Adsense Now Requires Blogs To Have A Privacy Policy

Blogs running Google Adsense ads now need to have a privacy policy if they want to feature new interest-based advertising, which will allow advertisers to display ads based on a user’s previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. “sports enthusiast”).

Because Google will collect this information using cookies, then changes need to be made to site privacy policies to (i) tell users that this is happening and (ii) tell them how to opt out.  I’d already added a privacy policy to my site last year, so I just had to make a few small changes.  If you haven’t already followed my advice and done the same, then you definitely should do now.

What Is A Privacy Policy?

A privacy policy is a legal notice on a website providing information about the use of personal information – particularly personal information collected via the website – by the website owner. Privacy policies usually contain details of what personal information is collected, how the personal information may be used, the persons to whom the personal information may be disclosed, the security measures taken to protect the personal information, and whether the website uses cookies and/or web bugs.

Source: Wikipedia

Why Do You Need A Privacy Policy?

Adding a privacy policy tells your readers that you will respect their privacy, and that they don’t have to worry about handing over any of their details to you. By adding an easy-to-understand privacy policy to your Web site, that explains what information you will (and won’t collect) and how you will (and won’t) use it, will create a climate of trust and encourage visitors to feel comfortable doing business with you.

The exact contents of a privacy policy will depend upon the applicable law. For instance, there are significant differences between privacy laws in the US and in Europe. For a blog I don’t think you need to go to the nth degree with your privacy policy, but just add one that is clear and easy to read. For instance, my current privacy policy reads as follows:

Connected Internet may from time to time collect names and/or details of website visitors. This may include the mailing list, blog comments sections and in various sections of the Connected Internet site.These details will not be passed onto any other third party or other organisation unless we are required to by government or other law enforcement authority.

If you contribute content, such as discussion comments, to the site, your contribution may be publicly displayed including personally identifiable information.

Subscribers to the mailing list can unsubscribe at any time by writing to info (at) connectedinternet.co.uk

Connected Internet links to independently run web sites outside of the connectedinternet.co.uk domain. We take no responsibility for the privacy practices or content of such web sites.

Connected Internet uses cookies to save login details and to collect statistical information about the numbers of visitors to the site.

We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website.  These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and would like to know your options in relation to·not having this information used by these companies, click here

Connected Internet is suitable for all ages, but not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years old.

This policy will be updated from time to time. If we make significant changes to this policy after that time a notice will be posted on the main pages of the website.

As you can see my privacy policy isn’t very onerous and is easy to read. If you do want a more concrete and lengthy privacy policy for your blog, then google ‘privacy policy templates‘ and you will find a number of both free and premium templates available.