Keep reading to learn what you need to know about how the CCPA privacy policy applies to your business.
To download your free CCPA privacy policy template, click the button below.
As we discussed in our article covering the things you need to know about the CCPA in more detail, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives California consumers new privacy rights and creates new obligations for businesses that are covered by the law, including small businesses.
The CCPA deals primarily with consumer rights related to personal information, and what obligations businesses are under relating to those rights. (Please refer to our small businesses and the CCPA article for full details.)
Why should every small business be aware of the CCPA?
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I care about what they do in California? I sell pizza in New Jersey.” Well, the CCPA is likely a harbinger of things to come across the U.S., as concern for consumer privacy rises and American businesses and consumer groups work to align with Europe’s much more stringent consumer rights and privacy laws.
Here’s an example: nearly every product sold in America containing trace amounts of lead (or over 900 other chemicals “known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm”), from wine to electronics to baby monitors, now bears the now-familiar “Proposition 65 warning,” which you have likely seen more than once.
Why is a California-only health warning now nearly ubiquitous on all American consumer goods? It’s a question of cost and convenience.
Since businesses who sell products online (potentially to California residents) or across state lines find it much less of a hassle to include the Prop 65 warning on all their product packaging than to maintain two separate inventories (one for California and one for everyone else), a California-specific policy now has universal application to businesses across the country.
Similarly, though the CCPA currently applies only to businesses that meet the CCPA list of criteria and do business in California, it may become the trend in other states as consumers vote for more stringent regulations regarding the sharing and use of personal information.
Some business leaders think the CCPA will kick off a string of similar legislation across the country, so you should think about getting ahead of it.
Every small business should prepare a robust privacy policy as part of CCPA compliance
One of the things that every business affected by the CCPA has to comply with is a clearly elaborated privacy policy advising customers how and why their personal information may be used by the business, and giving them the option to opt out of all sharing of information.
Regardless of whether you think your business and/or website will technically need to be compliant with all aspects of the CCPA, it’s a good idea to develop a robust customer privacy policy, particularly if you deal with credit cards, electronic payments, and/or other financial statements.
Establishing a legally binding and compliant privacy policy can be a big ask for a small, local business with limited resources and time, so to get you started we have provided a basic template you can download and adjust for your specific needs.
This is not legal advice, and you should of course finalize and review your business’s privacy policy with your attorney, but starting with this informative template may save you considerable legal cost and get you started on the road to a more helpful and secure customer privacy strategy.
Download your free CCPA privacy policy template
Get your free CCPA privacy policy template by clicking the button below.
Legal disclaimer
This sample template is not legal advice and by using it, you (which term includes the business you represent or are affiliated with) agree such use is subject to this disclaimer. The sample template provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advertising, a solicitation or legal advice. You should consult independent legal advice before publishing or otherwise using this agreement for specific guidance about your website or business, and to understand any regulations regarding data privacy that may be applicable to you and your business. You should read the information and included instructions with care and modify, delete or add all and any areas as necessary. Use of, access to or transmission of such materials and information or any of the links contained therein is not intended to create, and receipt thereof does not constitute formation of, an attorney-client relationship between Womply and you. The information contained is provided only as general information and may or may not reflect the most current legal developments; accordingly, information is not promised or guaranteed to be correct or complete. Womply expressly disclaims all liability in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this sample template and this website. Further, Womply does not necessarily endorse and is not responsible for any third-party content that may be accessed through this information.