This Privacy Policy explains how Synapse Chat (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, and discloses your personal information. We are committed to handling your information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Who we are

Synapse Chat is a secure mobile messaging service built for verified Australian clinical professionals. We are based in Queensland, Australia.

Information we collect

We collect only what we need to verify your identity, operate the service, and keep your account secure. This includes:

Account information: your mobile number, full name, clinical role, specialty, and the hospitals or practices you work at.
Verification information: details you provide during the manual review process to confirm your clinical credentials.
Profile photo: if you choose to add one.
Message metadata: information required to deliver messages (sender, recipient, timestamp). Message content is end-to-end encrypted and we cannot read it.
Technical information: device type, operating system, app version, IP address, and basic usage events required to operate the service securely.
Waitlist information: if you submit the waitlist form on this website, we collect your name, email address, profession, practice name, team size, and any answers you provide in the optional fields.

We do not collect or transmit identifiable patient information on your behalf. Synapse Chat is a communication tool, not a clinical record system. You are responsible for the content of the messages you send.

How we use your information

To verify that you are a registered Australian clinical professional.
To provide and operate the Synapse Chat service.
To keep your account and the network secure (including detecting abuse and protecting against unauthorised access).
To respond to support requests and communicate service updates.
To comply with our legal obligations.

How we protect your information

End-to-end encryption on messages and files in transit.
AES-256 encryption at rest for stored data.
Australian-only hosting — your data is stored on infrastructure located in Australia and does not leave Australian borders.
Manual identity verification for every user before they can join the network.
Access controls and audit logging on internal systems.

When we share your information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in limited circumstances:

Service providers who help us operate the service (for example, infrastructure providers, email delivery, error monitoring). These providers are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.
Legal and safety where we are required to disclose information by law, or to protect the safety of users or others.
With your consent in any other case.

Data retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete or de-identify your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as audit, fraud prevention, or dispute resolution).

Your rights

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of your account and associated personal information.
Make a complaint about how we handle your personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at mike@synapsechat.app. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

Cookies and analytics

We use a privacy-respecting analytics service (Plausible) on this website to understand aggregate traffic patterns. Plausible does not use cookies or collect any personal data. We do not track individual visitors across websites.

Children

Synapse Chat is intended for use by clinical professionals aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

International users

Synapse Chat is designed for use within Australia. If you access the service from outside Australia, you are responsible for compliance with any local laws that apply to you.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. We will notify you of material changes through the app or by email. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was last revised.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us at mike@synapsechat.app.