Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

VALCORED News Network (VNN) recognises the importance of protecting personal information and maintaining public confidence in the way information is collected, used, disclosed and stored.

As a digital news publishing platform, we recognise that readers should understand how information about them may be handled when they visit our website, interact with articles, subscribe to communications, submit news tips or use other available services.

This Privacy Policy explains our approach to personal information and the rights that may be available to individuals under applicable privacy laws.

We are committed to transparency, responsible information handling, appropriate security practices and accountability.

Our guiding principle is:

Personal information should be handled with care, collected for legitimate purposes and protected against unnecessary exposure.

2. About VALCORED News Network

VALCORED News Network is a digital news and information publishing brand.

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, references to “VNN”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean the legal individual or entity responsible for operating VALCORED News Network.

Publisher and Privacy Contact Information

Publication

VALCORED News Network

Legal Publisher

Valcored News Network

Trading Name

Valcored News Network

Country of Establishment

Australia

Principal Business Location

Australia

Website

valcorednews.com

Privacy Contact

The legal publisher is responsible for determining how personal information is handled by VNN, subject to any applicable agreements with service providers or other organisations.

3. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information handled in connection with VNN’s relevant digital services, including:

• The official VNN website.
• Website contact forms.
• News tips and reader correspondence.
• Reader comments and discussion features.
• Newsletter subscriptions, if enabled.
• Reader accounts, if offered.
• Saved-article and personalisation features.
• Technical website logs.
• Website analytics and advertising systems, where enabled.
• Installable web-app functions.
• Editorial enquiries and complaints.
• Contributor and commercial enquiries.

This policy does not replace the independent privacy policies of external websites or services linked from VNN.

Editorial handling of information obtained for journalism may involve different legal and public-interest considerations, as described in this policy and our Sensitive Reporting, Privacy & Public Interest Policy.

4. Applicable Privacy Laws

VNN seeks to handle personal information consistently with laws applicable to its operations.

In Australia, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles may apply depending on the legal operator, business activities, turnover and other statutory criteria.

Certain small-business and journalism-related exemptions may apply in specific circumstances.

However, these exemptions are not automatic and may not cover every activity undertaken by a media business.

VNN will not assume that editorial activities, advertising services, newsletters and general website administration are all subject to identical legal treatment.

Where VNN is subject to additional privacy requirements in another jurisdiction, those requirements will be assessed and applied where relevant.

Nothing in this policy is intended to remove rights that individuals hold under applicable law.

5. What Is Personal Information?

Personal information generally includes information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

Depending on the circumstances, examples may include:

• Names.
• Email addresses.
• Telephone numbers.
• Postal addresses.
• Online account identifiers.
• IP addresses.
• Usernames.
• Contact messages.
• Submitted photographs.
• Information included in news tips.
• Information linked to a person’s online activity.
• Other information that can reasonably identify an individual.

Certain information, such as health details, political opinions, religious beliefs and other legally recognised sensitive information, may require additional protection.

Whether particular technical data constitutes personal information depends on the relevant circumstances and applicable law.

6. Information You Provide Directly

VNN may collect information when you voluntarily interact with our services.

6.1 Contact Forms and Correspondence

When you contact VNN, relevant information may include your name, email address, message content and other details you choose to provide.

We use this information for purposes such as responding to enquiries, handling complaints and administering legitimate communications.

6.2 Reader Comments

Where comments are enabled, VNN may process:

• The display name or username supplied.
• The email address associated with the submission.
• The content of the comment.
• Relevant technical information used for security or spam prevention.
• Information voluntarily included in the comment.

Information submitted as a public comment may become visible to other website visitors.

Please avoid including private addresses, financial information, confidential health details or other sensitive information in public comments.

6.3 Newsletter Subscriptions

Where newsletter services are active, we may collect an email address, subscription preferences and information necessary to manage the subscription.

The use of subscription data will depend on the communications described when the user signs up.

6.4 News Tips and Editorial Submissions

Readers and sources may submit information concerning newsworthy matters.

Depending on the submission, this may contain personal information about the sender or other individuals.

Such material may require additional confidentiality, security and editorial safeguards.

6.5 Complaints and Corrections

When you submit an editorial complaint or correction request, VNN may collect information necessary to identify the publication, evaluate the concern and communicate an outcome.

