Privacy Policy Review: By Ken Cox on 4-13-2023 using the PPGS 2.1

Transparency (Clear and Complete): B (Green) The Amazon.com privacy policy provides a good level of detail regarding the types of personal data collected and why it’s collected. However, some of the language used in the policy may be technical and difficult for some users to understand.

User Control (Access, Deletion, and Changes): B (Green) Amazon.com allows users to access, modify, or delete their personal information through their account settings. While the process for making these changes may not be immediately obvious to all users, the options are available and relatively easy to use.

Third-party Sharing (Limits and Consent): C (Yellow) The Amazon.com privacy policy is less clear on when and how user data is shared with advertisers and other third parties. While users may be able to limit or opt-out of some data sharing, it’s not always clear when and how this is possible.

Security Measures: A (Blue) Amazon has implemented strong security measures to protect user data from unauthorized access or disclosure. The privacy policy explains these measures in detail, which is a positive sign.

Notification of Changes: A (Blue) The Amazon.com privacy policy explains how users will be notified about significant changes to the privacy policy, which is a good thing. Users will be notified via email or through the website if there are any significant changes made to the privacy practices.

Readability: B (Green) While the Amazon.com privacy policy is generally well-written and easy to understand, there are some sections that may be more difficult for the average user to comprehend. The language used in the policy may be technical or legalistic, which could make it difficult for some users to understand.

Business Risks:

Data Breaches and Security Incidents: As a privacy expert, Ken Cox would likely acknowledge that all companies that collect and store user data are at risk of data breaches and other security incidents. While Amazon.com has implemented strong security measures to protect user data, there is always a risk that a breach or incident could occur. This could result in sensitive user data being exposed or stolen, which could lead to financial loss or identity theft.

Targeted Advertising and Data Sharing: Ken Cox would likely note that targeted advertising and data sharing are potential risks associated with the Amazon.com privacy policy. While users can limit or opt-out of some of this data sharing, it’s not always clear when and how user data is shared with advertisers. This could result in users being served ads that are not relevant to their interests or having their personal information shared with third parties without their knowledge or consent.

Employee Access and Third-Party Service Providers: Ken Cox would likely recognize the risk that Amazon.com employees or third-party service providers could access or use user data improperly. While Amazon has policies and procedures in place to prevent this from happening, it is still a risk that users should be aware of. Additionally, third-party service providers may have their own security vulnerabilities or data privacy issues, which could result in user data being exposed or compromised.

In summary, I give the Amazon.com privacy policy a B (Green) based on the PPGS 2.1. While the policy provides a good level of detail and offers users some control over their personal information, there are areas where it could be more transparent and user-friendly. In terms of business risks, Ken Cox would likely note that data breaches and security incidents, targeted advertising and data sharing, and employee access and third-party service providers are all potential risks that users should be aware of when sharing private data with Amazon.com.