Selling With Trust: Privacy Policy Requirements for Course Creators -
Prepare yourself. The next step is to discover about the reasons why websites that are based on courses may require Privacy Policies.
Okay, maybe isn't the most thrilling subject, but it's still an important one.
Privacy is getting a bigger and more important issue. The public is demanding websites to adhere to their privacy. Non-compliance costs can be very costly just for not disclosing your privacy policies.
If the website of your school has been collecting data under regulation, you have an obligation to give specific information to help users know the purpose of your data.
This article (and the webinar) is intended to provide instructors with the fundamentals on what website policies are and when they're required for certain course-creator websites, and how to put the proper guidelines put in place (and make sure they stay updated as time passes).
Before we proceed, it's important for us to note that this article and webinar is not legally-based advice, and it is intended for informational purposes only. Consult an attorney within your region to assist you with requirements for compliance.
What are the data that is subject to regulation?
Things like names, email addresses, IP addresses, and names are being regulated under a multitude of privacy laws across the globe. If you are collecting this sensitive data, then you might need to establish privacy Policy, regardless of where you're in.
The big conclusion: the governments who create privacy laws do not care which part of the country your company is. They care about protecting the privacy of their citizens. If you're collecting information from several areas it could be necessary to obey multiple privacy laws and make the necessary disclosures in every one (yes, each privacy law is different).
Is collecting regulated data bad?
Not at all! All you need to do is make certain disclosures regarding it.
Collecting data like names, email addresses as well as IP addresses, helps ensure that users have an enjoyable experience while using your website. This also allows you to make improvements to your website in the future.
The only thing that has really changed is the fact that you must be mindful of the practices that you employ to protect your privacy and be sure to have specific policies for your site with the correct disclosures you specifically are required to make in accordance with the law(s) which apply to your site.
Does your website course collect regulated data?
Virtually all modern websites collect controlled information. It's almost mandatory to make sure that spammers don't try to attack your contact forms and is impossible to process payments in any other way. Thus, the collection of data is typical for websites, and it is likely to be much more common than you think.
Common features of platform courses that store controlled data
- Course and membership registrations
- Accepting payments
- Videos embedded by 3rd party companies
- Engage is what triggers
- Rewarding your Learners
- Email drips
- Discussion forums
- Integrity
- Quizzes
Common integrations when course creators are sharing data with third-party partners:
- Embedding 3rd party videos for courses (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
- Integrations with payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Automatic renewal notifications (Mailgun, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp, etc.)
- Email newsletter subscription forms (Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Constant Contact, etc.)
- Data transfer providers (Zapier, etc.)
Why should I be concerned?
In simple terms, it is important to have website policies to make greater sales as well as avoid fines or lawsuits. Also, by applying website policies it builds confidence and ensure compliance to the laws.
Privacy will not go away (if you look at it this way, it's growing more important) and failure to provide a fully compliant Privacy Policy is what gets the owners of websites into difficulties when it comes down to privacy laws (where fines begin at $2,500 for each visitor to a website who's rights have been violated by you).
It is worth considering joining our webinar where we'll teach you the basics of website policies, including how to acquire proper ones, and how to easily maintain them over time!