Data Security & Integrity

Australian Blockchain Association Pty Ltd (“AusBlock”, “ABA”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our customers, and we take our data protection responsibilities with the utmost seriousness. Our data handling and security practices comply with Australian Privacy Laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), ensuring transparency, security, and accountability in our approach to personal data protection.  

AusBlock retains personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy or to meet legal obligations such as AML/CTF record-keeping requirements. In many cases, we may keep data for at least (7) years from the end of your relationship with us, or longer if required by authorities or due to ongoing disputes. 

To provide more clarity, we generally apply the following guidelines: 

  • Identity and KYC Documents: Retained for (7) years following account closure or last interaction, in compliance with AML regulations. 
  • Transaction Records and Financial Data: Maintained for at least (7) years to satisfy accounting, tax, and AML/CTF obligations. 
  • Support Tickets and Communication Logs: Retained for reference and potential dispute resolution, usually for (7) years unless required to be kept longer for investigations. 
  • Online/Usage Data (e.g., IP logs): Generally stored for security monitoring and auditing for up to (7) years or as otherwise mandated. 

Upon expiry of retention periods, data is securely deleted or anonymised. 

Why Does AusBlock Process My Personal Data? 

We process personal data under Australian Privacy Laws, AML/CTF Act 2006, and other regulatory obligations. The primary purposes include: 

  • Managing Our Contractual Relationship: To create and maintain your account, process transactions, and verify your identity. 
  • Regulatory Compliance: Meeting KYC, AML/CTF, and sanctions obligations enforced by AUSTRAC and the FMA. 
  • Fraud Prevention and Security: Detecting and preventing fraudulent activities, unauthorized access, and maintaining platform security. 
  • Service Communication: Sending essential account-related information such as security alerts and transaction confirmations. 
  • Customer Support and Dispute Resolution: Responding to user inquiries and resolving service-related issues. 
  • Marketing and Promotions (with Consent): Providing users with offers, rewards, and promotions related to AusBlock services. 

What Personal Data Does AusBlock Collect and Process? 

Personal data refers to information that identifies an individual or relates to an identifiable individual. We collect and process personal data under Australian Privacy Laws to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. This includes information that you provide to us directly, information collected automatically when you interact with our platform, and data obtained from third-party sources. 

Information You Provide to Us 

To open an account and access our services, we require specific information, which may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Personal Identification Data: Full name, email address, gender, home address, phone number, date of birth, nationality, proof of residency, signature, utility bills, and photographs. 
  • Government Identifiers: Passport, driver’s license, or national identity card details. 
  • Financial Information: Bank account details, transaction records, payment card information, and wallet addresses. 
  • Transaction Information: Details of transactions you make using our services, including sender and recipient information. 
  • Employment Information (if relevant): Job title and employer details, or employment status. 
  • Communications Data: Customer support interactions, emails, and chat records. 

Failure to provide the required data means that AusBlock may limit your ability to utilise our websites, applications, and other platforms (collectively, “services”). 

Information We Collect Automatically 

To improve security and user experience, we collect: 

  • Browsing Information: IP address, device type, browser type, and session activity. 
  • Usage Data: Login data, authentication details, and clickstream data. 
  • Cookies and Tracking Data: Information gathered through cookies and tracking technologies. 

How and Why We Share Your Personal Data 

We only share personal data when necessary and under strict security measures. This includes: 

  • Regulatory Authorities: Complying with AUSTRAC, ATO, law enforcement, and other government bodies when legally required. 
  • Third-Party Service Providers: Identity verification, fraud prevention, and compliance monitoring partners. 
  • Legal Obligations: When required to respond to legal processes such as subpoenas, court orders, or fraud investigations. 
  • Affiliates and Business Transfers: If AusBlock undergoes a merger, acquisition, or business restructure, personal data may be transferred under strict confidentiality agreements. 

Data Security Measures

AusBlock employs industry-leading security measures to protect user data: 

  • Encryption: All data transfers and storage are secured using AES-256 encryption. 
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): To prevent unauthorized access. 
  • Regular Security Audits: Conducted in compliance with Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) best practices. 
  • Data Minimization Practices: We only collect and retain personal data necessary for regulatory and operational purposes. 

International Data Transfers 

AusBlock operates only in Australia. We do not transfer personal data internationally unless required by law. Any data shared with third-party service providers (e.g. KYC verification services) remains within Australian data protection frameworks. 

Contact Information 

For data security inquiries or privacy concerns, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO): 

Email: [email protected] 

AusBlock remains committed to safeguarding user data and adhering to Australia’s highest standards of data security and integrity. We encourage you to update your account profile if your personal details change. Keeping information accurate and up to date helps us verify transactions swiftly and comply with regulatory standards. Periodically, we may request that you review and confirm your personal data for accuracy and completeness. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy, on www.ausblock.com.au.  

Last Updated: 11 March 2025