Hi-Ground is committed to protecting your privacy, as per the requirements of the Privacy Act (Commonwealth) 1998. Hi-Ground will take reasonable steps to protect your privacy.

Hi-Ground’s services are anonymous and confidential. However, be mindful that everything you post on the internet is recorded in some way and any communication that you share to Hi-Ground should be considered non-private. Before communicating on this website you must understand and agree to Hi-Ground’s terms and conditions.

Hi-Ground collects some data. The first type is the website collecting anonymous analytical information and secondly the staff engaging with people accessing the Hi-Ground Chatroom and Blog may collect information with informed consent and de-identified data. The web server makes a record of the following information for statistical and reporting purposes:

  • the date and time of the visit to the site;
  • the pages accessed and documents downloaded;

Hi-Ground’s staff may from time to time collect de-identified data (such as age, drug(s) preferences, reasons for using the chatroom, etc) for planning, reporting and statistical purposes. De-identified means that the data is not linked to the user(s) in any way and cannot be used to re-identify a user.  This means your personal or identifying information is protected. The de-identified data we may include, but is not limited to:

  • Age and sex.
  • Substances used or of interest.
  • Reasons for using the chatroom.
  • Interventions and referrals provided.
  • Time spent in the chatroom.
  • Your thoughts, opinions and feedback regarding Hi-Ground or other subjects of significance.

Our websites may contain links to other relevant websites and social media pages including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We are not responsible for the privacy policies of the entities responsible for those websites and we recommend that you review the privacy policies applicable to any other websites you visit. We are not responsible for any material or content on those websites or social media pages. Because we may link with a website or social media page it does not mean we are affiliated or connected in any way.

As a site user you agree to any information you have entered in a public chat or blog being stored in a database.

Another way information may be collected is through the use of “cookies”. A cookie is a small text file that the website may place on your computer. Cookies may be used, among other things, to track the pages you have visited, to remember your preferences and to store personal information about you. You can adjust your Internet browser to disable cookies or to warn you when cookies are being used. However, if you disable cookies, you may not be able to access certain areas of the website.

Hi-Ground recommends the use of a Tor hidden service or incognito to protect the identity of users, and you are welcome to use these services at your own discretion. To prevent unauthorised access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the appropriate use of information, Hi-Ground has put in place procedures to safeguard and secure the information it collects online.

While personal information (including but not limited to your username, email, and IP) will not be disclosed to any third party without your prior consent, Hi-Ground cannot be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised.

Hi-Ground will not share member information with any party, unless the member has violated the Hi-Ground User Agreement, in which case Hi-Ground may take all necessary measures to ensure its security.

No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect the internet service provider’s logs. Any unauthorised access to this system is prohibited and is subject to criminal laws. IP addresses may be recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions.

In some circumstances Hi-Ground is legally obliged to disclose information about you in the following circumstances:

  • where by a Court orders to make records or information available (e.g. subpoenas and search warrants)
  • where a client poses danger to themselves or others.

You agree that Hi-Ground and its moderators have the right to remove, edit, move or close any submitted data at any time should they choose to.

Hi-Ground is a community support and educational resource which promotes health and does not advocate breaking any laws.

QuIHN SERVICE:

In some service instances, QuIHN will need to collect some personal information to assist them to provide you with services.

Such situations may arise if Hi-Ground volunteers or staff refer site users to any of QuIHN’s services. QuIHN services may include, for instance; medical services, therapeutic programs, or where you may be receiving a service such as case management, counselling or one on one support.

However, QuIHN will treat such personal information according to privacy law and will not release this information to any other parties without your informed written consent or where required by law to do so. For more information on QuIHN’s privacy policy please go to their website.

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