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Last week, we talked about finding a balance between fair information practices and effective business practice, and we looked at the elements of a best-of-class privacy policy. Today, a best-of-class policy needs to exceed what's expected, including in the arena of transparency. This week, we're going to turbo-charge your best practices, so you can become a leading example of what "best" really means:
1. Plain Language
Make all of your privacy, data protection, and security language clear and easy to understand. Make it comfortable and assuring to your customers. Be sure that it reflects your overall brand value.
In doing a deep dive into brands' privacy policies, I have found quite a few that are complete and compliant. Unfortunately, they are not written in plain language consumers can easily understand, usually because lawyers direct the drafting of the language.
Revisit your language and consider having writers with expertise in promotional and brand advertising or marketing take a crack at humanizing your customer facing language. This will go a long way in clarifying your practices. To my mind, two standouts that reflect this manner of "plain language" excellence are Disney and Twitter.
2. Consider Adding a Separate Section on Security
The next wave of data-policy best practice will not be limited to a paragraph on data security informing customers that their data is safe and secure. Instead, state-of-the-art will involve a full call-out that addresses your best information security protocols—from how you employ physical and virtual controls to how you monitor and keep data safe from abusers and hacks—and all of the practices you recommend your customers employ in their dealings with you.
Companies Mentioned:
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