Whether you are collecting email addresses via a subscription form in your website or not, it is best practice to have a page which outlines your website’s privacy policy.
A privacy policy page sets out your information collection practices. It also sets your website apart as one that is transparent. Although privacy legislations have been around for many years now, yet we are still seeing websites with no published privacy policy.
The privacy legislations of Australia and the United States are very good starting point in understanding the privacy requirements.
Australia’s privacy legislation has identified 11 information privacy principles. Under these principles, in general terms the privacy information should cover the type of information your website collects, what your website does with the information it collects, and how your website subscribers or visitors can get access to the information your website has recorded.
If your website is displaying third-party advertising by Google, you also need to disclose the use of a cookie called DoubleClick DART. According to Google, the cookie enables it to serve ads to website users based on their visit to your site and other sites on the internet. Google calls this “interest-based advertising.” The use of DART will apply from April 8,2009.
What if your website did not have a privacy policy? Well, we must say you’re lucky. But don’t over-extend your luck. My suggestion is get one prepared and published soon. And get your privacy policy page tied-in with your website’s terms and conditions of use page.
If you already have a mailing list but did not have a privacy policy, then my suggestion is you email each of the email account owners requesting them to read through your published privacy policy statements. Give them the options and directions on how to unsubscribe or opt out if they are no longer interested to have their email address in your list. The provision of a facility to opt out is one of three conditions required by anti-spamming laws.
How is your website doing? No privacy policy yet?
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