Privacy Policy
SURFGRAPHIX PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: 02/01/2026

At Surfgraphix ("Surfgraphix", "we", "our", or "us"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled securely and responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your information when you use our website, marketplace, app, and related services ("Platform").

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at: contact@surfgraphix.com

1. Information We Collect

We collect information voluntarily provided by users (surfers, photographers, and visitors), as well as data automatically gathered when using our Platform.

1.1 For Surfers

Full Name

Email Address

Booking information for scheduled surf sessions

Location data (with consent)

Website usage and navigation data

Facial recognition enrollment photos (optional, if you choose to use facial recognition services)

1.2 For Associated Photographers

Full Name

Email Address

Studio/Brand Name (if applicable)

Date of Birth

Address

Social Media Profiles (e.g., Instagram)

Usual surf spots

Price range for photos and videos

Availability of discounts

Bank account and payout details (used only for processing payouts)

1.3 Technical Information

Cookies and similar technologies

Location data (with permission)

Device and browser information

Usage behavior on our website

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

To personalize and improve user experience

To facilitate the purchase and sale of surf-related media

To process bookings of surf photography and videography sessions

To deliver purchased media (using Google Drive storage) and manage Shopify transactions

To process subscription payments via Stripe

To show relevant content based on user preferences and location

To provide facial recognition matching services (if you choose to enroll)

To send automated email notifications when you appear in new surf sessions (if enrolled in facial recognition)

To analyze performance and optimize the Platform

To communicate promotions, updates, service notifications, and session reminders

To provide customer support

To ensure the safety and security of our Platform

3. Facial Recognition Services

3.1 What is Facial Recognition

Facial recognition is an optional service that helps you easily discover photos and videos of yourself surfing. When you enroll, you upload photos of yourself, and our system uses this to automatically notify you when you appear in newly uploaded surf sessions.

3.2 How It Works

You voluntarily upload three photos (portrait, surfing left, surfing right)

Our facial recognition technology analyzes your facial features and creates a unique facial template

When photographers upload new surf sessions, our system compares your template against faces detected in the footage

If a match is found, you receive an email notification with a link to view and purchase your photos/videos

3.3 Your Consent

Facial recognition is completely optional. You must provide explicit consent before enrolling by checking the consent box during registration.

By enrolling in facial recognition, you consent to:

Collection and processing of your facial photos

Creation and storage of your facial template (biometric data)

Automated comparison of your template against newly uploaded surf footage

Email notifications when potential matches are found

You may withdraw your consent and opt out at any time through your account settings or by emailing contact@surfgraphix.com.

3.4 Your Photos and Biometric Data

The photos you upload are used solely to create your facial template

Your facial template is biometric data that uniquely identifies your facial features

We store your enrollment photos securely and do not share them with anyone

Your facial template is stored separately and is never shared with photographers or other users

You can update individual photos at any time to improve matching accuracy

3.5 Accuracy and Limitations

Facial recognition is not 100% accurate. You may receive notifications for sessions where you don't appear (false positives), or you may not be notified of all sessions where you do appear (false negatives). Accuracy can be affected by lighting, angles, distance, obstructions, and image quality.

3.6 Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access your facial recognition data

Update your enrollment photos

Opt out and delete your facial template and photos at any time

Request information about how your data is being used

Deletion requests will be completed within 48 hours. Note that opting out of facial recognition does not remove existing surf session footage featuring you from the Platform. To remove specific media, you must submit a separate content removal request (see Terms of Use Section 8).

3.7 Security

Your facial recognition data is protected by:

Encryption of biometric templates

Secure storage with access controls

No sharing with third parties (except our facial recognition service provider)

Regular security monitoring

3.8 Children

Individuals under 18 must obtain parental or guardian consent before enrolling in facial recognition. If we discover a minor has enrolled without consent, we will immediately delete their biometric data.

3.9 Australian Privacy Laws

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988. Your biometric data is handled as sensitive information requiring your explicit consent. You have the right to access, correct, and delete your biometric data at any time.

4. Data Sharing

Surfgraphix does not sell or share personal information with third parties, except:

When legally required

When necessary to operate our services

With explicit user consent

Facial recognition data is shared only with our trusted facial recognition service provider who processes it on our behalf under strict confidentiality and security requirements.

Photographer banking and payout information is stored securely and only used for processing payments to registered photographers.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction, including:

Encryption of sensitive data (including facial recognition templates)

Secure server infrastructure

Access control policies

No method of data transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we are committed to following best practices.

6. Your Rights

You may request the following at any time:

Access to your personal data (including facial recognition data)

Corrections to inaccurate information

Deletion of your account and all associated data

Opt out from facial recognition services while keeping your account active

Requests can be made through the "Delete Account" feature on our site or by emailing contact@surfgraphix.com. Data removal will be completed within 48 hours.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to:

Save user preferences

Provide personalized recommendations

Analyze website performance and improve functionality

You can disable cookies through your browser settings at any time.

8. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law.

Facial recognition data (enrollment photos and templates) is retained only while you maintain active enrollment. When you opt out or delete your account, facial recognition data is permanently deleted within 48 hours.

Inactive or deleted accounts will have their data removed within 48 hours of request.

9. Children's Privacy

Surfgraphix does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such data, we will promptly delete it. Parents who believe their child has used the Platform should contact us immediately.

For facial recognition services, individuals under 18 must obtain parental or guardian consent before enrolling.

10. . Consent

By using our website, app, submitting your information, creating an account, purchasing media, or booking sessions, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

By enrolling in facial recognition services and checking the consent box, you provide explicit consent for collection and processing of your facial photos and biometric data as described in Section 3.

11. . International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred and processed outside your country of residence, including in Australia, the EU, and the United States. By using Surfgraphix, you consent to such transfers, subject to applicable safeguards.

12. . Third-Party Services

Our Platform relies on third-party service providers to support essential functions, including:

processing payments for one-off purchases and subscriptions

storing, hosting, and delivering media files

facilitating marketplace transactions and digital product delivery

facial recognition processing (if you enroll in this optional service)

By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that these services are operated by independent third parties and are subject to their own terms and policies.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these providers.

13. . Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always be available on this page. Continued use of the Platform after changes indicates acceptance.

14. . Contact Us

For questions, data requests, or privacy concerns, contact us at:

contact@surfgraphix.com

For facial recognition inquiries or deletion requests, email us with subject line "Facial Recognition Request"