PRIVACY POLICY.

1. About this policy

Phase Shift Studio respects your privacy. This policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored and disclosed when you visit our website, submit an enquiry, request or accept a quote, make a payment or work with us.

Phase Shift Studio aims to handle personal information responsibly whether or not a particular provision of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies to the business at a given time.

2. Information we collect

We may collect your name, business name, email address, phone number, website address, project requirements, budget, correspondence, quote and acceptance records, invoice and payment status, and information you choose to provide during a project.

Our payment provider processes payment-card details. Phase Shift Studio does not receive or store your complete payment-card number.

We generally do not seek sensitive information. Please do not provide sensitive personal information unless it is reasonably necessary for your project or we have specifically requested it.

3. How information is collected

Information may be collected through our website enquiry form, email, telephone, meetings, quote-acceptance pages, invoices, payment services and ordinary project communications.

Basic technical information may also be recorded automatically by our website host or service providers for security, fraud prevention, reliability and operation. This may include information such as IP address, browser type, device information, timestamps and server logs.

4. Why we use information

We may use personal information to:

• respond to enquiries and prepare quotes;
• provide, manage and support client projects;
• process payments, issue invoices and maintain business records;
• communicate about scope, approvals, delivery, support and account matters;
• administer, secure and improve our website, systems and services;
• prevent misuse, fraud or security incidents;
• obtain professional, accounting, insurance or legal advice; and
• comply with legal, regulatory, tax and record-keeping obligations.

We do not sell personal information.

5. Service providers and disclosures

We use third-party providers to operate parts of our business, including website hosting, enquiry processing, databases and project systems, transactional email, payment processing, invoicing and related technical services.

Personal information may be disclosed to those providers only where reasonably necessary for them to provide those services.

Information may also be disclosed where reasonably necessary to professional advisers, accountants, insurers, payment providers, debt-recovery providers or authorities, or where disclosure is required or authorised by law.

Third-party providers handle information under their own terms, privacy policies and security practices.

6. Overseas processing

Some service providers or their infrastructure and subprocessors may store or process personal information outside Australia, including in the United States and other jurisdictions in which they operate.

Where applicable law requires specific steps before an overseas disclosure, Phase Shift Studio will take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances.

Because provider infrastructure can change, the exact processing locations may change over time. You may contact us if you would like further information about the providers used for a particular service.

7. Cookies and similar technologies

Our website may use essential cookies or similar technologies required for security, functionality and basic operation.

If Phase Shift Studio introduces non-essential analytics, advertising or tracking technologies, this policy will be updated to describe how those technologies are used and any choices available to visitors.

8. Storage and security

We take reasonable steps appropriate to a small digital studio to protect personal information against misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

These measures may include access controls, account authentication, secure service providers and limiting access to information where reasonably practicable.

No internet transmission, website, account or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

9. Data breaches

If Phase Shift Studio becomes aware of a suspected data breach, we will assess the incident and take reasonable steps to contain and reduce the risk of harm.

Where notification is required under applicable law, Phase Shift Studio will notify affected individuals and relevant regulators as required.

10. Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably required to provide services, maintain project, contractual and payment records, resolve disputes, maintain security and meet legal, accounting and tax obligations.

Information that is no longer reasonably required is deleted, destroyed or de-identified where reasonably practicable.

Retention periods may differ depending on the type of record and any applicable legal or business requirement.

11. Access and correction

You may request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct inaccurate or out-of-date information by contacting jesse@phaseshiftstudio.com.au.

We may need to verify your identity before responding and may refuse or limit access where permitted or required by law. If we cannot provide access or make a requested correction, we will explain why where reasonably appropriate.

12. Privacy questions and complaints

Please send privacy questions or complaints to jesse@phaseshiftstudio.com.au.

We will acknowledge and investigate a complaint within a reasonable period and will take reasonable steps to address any issue identified.

Where the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies, or where otherwise available, you may also be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

13. Updates

We may update this policy when our services, providers, legal obligations or information-handling practices change.

The current version and effective date will remain available on the Phase Shift Studio website.