6.6 Contributor and Commercial Enquiries

Prospective contributors, advertisers and business contacts may provide professional details, correspondence and relevant business information.

Such information may be used to assess and manage the enquiry.

7. Information Collected Automatically

When you access a website, certain technical information may be generated by the systems delivering the service.

Depending on VNN’s configured infrastructure, this may include:

• IP address.
• Browser type.
• Device type.
• Operating system.
• Requested pages.
• Approximate access times.
• Referring website information.
• Technical error logs.
• Security events.
• Session identifiers.
• Cookie or browser-storage identifiers.

Some of this information may be necessary to deliver pages, maintain security, diagnose problems or prevent misuse.

Additional analytics or advertising information may be processed only where the relevant tools are configured and subject to applicable privacy requirements.

The precise technologies used by VNN should be identified in our Cookies, Tracking & Consent Policy.

8. How We Obtain Personal Information

Information may be obtained:

1. Directly from individuals contacting or interacting with VNN.
2. Through website functions voluntarily used by visitors.
3. Automatically through necessary technical infrastructure.
4. Through authorised service providers.
5. From publicly available sources.
6. Through lawful editorial research.
7. From third parties submitting legitimate news or business enquiries.

Where required by law, appropriate notices, permissions or other lawful grounds will be established.

We aim to avoid collecting more personal information than reasonably necessary for legitimate purposes.

9. Why We Use Personal Information

Depending on the service involved, VNN may process information for the following purposes.

Providing Website Services

To display news content, operate navigation, support available interactive functions and maintain website performance.

Responding to Communications

To receive and respond to enquiries, requests for corrections, complaints and other legitimate correspondence.

Managing Reader Participation

To administer comments, review reports of inappropriate material and support community standards.

Delivering Newsletters

To deliver communications to subscribers where a lawful basis exists and the relevant service is active.

Protecting Website Security

To identify potentially harmful activity, prevent unauthorised access, investigate technical incidents and protect website integrity.

Assessing News Tips

To investigate or verify submitted information and consider its public-interest significance.

Website Improvement

To assess technical performance and, where appropriately configured and lawful, understand how visitors use the website.

Advertising Operations

Where advertising technologies are active, to support approved advertising functions subject to relevant legal requirements and disclosures.

Legal and Regulatory Purposes

To comply with applicable legal obligations, respond to authorised requests, protect legitimate rights and manage disputes.

Personal information should not be used for materially unrelated purposes without an appropriate legal basis.

10. Cookies and Similar Technologies

VNN may use cookies or related technologies to support relevant website functions.

These may include:

• Essential session functions.
• Website security.
• Spam prevention.
• Preference storage.
• Saved-article functions.
• Performance measurement.
• Analytics, where enabled.
• Advertising, where enabled.
• Embedded third-party media.

Not all technologies necessarily identify users personally.

However, some cookies and tracking identifiers may constitute or involve personal information.

Our separate Cookies, Tracking & Consent Policy provides additional information.

11. Analytics and Website Performance

VNN may use appropriately configured analytics services to understand website performance and audience interaction.

Such systems may measure page visits, technical performance and other usage patterns.

Analytics services may involve third-party processing and international data transfers.

Before using such services, VNN should assess their data-collection practices, privacy implications and contractual terms.

Currently Active Analytics Provider(s)

Jetpack Stats, loaded only after you accept analytics cookies

VNN should not represent analytics data as anonymous unless it has genuinely been de-identified to the extent required by applicable law.

12. Advertising and Tracking Technologies

VNN may display advertising through approved advertising partners or commercial arrangements.

Where relevant technologies are enabled, advertising systems may use identifiers or technical information to deliver or measure advertisements.

Some technologies may involve cross-site tracking or disclosures to external platforms.

Such practices must be assessed for compliance with applicable privacy requirements.

VNN should not allow advertising technologies to collect unnecessary sensitive information.

Where consent is required, relevant tracking should not be activated before valid consent has been obtained.

Active Advertising or Tracking Providers

None

13. Email Newsletters and Direct Marketing

VNN respects the choices of people who receive electronic communications.

Where marketing emails are sent, VNN will apply applicable requirements, including those concerning consent, sender identification and unsubscribing.

Marketing subscription consent should be appropriately obtained and recorded.

Recipients should be able to withdraw from commercial marketing messages through a suitable unsubscribe mechanism.

