“Do we really need to create our website privacy policy?”
It’s a question that most site owners keep on asking. We know how boring it is to write a privacy policy and terms and conditions for your website that’s why others are just ignoring and not bothering to create one.
According to an attorney from one of the law firms with offices in the United States and London, companies that do not collect personal information from its users are not required to publish privacy policy and terms and conditions on their site. Only California requires such agreements under the California Online Privacy Protection Act of 2003, which requires companies operating commercial websites to create a privacy policy and to disclose how they share personal information to third parties.
But why create a privacy policy and terms and conditions?
It is advisable to create one for the website’s long-term plan. In the occasion that you need to enforce a Terms of Sale against a customer, your privacy policy and terms and conditions can help you win the case. According to Larose, you cannot use poorly worded online conditions in court so it is best to create well-written policies.
If you are to write your website’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions, keep the following items in mind:
1. Why you need those policies
Don’t just copy a Terms of Use and Privacy Policy from other websites. If you are not a community or an e-commerce site, do not copy one from sites that do. Remember that websites are still under copyright law. Keep in mind how your business model and website operate then start from there.
2. Clear details on how you use personally identifiable information (pii)
In creating your privacy policy, make sure to disclose how you use personally identifiable information and what information you share or sell to third parties.
3. Chance for users to opt out
If your website is collecting personally identifiable information from your end users, make sure to create clear information how they can opt out.
4. Updated Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
Lastly, your Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions should always be updated. As companies grow, their business model and process flows change, and they forgot to update their website policies and repurpose it with their new business model.
Once you have completed your privacy policy and terms and conditions, it’s advisable to get a legal consultant look over it. This is advisable in order not to miss out any loopholes.
