The Privacy Policy
By: Charles Randolf

We take a look at what a Privacy Policy is and why you should have one on your website.

What Is It?
A Privacy Policy is a text file or simple HTML page that consists of a
synopsis of what (if any) information your site collects and what you do
with it.

Why Have One?
Many visitors are becoming increasingly concerned that their information
will be used as a one way ticket to Spamville or will be mis-used in some way. Some websites are even refusing to allow advertisers without a privacy policy to advertise on their websites.

WebNovice has had a Privacy Policy from almost the day we went online, and since then we have expanded it to make it more up-to-date.

It is very important that if you do post a privacy policy on your website that  you do not make any claims that you do not actually carry out. This can leave you open to litigation or other problems if someone gets spammed because you sold your visitors information and stated in your privacy policy that you don't sell addresses.

How To Make A Privacy Policy
First you need to figure out what is currently on your website -

Do you use cookies?
Do you have contests?
Do you use surveys or questionnaires?
Do you log your connections?
Do you track visitors habits?
Do you sell goods or services that require filling out forms?
Do you have message boards or discussion groups that show the poster?
Do you sell email addresses to marketing agencies?
Do you have a mailing list or email newsletter?
Do you email visitors about offers or contests?

If you said Yes to any of the above questions, then you need to write
that you Do use cookies or whatever.

Now lets assume you use cookies, you will need to write what your
cookies hold:

Do they hold user information?
Do they track user navigation?
Do they keep user specifics, like what browser they use?
Do they log the time or date?

You will need to put exactly what they do in your policy.
If you don't and someone inspects your cookie file, then you could
be in for a boycott or in the extreme case - a lawsuit. You will at least
get some angry emails.

Where Does It Go?
It should usually be a link either before or after your copyright notice,
generally at the bottom of your main page or index file.

You also need to put some information about yourself or your company,
information such as phone numbers or email addresses. If your site is owned by another company - put their information in as well as yours.

You may not want to put your home address or phone, for your own privacy.

If you do not collect information of these kinds, make sure your advertisers, or other data in your page doesn't, or else mention them in your statement.

In Conclusion
Be concise and accurate in what sort of information exactly you do keep.
Don't forget to mention any email or mailing lists you might maintain.

That's about it, feel free to use WebNovice's  as an example, but please don't just copy our policy, it may not be at all accurate for your particular situation.

 

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