Online Privacy

The unique and special issues arising from the use of web based technologies prompted the RAA to develop this tailored Online Privacy and Security Policy. This augments RAA's generic privacy principles.

This Online Privacy and Security Policy is designed to inform you of how the RAA handles personal information when you access the RAA web site or submit details in various online forms. The policy aims to answer common questions and address specific issues associated with the RAA's commitment to protecting your privacy within the online environment.

Collecting personal information online

RAA Web Site

The RAA will not collect identifiable personal information from users of the RAA web site except where users specifically and knowingly submit personal details. You may visit the RAA web site without telling us who you are.

The RAA web site offers a number of interactive facilities and tools. Some of them can be utilised without the need to submit personal information details.

The web site includes content that can be accessed exclusively by RAA members. To gain access to the content members are required to ‘register’ for online access. This allows the RAA to verify the membership status of the visitor. A password is also nominated by the member at this time. These details are securely stored on the web server to allow members to access the content during future visitors without having to register each time. On subsequent visits, the membership number and password are verified against the data on the server. The purpose of these sections of the site is to provide additional information and content to RAA members.

Email

The RAA also employs the use of email technology as a means of communicating with our members. Email will only be used to respond to a member query lodged by this medium, or where specifically consented to by the individual.

Email and online forms that you send us may not be secure unless we advise you that security measures will be in place prior to your transmission of the information. As a result, confidential or sensitive information should not be submitted by this method.

Generally, we will retain the content of incoming email messages, details of the sender and any response provided by the RAA. Email transmissions and content may also be monitored by authorised RAA personnel for security reasons.

An email newsletter containing information and offers relevant to members of the RAA is also sent to those who opt in to receive it. The recipient can opt out by unsubscribing to this newsletter.

How is the information used that I submit in online forms or applications?

Where you specifically decide to lodge an application or request, disclosure of personal information will be required to enable the RAA to respond.

Information typed into any online application or request form will only be collected by us if you submit the application or request. If at any stage you cancel your application or log out prior to submitting the details, any information previously entered up to that point is automatically deleted.

Any information collected from a submitted online form is kept strictly confidential and is used by the RAA to identify you and respond to your request. The details are accessed only by authorised RAA staff, agents or contractors in the course of legitimately actioning your request. Personal contact details are also used to confirm and update your membership record.

Who is the information disclosed to that I submit online?

Information submitted online, like other information collected by the RAA, is used for the purposes of actioning your specific request or administering the particular application initiated by you.

We will not use or disclose information collected other than for the purpose made known to you or that you would reasonably expect based on the specific interaction. Nevertheless, the information may be disclosed to RAA's associated or related entities, or to specific authorised agents or contractors in the ordinary course of providing the specific product or service to you.

The RAA does not give, rent, sell or trade your personal information (including your email address) to organisations outside of the RAA.

Any request not to have your personal information used for a particular purpose or disclosed in a certain way will be respected and honoured, unless we are compelled by law to do otherwise.

When submitting content to publicly accessible areas on the RAA website such as message boards, reviews or forums we suggest that you use your discretion and exercise caution when providing personal information which may identify you. This information can be collected and used by others as it is available to anyone who has access to the internet.

Security of information provided over the Internet

The RAA maintains strict procedures and standards and takes all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorised access to your personal information and to protect the security of information transmitted over the Internet.

Nevertheless, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed as fully secure.

The RAA does not guarantee or warrant the security of any information you send to us using any of the online forms contained within the RAA web site. You submit information completely at your own risk.

Information, once received by the RAA, is subject to the general security measures outlined in the general RAA Privacy Related Policies.

RAA’s electronic payment channel is administered by Ctel Technoogies. Ctel Technologies is committed to ensuring the security of your transaction data. All data transmissions between customers and Ctel services are protected using a minimum of 128 bit SSL encryption.

In addition, Ctel Technologies' secure, national VPN (Virtual Private Network) prevents unauthorised access to your sensitive data whilst travelling across networks.

What are 'cookies' and how are they used in the RAA Web Site?

Like many commercial web sites, the RAA site utilises standard technology called 'cookies' and web server logs to collect information about how the RAA web site is used.

'Cookies' are a feature of web browser software that allows web servers to recognise the computer used to access a given web site. Cookies are small pieces of data placed and stored on the user's hard drive. They contain basic information about the user and are used to make your online experience easier and to assist in navigating within a site. The information contained in the cookie does not identify the individual user, but assists in maintaining a history of the date and time of your visits and details of the time spent at the site and the pages you accessed.

There are two main types of cookies; either 'persistent' or 'session' based. Persistent cookies are stored on your computer, even after you leave a particular web site. They usually contain an expiry date and may be used to track your browsing behaviour on multiple occasions when returning to the issuing web site. Session cookies however are short lived and are only used during a given browser session. When the session is finished and you quit the browser, the cookie is destroyed. Importantly, the RAA web site only uses 'session' cookies which means that the cookie is destroyed and no personal information is maintained which might identify you should you visit the RAA web site at a later date.

Making full use of the many tools and interactive areas of the RAA web site requires that your computer accept cookies. You may configure your web browser not to accept cookies however this may limit your access to certain areas within the RAA web site. You may still be able to use some 'information only' pages, even if your web browser does not accept cookies.

Information gathered through web server logs used in the RAA web site lets us trace the paths followed by users of our site as they move from one page to another. Information collected by the web server log includes the date and time of your visit, the pages of the site you viewed and the amount of time you spent at the RAA web site. These details allow us to evaluate the site's visitor capacity and compile statistics regarding usage. Such information, in an aggregated, de-identified form is retained by the RAA to assist in monitoring and improving the site. This information assists us to design and arrange the pages contained in the site in the most user-friendly manner and to continually enhance the experience of visiting the RAA site.

Links to Third Party Web Sites

The RAA web site contains various links to Third Party Web Sites. These links are maintained to improve the service we offer and expand the information readily available to you. Third Party Web Sites are NOT subject to RAA's Privacy Related Policies and, therefore, you should familiarise yourself with the privacy and security policies operating for such sites. Third Party Web Site operators are responsible for their own privacy practices.

Please remember that when you use a link to go from the RAA web site to another web site, the RAA Privacy Related Policies are no longer in effect. Your browsing and interaction on these Third Party Web Sites are subject to the terms & conditions and privacy rules and policies applicable to those sites.