Privacy Policy

1. About This Policy

Clutch Deals (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website located at clutchdeals.com.au. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

By using Clutch Deals you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the site.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information you provide

• Account registration: email address and display name
• Deal submissions: deal title, URL, price, description, category
• Comments: text content you post on deal pages
• Support contact: any information you include when contacting us

2.2 Information collected automatically

• Usage data: pages visited, deals clicked, votes cast, time on site
• Device data: browser type, operating system, screen size
• IP address: used for security and fraud prevention
• Preference signals: “More like this” / “Less like this” actions used to personalise your feed

2.3 Cookies and similar technologies

We use session cookies to keep you logged in and functional cookies to remember your preferences. We use Vercel Analytics, a privacy-first analytics tool that does not use cookies, does not track individuals across sites, and does not share data with third parties. We do not use advertising cookies without your consent.

3. How We Use Your Information

• Provide, operate, and improve Clutch Deals
• Authenticate your account and protect account security
• Personalise your deal feed based on your stated preferences
• Process deal submissions and award Gold
• Send transactional emails (account verification, password reset) — we do not send marketing email without your opt-in
• Detect and prevent fraud, spam, and abuse
• Comply with our legal obligations

We will not use your personal information for any purpose that is incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected without your consent, except as required by law.

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information with:

• Supabase Inc. (database and authentication provider, servers in the United States) — bound by contractual data protection obligations consistent with APP 8
• Vercel Inc. (hosting, servers in the United States) — privacy-first analytics, no personal data retained
• Law enforcement or regulators where required by Australian law or a valid court order

Where we disclose information to overseas recipients, we take reasonable steps to ensure they handle your information consistently with the APPs (APP 8.1).

5. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access. Measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), hashed passwords, row-level security on our database, and access controls limiting who can view personal data.

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. If you become aware of a security issue please contact us at support@clutchdeals.com.au.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete or de-identify your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g. preventing fraud). Anonymised analytics data may be retained indefinitely.

7. Your Rights (Australian Privacy Principles)

Under the Privacy Act 1988, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you (APP 12)
• Correct inaccurate or out-of-date personal information (APP 13)
• Complain about a breach of the APPs
• Opt out of direct marketing communications

To exercise these rights, email support@clutchdeals.com.au. We will respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

8. Children

Clutch Deals is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes by email or prominent notice on the site. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. Contact Us

For privacy enquiries, requests, or complaints: