Sample Privacy Policy for Google Adsense

Update March 23, 2009: The Privacy Policies shown here also abide by Google Adsense’s interest-based advertising (updates shown in red).

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Last week, Google Adsense updated their Terms and Conditions as well as their Program Policies and required all users to abide by the new rules. Did you just click on the “Agree” button without actually reading what you are agreeing on?

That’s ok, a majority of Adsense publishers did exactly that. But you need to be aware of what Adsense now requires of you, because if they discovered that you are not following the new policies, you might be kicked out of the Adsense program without receiving any of your due earnings.

Jensense made a detailed analysis of the changes in Adsense’s terms and conditions, but the most important change of all is that Google now requires publishers to:

have and abide by an appropriate privacy policy that clearly discloses that third parties may be placing and reading cookies on your users’ browser, or using web beacons to collect information, in the course of ads being served on your website. Your privacy policy should also include information about user options for cookie management.

What this means is that your site must now include a Privacy Policy that (1) explicitly tells visitors that third parties (like Google Adsense) may place cookies on the visitor’s browser in the course of serving ads to them; and (2) mentions user options for cookie management, for example, what they should do if they don’t want to accept cookies or want to remove them.

I’m sure around 99% of all bloggers who have Adsense are guilty of not having a Privacy Statement. With this new Adsense rule, you are now required to have one. Don’t fret! There are a lot of free privacy policy statements online that you can use for your site. Simply customize them so that it fits your site and make sure it includes the two things that the new Adsense policy requires.

Here are some of the privacy policy templates that you can use.

Our own Privacy Policy is a combination of the following versions.

• Sample Privacy Policy 1

Our Commitment To Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy, we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used.

The Information We Collect
This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on our website. The types of personal information collected at these pages are:

Name
Email address
(etc.)

How We Use Information
We use the information you provide about yourself only to complete a specific request, for example, to post a comment on our blog or to subscribe to our email feed. We never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses.

How We Use Cookies
A cookie is a small file placed on your computer’s hard drive that enables us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. Our site and third parties such as advertisers may add a cookie to help analyze web traffic or to determine targeted advertisements based on your preferences and your visit to our site and other sites on the internet.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. To opt out of Google’s use of cookies, please visit the Google ad and content network privacy policy.

Our Commitment To Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How To Contact Us
Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please send us an email at (email address).

• Sample Privacy Policy 2

This privacy policy tells you how we use personal information collected at this site. Please read this privacy policy before using the site or submitting any personal information. By using the site, you accept the practices described here.

Collection of Information
We collect personally identifiable information, like names, email addresses, etc., when voluntarily submitted by our visitors. The information you provide is used to fulfill your specific request, unless you give us permission to use it in another manner, for example, to add you to one of our mailing lists.

Cookie/Tracking Technology
Our site may use cookies and tracking technology which are useful for gathering information such as browser type and operating system, tracking the number of visitors to the site, and understanding how visitors use the Site. Personal information cannot be collected via cookies and other tracking technology, however, if you previously provided personally identifiable information, cookies may be tied to such information. Third parties such as our advertisers may also use cookies to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and other sites on the internet. If you want to opt out of our third-party advertiser (Google Adsense)’s use of cookies, please visit the Google ad and content network privacy policy.

Distribution of Information
We do not share your personally identifiable information to any third party for marketing purposes. However, we may share information with governmental agencies or other companies assisting us in fraud prevention or investigation. We may do so when: (1) permitted or required by law; or, (2) trying to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud or unauthorized transactions; or, (3) investigating fraud which has already taken place.

Commitment to Data Security
Your personally identifiable information is kept secure. Only authorized staff of this site (who have agreed to keep information secure and confidential) have access to this information. All emails and newsletters from this site allow you to opt out of further mailings.

Privacy Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about our privacy policy you may contact us using the information below:

By e-mail:
By Phone:

We reserve the right to make changes to this policy. You are encouraged to review the privacy policy whenever you visit the site to make sure that you understand how any personal information you provide will be used.

• Sample Privacy Policy 3

(“Site Name”) is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should always check this page to ensure that you are happy with any changes.

What we collect
We may collect the following information: name, contact information including email address, etc.

What we do with the information we gather
We require this information to provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons: to facilitate a specific request on our site, for example, to post a comment on our blog or to subscribe to our email feed. All emails or feed subscriptions from this site allow you to opt out of further mailings. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so.

How we use cookies
A cookie is a small file placed on your computer’s hard drive which helps analyze web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. Third parties such as our advertisers may also place cookies on your browser in the course of serving ads to you based on your visit to our site and other sites on the internet. If you want to opt out of our third-party advertiser (Google Adsense)’s use of cookies, please visit the Google ad and content network privacy policy.

Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide while visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

How to contact us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at “email address”.

Photo Credit: Getty Images