Privacy concerns

We bought a property at Auction last week and despite asking the agent to not put the sale price on Domain and Real Estate.com, the price is there.

Worse yet I just had someone I barely know congratulate me on the purchase - she saw on social media. So it turns out that the agent put our picture in front of the sold sign on social media. The picture also have our children in it and my partner is furious as it contains the address and sale price.
Can we demand the picture is taken down? I feel this is a huge invasion of privacy.

In regards to domain and realestate.com, the agent said they cannot remove and it's outside their control. Does anyone know if this is true?
The reason we want to remove is because family and friends will Google property and see sale price. I understand this is public information however there are heaps of properties with undisclosed price that sold at auction, so would like to know how is that possible.

Sorry not sure this is legal issue but want sure in which thread to post.

Thank you

 

Undisclosed only until it settles. Price will eventually become public record.

 

Thanks for that. I am ok with after it settles but not now. Is there a way to remove The price for now?

 

Yes the agent can contact the websites to have removed

 

You bought at auction. I imagine you weren't the only person there, so by definition the result is public.

I believe the privacy laws around property are fairly fragmented from one state to another. A lot of the RP Data reports I produce not only disclose the purchase price, but the names of the owners as well.

 

Can I ask why you want to the sale price withheld?? I get the picture of the family..

 

Just for now as we have family and friends asking for the address and the fist thing that show on Google is those listings with price - we are not comfortable sharing the sale price with them

 

Note they will know eventually. These days when going to someones place its always tempting to click the sale record when checking the map.

 

Isn't the natural follow up question of purchasing a house; 'what did u pay?'
Your answer might be a range, but still an indication..

Just curious.. always wondered why people were a lil funny around their purchase prices.. be it high or low..

 

Thanks all for your reply.
To be honest what is concerning me more is the social media post with the family photo. Can I legally make the agent take down the photo given it was posted without our authorisation?

 

Call the agent. That's a bit creepy.

 

Yes, again the agent is more concerned about glorifying his ego then anyone else..

 

Could feel like good marketing from the agent's perspective, but it's completely inappropriate to publish photos of a family on social media without permission. Probably an oversight, I expect the agent will be embarked when this is pointed out.

 

I thought so but we asked them to take the photo down yesterday afternoon and it is still up!

 

He won't answer his phone!
Left messages, spoke to secretary but so far no action in taking it down

 

Let them know you're ****** off. It's a privacy and personal security issue. Try to get in touch with the Principal (agent in charge of the office). If it hasn't been removed by the end of the day you'll lodge a formal privacy complaint with the REINSW.

 

Like everyone has said above there is a difference between sales and management levels and all the agent does is sell the house and then the buck stops with the principal ..Maybe also check your contract as there may be something within the contract on who owns the photos ..