My Results: State of Online Privacy
Think About Consequences
Before you provide personal information to get an app or online service, ask yourself: How might this app or service benefit from having this information? Could those benefits be detrimental to me?
Learn About Online Privacy
Periodically search for yourself using a search engine to see what information others can see about you. Try using multiple search engines, as well as including an image search. Make sure to perform the search using a private browsing window as search engines customize results if you’re signed in, and/or based on what results you’ve clicked in the past.
Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Keep up with changes to privacy settings and policies.
- Pay attention to updates from services, websites, and app providers about privacy settings and policies. As a backup, you can check out this update site:
- Service That Tracks Changes to Privacy Policies for Major Sites: TOSBack: The Terms-of-Service Tracker
- Update software/apps, as new privacy settings may become available.
- Regularly review and update your privacy settings in case the options have changed. Use these guides to help you check the settings most important to you:
- Directory of Resources for Managing Your Settings: Privacy Settings How-To's
Privacy Tips for Businesses
To effectively protect customers’, clients’, or donors’ privacy, it helps to start with a comprehensive plan.
- Use these resources for any size business to help you protect your customers:
- Planning Guide from the FTC: Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business
- Guidance for Businesses with Websites or Apps for Children: Children’s Privacy & The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule: A Six-Step Compliance Plan for Your Business
- Large businesses or those that handle a lot of sensitive data may need a dedicated staff person to handle privacy:
- Trainings, Certifications, and Conferences: International Association of Privacy Professionals
Keep up with new laws and regulations about protecting your customers' privacy. Professional associations and local or state business associations often have best practices that can help you comply with the laws for your industry and area, but make sure their recommendations are current before enacting them.
- GDPR checklist for data controllers
- The State of Consumer Data Privacy Laws in the US (And Why It Matters)
Your employees also have privacy rights you should be aware of:
- Fact Sheet About Employee Rights to Privacy: Workplace Privacy and Employee Monitoring
Be selective about the software and communication platforms you use in your business or organization. If it doesn't state clearly in the terms of service or user agreement that they will not share your data or your customers' or donors' data with any other entities, contact the company and ask. If you can't get a straight answer, choose a different platform.
Resources to Learn More About the Topic
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Privacy Laws and Regulations
- Summary of the Current State of U.S. Online Privacy Laws: Internet Law - Privacy (from USLegal)
- Analysis of What the United States Constitution Says or Implies About Privacy: The Right of Privacy
- For Parents - Protecting Children’s Privacy Online – A Guide for Parents, Carers and Educators
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Consumer Privacy Policies and the Value of Information
- An Engaging Feature-Length Film, and an Accompanying Resource Website: Terms and Conditions May Apply
- Quick Explanation of What's in Privacy Policies: Privacy Policies: What You Should Know
- Explanations, Advice, and Resources About (the Lack of) Online Privacy Protections: Only You Have an Interest in Maintaining Your Privacy
