Small organisations and sole traders can now create bespoke privacy policies quickly and at little cost, using a new tool created by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Data protections is a vital component of consumer rights. Under data protection law, every organisation that holds people’s personal information needs to explain why it holds it and what it does with it. They can provide this information through a privacy notice displayed on their website or through other communications.
A new, quick and easy-to-use tool available via the ICO’s website helps small organisations and sole traders create a bespoke privacy notice at a fraction of the usual costs. The new privacy notice generator tool can create privacy notices for small organisations in a variety of sectors – such as finance, insurance, legal, education/childcare, health and social care and charity. There are also sections designed for other small organisations in sectors such as retail and manufacturing.
The Federation of Small Businesses supported the development of this tool to help smaller organisations and start-ups, which tend to have fewer resources and smaller budgets. The privacy policy generator tool reduces the cost of compliance and the associated stress to give these small organisations more time to focus on what they're good at - serving the needs of their customers and growing their organisation. It’s important for all organisations to get their privacy notice right to reassure their customers that their personal information won’t be mistreated.
While the new tool is useful, you should seek legal advice if you are unsure about any of the content in the privacy policy it generates, or how to use and adhere to the policy in your business.
For help and advice on this topic or related issues, please get in touch with Chris Cook by emailing chris.cook@salaw.com.