Under Australian spam requirements, unsubscribe requests for commercial electronic messages must be honoured within the applicable statutory period.

Necessary administrative communications may be treated differently from marketing communications, depending on their actual content and applicable law.

VNN should not add individuals to promotional mailing lists merely because they submitted a news tip or editorial complaint.

14. Public Comments and User-Submitted Material

Information posted publicly may be accessible to others and may be copied or redistributed outside VNN’s control.

Users should consider the consequences before disclosing identifying or sensitive information in a comment.

VNN may process comment-related information for moderation, security, administration and compliance purposes.

Where a comment is removed from public view, associated records may still be retained where lawful and reasonably necessary.

Users should consult our Community Guidelines and Content Moderation Policy before participating.

15. Saved Stories and Web-App Storage

VNN may provide features allowing readers to save articles or access certain content through an installable web app.

Depending on the implementation, these services may rely on browser storage, device storage, cached resources or account-based functionality.

Information stored locally on a device may remain there until removed by the user, browser or operating system.

Some saved content may be unavailable after browser-data deletion, device changes or service updates.

Where account-based synchronisation is introduced, any additional personal information processing should be disclosed.

Current Saved-Story Storage Method

Local storage in your browser on this device. Saved stories and followed topics are not sent to VNN, are not linked to an account and do not sync between devices. Clearing your browser data removes them.

16. Third-Party Embeds and External Services

VNN articles may contain content hosted by third parties, such as videos, social media posts, interactive graphics or external documents.

Depending on their implementation, these services may collect technical information when their content is loaded.

Third-party providers may apply their own privacy policies and terms.

VNN should assess whether embedded services require additional notice or consent mechanisms.

Readers should review the policies of relevant external providers when interacting directly with their services.

17. Disclosure of Personal Information

VNN may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary and lawful, including to:

• Hosting and technical infrastructure providers.
• Website maintenance providers.
• Email delivery services.
• Approved analytics or advertising providers.
• Relevant editorial contributors.
• Professional advisers.
• Security and fraud-prevention providers.
• Regulators, courts or law enforcement where legally required or authorised.
• Other parties where an appropriate lawful basis exists.

Service providers should receive only the information necessary for their authorised functions.

VNN does not authorise the unrestricted use of personal information merely because a third party provides a technical service.

Material Active Service Providers

NCAS

18. Overseas Storage and Disclosure

Digital publishing may involve providers with infrastructure or personnel outside Australia.

Depending on the services used, information may be stored, accessed or disclosed internationally.

Where required by applicable law, VNN will assess safeguards associated with overseas disclosures.

Our Privacy Policy should identify the countries in which overseas recipients are likely to be located where required and reasonably practicable.

Countries of Likely Overseas Disclosure

None Identified

The use of overseas infrastructure must not be misrepresented as exclusively Australian data storage.

19. Information Security

VNN recognises the importance of safeguarding information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access and disclosure.

Appropriate security arrangements may include:

• Restricted administrative access.
• Strong account authentication.
• Software and security updates.
• Appropriate encryption.
• Secure backups.
• Access controls.
• Incident monitoring.
• Appropriate service-provider assessment.
• Secure handling of confidential submissions.
• Removal of information no longer required.

The precise measures adopted depend on VNN’s actual systems and operations.

No internet-connected service can guarantee absolute security.

Readers should not submit highly sensitive information through ordinary contact channels without considering the associated risks.

20. Data Retention

VNN aims to retain personal information only for as long as justified by legitimate purposes and applicable obligations.

Relevant considerations include:

• The purpose of collection.
• Service requirements.
• Editorial accountability.
• Legal claims and preservation duties.
• Security investigations.
• Applicable record-keeping obligations.
• The nature and sensitivity of the information.

Retention periods may vary by category.

Retention Schedule

Contact Enquiries

30 days

Reader Comments

12 months

Newsletter Records

2 years

Security and Server Logs

12 months

Editorial Complaints

30 days

Confidential Source Material

Kept only while needed for the story, then securely deleted.

Analytics Data

Google

Information should be securely deleted or de-identified when retention is no longer justified, subject to applicable legal requirements.

21. Access to Personal Information

Individuals may request access to personal information held about them where applicable law provides that right.

Requests should be submitted to VNN’s privacy contact.

We may need to verify identity before disclosing information.

Access may be limited or refused where an applicable legal exception permits or requires that outcome.

