I'm diving into creating my first website on alwaysdata.net, which is a small social network project that features a self-contained currency system. Since I'm new to this, I'm curious about the legal requirements I need to consider. Specifically, I want to know if I need to include things like a privacy policy or terms of service, and if so, what should be covered in those documents. My signup process collects usernames, emails for verification, display names, and passwords, and also has options for users to include their location and bio. Given that some users may be under 18 (including myself), it's important to get this right. I'm using Python FastAPI for the API, classic HTML/CSS for the frontend, and PostgreSQL for the database. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
If you're collecting emails and have users under 18, you definitely need to cover some basics. At a minimum, you should have:
* A Privacy Policy that explains what data you collect, why you collect it, how long you keep it, and how users can delete their info.
* Terms of Service outlining rules for using your site, including moderation policies and any disclaimers on the currency system.
* A Cookie Notice if you use any cookies for tracking.
* A Contact Email for users to reach you.
Since you’re dealing with minors, be extra clear about how data is handled and any parental consent requirements, depending on your location.
To make things easier, if you avoid using complex analytics like Google Analytics and stick with simpler options like Plausible, you'll simplify your privacy policy, too. Since you're just using a login token, you might not need a cookie banner if other cookies aren't used.
For starters, just ensure you have a basic privacy policy and terms of service. There are plenty of online generators that can help you create these documents, but always tweak them so they're relevant to your needs. If your site grows, consider consulting a lawyer later on, but starting out with simple policies should be fine.
Every country has different laws, so be mindful of where you're based. If you're in the EU, the GDPR is a major consideration. You need to ensure consent for cookies that aren't strictly necessary, like session cookies. Also, you might need an 'Imprint' section for contact details—some places require your full name and a physical address, which may not be something everyone is comfortable sharing.
Thanks for the heads up! I'm definitely planning to keep the cookie use to a minimum, just using them for the login token.