Privacy - The Short Version

Okay, we're reefers — so we're absolutely data collectors. Water parameters, PAR readings, growth logs... we get it. But when it comes to your data, we keep things minimal and respectful. Here's the honest rundown on what happens when you visit AussieReefing.

What we collect

We use a combination of Google Analytics and our own lightweight product engagement tracking to understand how the site is used — which pages get visited, which products catch your eye, what searches you run, and which shops you click through to. This helps us put the right products in front of you and make the experience better for everyone.

How our product tracking works

When you browse products, open a listing, or click through to a shop, we record that interaction so we can show you things like "Popular Right Now" and personalised picks. Here's the detail:

  • Anonymous identifier: We generate a random ID stored in your browser's local storage. This isn't linked to your name or email unless you create an account.
  • What we record: Product views, shop click-throughs, searches, and page visits. We don't record your IP address, device fingerprint, or browsing history outside AussieReefing.
  • Why: It helps us show genuinely popular products and surface things matching your interests. We're building this for the community, not selling your data.
  • Account linking: If you sign in, your anonymous activity gets linked to your account so we can personalise your experience. If you sign out, the link is cleared.
  • Where it's stored: Product engagement data is stored in Supabase (hosted in AWS). No raw data is shared with third parties.

Cookies & local storage

If you create an account and sign in, we set a single authentication session cookie to keep you signed in. Here's the detail:

  • Session cookie: HttpOnly, 30 days, keeps you signed in. Can't be read by JavaScript.
  • Local storage: We store your preferences (home state, theme, onboarding choices) and an anonymous tracking ID locally in your browser. This stays on your device.
  • Google Analytics: Google may set its own cookies for analytics. See Google's privacy policy for details.
  • No ad tracking cookies. No ad networks, no social media pixels, no retargeting.

If you don't have an account, we set zero first-party cookies. If you delete your account, all your data — including session cookies — is removed.

What we don't collect

  • No fingerprinting. We're not trying to follow you around the internet.
  • No ad trackers. No Facebook pixel, no retargeting networks, nothing like that.
  • No IP logging. Our product tracking doesn't record your IP address.

Links to shops

When you click through to a shop from AussieReefing, the link includes a referral tag so the shop can see where the traffic came from. In some cases, we may have a referral arrangement with a shop where we earn a small commission on purchases — at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the site running and the lights on the reef.

Why we use analytics at all

We want to know if people actually find this useful. Are folks using the search? Do the new arrivals get looked at? Which products are popular? That kind of thing. It helps us make the site better for everyone — showing you products that matter and surfacing the shops doing great work.

Email subscriptions

If you sign up for our weekly new arrivals digest, here's exactly what happens with your data:

  • What we collect: Your email address and optionally your home state and category preferences. That's the lot.
  • Where it's stored: In a database on our server hosted in AWS. Your data is stored securely.
  • How we send emails: Via AWS SES. Your email goes from our server to SES to your inbox. No third-party email marketing platforms, no data sharing.
  • What we send: One email per week with new arrivals. No spam, no promotions, no sharing your email with anyone.
  • How to manage or unsubscribe: Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link and a link to manage your preferences (state, categories). No hoops to jump through.

Push notifications

If you enable push notifications (via the mobile app or your browser), here's what happens:

  • What we collect: A device token (a unique identifier generated by your device or browser). We don't collect your device name, phone number, or any other device information.
  • Where it's stored: Device tokens are stored in our database on AWS. We also use Firebase Cloud Messaging to deliver notifications to your device.
  • When we send notifications: Free members get summaries twice per week. Supporters get up to three times daily. We only send notifications about new arrivals, price drops, and stock alerts matching your saved searches and watched species.
  • How to opt out: You can disable push notifications at any time in your device settings, in the app settings, or from your AussieReefing dashboard. We'll stop sending immediately.
  • No marketing pushes. We don't send promotional push notifications, and we never sell or share your device token with anyone.

Subscriptions & payment data

If you upgrade to Reef Supporter, here's how your payment data is handled:

  • Payment processing: Payments are handled by Stripe (web) or through Apple App Store / Google Play Store (in-app purchases). We never see or store your card number, CVV, or full payment details.
  • What we store: Your Stripe customer ID (a reference number) and subscription status (active, canceled, etc.). That's enough for us to know your tier — nothing more.
  • Subscription management: We use RevenueCat to manage subscriptions across web and app purchases. RevenueCat receives your anonymous user ID and purchase events — not your email or personal information.
  • Cancellation: You can cancel anytime from your account settings, the Stripe billing portal, or your App Store / Play Store subscription settings. Your supporter features stay active until the end of your billing period.
  • Data after cancellation: If you cancel, we keep your account and saved data (searches, watches, follows). Your billing state updates to "canceled" but we don't delete your profile unless you ask.

Account data & deletion

If you create a AussieReefing account, we store your email, display name, and any preferences you set (state, tank type, interests). You can delete your account at any time from your dashboard settings — this permanently removes all your data including saved searches, watched species, followed shops, and session data.

Questions?

If you've got any questions about privacy (or anything else), drop us a line at hello@aussiereefing.com.au.