8 Privacy Tips For Online Marketers

photo credit: o5com

Here is a great article written by Matt V. for EmailKarma.

The article really hits home the idea of how privacy laws are changing globally at a very fast pace and that privacy is a really big issue for online users and companies that operate in the online space have to be very aware of the changing landscape as well as take great care with data and information to protect privacy.

"It seems like you can’t open a news feed these days without being inundated with stories about privacy. Network data breaches. Location-based tracking. Court injunctions. It’s a minefield out there. Nowhere is privacy more closely watched — or as potentially explosive — as in the field of online marketing."

Here are 5 of the 8 best practices for safe guarding privacy online:

1. Learn to earn: With privacy such a moving target, your team needs to stay on top of the latest developments. Develop trusted sources of online content you can access to keep current.

2. Never assume: Don’t assume your plan is problem free. Netflix, the online movie company, ran into a U.S. federal investigation and lawsuit after releasing user information supposedly stripped of personal data in a contest to improve its online rating system. Two thumbs down.

3. Consent: Do you have it? How? Err on the side of caution. Use very clear language on how and what people are agreeing to, as well as what, if any, information you intend to track. The mechanics vary, from pop ups to opt-ins and opt-outs (Some choose to use a confirmed consent, where it must be reconfirmed through an additional action; Click a link or reply by text). The goal should be the same: To be transparent and easy to understand.

4. Spam: Avoid it. Voluntarily. The laws are tough and getting tougher. Why bother, really? Avoid blasting—the chances that you will become “blacklisted” are high and the chances you will annoy people are even high and the potential for big money fines are just on the horizon.

5. Cookies: Be clear on what cookies are being set and what you are using them for. How will the cookies benefit your customer? Do you intend to share tracked data? How? And what steps can users take to manage their cookies? Tell them.

For all 8 tips, see EmailKarma: http://emailkarma.net/2011/08/privacy-goes-public-eight-tips-for-online-marketers/#ixzz1VCitbka1

Privacy and tracking issues like this will be addressed at the next South Florida IMA event!

With the upcoming SFIMA event featuring congressional leaders speaking about legal issues concerning online privacy and tracking, we wanted to feature some articles on these subjects currently in the media. So stay tuned to the SFIMA blog over the next two weeks we will be featuring articles and current events to get you up to speed on these issues and concerns.