Privacy Policy

Last updated: 17 August 2026

The Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand ("DFNZ", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose information when you visit and use the DFNZ website, including the DFNZ Knowledge Hub and its AI-powered services.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Depending on how you use our website, you may voluntarily provide information such as:

  • Questions, messages and feedback submitted through the Knowledge Hub.
  • Audio recordings submitted when you use the voice input feature.
  • Information submitted through contact forms.
  • Information you voluntarily provide when communicating with DFNZ.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device information
  • Pages visited
  • Date and time of access
  • Referring website information

This information may be used to help maintain website security, understand how the website is used and improve its performance.

2. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through our website to:

  • Provide access to the DFNZ Knowledge Hub and its services.
  • Process questions and generate AI-assisted responses.
  • Convert voice recordings into text when the voice input feature is used.
  • Convert Knowledge Hub responses into spoken audio when the read-aloud feature is used.
  • Respond to enquiries and support requests.
  • Improve website functionality and user experience.
  • Monitor and maintain website security.
  • Understand website usage and performance.
  • Meet our legal and regulatory obligations.

3. Use of Artificial Intelligence

DFNZ Knowledge Hub

The DFNZ Knowledge Hub uses artificial intelligence to help users find and understand information relating to dyslexia, learning differences, education, work and everyday life.

When you submit a question to the Knowledge Hub, the content of your message may be transmitted to third-party artificial intelligence providers, including OpenAI, for processing and to generate a response.

The Knowledge Hub also provides optional voice features. If you choose to use voice input, your audio recording may be transmitted to ElevenLabs for speech-to-text transcription. If you choose to have a Knowledge Hub response read aloud, the response text may be transmitted to ElevenLabs to generate spoken audio.

DFNZ does not intentionally use chatbot conversations to identify individual users.

Important:

Please do not submit sensitive personal information through the Knowledge Hub or its voice features.

This includes medical or health information, financial information, passwords, government identification numbers, confidential information, or information that could personally identify a child or another individual.

The Knowledge Hub is provided for general informational and educational purposes. It does not provide medical, psychological, legal or professional advice and should not replace advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

4. Third-Party Service Providers

DFNZ may use trusted third-party providers to operate, secure and provide our services.

These providers may include:

  • Website and hosting providers
  • Security providers
  • Analytics providers
  • OpenAI, for AI-assisted response generation
  • ElevenLabs, for speech-to-text and text-to-speech services
  • Other technology providers necessary to operate the website

These providers may process information on our behalf for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

5. OpenAI and AI Processing

The DFNZ Knowledge Hub uses OpenAI technology to process questions and generate AI-assisted responses.

Information submitted through the Knowledge Hub may therefore be processed by OpenAI in accordance with the services and processing arrangements applicable to DFNZ's use of the OpenAI API.

For more information about OpenAI's privacy practices, please visit OpenAI's Privacy Policy .

6. ElevenLabs and Voice Processing

The Knowledge Hub uses ElevenLabs technology to provide optional voice functionality.

When you use the voice input feature, an audio recording may be transmitted to ElevenLabs for speech-to-text transcription so that your spoken question can be converted into text.

When you use the read-aloud feature, text from a Knowledge Hub response may be transmitted to ElevenLabs to generate spoken audio.

Voice features are optional. You can use the Knowledge Hub without using voice input or read-aloud functionality.

For more information about ElevenLabs' privacy practices, please visit ElevenLabs' Privacy Policy .

7. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect information we hold from:

  • Unauthorised access
  • Unauthorised disclosure
  • Loss
  • Misuse
  • Unauthorised alteration

However, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

8. International Data Transfers

Some third-party service providers used by DFNZ may store or process information outside New Zealand.

This includes AI and voice technology providers such as OpenAI and ElevenLabs.

This means information submitted through our website, Knowledge Hub or voice features may be processed in countries whose privacy laws differ from those in New Zealand.

DFNZ takes reasonable steps to use reputable service providers that maintain appropriate privacy and security protections.

9. Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to:

  • Improve website functionality
  • Remember user preferences
  • Understand website traffic
  • Monitor website performance
  • Help maintain website security

You can usually control or disable cookies through your browser settings.

10. Children's Privacy

DFNZ provides information and resources that may be used by parents, caregivers, educators and young people.

Children and young people should use the Knowledge Hub under the guidance of a parent, caregiver or educator where appropriate.

Users should not submit unnecessary personal information about children through the Knowledge Hub or its voice features.

11. Access and Correction

Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you may request access to personal information we hold about you and request correction of that information where appropriate.

To make a privacy request, please contact us using the details below.

12. Retention of Information

We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to:

  • Operate and improve our services
  • Meet legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes
  • Maintain security and system integrity

Information processed by third-party service providers may also be subject to their respective data retention policies and practices.

13. External Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites.

DFNZ is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of those websites separately.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

DFNZ may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Any changes will be published on this page. The updated version will take effect when it is posted.

15. Contact Us

Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand (DFNZ)

Website: www.dfnz.org.nz

Email: info@dfnz.org.nz