The Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of B.C. released a guidance document setting out the basics of what an organization should consider when developing a website privacy policy. The document is entitled   “Practical Suggestions for your Organizations Website’s Privacy Policy“.

The Commissioner’s Office offers up these suggestions of what to include in the policy:

*    Clearly set out the basics of what personal information your organization collects, why, how it will be used and who it will be shared with. Also provide details about how the information will be safeguarded and how long you intend to keep it.

*    Inform visitors if you are using cookies.

*    Inform visitors if information is being transferred outside of Canada.

*    Avoid mixing ‘opt-in” and ‘opt-out’ consents.

*    Provide information regarding access, correction and complaints.

*    Provide contact information.

The guidance document also highlights the importance of making the policy easy to find, writing it in plain language, ensuring that it is specific to your organization, and updating the Policy regularly

Check your website privacy policy in light of these tips to see if it needs to be improved upon.