Last updated: 11 November 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored and protected across websites, applications and browser extensions developed or operated by Joel McPherson.

I respect your privacy and aim to collect only the information needed to provide and maintain my services.

1. Scope of this policy

This policy applies to:

• The website themcphersons.au and its associated pages.
• Browser extensions developed for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, including New Zealand New Tab.
• Other applications, websites and services I develop or operate that link to this policy.
• Communications submitted through my websites or support channels.

Some applications may have additional privacy notices where necessary. If a future application handles information differently, this policy will be updated or supplemented before those features are introduced.

This policy does not cover independent third-party websites or services, which have their own privacy practices.

2. Information collected and processed

The information handled depends on which services and features you choose to use.

Website information

When you visit my websites, the website or hosting provider may process technical information such as:

• IP address and approximate location derived from it.
• Browser type, device information and operating system.
• Pages requested and the date and time of access.
• Technical logs, errors and security-related information.
• Cookies or similar information required for website functionality.

This information may be used to operate, maintain, troubleshoot and protect the website.

Contact and support information

If you contact me through a website form or support channel, I may receive:

• Your name.
• Your email address.
• The contents of your message.
• Any additional information you voluntarily provide.

This information is used to respond to your enquiry, provide assistance and maintain relevant correspondence.

Application and extension information

My applications and browser extensions may process information necessary for their features, including:

• Application preferences and settings.
• Custom shortcuts, website links and favicons.
• User-uploaded images and other content.
• Locally created reminders or saved file links.
• Information from optional connected accounts.
• Authentication information needed to maintain authorised connections.

Where supported, information is stored locally on your device rather than transmitted to a developer-operated server.

3. Microsoft account integration

Some applications, including New Zealand New Tab, offer optional Microsoft account integration.

This feature is not required to use the application’s main functionality.

If you choose to connect a Microsoft account, authentication takes place through Microsoft’s official sign-in service. The application requests your permission before accessing Microsoft account information.

Depending on the features enabled, information accessed may include:

• Microsoft account name, identifier and profile picture.
• Basic Outlook calendar details, including event titles, dates and times.
• OneDrive file information, including file names, links and modification dates.
• Authentication tokens used to maintain the authorised connection.

The current New Zealand New Tab integration uses delegated Microsoft Graph permissions, including User.Read, Calendars.ReadBasic and Files.Read.

Although the OneDrive permission can authorise access to file content, the current extension uses it to retrieve file information and links for display. It does not download the contents of users’ documents.

The extension does not read Outlook email messages.

How Microsoft information is handled

Microsoft account information is retrieved directly from Microsoft’s services and displayed within the application.

Relevant information and authentication tokens may be cached locally in your browser to maintain the connection and improve performance.

This information is not transmitted to me or stored in a developer-operated database.

Microsoft’s own privacy practices apply to information processed through its authentication and Microsoft 365 services.

You can review Microsoft’s privacy information at https://privacy.microsoft.com/.

4. How information is used

Information is processed only for purposes relevant to the service being provided, including:

• Providing requested website and application features.
• Saving user preferences and settings.
• Displaying information from connected accounts.
• Maintaining authorised account connections.
• Responding to support requests and enquiries.
• Troubleshooting problems and improving reliability.
• Protecting services against misuse and security threats.
• Meeting applicable legal obligations.

I do not sell personal information or use information accessed through my browser extensions for targeted advertising.

New Zealand New Tab does not include developer-operated advertising, analytics or browsing activity tracking.

If these practices change in future applications, the relevant privacy disclosures will be updated before those changes are introduced.

5. Local storage, cookies and browser data

Some applications use browser storage, including localStorage and IndexedDB, to save information on your device.

This may include:

• Display preferences and selected settings.
• Custom background photographs.
• Website shortcuts and saved links.
• Locally created reminders.
• Cached connected-account information.
• Authentication and refresh tokens.

Local storage allows features to work without requiring information to be stored on an external server.

Information stored locally may remain until you remove it through the application, clear your browser’s site or extension data, or remove the relevant browser profile.

My websites may also use cookies and similar technologies for essential functionality, security, session management and contact forms.

You can manage cookies and local website data through your browser settings. Disabling certain storage features may affect website or application functionality.

