Before taking this internet marketing class I had never actually read a website's privacy policy, so it seemed to me that the one for the SPAM site was really long, and it it actually is pretty lengthy when compared to McDonalds or Target.
It is also pretty in depth in exactly what is told. For instance, McDonals says rather tersely, “Like most web sites, McDonald's uses cookies for a variety of purposes in order to improve your on-line experience.” By comparison, SPAM provides a half page list of scenarios under the heading “How Does Hormel Foods Use Your Personal Information?”
They are also the only site I saw that expressly commented on the idea of consent, namely by using the site you are consenting to the collection of information. In fact they clearly spell it out in all caps for emphasis: “IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT TO THE COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AS SET FORTH IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE EXIT AND DO NOT USE THIS SITE.”
Wonga! I think the reason for such an in depth and expressive privacy policy can by found by clicking the link right next to the privacy policy which will lead you to the article SPAM® Brand and the Internet.
In this article Hormel clearly puts out it's position against the practice of spam and making the distinction of always referring product in capital letters as SPAM. (Though they won't officially acknowledge meaning in the acronym.) While the article may state that they do not object to the slang use of the term spam, I can't help but think they'd be happier without the negative connotation and have merely given up since everyone in the world already uses it. Hence they seem to be responding head on to people's fears of SPAM spam by making the longest, most in depth privacy policy ever.
Keith:
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet when reading your posting on SPAM's excessively detailed privacy policy.
"The SPAM [sic] doth protest too much, methinks."