When you open a web page do you gloss over the privacy policy or ignore it altogether? The fact is, a privacy policy is one of the most important documents on a website. It basically states what the company’s view and procedures are on the information they collect from you and your computer.

According to the CIAC, web users aren’t as vulnerable by the information web pages take, it is more in what information users give the web pages.

The entire purpose of a website’s privacy policy is to act as a statement to the visitor on how and why a company collects information, what it does with it, what choices you have about how it is used, whether you can access the information, and what the site does to assure that the information is secure.

Privacy policy as a definition:

A privacy policy is a legal notice on a website providing information about the use of personal information – particularly personal information collected via the website – by the website owner. Privacy policies usually contain details of what personal information is collected, how the personal information may be used, the persons to whom the personal information may be disclosed, the security measures taken to protect the personal information, and whether the website uses cookies and/or web bugs (according to Wikipedia).

Where is it?

An easy way to find a privacy policy is to scroll all the way down the page and look for the bottom details in small print. Here you is where the “about” , “disclaimers” and “privacy policy” tabs are. If you don’t see a “privacy policy” page, try the “terms of service” or “about us” tabs as they often link to it. If not, a good old “search” on their page should do it.

As a heads up, websites are not legally required to have a privacy policy, so ask yourself why they wouldn’t and question if you really want to be on their page.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself

• Look for the section on what information the company collects about you
• Are you okay with the amount and type of information they are collecting?
• Does the site use cookies?
• Does the site require you to fill out any kind of forms?
• What do they do with the personal information you give them?
• Are you allowed to access the information they collect about you?
• Does the website have a contact number or email address for questions or concerns about the policy?

Posted in Internet Safety | news, privacy | |