VNN should explain any refusal where legally appropriate.

22. Correction of Personal Information

Individuals may request correction of personal information that is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, irrelevant or misleading, as applicable under relevant law.

Such requests should identify the information concerned and explain the requested correction.

Editorial corrections to published news reporting may require a separate assessment under VNN’s Corrections Policy.

An individual’s disagreement with accurate reporting does not automatically establish a right to rewrite the public record.

23. Deletion and Withdrawal Requests

Individuals may ask VNN to delete information or stop certain processing activities.

Such requests will be considered according to applicable law, legitimate operational requirements, editorial responsibilities and relevant exemptions.

Deletion may not always be possible where information must lawfully be retained or where continued publication is otherwise legally justified.

Unsubscribing from marketing communications does not necessarily require deletion of every record necessary to honour the unsubscribe request.

24. Children and Young People

VNN recognises that children may require additional privacy safeguards.

We aim to avoid unnecessary collection of children’s personal information.

Where services involve children, VNN should assess appropriate age-related protections, consent requirements and risks associated with public participation.

Children and their guardians should avoid submitting unnecessary private information through public comments or ordinary contact forms.

Where an individual raises a concern involving a child’s safety or privacy, the matter should receive appropriate priority.

25. Confidential Editorial Sources

Information supplied for journalism may involve confidential sources or sensitive disclosures.

VNN’s Confidential Sources, Whistleblowers & News Tips Policy explains the relevant editorial principles.

The handling of source information may require additional consideration of confidentiality, legal obligations and the public interest.

VNN does not guarantee absolute anonymity through ordinary electronic communication channels.

26. Artificial Intelligence and Personal Information

VNN may use appropriately authorised technologies to assist with editorial or administrative tasks.

Personal information should not be supplied to external AI services without considering necessity, confidentiality, provider practices and applicable legal requirements.

Where a computer program uses personal information in connection with decisions capable of significantly affecting an individual’s rights or interests, additional transparency obligations may apply.

From 10 December 2026, relevant Australian Privacy Principle requirements concerning certain automated decision-making practices will apply to covered entities.

Current Material Automated Decision-Making Activities

None identified following review.

If applicable, VNN will describe the categories of information used and the relevant categories of decisions in accordance with law.

27. Data Breaches and Security Incidents

If VNN becomes aware of a suspected personal information breach, the organisation should assess the nature, seriousness and potential consequences of the incident.

Appropriate steps may include containment, investigation, remediation and notification.

Where Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies, an eligible breach must be handled in accordance with the relevant statutory obligations.

Not every technical incident constitutes a legally notifiable breach.

VNN should not promise that every incident can be prevented or detected immediately.

28. International Visitors

VNN content may be accessible outside Australia.

Additional privacy rights may apply to certain individuals depending on their location, the organisation’s activities and relevant legal thresholds.

Where European, United Kingdom, United States or other jurisdiction-specific privacy laws apply, VNN should provide any additional required disclosures and mechanisms.

The mere fact that a website can be visited from another country does not automatically establish that every law of that country applies.

Any jurisdiction-specific rights statement must reflect the actual legal position.

29. Privacy Complaints

Individuals may raise concerns about VNN’s handling of their personal information.

Privacy Contact

Please include sufficient details to identify the relevant issue and explain your concern.

VNN may request additional information where reasonably necessary.

We aim to consider privacy complaints fairly and communicate appropriate outcomes.

Where VNN is subject to the Australian Privacy Act, individuals may have access to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and other relevant legal processes.

Information about Australian privacy rights is available at:

www.oaic.gov.au

30. Changes to This Policy

VNN may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in technology, services, business operations or applicable law.

Material changes should be published through an updated policy.

Where additional notice or consent is legally required, VNN should take appropriate steps before implementing the relevant change.

31. Contact Us About Privacy

For privacy enquiries, access requests, corrections or complaints:

VALCORED News Network

Legal Publisher

Valcored News Network

Privacy Email

Business Location

Australia

Website

valcorednews.com

32. Our Privacy Commitment

VNN believes privacy is an essential part of the trust between a publication and its audience.

We aim to collect information responsibly, communicate transparently, limit unnecessary disclosures and provide meaningful channels for legitimate privacy concerns.

We take the privacy of our readers seriously because responsible journalism begins with respect for the people it serves.