Privacy policy meaningless wording

[kranky]

I see many sites with privacy policies that say something equivalent to:

"<site name> values the privacy of its customers and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information is imperative. Therefore we do not share personal information about you with anyone except as permitted or required by law."

So while there may be a law against sharing certain information, they are putting you on notice that they can share everything else. Isn't that what it says?

The first sentence and the second sentence seem to contradict each other.

 

[PokerGuy]

Basically, it's a way to pretend they care about your privacy while making sure they are covered legally when they do just the opposite of what they say.

 

[rudeguy]

Basically, it's a way to pretend they care about your privacy while making sure they are covered legally when they do just the opposite of what they say.

I thought this was SOP for legal statements like that? I know my company has about 15 items like that. They are worded to sound like we care but in the end its just a legal disclaimer.

 

[unokitty]

US privacy laws are an international joke. If you live in Europe, you have much more of a legal right to privacy. Other countries may vary. For example:

Who is more evil Instagram or the NRA? Internet is undecided

Then again, anyone that thinks that they can post something to the Internet and retain any sort of control over it is likely being naive.

Uno

 

[Jeff7]

The typical privacy policy: Your personal data is safe with us, unless someone offers us money, or asks nicely for it.