Hammerhead Hub Privacy Policy

Hammerhead Hub is operated by the Marine Futures Lab at The University of Western Australia ("we," "our," "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and relevant international standards.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information when you use the Hammerhead Hub mobile application ("the App") and related websites (including www.meeuwig.org and future project sites).

By using Hammerhead Hub, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

When you use Hammerhead Hub, we may collect the following types of information:

• Account information: name, email address, and password (for account management and communication).
• Contributions: images, videos, sighting data (including species, date, location, and optional notes).
• Device information: technical data such as device type, operating system, and app usage statistics (to help improve the app).
• Optional information: if you choose to connect through social media or third-party platforms (e.g., Facebook, Google), we may access your account name or email address.

We do not collect payment information, as Hammerhead Hub does not involve commercial transactions.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal and contribution data to:

• Support research and conservation projects.
• Improve the App and user experience.
• Communicate with you (e.g., updates, feedback requests, research outcomes).
• Attribute your contributions where appropriate (while your account is active).
• Create scientific datasets, reports, and publications (with attribution while your account is active).

3. Use of Images and Data

• Ownership: You retain intellectual property rights in any images, videos, or media you submit.
• License: : By submitting content, you grant Hammerhead Hub a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive, sub-licensable license to display your submissions on the Hammerhead Hub and to use your submissions for research, conservation, education, and non-commercial communication purposes.
• Attribution: While your account is active, we may credit your name alongside your contributions. If you delete your account, all personal data will be permanently erased and your submissions will remain in our research archive without attribution.
• Non-commercial use: Your contributions will never be used for commercial purposes without your explicit consent.

4. Sharing Your Information

We may share your contributions and anonymised datasets with:

• Conservation and research partners.
• Academic publications and reports.
• Educational outreach and non-commercial communication platforms (e.g., project websites, presentations, public talks).
• Your personal information (e.g., email address) is never sold or redistributed. It is only shared with trusted collaborators for research-related purposes and only when necessary.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your personal information and contributions are stored securely on University of Western Australia servers or approved third-party providers.

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

Data may be stored or backed up outside Australia, but always under agreements that ensure adequate protection.

6. Account Deletion

You may delete your Hammerhead Hub account at any time.

When your account is deleted:

• All personal information (e.g., name, email) will be permanently erased.
• Your previously submitted contributions will remain in the Hammerhead Hub research archive and may continue to be used for research, conservation, education, and non-commercial communication, but without attribution to you.

7. Your Rights

You may:

• Access and update your personal information.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your account and personal information.
• To exercise these rights, access the please contact us at: hammerheaduwa.help@gmail.com

8. Third-Party Links

The App and related websites may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted in the App and on www.meeuwig.org. By continuing to use Hammerhead Hub, you accept the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding your personal information or this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Marine Futures Lab

The University of Western Australia

hammerheaduwa.help@gmail.com

Last updated: 17/10/2025