1. Introduction

phorums.com.au (“we”, “us”, “our”) is an editorial platform focused on international freight forwarding, customs compliance, supply chain operations, carrier networks, Incoterms, and multimodal logistics. We value your privacy and handle information in line with applicable Australian privacy practices. By accessing and using this website you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect two categories of information for site operation, content improvement, audience analysis, and communications related to logistics, trade and transport topics.

2.1 Personal Information

• Name and professional / company details you provide when contacting us or subscribing to newsletters.
• Email address and any message content submitted via contact forms or inquiries.

2.2 Non-Personal / Technical Information

• IP address, approximate geographic region, browser and device type.
• Referring pages, pages visited, time on page, and click behaviour related to content on customs, freight forwarding, air cargo or sea freight.
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies used by analytics and advertising partners.

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We and our third-party providers use cookies, local storage, pixels, and similar technologies for analytics, performance, and preference management. Typical providers may include analytics platforms (for example, Google Analytics) and tag management systems. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information for these primary purposes:

• To respond to inquiries about freight forwarding, customs clearance services, and logistics advisory.
• To personalise content and recommend relevant editorial and resource pages (e.g., industry resources, Incoterms guides, trade portals).
• To analyse site performance, readership metrics and article engagement across topics such as multimodal routing, port operations, and trade finance.
• To maintain security, detect abuse, and protect the integrity of our editorial platform.

4. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We engage third-party service providers for hosting, content delivery, analytics, email delivery, and site security. These providers process data on our behalf and are contractually prohibited from using it for other purposes.

Examples of third-party categories:

• Hosting and CDN providers (for site availability and performance).
• Analytics providers (audience measurement, engagement reports).
• Email and newsletter platforms.
• Security and monitoring tools (DDoS protection, WAFs).

We do not sell or trade personal information to unaffiliated third parties for marketing. Aggregated or anonymised data may be shared for industry research or advertising metrics.

5. External Links and Embedded Content

Our editorial articles may link to external resources including government trade portals, customs authorities, international organisations, and logistics associations for reference and further reading. These external sites have their own privacy practices. Examples include:

• Australian Border Force – customs and border protection resources.
• Department of Home Affairs – trade and border policy.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) – standards for air cargo and dangerous goods.
• World Trade Organization (WTO) – trade agreements and frameworks.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect data, including secure hosting, HTTPS/TLS encryption for data in transit, access controls, and monitoring. While we strive to protect user information, no online platform can guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy or as required by law. Non-personal aggregated analytics may be kept for longer-term analysis of audience trends and content performance.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on jurisdiction and local law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Withdraw consent for direct communications such as newsletters.
• Opt out of certain tracking where feasible (e.g., by adjusting browser settings or using ad-tracking opt-outs).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details provided below. We will respond in line with applicable legal requirements.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our content is intended for professionals and adults interested in logistics, international freight forwarding, and trade. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.

10. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our operations, legal obligations, or industry practices. The “Effective date” at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. Significant changes will be posted here and, where appropriate, notified to subscribers.

11. Contact Us

12. Legal and Regulatory References

This policy is informed by Australian privacy practices and reference materials relevant to international trade and logistics, including customs regulations, trade compliance guidance, and standards from logistics authorities. It does not constitute legal advice. For regulatory or compliance matters consult relevant authorities or a qualified legal adviser.