Each site has its own criteria for a
privacy policy. Some give full protection including encryption of
passwords and not providing your information to any third party while
others tell you that your information will be shared with affiliated
companies or businesses they feel you would be interested in hearing from.
You must read the policy to be aware of the steps being taken to protect
you.
Here are some of the items to look for on a privacy policy:
What Information is Collected and Why?
When a business is requesting personal information it is reasonable to ask
what information is collected and why it is needed. If they request
information that doesn't seem relevant they should state why they need it.
If there is no explanation for the request try to avoid giving the
additional information or ask them why they need it. Asking for your
income or the name of your spouse is the kind of information you might
question providing without reasonable cause.
How is the Information Collected?
While filing out paper forms is straight forward you need to find out from
websites how the information is being collected. Websites sometimes use
cookies that they install on the visitor's computer to track information
about what pages they click on, how long they spend there and your IP
address.
This information can be tracked without your consent. Usually it is only
to facilitate the company's marketing research or to assist you by using
your information from previous visits. You should be able to find out what
information is automatically stored by reading the privacy policy.
What Will the Information be Used for?
If the business asks for your personal or financial information you have a
right to know what it will be used for.
Is it only to complete the transaction? Will they view a purchase as
permission to market to you again or to sell your information to other
businesses? This information should be available in the privacy policy as
well as information on how to 'opt-out' of these uses.
Who Will Have Access to Your Information?
Is the information sold or rented? Do they share your name, email address
or purchasing habits with other businesses? These areas should be clearly
outlined in the privacy policy. If they do sell or rent the names on their
list you may wish to limit the information you provide.
Watch for terms like "affiliates", "sponsors" or "partners" since you will
have no idea who will be receiving the information.
How Secure is Your Information?
What steps are taken to protect your personal information? Any transaction
that requires you to submit personal or financial information should have
SSL (Secure Socket Layers). SSL will encrypt the information so that it
can't be read by others during transmission.
You can verify the security by looking for the https at the beginning of
the URL and an icon with a lock (closed) in the bottom corner of your
browser window. While these methods are not completely infallible and can
possibly be mimicked on fraudulent sites they are a good indication that
security precautions are being taken.
Can You Correct Personal Information?
You should be able to review or correct information that is collected
about you. The steps should be outlined in the privacy policy and be both
convenient and inexpensive.
Can You 'Opt-Out'?
Wherever your information may be shared you should have the right to
'opt-out'. In some cases there will be a box that you can click to opt-in
or opt-out when entering your information. Watch out for small boxes that
are already checked as the default since you are implying you are
accepting the offer even if you don't personally check the box.
The privacy policy should also give you directions on how to opt-out if
the option isn't given when entering your information.
While this list is not exhaustive it does highlight some of the main
features that you should look for in a privacy policy. The other
information that should always be listed is a contact name, address and
telephone number where you can speak to someone regarding the policy.
Continue to Next Subject:
Protecting Your
Children's Privacy
