Privacy Policy

About this policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Deakin University (ABN 56 721 584 203), through the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, collects, uses, stores and shares personal information when you use the INFANT mobile application (the INFANT app). Deakin University is the developer and service provider responsible for the INFANT app.

The INFANT app provides information and tools to support healthy eating, active play and healthy development during pregnancy and early childhood. It is not an emergency or medical diagnosis service.

Information we collect

Depending on the features you use, we may collect:

• Account and contact information: your name, email address, login credentials and account preferences.
• Profile and family information: information you choose to provide about pregnancy, your child or children, including dates of birth, feeding information, goals, activities and tracker entries.
• App content and interactions: favourites, survey and quiz responses, feedback, support requests, downloaded content and progress in the app.
• Device and technical information: device type, operating system, app version, language, IP address, device or installation identifiers, push-notification token, diagnostic data and crash reports.
• Usage and analytics information: screens and content viewed, feature interactions, session information and performance events.
• Files and media: images or documents only when you choose to upload or attach them using an app feature and grant the relevant device permission.

You may decline optional information or device permissions, although the related feature may then be unavailable. Please do not enter another person's information unless you are authorised to do so.

How we use information

We use information to:

• create, authenticate, maintain and secure your account;
• provide, personalise and remember app content, tools and progress;
• deliver notifications you have enabled;
• respond to questions, feedback and support requests;
• understand app use and improve accessibility, content and performance;
• detect, investigate and prevent security incidents, fraud and misuse;
• comply with legal, regulatory, audit and record-keeping obligations; and
• conduct approved research or evaluation where permitted, using de-identified or aggregated information where practicable and obtaining any additional consent required.

We do not sell your personal information.

Service providers and information sharing

We disclose information only as needed to operate, protect and evaluate the INFANT app, when you direct or consent to the disclosure, or where required or authorised by law. Recipients may include authorised Deakin University staff and contractors and the following service providers:

• Google Firebase: app infrastructure, installation and push notification delivery through Firebase Cloud Messaging, and crash and diagnostic reporting through Firebase Crashlytics.
• Mixpanel: product analytics about app use and feature interactions so we can understand and improve the INFANT app.
• Cloud and technical providers: hosting, storage, security, content delivery and operational support for the app and its backend.

These providers process information under their own privacy terms and our arrangements with them. Information may be processed or stored outside Victoria or Australia. We take reasonable steps required by applicable law when using overseas service providers.

Notifications

If you allow notifications, the app and Firebase Cloud Messaging use a device token to deliver app updates and reminders. You can change notification permissions at any time in your device settings. Disabling notifications does not delete your INFANT account.

Storage, security and retention

We use reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect information, including access controls, authentication, secure network communication, monitoring and restricted staff access. No internet or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

We retain personal information only for as long as needed to provide the INFANT app and fulfil the purposes described above, and as required by Deakin University's legal, research, audit and records-management obligations. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it. De-identified or aggregated information that can no longer reasonably identify you may be retained for research, evaluation and service improvement.

Access, correction and account deletion

You can review or update available profile information in the app. You can request deletion using Profile → Delete Account. A deletion request removes or de-identifies your account and associated personal information from active systems, subject to information we must retain by law or under applicable university, research, dispute-resolution, security or backup requirements. Backup copies are removed or overwritten in line with normal backup cycles and are not used for other purposes.

You may also contact us to request access to or correction of personal information, ask a privacy question, or make a complaint.

Children's information

The INFANT app is intended for parents, carers and other adults. It is not directed to children. Information about a child is supplied and managed by the adult account holder. If you believe a child has provided information directly without appropriate authorisation, please contact us.

Your privacy rights and complaints

Deakin University manages personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and University policies. Rights vary by location and may include access, correction, deletion, restriction or objection. We will respond to a valid request in accordance with applicable law. You may also complain to the relevant privacy regulator if you are dissatisfied with our response.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the app, our practices or legal requirements change. We will publish the revised policy on this page and update the date above. We will provide additional notice in the app where appropriate.

Contact us