![\"Clutch](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/privacy-policy-graphic.png\" "\\"Privacy")
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In 2019, the FTC issued a whopping $5 billion fine to Facebook over its mismanagement of data from approximately 87 million profiles<\/a>. The fine \u2013 the largest imposed on a company for \u201cviolating consumer privacy\u201d according to the Commission<\/a> \u2013 capped a yearslong saga that (among other things) kickstarted a reckoning about how consumer data is used and how that use is disclosed.<\/p>\n If you own or lead marketing for a small or medium-sized business, your website doesn\u2019t handle Facebook-levels of consumer data. But that doesn\u2019t mean you should neglect your website\u2019s approach to data \u2013 it\u2019s likely top of mind for visitors as well as the State of California and the European Union.<\/p>\n According to a recent Pew Research Center study<\/a>, 79% of surveyed U.S. adults say they are either \u201csomewhat or very concerned about how companies use data collected” on them.<\/p>\n As a consumer, you may share similar concerns. As a business owner, you also likely understand that data your website and third-party diagnostic tools collect can be leveraged to provide better services and information to your customers.<\/p>\n It follows that your goal as a business owner should be to show web visitors that you understand their privacy concerns and take a thoughtful, responsible approach to how their data is managed \u2013 while streamlining their creation, ensuring they are comprehensive so they satisfy CCPA<\/a> and GDPR<\/a> requirements (even if you don\u2019t have to \u2013 today), and automating their maintenance. If you use a template someone found on the web or your privacy policy has not undergone a thorough, legal review, you likely are not compliant with CCPA and GDPR and may be falling short of prospect expectations. The same goes for terms of use and cookie policies.<\/p>\n The best and simplest way to do it? With a privacy policy, terms of use, and cookie policy created and managed by Termly<\/a>.<\/p>\n A privacy policy is a statement an organization or entity makes about how it handles personal information. Handling, in this context, refers to how data is \u201ccollected, used, stored or destroyed\u201d according to the International Association of Privacy Professionals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Privacy policies let visitors to your site know you or a connected app may collect, use and \/ or share their Personally Identifiable Information (PII)<\/a>. PII can include non-sensitive information, like a zip code, or sensitive information, like a full name.<\/p>\n In addition to informing people about what may happen<\/em> to their data and what kind<\/em> of data is collected, policies must apprise individuals about any rights they may have regarding how their data is used.<\/p>\n The United States does not currently have a unifying federal law governing how consumer data is protected. Instead, a confusing patchwork of regulation (at both the state and federal levels) exists.<\/p>\n Below are the two pieces of privacy legislation that most commonly apply to websites run by U.S.-based companies. If your business meets the criteria of any act or regulation below, your website must, legally, have a privacy policy.<\/p>\n CCPA is the piece of legislation that owners of U.S.- based businesses with a national scope should be most cognizant of.<\/p>\n It applies to for-profit companies that are based in or do business in California that either have a gross annual revenue over $25 million, handle the PII of over 100,000 California residents, or derive more than half of their annual revenue by selling California residents\u2019 PII.<\/p>\n GDPR is an expansive EU law that regulates data protection and privacy and is something any business that operates internationally should be aware of. It applies<\/a> to any company that operates in the EU, conducts business in the EU or \u201cmonitors the behavior\u201d of EU residents.<\/p>\n Companies who violate the acts and regulations above by not<\/em><\/strong> having a privacy policy may be fined.<\/p>\n Even if your business doesn\u2019t collect or use consumer data, your website may use an app that does.<\/p>\n Many apps, including Google Analytics, Google Merchant and HubSpot require you to have a privacy policy if you use their product(s).<\/p>\n Google Analytics, for example, is a third-party service that collects user data. If your website uses Google Analytics, you are required by Google<\/a> (in the form of a privacy policy) to disclose that information to visitors.<\/p>\n Yes.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t think<\/em> you meet any of the above criteria, it\u2019s still a very good idea to have a privacy policy. It makes good business sense, it conveys your credibility and is, frankly, just the right thing to do.<\/p>\n When people visit your website and give you their personal information, they put their trust in your business \u2013 it\u2019s your responsibility to make them feel that trust is earned. Having a privacy policy on your website is an easy way to build credibility; it\u2019s a sign to visitors that you are serious about safeguarding their data.<\/p>\n Beyond the ethics, not having a privacy policy could actually harm<\/em> your business.<\/p>\n A McKinsey study<\/a> found that a whopping 87% of the respondents they surveyed about consumer data issues \u201csaid they would not do business with a company if they had concerns about its security practices.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t give visitors an opportunity to doubt your ability to protect their data by not publishing a privacy policy on your site.<\/p>\n When creating a privacy policy for your website, you could<\/em> create it on your own. Plenty of templates exist on the internet but, if you aren\u2019t an expert, there is no guarantee that the policy is wholly compliant. Further, the onus is on you to update the policy as rules and regulations change.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you could use a lawyer to draft a policy. While it will likely be airtight, it will also almost certainly be costly. And, as above, you will have to work with the lawyer continuously to update the policy as regulations change.<\/p>\n If your website needs a simple but effective privacy policy, consider using Termly, which creates privacy policies for companies quickly and cost effectively. After filling out information about your business (which generally takes no more than a half hour), Termly will generate either a one-time policy free or charge or a continuously updated policy for under $200 annually.<\/p>\n Unlike DIY and lawyer-drafted policies, Termly does the heavy lifting for you. With privacy laws constantly in flux<\/a>, you can rest assured that Termly will keep your policy up-to-date at no additional cost<\/em>. The same goes for your terms of use and cookie policy.<\/p>\n Having a privacy policy on your site is a no-brainer and so is generating your policy with Termly. Contact us<\/a> if you would like an authorized agency partner to get you set up quickly so you never have to think about privacy policies, terms of use, and cookie policies again.<\/p>\n In 2019, the FTC issued a whopping $5 billion fine to Facebook over its mismanagement of data from approximately 87 million profiles<\/a>. The fine \u2013 the largest imposed on a company for \u201cviolating consumer privacy\u201d according to the Commission<\/a> \u2013 capped a yearslong saga that (among other things) kickstarted a reckoning about how consumer data is used and how that use is disclosed.<\/p>\nPrivacy Policy 101<\/h2>\n
What Is a Privacy Policy?<\/h3>\n
Why Do Websites Need Privacy Policies?<\/h3>\n
Part I: The Laws<\/h3>\n
1. California Consumer Privacy Act (<\/em>CCPA<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/h4>\n
2. General Data Protection Regulation (<\/em>GDPR<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/h4>\n
Part II: The Apps<\/h3>\n
But Do I Really<\/em> Need a Privacy Policy?<\/h2>\n
Why Use Termly to Create & Maintain Your Privacy Policy<\/h2>\n
![\"Clutch](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/termly-logo.png\" "\\"Privacy"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nGet Started Today<\/h2>\n
Contact us to learn more about privacy policy management<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n