Cluei Privacy Policy

Cluei finds scholarships tailored to user profiles. We are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share data. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you can control your data. It covers our obligations under the Australian Privacy Act 1988, the GDPR (where applicable), and app store requirements.

1. Overview & Summary

At a glance:

  • Mobile app only; SSO via Google or Apple (no passwords collected by Cluei)
  • We collect account/profile data you provide, app usage/device data, and optional profile fields used only for matching (not advertising)
  • You may provide application materials (e.g., essays, transcripts) to help with matching
  • We share data with service providers (e.g., Firebase) to run the app; no third‑party ad SDKs
  • Overseas disclosures may occur (e.g., US); we take reasonable steps under the APPs
  • You can access/update or delete your account in‑app; we target 30‑day responses

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy covers information we collect through our mobile app and related in‑app services. It does not apply to third‑party sites or services we do not control, even if linked from the app. Those sites may have their own privacy policies and may use cookies and similar tracking technologies. Your use of the Service is also subject to our Terms of Service.

3. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information when you use Cluei:

  • Personal details you provide during account creation (name and email address)
  • Profile and preference information (academic interests, study level, saved scholarships, universities, onboarding responses)
  • Usage data about how you interact with the app, the screens you view, and features you use
  • Device information such as device model, operating system version, and app version
  • Analytics and performance data collected through Google Analytics
  • Approximate location information when you choose to provide university or regional preferences

Some profile fields (for example, background or target group attributes) are optional and used to match scholarships. We do not use this information for advertising.

4. How We Use Your Information

  • Create and manage your Cluei account
  • Match you with relevant scholarships and personalise recommendations
  • Operate core app features including saved scholarships, trackers, and notification preferences
  • Improve app performance, reliability, and user experience
  • Send updates and communications you request or opt into (such as scholarship alerts)

5. Analytics and SDKs

We use analytics and diagnostics SDKs to understand performance and improve the app (for example, Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics). You can opt out of analytics collection in Settings where available or via your device settings.

You can withdraw consent for optional processing (for example, marketing communications or analytics where consent applies) at any time from Settings or by contacting [email protected]. Withdrawal does not affect processing required to provide the Service or comply with law.

7. De-identified and Aggregate Data

We may de‑identify or aggregate information for analytics, research, and to improve the Service. Where permitted by law, we treat de‑identified information as non‑personal. We maintain and use de‑identified data without attempting to re‑identify individuals, except where permitted by law (for example, to test and validate our de‑identification processes).

8. How We Share Your Information

We share personal information in the following circumstances:

  • Service providers and processors who support our operations (for example, Firebase, analytics, crash reporting, error monitoring, and cloud hosting). They may access personal data only to perform services for us and must protect it.
  • Legal and compliance: To comply with laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests; to protect the safety, rights, or property of users, the public, or Cluei; or to detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues.
  • Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganisation, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, consistent with this Privacy Policy.

We do not sell personal information. We do not use third‑party advertising SDKs and do not share personal information for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

9. Promotions

If you participate in promotions (for example, contests or surveys), we process the information you provide to administer the promotion. Where applicable, any Official Rules for a promotion will govern in the event of a conflict with this Privacy Policy.

10. Overseas Disclosure

We may disclose personal information to service providers located outside Australia (for example, in the United States) to help us provide the Service (such as cloud hosting, analytics, or crash reporting). Where we do so, we take reasonable steps to ensure those recipients handle personal information in a way that is consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). In most cases, we remain responsible for their handling of your personal information under APP 8. You can contact us for more information about likely overseas locations of our service providers.

11. Data Security

  • All network traffic is encrypted using HTTPS
  • Sensitive information is stored using secure Firebase services with strict access controls
  • We regularly review our security controls and monitor for unauthorised access
  • Access to customer data is limited to authorised personnel who require it to perform their duties
  • We will never ask for your Google or Apple account credentials (including passwords or verification codes) by email or unsolicited messages

12. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you
  • Request corrections or updates to your information
  • Delete your account and associated data (processed within 30 days)
  • Export or receive a copy of your data in a portable format
  • Opt out of analytics collection at any time in Settings
  • Opt out of marketing emails at any time via the unsubscribe link in those emails
  • Contact us at [email protected] to exercise these rights

We will respond to requests within a reasonable time (typically within 30 days). If you are in the EEA or UK, you may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. Australian users can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). You can access and update your account information in‑app at any time. Account deletion is available in Settings and is typically processed within 30 days. We take reasonable steps to keep your information accurate and up to date. Please keep your profile information current and request corrections if anything is inaccurate.

Push Notifications

If you opt in, we may send push notifications related to your account, alerts you request (for example, scholarship updates), and product updates. You can manage or disable push notifications in your device settings or within the app. Disabling push may impact certain alerts or features.

13. Data Retention

  • Account data is retained while your account remains active
  • If you delete your account, we remove personal data within 30 days except where retention is required by law
  • Aggregated analytics data is stored for up to 24 months to monitor long-term trends
  • Diagnostic crash data is typically retained up to 24 months; basic application logs up to 90 days.
  • We delete or de‑identify personal information when it is no longer needed for the purposes described or required by law.

14. Children’s Privacy

  • Cluei is designed for users aged 13 and over
  • We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
  • If we discover that a child under 13 has created an account, we will delete the account promptly
  • Parents or guardians can contact [email protected] to request removal of data belonging to a minor

15. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you in the app and update the “Last Updated” date when material changes occur.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact [email protected].