Take the Orwell Test • Hacker News Board

Re: Take the Orwell Test

#11

Post by agravier » Thu, Jul 04, 2013, 2:03 PM UTC

iSimone wrote: post #9

agravier wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do I need a privacy policy for a personal website using basic Google analytics? (That's what your minisite suggests.) I don't have customers, only visitors, there is no contract.

Hey, yeah there are two things regarding Google Analytics, First it's in Google's terms, have a quick look here there's an interesting write up regarding this topic that covers it better than I could here in this short amount of time: http://searchengineland.com/how-many-google-privacy-policies... Secondly GA collects personal data from your users which in most legislations means that you need to inform users about t…

Thanks for your reply, it's interesting. I'll read up and act on it, maybe using your new service :)

Re: Take the Orwell Test

#12

Post by iSimone » Thu, Jul 04, 2013, 2:27 PM UTC

hermanhermitage wrote: post #8

throwaway2048 wrote: post #5

I really fail to see how having a privacy policy is any protection against prism or data collections abuse. especially considering 95% of them have clauses that state in effect, "we and our partners can do anything we want with your data".

The whole 'privacy policy' thing is a an fantasy that simply doesn't exist in international law. Its two words that provide the illusion of following some process of decency without any obligations whatsoever.

I'm not sure I'm following entirely. I agree that whoever wants to cheat can cheat and deceive their users about the fact that he/she is using personal data in a way that is contrary to privacy laws. That doesn't mean you should not inform users in a proper/legally compliant way, does it?

Re: Take the Orwell Test

#13

Post by hermanhermitage » Thu, Jul 04, 2013, 2:42 PM UTC

iSimone wrote: post #12

hermanhermitage wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole 'privacy policy' thing is a an fantasy that simply doesn't exist in international law. Its two words that provide the illusion of following some process of decency without any obligations whatsoever.

I'm not sure I'm following entirely. I agree that whoever wants to cheat can cheat and deceive their users about the fact that he/she is using personal data in a way that is contrary to privacy laws. That doesn't mean you should not inform users in a proper/legally compliant way, does it?

Most statements of 'privacy policy' ate usually statements of anti-privacy or retention and sharing policy. A true statement of privacy would demonstrate that no information is recorded in a durable manner and that no information is available for third party inspection. Privacy has a concrete meaning.