Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

Bill Zap ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our electricity bill comparison service at billzap.com.au.

We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and this policy explains how we comply with these principles.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Electricity Bill Data

When you upload your electricity bill, we temporarily process:

  • Usage data (kWh consumption, billing periods)
  • Rate information (tariff rates, charges, fees)
  • Bill amounts and dates
  • Energy provider information
  • Distribution network details

2.2 Personal Information We DO NOT Store

We automatically remove and do not retain:

  • Your name and address
  • Account numbers
  • Customer reference numbers
  • Any personally identifiable information

2.3 Anonymous Data We Retain

We keep only anonymised, aggregated data including:

  • Usage patterns by postcode area
  • Rate comparisons by distribution zone
  • Seasonal usage trends
  • Provider performance metrics

2.4 Optional Contact Information

If you choose to provide your email address for savings notifications, we collect and store this information separately from your bill data.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Analyse your electricity bill and provide comparison results
  • Generate personalised savings recommendations
  • Improve our comparison algorithms through anonymous data analysis
  • Send you savings notifications (only if you've opted in)
  • Enhance our service for all Australian users

4. Data Processing and Security

4.1 Automatic Data Scrubbing

All uploaded bills undergo automatic processing that:

  • Extracts only usage and rate data needed for comparison
  • Immediately removes all personal identifiers
  • Deletes original bill images/PDFs within 24 hours
  • Converts personal data to anonymous statistical data

4.2 Security Measures

We protect your information using:

  • 256-bit SSL encryption for all data transmission
  • Secure servers hosted in Australia
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Access controls limiting staff access to anonymised data only
  • Automated deletion of personal data

5. Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share anonymous, aggregated data with:

  • Energy market researchers (for industry insights)
  • Consumer advocacy groups (to support better energy outcomes)
  • Government agencies (if required by law)

Any shared data contains no personally identifiable information and cannot be traced back to individual users.

6. Your Rights Under Australian Privacy Law

Under the Privacy Act 1988, you have the right to:

  • Access: Request information about what personal data we hold (though we retain minimal personal data)
  • Correction: Request correction of any inaccurate personal information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your email address from our notifications list
  • Complaint: Lodge a complaint about our privacy practices

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@billzap.com.au

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies to:

  • Remember your upload session
  • Improve website performance
  • Analyse anonymous usage patterns

We do not use tracking cookies for advertising or share cookie data with third parties.

8. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

  • OCR Processing: Google Cloud Vision API (data processed in Australia)
  • Email Delivery: Australian-based email service providers
  • Website Analytics: Privacy-focused analytics tools

All third-party processors are bound by strict data protection agreements.

9. Data Retention

  • Bill Images/PDFs: Deleted within 24 hours
  • Personal Information: Automatically removed during processing
  • Anonymous Usage Data: Retained indefinitely for service improvement
  • Email Addresses: Retained until you unsubscribe

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify users of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new "last updated" date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

  • Email: privacy@billzap.com.au
  • Mail: Bill Zap Privacy Officer, PO Box 123, Sydney NSW 2000

Privacy Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy, you can lodge a complaint with:

  • Bill Zap: privacy@billzap.com.au
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: oaic.gov.au