Exciting, isn’t it? It’s great to search the Internet to learn about anything from astrophysics to zydeco, to buy anything from almanacs to zinnias. But what information about me am I revealing when I go online? Who’s looking at it and why? Do I get any benefits from it? What choices do I have about the collection and use of information online? Together the answers to these questions form the core of an organization’s privacy policy.

Privacy policies are important when visiting a Web site. Some places to look for a privacy policy include “Privacy,” or a privacy icon, the “About Us” or company information site, site maps, the index or forms where information is collected. Some companies don’t label their information practices specifically but make a statement such as “no information is being collected on this Web site.” That counts as a privacy policy.

If you can’t find a privacy policy send an e-mail or written message to the site to ask about its policy, and that it be posted on the site. If you see an “under construction” message that means it should be posted soon.

A [About Me] – What information do you collect about me and my family and is it secure?
B [Benefits] – How do you use that information and what is the benefit to me?
C [Choices] – What choices do I have about your use of information about me? Can I opt-out of any information uses and how?