← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Reading a privacy policy

A document that says what data a service collects, why it collects it, who it shares it with, how long it keeps it and how you can opt out.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 11, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 18

Understanding Reading a privacy policy in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: The Privacy Policy link is often in the footer of a website, so that is where you look to find it. Opting out means choosing to stop a use of your data, and the policy tells you the steps to do this. Policies are usually linked in the footer of a website, in the app store listing, or in the app's settings or sign-up screen. This sentence lists the types of data the service collects from you. A good reader checks the reason for collecting data, because a service should only collect what it needs. Policies often explain how to opt out, such as turning off ad personalisation in your settings.

Common mistakes: The policy says the service collects your email, so the summary should read 'What: email', not 'nothing'. The first step in reading a policy is to find and open the Privacy link, usually in the footer or settings. You can't read the policy if you skip it.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 100–124) and word search (Modules 87–124).

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Learning
Duo
Which describes a privacy policy?
A password that protects your account from hackersA document that explains what data a service collects and why
Matches
I clicked 'I agree' without reading, so I know what data the app collects
↓
Clicking agree does not tell you what is collected. You need to read the privacy policy to find out what data is collected, why, and who it is shared with.
Applying
Meanings
Term
privacy policy
Meaning
A document that says what data a service collects, why it collects it, who it shares it with, how long it keeps it and how you can opt out.
Practice
FIND the policy link in the footer
Testing
Gaps
Footer link:
Check Answer
Spots
1Says: "We collect your email"
2What: nothing

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Quick Questions

1. Which describes a privacy policy?
A. A password that protects your account from hackers
B. A document that explains what data a service collects and why ✓
A privacy policy tells you what data a service collects, why, who it shares it with and how long it keeps it.
2. Where are you most likely to find an app's privacy policy?
A. Inside your phone's battery settings
B. A link in the app's settings, menu or website footer ✓
Policies are usually linked in the footer of a website, in the app store listing, or in the app's settings or sign-up screen.
3. A policy says: 'We collect your name, email address and location.' What part of the policy is this?
A. What data is collected ✓
B. Who the data is shared with
This sentence lists the types of data the service collects from you.
4. A policy says: 'We may share your data with advertising partners.' What is this telling you?
A. Who your data is shared with ✓
B. How long your data is kept
Advertising partners are other companies that receive your data, so this part is about sharing.
5. Which is a good question to ask when reading a privacy policy?
A. Why does this service need my data? ✓
B. How many pages is this document?
A good reader checks the reason for collecting data, because a service should only collect what it needs.

Match the Pairs

Data we collect: name, email, location → This section of a privacy policy lists what personal data the service collects from you
We share your data with advertising partners → This statement tells you who else gets your data, which is a third party outside the service
Finding the policy: most apps and websites link to it from the footer, the sign-up page or the settings menu → Footer: About | Help | Privacy Policy | Terms
How to opt out: the policy explains how you can say no to some uses of your data → To stop marketing emails, click Unsubscribe or turn off Marketing in Settings
I clicked 'I agree' without reading, so I know what data the app collects → Clicking agree does not tell you what is collected. You need to read the privacy policy to find out what data is collected, why, and who it is shared with.
The policy says 'we keep your data', so it must be deleted when I stop using the app → The policy should say how long data is kept. Keeping data does not mean it is deleted, so check the retention period or how to ask for deletion.

Key Term

privacy policy
A document that says what data a service collects, why it collects it, who it shares it with, how long it keeps it and how you can opt out.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Footer link: Privacy Policy
Hint: Type the name of the document that websites usually link to at the bottom of the page.
2. We collect your email and your location.
Hint: Type the verb a policy uses to say the service gathers your data.
3. We share your data with third parties.
Hint: Type the word that completes the term for outside companies that receive your data.
4. To opt out, go to Settings > Privacy.
Hint: Type the two-word phrase for choosing to stop your data being used.
5. Data retention: we keep it for 2 years.
Hint: Type the word for how long a service stores your data.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Says: "We collect your email"
B What: nothing
C Says: "We keep it for 2 years"
D Kept for: 2 years
Line B — The policy says the service collects your email, so the summary should read 'What: email', not 'nothing'.
Question 2
A Step 1: skip the Privacy link
B Step 2: read what is collected
C Step 3: see who gets the data
Line A — The first step in reading a policy is to find and open the Privacy link, usually in the footer or settings. You can't read the policy if you skip it.
Question 3
A Says: "We share data with ads"
B Shared with: advertisers
C Says: "Opt out in Settings"
D Opt out: not possible
Line D — The policy says you can opt out in Settings, so the summary should say 'Opt out: Settings > Privacy', not that it is not possible.
Question 4
A Says: "We use your location"
B Why: to show nearby shops
C Collects: your birthday
Line C — The policy says the service uses your location, so the data collected is location, not your birthday.
Question 5
A Says: "We keep data 1 year"
B Kept for: forever
C Answers: how long is it kept?
Line B — The policy says data is kept for 1 year, so the summary should say 'Kept for: 1 year', not forever.

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