Web privacy policy summary

Scope

This summary sets out the key points about how the Australian Institute of Criminology (the AIC) handles personal information.

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information to carry out our functions or activities under the Criminology Research Act 1971, and in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) and the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

More information can be found in our main privacy policy.

Collection of your personal information

We only collect personal information where this is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our functions or activities. We also collect personal information related to employment services, human resource management, and other corporate service functions.

We usually collect personal information about individuals directly from those individuals or their authorised representatives.

We sometimes collect personal information from a third party or from a publicly available source, but only if:

the individual has consented to such collection or would reasonably expect us to collect their personal information in this way; or
if it is necessary for a specific purpose, such as the investigation of a privacy complaint.

In certain circumstances, we may collect personal information from other government agencies to assist us to contact members of the public to seek their participation in a research study.

We collect personal information through social media services such as Facebook and Twitter. We use this information to improve our website and receive feedback from the community.

We also collect information via our website. For more information see Our website, below.

Use and disclosure

We will generally only use and disclose personal information for the purposes for which we collected it, or for a related purpose, or where otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act. We use and disclose personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

For example, in some instances, we may use and disclose contact details that the AIC has obtained from another government agency, to contact members of the public to participate in research surveys, focus groups or interviews. If any individual does not wish to participate or continue to participate in a research study, we do not use their contact details for any other purpose.

We do not give or disclose personal information about an individual to other government agencies, private sector organisations or anyone else, unless it is in accordance with our privacy policy and one of the following exceptions under the Privacy Act applies:

the individual has consented;
the individual would reasonably expect, or has been told, that information of that kind is usually passed to those individuals, bodies or agencies;
it is otherwise required or authorised by law;
it will prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to somebody’s life or health; or
it is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of public revenue.

Data security

There are inherent risks in transmitting information across the internet. In relation to our own servers, we take all reasonable steps to manage data stored on our servers securely and to protect the personal information we hold against interference, loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and other misuse, in line with the Australian Government’s Protective Security Policy Framework and our privacy policy.

Our website

We collect limited information about visitors to our website. We do not generally collect personal information as defined by s 6 of the Privacy Act through our website. Any personal information that is collected is done so in accordance with our privacy policy.

There are several ways we collect information on visitor behaviours on each of our online platforms.

Sometimes we use third-party platforms to deliver information. These are sites hosted and managed by organisations other than ourselves. Before deciding if you want to contribute to any third-party site, you should read their privacy policy.

When you browse our website, we will collect the following information about your visit:

your server or IP address (the name or number which uniquely identifies the computer through which you are connected to the internet);
the date and time of your visit;
the pages you accessed and the documents you downloaded;
the search terms you used;
the previous site you visited;
your top level domain name (for example, ‘.com’, ‘.gov’ or ‘.au’); and
the type of browser you used.

We will only use your browsing information to improve our website, products and services for your use, or for statistical purposes. We do not use this information to personally identify anyone, unless permitted by the Privacy Act.

Cookies

A cookie is a small data file stored on your device’s browser. Its purpose is to help a website keep track of your visits and activity. You will usually find information on cookies and how to manage them under options or settings on your browser. You can choose to see cookies before deleting them and to keep cookies from some websites. Setting your browser to block all cookies may make some websites take longer to load and stop you saving customised settings such as text sizes, location or sign-in information.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to collect anonymised data about your interaction with our website, which is hosted by a third-party provider. These data are collected for the purpose of improving our website. The types of data collected include your device’s IP address, geographic location (country only), search terms used, pages visited, and date and time of webpage access.

Survey Manager

We use Survey Manager to conduct feedback surveys and polls on our products, services and website. Survey Manager’s privacy policy explains how it handles personal information.

Social media

The AIC uses a range of social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to inform, engage and communicate with members of the public. We may also provide social media plugins on our website to make it easy for you to share information via social media sites. When you communicate with us using these services, we may collect your personal information, but we only use it to help us to communicate with you and the public.

The AIC is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of other websites, including social media sites. We encourage you to read these other websites’ privacy policies prior to accessing these sites and for further information. You can access the privacy policies for X, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube (a Google company) on their websites. Note that when you use a social media forum to make contact with us, the social media provider and its partners may collect and hold personal information overseas.

Accessing and correcting your personal information

You can seek access to the personal information that we hold about you and can ask us to correct this information. Our privacy policy explains how you can access or correct your personal information.

If you are listed on one or more of our mailing lists, you can opt out at any time by using the ’unsubscribe’ link in our emails.

How to make a complaint

You can complain to us in writing about how we have handled your personal information. We will respond to the complaint within 30 days. Our contact details are as follows:

Email: front.desk@aic.gov.au

Mailing address:

Privacy Officer
Australian Institute of Criminology
GPO Box 1936
Canberra City ACT 2601

If your complaint concerns personal information, you may also lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Web: www.oaic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 363 992

Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

Mailing address: GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

Privacy impact assessment register

The AIC’s privacy impact assessments are listed in our Privacy impact assessment register.

This page forms part of the Information Publication Scheme.