterns, session duration, and frequency of use (for the app, the full list is in Section 1.3)
• Search queries and service category interactions
• App performance data, crash logs, and diagnostics

1.3 App Usage and Engagement Data

To understand how the Marine Connect app is used, find the places where people get stuck or stop, and improve it, the app records how you use it. This is collected automatically from the moment the app is opened (including before you log in) and is linked to your account and your device. Specifically, we record:

• Screens and navigation: every screen, tab, modal and wizard step you open, when you opened it, how long you stayed on it, which screen you came from and which you went to next
• Taps and gestures: every tap and long press, the label of the button, link or control you tapped (for example "Post a job"), its position on the screen, repeated rapid taps in the same place, scrolling, and use of the back button
• Typing activity: when you start and stop typing in a field and which field it was (for example "Job description"). We never record what you type.
• Sessions and app state: when you open the app, send it to the background, bring it back and close it; how long each session lasts; and the last screen you were on when you left
• Errors and performance: app errors, crashes and freezes, the screen you were on when they happened, and every request the app makes to our servers (which endpoint, whether it succeeded, how long it took)
• Notifications: whether you have allowed notifications, and which notifications you tap to open the app
• Connectivity: when the app detects that your device has gone offline or come back online
• Device and app details: device model and brand, operating system version, app version and build, screen size and font scale, language and time zone, and a random device identifier created by the app
• Key actions: milestones such as logging in, creating an account, adding a vessel, posting a job, accepting a job, sending a quote, invoice, review or message, and logging out

This data is stored on our own servers, is viewed only by Marine Connect staff in our internal administration tools, and is never sold or shared with advertisers. We use it to see which screens people find confusing, where they give up, why they stop using the app, and what to improve. We keep it for up to 24 months, after which it is deleted automatically. You can ask us for a copy of the engagement data we hold about you, or for it to be deleted, at any time (see Sections 7 and 8).

1.4 Location Data

With your permission, we collect precise location data from your device to connect you with nearby marine service providers. You can disable location services at any time through your device settings, though this may limit certain features.

2. How We Use Your Data

All data collected is used to operate, maintain, and improve Marine Connect. Specifically, we use your information to:

• Provide, personalise, and improve the Marine Connect platform and services
• Match vessel owners with qualified marine service providers
• Process transactions and send related communications
• Analyse usage patterns and user behaviour for analytics purposes, including understanding how users interact with the platform, identifying popular features, and measuring engagement
• Build aggregated and anonymised datasets to improve service recommendations and platform performance
• Send service updates, marketing communications, and promotional materials (you can opt out at any time)
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security issues
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service

3. Data Storage and Analytics

Your data is stored on secure servers and with trusted third-party cloud infrastructure providers. We retain user data for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter for analytics, record-keeping, and legal compliance purposes.

We use analytics tools to process and analyse user data in order to understand trends, measure effectiveness, and improve the overall user experience. This data is stored and used for analytics purposes, including:

• Tracking user engagement and feature adoption across the platform, including the app usage and engagement data described in Section 1.3 (screens, taps, sessions, errors and device details), which is analysed per account by Marine Connect staff to find where people get stuck or stop using the app
• Generating aggregated reports on platform usage and service demand
• Analysing service provider performance metrics and user satisfaction
• Improving our matching algorithms and search relevance
• Informing business decisions and product development

4. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With service providers and contractors: When you submit a service request, relevant details are shared with marine trades to facilitate quoting and job completion
• With third-party service providers: We work with trusted partners who assist with hosting, analytics, payment processing, email delivery, and customer support
• For legal purposes: When required by law, subpoena, or government request, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of Marine Connect and its users
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies to collect usage data, remember your preferences, and deliver a better experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations)
• Object to or restrict certain types of data processing
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Withdraw consent for data processing at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@marineconnect.com.au.

8. Account and Data Deletion

You can request deletion of your Marine Connect account and the personal data associated with it at any time. There are two ways to do this:

• In the app: open Messages and send a message to the Marine Connect admin requesting that your account be deleted.
• By email: email privacy@marineconnect.com.au with the subject "Account Deletion Request".

To help us verify the request, please include the full name on your account and the email address or phone number you used to register. We only action deletion requests that come from the account holder.

When you request deletion, we remove the personal data we hold for you, including:

• Your profile details - name, email address, phone number, and address
• Vessel records and uploaded photos
• Service/job requests and in-app messages, including voice messages
• Uploaded documents such as licenses, insurance, and certifications
• Your login credentials
• App usage and engagement data linked to your account (Section 1.3)

We aim to action deletion requests within 30 days. We may retain a limited amount of information where the law requires it (for example, transaction or tax records) or to resolve disputes and enforce our agreements; any such data is kept only as long as necessary and then deleted.

For any privacy questions, contact us at privacy@marineconnect.com.au.

9. Children's Privacy

Marine Connect is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will take steps to delete it.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the effective date. Your continued use of Marine Connect after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Marine Connect Pty Ltd
Email: privacy@marineconnect.com.au