Privacy Policy
Last updated: 02 September 2026
1. Who This Policy Covers
This Privacy Policy explains how Charlie G Birch ("I", "me", "my") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit this website (www.charliegbirch.com) or submit information through the contact form.
Data Controller: For the purposes of applicable data protection law (including the EU General Data Protection Regulation), Charlie G Birch is the Data Controller of the personal information described in this policy. This means I determine why and how your personal information is processed.
If you have any questions about this policy or how your information is handled, contact me at:
Email: charlie@charliegbirch.com
2. What Information I Collect
When you use the contact form on this website, I collect:
Name
Email address
Message content (whatever you choose to include, such as project details, references, or questions)
I do not collect payment information, physical addresses, or sensitive personal data through this form.
Automatically Collected Information
Like most websites, this site may passively collect limited technical information when you visit, including:
IP address
Browser type and device information
Pages visited and time spent on the site
Referring website (how you arrived here)
This data is collected via standard web hosting logs and, if enabled, basic analytics. It is used only to understand site traffic and is not used to identify you personally.
Cookies
This website uses cookies to operate correctly and, where enabled, to understand site usage. You will be asked to consent to non-essential cookies via a cookie banner when you first visit. You can manage or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time — see Section 8: Cookies below for details.
3. Why I Collect This Information
I collect and use your information for the following purposes only:
To respond to your enquiry — this is the primary reason I collect your name, email, and message.
To discuss and deliver mixing services, if you choose to proceed with a project.
To understand website traffic (via cookies/analytics), to improve the site's performance and content.
I do not use your contact form submission for marketing or promotional emails unless you separately and explicitly opt in to that (e.g., a newsletter signup, which is not currently offered on this site).
Legal basis for processing (relevant to EU/UK visitors under GDPR): Depending on the context, I rely on one of the following legal bases to process your information:
Legitimate interest — responding to an enquiry you have voluntarily initiated (this is the primary basis for contact form submissions)
Consent — where you have explicitly agreed to something separate, such as non-essential cookies
Automated decision-making: I do not use your personal information for any automated decision-making or profiling. All enquiries are reviewed personally by me.
4. How Your Information Is Stored
Contact form submissions are received and stored via Squarespace (my website provider) and forwarded to my personal email inbox.
Squarespace acts as a data processor for form submissions. You can review Squarespace's own privacy practices at https://www.squarespace.com/privacy.
I do not store your information in any separate database, spreadsheet, or third-party CRM beyond what's described above, unless you become a client — in which case, project-related communication (including your name, email, and correspondence) is retained for the duration of the working relationship and a reasonable period afterward for record-keeping purposes (see Section 5).
5. How Long I Keep Your Information
General enquiries (contact form submissions that don't lead to a project) are retained for up to 12 months, then deleted.
Client project information (if you engage my services) is retained for 7 years, in line with standard Australian business record-keeping requirements for invoicing and tax purposes.
You may request earlier deletion of your data at any time (see Section 7: Your Rights), and I will action this unless I have a legal obligation to retain it (e.g., financial records).
6. Who I Share Your Information With
I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party.
Your information may be shared only with:
Squarespace — as my website and form hosting provider (data processor)
Email provider — for receiving and responding to your enquiry
SoundToggle — used to host and play audio examples on this site. This player is configured to not set analytics cookies or tracking identifiers. However, as with any embedded third-party content, playing a track causes a direct connection to SoundToggle's servers, which may receive standard connection information (such as your IP address) as an inherent part of that request. See SoundToggle's Privacy Policy for details.
Legal or regulatory authorities, only if required by law
No information is shared for advertising or marketing purposes with any external party.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Access — request a copy of the information I hold about you
Correction — ask me to correct inaccurate information
Deletion — ask me to delete your information ("right to be forgotten")
Objection — object to how your information is being used
Withdrawal of consent — where processing is based on consent (e.g., cookies), withdraw it at any time
To exercise any of these rights, email me at charlie@charliegbirch.com. I will respond within 30 days.
If you are located in the European Union or UK, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your data has been mishandled.
If you are located in Australia, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) with any concerns: https://www.oaic.gov.au
8. Cookies
This website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — for the following purposes:
Essential cookies: Required for the website to function correctly (e.g., remembering your cookie preferences). These cannot be disabled.
Non-essential cookies (only used with your consent):
Analytics cookies — to understand how visitors use the site
Embedded audio player: This site includes an embedded SoundToggle player for audio examples. It is configured to not set any cookies or tracking identifiers. Playing a track does involve a direct connection to SoundToggle's servers (as with any embedded third-party content), which may receive standard connection information such as your IP address, but no cookie is set as part of this. See SoundToggle's Privacy Policy for details.
When you first visit this site, you will be shown a cookie banner allowing you to accept, decline, or manage your cookie preferences. Non-essential cookies will not be activated until you provide consent. You can change your preferences at any time via the cookie settings link in the footer.
9. Data Security
I take reasonable steps to protect your information, including relying on Squarespace's built-in security infrastructure (SSL/HTTPS encryption for all data transmitted through this site). However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and I cannot guarantee absolute security.
In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in a risk to your rights and freedoms, I will notify affected individuals and, where legally required, the relevant supervisory authority (such as the OAIC in Australia or the appropriate EU/UK data protection authority) without undue delay, in accordance with applicable law.
10. Children's Privacy
This website and its services are not directed at children under 16. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this site, please contact me and I will delete it promptly.
11. International Visitors
This website is operated from Australia. If you are visiting from outside Australia, including the European Union, United Kingdom, or elsewhere, please be aware that your information may be processed and stored in Australia or in other countries where my service providers (such as Squarespace) operate. Where personal information is transferred outside the EU/UK/Australia, I rely on my service providers' compliance with applicable international data transfer safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses, where relevant). By using this site, you consent to this transfer, storage, and processing.
11a. Your Rights if You Are a California Resident (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including:
The right to know what personal information is collected, used, and disclosed
The right to request deletion of your personal information
The right to correct inaccurate personal information
The right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information
I do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for monetary or other valuable consideration, and I do not use it for cross-context behavioural advertising. No opt-out mechanism is required because no such sale or sharing occurs.
To exercise any of these rights, contact me at charlie@charliegbirch.com.
11b. Scope of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through this website. It does not apply to information you may share with me through other channels, such as direct email, phone calls, or in-person conversations, which are handled according to ordinary professional confidentiality practices rather than this document.
12. Changes to This Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in my practices or for legal reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. I encourage you to review this policy periodically.
13. Contact Me
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
Charlie G Birch Email: charlie@charliegbirch.com
14. Your Consent
By using this website and/or submitting information through the contact form, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and handling of your information as described.