P9. Collection of user information from third parties (internet and mobile ecosystem companies)
The company should clearly disclose its practices with regard to user information it collects from third-party websites or apps through technical means.
Elements
- Does the company clearly disclose what user information it collects from third-party websites through technical means?
- Does the company clearly explain how it collects user information from third parties through technical means?
- Does the company clearly disclose its purpose for collecting user information from third parties through technical means?
- Does the company clearly disclose how long it retains the user information it collects from third parties through technical means?
- Does the company clearly disclose that it respects user-generated signals to opt-out of data collection?
Research guidance
We expect companies to disclose what information about users they collect from third parties, which in this case typically means information collected from third-party websites or apps through technical means, for instance through cookies, plug-ins, or widgets. Company disclosure of these practices helps users understand if and how their activities are being tracked by companies even when they are not on a host company’s website or are a user of a particular service or platform.
Potential sources:
- Company privacy policy
- Company policy on third parties