March 23, 2009

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Dear {!firstname}:

Welcome to Your WEBSITE LAW ALERT by Chip Cooper and DigiContracts.com

Chip's Commentary:

A little over a month ago, I shared our sadness in the passing Tiger, our almost-20-year-old house (and home office) cat.

The house really seemed empty with Tiger gone.

After some soul searching, we decided that we were ready to move on. So, we adopted two kittens at Cat's Angels, a local group that rescues homeless cats.

Nat and Hank are doing well and have become real buddies. They sure do have a lot of energy.

Google AdSense Users Have Until April 8 To Modify Privacy Policies

A couple of weeks ago, Google notified users of its new AdSense option, "interest-based advertising". With this announcement, Google also stated that "your privacy policy will now need to reflect the use of interest-based advertising".

If you're an AdSense user, or if you plan to be a user in the near future, you need to read my article entitled What's Behind Google's Requirement For AdSense Users To Modify Privacy Policies?.

Google's deadline for compliance is April 8.

Google's "interest-based advertising" is generally referred to as "behavioral advertising". Even if you're not likely to use AdSense, you're likely to make decisions regarding behavioral ads in the future... and any informed decision regarding the use of behavioral ads must include an understanding of the privacy issues it raises.

Comments From Digicontracts.com:

In July 2008, I updated our Website Privacy Policy subscription on our digicontracts.com site to provide for a single option for generic "third party" behavioral ads (there was no stipulation of a specific network such as Google's AdSense).

I've just updated it again to provide for 3 new options for behavioral ads:

"first party" behavioral ads only,

"first party" and "third party" ads (generic), and

"first party" and "third party" ads with a specific reference to Google's AdSense network and how to opt out of DoubleClick's DART cookie.

Those of you who opted for the prior, generic clause are probably OK, but it's recommended that you amend your privacy policy to include the specific reference to Google's AdSense network and how to opt out of DoubleClick's DART cookie.

If you're looking for an example of how you might amend your privacy policy, go to my Terms of Use and check out the top of the page regarding my update date and link for a description of material changes.

Regards,

Disclaimer: this newsletter is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice, and should not be construed as such.

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