Online Privacy Policy
Because of their length and complexity, most people do not read online privacy policies. One study showed that they are so voluminous that it would take about 30 full working days to fully read the privacy policies of the websites we visit in a year.
As complex as they are, they also address the biggest concerns of the Internet: data security, fraud protection, and privacy. And since online consumers are increasingly concerned about privacy issues, it is up to the website owner to make the online privacy policy as clear and concise as possible. In the analysis below, we detail the most important sections of these agreements and provide a free template that facilitates legal jargon.
Point # 1: Information Collection
Each policy should explicitly describe what information the site collects and how it is collected.
Point #2: Use of Information
After detailing how the information is collected, the policies then describe how the website owners use it. Facebook struggled with this message when the company sought to update its privacy policy in 2013. The company wanted to add text to its policy so that it could use the personal data of its members, including children under 18, for advertising purposes.
Facebook eventually abandoned this additional text when watchdog groups denounced it to the Federal Trade Commission. In 2014, Facebook released a simple English version of its privacy policy, with about two-thirds less legal jargon.
Companies – and their websites – that take your data security seriously :
- never sell personally identifiable information to third parties
- anonymise or encrypt data to protect against breaches
- only store data for a short period of time
Point # 3: In case of E-Commerce
For e-commerce sites, the policy should detail the guarantees that a user’s private financial information is protected when transactions are processed. This includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, or bank account information.
Point #4: Disclosure of information to third parties
The text dealing with a website’s relations with third parties must be clear. Ideally, your site will not sell or share personally identifiable information unless there is a legally compelling reason to do so. It should also detail what your company does with non-private data.
Point # 5: Information Security and Tracking
Today’s best privacy policies highlight the security of information and details on the use of cookies.
Google endured privacy policy problems last year because of its cookies. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office forced the internet giant to include information about who can collect “anonymous identifiers” – similar to cookies – and how the company uses this data.
Issue #6: Methods of unsubscribing
Each online privacy policy should indicate how a customer can unsubscribe from unwanted communications.
Item # 7: Consent
A standard online privacy policy indicates that users accept the policy simply by using the site.
Below you will find a complete template, which you can use
- information gathering
We collect information when you register on our site, when you log in to your account, make a purchase, enter a contest, and/or when you log out. The information collected includes your name, email address, phone number, and/or credit card information.
In addition, we automatically receive and record information from your computer and browser, including your IP address, software and hardware, and the page you request.
- Use of Information
Any information we collect from you may be used to :
- Personalise your experience and meet your individual needs
- Provide personalised advertising content
- Improving our website
- Improve customer service and your support needs
- Contact you by e-mail
- Administering a competition, promotion or survey
- Online Business Privacy
We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. Your personal information will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason, without your consent, other than what is necessary to respond to a request and/or transaction, such as to ship an order. - Disclosure to third parties
We do not sell, trade or transfer your personally identifiable information to third parties. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website or conducting our business, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential.
We believe it is necessary to share information in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, violations of our Terms of Use, or when we are required to do so by law.
Non-prietary information, however, may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses. - Protection of Information
We implement a variety of security measures to safeguard the security of your personal information. We use state-of-the-art encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online. We also protect your information offline. Only employees who need to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers and servers used to store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.
Do we use cookies?
Yes, our cookies improve access to our site and identify repeat visitors. In addition, our cookies improve the user experience by tracking and targeting user interests. However, this use of cookies is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information on our site. - Unsubscribe
We use the e-mail address you provide to send you information and updates relating to your order, occasional company news, information on related products, etc. We may also use the e-mail address you provide to send you information and updates relating to your order. If at any time you wish to unsubscribe and no longer receive emails, detailed unsubscribe instructions are included at the bottom of each email. - Consent
By using our site, you consent to our privacy policy.