A privacy policy is a required legal page your blog, website or online store needs. Here are some important aspects to know and understand about making a privacy policy:
- The whole point of a privacy policy is to tell your users what the information gathering process is for your site.
- For example, when you create your own website it will record web traffic and keep a log of it. You can also install web analytic software to track web visitors to your site so you know how many visitors a day you are receiving, what pages they hit the most, how long they stay on the site etc. EVERY website uses tracking software – but you still need to disclose this.
- Specifically mention that you will not share personal information and disclose what information you actually have access to. You normally only have access to an IP address.
- If you are running an email list then people who sign up are giving you their email addresses. State this and also state you will not sell or share this information (unless you are!).
- If you decide to use Google’s Adsense program to run advertising on your site you are REQUIRED by Google to have a privacy policy stating that your site uses Google’s Dart Cookie and if users wish to opt out show them how.
So, no need to go into legal speak. Simply inform your visitors of any tracking software you have, Adsense or ad programs and what data they collect, what you do with your email list and any other information gathering you do or a 3rd party (like Adsense) does.