Google Plus Privacy Policy: What You Should Know

google plus privacy

Do you know your Google+ privacy rights?

Google Plus Privacy

Because I’m an Internet lawyer, I decided to test out the new Google Plus Privacy. You can click the link in the prior sentence to see my Google+ profile as an example.

After the company’s privacy fiasco with Buzz last year, the new Google+ goes out of its way to explain privacy rights.

Four Google Plus Privacy Policies

Actually, there are at least four Privacy Policies that cover Google Plus privacy…

1. Google’s main privacy policy

2. Google+ privacy policy

3. The Google +1 button privacy policy (this is similar to the Facebook “Like” button)

4. Google’s mobile privacy policy (for smart phones etc.)

Every one of these policies describes the type of information Google collects and how it is used by Google and others.

What You Should Know About Google Plus Privacy

My take is that Google+ is more user-friendly than Facebook, particularly the ability to sort your contacts by category into circles for communication purposes. Some of your information may be used by Google and its advertisers pursuant to the company’s privacy policies. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons. This means that if you’re trying to protect yourself online, be sure to understand Google Plus privacy policies before using Google+ (or other social media for that matter).

Privacy Policy Changes And Terms of Service Updates

Website attorney updatesYour website attorney probably gets asked this question a lot. When you’re updating your website’s terms of service (a.k.a. terms of use, terms and conditions of use) or privacy policy, how do you let your website visitors and customers know about it?

For those who have opted into one of your email lists, send out a brief notice that…

1. Tells them you’ve updated the documents.
2. Briefly explains in plain English what you’ve changed.
3. Includes a link to the changed document on your site so they can read it.

For those who visit your site but aren’t on your lists, post a notice on your home page. Here’s an example…

“Our Privacy Policy has been updated. Please click here to see what’s been changed.”

Of course, you’ll want to link from the statement to the policy that’s been modified.

Be sure to use a decent-sized font and don’t try to hide the notice by matching the font color to your site’s background. Make it easy to see.

In other words, treat your visitors and customers with the same respect you like to receive when the websites you go to change their terms and policies. If you have any questions, talk with your website attorney to ensure you’re doing the right thing by your visitors and customers while minimizing your legal risks in the process.

If you haven’t updated your website legal documents to reflect the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines that went into effect on December 1, 2009, chances are what you have on your website is obsolete.

To your online success!

-Mike the Website Attorney

Website privacy policy news you can use

Website attorney privacyTalk with your Website attorney about these developments. As I mentioned the other day discussing seven Internet biz trends you should watch for in 2011, three U.S. government agencies are gearing up to crack down on the Internet…the FTC, the FCC, and the FDA. The FTC has just come out and endorsed the FCC’s plan to regulate the Internet.

Now it gets more interesting on two fronts today…

1. The Obama Administration’s Department of Commerce released an 88 page report that supports the FTC’s plans … plus plans to create a new government Privacy Policy Office. Implementation would include additional funds for the FTC to enforce privacy laws against Internet business owners.

2. The United Nations is exploring ways to control the Internet and using the WikiLeaks fiasco as the reason for doing so. They want to create a new international group that sets uniform standards and then enforces those standards on the Internet.

What should you do?

Have your Website attorney review your site. Get your ducks in a row by making sure your website privacy policy is accurate and that you follow it when dealing with website visitors and customers. That way you’ll be prepared.

To your online success!

-Mike the Website attorney