subject: Privacy Policies and Disclaimers [print this page] Privacy Policies and Disclaimers Privacy Policies and Disclaimers
PRIVACY POLICIES AND DISCLAIMERS
As head of the support team of a prominent legal document software company, I get emails daily from our customers asking questions about their websites, the FTC requirements and what they mean to them.
One of the more frequent questions I get is:
Do I need FTC Compliant Privacy Policies and disclaimers on my websites and blogs even though I don't live in the United States?
The simple answer is YES!
You see, around 2003, the FTC organized and publicly Announced Its Newly
Developed "Cross-Border Fraud Guidelines" which proclaimed that the FTC had joined with Hundreds of International Law Enforcement Agencies around the world.
The purpose of this alliance was to form a combined international force and
aggressively combat what they see as the growing problem of 'Cross-Border Fraud'. This combined force has also vowed to unilaterally enforce the FTC's Rules and Regulations on a Worldwide Basis!
The FTC is Really Cracking Down on Internet Marketers and small Business
Owners around the world RIGHT NOW, and actively going after those that don't rigidly adhere to all their rules about disclosures, disclaimers, terms of
use, privacy policies, compensation declarations, testimonials, and other
legal documentation! And they are most likely getting the help of YOUR country, no matter WHERE you live!
SO ... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
This means that no matter where you live, or where you do business, you ARE most likely still subject to FTC compliance either directly or through your
own government!
Their position is based on the fact that if you are doing business on the net, you are most likely doing business in the US, and ...
You are therefore subject to FTC compliance (as well as the laws of your own country) no matter what country you live in.
The good news is that if you are compliant with FTC Rules and Regulation, you are most likely compliant with the Laws of your own country as well!
So no matter where you live, if you want to stay out of trouble and have a
fruitful business life, it's a good idea to post the proper privacy policies,
disclaimers, and disclosures on your sites, as set forth by the FTC.
Such a simple practice is easy to do, and it just might keep you out of court!
