e8

Privacy Preferences at a glance

Site Genre: Pattern Group e

magnify imageFigureE8.1 The Friendster social networking site lets you configure various preferences for managing your privacy online.

Background

Customers can share personal information with companies on PERSONAL E-COMMERCE (A1) sites, NEWS MOSAICS (A2), and VALUABLE COMPANY SITES (A7). Customers can also share personal information with other community members on COMMUNITY CONFERENCE (A3) sites. One way of fulfilling the FAIR INFORMATION PRACTICES (E3) and one’s PRIVACY POLICY (E4) is to provide a way for customers to see and modify their privacy preferences.

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PROBLEM

Customers need an easy way to see and change their privacy preferences.

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SOLUTION

magnify image FigureE8.5 Provide secure access to privacy preferences so that customers can control how their information is shared.

Provide a way for people to manage their privacy preferences on an account management page, when posting messages to a message board, and when sharing personal information, documents, and images with others.

Other Patterns to Consider

Storing customer information lets you facilitate GIFT GIVING (G6), streamline QUICK-FLOW CHECKOUTS (F1), and offer PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS (G3). Letting customers easily manage their privacy preferences is one way of fulfilling the requirements of the FAIR INFORMATION PRACTICES (E3) and one’s PRIVACY POLICY (E4). One logical place for managing privacy preferences is the ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT (H4) page. Here, customers can choose when to receive E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS (E7) and what E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS (E2) they want. Links for account management are often placed near the top-level NAVIGATION BAR (K2), making them highly visible and easy to find. Another logical place for managing privacy preferences is at the end of a transaction for example, on completion of the QUICK-FLOW CHECKOUT (F1). However, keep in mind that privacy is more than just setting options; it also includes conveying a consistent appearance to others. Therefore, make it easy to manage privacy preferences in things like personal profiles, wish lists for GIFT GIVING (G6), and MESSAGE BOARDS (D5). Use a SECURE CONNECTION (E6) if you ever send or receive private information from a customer, such as a credit card number.

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