1. Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how Rubidyn Ptd Ltd (ABN 51616091233, trading as Brown Signs) (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, and discloses personal information when you use:

• The Brown Signs website (www.brownsigns.net.au)
• The Brown Signs mobile app
• Any membership features, including wishlists, visit logs, ratings, and reviews

By creating an account, using the website, or using the mobile app, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following categories.

2.1 Account Information

When you create a Brown Signs account, we collect:

• Name or display name
• Email address
• Password (securely hashed)
• Profile settings
• Optional profile information (e.g., avatar, bio, region preferences)

Payment Information

If you make a purchase or payment through the website, payment details are processed securely by third‑party payment providers. We do not store credit card numbers or other sensitive payment information on our servers. We may receive confirmation of payment status (such as successful or failed transactions) but not your full payment details.

2.2 Member Activity

When you use membership features, we collect:

• Wishlist items — places you add or remove from your wishlist
• Visit logs — places you mark as visited, including:
  • Date of visit
  • Verification method (manual, GPS, QR, etc.)
  • Optional notes
• Ratings — star ratings you assign to places
• Reviews — text reviews you submit
• Review visibility settings — Everyone, Private, Friends, Anonymous, Friends Anonymous
• Friend connections — if you use friend‑based features

2.3 Location Information

We may collect location information when:

• You choose to verify a visit using GPS
• You allow the app to access your device location
• You use map‑based features

Location access is optional and controlled by your device settings.

2.4 Phone Signal Strength Data

The Brown Signs mobile app may collect mobile network signal strength and related technical information. This occurs in two contexts:

• Verified Visits When you verify a visit near a place, the app may capture:
  • Mobile/cellular signal strength at that moment
  • Device‑reported network type (e.g., 4G, 5G)
  • Network provider (e.g. Telstra, Optus)
  • Latitude and longitude at the time of capture
• General Signal Mapping (future feature) A future version of the app may optionally collect periodic or continuous mobile signal strength readings with associated latitude and longitude to help build a broader map of mobile coverage. This data will:
  • Not be linked to specific visits
  • Not identify you personally
  • Be used for aggregated coverage insights and platform improvements

You may disable location permissions at any time, which will prevent location‑linked signal data from being collected.

2.5 Device and Technical Information

We automatically collect:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• App version
• Pages viewed and interactions
• Error logs and crash reports

2.6 Public Content

Depending on your visibility settings, some information you submit may be visible to others:

• Public reviews
• Anonymous reviews
• Ratings
• Aggregated statistics (e.g., average rating, total visits)

Private and friends‑only content is never shown publicly.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

• Provide and improve the Brown Signs website and mobile app
• Manage your account and membership features
• Display reviews and ratings according to your visibility settings
• Help you track places you want to visit
• Record and verify your visits
• Provide personalised content and recommendations
• Maintain platform security and prevent misuse
• Analyse usage to improve features and performance
• Communicate with you about updates, changes, or support issues

We do not sell your personal information.

4. Review Visibility and Sharing

When you submit a visit, you choose to include a review and rating, how it is displayed:

• Everyone — visible to all visitors, including non‑members, with your display name
• Private — visible only to you
• Friends — visible only to approved friends, with your display name
• Anonymous — visible to everyone, but without your identity
• Friends Anonymous — visible to friends, but without your identity

When a rating is included, it is always used for calculating the average rating, regardless of the visibility setting. The average rating does not identify the sources.

5. Mobile App Permissions

The Brown Signs mobile app may request access to:

• Location — to verify visits or show nearby places
• Camera — if you upload photos (optional)
• Notifications — for updates, reminders, or friend activity (optional)

Permissions are optional and can be changed in your device settings.

6. Mobile Network Signal Strength Data

The Brown Signs app may collect mobile network signal‑strength information and related technical data. This may include:

• Mobile/cellular signal strength (e.g., dBm or platform‑reported values)
• Network type (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G)
• Network name (e.g. Telstra, Optus)
• The latitude and longitude associated with the reading

This information is collected in two contexts:

• Verified Visits (future feature) When you verify a visit near a place, the app may capture your device’s mobile signal strength and the associated location at that moment.
• General Signal Mapping (future feature) A future version of the app may collect periodic or continuous mobile signal‑strength readings with associated location data to help build aggregated mobile coverage insights. This data will not identify you personally and will not be linked to specific visits.

You may disable location access in your device settings, which will prevent location‑linked signal‑strength data from being collected.

