Website design By BotEap.comIn 1999, the CEO of Sun Microsystems said, “You have zero privacy… Get over it.” In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg declared that privacy was dead. I think Zuckerberg must feel some irony about what he has experienced this year regarding privacy and the transfer of user data from Facebook to Cambridge Analytica. I think it’s fair to say that this year, privacy has been a hot topic.
Website design By BotEap.comI’m not sure where things will ultimately end up, and it’s very likely that privacy as we knew it has, in fact, ended. In fact, I think that may already be the case, but there is a clear tension between privacy and sharing. We still willingly share our information on social media platforms and browsers like Google keep tracking us all over the internet.
Website design By BotEap.comAnd, despite the General Data Protection Regulation, which was enacted in Europe but also affects US companies and nonprofits, you’ve probably noticed that corporate lawyers have already figured out how to get around it. For the most part, you agree to tracking, or whatever else they have explained in their Terms of Service, or you won’t be able to use the platforms that will provide you with news, allow you to shop, or be entertained. That went well.
Website design By BotEap.comdonor privacy
Website design By BotEap.comThe dirty little secret in the nonprofit sector is that many nonprofits have donor information, including volunteers and supporters, but haven’t taken steps to ensure the information isn’t stolen. They also don’t take the time to inform people about how their data is being used, which is something everyone with a website should do. Non-profit organizations have information such as names, addresses, emails, dates of birth, credit cards, social security numbers (especially those organizations that have volunteers who go through background checks), phone numbers, etc. It doesn’t take a genius to see how this information can be used in inappropriate ways.
Website design By BotEap.comIn fact, a colleague of mine who worked in the nonprofit sector as a fundraising consultant told me not long ago that when she raised the issue of privacy, many nonprofit leaders told her that they didn’t know that the privacy of donors is a priority for donors They have expressed support for transparent public privacy policies, but had no idea they should have terms of service or donor privacy policies that are easily accessible on their websites, for For example, explain what they do with the data. I honestly don’t know how that can be a credible thought in today’s world.
Website design By BotEap.comData and non-profit organizations
Website design By BotEap.comMost donors should know or understand that when they provide their information to a non-profit organization, there is a chance that their name and information may be sold. Some non-profit organizations do this as a matter of revenue because they make money from the names and data they sell to brokers. If you work for one of the many organizations that sell donor data to intermediaries, as a point of integrity and ethics, you should clearly state that information for donors in your donor policy information.
Website design By BotEap.comAlso, in recent years, criminals have become aware of the fact that non-profit organizations can be a wealth of information and it can be reasonably easy for them to open the “safe”. And, to make matters even more troubling for nonprofit donors, there have been cases where donor information has been criminally compromised and it has been decided not to make the information public for fear that donations ran out.
Website design By BotEap.comData Protection
Website design By BotEap.comNonprofit organizations occupy a unique position in our society and often comes with tax-exempt status, primarily because of the work they do to improve the lives of people in a community. Because of this, nonprofit organizations must provide some minimum information standards to ensure they are operating with integrity and ethics when accepting information from donors and volunteers.
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They may remind people who enter their identifying information on their websites to remember to delete web “cookies,” which are files stored on a person’s computer, that link to the site visited. Deleting this information will remove any remaining names, addresses, credit card information, etc. from the web
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Nonprofit organizations must create and publish a “Donor Privacy Policy,” which tells donors how donor and supporter information will be used. Charity Navigator provides a simple example.
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Post “Terms of Service”. Take a look at examples of leading nonprofit organizations. You can also see an example from the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations or TopNonprofits.
Website design By BotEap.comThe reality is that every nonprofit, regardless of size, should have a donor privacy policy and terms of service that can be quickly reviewed on their website. If your organization doesn’t have the basics done, there’s no reason you should expect people to support your group. There are likely many charities that demonstrate transparency and should be rewarded with fundraising dollars.
