The Story Siren: New stuff, relevant to the blog.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 12:00 AM

I received an email last night. And honestly I'm surprised I haven't received an email similar to this sooner. It was from a concerned parent. Their daughter recently won a contest from the blog. And they were interested in viewing my privacy policy, but after searching they were unable to find one.

The reason for that is because I don't have one. Honeestly, I never even considered having one, although the possibility of it should have crossed my mind, it never has. I mean, I do in fact deal with a lot of minors on this site, since it is aimed at young adults. So shouldn't I have something?

After receiving this email and discussing a privacy policy with some other bloggers (thanks Laina) I've decided that it would be a good idea for my to have a privacy policy. You can now view my Privacy Policy.

Thank you Mr. Jones for taking active participation in your daughters online activities.

Please feel free to make any suggestions.

Questions to other bloggers:

What are your feelings on a privacy policy?
Do you have any plans to make your own privacy policy?

17 comments:

Anna Moore said...

With all of my sites, I usually write Privacy Policies. I've been working on the one for BookNerds since it opened (I'm a slowbot, so sue me), guess I need to speed up the process! It's a good thing to have to protect yourself and your readers!

October 19, 2009 10:26 PM

Jessica Ashmore said...

I hadn't thought of it but now that you mention it, it makes a ton of sense. I'll make one once I start having contests.

October 19, 2009 11:00 PM

Jenn M. said...

Wow...I have to applaud that dad for taking an active interest in his daughter's activities. I hadn't really thought about that. What is the biggest concern? Giving out a physical address? Commenting in general?

October 20, 2009 12:44 AM

brizmus said...

Wow, I also had never even thought about this. But seriously, why not? It is very important.
It's also very good to know that some partens are still watching over what their children are doing.

October 20, 2009 3:42 AM

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's a good idea. And wow, a parent actually involved in their teen's life!

October 20, 2009 6:42 AM

Alessandra said...

I had never thought about this issue before, actually. Your privacy policy seems like a sensible thing, Kristi. Kudos to Mr Jones for bringing up the matter.

October 20, 2009 7:20 AM

Haleyknitz said...

I'd never thought about it. i guess what i'll do is update my one post that says "Policy" so that it's my review policy, contest policy, and privacy policy. make it easy ;)

October 20, 2009 8:38 AM

Falling Off The Shelf said...

I never thought about it. I should probably throw one together too...being as how I do review some YA titles as well as Adult.

Better to save both of our butts!

Thanks for posting :)

October 20, 2009 8:44 AM

Becky said...

As a School Librarian, I am only too aware of the issues with child protection, data protection and the like. I've been wondering about minors giving out their personal addresses to receive prizes. It will only take one wrong action by a sinister person to get this issue into the headlines. We definitely all need to cover ourselves and your idea of a privacy policy is a good one.
I think I will look up the types of policy we have at work (as they are legal documents) and then take it from there. My first contest hasn't closed yet so I do have a little time.

Thanks for raising this issue. It will make me get on and do something about it.

October 20, 2009 9:54 AM

elnice said...

I guess it is a good idea. Especially since kids are reading post and entering contests. I may post one of my own.
Elie (Ellz Readz)

October 20, 2009 10:02 AM

Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said...

Excellent idea!

October 20, 2009 10:04 AM

Wendy said...

A Privacy Policy should not just be only for minors, I'm 21 and if I put my personal info on any site (and I'm well aware I'm taking the risk that someone will take my email and spam the lights out of me) I still expect them to respect my privacy.

I never even thought about asking you for a policy, mostly because I didn't think you were going to go around giving my address to random people, hope not! ;)

October 20, 2009 10:17 AM

Kate said...

This is a good idea. I've not done a contest yet so I've had no need to introduce a privacy policy. It makes sense though.

October 20, 2009 2:06 PM

Anonymous said...

If you collect information such as addresses from anyone under the age of 13, there is actually a law you must follow that includes posting a privacy policy. It's called COPPA; I urge bloggers who collect such information to read it.
(disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer)

October 20, 2009 6:01 PM

Jo said...

I would never have thought to have a privacy policy, it never even entered my head. But it's such a good idea! I'll checl your one out, and see if I can be inspired for my own. Cheers, Kristi!

October 21, 2009 4:03 AM

Tracie Yule said...

I think that this is a great idea. I kind of wondered about minors and giveaways, but I had never seen any other blog address it. This makes me think, I might need one.

October 21, 2009 4:15 PM

Trig said...

Thanks for sharing this. I just happen to fall on this privacy policy issue when I decided to put a form in my blog post. Just to make it easier to collect information from the giveaways. If anyone decides to try for the giveaways ;)

October 22, 2009 12:13 PM