ASEG Privacy Policy

The Australian Society for Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information.

This online privacy statement governs the collection, storage, use, access and disposal of data, including all personal information obtained on the ASEG website (aseg.org.au) and for personal information collected when registering online through our website.

This privacy policy applies solely to the information you provide while visiting this website. The terms of this privacy policy do not govern personal information furnished through any means other than this website (such as telephone or via the mail).

When you visit ASEG you could be directed to other sites. These sites are beyond our control. You should be aware that other websites to which you link may contain privacy provisions, which differ from ASEG privacy provisions.

You may browse and download public articles from ASEG website without providing personal information.

1. Collection of personal information

The Privacy Act (Cth) 1988 defines personal information to be "information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion."

ASEG collects different kinds of information in a variety of ways.

(a) Website statistics

When a user visits the ASEG website, the server makes a record of the visit and logs the following information about the user’s environment:
· Server address
· Top level domain name (for example .com, .gov, .au, .net, .edu, etc)
· The time and date of the visit to the website
· The pages and documents accessed or viewed
· The type of browser being used

No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect the service provider's logs.

(b) Emails

ASEG will only record an email address if a user becomes a member of ASEG or registers for any ASEG events or notifications. The email address will only be used to communicate to the member or registered user and will not be added to a commercial mailing list. We will not use a user’s e-mail address for any other purpose.

Members can elect to have their contact details including email address made available to other ASEG members who may want to contact them.  However, steps are taken to limit the number of searches performed within a specific time period so a mailing list cannot be built from this information.

Wherever possible, the actual email address is hidden and a person wishing to email a member can do so via a form which does not disclose the email address being sent to.  The recipient can then elect to divulge their email address via a reply email.

(c) Electronic forms

Personal information is collected by ASEG when users complete and submit one of the electronic forms on our website, register with us or access any services (such as email forums or discussion lists). This will include a user’s email address and may also include some personal information, such as contact details and other demographic information. 

The collection of this data is strictly voluntary and occurs only if the user chooses to register. In all cases and at all times, this personal information will only be used for the intended purpose for which it was provided and to allow access to resources and information provided to ASEG.

(d) Cookies

ASEG does not use cookies in its website or in any of its web services applications. Cookies are small pieces of information that can be stored on a user’s hard drive (persistent cookies) or in memory (session cookies). They can record information about a user’s visit to the site, allowing it to remember them next time they visit. 

(e) Demographic Information

If a user becomes a member of the ASEG or registers for any ASEG events or notifications, they may be asked to provide demographic information including age, industry experience and work organisation.

 Each person can only see or edit their own age field. No one else, (including administrators i.e. the secretariat), can see or edit this field.  Age information remains anonymous and is not provided with other information which can identify the person such as publications mailing lists.

2. Use of personal information

ASEG uses personal information for the following purposes:

• The provision of services and content relevant to users.
• Website and system administration.
• To deliver a service, such as newsletters or conference management.
• To create and publish relevant content.
• To allow users access to limited-entry areas of our website as appropriate.
• Communication, statistics, research and development.

ASEG may merge site-visitation data with anonymous demographic information for research purposes, and we may use this information in aggregate to provide more relevant content.

ASEG occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on our behalf, including mailing and delivering newsletters. We will only provide those companies the information they need to deliver the service, and they are prohibited from using that to provide any other company or person.

No attempt will be made to identify individual users or their browsing activities other than for the purposes outlined above or as required by Australian law.

The personal information collected on the ASEG website or contained in a user profile, will not be disclosed to a third party except where authorised by the user or required by Australian law.

3. Publication and control of personal information

When a user registers, or otherwise gives us personal information, ASEG will not share that information with third parties without permission, other than our development team for the purposes of testing, validating or upgrading its services. Personal information will only be used for the purposes stated above.

ASEG will only publish personal information on its website if you have consented to its disclosure.

4. Access to the personal information we collect

The information maintained for each member or registered user can be reviewed and modified at any time by logging in to the site and clicking on the edit details link. The accuracy of the user data is solely the responsibility of the user and not of ASEG.

Should a user wish to remove their account, they can contact ASEG on the email address listed below.

5. Security of personal information

Personal information provided will be held in the strictest confidence. ASEG takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we hold on our servers is not subject to loss, misuse or unauthorised access or alteration. ASEG also takes reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information if it is no longer required.

While ASEG endeavours to implement the highest levels of security to protect users privacy while using its website. However it should be noted that there is an inherent risk associated with the use of an insecure public network such as the World Wide Web. Though minor, the potential does exist that a user's transactions (including e-mail's) may be viewed, intercepted or modified by a third party.

Protection of children's personal information

ASEG website is a general audience site and does not knowingly collect any personal information from children.

Governing legislation

This privacy statement is written in accordance with Australian law, the Privacy Act (Cth) 1988 www.privacy.gov.au/publications/privacy88_240103.doc and adheres to the National Privacy Principles in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 www.privacy.gov.au/publications/npps01.html.

Contact Information

Email: secretary@aseg.org.au