Web Site Privacy

Following are some advisory points regarding (non)-publication of private data on public web pages created via the Site Builder:

• Always obtain a member's explicit permission before publishing his or her telephone number on a web page.
• Don't show home addresses where group meetings take place: just give an approximate location within the your locality as a helpful indication for potential members. Show full addresses and transport options only for public venues such as halls, libraries, cafes, etc.
• Avoid including members' email addresses in page text where the 'spambots' can find them. Use the 'Site Profile' option to check for instances and remove them. Then register them with the 'Add email' option to provide direct contact facilities via the site.
• Delete personal data from documents circulated for public consumption. Make redacted copies of newsletters before uploading them to the site.
• If your site has a protected file area, request a change of password annually - round about the membership renewal date.
• Remove password-protected newsletters frequently. Once current menbers have had the chance to read or download them they serve no further purpose and occupy file space unnecessarily.

The final responsibility for privacy lies with individual U3A committees, who should define a policy for their members to follow when distributing any personal information, whether electronically or by other means.