Why Privacy Policies Are Incomprehensible

Feb 21, 2022 | Blog

Privacy policies were created to protect you. Find out why these long and convoluted legal texts may not always serve this purpose and what that means for your privacy and security online. This guide helps you to understand Why Privacy Policies Are Incomprehensible.

Why Privacy Policies Are Incomprehensible

Privacy policies were a rare occurrence back in the 90’s, however, with stronger data protection laws, it’d be rare to find a website without a privacy policy these days.

While the idea of a privacy policy leans towards giving a user a clear indication of how a company uses their personal information, ultimately safeguarding the user’s personal information, this often isn’t the case. Privacy policies are often long winded, contain complex language and are ambiguous to say the least.

Privacy policies are more about companies complying with the law than being transparent with consumers. They are strategically created in a way that tells users very little about the data they store for two main reasons.

Why privacy policies are difficult to hard

Firstly, websites take a cautious approach in order to protect themselves against potential legal issues like lawsuits and fines. Using unclear, vague language reduces their legal risk.

Secondly, personal data has become a sought-after commodity that’s highly valuable. The more detailed a profile of a consumer is, the more targeted advertising can be. The more targeted an advert is the greater chance of a sale. Companies are going to great lengths to get access to personal information that relates to preferences, habits, behaviors, and more. Making it almost impossible for you to opt-out is a major financial incentive for the businesses who collect your data.

Privacy is a simple concept but companies seem to be complicating it to the point of intentional confusion. It seems like it’s more about not telling consumers what they do with the data than actually telling them what they do. At the end of the day, it comes down to money. They know that if they tell users exactly how they’re collecting and using their information, then most users will most likely share less information, which means a loss in revenue.

Keen to clarify something further? Many companies lump your inquiry with the rest of their customer feedback.

Consent is a contentious issue when it comes to companies not selling your personal information “without consent”. In some countries, giving your consent can be as lax as not actively opting out or by just browsing a website. If you tick that box accepting the terms and conditions then you may be explicitly consenting to who knows what. Most likely a third party collecting your personal information.

Websites enlist advertising and analytics companies to gather data and personalise ads on their behalf. Unseen third parties having your personal details means greater exposure to privacy risks like hackers, fraud and identity theft.

In order for the consumer to be greater informed and protected, the existing privacy policy needs to be completely overhauled. Consumers should be able to easily understand how their data is stored and used. Transparency, simple language and clear, short statements are needed to both encourage consumers to read them and help them understand what’s being said.

Until this happens, consumers will have to rely on apps like Privci which use technology to provide consumers with an easy and quick way to learn about a websites’ data-gathering methods.

If your enjoy reading this article why not share with others!

Divine Chana C. Senior Analyst, Privci.io

 

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How social media sells your information

Jan 9, 2022 | Blog

Do you know what really happens to the data you share on your social media? Find out the sinister truth and learn how to protect yourself.

How social media sells your information

These days, social networks are a big part of our lives with most people engaging with platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on a daily basis. While these networks were initially created to bring people closer to friends and family, they’ve progressed into something much more.

They’re now an integral and hugely influential part of our daily lives that have moved beyond connecting people.  

We use social media platforms to get current news, find brands we like, follow inspirational individuals and so much more. Ultimately this means big business for organisations. Our personal data becomes somewhat like currency that’s traded to the highest bidder. And with profit comes risk to those unsuspecting individuals who share every aspect of their life on social media.  

Your Digital Footprint  

Every person leaves a trace as they navigate the internet. Anyone who makes their social media profile(s) public, with information on their age, favourite music/brands etc. will end up leaving a bigger digital footprint. Like most other users, you most likely accepted the terms and conditions of these networks without even reading them. It’s so much easier to just click the “accept” box, than read through pages of complex information.  

Maybe you should’ve taken the time to read the terms and conditions to ensure your data privacy.  

Most users would be shocked at what they’re agreeing to when it comes to using social media. Platforms like Facebook have the rights to images you upload onto the platform, can sell public profile data to its partners, and so on. Along with seeing personalised ads based on data evaluation, there are greater risks involved.  

Cybercrime and Scams  

Many don’t understand that their data could end up in the hands of criminals with a lack of information security, and are rarely aware of how far their data actually travels on the net.  

