You Should be Reading the Privacy Policies
And the Terms & Services for that matter as well
One day, when I was signing up for a service, I decided to do something that we all claim to do but actually don't: read the privacy policy. Though I really shouldn't be surprised, I was nevertheless surprised at how much personal information they collect, who has access to it, and how it is being used. It made me realize that instead of simply checking the box that says we read the agreements, we really need to be actually reading them.
Reading the privacy policy makes you aware front and center of what personal information they are collecting, what they do with it, and if you can access it all before signing up for the service. You know their intentions, and that gives you the decision of whether you want to sign up or not. If you read them, you will be surprised by how many third-party entities use your information to their advantage. You should also keep an eye on privacy policies, as they get updated occasionally. Typically, the service will notify you that their privacy policy is being updated and tell you to look through it to make sure you are on board.
If you live in certain areas, you may have the right to get some of the data removed or corrected due to data privacy laws. If you live in a country within the European Union (EU), you are protected by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This law specifically allows you to access and have your data deleted if you request it. California and Virginia benefit from similar laws that allow residents to gain control of their data as well. So be sure to read them so you can better understand your rights.
Privacy policies are annoying and tedious to read, but they are an important step in protecting your privacy. So the next time you are about to sign up for a service, make sure you take a look at it instead of just clicking the box.
Until Next Time,
Monique 🧐
Additional Link:
https://www.sixfifty.com/resource-library/state-privacy-laws/
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