By Sandra Guile
Better Business Bureau
National Data Privacy Day is Sunday, January 28, and after last year’s proliferation of cyber breaches, both consumers and businesses are taking extra precautions to protect personal information.
Safeguarding privacy is one of the eight BBB Standards of Trust, and while it’s a requirement for all BBB Accredited Businesses, it’s something all businesses should consider. There are a few reasons why National Data Privacy Day is a good day for companies to start taking steps to protect customers’ data.
Transparency Builds Trust
Retailers often ask consumers for their email address as a way to keep them informed of future sales or send them exclusive coupons, but even if a business isn’t in the retail industry, it’s still important to be honest and open about how and why customer data is used or shared. If a customer asks about what your business does with their information, explain your methods without referring them to the company privacy policy. Communicate through multiple channels to be sure they get the message. Then, follow through with staff to ensure your practices are consistent with customer’s expectations. Collection or use of inappropriate data can harm your business’ reputation, even if the intent is good. Make sure your public statements about privacy reflect your actual practices.
Be Aware of What’s Being Shared
People using your company’s services or products should fully understand how you’re collecting, using, and sharing personal data and have the option to opt out if they so choose. Again, employees should be trained in how to best safeguard this information, and management should monitor the data protection practices of any partner or vendors with whom the data is shared.
Personal Data is Like Money. Respect It. Protect It.
Personal data can be a valuable asset for your business when it comes to marketing and customer retention. However, it’s even more valuable to your customers; it’s important to avoid collecting more data than what’s absolutely necessary for business purposes. Having effective security measures in place is critical in keeping this information safe and maintaining a good reputation among consumers.
Check the NCSA website for more information on safeguarding data, and visit bbb.org for more information about reviewing your business’ privacy practices.
Sandra Guile is the Community Outreach Specialist for BBB. She promotes BBB’s message of marketplace ethics through public speaking engagements, presentations, media relations, press releases, web content, and other written materials. Your BBB is located at 1 East 4th Street Suite 600 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 – to reach the office, call (513) 421-3015.
