What is Privacy Policy?

A legal document explaining what personal data your business collects, how you use it, who you share it with, and what rights users have regarding their data. Every website that collects any user data needs a privacy policy, legally required by GDPR, CCPA, and various other laws, plus required by platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, and most app stores. A comprehensive privacy policy covers: what data you collect (contact info, usage data, cookies), why you collect it (service delivery, marketing, analytics), how long you keep it, who you share it with (payment processors, email platforms, ad networks), user rights (access, deletion, opt-out), and how to contact you with questions. Beyond legal compliance, a clear privacy policy builds trust, especially important for service businesses handling sensitive information. Update your policy when your data practices change, when laws change, or at least annually. Don't copy someone else's policy. It needs to reflect YOUR actual practices. Generators like Termly or Iubenda create customized policies, or hire a lawyer for sensitive industries. Link your privacy policy in your footer, signup forms, and checkout, anywhere you collect data.