Privacy Policy.

This policy explains how Maincode handles personal information collected through the Matilda Insiders Club application and programme. It is written to comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Who we are

We are Maincode, the team building Matilda, a conversational AI platform built and run in Australia. Throughout this policy, "we", "us", or "our" means Maincode. "You" means anyone applying to or participating in the Insiders Club.

What we collect

When you apply, we collect:

• Identity and contact details: your name and email address.
• Optional context: your LinkedIn URL, if you choose to share it.
• Programme-relevant answers: how often you use AI tools, the kinds of work you use them for, your primary writing audience (if applicable), and your motivation for joining.
• Consents: a record of which terms you agreed to and when.
• Technical data: the IP address and timestamp of your submission, used solely to detect spam and abuse.

We do not collect sensitive information as defined in the Privacy Act (such as health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, or biometric data). Please don't include any in your application. If you accidentally do, we will delete it.

How we collect it

We collect personal information directly from you, through the application form on this site. We don't buy lists or scrape personal information from third parties.

Why we collect it and how we use it

• To review your application and decide on a place in the cohort.
• To contact you about your application (confirmation, decision, and related correspondence).
• If you're accepted: to onboard you, run the programme, send short surveys, and arrange feedback conversations.
• To improve the application and selection process, for example by looking at aggregate trends across cohorts.

We will not use your personal information for direct marketing of unrelated products. We will not sell it.

Use of automated tools in selection

We calculate a simple sorting score from your form answers to help us prioritise which applications to read first. A human reviews every application and decides the outcome. The score does not automatically accept or reject anyone. If that ever changes, we will update this policy and tell you first.

Where your data is stored

Your application data is stored in Australia and stays in Australia. Backups stay in Australia too. Matilda is Australian-made AI, built and hosted here. That's part of the design, not an option we toggle.

Disclosure to third parties

We don't sell your personal information. We disclose it only:

• To the operational providers we use to host the service and deliver email, all of which run in Australia.
• Once an email leaves our system it transits to the mail provider you chose (e.g. Gmail, Outlook), which has its own jurisdiction.
• Where we are required to by Australian law, or to protect Maincode's rights or the safety of users.

We do not currently disclose your application data to any overseas recipient. If that changes, we will update this policy first.

How we secure it

We use standard security practices, including encryption in transit and at rest. Access to your data is limited to Maincode staff who need it to run the programme.

How long we keep it

• If your application is unsuccessful or you withdraw: we keep your application for 12 months (so we can recognise you if you reapply for a future cohort and avoid asking you to repeat yourself), then delete it.
• If you join the cohort: we keep your application and programme correspondence for the duration of the cohort plus 24 months, after which we delete or de-identify it unless you ask us to keep going.
• You can ask us to delete your data sooner. See "Access and correction" below.

Access and correction

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you, to correct anything that's wrong, or to ask us to delete it. Email product@maincode.com with the subject line "Privacy request" and we'll get back to you within 30 days. There's no charge for this.

Cookies and analytics

The signup site doesn't set advertising or analytics cookies, and no third-party trackers run here.

Complaints

If you think we've mishandled your personal information, please tell us first. Email product@maincode.com and we'll investigate and respond within 30 days. If you're not happy with our response, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the programme evolves. Material changes will be communicated by email to current participants. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.