7. How We Share Information

We may share personal information in the following circumstances:

• With other users, based on your visibility settings
• With service providers who help operate the website or app (such as hosting, analytics, and email services)
• When required by law, regulation, or court order
• To protect the safety, rights, or security of users or the platform

We do not sell personal information, and we do not share information that identifies you individually with third parties for their own marketing or advertising purposes.

Aggregated and De‑Identified Data

We may create and share aggregated or de‑identified datasets derived from information collected through the Brown Signs website and mobile app. These datasets:

• do not identify individual users
• cannot reasonably be re‑identified
• may include technical, behavioural, or location‑linked information in aggregated form
• may be used for research, analysis, platform improvement, or commercial purposes

Examples of aggregated or de‑identified information may include:

• mobile network signal‑strength patterns
• general reception quality around places
• aggregated visit trends or place popularity
• broad usage statistics or performance metrics

Because these datasets do not identify individuals, they may be shared with third parties or commercial partners. No personal information, account details, or identifiable location history is ever sold or shared.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Brown Signs website uses cookies and similar technologies to provide core functionality, improve performance, and analyse how visitors use the site. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help the website remember your preferences and maintain your session.

Types of Cookies and Storage Used

We may use the following types of cookies and local storage:

• Essential cookies — required for login sessions, account functionality, and secure access to member features.
• Preference cookies — used to remember settings such as region preferences or display options.
• Analytics cookies — used to understand website traffic, usage patterns, and performance.
• Authentication cookies — used when you log in to maintain your session securely.
• Local storage (app only) — the mobile app may store small amounts of data on your device to support offline functionality, caching, or performance improvements. The app does not use browser cookies.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but some features of the website may not function correctly without them.

Google Analytics

The website may use Google Analytics, a service that collects information about how visitors interact with the site. Google Analytics may collect:

• pages visited
• time spent on pages
• browser and device information
• general geographic location (approximate)
• interactions such as clicks and navigation paths

Information about how Google uses data from partner sites is available at: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and improve the user experience. By using the website, you consent to Google processing data in accordance with Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

You may opt out of Google Analytics by using Google’s opt‑out tools.

Microsoft Clarity

The website may use Microsoft Clarity, a service that provides anonymised insights into how users interact with pages. Clarity may collect:

• mouse movements
• scroll behaviour
• click patterns
• performance and technical data
• anonymised session recordings

Clarity does not record sensitive fields such as passwords or payment information.

Information about how Microsoft uses data is available in the Clarity Terms of Use: https://clarity.microsoft.com/terms and Microsoft’s Privacy Statement: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement

Clarity data may also be used by Microsoft for advertising and analytics purposes.

Third‑Party Integrations

The website may include interfaces with social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or others. If you choose to “like”, “share”, or interact with content through these services:

• the social media platform may link your activity on our website with your profile
• the platform’s own privacy policy will apply
• the platform may receive information about your visit to our website

We do not control how social media platforms use your data.

Managing Cookies

You may disable cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers provide tools to:

• block all cookies
• block third‑party cookies
• clear existing cookies
• notify you when cookies are being used

Disabling cookies may affect your ability to log in or use certain features of the website.

Acceptance of Cookies

By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this Privacy Policy.

9. Data Storage and Security

We store data securely using industry‑standard protections. We take reasonable steps to protect your information from:

• Unauthorised access
• Loss
• Misuse
• Modification
• Disclosure

No online service can guarantee absolute security, but we continually improve our safeguards.

Payment Processing

All payments made through the website are processed by trusted third‑party payment providers (such as Stripe or other providers we may use in the future). These providers handle your credit card or payment details directly. We do not store or have access to your full credit card information.

10. Access, Correction, and Deletion

You may:

• View and update your account information
• Edit or delete your reviews, ratings, visits, and wishlist items
• Request deletion of your account and associated personal information

To request account deletion, contact us using the details below.

Some aggregated or anonymised data may be retained for platform analytics.

11. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for:

• Your active account
• Legal obligations
• Platform integrity and security

If you delete your account:

• Personal data is removed or anonymised
• Public reviews may remain in anonymised form
• Aggregated statistics remain (e.g., total visit counts)

12. Children

Brown Signs is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

13. International Data Transfers

Our hosting providers may store or process data in Australia or other countries. We ensure that any overseas providers comply with privacy protections consistent with Australian law.

14. Changes to This Policy

Rubidyn Pty Ltd may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be announced on the website or app.

15. Contact Us

For privacy questions, requests, or complaints, contact:

Rubidyn Pty Ltd (trading as Brown Signs)
Email: info(at)brownsigns.net.au
Website: www.brownsigns.net.au

(Last updated 12 Mar 2026)