6. Third-party services

My websites and applications may interact with external services where necessary or when you choose to use a particular feature.

These may include:

Microsoft: For optional account authentication, Microsoft Graph, Outlook, OneDrive and Microsoft 365 integration.

Search engines: Applications with a search feature may direct your search queries to providers such as Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo.

Website and hosting providers: For website hosting, security, technical operations and contact form delivery.

Other external websites: When you open a saved shortcut, file link or external website.

Information sent directly to these providers is handled according to their respective privacy policies.

The use of a third-party service does not mean that its information is automatically shared with me.

7. Data sharing and disclosure

I do not sell, rent or trade personal information.

Information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary:

• To service providers supporting website operation, hosting or security.
• To third-party services you deliberately choose to connect or use.
• To respond to a lawful request or comply with applicable legal obligations.
• To investigate security incidents, fraud or misuse.

Connected-account information processed locally by New Zealand New Tab is not routinely transferred to me or to a developer-operated server.

8. Data storage and retention

Information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for its intended purpose, subject to applicable legal requirements.

Locally stored application data: Generally remains in your browser until removed, cleared or replaced.

Connected-account data: The extension clears locally stored Microsoft authentication details and cached account information when you use its Disconnect feature.

Contact enquiries: Correspondence may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to respond, resolve related matters and maintain appropriate records.

Website technical logs: Retention depends on operational, security and hosting requirements.

Where information is no longer required, reasonable steps will be taken to delete it or prevent its continued use.

9. Your choices and control

You have control over many aspects of how your information is handled.

Depending on the service, you may:

• Use an application without connecting an external account.
• Change application preferences and settings.
• Add or remove uploaded photographs and saved content.
• Disconnect a linked Microsoft account.
• Revoke previously granted permissions through your Microsoft account or organisation.
• Clear locally stored browser data.
• Disable or uninstall a browser extension.
• Request access to, correction of or deletion of personal information held by me.

Disconnecting Microsoft within an application removes its locally stored connection information, but does not necessarily revoke permissions previously granted through Microsoft.

You can separately manage those permissions through Microsoft’s account and application management services. Work or school accounts may also be subject to organisational administration policies.

Requests concerning information held by me can be submitted through the contact page linked below.

10. Data security

I take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the information handled through my websites and applications.

These measures may include:

• Using HTTPS for supported website and connected-service communications.
• Using recognised authentication systems rather than collecting account passwords directly.
• Limiting access permissions to those required for application features.
• Keeping user-provided data locally where practical.
• Maintaining and updating applications and website components.
• Applying appropriate website and hosting security measures.

No method of electronic storage or internet transmission is completely secure.

Users should also take reasonable precautions to protect their devices, browser profiles and connected accounts.

11. International users and data processing

My websites and applications may be accessed from Australia and other countries.

Some third-party providers, including Microsoft, search engines and website hosting providers, may process information in countries outside Australia.

Where information is processed by an external provider, its processing locations and safeguards are governed by the provider’s practices and applicable agreements.

The location of locally stored application data generally depends on the user’s device and browser environment.

12. Children’s privacy

My websites and applications are not specifically designed to collect personal information from children.

I do not knowingly seek personal information from children beyond what is necessary for the features they choose to use.

Parents or guardians who have concerns about information provided through my services can contact me using the website contact form.

13. Access, correction and privacy requests

You may contact me to request information about personal data I hold, including requests to access, correct or delete it.

I will consider and respond to requests in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Where information is stored only on your own device and is not accessible to me, I may instead provide instructions for managing or deleting it locally.

If you have concerns about how a privacy matter has been handled, please contact me first so the issue can be investigated.

Where applicable, Australian privacy complaints may also be referred to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

Users in other jurisdictions may have additional rights under their local privacy laws.

14. Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes to my websites, applications, services, security practices or applicable legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on this page, with the date of the most recent update shown above.

Where significant changes affect how personal information is handled, additional notice or consent will be provided where required.

15. Contact

This Privacy Policy is maintained by Joel McPherson, an independent developer based in Australia.

For questions, support enquiries, privacy concerns or requests relating to personal information, please use the contact form:
Contact – The McPhersons

You do not need to provide sensitive personal information when making a general enquiry.