Google AdSense Terms and Conditions Changes

February 26, 2008

[Noel]

Is it juts me?

Just now when I logged in I got a new "Google AdSenseTM Online Standard Terms and Conditions" page from AdSense

[europeforvisitors]

The Direct Marketing Association has a free "Privacy Policy Generator" that's worth a look. We can't post URLs for tools here, but a Google search should help you find it.

[Atomic]

I can't help but think that if this privacy policy change is so important they'd give some more (or any) guidance.

[walrus]

should i then be concerned about Duplicate Content as well ? using this generic privacy content text?

Thats an interesting question. Anyone share their opinions on that?

[rj87uk]

Is it possible to have some code that would make a pop up and display a general PP... I have several websites and it would take me ages to do it on all of them.

RJ

[incrediBILL]

After reading all the amusing conspiracy theories, I suspect this T&C change has something to do with the EU privacy compliance that requires all companies in the EU using cookies to comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 [ico.gov.uk] by providing a privacy policy.

Remember that part of the AdSense T&C's has always said that publishers can't violate local laws and remain publishers, so I would suspect this move to make all publishers comply across the board just makes it easier for Google to enforce this policy by making sure everyone is legal whether or not the law applies to everyone or not.

[edited by: incrediBILL at 8:44 pm (utc) on Feb. 29, 2008]

[blairsp]

Has anyone in the whole history of adsense NOT accepted their changes. I don't think so.

Do we need this discussion because people are simply going to click the "I agree and show me the money" button. Same answer as last para?

[jchampliaud]

should i then be concerned about Duplicate Content as well ? using this generic privacy content text?

That’s an interesting question. Anyone share their opinions on that?

I can't see one page (or even a few) of duplicate content hurting you, as long as you have enough original stuff on your site.

[ken_b]

>> should i then be concerned about Duplicate Content as well ? using this generic privacy content text?

Make the page noindex and put it in a disallowed folder.

[tim222]

RE: Duplicate Content

Isn't that really more of a search results issue? I'm planning on adding a "no follow" instruction in htaccess so the privacy page doesn't get indexed.

[fearlessrick]

I think this whole issue is a joke. Google has become the Darth Vader of FUD-spreading.

[coosblues]

I just emailed Adsense and they are generally quite quick at answering my emails. I'll let you know when/if I hear back from them. I just wish I wouldn't have agreed to this but after logging in each day to see the new TOS I went ahead and clicked "I agree". I have no privacy policy in place "yet". I gave this URL and asked the Adsense Advisor to pop in to help us out.

[incrediBILL]

I think this whole issue is a joke. Google has become the Darth Vader of FUD-spreading.

I'm pretty sure it's not, read my comments above.

Next will probably be a requirement that all AdSense sites are a minimum of HTML 4.01 transitional and compliant with handicap accessibility so brace for impact...

[ArtistMike]

This reply from Google is from a forum... it is very similar to what I got back from them in email...

On the topic of the privacy policy requirement -- while we can't
comment specifically on what the laws in a particular country may
require, we can say that in most locations the standard business
practice is to notify users of third-party cookies and/or web beacons
in a site's privacy policy.

I told them in a second email that I am in the same state and country as Google, and asked them again if my privacy policy meets GOOGLE's requirements. I don't really care about what the "country" requires.

Mike

[carguy84]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Ununited States of California pass a law that requires all websites that collect any information on a user to have a visible Privacy Policy? I remember that's when we added ours, as we get web visitors from California.

ArtistMike, thanks for posting Google's response. Now I'm curious if they are just trying to dodge your actual question or if they'll come back with the an actual answer.

On the otherhand, I have no problem adding:
< body onload="alert('Our website relies on the Google AdSense Ads displayed on this page for revenue. In order for us to display this ad, we must let you know that Google is adding a cookie and/or a web beacon to your computer, whether you click or not.');" >

to the top of every page ;)

i kid i kid

[RonS]

Why did I just get an alert dialog box popup on my screen when I came into this thread?

;)