Members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) share their thoughts on the seven items you should always include in your privacy policy.
“What’s one crucial item that every web property should include in their privacy policy?”
The following answers to that question are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons.
1. Age-Related Issues
Collecting information about minors is particularly problematic. You need to lay out both any information you collect about your young users and any expectations you have of your users. For example, state whether or not minors can use your website without parental supervision.
– Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting
2. Personal Information Privacy
Most people are concerned about privacy and how their information will be handled, and for a good reason. Almost anybody you know has had his or her information and privacy mishandled on the Internet at one time or another. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, you should include this information up front. Especially during the sign-up process.
– Andy Karuza, brandbuddee
3. Cookie Data
A sophisticated website possesses a series of cookies. These track and store users’ session(s) and overall engagement with said website over time. As a result, experienced Web surfers will want to know how these cookies function. They want to know what type of data is being extracted from their visits.
– Logan Lenz, Endagon
4. Collected Information
Be as transparent as possible in detailing how users’ collected information will be used. Have a section in the privacy policy titled, “How we use the collected information.” Likewise, make sure the section includes positive reinforcements. These might be “to improve our site,” “to personalize user experience,” and “to process payments.”
– Brett Farmiloe, Digital Marketing Agency
5. Information Usage
The most crucial item for every website’s privacy policy is a clear statement of how the site owner may use the information. It must state whether that usage includes or may include sharing the information with others. Secondly, it should include instructions on how to opt out of email communications. It should cover how to prevent the site from sharing personally identifiable data. The cookie policy is third.
– Jay Wu, A Forever Recovery
6. Everything Necessary
Your privacy policy must contain at least five items: the personal information collected, the categories of third parties with whom your company shares the information, how consumers can review and request changes to their information, how your company notifies consumers of material changes to your privacy policy and the effective date of your privacy policy.
– Doug Bend, Bend Law Group, PC
7. A Customizable Privacy Clause
Some enterprise companies will choose not to use a product based on the stated privacy policy. For example, your company might have a privacy policy that covers 99 percent of all scenarios. However, for those few who require something special, let them know that you’re willing to work with them. Above all, make it really easy for them to get in touch with you so they don’t look elsewhere.
– Jim Belosic, Pancakes Laboratories/ShortStack
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