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Privacy principles and terms and conditions are some of the most important—but seemingly boring—aspects of building your website. The Australian Privacy Act of 1988 governs standards related to the collection of information and the obligations when dealing with:
- Consumers’ rights to access their private information
- Accountability of organisations that collect information
- The uses, publication of, and collection of information
The law is applicable to changing technologies, and writing out privacy principles and terms and conditions helps your website be legally compliant.
To ensure your website is legally protected you will need:
- Privacy Policy
- Website Terms of Use
If you have an e-commerce website you will need:
- Privacy Policy
- Website Terms of Use
- Website Terms & Conditions of Sale
What are Website Terms and Conditions of use?
Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) of use are legal notices that explain what your website’s users must agree to so they can browse your website or benefit from your services. They protect you from copyright infringement, claims of damages or losses, and cover users, subscribers, and visitors of your site.
Why have Terms and Conditions of use on my website?
This limits liabilities and lets customers/users know your business practices and limitations. Spelling out your T&Cs also meets Australian requirements that regulate the collection of data and information. You need T&Cs if you’re selling anything (products and/or services) online.
What are website terms and conditions of sale? (E-commerce sites)
T&Cs of sale let your customers know their payment options, the cost of your products and services, product and service descriptions, cancellation terms, and return, refund, and exchange policy. Delivery terms should also be listed, such as the costs, customer options, and who will be held responsible if items are lost or stolen on their way to delivery, or if they cannot be delivered. It’s a good idea to include information about your dispute resolution process and any limitations of liability.
Why have terms and conditions of sale on my website?
This is a great way to protect yourself and your business. Websites that sell products and services are at a bigger risk of facing liability, online virus, and erroneous advice claims.
What’s a Privacy Policy?
A privacy policy explains how your website deals with email addresses, credit card numbers, addresses, and other information it collects. Though some people include this in their general terms and conditions, it’s easier to see if done separately. Websites used to conduct medical and health research must also write up a privacy policy.
Why does a website need a privacy policy?
Australian law requires all websites that collect information from users to have a privacy policy. This pretty much covers all ecommerce websites, which rely on their collection of such data to successfully fulfil their sales and deliveries. However, some blogs also have contact forms or email listservs and need a privacy policy as well to comply with Australian law.
Writing out terms of conditions of use and sale, privacy policies, and other text that allows you to comply with Australian law can be confusing and time-consuming. That’s why templates can be helpful in helping you expedite this. We use and recommend Easy Legal Templates. They offer legal and ecommerce template bundles that will help you protect yourself and your business and they have kindly offered to take $10 off any purchase when you use my code SAM10.
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