At 10:51 PM 2/23/01 +0100, David Sharp wrote:
>I've asked the hosting service to provide me with such a commitment,
>but I'd be interested in knowing whether there are any kind of
>accepted ground rules for this kind of situation.
We offer commercial list hosting service. For those using
our basis list hosting, we have an online TOS and privacy
policy. (It doesn't make sense to deal with a printed agreement
for smaller accounts - just the cost of processing would
soon outweigh the revenue from the list hosting.) For
larger lists with non-standard pricing or those using our
advanced solutions, we do have an agreement.
There are four basic things we've incorporated into our
TOS, privacy policy, hosting agreement and internal
procedures:
1/ All staff and contractors must complete an NDA which
specifically covers client data files. (among other things)
2/ Staff will ONLY access subscriber lists if/when
there is a specific problem that can only be resolved
by doing so. (For instance, a troublesome email address
needs to be removed.)
3/ We do not divulge the contents of data files or client
information to any third parties. (Note: we take it as
far as not providing client information at our web site
- which has probably hurt us more than helped us :))
4/ The exception to # 3 - which is spelled out in our
hosting agreement - is under subpoena by a court of
law.
We've heard of almost every imaginable possibility
happen with competitors. From employees leaving a
company with copies of clients' subscriber lists to
the company itself SELLING subscriber lists to one
or more competitors of a client because the client's
account fell into arrears!
When it comes to your own privacy policy, I think
it's a good idea to specifically reference any third
parties that may be involved and provide a link to
their privacy policy or TOS.
David, I think you've brought up a great point for
those using third party hosting services. Privacy is
definitely something that list owners/publishers
SHOULD be asking about before they sign on for service
with a new vendor, but very few do. I think maybe 1
in 200 people who come to us for a quotation or
hosting will even ask.
Sharon Tucci
President & CEO
Sling Shot Media, LLC
http://www.ListHost.net - The List Hosting SpeciaLists
1-613-933-5133
