This blogpost is to try to help explain what a privacy policy is and why you need one to avoid breaching customers’ privacy when you have a website.
First of all, I’m not a lawyer, this is simply my advice from dealing with this area over the years it’s been made a legal requirement, if you are unsure of where you and your business stand with customer’s data then I recommend you consult professional legal advice.
You (the business) and you only, are allowed to create the policy document, since it is a legal document.
Your business will need a privacy policy if it is to be online and collecting any form of data, you cannot plagiarise or reference another policy as your own.
This is an update of website privacy law stemming from GDPR and this is especially important if your business collects and stores sensitive or financial data or involves data from children under the age of 13.
You should also be aware of what happens with your customers’ data, a privacy policy is not just a page to keep the law in check, you need to be actively following that policy.
How do I get a privacy policy?
- Create your own using an online service
- Consult a professional lawyer
Examples of Privacy Policies
UK Government Privacy Policy
https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice
BBC Privacy Policy
https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/privacy/
Why should I bother?
First, you don’t have much choice, it’s a law. The Data Protection Act 2018.
Second, it’s better to be transparent with your customers that you look after their data online since it reflects well on your business.