Clout Privacy Policy
Last updated: 19 June 2026
Clout is a trading name of Energise Web Design Limited (NZBN: 9429036395712). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information responsibly.
This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights under the Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand).
1. Who this policy applies to
This policy applies to:
- Subscribers: businesses and individuals who use Clout’s platform; and
- End users: people who interact with the platform on a subscriber’s behalf, such as staff or administrators.
This policy does not apply to third parties whose data we access on a subscriber’s behalf (such as Google reviewers). Where we handle that data, we do so as a processor acting under the subscriber’s instructions.
2. What information we collect
2.1 Account and contact information
When you sign up for Clout, we collect information such as your name, email address, phone number, business name, and billing details.
2.2 Google Business Profile data
Clout connects to your Google Business Profile account via Google’s official API, using OAuth 2.0 authorisation. This means you explicitly grant us permission before we access anything. Depending on the permissions you grant, we may access:
- your business profile details (name, address, categories, hours, photos);
- your reviews, including reviewer display names, ratings, and review text;
- your existing review responses; and
- performance and insights data associated with your profile.
We access this data solely to provide the Services you have subscribed to. We do not access any Google account data beyond what is necessary for the Services.
2.3 Usage and technical data
We automatically collect certain technical information when you use Clout, including your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and actions taken within the platform. We use this to keep the platform running well and to improve the user experience.
2.4 Communications
If you contact us by email or through the platform, we retain records of that correspondence.
3. How we use your information
We use the information we collect to:
- set up and manage your Clout account;
- connect to and interact with your Google Business Profile on your behalf;
- provide, maintain, and improve the Services;
- send you service-related communications, including billing notices and product updates;
- respond to your support requests;
- comply with our legal obligations; and
- produce aggregated, anonymised analytics for product improvement and benchmarking (this data cannot identify you or your customers).
We do not sell your information to third parties.
4. Google Business Profile data: additional details
Because we access your Google Business Profile via the Google API, the following applies specifically to that data:
Authorisation. We only access your Google Business Profile data after you have connected your Google account through our platform. You can revoke this access at any time through your Google account settings at myaccount.google.com or by disconnecting the integration within Clout.
Scope of access. We request only the Google API permissions needed to perform the Services. We will always tell you which permissions we are requesting and why.
Reviewer data. When we retrieve your reviews via the Google API, we receive reviewer display names and other profile information as provided by Google. We use this information to display and manage your reviews within the platform. We do not use it for any other purpose, and we do not cross-reference it with other data sources.
Google’s own policies. Google has its own privacy policy that governs how it collects and handles data. You can review it at policies.google.com/privacy.
No unauthorised storage. We do not store Google Business Profile data beyond what is reasonably necessary to provide the Services, and we do not use it for purposes unrelated to your subscription.
5. How we share your information
We do not sell or rent your information. We may share it in the following limited circumstances:
Service providers. We use trusted third-party providers to help operate the platform (for example, hosting, email delivery, and payment processing). These providers are given access only to the information they need to perform their specific function, and they are required to keep it confidential.
Google. To provide the Services, we communicate with the Google Business Profile API on your behalf. This involves sending and receiving data as directed by you.
Legal requirements. We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights.
Business transfers. If Energise Web Design Limited is sold or merged, your information may transfer to the new owner. We will notify you if this happens.
6. Data retention
We retain your account and usage data for as long as your subscription is active and for a reasonable period afterwards, to meet legal obligations and resolve any disputes.
If you close your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal information within 90 days, unless we are required by law to retain it longer.
Google Business Profile data accessed during your subscription is not retained beyond what is reasonably necessary to deliver the Services. When your subscription ends, we will remove your Google access tokens and cease accessing your Google Business Profile.
7. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. These include encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and secure storage of credentials.
No system is completely secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately at [insert contact email].
8. Your rights
Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:
- access the personal information we hold about you;
- correct any information that is inaccurate or out of date; and
- complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you believe we have breached your privacy rights (privacy.org.nz).
To make an access or correction request, contact our Privacy Officer at admin@energise.co.nz. We will respond within 20 working days.
9. Cookies
Clout uses cookies and similar technologies to keep you logged in, remember your preferences, and understand how the platform is being used.
You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling them may affect how the platform works.
10. Third-party links
The platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies before sharing any personal information.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the date at the top of this page and, where the changes are significant, notify you by email. Continuing to use Clout after we notify you of changes means you accept the updated policy.
12. Contact us
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your information, please contact our Privacy Officer:
Energise Web Design Limited (trading as Clout) Email: admin@energise.co.nz Website: www.energise.co.nz
This policy is governed by the laws of New Zealand.