Privacy Policy Content
Privacy policies generally need to contain the date of the policy, what information is collected, how it is stored, to whom it may be disclosed under what circumstances and how a consumer may have it revised or deleted. The most important thing is to carefully think through these topics and be sure to completely honestly disclose all uses for the data. The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") recommends placement of links to privacy policies at particular locations on your website.
If your website has users in their teens or younger, you should consult an attorney for help with the FTC privacy policy regulations which are found here. These regulations are not easy.
Privacy Policies and Information Collected
Your privacy policy should outline the information which your site collects through conscious actions of its users, such as by signing up for a newsletter, and also through passive means such as cookies.
Your Privacy Policy and To Whom Information is Disclosed
It is very important to state all ways in which consumer information may be disclosed and all parties who may see it. This does not just include advertisers or affiliates, but also your hosting company or internet merchant account processor. Be sure you've thought through every possible scenario if you can. What's most important is to be up front with consumers as to how their information may be used.
Privacy Policy and Consumer Access to Data
It's important that you clearly explain to consumers how they may correct their information if you have it wrong and how they may get it deleted from your storage and site.
Conclusion
Regardless of the industry, companies who collect any information from consumers on the web need to have a privacy policy to comply with state and federal regulations. You can find free sample privacy policies on the web, but copying them is infringement and you are taking a risk in not using terms you acquire from a quality source. (By the way, if you're thinking about stealing the one from this site, it's gotten hidden wording for my searches to catch ya!) A Website
Agreement set, including User Agreement, Site Submission Rules
and Privacy Policy, are available for purchase from the author
here.
1 Readers are cautioned not to rely
on this article as legal advice as it is
no substitution for a consultation with an attorney in your
state. Based
on jurisdiction and time, the law varies and changes.
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