General FAQ

How is a privacy policy valuable to me and my customers?

Increasingly, customers expect online businesses to post a privacy policy. The level of customer sophistication about privacy practices is increasing rapidly, and they are likely to leave a web site if its privacy policy is unclear or doesn't indicate a sufficient level of commitment to protecting information. And increasingly, customers hold businesses legally responsible for any discrepancies between their policy and practices.

How do TRUSTe products save me money?

TRUSTe Privacy Policy, through its wizard, allows you to create, post, and maintain a privacy policy at minimal expense. It's far less expensive than hiring an lawyer or consultant, or spending the time to research and write a privacy policy on your own.

TRUSTe Privacy Policy with Seal gives you all the convenience of the wizard, and displays the TRUSTe Seal to show your customers that your business’s privacy policy has been examined and certified by the leader in privacy policy certification. That translates to lower abandonment rates and more revenues. In addition, the certification process associated with the TRUSTe Seal alerts you to discrepancies between your privacy policy and practices, before they result in costly conflicts with customers. Finally, if TRUSTe receives complaints about your business, they mediate a solution between you and your customer.

Am I required to post a privacy policy on my web site?

If your web site doesn't collect information about visitors, a privacy policy is usually optional. If you collect data, some industries, states, and countries have privacy policy requirements. For example, if you collect data from users who are located in California or the EU, you must post a privacy policy regardless of your own location.

How long does it take to create a privacy policy and certify my site?

Creating a privacy policy using the TRUSTe wizard only takes a few minutes; inserting it into your web site code takes a few more.

If you purchase TRUSTe Privacy Policy with Seal, it only takes a few minutes to insert the Seal code snippet into your web site code, and a few minutes to notify TRUSTe when you’re ready for them to scan your site. If TRUSTe’s certification scan indicates that your site is consistent with your privacy policy, they may activate your TRUSTe Seal in two days or less. If they find inconsistencies, they notify you, and then reevaluate your web site within two days after you notify them that the problems have been resolved.

How does TRUSTe identify discrepancies between my privacy policy and practices?

TRUSTe scans for consistency between your privacy policy and practices if you subscribe to Privacy Policy with Seal, but not Privacy Policy. TRUSTe uses a variety of approaches to verify consistency between your privacy policy and your information collection and sharing practices. They notify you of any inconsistencies they identify.

What are my responsibilities in earning and maintaining my TRUSTe Seal?

The TRUSTe Seal confirms that your web site’s data collection practices and your business’s information-sharing practices are consistent with the text of your privacy policy. TRUSTe publishes Program Requirements that describe your responsibilities in the TRUSTe Seal program.

How will I know when TRUSTe certifies my site?

If you have placed the TRUSTe Seal code snippet in your web site, the Seal will become visible when TRUSTe certifies your web site. If TRUSTe finds any problems with your web site, they contact you for resolution.

Can I edit my privacy policy, update my Web site, or change my information-sharing practices after TRUSTe has issued their Seal?

Yes, you can make changes as needed. You do not need to notify us or TRUSTe when you do so.

What happens to my privacy policy when privacy laws change?

TRUSTe does not change your privacy policy as privacy laws change, but they do add new selections to their wizard, that reflect the legal changes, that you can incorporate into your privacy policy if you wish. From time to time, we or TRUSTe may notify you of significant changes to privacy laws that make it advisable to review, and possibly update, your privacy policy.

Can I change the domain name that's associated with my TRUSTe Privacy Policy subscription?

No. Once you associate a domain name with a TRUSTe Privacy Policy subscription, you cannot change it. If you need a TRUSTe Privacy Policy for a different domain name, purchase a separate subscription.

How do I renew my TRUSTe Privacy Policy subscription?

Your subscription to TRUSTe Privacy Policy, or TRUSTe Privacy Policy and Seal, renews automatically.

In what countries do you offer TRUSTe Privacy Policy?

The TRUSTe privacy policy is available to customers in the following countries: