Privacy Responsibilities for Website Owners in 2025
Website owners in 2025 face increasing responsibilities regarding visitor privacy, as highlighted by John Locke in a recent blog post on the Freelock blog. Failure to comply with various privacy laws, such as the EU's GDPR or state-specific regulations in the U.S., can result in hefty fines, with penalties ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 per visitor depending on the jurisdiction. John emphasized the importance of having a clear and responsible privacy policy to avoid such consequences. He cited insights from Hans Skillrud of Termageddon, advocating for small, privacy-respecting services over large corporations known for extensive data tracking.
Suggestions included using self-hosted analytics like Matomo, serving web fonts locally, and securing IT systems to prevent data leaks. The post also highlighted ethical considerations around data use, contrasting companies focused on responsible disclosure with those employing complex, obscure legal agreements. John encouraged businesses to adopt transparent practices that prioritize visitor privacy and align with ethical standards.
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