Privacy Policy

ByteForge ("we", "us", or "our") operates the website located at byteforgea.info. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the site.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Submit a contact form
• Register interest in a tournament
• Participate in surveys or community polls

This information may include your name, email address, and any message content you submit.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit byteforgea.info, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• Referring website addresses
• Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)

This information is collected via cookies and similar tracking technologies. Please see our Cookie Policy for more details.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To send you our newsletter and editorial updates (with your consent)
• To respond to your contact form submissions and inquiries
• To process tournament registration interest
• To improve our website content and user experience
• To analyse website traffic and usage patterns
• To comply with applicable legal obligations
• To detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive activity

3. Legal Basis for Processing (Australian Privacy Act)

ByteForge operates in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We process your personal information on the following bases:

• Consent: Where you have given us explicit consent (e.g., newsletter subscription)
• Legitimate Interests: For website analytics and security purposes
• Contractual Necessity: To respond to your inquiries and fulfil requests
• Legal Obligation: Where required by Australian law

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on byteforgea.info. For detailed information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website (e.g., email service providers, analytics platforms), bound by confidentiality obligations
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by applicable law. Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Contact form submissions are retained for up to 24 months.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights

Under the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the APPs, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Withdraw consent at any time (e.g., unsubscribe from newsletters)
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. Children's Privacy

ByteForge is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Level 12, 1 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
• Phone: +61 2 9000 1234

This Privacy Policy applies exclusively to the website byteforgea.info and is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.