Since ecommerce enabled businesses to thrive despite the pandemic outbreak, affiliate marketing programs likewise drew attention as viable sources of income. While influencers considered themselves capable of promoting and selling products through their website, not a few are not aware there are laws and  regulations to observe when looking to connect with potential customers,

Affiliate marketing may be deemed simple but is actually a complex marketing approach. Creating content to convince readers looking for information about a specific product or service, even if well meaning, must not be misleading or used for unscrupulous purposes.

Lack of transparency in engaging in data sharing activities can be a cause for complaint from consumers or customers who receive unsolicited communication or notifications.

In California, a specific legislation captioned as The California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA) was passed to ensure that higher standards of protection are in place with regard to the privacy and personal information of California consumers.

Although CalOPPA applies to affiliate marketers who collect personal information from California residents, the basic Privacy Policy requirement actually applies to all businesses; particularly those that collect data from customers and regardless of the locations in which they operate.

Canada legislated a similar law but is called The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

In Europe, the counterpart of the CalOPPA is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) promulgated by European Union Commission. This EU legislation is actually a modification of the older EU Data Protection Directive of 1995 and the Data Protection Act of 1998.

What is a Privacy Policy and What Should It State?

A Privacy Policy is a set of statements that explains the how and why the company is obtaining information from consumers, clients or even employees. Statements must also include details about the information to be supplied, the specific purpose and manner the company intends to use and handle the data collected.

If for example the company intends to share the data with other parties, the Privacy Policy must include a clear statement about the matter. That way, the person asked to provide his or her personal information can decide whether or not to proceed with the registration process.

In both physical and online establishments, the Privacy Policy must be prominently displayed in conspicuous places, A Privacy Policy statement displayed on the home page must include a link to a Privacy Policy or About Us page to completely disclose all conditions related to the business’ data collection procedures.

Yet the Privacy Policy is only one of legal considerations to take note of when running an affiliate marketing program or when hosting a website for affiliate marketing purposes. If after reading this you still want to pursue a career in affiliate marketing, the best way to start is to get proper guidance from experts who have long been involved in the field of digital and affiliate marketing.

One person we recommend is Jeff Lerner. The Signal Santa Clarita California’s local newspaper came out with a publication titled “Jeff Lerner Reviews,”. It explains how this California affiliate marketer became the “Ultimate Businessman” in the world of digital marketing.