When so-called social engineers get hold of your data, the threat to your data privacy becomes real. Social engineers are digital con artists who deceive their victims to get either their data or money. They use social media among other methods to adopt a false identity to gain the trust of their potential victim.  

They either present themselves as someone from the authorities (like from a bank or government) or they impersonate friends, relatives or potential love interests. They do this by hacking or using data from social media accounts to contact potential victims.  

Data privacy is constantly at risk as the number of cybercrimes and scams rise. Identity theft is on the rise where the perpetrators scam individuals or commit other crimes under your name. Baiting is a kind of social engineering where providers of “free” downloads ask for your account login information. They then use this information to access your e-mail. Phishing attacks feed on a victim’s fear and their trust in the authorities. They base their text and design of emails on those from banks or renowned service providers. They then link to “dummy” websites that look like the real thing. If you enter your personal information like bank details there, the cybercriminals get direct access.  

Conclusion: How social media sells your information 

Your personal data is your identity so you should protect it at all times, rather than openly share it on social media. The disadvantages of oversharing on social media and having an open profile, as well as not being aware how these platforms use your data, is not only a risk to yourself but your family too. Data privacy security awareness is key.

If you’re concerned about your personal data and you’d like to know what data is being collected, how it’s being stored and if it’s being shared, then Privci is for you. It’s a Google Chrome extension that helps you protect your data when you’re online that’s great for the entire family, especially kids. Find out more here.

If your enjoy reading this article why not share with others!

Divine Chana C. Senior Analyst, Privci.io

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Here’s Why Privacy Policies Are Incomprehensible

Why you should read privacy policy

Dec 16, 2021 | Blog

When it comes to reading privacy policies, it always seems too hard. You’re most likely not a lawyer, or don’t have the spare time to read every word of the Terms & Conditions you agree to on a regular basis. And you’re not alone. With statistics like, approximately 30% of consumers in the UK never reading mobile app privacy policies when they download them, and 94% of Australians not reading privacy policies that apply to them, the problem is global and widespread. This guide tell you why you should read privacy policy of every website.

While companies are legally required to detail what they do with the information you give them in their privacy policies, it’s usually a lot more complicated than that. Confusing language, or burying important details in long text are common practice. When you sign up for a service and provide details like your name, email address, date of birth etc. you’re essentially handing over your personal data. These are the details that make you a target for not only personalised ads, but also data mining, censorship and other invasive data privacy practices.

Why you should read privacy policy

Here are 4 reasons why you should read privacy policy of every website:

1 – You’re Likely Paying with Your Data

If you’re not paying for something with actual money, then how are you paying for it? You’re most likely paying for it with your personal data. Free services are never truly “free” and shouldn’t be approached with caution. If you’re keen to try a free service, it’s recommended that you take the time to comb through their privacy policy and be cautious of giving too many personal details away.

2 – They Could Be Planning on Selling Your Data

When it comes to your personal data, it’s not only your identity, it’s a marketing tool that’s worth money. When you’re using a website, you need to determine if the company plans on selling your data or using it. Are they just asking for the basics for account creation or billing? Or are they data tracking or logging your other private data?

3 – They Could Be Storing Your Personal Data for Years

Some companies will store your personal data for a few months while others will store it for years. Reviewing the privacy policy will give you an indication of how long they intend to store your data; if you’re not comfortable with the timeframe then you may need to skip it.

4 – They May Be Lacking Security Measures

If a company is storing your personal data, you want to know that they’re storing it securely. The privacy policy will identify if they provide any security to protect your personal information. “Free services” generally don’t spend the extra money to keep the measures in place, whereas more credible companies take the extra measures to protect their customers with things like two-factor authentication for password protection etc.

You have a right to privacy which companies should be respecting. Security awareness is so important to protecting your data online, so don’t learn your lesson the hard way and risk your personal data privacy.

If you’re keen to get a detailed understanding of how to protect your data online then Privci is the way to go. It’s a Google Chrome extension that helps you easily and quickly review privacy policies, get info about data breaches, learn best practices when it comes to your online data, and so much more.

Click here to Install from Chrome Store

If your enjoy reading this article why not share with others!

Divine Chana C. Senior Analyst, Privci.io

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