How to Develop a Privacy Policy For Your Website

It does not matter if the site visitors read the terms and conditions, companies can not and should not, overlook the creation of policies that set out how their information will be used. Businesses face a daunting task of protecting their data and telling visitors and/or consumers what will be done with the information.

With the exception of regulated industries, there is no federal law requiring an online business to have a privacy policy. Also, no company has ever been sued for not having a privacy policy. But fro businesses located in California or who do business in California there is a California state lay requiring the posting of a privacy policy.

Privacy and personal data collection are areas where consulting with legal counsel may be necessary if your industry is regulated or if you want to be very aggressive with the data you collect. The collection methods also need to be confirmed with the IT professionals who create the back-end tools.

Following the policy you have in place is imperative so there is no rick of sanctions. Having a policy custom-tailored to your website will always be better than using a stock policy or cutting and pasting one from the Internet.

When you think of policies and disclosures that belong to websites, especially big companies, they have them drafted by a team of lawyers. When it comes to a privacy policy for your business sometimes the best thing to do it write it out yourself first. You know exactly what you are doing with the information. Then when you are done you can run it by an attorney.

What to include in a Privacy Policy

Just like we mentioned above, the first thing you want to do is write it in plain English. Then you need to determine what information you would be gathering such as; email, cookies, subscription information, credit card, login, gender, age, etc. Make sure there is a legitimate reason you are collecting any and all of this information. Once you know what you are collecting you need to identify what you are doing to do with it. Then you put it all together.

Here are 8 easy steps to an awesome privacy policy:

1. Write in language that is easy to read and understand
2. Explain what information will be collected and whether it will be identifying or anonymous. If it is both, say so.
3. Without getting into lengthy detail, explain how it is collected (such as search terms, sign-up, log files, clicked links, cookies)
4. If you will share information will affiliated, partner or other sites, be clear about this. Most people are concerned with who else is getting their information, aren’t you?
5. Simply state that if compelled by law to disclose, then you will comply with such orders.
6. Give readers the potion of verifying, correcting, changing or removing personal registration information. I suggest having a separate email for this purpose so you know exactly what the nature of the communication is.
7. Provide a way for people to pot out of future communication. If someone wants to be removed, make it easy.
8. State that the policy will be updated periodically and how you will communicate such changes.

Here are 10 Privacy Policy Best Practices:

1. Do not ignore the FTC or state laws that provide minimum standards
2. Write the policy in plain English. If you have a lawyer draft your policy, ask that it be written so your consumer or visitor will clearly understand.
3. Do not cut and paste something you found for free on the Internet. Your policy should be your own and reflect the unique circumstances of your site.
4. Update your policy regularly to reflect changes in the online environment, what your company actually does with information and clarify areas that may be vague. Once it is updated, communicate the update.
5. Follow the policy! If there is only one thing learned from the FTC sanctions of Facebook, it is that you should follow your privacy policy and not engage in deceptive practices.
6. Allow consumers, readers, forum visitors or others to pot out of having their personal information retained. Then follow through with their wish.
7. Make your policy easy to find and accessible.
8. Ensure that the stored information is, indeed, secure.
9. Utilize a well-respected privacy certification program to add credibility.
10. Do not ask for intrusive or excessively personal information unless it is absolutely necessary. If you need this information be clear as to why and include how you will protect the data.

At IMAVEX we make sure all of our clients include Privacy Policies and Terms & Conditions. If the client does not have an existing policy we generate one for them. Does your website have a privacy policy?

My Source: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-craft-a-privacy-policy-for-your-website/