Privacy Policy — Ask My Lawyer

This Privacy Policy explains how Ask My Lawyer Pty Ltd ("Ask My Lawyer", "we", "us") collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information when you use our website and services (the "Service"). Ask My Lawyer Pty Ltd is the data controller responsible for your personal information.

1. Information we collect

Account information: name, email address, password (hashed), and role (client or lawyer).
Profile information: for lawyers — practice areas, biography, qualifications, availability.
Consultation data: matter type, scheduled date/time, your written notes, and any documents you upload.
Communications: messages you send through the platform and support enquiries.
Technical data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, and usage/telemetry data.
Cookies: essential cookies for authentication and session management.

Payment card details are collected and processed directly by Paddle and are not stored on our systems.

2. How we use your information

To create and manage your account and provide the Service.
To match clients with verified lawyers and facilitate video consultations.
To process bookings and pass relevant order data to Paddle for payment.
To provide customer support and respond to your enquiries.
To prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents.
To improve and develop the Service.
To comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal bases for processing

We process your personal information on the following bases: performance of our contract with you, our legitimate interests (improving the Service, fraud prevention), your consent (where required), and compliance with legal obligations.

4. How we share your information

Lawyers on the platform: when you book a consultation, the assigned lawyer receives your matter details, notes, and uploaded documents.
Merchant of Record (Paddle): we share order and customer data with Paddle.com Market Limited, who acts as the Merchant of Record for all sales — handling payment processing, subscription management, tax compliance, invoicing, and refunds.
Service providers / subprocessors: hosting, database, video infrastructure, email, and analytics providers acting on our instructions.
Professional advisers: legal, accounting, and insurance advisers.
Authorities: where required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety.

5. International transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside Australia. Where personal information is transferred internationally, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or transfers to countries with adequate protection.

6. Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards to comply with legal, accounting, and dispute-resolution obligations. Consultation records and documents may be retained for longer periods where required by professional or regulatory rules. When no longer needed, data is deleted or anonymised.

7. Your rights

Subject to applicable law (including the Australian Privacy Principles and, where relevant, the GDPR), you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request deletion or restriction of processing.
Object to processing or withdraw consent.
Request portability of your data.
Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or your local supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@askmylawyer.com.au.

8. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including encryption in transit, access controls, and secure storage. No system is perfectly secure, but we work continuously to safeguard your data.

9. Cookies

We use essential cookies required for authentication and session management. We do not use advertising cookies. You can manage cookie preferences in your browser settings; disabling essential cookies may prevent you from signing in.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via the Service or by email.

11. Contact us

Ask My Lawyer Pty Ltd, Australia. Email: privacy@askmylawyer.com.au.